Skip to main content
Normal View

Thursday, 5 Mar 2020

Written Answers Nos. 403-422

Migration Data

Questions (404)

Roderic O'Gorman

Question:

404. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of undocumented migrants living here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3289/20]

View answer

Written answers

It is not possible for my Department to quantify the number of undocumented migrants living in the State. Such persons ordinarily do not make themselves known to officials of the Immigration Service. As the Deputy will appreciate, irregular migration, by its very nature, is clandestine. It is not uncommon for people who are here illegally to go to extreme lengths to avoid contact with the authorities. Consequently, it is inherently difficult to quantify the extent of irregular migration.

It is important to emphasise, that when it comes to people living here illegally, the only option for regularisation is on a case-by-case basis. Ireland along with other Member States of the EU, has committed, under the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum (2008), to a case-by-case approach as opposed to mass regularisation.

In all cases, people must engage with the authorities if they wish to be permitted to remain here legally. I would encourage any person who is resident in the State without permission to contact my Department or their local immigration office and to take all appropriate steps to regularise their status.

Migration Data

Questions (405)

Roderic O'Gorman

Question:

405. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who successfully availed of the 2018 scheme for regularising undocumented migrants who arrived here as students; the number of unsuccessful applicants for same; the overall cost of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3290/20]

View answer

Written answers

I can confirm that 3,116 applications were received under the Special Scheme for Students which was launched on 15 October 2018 and closed on 20 January 2019.  To date, decisions have been made on 3,106 cases of which 2,253 have been granted and 853 refused.

Staff were reassigned from within the Department to process applications under the scheme so therefore no additional costs arose.

Details of the Scheme are available at the following website address:

http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/special-scheme-for-non-eea-nationals-who-held-a-student-permission-in-the-state-during-the-period-1-january-2005-to-31-december-2010

Direct Provision Expenditure

Questions (406)

Roderic O'Gorman

Question:

406. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount paid annually to private contractors providing direct provision services since it was introduced in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3291/20]

View answer

Written answers

All accommodation centres for people seeking international protection, whether State-owned or privately owned, are operated by commercial companies. There are currently 39 accommodation centres being operated under the direct provision system.

My Department contracts for a fully inclusive service, which includes catering, cleaning, maintenance and laundry services. Detailed information on the amount paid by my Department to each company contracted to provide direct provision accommodation every year up to and including 2015 can be found on the 'Contract Values' section of the following website: www.ria.gov.ie. This is in accordance with the Department's policy on the disclosure of financial information, which was agreed with the Office of the Information Commissioner.

The Deputy will appreciate that it is not appropriate to provide the current individual contract values entered into by my Department. Negotiations take place with a number of commercial entities on an ongoing basis with a clear focus on achieving the best value for money in respect of each contract.  It is not in the interests of yielding best value for the taxpayer that details of current individual contracts are made available to other commercial bodies who are, or may be in the future, engaged in these negotiations.

The following table provides a breakdown of my Department's expenditure in this area in the years 2014 to 2019.

Expenditure Type

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Accommodation (including commercial, State-owned and self-catering). Emergency accommodation costs are included from September 2018 when such accommodation was first utilised.

€51.071m

€54.895m

€60.237m

€65.407m

€76.057m

€126.129m

Pre-school (contributions towards some costs)

€0.101m

€0.127m

€0.112m

€0.095m

€0.107m

€0.095m

Additional costs at State-owned centres (incl. gas, oil, water, sewage, etc.)

€1.972m

€1.879m

€3.558m

€1.742m

€1.512m

€1.325m

Transport costs (under dispersal policy)

€0.046m

€0.103m

€0.129m

€0.093m

€0.182m

€0.579m

Miscellaneous (payments for personal hygiene products, grants to organisations and miscellaneous costs)

€0.027m

€0.021m

€0.011m

€0.022m

 €0.135m

€1.272m

Total Expenditure

€53.217m

€57.025m

€64.047m

€67.359m

€77.993m

€129.4m

Direct Provision Data

Questions (407)

Roderic O'Gorman

Question:

407. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons living in the direct provision system broken down by those living in direct provision centres and emergency direct provision accommodation; the number still living in direct provision even though they have received a grant of international protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3293/20]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, the State has a legal obligation to offer accommodation, food and a range of other services (including utilities and healthcare etc.) to any person who claims a right to international protection in Ireland where he or she does not have sufficient means to have an adequate standard of living while their claim for protection is being examined and demand led.

