Written Answers Nos. 68-93
68. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeframe for processing an application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal by a person (details supplied); and the process involved. [41590/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal administers the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted. Under the Terms of the Scheme, the Tribunal is entirely independent in considering applications made under the Scheme. Therefore, you will appreciate that in these circumstances, I cannot comment on individual cases.
As I outlined to the Deputy in my response to his questions 821 and 822 of the 24 July 2018, it is not possible to provide an average length of time to settle each claim as it varies depending on the circumstances of each case. 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 being assessed.
69. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41595/18]
View answerI would like to assure the Deputy that this Government is deeply committed to addressing child sexual abuse. It is imperative that the legislation around these offences protects the most vulnerable members of society from serious harm and legislation is consistently being reviewed in this area to ensure that our laws offer the best protections for citizens.
The Government last year enacted the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, a wide-ranging piece of legislation which significantly enhanced laws to combat the sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children. Among the provisions of the 2017 Act are measures to significantly strengthen the existing criminal law in combating child exploitation and, in particular, address the use of modern communication technologies as a tool, which may lead to child sexual exploitation. Specific offences have been provided for to target the recognised steps in what is often a gradual process of grooming a victim.
Convicted sex offenders are subject to monitoring and supervision in the community through the Garda Síochána and the Probation Service. The Sex Offenders Act 2001 provides for the monitoring of convicted sex offenders in the community. Under the 2001 Act a person who has been convicted of a sexual offence must notify the Garda Síochána of their name and address within seven days. The 2001 Act also provides for sex offenders orders where the court can prohibit a convicted sex offender from doing things with a view to protecting the public from harm. I intend to bring to Government shortly a Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill which will strengthen the monitoring of sex offenders in the community, including reducing the notification period from seven to three days.
In addition, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2018, which completed Second Stage debate in this House just last week, will provide for presumptive minimum sentencing for repeat sex offenders.
The Government is committed to ensuring an adequate and robust legislative basis to ensure sexual offences are dealt with appropriately and that the public are protected from harm.
70. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí attached to the Galway division of An Garda Síochána; and the stations each is attached to. [41608/18]
View answerAs 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.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána. It provides a means of recognising that every community – both urban and rural – has its own concerns and expectations. That is why it is important to recognise that the role of a community Garda is not a specialist role in An Garda Síochána; rather it is the case that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. The official categorisation as a Community Garda simply refers to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. It is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her having regard to the profile of the area and its specific needs.
The information in relation to the number of Community Gardaí attached to the Galway Division by Station as of 31 August 2018, the latest date for which figures are currently available as provided by the Garda Commissioner, is as set out in the following table.
Number of Community Gardaí assigned to the Galway Division by Station as of 31 August 2018.
|
STATION |
TOTAL |
|
Galway |
13 |
|
Ballinasloe |
0 |
|
Órán Mór |
1 |
|
Maigh Cuilinn |
0 |
|
Salthill |
1 |
|
Loughrea |
0 |
|
Tuam |
0 |
|
Total |
15 |
For more general information on Garda Facts and Figures please see the following link:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures.
71. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of families residing in a hotel (details supplied) that have leave to remain; and the number of adults and children, respectively, in these families. [41625/18]
View answerA total of 65 persons resident in the centre concerned currently have leave to remain in Ireland.
This total consists of 17 single adults and 13 family units comprising of a total of 17 adults and 31 children.
72. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the direct provision centres that have recently closed or are due to close before the end of 2018; the reason each of these centres closed or is due to close; the name of the company and or person that RIA had the contract for the provision of services at these centres; if RIA expects further closures or non-renewals of contracts into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41626/18]
View answerTo date in 2018, two Accommodation Centres for persons in the protection process have closed. Georgian Court, Gardiner Street, Dublin 1 closed in February 2018 and Watergate House, Dublin 8 closed in June 2018. The Contractor for Georgian Court was Old George Limited and the Contractor for Watergate House was Maison Builders Limited. In both cases, the contracts reached the end of the relevant contractual period.
The Department has been informed by the Contractor for the Towers Accommodation Centre in Clondalkin, Dublin 22 by letter received on the 3rd October 2018 that they will not be seeking to renew the contract which expires in December 2018. The Deputy will appreciate that discussions between the contractor and Officials from the Department are on-going with the welfare of the residents at the centre of those discussions.
My Department is not aware of any other centres that plan to close. Equally it is not aware of any centres that plan either not to seek a renewal of their contract or to compete in a public procurement competition to provide accommodation and ancillary services to persons in the protection process.
73. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the dates and meetings he or his officials have had with An Garda Síochána regarding concerns he or his officials have regarding the statistics and-or information An Garda Síochána has been providing to the Central Statistics Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41632/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the subject of statistics, particularly in relation to the official recorded crime statistics, is something that is being given considerable and on-going attention by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), An Garda Síochána and the Policing Authority. Officials from my Department are also monitoring the progress being made on this particular body of work to ensure that the crime statistics return to the higher standard expected by the CSO as soon as possible.
To be of assistance to the Deputy, I have instructed my officials to collate the information being sought and I will contact you again when this information is to hand.
74. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the waiting times for persons to receive free legal aid in each of the law centres throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41651/18]
View answerThe provision of civil legal aid in the State is delivered by the Legal Aid Board pursuant to the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2017.
There are significant demands on the Board and I am conscious that this gives rise to waiting times for certain services at most of the Board's law centres. However, waiting times have been reduced over the last number of years due to measures introduced by the Board.
The Board is extremely conscious that delays in service can lead to difficulties not just for the client but also for the wider community, as well as the courts system. In this regard, certain matters are dealt with as priority matters which means they receive the next available appointment at the law centre. Such matters include domestic violence, child abduction, child care, and asylum and related matters. In addition, the Board refers the vast majority of applications relating to private District Court remedies, for example maintenance, custody, access and guardianship, to private solicitors on its panels.
All other applications are placed on the waiting list. I can advise the Deputy that details of the waiting times in each law centre are published on a regular basis by the Board on their website https://www.legalaidboard.ie/en/Our-Services/Legal-Aid-Services/Waiting-times/.
75. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to provide funding for a new Garda station (details supplied) as committed to by a previous Government ten years ago. [41653/18]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware 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. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that in 2008 a potential site for the development of a new Garda Station in the location referred to by the Deputy had been identified by the OPW. However, I have been informed that the site was not acquired. I am further informed that in the circumstances that no alternative site was then available, An Garda Síochána requested the OPW to carry out alternative works, namely a modular extension and internal refurbishment, rewiring and accessibility works at the existing station in the location referred to by the Deputy. These works were completed in mid-2010 at a cost of approximately €92,000. l am informed that in 2017, a further €11,850 was spent on additional minor works at the station in question.
Regarding the current position, I have been advised by the Garda authorities that a Health and Safety assessment has been carried out on the station in question by the Regional Safety Advisor and that local Garda management are currently examining the issues identified, with a view to prioritising works required at the station.
76. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of a direct provision hostel (details supplied) in each year since it opened; the number of adults and children, respectively resident at the hostel on 1 September in each year since the hostel opened; the number of inspections carried out by Departmental staff or other State agencies or bodies in each year since the hostel opened; the number of adults and children, respectively deported while resident at the hostel in each year since the hostel was opened in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41666/18]
View answerThe following table provides a detailed breakdown of the start and end dates and the value of each contract pertaining to the premises in question. Contracts are not generally made for periods matching a calendar year and can span a number of years or simply a number of months. The table reflects this.
The Deputy will also note that the table shows all information from 2006, when the centre was first contracted as an accommodation centre, up to the end of 2015 (excluding the last two full calendar years, i.e., 2016 and 2017). In fulfilling its general accommodation responsibilities, the RIA does not lease or rent premises from commercial contractors. Rather, it contracts-in a comprehensive range of services and facilities, which include accommodation, housekeeping, etc., for a fixed sum over the period of the contract. RIA endeavours to achieve the best value for money in relation to these contracts, in respect of which negotiations can take place with a number of commercial entities.
As RIA is currently moving to the phased introduction of public tendering, it is therefore not in the best interests of the taxpayer that current details of individual contracts are generally made known. To compile or release such current detailed financial information could negatively affect the competitive position of the State in their discussions with parties who are, or who may be in the future, engaged in negotiations with the RIA. This is in accordance with the Reception & Integration Agency's policy on disclosure of financial information which was agreed with the Office of the information Commissioner.
|
Contract Start |
Contract Finish |
VALUE (to end 2015) |
Capacity |
|
10/10/2006 |
31/03/2009 |
€7,993,500 |
50 - 250 |
|
01/04/2009 |
08/08/2011 |
€7,420,500 |
250 |
|
09/08/2011 |
24/12/2012 |
€4,347,000 |
250 |
|
25/12/2012 |
23/06/2014 |
€3,931,200 |
225 |
|
24/06/2014 |
07/12/2015 |
€3,830,400 |
225 |
It is important to note that each of these contracts require contractor to provide full bed and board and lodgings (including laundry services, WIFI facilities etc) for all persons in the protection process resident at the relevant centre.
