Written Answers Nos. 308-323
308. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that deportation of a person (details supplied) may lead to a serious threat to his or her well-being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42239/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of Deportation Orders made on 15 September 2017.
As previously advised, this order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and to remain out of the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
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.
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.
309. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of departmental staff who have made a protected disclosure to him in 2018. [42268/18]
View answerI have been advised that from 1 January 2018 to 30 September 2018 the Department has not received any Protected Disclosures from Departmental staff (Vote 24). I can also advise the Deputy that up until 1 July 2018 the Head of Internal Audit in my Department was designated as the Recipient for Protected Disclosures in the Irish Prison Service (Vote 21), and received Disclosures from six individuals in that regard in 2018. Since 1 July 2018, the Irish Prison Service has implemented a revised Protected Disclosures Policy, under which a Protected Disclosures Manager has been appointed, and provision made for external assessment and investigation of disclosures: https://www.irishprisons.ie/protected-disclosures-policy-2018/.
310. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the actions he has taken to implement recommendation No. 6 of the Magdalen commission report (details supplied). [42274/18]
View answerI am committed to honouring the commitments made to the Magdalen women. To date, 696 women have received ex-gratia payments from my Department at a cost of €26.2m.
In recommendation 6 of his Magdalen Commission Report, Judge Quirke - who devised the ex-gratia compensation scheme - refers to the issue of the various forms of memorialisation discussed with advocates and representative groups of the Magdalen survivors.
My officials had been engaging with their counterparts in Dublin City Council about a proposal to have a Magdalen memorial established as part of a significant commercial redevelopment on Sean McDermott Street, Dublin 1, the original site of the Gloucester Street Magdalen Institution. In September 2018, Dublin City Councillors voted against that particular commercial development.
The issue of memorialisation was also considered at the ‘Dublin Honours Magdalenes’ event in June 2018. Over 200 former residents of Magdalen institutions attended this event at the Mansion House, with The President of Ireland also hosting the women at his official residence. Although the event was organised by a voluntary group, funding and logistical support were provided by my Department.
The event was in line with another of the recommendations of Mr. Justice Quirke. It provided an opportunity for the women to meet and exchange contact details and make known their views on a suitable memorial. I have asked the event organisers to provide a report on the outcome of those consultations and I will give careful consideration to the views of the Magdalen women when received.
311. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of a visa application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42276/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa applications referred to were refused by the Visa Office in Dublin on 16 April 2018. The decision, including the reasons for the decision, was communicated to each applicant.
Appeals were subsequently made by each applicant which were received in the Dublin Visa Office on 16 June 2018 and additional documents were provided on 16 July 2018. Appeals are processed in chronological order based on the date on which they are received. It is expected that these applications will be decided by early December 2018 given the current caseload.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to 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 INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited. In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to INIS (visamail@justice.ie).
312. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí in each division and district of the Dublin metropolitan region of An Garda Síochána; the population served in each area; and the comparable figures for each year of each of the past ten years. [42289/18]
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 requested by the Deputy in relation to the population served by each Garda District is not readily available in my Department as the recording of the population by area is a matter for the Central Statistics Office.
The material is not compiled in such a manner as to allow me to provide you with the number of Community Gardaí in each district. By way of assistance the information in relation to the number of Community Gardaí by Division in each of the years from 2008 to 31 August 2018, the latest date for which figures are currently available as provided by the Garda Commissioner, is available on my Department’s website through the link:
www.justice.ie/en/JELR/005_Community_Garda_Strength_2008_to_31_August_2018.xlsx/Files/005_Community_Garda_Strength_2008_to_31_August_2018.xlsx.
For more general information on Garda Facts and Figures please see www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures.
313. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the financial allocation from his budget for 2019 for the decision support service; when he expects the service to be fully operational; the envisaged timescale for the full commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42346/18]
View answerThe 2019 Budget provides for an allocation of €3 million in the Justice and Equality Vote for the establishment of the Decision Support Service.
The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 provides a modern statutory framework to support decision-making by adults with capacity difficulties. The Act provides for the setting up of the Decision Support Service within the Mental Health Commission.
New administrative processes and support measures, including the setting up of the Decision Support Service must be put in place before the substantive provisions of the Act can be commenced.
