Thursday, 10 Oct 2019

Written Answers Nos. 123-151

School Staff

Questions (123)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

123. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding paid leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41436/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Applications for personal leave to Represent Ireland at International Sporting Events are considered under Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines for such leave and my Department’s circular letter 0032/2007.

My Department is not in receipt of an application for such leave from the school to which the Deputy refers.

School Enrolments Data

Questions (124)

Thomas Byrne

Question:

124. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the numbers of pupils enrolled in each new school in September 2019. [41440/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The process of schools, new and existing, submitting their annual census is till ongoing.

We will be in a position to publish provisional enrolment figures for the 2019 academic year for all primary schools in January 2020.

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Questions (125)

John Brassil

Question:

125. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the anomaly will be addressed within the SUSI assessment for the special rate of top up grant (details supplied); if the rule will be removed in view of the fact if the income is below the recommended threshold of €24,000 it should not matter whether its source is from social welfare or not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41441/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for SUSI to determine.

In assessing an application for the 2019/20 academic year, SUSI will have regard to the following qualifying criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant:

1. The student must qualify for the standard rate of grant;

2. Total reckonable income, after income disregards and Child Dependant Increase(s) are excluded, must not exceed €24,000;

3. As at 31st of December 2018, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed in the Student Grant Scheme.

The Report of the Action Group on Access to Third Level Education made detailed recommendations concerning the introduction of special rates of maintenance grants for disadvantaged students.The target group of "those most in need" was defined in terms of the dependants of people receiving long-term welfare payments, where the necessary conditions are fulfilled. Hence, the income threshold for the special rate of grant is aligned with the highest rate of social welfare support for the Old Age (Contributory) Pension. For the 2019/20 scheme, the threshold was increased from €23,500 to €24,000 to reflect the Budget 2018 increases in the Old Age Pension.

Whilst a student may not eligible for the special rate of maintenance grant, s/he may still qualify for other grant supports.

Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

Question No. 126 answered with Question No. 117.

Supervision and Substitution Scheme

Questions (127)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

127. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the restrictions placed on schools during the economic downturn regarding the employment of substitute teachers in situations in which teachers are on illness leave; the cost of reverting to a position in which all teacher illness leave is covered by substitute teachers; the estimated costs by primary and post-primary schools in the certified, uncertified and family illness categories; and his views on the difficulties for schools and students in cases in which a teacher on illness-related leave may not be substituted. [41461/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I assume that the Deputy is referring to changes arising from the Haddington Road Agreement involving the Supervision and Substitution Scheme in 2013 and 2014.

Circular 33/2013 (Supervision Scheme in Primary Schools) provides that from the beginning of the 2013/14 school year, the hours to be provided by teachers under the revised Supervision and Substitution Scheme were mandatory and were to be used to cover all uncertified sick leave absences (subject to appropriate alleviation measures in relation to multiple absences particularly in small schools) and from the commencement of the 2014/2015 school year to cover the first day of force majeure leave and illness in family leave. Similar provisions in relation to Supervision and Substitution were set out in Circular 06/2014 in relation to Post Primary Schools.

The provisions that apply to teachers in respect of certified and self-certified sick leave absences are set out in Chapter 1, Paragraph 5 of Circular 54/2019. The circulars can be accessed on my Department website.

The full information in relation to estimating the cost of substitution cover for absences covered by the supervision and substitution scheme as requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department. I will arrange for the information that is available to be forwarded direct to him.

The information in relation to teachers employed in Education and Training Boards would have to be obtained by the Deputy from the individual Boards.

Teacher Data

Questions (128)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

128. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers on his Department's payroll at primary and post-primary level whose only qualification allowance payment is the primary degree pass allowance. [41462/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The information requested by the Deputy is being collated and I will arrange for it to be forwarded directly to him.

Technological Universities

Questions (129)

John Deasy

Question:

129. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has advised Waterford and Carlow Institutes of Technology of the way in which the projected combined deficit, debt and payroll costs of the planned technological university of the south east, reportedly estimated at €26 million by 2024-2025, will be addressed. [41490/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Projected costs and their effective management by the relevant higher education institutions associated with the development and operation of any particular TU proposals, such as those by the TUSEI consortium, are matters to be addressed by those institutions in the first instance. It would not be appropriate for the Department to comment on financial projections associated with any particular TU development consortium.