The number of adults and children in the centre on 1 September each year is not available. The Department does, however, maintain a snapshot of such detail at 31 December of each year. The information is published in the Annual Reports of the Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) of the Department (also available in respect of other centres at www.ria.gov.ie). Please note that the RIA Annual Reports were first published in 2007 and information in relation to 2006 is not available.
The following table outlines the number of adults and children in the centre on 31 December for the years 2007 to 2017.
|
Year |
Adults |
Children |
Total |
|
2007 |
137 |
94 |
231 |
|
2008 |
168 |
74 |
242 |
|
2009 |
116 |
80 |
196 |
|
2010 |
120 |
73 |
193 |
|
2011 |
138 |
87 |
225 |
|
2012 |
132 |
93 |
225 |
|
2013 |
120 |
89 |
209 |
|
2014 |
116 |
86 |
202 |
|
2015 |
126 |
80 |
206 |
|
2016 |
119 |
78 |
197 |
|
2017 |
104 |
68 |
172 |
|
2018 (@ 07/10/2018) |
157 |
91 |
248 |
The number of inspections carried out at this centre in each year was as follows:
Year Total No. of Inspections
2006 0 (centre opened in October)
2007 1
2008 2
2009 3
2010 2
2011 3
2012 2
2013 3
2014 4
2015 1
2016 3
2017 3
2018 2 (to date)
In relation to the Deputy’s question about persons deported each year while residing in a specified State provided accommodation centre, the position is that deportation related records are not maintained by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of the Department in a manner such as would allow the figures for such deportations to be disaggregated from the figures for all deportation orders effected in the relevant year.
77. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of adults and children residing in a direct provision hostel (details supplied); when the attention of his Department and RIA was drawn to the fact that the operator of this centre would not be renewing their contract; his plans and the plans RIA has in place to secure accommodation for all of the residents of the centre including those with leave to remain but unable to secure alternative accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41667/18]
View answerThere are currently 157 adults and 91 children resident in the centre in question. A total of 65 persons resident in the centre currently have leave to remain in Ireland.
The Department has been informed by the contractor for the centre by letter received on the 3rd October 2018 that they will not be seeking to renew the contract which expires in December 2018. The Deputy will appreciate that discussions between the contractor and officials from the Department are on-going with the welfare of the residents at the centre of those discussions.
As part of a wider scheme to seek additional accommodation for those in the international protection process, a public procurement competition for premises within 40km of Newbridge was advertised on the 16th September 2018 with a closing date of the 17th October 2018. Clondalkin is within 40km of Newbridge.
The Department also provides funding to NGOs and works with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government on the issue of accommodation. In particular, funding was granted to the Jesuit Refugee Service under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund Ireland 2017 - 2019 for the PATHS project (Providing Asylum-seekers in Transition with Housing and Support) which assists long-term residents with status to exit the Accommodation Centre in Clondalkin. In addition, funding has been granted to South Dublin County Partnership for a two year housing and integration programme of which a key part is assisting residents of the Towers Centre who have their status to access housing supports.
78. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which a person (details supplied) can be facilitated in their quest for an update of stamp 4 in view of the fact that their homeland passport has already been deemed to be false, even though it is their original passport obtained in their homeland and that recent experience of their homeland authorities is unco-operative; if other steps can be taken by the family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41694/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that an undertaking has been made to issue a final decision to the person concerned within 15 working days.
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.
79. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the expected residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) who has been here since 2000 including long periods covered by a work permit; if they qualify for long-term residency with entitlement to continue in employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41695/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it wrote to the person concerned on 8 October, 2018 requesting further information and documentation. I understand that INIS will give full consideration to the person's request for permission to reside in this State upon receipt of a response from the person concerned.
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.
80. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a refoulement application in the case of a person (details supplied) can be accepted thereby preventing deportation to their homeland in which there is incontrovertible evidence to the effect that their return there puts their life in danger and also taking into account that they are in a permanent relationship here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41698/18]
View answerI am advised by the Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 11 March 2005.
As previously advised, representations were received on behalf of the person concerned pursuant to Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to revoke the Deportation Order. Following the consideration of those representations, a decision was taken in July 2018 that the Deportation Order should be affirmed and this decision was communicated to the person concerned by registered post dated 16 July 2018.
It is open to the person concerned to submit further representations requesting that the Deportation Order be revoked, pursuant to Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). However, I wish to make clear that such an application would require substantial grounds to be successful.
