Written Answers Nos. 389-408
389. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding school transport in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1657/19]
View answerSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
There are currently over 117,500 children, including over 13,000 children with special educational needs, transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
In general children are eligible for school transport if they meet the distance criteria and are attending their nearest school.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation for the 2019/20 school year.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and will be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated.
In cases where the Department is satisfied that the nearest school is full, eligibility for school transport will be determined based on the distance that children reside from their next nearest school having regard to ethos and language. Further information in this regard is available on my Department's website www.education.ie.
The terms of the School Transport Schemes are applied equitably on a national basis.
390. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a matter with regard to the pupil-teacher ratio in a school (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1680/19]
View answerThe criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on the Department website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.
The staffing schedule also includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board.
Staffing arrangements for the 2019/20 school year are currently being finalised and will be published on my Department's website next month. At that stage, schools will be able to establish their staffing for the coming school year and submit a staffing appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board.
392. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the customer complaints received by his Department in each of the years since 2016; if the complaints are grouped into categories; the nature of the complaints; the resolution of same; and the number progressed to the relevant Ombudsman in each of the years since 2016. [1870/19]
View answerMy Department aims to consistently provide high quality services to customers, as outlined in our Customer Charter. The complaints procedure in place in my Department is designed to address instances when our customers are dissatisfied with the service they have received. It guides staff in investigating and responding to all complaints and, where possible, advises on resolution of complaints.
My Department published its complaints procedure on the Department’s website. This procedure informs customers how to make a complaint and the steps involved once the complaint has been made. Complaints can be made to any member of staff in relation to the service received. If a customer is not satisfied that a complaint has been dealt with at the point of service, he/she can make a formal complaint to my Department's Customer Services Unit. https://www.education.ie/en/The-Department/Customer-Service/Customer-Complaints-Procedures.pdf.
The number of formal complaints received by my Department in 2016, 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019 are as follows:
2016 - 5 formal complaints received, none progressed to the Ombudsman
2017 - 4 formal complaints received, none progressed to the Ombudsman
2018 - 3 formal complaints received, none progressed to the Ombudsman
to-date 2019 - 2 formal complaints received and ongoing
Complaints received in years 2016 - 2018 did not progress to the Ombudsman as they were resolved locally within the Department. Further details are contained in the following table.
|
Year |
Nature of complaint |
Date resolved |
Progressed to Ombudsman y/n |
|
2016 |
Insufficient response to a query. |
04/04/2016 |
N |
|
2016 |
Alleged insufficient certification |
08/06/2016 |
N |
|
2016 |
Incremental credit issue |
12/10/2018 |
N |
|
2016 |
Complaint regarding service received |
03/05/2016 |
N |
|
2016 |
Payment issue |
13/10/2016 |
N |
|
2017 |
Enrolment issue |
05/07/2017 |
N |
|
2017 |
Board of Management issue |
15/03/2017 |
N |
|
2017 |
Assessment issue |
02/06/2017 |
N |
|
2017 |
Assessment issue |
02/06/2017 |
N |
|
2018 |
Payment complaint |
04/07/2018 |
N |
|
2018 |
Assessment issue |
21/12/2018 |
N |
|
2018 |
Complaint regarding customer service received |
12/11/2018 |
N |
|
2019 |
Grant decision complaint |
Ongoing |
Ongoing |
|
2019 |
Inspection issue |
Ongoing |
Ongoing |
393. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the forthcoming legislation on parental leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1105/19]
View answer481. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when legislation (details supplied) in relation to parental leave will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1563/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 393 and 481 together.
It is important to note that the Government has always been, and continues to be, supportive of the principle of Parental Leave. In fact, as part of Budget 2019, the Government announced the introduction of a new paid parental leave scheme, which will commence later this year. This new scheme will initially provide two weeks of paid, non-transferable leave per parent, with a view to expanding the scheme and increasing the number of weeks of paid leave for both parents in future years.
During the debate in Dáil Éireann on the Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017, I strongly suggested that the relevant Oireachtas Committee would carry out detailed pre-legislative scrutiny on this Bill. If this had occurred, it would have allowed all stakeholders to scrutinise the proposed legislation and to report on any policy or legal issues which may have be identified. It is my view that this is what should happen with all such legislation. Unfortunately, this scrutiny did not take place and it has now arisen that a number of Government Departments have raised certain issues which need to be clarified.
Subsequently, it has been brought to my attention that the Bill’s sponsors have decided not to proceed with the Committee Stage in the Seanad at this time.
394. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the length of time applications for taxi licences are taking to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1363/19]
View answerThe Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) industry in Ireland is regulated by the National Transport Authority in accordance with the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013, which falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Shane Ross, T.D.