To date Government has provided the TUSEI consortium, comprising Waterford IT and IT Carlow, with € 1.72m in Exchequer funding to assist its TU development proposals. I will shortly be announcing the 2019 higher education landscape funding allocations, including further support for all TU consortia and for TU Dublin.

In addition, Government announced in Budget 2020 a new dedicated TU Transformation Fund of €90 million over the next three years. This is a state change in the Exchequer funding of TUs and TU development consortia and represents almost a trebling of current annual higher education landscape funding for same. This is evidence of the strong and ongoing commitment by Government to supporting the creation of TUs.

The new fund arises from work undertaken to date by the high level working group, TURN, of which all TU development consortia including TUSEI are members, in examining issues of mutual interest and concern on a collaborative basis. The final TURN report will be formally presented to the Department in the coming weeks.

TURN’s work to date should be of significant benefit to TU development consortia such as TUSEI in seeking to advance their proposals for TU designation under the Technological Universities Act 2018.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (130)

Robert Troy

Question:

130. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the agreed programme of works following all stakeholder talks regarding the completion of a school (details supplied) will be published; and the timeline for completion of same. [41499/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware that this project has been devolved for delivery to Westmeath County Council (WCC). He will also be aware that senior officials from my Department and WCC met with the relevant contractor two weeks ago. The meeting took place under the dispute resolution mechanisms set out in the Public Works Contract.

I can inform the Deputy that a further meeting in that respect took place yesterday. Significant further progress on addressing outstanding issues, including the programme of works, was made at that meeting and we can expect to see this reflected in activity on site in the coming days.

Given that the conciliation process is ongoing, I am not in a position to make any further comment other than to say that all parties to this process, that will continue with another meeting in the next fortnight, are focussed on completing the project by the end of the year.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (131, 132, 133)

Martin Heydon

Question:

131. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school building project (details supplied); the reason for the lengthy delay in progress being made from the present stage; when progression is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41509/19]

Martin Heydon

Question:

132. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school building project (details supplied) will move to pre-qualification of tender stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41510/19]

Martin Heydon

Question:

133. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has set timelines for an architect's for drawings to be delivered for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41511/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 to 133, inclusive, together.

The major building project to facilitate the amalgamation of the two schools referred to by the deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.

The Design Team has confirmed that it is working on finalising the Stage 2(b) Report ensuring the new school building will be a "Near Zero Energy Building" (NZEB) in compliance with the 2017 amendment to Part L of the current Building Regulations.

It should be noted that the Stage 2(b) Report is a suite of documents comprising of documentation and drawings from all members of the Design Team.

The Design Team Leader currently envisages that the Stage 2(b) Report will be with the Department for review in the coming weeks.

Upon completion, receipt and review of the Stage 2(b) submission, the Department will be in contact with the school regarding the progression of the project at that time.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (134)

Martin Heydon

Question:

134. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that schools (details supplied) commence monthly progress reports on their school building project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41512/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Progress reports are requested by the Department from Design Team Leaders on all major school building projects on a monthly basis.

Officials from my the Department have been in contact with the Design Team Leader appointed to the project referred to by the deputy to re-iterate the need for progress reports to be submitted on a monthly basis and to stress the requirement for the report to be copied to the school, as client for the project. The Department has received assurances in this regard.

My Department can confirm that a monthly progress report for October 2019 has recently been submitted to the Department and copied to the school.

Schools Site Acquisitions

Questions (135)

Joan Burton

Question:

135. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an appropriate site has been identified for the proposed new building for a college (details supplied); when construction of the new building will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41514/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department has identified a requirement to secure a permanent site for the college to which the Deputy refers.

The college's patron has been working to identify a suitable site for the college. Until a suitable site is secured, my Department is not in a position to indicate when construction of a new building will commence.

Legislative Measures

Questions (136)

Shane Cassells

Question:

136. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number, date of publication and details of post enactment reports published by his Department since March 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41563/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Standing Order No. 164A of Dáil Éireann 2016 provides for post-enactment reports on the functioning of an Act, within twelve months of its enactment.

A post-enactment report on the Technological Universities Act 2018 (No. 3 of 2018) was laid before the Houses on 17 April 2019.

A post-enactment report on the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018 (No. 14 of 2018) was laid before the Houses on 28 August 2019.