The Deputy might wish to note that the effect of a Deportation Order is that the person named on the Order is legally obliged to leave the State and to remain outside of the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order in this case is now an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
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.
81. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a person (details supplied) can be facilitated in their quest for naturalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41699/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is ongoing.
A letter issued to the person concerned on 1 October 2018 requesting certain documentation and a reply is awaited. Upon receipt of the requested documentation the case will be further processed. I am unable to comment on any possible applications by siblings of the applicant given the limited information supplied by the Deputy.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
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.
82. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which a stamp 4 work permit may be made available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41700/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it has no record of a request from the person concerned for permission to reside in the State on Stamp 4 conditions. I am further advised that correspondence issued to the individual's legal representative on 28 August, 2018, granting the person concerned permission to reside in the State under Stamp 3 conditions for one year.
It is open to the person concerned may write Unit 2, Domestic Residence and Permissions Division, INIS, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 in relation to a request for permission to reside in this State on Stamp 4 conditions. Any such request will be given detailed consideration by INIS upon receipt of the relevant information and documentary evidence from the individual concerned.
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.
83. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to facilitate an application for regularisation of residency by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41701/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that correspondence issued to the legal representative of the person concerned on 28 August, 2018, granting the person concerned permission to reside in the State under Stamp 1 conditions for one year.
Should the person concerned wish for this correspondence to be reissued they may write to Unit 2, Domestic Residence and Permissions Division, Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 to request this.
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.
84. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when residency status will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41702/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a request for permission to reside in this State was received from the person concerned on 3 October, 2018. A response issued to the person concerned on the same date seeking further information and documentation. I understand that INIS will give full consideration to the person's request for permission to reside in this State upon receipt of a response.
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.
85. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when regularisation of residency will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41703/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it would appear the person's presence in the State may be unlawful as their most recent permission to remain in the State expired in November, 2016.
The Deputy will appreciate that, under the relevant provisions of the Immigration Act, 2004, a non-national may not be in the State other than within the terms of a permission from the Minister for Justice and Equality. In order to allow for a full examination of the person's circumstances, the person concerned should write to Unit 2, Domestic Residence and Permissions Division, INIS, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 and provide a detailed account and documentary evidence of their personal circumstances since the expiration of their permission to reside in this State.
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.
86. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the order to deport in the case of a person (details supplied) can be set aside in view of the nature of the case and particularly while ongoing policy determinations arising from the High Court decision are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41707/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, following the action taken by the person concerned on 4th October, 2018, the conditions have now been created under which the relevant Deportation Order can be revoked. I am further advised that this Order will be formally revoked within the next two weeks. Once this process has been completed, the person concerned will be notified in writing.
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.
87. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the availability of a stamp 4 extended residency in the case of a person (details supplied) who has lived here on foot of a work permit for several years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41710/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned.
These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.
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.
88. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of foreign company visits per region in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the volume of visits in each region by location; if those locations were privately owned or State owned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41605/18]
View answerIDA Ireland continues to highlight the benefits of expanding or locating in all counties to its client base. It is important to remember, however, that the final decision as to where to invest always rests with the company concerned. It is also the case that site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as almost 70% of all new foreign direct investment comes from existing IDA Ireland client companies.
Site visits are collated by the IDA on a county-by-county basis only and are released every quarter. Information on the number of site visits per month to specific locations is therefore unavailable.
The following table sets out the number of IDA Ireland site visits to each county in 2016, 2017 and the first two quarters of 2018. Figures for the third quarter of this year will be compiled at the end of October.
|
County |
2016 |
2017 |
Q1 2018 |
Q2 2018 |
|
Dublin |
284 |
327 |
69 |
72 |
|
Kildare |
8 |
10 |
4 |
0 |
|
Meath |
8 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
|
Wicklow |
5 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
|
Laois |
6 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
|
Longford |
6 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
4 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
36 |
42 |
3 |
9 |
|
Clare |
18 |
22 |
4 |
3 |
|
Limerick |
49 |
42 |
8 |
7 |
|
Tipperary |
8 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
|
Louth |
24 |
22 |
6 |
6 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Donegal |
7 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
|
Leitrim |
8 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
|
Sligo |
20 |
18 |
5 |
3 |
|
Carlow |
9 |
8 |
1 |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
10 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
|
Waterford |
17 |
11 |
5 |
9 |
|
Wexford |
7 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
|
Cork |
49 |
51 |
10 |
14 |
|
Kerry |
3 |
9 |
0 |
5 |
|
Galway |
42 |
62 |
10 |
20 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
7 |
2 |
2 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
|
Total |
638 |
682 |
135 |
172 |
89. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the Bills under her remit that are expected to undergo pre-legislative scrutiny in the autumn session; and the Bills that will be taken at second stage in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [41689/18]
View answerIt is anticipated that the following Bills will be submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Business, Enterprise and Innovation in the Autumn session for consideration for pre-legislative scrutiny:
- Companies (Corporate Enforcement Authority) Bill 2018 (subject to Government approval of the general scheme of the Bill);
- Companies (Amendment) Bill 2018;
- Industrial Development (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill
Subject to the decision of the Joint Committee with respect to pre-legislative scrutiny, drafting and parliamentary time, the Companies (Corporate Enforcement Authority) Bill 2018 and the Companies (Amendment) Bill 2018 could be ready for second stage during the Autumn session.