A high-level Steering Group comprised of senior officials from the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commission and the Courts Service, together with the Director of the Decision Support Service, is overseeing the establishment and commissioning of the Decision Support Service and this work is ongoing.
The key preparations are being put in place under the oversight of the Steering Group to allow for commencement orders for the substantive provisions of the 2015 Act to be made when the Decision Support Service is ready to roll out the new decision-making support options. Ms Áine Flynn was appointed Director of the Decision Support Service on 2 October 2017. The Director is working in a very determined way to get the necessary staff resources, processes, IT system, expert panels, codes of practice and regulations in place in order that the Decision Support Service can be up and running as quickly as possible. There are many complex strands to this work, including involvement of multiple organisations.
Every effort is underway to ensure that the Decision Support Service has all necessary capacity to open for business as soon as possible. While the DSS has been working towards being operational and ready for the commencement of the main provisions of the ADMC Act in early 2020, the situation will be kept under review as the preparatory work on implementation moves forward.
The commencement of Part 8 of the Act, which provides for a legislative framework for advance healthcare directives, is a matter for the Minister for Health.
314. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 158 of 9 October 2018, and in view of the fact that the information was requested 14 months ago, the date on which An Garda Síochána and-or the INIS will have completed same. [42357/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department that the information requested is held by An Garda Síochána and the reply is being compiled by them. I will write to the Deputy as soon as the information is available.
315. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an investigation into the inappropriate issuance of visas in exchange for cash by gardaí in counties Wexford, Longford and Limerick is under way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42358/18]
View answerThe allegations alluded to by the Deputy are concerning. As the Deputy is aware, allegations of wrongdoing are for the appropriate authorities to investigate. Those authorities are An Garda Síochána and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. I have no role in such investigations as they are operational matters for the authorities concerned. If the Deputy has information in relation to the alleged wrongdoing, it should be brought to the attention of the appropriate body.
I do not propose to comment any further on this matter.
316. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the staffing levels in INIS offices now and at this time in 2017; if the level of resources available is contributing to delays being experienced in the processing of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42520/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that as of 1 October 2018, there were 849 staff employed within INIS, equating to 812.67 full-time equivalents. This is a significant increase on the staffing levels as of 1 October 2017, at which point there were 782 INIS staff, equating to 747.86 full-time equivalents.
These staffing increases are being particularly targeted at business areas where processing backlogs have emerged.
As set out in the INIS Service Improvement Plan 2018-2020 (which is available at www.inis.gov.ie), it is planned for staff numbers to increase to circa 890 in 2018 to help eliminate backlogs and to deliver the service improvements in the plan.
In that regard, Budget 2019 included an increased allocation of €2.6m to the INIS budget, which includes additional funds to cover the full year cost of increased staffing levels, and to fund increased technological investment which will lead to greater processing efficiencies across all areas.
317. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí and reservists in each Garda station in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42544/18]
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.
The information requested by the Deputy as provided by the Garda Commissioner is available on my Department’s website through the link: www.justice.ie/en/JELR/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_31_August_2018.xlsx/Files/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_31_August_2018.xlsx.
www.justice.ie/en/JELR/006_Garda_Reserve_Strength_2009_to_31_August_2018.xlsx/Files/006_Garda_Reserve_Strength_2009_to_31_August_2018.xlsx.
For more general information on Garda Facts and Figures please see www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures.
318. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí and reservists in each Garda station in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42545/18]
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.
The information requested by the Deputy as provided by the Garda Commissioner is available on my Department’s website through the link: www.justice.ie/en/JELR/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_31_August_2018.xlsx/Files/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_31_August_2018.xlsx.
www.justice.ie/en/JELR/006_Garda_Reserve_Strength_2009_to_31_August_2018.xlsx/Files/006_Garda_Reserve_Strength_2009_to_31_August_2018.xlsx.
For more general information on Garda Facts and Figures please see www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures.
319. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of staff in her Department and bodies under her aegis appointed to principal officer arising from internal competitions since 7 July 2015, by year. [41838/18]
View answer320. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons appointed from panels arising from the 2015 and 2017 open competitions for principal officer run by the Public Appointments Service, by year; if a table (details supplied) will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41851/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 320 together.