Legislative Measures

Questions (137)

Shane Cassells

Question:

137. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of acts passed since March 2011 that his Department is responsible for; the date each act was signed into law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41579/19]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department has enacted eleven pieces of legislation since March 2011. The details requested by the Deputy are contained in the following table.

Title of Acts passed since March 2011	Date the Act was signed into law
Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019	23 July 2019
Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018	18 July 2018
Technological Universities Act 2018	19 March 2018
Teaching Council (Amendment) Act 2015	27 July 2015
Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015	05 May 2015
Further Education and Training Act 2013	10 July 2013
Education and Training Boards Act 2013	08 May 2013
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012	25 July 2012
Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012	22 July 2012
Education (Amendment) Act 2012	23 May 2012
Residential Institutions Redress (Amendment) Act 2011	25 July 2011

Shared Services

Questions (138)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

138. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if An Garda Síochána has ceased sharing information with Tusla due to differences of opinion on the protocols. [41395/19]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan)

I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy. I can assure the Deputy that I will write to him directly once I receive it.

Pension Provisions

Questions (139)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

139. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the pension of a person (details supplied) will be examined. [41426/19]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan)

In response to the Deputy’s question, I can confirm that this query has been referred to the relevant service and they will revert to the individual directly.

Citizenship Ceremonies

Questions (140)

Robert Troy

Question:

140. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a person (details supplied) will be allocated a place at the next citizenship ceremony due to the circumstances. [41442/19]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am informed by the Immigration Service of my Department that the person concerned will be scheduled to attend the next available citizenship ceremony. There are no dates set as of yet for this ceremony.  However, as soon as arrangements are in place details will be posted on our website at www.inis.gov.ie. 

Invitations will issue at least four weeks in advance of the ceremony to ensure everyone has adequate notice. 

Citizenship Applications

Questions (141)

John Brassil

Question:

141. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for citizenship lodged with the INIS in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of decisions still pending for each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41452/19]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Immigration Service of my Department that, as of 8 October 2019, there were some 19,172 decisions pending for the years 2016 – 2019.   

A breakdown of the figures is provided in the following table.

-	2016	2017	2018	2019
Applications Received	13,018	11,776	12,859	9,378
Applications Pending	707	2,091	7,234	9,140

I am aware that the recent judgment of the High Court relating to continuous residency under Section 15(1)(c) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956 (as amended) has given cause for concern.  

My Department is doing everything possible to put a solution in place on an urgent basis. At the end of July, I obtained Cabinet approval for a proposed Bill to address the matter and intensive work is taking place in my Department where officials are working with the Office of Parliamentary Council in the Attorney General’s Office to finalise the draft Bill.  However, the matter remains before the courts, with the  Court of Appeal reserving judgement earlier this week , and therefore sub-judice.  The outcome of the appeal will have a bearing on whether or not legislation is required. Should it be necessary, I intend to introduce the Bill in the Oireachtas as soon as possible this term.   I know that colleagues of all parties are concerned with the difficulty that has arisen and I am hopeful that the Oireachtas will give the Bill early and positive consideration.  

As soon as the legal issues are resolved, my officials will make all necessary arrangements for the next Citizenship Ceremony. Invitations will issue four weeks in advance of the ceremony to ensure everyone has adequate notice.   

In the interim, the Immigration Service of my Department is advising those who are planning to apply for citizenship to continue to collect all of the necessary proofs that support their application and to submit a comprehensive application form. Once a solution is in place, if any additional information is required, applicants will be contacted as part of the processing of their application.

Departmental Surveys

Questions (142)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

142. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 31 of 3 October 2019, the consultation process; and the location of the open town hall stakeholder event; the membership of the two expert working groups and liaison group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41465/19]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan)

As the Deputy will be aware, earlier this year my Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in relation to the National Sexual Violence Prevalence Survey. This large scale survey will look in detail at the experience of sexual violence and abuse in Ireland, with repeat large scale surveys every decade. The goal is for an ongoing programme of high quality research in a sensitive and ethical way, to ensure a robust set of data to inform Government policy.

Funding of €150,000 was provided for 2019 to allow the CSO to carry out the preliminary technical research. I am pleased to say that specific funding has also been provided in Budget 2020 for the next phase of this work.