An Garda Síochána is currently deemed the licensing authority under section 6 (2) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
As such, the Deputy will appreciate that I, as Minister for Justice and Equality, have no role in the administration of SPSV licences.
However, to be of assistance I have requested the current processing time for SPSV licences from An Garda Síochána and will respond to you directly on receipt of a Garda report.
395. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when an application by a person (details supplied) for a taxi licence will be processed. [1364/19]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that I, as Minister for Justice and Equality, have no role in the administration of Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) licences, which is a matter for An Garda Síochána. However, to be of assistance I have been in contact with the Garda Authorities to make the necessary enquiries in respect of the individual case the Deputy has raised.
I have been informed that this application for a licence was received in Newbridge Garda Station on the 8 January 2019, and is currently being processed by An Garda Síochána in accordance with current legislation. It is estimated that the licence will be processed by 18 January 2019.
I would also advise that, in the first instance, queries in relation to such matters be directed to the Garda Station at which the application was made.
396. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of occasions on which An Garda Síochána were called to respond to an incident at Oberstown Detention Centre in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and the Garda unit which attended on each occasion. [54036/18]
View answerI have requested the information from the Garda authorities and I will contact the Deputy directly when this information is to hand.
397. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications in each of the past five years for wards of courts; the number approved by the courts; the number of these cases contested by persons opposing the wardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54095/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the High Court has jurisdiction in wards of court matters and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has provided the following figures for wardship applications and declarations for persons over the age of 18 in the last 5 years:
Adult Wardship Applications and Declarations
|
- |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Applications for Wardship * |
367 |
369 |
344 |
294 |
409 |
|
Wardship Declarations |
309 |
219 |
289 |
325 |
321 |
Note: * Application is a case where a petition or other application for wardship has been submitted and President of the High Court has signed an inquiry order directing that an inquiry be made into the capacity of the respondent.
The Courts Service has advised that there is a difference between the number of applications initiated and the number of declarations over the period. The most common reason for this is that many respondents in wardship applications are persons over 70 years of age. An application can take some months to complete and it often happens that the respondent passes away between the date of the application but prior to a declaration order being made. The Courts Service has informed me that objections to applications for wardship are not common and have only arisen in adult wardship cases. However, the Courts Service does not maintain statistics on the number of objections lodged, although it is estimated that approximately 10 such objections were lodged in 2018. The Courts Service has further advised that any such objections must be grounded on medical evidence.
In terms of persons under the age of 18, the Courts Service has informed me that it does not maintain statistics on the number of minor wardship applications but has confirmed that all such applications are dealt with promptly and without delay. The Courts Service has provided the following figures for minor wardship declarations in the last 5 years:
Minor Wardship Declarations
|
- |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Wardship Declarations |
12 |
19 |
21 |
26 |
23 |
398. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an appraisal of application for stamp 4 and naturalisation will be arranged in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54115/18]
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 persons concerned.
Representations received from the applicant, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, 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.
399. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an application for stamp 4 and regularisation of residency and eligibility for naturalisation will be re-examined in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54116/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned has been granted permission to remain in the State, on immigration Stamp 3 conditions, for the period to 15 August 2019. This decision was conveyed in writing to the person concerned by letter dated 15 August 2013.
The decision to grant such status was arrived at following the detailed consideration of the case of the person concerned, as well as the cases of all family members involved, under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). This decision would have had regard for all information and documentation on file at the time the decision was made.
It will be open to the person concerned to apply for the renewal of that permission in advance of its expiry date. However, I am advised that the INIS would be prepared to review the case of the person concerned in circumstances where they presented documentary evidence to show that they had a concrete offer of paid employment available to them. The Deputy will appreciate that any such offer of paid employment must be on the prospective employer's headed paper; it must describe the specific position being offered; it must set out the proposed salary or salary scale; it must provide an indication that any such position is available immediately, is whole-time and is not subject to seasonal factors. Upon receipt of documentary evidence of the nature described, the INIS will undertake a review of the case of the person concerned.
Further, it will be open to the person concerned to apply to the Citizenship Section of my Department for a Certificate of Naturalisation when she is in a position to meet the lawful residency criteria applicable to the lodgement of such applications. Details on the criteria to be met by persons lodging such applications are available from my Department's Website (www.justice.ie).
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.
400. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the action that can be taken to regularise residency in the case of a person (details supplied); if temporary residency status can issue in the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54118/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it would appear that the person's presence in the State is unlawful. INIS has no record of a request for permission to reside in respect of the person concerned.
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 individual 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 their arrival 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.
401. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed to facilitate regularisation of residency in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54119/18]
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), the person concerned has not submitted written representations.
The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation. If any representations are submitted, they will be considered before a final decision is 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.
402. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed to achieve Irish citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54121/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, which governs the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation, as well as the relevant application forms, is available on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie. The website also contains guidance on the completion of an application for naturalisation and an on-line naturalisation residency calculator which individuals may find of assistance in establishing if the statutory residency requirements are met.
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.
403. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application pursuant to section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54126/18]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 25 August 2017.
Representations were received on behalf of the person concerned requesting that the deportation order be revoked, pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). This request will be considered as soon as possible.
The Deputy might wish to note that the decision to ensue from the consideration of this request will be to have the existing deportation order 'affirmed' or 'revoked'. Once such a decision has been made, this decision will be notified in writing. In the meantime, the deportation order remains valid and in place.
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.
404. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers of prisoners kept in Cork prison on a monthly basis from January 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54135/18]
View answer405. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners in Cork prison sleeping on mattresses on a monthly basis since January 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54136/18]
View answer406. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the constant overcrowding in Cork prison; if concerns have been raised in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54137/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 404 to 406, inclusive, together.
I wish to inform the Deputy that the two sets of statistics requested are provided in the following tables.
I can further inform the Deputy that Cork Prison is the main committal prison for male prisoners from the counties of Cork, Kerry and Waterford and that the current operational capacity figure for the Prison is 296. In 2018 the average daily population figure was 288.
The Deputy will appreciate that prison Governors are required by law to accept all prisoners into their custody who have been committed to prison by the Courts. The Irish Prison Service therefore has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time.
The actual number of beds available on a given day can be less than the capacity figure as cells may be unavailable for different reasons such as repairs and maintenance. Furthermore, where local management assess a prisoner as being unsuited to share a cell for reasons of vulnerability or propensity to violence, a cell designated as being operationally suitable for two prisoners may, temporarily, house only one prisoner.
Where the number of prisoners exceeds the maximum capacity in any prison, my officials make every effort to deal with this through a combination of inter-prison transfers and structured Temporary Release.
Decisions in relation to temporary release are considered on a case by case basis and the safety of the public is paramount when those decisions are made.
The numbers of prisoners accommodated in Cork prison on a monthly basis for 2018
|
Month |
Average Daily Number of Prisoners |
|
January |
285 |
|
February |
288 |
|
March |
293 |
|
April |
282 |
|
May |
289 |
|
June |
295 |
|
July |
295 |
|
August |
290 |
|
September |
275 |
|
October |
278 |
|
November |
291 |
|
December |
293 |
Stats Mattresses
|
- |
Jan-18 |
Feb-18 |
Mar-18 |
Apr-18 |
May-18 |
Jun-18 |
Jul-18 |
Aug-18 |
Sep-18 |
Oct-18 |
Nov-18 |
Dec-18 |
|
1st |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
2nd |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
20 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
|
3rd |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
21 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
4th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
21 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
5th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
|
6th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
|
7th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
8 |
|
8th |
0 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
6 |
|
9th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
10th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
11th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
12th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
13th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
|
14th |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
15th |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
16th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
|
17th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
18th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
19th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
20th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
21st |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
|
22nd |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
23rd |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
24th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
25th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
26th |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
27th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
|
28th |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
29th |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
0 |
0 |
16 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
30th |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
31st |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
407. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a new Garda station is being considered within an area (details supplied) in County Dublin by the Garda Accommodation Board. [54177/18]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána and for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for the formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations, taking into account crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I can confirm to the Deputy that the Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021 does not include provision for development of a new Garda station at Cherrywood.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the determination of the need for a new Garda Station at any location, including Cherrywood, would be considered by An Garda Síochána in light of a range of factors including policing priorities and the overall accommodation requirements of the organisation, including in the context of the ongoing expansion of the Garda workforce.
408. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combatting violence against women and domestic violence will be ratified. [54185/18]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to implement the Istanbul Convention as a significant legal instrument in the fight against domestic and sexual violence and ratifying the Convention is a Government priority.
The Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Bill 2018 is the final legislative action required to enable Ireland to ratify the Istanbul Convention. This technical piece of legislation provides for individuals who commit particular offences abroad being liable to be prosecuted under Irish law. These include offences under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 and the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990, as well as murder and manslaughter. This Bill passed second stage in the Seanad on 18 December and the Minister's aim is that the legislation will be enacted speedily to ensure ratification of the Istanbul Convention in early 2019.
The ratification of the Istanbul Convention will send an important message that Ireland will not tolerate violence against women and domestic violence, and is committed to protecting and supporting victims of this violence.