It is also expected that the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill and the Unfair Contract Terms (Gift Vouchers) Bill 2018 will be taken at second stage during the Autumn session.
90. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the capital spend to date in 2018, including the capital carry-over from 2017 by subhead; the provision under each subhead, including the capital carry-over from 2017 provided for in the Revised Estimates Volume for 2018; the details of overspends or underspends under each subhead; the action to be taken to deal with them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41690/18]
View answerThe following Table sets out Subhead by Subhead my Department’s capital allocations for 2017 and 2018, the 2017 actual capital spend together with the expenditure position in 2018 as at the end of September.
I wish to confirm that my Department did not carryover any capital monies from 2017 into 2018. I would also advise the Deputy that my Department did have a technical Supplementary Estimate in 2017 which allowed for the redistribution of capital and current savings to a number of other priorities in 2017, including funding the Brexit Working Capital Scheme. The 2017 outturn figures as set out in the Table reflect the capital expenditure position following the technical Supplementary. Insofar as the expenditure position in 2018 is concerned, whilst capital spending is somewhat behind profile it is too early at this stage to say definitively what the likely end of year position will be.
Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation 2017 and 2018 Capital Allocations, 2017 Outturn and 2018 Spend to end Sept
|
- |
Subhead Description |
2017 Capital Allocation (€,000) |
2017 Outturn (€,000) |
2018 Capital Allocation (€,000) |
2018 Expenditure end Sept. (€,000) |
|
Programme A – Jobs & Enterprise Development |
|||||
|
A.4 |
InterTrade Ireland |
5,695 |
5,695 |
5,695 |
4,603 |
|
A.5 |
IDA Ireland |
137,000 |
134,000 |
132,000 |
47,500 |
|
A.6 |
NSAI |
500 |
408 |
500 |
193 |
|
A.7 |
Enterprise Ireland |
63,000 |
33,000 |
63,000 |
13,000 |
|
A.8 |
Local Enterprise Development |
22,500 |
22,435 |
22,500 |
16,947 |
|
A.9 |
Temporary Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme |
500 |
871 |
500 |
499 |
|
A.10 |
INTERREG Enterprise Development |
3,000 |
1,426 |
3,000 |
603 |
|
Programme B – Innovation |
|||||
|
B.4 |
S & T Programmes |
289,000 |
302,000 |
293,250 |
167,427 |
|
B.5 |
Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) |
14,400 |
26,400 |
14,300 |
13,750 |
|
B.6 |
Subscriptions to International Organisations |
19,405 |
20,298 |
20,255 |
15,886 |
|
Total |
555,000 |
546,533 |
555,000 |
280,408 |
|
91. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if persons (details supplied) qualify for a work permit in view of their long employment history here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41696/18]
View answerThe Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that it has no record of any application for an employment permit for the above named people (details supplied).
In order to work in Ireland a non-EEA National, unless they are exempted, must hold a valid Employment Permit. The Employment Permits Section of my Department administers the Employment Permits system. All applications for employment permits are processed in line with the Employment Permits Acts and associated Regulations which lay down in legislation the criteria in relation to the application, grant and refusal of an employment permit.
In order to apply for an employment permit a non-EEA national must have a secured a job offer for an eligible occupation from an Irish registered employer.
Details on how to apply for an employment permit are available on our website at the following link - https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/
My officials have produced a comprehensive Frequently Asked Question document covering all aspects of the Employment Permits regime which is available here - https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/FAQs/Employment-Permits-FAQs-2018.pdf
Finally, it should be noted that my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, has responsibility for issuing immigration permissions and visas.
92. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if the recent vacant psychiatrist position (details supplied) in County Wexford has been advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41543/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
93. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive a psychology appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41550/18]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