The CSO has commenced preparatory work on the survey. I am informed that to date, the preparatory phase has involved a wide consultation process, including an open town hall stakeholder event and establishment of two expert working groups and a broad Liaison Group for the project.

The preparatory phase includes consideration of best international practice and the refinement of data variables and questionnaire design as well as a full pilot survey in the field in 2020.

A specific section on the CSO website has been developed with information on the survey. The Deputy may find it helpful to consult that page http://www.cso.ie/en/methods/crime/sexualviolencesurvey/

The Deputy also requested information in relation to the consultation process engaged in and the location of the stakeholder event. I am informed that the CSO met in March 2019 with key stakeholders at the Monitoring Committee of the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. A stakeholder information session was also organised in May 2019 at the Aisling Hotel, Dublin.

The Liaison Group has been established to facilitate meaningful consultation with the sexual violence sector in Ireland. It includes nominated experts from the University of Limerick and National University of Ireland Galway, representatives from relevant agencies including my Department, the Central Statistics Office, TUSLA, the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, National Women's Council as well as representatives from Women’s Aid, One in Four, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and Rape Crisis Network Ireland. Further information on the terms of reference and activities of the Liaison Group is available online at the following link https://www.cso.ie/en/aboutus/lgdp/cgt/ocg/csogroups/sexualviolencesurveysvsliaisongroup/

Two expert groups have been established - a research and data expert group and a policy expert group. The Policy Expert Group includes representatives of the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Skills, TUSLA, the Central Statistics Office, the Courts Service of Ireland, Garda National Protective Services Bureau, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Probation Service.

The Research/Data Expert Group includes representatives of the Department of Justice and Equality, the Central Statistics Office, National University of Ireland, Galway, University of Limerick, University College Cork and the Economic and Social Research Institute.

Garda Operations

Questions (143)

Pat Casey

Question:

143. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the Garda national protective service and its roll out and operations in Wicklow Garda Division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41472/19]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan)

As the Deputy will appreciate, the management and efficient use of Garda resources is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. This includes responsibility for deployment of personnel. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I understand, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.

I have been informed by the Commissioner that to date, Divisional Protective Services Units have been established in DMR South Central, Waterford, Kerry, Kilkenny, Carlow, Limerick and Galway Garda Divisions. These are in addition to the units previously established in DMR West, Cork City and Louth Divisions in the initial phase of this initiative.

As the Deputy will be aware, I recently welcomed the Garda Commissioner's adoption of a new Garda Operating Model which will see the number of Garda Divisions reduce from 28 to 19. This functional model has long been recommended by independent policing specialists, including the Garda Síochána Inspectorate and in the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI). Rollout of this model meets a key commitment in A Policing Service for the Future, the four year implementation plan giving effect to the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.

The Commissioner's plan allows for Divisions of sufficient scale to be self-sufficient in the delivery of services, which will included greater availability of expertise in addressing domestic and sexual violence in each area.

I am informed by Garda management that it is expected that Divisional Protective Services Units should be rolled-out to the remaining Garda Divisions on a phased basis by the end of 2019.

This expected timetable is in accordance with the target set out in 'A Policing Service for the Future'.

Drugs Seizures

Questions (144)

John Deasy

Question:

144. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated extent of inbound illegal drug trafficking which has been intercepted by the authorities off the Irish coast over the past five years; and the estimated value of the seizures made as a result of these operations. [41495/19]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the information sought by the Deputy. I can assure the Deputy that I will write to him directly once I receive it.

Immigration Status

Questions (145)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination for residency and naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) who are awaiting a decision in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41531/19]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy is aware, if an application for asylum or subsidiary protection has been made in the State, for confidentiality reasons it is not the practice to comment on such applications. The applicant or their legal representative should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate.

The IPO may be contacted: by email to [e-mail]; by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028008 or in writing to Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal may be contacted either: by email to [e-mail] ; by telephone at 01-4748400 (or Lo-Call 1890 201 458), or in writing to Corporate Services Division, The International Protection Appeals Tribunal, 6-7 Hanover Street East, Dublin D02 W320.

Following the commencement of the International Protection Act 2015 on 31 December 2016, new arrangements for the investigation and determination of applications for international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection) and cases involving permission to remain in the State have been introduced. Such applications are now processed, as part of a single application procedure, by the International Protection Office (IPO) which has replaced the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) from that date. The staff of that Office (the Chief International Protection Officer and International Protection Officers) are independent in the performance of their protection functions.