As of 1 March 2020, there were 5,645 persons being provided accommodation by my Department in the 39 accommodation centres located nationwide.

Due to an unexpected rise in applications (up 40% last year compared to 2018), these centres are at full operational capacity and, therefore, a further 1,633 persons are residing in 36 additional commercial accommodation premises, hotels and guest houses. Every effort is being made to re-accommodate applicants from these temporary locations to a dedicated accommodation centre as quickly as possible.

I can also inform the Deputy that residents who have been granted an international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) or a permission to remain have the same access to housing supports and services as Irish and EEA nationals.  However, due to a difficulty in accessing other accommodation, there are 1,018* residents in accommodation centres with a protection status or humanitarian permission to remain in the State. These form part of the overall figure of 5,645 in such centres.

Considerable work is being undertaken to support these residents to move out of accommodation centres and into secure permanent accommodation.  My Department has a specific team who work in collaboration with Depaul Ireland, the Jesuit Refugee Service, the Peter McVerry Trust, officials in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and the City and County Managers Association to collectively support residents with status or permission to remain to access housing options.  A total of 837 persons with status moved into the community during 2019 and a further 191* people have, to date, moved to community-based accommodation this year.

I can also inform the Deputy that there are also 390 people accommodated in the Balseskin Reception Centre in Co. Dublin as of 1 March, 2020.  During their stay in Balseskin, protection applicants are offered health screening and are processed for PPS numbers and medical cards.  The purpose of Balseskin is to provide a short orientation period before residents are accommodated in centres around the country.

Balseskin plays a pivotal role in the direct provision process as it allows for the delivery of necessary supports and services to persons newly arrived in the state. The issuing of PPS numbers and medical cards allows those seeking international protection in Ireland to access direct provision allowances and medical supports once accommodated in a centre.

*These figures are provisional and may be subject to change.

Brexit Issues

Questions (408)

Seán Haughey

Question:

408. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if suitable arrangements will be put in place to facilitate non-EU citizens married to UK citizens living here post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3331/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that the United Kingdom left the European Union at midnight (CET) on 31 January 2020 on the basis of the Withdrawal Agreement. This Agreement includes a transition period which is due to last until at least 31 December 2020.

During the transition period EU rules and regulations will continue to apply to the UK and its citizens who will still benefit from the Freedom of Movement Directive, i.e. the right of British EU citizens to live and work in the EU.

This means that, until the transition period ends, non-EEA family members of a British EU citizen who are residing in this State are still subject to the provisions of the Free Movement Directive and the exercise of EU Treaty rights and entitlements.

In accordance with existing requirements, applicants are advised to update my Department if there is any change in their circumstances including a change in their relationship status with their relevant British citizen family member, their civil status and/or a change of address. They can contact my Department by email at eutreatyrights@justice.ie.

Details of further arrangements for non-EEA family members of British citizens will be announced closer to the end of the transition period.

Migrant Integration

Questions (409)

Joe O'Brien

Question:

409. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the annual budget specifically dedicated to migrant integration including for the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration and its previous incarnations since the establishment of the junior ministry with a migrant integration remit in 2007. [3343/20]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to inform the Deputy that service provision to migrants is mainstreamed across all Government Departments.  As part of the Transformation Process in the Department of Justice and Equality, the work of the Office of the Promotion of Migrant Integration is now being carried out within the Civil Justice and Equality Policy function, with funding streams administered collaboratively across the Civil Justice and Equality Functions.

The table below sets out the budget allocation for each year from 2007 to 2020* in respect of funding for migrant integration, including funding under the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration and its previous incarnations, in the Department of Justice and Equality.

2007

2008

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

€1.784m

€9.293m 

€5.165m 

€5.464m 

€3.638m 

€2.502m 

€2.344m 

2014

2015

2016

2017 

2018 

2019 

 2020

€2.312m 

€2.346m 

€2.445m 

€3.831m 

€3.951m 

€5.222m 

 €4.804m

My Department operates a number of funding schemes in the area of migrant integration, which includes the integration of refugees. The expenditure also includes expenditure incurred by the Irish Refugee Protection Programme for integration of resettled and relocated refugees.