Staffing levels in my Department and the bodies under its aegis reflect the requirement to manage the pay bill and staff numbers in accordance with Government pay policy; with resources deployed in the most effective and efficient manner as appropriate to business needs and key priorities at any given time. In this regard, my Department liaises directly with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) in relation to the filling of posts, while the bodies under its aegis are responsible for their own recruitment. In addition, my Department also conducts internal competitions for promotion to certain grades, including that of principal officer.
None of the bodies that come under my Department's remit have made any appointments to the grade of principal officer by means of internal competition since 7 July 2015, or through the PAS competitions specified by the Deputy.
The number of officers appointed to Principal Officer in my Department arising from the PAS competitions specified, and from internal competitions from 2015 – 2017, are set out in the table.
|
Department Business, Enterprise & Innovation |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
No. of Principal Officer appointments arising from internal competitions since 7/7/15 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
|
No. of Principal Officer appointments arising from 2015 PO Open competition run by PAS (Campaign ID: 1512210) (Effective 7/7/15) |
0 |
2 |
3 |
n/a |
|
No. of Principal Officer appointments arising from 2017 PO Open Competition run by PAS(Campaign ID: 17101202) (Effective 23/11/17) |
n/a |
n/a |
0 |
0 |
321. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of funding her Department contributes to medicines research and development annually; the budget holders, for example, Science Foundation Ireland or Enterprise Ireland, responsible to her Department; the extent of their funding allocations for medicines research and development; the principles which guide this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41883/18]
View answerScience Foundation Ireland, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland are three agencies of the Department that contribute significantly to medicines research and development. This funding is guided by Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) being an essential component in a company’s ability to maintain a competitive edge in the market.
Companies and researchers that receive RDI grant support generate intellectual property and technical know-how in Ireland. Many of these RDI projects lead to manufacturing of new products, which further embed the companies in Ireland and, where relevant, increase the strategic importance of the Irish facility within the Global entity. This, in turn, contributes to the potential to increase employment in Ireland.
Information across the three agencies referenced above is not available in a format that allows for a definitive figure to be provided on "medicines research and development". However, the information provided below indicates that medical and pharma-related R&D forms a significant part of the R&D supported in each agency.
In 2017, IDA Ireland paid a total of €54,251,000 in RDI grants to its clients to undertake RDI across a variety of sectors, including Technology, Life Sciences, Medical Technologies and Engineering. Included in the above total is a figure of €13,900,000 which was paid to IDA Ireland clients in the pharma sector. Whilst some of this funding may be for drug research, it is not possible to confirm that all the funding is used exclusively for that purpose.
For the most part, Science Foundation Ireland does not ring-fence or pre-allocate funds for specific areas of research. SFI funds oriented basic research and applied research in all areas of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). All of the research funded by SFI undergoes rigorous international peer review. From time to time, the agency may run a competitive call in a defined research area where it has been identified that there is a specific gap in Ireland’s capabilities or an identified opportunity or challenge which Ireland can and should address.
In 2017, SFI invested over €33,720,000 in research related to medicines research and development. The awards cover areas directly, and more remotely, relevant to medicines research including drug/medicines discovery, but mostly synthesis, formulation, processing technologies, delivery. Significant awards in the medicine research and development areas include the SFI Research Centres, SSPC and CÚRAM.
The Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC) SFI Research Centre led by University of Limerick, is a global hub of pharmaceutical process innovation and advanced manufacturing. SSPC leads the way for next generation drug manufacture and spans the entire pharmaceutical production chain from synthesis of the molecule, to the isolation of the material, and formulation of the medicine.
CÚRAM, SFI’s Research Centre led by National University of Ireland in Galway, aims to radically improve health outcomes for patients by developing ‘smart’ medical devices and implants. CÚRAM’s research programme focuses on innovative design, assessment and manufacture of medical devices and is driven by specialist researchers, clinicians and industry partners, ultimately translating research into clinical settings.
Finally, in 2017, Enterprise Ireland paid €5,000,000 in financial support to client companies to support medicine research and development. Enterprise Ireland also has a range of supports for collaborative projects with the Higher Education Sector. However, further analysis would be required to determine what share of this funding was allocated to medicines research and development.
322. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the uptake of the various schemes to allow businesses to prepare for Brexit in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42035/18]
View answerThe requested information is contained in the table.
|
Scheme |
Uptake (as at October 2018) |
|
Brexit Loan Scheme |
262 applications received, 224 approved by SBCI, 38 Loans progressed to sanction at bank level to a value of €8.5 million, as of 12 October 2018 |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit Scorecard - online platform for Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit |
2,962 Brexit Scorecards have been completed, which includes 204 LEOs clients, as at 15 October 2018 |
|
Enterprise Ireland Be Prepared Grant |
137 Be Prepared Grants have been approved |
|
Enterprise Ireland Market Discovery Fund - A support to EI clients to research new markets |
113 projects have been approved under this initiative |
|
Enterprise Ireland Agile Innovation Fund - Gives rapid fast-track access to innovation funding |
30 Agile Innovation projects have been approved |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit Advisory Clinics |
8 Brexit Advisory Clinics have been run with approx. 590 in attendance |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit “Act On Programme” – A support funding the engagement of a consultant to devise report with recommendations to help clients address weaknesses and improve resilience |
105 “Act on” Plans have been completed |
|
Enterprise Ireland Strategic Consultancy Grant – A grant to assist EI clients to hire a strategic consultant for a set period |
1,042 Strategic Consultancy Grants have been approved |
|
Enterprise Ireland Irish Advantage Campaign – promotion of export campaign |
The Irish Advantage export promotion campaign is active in 20 markets and 15 sectors |
|
Local Enterprise Office Technical Assistance Grant for Micro Export - an incentive for LEO clients to explore and develop new market opportunities |
293 clients were approved assistance under the Technical Assistance Grant |
|
Local Enterprise Office LEAN for Micro - The LEO Lean4Micro offer was developed in collaboration between the EI Lean department and the LEOs to tailor the EI Lean offer for LEO micro enterprise clients |
192 LEO clients have participated in the programme |
|
Local Enterprise Office Mentoring |
263 mentoring participants solely focused on Brexit |
|
Local Enterprise Office Brexit Seminars/Events |
3,925 Participants at the Brexit Information events |
|
InterTradeIreland Brexit Advisory Service |
2,350 SMEs have directly engaged with the Brexit Advisory Service |
|
InterTradeIreland Brexit Start to Plan Vouchers |
There have been 619 applications, with 514 approved and 105 pending. |
|
Pilot Online Retail Scheme administered by Enterprise Ireland |
It is anticipated the pilot scheme will open for the first call in late October 2018 |
323. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the criteria and qualifications required to sit on the Science Foundation Ireland oversight review panel; the make-up and format of the panel; the remit of the panel to consider the funding allocation 2019-2025; the reason for the necessity of an additional panel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42170/18]
View answerThe first seven of SFI’s Research Centres were established in 2013. SFI undertook a pre-planned international review process at the four-year stage of these centres. As part of this, the seven Research Centres were invited to submit proposals for probable future funding.
The review process involved three key stages:
Firstly, a detailed written review was undertaken by different teams of international experts on the progress the individual SFI Research Centres had made and the proposals for future research outlined in the applications.
Secondly, the same international reviewers conducted an on-site review, and subsequently wrote a report with recommendations and scores.
Thirdly, and following the above, a separate International Oversight Review Panel was put in place to consider the individual reviews from the first two stages. The remit of the Oversight Panel was to ensure:
- Quality assurance;
- Fairness and consistency;
- Parity of practice across the seven Site Review Panels;
- Normalisation of the scoring;
- Ranking of the fundable applications.
This additional panel was put in place as a quality assurance measure, to ensure parity of practice across the seven Site Reviews. This was important, as the on-site panels reviewing the various Research Centres were comprised of different reviewers. The Oversight Panel was also requested to make a recommendation to the SFI Executive and Board on whether each centre should either receive additional new term funding, should not be funded for a new term, or should progress to an open competition, to be reviewed against other potential centre applicants in 2020.
Oversight Panel members of the highest calibre were selected. Each panel member was required to have strategic leadership roles within prestigious organisations such as national funding agencies and world leading universities.
The panel was made up of seven members, chaired by the Chancellor of a prestigious US university. The remaining six members were leaders from a number of UK and US universities and funding agencies. The Chair of the Oversight Panel also attended the SFI Board meeting in June 2018 when the Board discussed the Research Centre funding recommendations.