For your information, on 27 February 2017, the Chief International Protection Officer, following consultation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), published a statement on the Prioritisation of Applications under the International Protection Act 2015, which is available to view on the website of the International Protection Office (www.ipo.gov.ie ).

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the Immigration Service 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 Immigration Service is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Leave to Remain

Questions (146)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which a person (details supplied) can proceed to update their stamp 4 in view of the fact that they were previously informed in a letter from him was required to facilitate this; when the process can proceed having regard to the fact that they have failed repeatedly to obtain a passport from their homeland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41532/19]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Immigration Service of my Department that the individual concerned had their permission to remain in the State renewed for a further one year period to 14 December 2019. This decision was conveyed in writing to the individual concerned by letter dated 07 January 2019. This permission was granted to enable them to obtain a valid passport or alternatively submit evidence as to what effort they have made to secure a passport.  

There is no record of the requested documentation having been submitted to date. The individual's position in the State will be further considered upon receipt of the requested documentation.  

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the Immigration Service 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 Immigration Service is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited. 

Leave to Remain

Questions (147)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

147. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which a person (details supplied) can proceed to update their stamp 4 in view of the fact that they were previously informed that a letter from him was required to facilitate this; when the process can proceed having regard to the fact that they have failed repeatedly to obtain a passport from their homeland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41533/19]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Immigration Service of my Department that the person concerned had their permission to remain in the State renewed for a further one year period to 14 December 2019. This permission was renewed to enable the person concerned to obtain a valid passport or alternatively submit evidence as to what effort they have made to secure a passport. I am advised that documentation has been submitted as evidence of ongoing efforts of the person concerned to obtain a national passport.

The person concerned is required to apply for renewal of permission to remain four weeks in advance of the permission expiring.  

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the Immigration Service 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 Immigration Service is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited. 

Deportation Orders Re-examination

Questions (148)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed in order to facilitate temporary, long-term, residency and naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41534/19]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Immigration Service of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 18 November 2009.  This Order requires the person to remove themselves from the State and remain outside the State.  The enforcement of the Deportation Order is a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.   

Representations were received from the person concerned, pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), requesting that the Deportation Order be revoked.  Following the detailed consideration of the information submitted in support of the request, the Deportation Order was affirmed and this was notified to the person concerned by letter dated 19 September 2018. 

I am advised that there are no outstanding applications or appeals for this applicant.  

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the Immigration Service 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 Immigration Service is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited. 

Immigration Status

Questions (149)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

149. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a review will be undertaken in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41535/19]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I have been advised by the Immigration Service of my Department that an application, on behalf of the person referred to by the Deputy, for permission to reside in Ireland on the basis of family dependency, was received on 1st August 2019.

As the Deputy will be aware, permission to enter the State is ultimately granted by the Immigration officer on duty at the port of entry. Detailed information on the circumstances in which a non-EEA national may seek permission to reside in the State is contained in the INIS Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. This information is available on the Immigration Services website at www.inis.gov.ie .

I am advised that, following full consideration of the individual circumstances of this case, the application for permission to reside was subsequently refused on the 28th August, 2019.  If the person concerned is currently present in the State on visitor's conditions, they are now required to make arrangements to leave the State before the expiry of the visitor's permission.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the Immigration Service 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 is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Immigration Policy

Questions (150)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41536/19]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am informed by the Immigration Service of my Department that no record of an immigration application has been found  for the person referred to by the Deputy.

I can advise the Deputy that comprehensive information is provided on the website of the Immigration Service on all immigration related matters.  The person referred to is advised to consult the website - www.inis.ie - and if necessary to contact the relevant unit of the Immigration Service  at the appropriate email address provided on the website.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the Immigration Service 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 is , in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.  

Leave to Remain

Questions (151)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a person (details supplied) can obtain temporary or long-term permission to remain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41537/19]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Immigration Service of my Department that a request from the person concerned for permission to reside in the State was received on 8 August, 2019.

The Deputy will appreciate that applications are dealt with in chronological order. The Immigration Service will consider all the information and documentary evidence provided by the applicant and will contact the person concerned, in writing, in due course. 

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the Immigration Service 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 Immigration Service is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.