A number of funding programmes are administered by my Department, including a National Funding Programme to Promote Integration of Migrants (a scheme for grants spread over 3 years), a small grants scheme (maximum grant of €5,000 per project) under the Communities Integration Fund, larger grants for multi-annual projects using funding from European sources, including the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the European Social Fund (ESF).

* Expenditure from 2007 to 2016 relates to the full expenditure of the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration.

Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell

Questions (410)

Matt Carthy

Question:

410. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a full public inquiry will be initiated into the death of a person (details supplied); the actions of all relevant State bodies in response to their death; the respective roles of each in advance of and following their killing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3390/20]

View answer

Written answers

The circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Shane O'Farrell have previously been addressed by me in both the Dáil and the Seanad and I have met with the O'Farrell family.

My Department wrote to Judge Haughton on 23 September 2019 to ask him to begin his scoping exercise and to make an initial report by mid-November.

Judge Haughton’s interim report was received in my Department on 13 November 2019 and was published on 17 December 2019. The report sets out the background of the events that led to the scoping exercise. He describes the timeline from the death of Shane O’Farrell; the criminal prosecution of Mr. Gridziuska and its outcome; the coroner’s inquest into Mr O’Farrell’s death; Ms Lucia O’Farrell’s successful campaign leading to the introduction of Section 17 of the Road Traffic Act 2014; the Independent Review Mechanism’s review; and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission’s investigation and report.

Judge Haughton states in his interim report that he anticipated being able to conclude his exercise within the first six months of 2020.  My Department is in regular contact with Judge Haughton and has assured him of any assistance he needs to ensure that he can complete his work within this timeframe. I look forward to receiving his report as soon as possible.

Garda Station Refurbishment

Questions (411)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

411. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of works on Rush Garda station; the date the station is scheduled to be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3455/20]

View answer

Written answers

At the outset it is important to note that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.  Works in relation to Garda accommodation are therefore progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the OPW.

As the Deputy will be aware, a pilot scheme to open 6 Garda stations, both urban and rural, to determine possible positive impacts on criminal activity, was agreed as part of the Programme for a Partnership Government in 2016.

Following consideration of the matter, the then Garda Commissioner, in a report published on my Department's website in December 2017, recommended that Rush Garda station be reopened, along with stations in Ballinspittle, Co. Cork, Bawnboy, Co. Cavan, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow, Donard, Co. Wicklow, and Stepaside, Co. Dublin.

The project to enable the reopening of these stations has been progressed since that time by the OPW in conjunction with the Garda authorities.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the refurbishment of Rush Garda Station has been substantially completed and that the OPW expect to be in a position to hand over the Garda Station in the coming weeks following connection to the electricity grid.  After handover of the building by the OPW to An Garda Síochána, internal fit-out of the station, including ICT and furniture, will be required before the station can be reopened.

Road Traffic Offences

Questions (412)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

412. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will address a matter regarding convictions for drink-driving (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3457/20]

View answer

Written answers

First, it is important to be clear that vetting applications are processed by An Garda Síochána in accordance with the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 and other relevant legislation, including the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016.  Within An Garda Síochána, the National Vetting Bureau processes applications made in accordance with the law. Neither I as Minister for Justice and Equality nor my Department has any role in the processing of individual vetting applications.

The primary purpose of employment vetting carried out by the National Vetting Bureau is to seek to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults.  I am certain the Deputy will agree this is a very important task which must be done thoroughly and correctly.

I understand that any relevant disclosures made by the Garda National Vetting Bureau are issued to relevant organisations and contain particular details of the criminal record of the subject of the vetting application.  The vetting process is not considered as 'Garda Clearance'.

I am informed that An Garda Síochána has introduced an e-vetting system which facilitates the online processing of applications for vetting from registered organisations. I am further informed that individual applicants can track the process of their application online using the e-vetting tracking system, details of which are contained in the email received by applicants when completing their application online.

The Deputy may note that the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016 provides that a person is not obliged to disclose certain convictions which are over seven years old, subject to certain specified limitations.

The 2016 Act also made a series of amendments to the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 in respect of the arrangements for the disclosure or otherwise of past convictions in the context of the vetting process. In particular, it inserted a new section 14A providing for non-disclosure of certain offences after a period of seven years. These provisions are applied by the National Vetting Bureau in its work.

It is important to note that the fact that a conviction may be a spent conviction does not mean it ceases to be part of the person's criminal record.  Rather, if the conviction is eligible to be spent, a person will not be penalised in law or incur any liability for failing to disclose a spent conviction.  Finally, the Deputy may also wish to note that if a person applies for a position in certain specified bodies, such as An Garda Síochána or the Courts Service, they must disclose spent convictions. The list of bodies that a person must disclose spent convictions to is set out in Schedule 2 of the Act.

The person referred to by the Deputy may wish to contact the Garda National Vetting Bureau directly at Locall 1890 488488 or by email at vetting@garda.ie.

Garda Transport Provision

Questions (413)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

413. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if funding has been made available in 2020 for the purchase of additional Garda public order unit vans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3501/20]

View answer

Written answers

In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for management and control of An Garda Síochána and for the allocation and efficient use of Garda resources.  This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles, in accordance with operational demand.  As Minister, I have no role in these matters.  I am assured, 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.

The resources allocated by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached record levels, with an allocation of €1.88 billion for 2020.  Very significant capital investment is also being made in An Garda Síochána, including a total of €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021. This continuing investment is intended to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet and that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.

I understand from the Garda authorities that last year's capital allocation was assigned for the purchase and fit-out of over 300 new vehicles for operational use.  In relation to the vehicle type referred to by the Deputy, I am informed that 15 public order vans were added to the Garda fleet during 2019.

A total of €9 million has been allocated specifically for purchase and fit-out of Garda vehicles in 2020. The number and type of vehicles which will be purchased with this allocation as well as the Divisions to which those new vehicles will be assigned are entirely a matter for the Garda Commissioner.  I am informed by the Garda authorities that the breakdown of the number and type of vehicles to be purchased and fitted out in 2020 has not yet been decided.

Question No. 414 answered with Question No. 325.

Data Protection Commissioner

Questions (415)

Cathal Berry

Question:

415. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner in Portarlington, County Laois; the investment committed to the office to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3543/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Data Protection Commission is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Data Protection Commission has supplied the following updates on the matter.

The Data Protection Commission operates from three offices at present, two of which are based in Dublin and the third in Portarlington.  Currently, 30 staff members work at the Portarlington office across a number of teams (for example, complaint-handling, investigations) and they make a valuable contribution to the statutory functions and role of the Data Protection Commission.

The Data Protection Commission is currently in discussions with the Office of Public Works in relation to some renovation works at the Portarlington office and it hopes that this work will commence shortly.

Question No. 416 answered with Question No. 316.

Garda Data

Questions (417)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

417. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a transgender drop-down option in the Garda PULSE system in order to record hate crimes against transgender persons; and if not, if the situation will be rectified. [3670/20]

View answer

Written answers

In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and control of An Garda Síochána and the efficient and effective use of resources. This includes responsibility for Garda ICT platforms.  As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters.

I have been informed by Garda authorities that the PULSE system has a facility to allow recording of ‘Discriminatory Motives’ as part of the Incident Victim Assessment process.  I understand that the Victim Assessment Screen requires the mandatory recording of data relating to the apparent motive for a crime incident, such as whether it has been motivated by discrimination on specific grounds including age, disability, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

An Garda Síochána has also in recent months adopted a Diversity and Integration Strategy.  The Strategy includes a working definition of hate crime to assist Gardaí in delivering a victim-centred service and to assist them in responding consistently and robustly to reports of hate crime.

The Deputy may also wish to be aware that my Department is working to update Ireland’s criminal law on both hate speech and hate crime as a priority.

A comprehensive public consultation has been carried out to assist in this process, including a public survey and an opportunity for stakeholders to make formal submissions. This consultation has been carried out to ensure that the Department fully understands the lived experience of those impacted by hate speech and hate crime as well as the views of professionals and other stakeholders in the field, so that the laws developed are robust, clearly understood and effective in dealing with unacceptable incidents.

There has been strong engagement by the public with this topic. The Department has received in the region of 3,800 written responses to the consultation, including approximately 175 detailed written submissions.

In parallel, my Department has carried out comparative research on international best practice on hate crime legislation.  This research is currently being finalised and is expected to be published shortly.

My officials are analysing all of these materials, as well as other relevant legal and policy information, to ensure that any legislative proposals which are made are evidence-based, proportionate and effective, while respecting freedom of expression.

There will be a further opportunity for stakeholders to share their views when the legislative proposals on this important issue are published for discussion.

Naturalisation Eligibility

Questions (418)

Niall Collins

Question:

418. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a person (details supplied) can apply for naturalisation and-or citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3704/20]

View answer

Written answers

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.

Further to the recent Court of Appeal judgment regarding qualifying residency it should be noted that a reasonable and generous period of 6 weeks is allowed to provide for absences for normal holidays and other short absences such as for a family bereavement during the 12 months immediately prior to making the application. Absences totalling 6 weeks or more in any year will be deducted in total when calculating residency.

Full details of the eligibility criteria, a residency calculator and extensive guidelines are available on the Immigration Service website at https://www.irishimmigration.ie/citizenship/.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to 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.

Court Accommodation Refurbishment

Questions (419)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

419. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of progress with regard to carrying out repairs to Carndonagh courthouse; if the level of repairs required has been clarified; if the work has been agreed to go to tender; if so, when; the timeframe for the work to be completed and the courthouse to be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3775/20]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the survey of Carndonagh courthouse has been completed and a report received on same. The courthouse is in poor condition overall and significant expenditure is required in both the short term to remedy immediate defects and in the longer term to provide for the ongoing maintenance of the building. The Courts Service is currently examining this report with a view to determining how best to proceed. In the meantime, sittings of Carndonagh District Court, which sits once per month, are taking place in Buncrana courthouse, which is just under 20km distance from Carndonagh.

Residency Permits

Questions (420)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

420. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied), who has two dependent children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3776/20]

View answer

Written answers

The person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order, signed on 20 February 2019, requiring them to remove themselves from the State and to remain outside the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

However, representations have since been 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 and the decision to either "affirm" or "revoke" the existing Deportation Order will be communicated to the person concerned in writing. In the meantime, the Deportation Order remains valid and in place.

It is not possible to provide a definitive time-frame within which a particular application will be decided. The person referred to can be assured that there will be no avoidable delay in having their case brought to finality.

Queries in relation to the status of individual cases may be made directly to 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.

Deportation Orders Re-examination

Questions (421)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

421. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the deportation order in the case of a person (details supplied) will be revoked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3777/20]

View answer

Written answers

The persons concerned are the subjects of Deportation Orders in the State and, as such, they are required to present to their local Immigration Office as and when requested. They are next due to present on 01 April 2020.

As a Deportation Order has been signed in respect of the persons concerned the enforcement of same becomes an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).  All future queries in relation to the enforcement of a Deportation Order should be directed to the GNIB.

It is open to the persons concerned to submit representations, pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to have their Deportation Orders revoked and they may do so in writing.  A request seeking to revoke a Deportation Order must set out any new facts or circumstances which have arisen since the original decision to deport was made.  Any such request submitted would be considered on its merits, having due regard to all refoulement issues.

Requests for the revocation of the Deportation Orders are non-suspensive of the Deportation Order made in respect of the applicant and, as such, if the persons concerned submit such a request, they are still required to 'present' to the Garda National Immigration Bureau.  Any such decision would be to ‘affirm’ or to ‘revoke’ the existing Deportation Orders.  In the meantime, the Deportation Orders remain valid and in place.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to 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.

Deportation Orders Re-examination

Questions (422)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

422. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if procedures to revoke a deportation order in the case of a person (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3778/20]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order. This Order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and to remain outside the State thereafter. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

Representations have been 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. A decision will then be made to either "affirm" or "revoke" the existing Deportation Order. Once a decision has been made, it will be notified to the person concerned in writing. In the meantime, the Deportation Order remains valid and in place.

Requests for the revocation of a Deportation Order are non-suspensive even where the person concerned submits such a request and they are still required to 'present' to the Garda National Immigration Bureau as and when required.

Queries in relation to the status of individual cases may be made directly to 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.

Top
Share