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Wednesday, 27 Jan 2021

Written Answers Nos. 642-661

Citizenship Applications

Questions (642)

Gary Gannon

Question:

642. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the number of front-line workers who have pending citizenship applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4224/21]

View answer

Written answers

Statistics on citizenship applications are not compiled by the Immigration Service of my Department in such a way as to provide details of the profession of applicants, as requested by the Deputy.

I recognise and acknowledge the crucial role frontline workers are continuing to play in responding to the threat of COVID-19. They work in a challenging environment and deal with vulnerable people on a daily basis. Their exceptional commitment has been particularly clear throughout the pandemic, during which they have been playing a key role in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with legislation. There are no provisions to apply different criteria depending on the category of employment of the applicant. All applicants are required to meet minimum periods of reckonable residence and standard checks are carried out as part of the overall process to maintain its integrity.

Due to the restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic, I have provided six extensions of immigration permission to 20 April 2021, to ensure that those requiring an immigration permission to work in the state could continue to do so including those providing frontline services.

I am conscious that a significant backlog has built up regarding the granting of citizenships due to the inability to hold in person ceremonies during COVID-19. Unfortunately, the pandemic has prevented the holding of such ceremonies, which are usually attended by hundreds of people and which have become a welcome addition to our public and civic life.

I was pleased to recently announce that a temporary system is now in place that will enable citizenship applicants to complete their naturalisation process by signing a statutory declaration of loyalty. This signed statutory declaration replaces the requirement for citizenship applicants to attend citizenship ceremonies, which have been temporarily suspended during COVID-19.

Under the temporary new system, up to 4,000 qualifying applicants will be asked to complete a statutory declaration that will be sent to them by email from the Citizenship Division of the Immigration Service of my Department and bring it to one of the listed designated officials. The designated official must witness the applicant sign the statutory declaration. The applicant must then send the signed statutory declaration, the appropriate fee and any other requested documentation to Citizenship Division. Final processing will then take place and a certificate of naturalisation, will be sent to the applicant.

The new system is in place from 18 January 2021, and my Department will communicate with applicants regarding the requirements, on a phased basis over the next few months until in-person citizenship ceremonies are able to recommence.

It is expected that the 4,000 applicants currently waiting on naturalisation will have been provided with an opportunity to gain citizenship by the end of March. A significant number of healthcare and other frontline workers who have made extraordinary contributions during the pandemic will also benefit from these new arrangements over the coming weeks and months.

It remains my intention that large scale ceremonies will recommence once circumstances allow. Since their establishment in 2011, citizenship ceremonies have been joyous occasions which mark the granting of Irish citizenships in a dignified manner and they have become a welcome addition to our public and civic life. In-person ceremonies have been provisionally scheduled to resume in December 2021, subject to the safety of all involved being assured.

Citizenship Applications

Questions (643)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

643. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to a petition (details supplied) calling for citizenship applications of front-line workers, including porters, cleaners, medics and others, to be expedited in recognition of their contribution during the pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4236/21]

View answer

Written answers

I am aware of the petition referred to by the Deputy. I recognise and acknowledge the crucial role frontline workers are continuing to play in responding to the threat of COVID-19. They work in a challenging environment and deal with vulnerable people on a daily basis. Their exceptional commitment has been particularly clear throughout the pandemic, during which they have been playing a key role in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with legislation. There are no provisions to apply different criteria depending on the category of employment or nationality of the applicant. All applicants are required to meet minimum periods of reckonable residence and standard checks are carried out as part of the overall process to maintain its integrity.

Due to the restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic, I have provided six emergency extensions of immigration permission to 20 April 2021, to ensure that those requiring an immigration permission to work in the state could continue to do so including those providing frontline services.

I am conscious that a significant backlog has built up regarding the granting of citizenships due to the inability to hold in person ceremonies during Covid-19. Unfortunately, the pandemic has prevented the holding of such ceremonies, which are usually attended by hundreds of people and which have become a welcome addition to our public and civic life.

I was pleased to announce last week that a temporary system is now in place that will enable up to 4000 citizenship applicants to complete their naturalisation process by signing a statutory declaration of loyalty. This signed statutory declaration replaces the requirement for citizenship applicants to attend citizenship ceremonies, which have been temporarily suspended during COVID-19.

The new system is in place from 18 January 2021, and my Department will communicate with applicants regarding the requirements, on a phased basis over the next few months until in-person citizenship ceremonies are able to recommence.

It is expected that the 4,000 applicants currently waiting on naturalisation will have been provided with an opportunity to gain citizenship by the end of March. A significant number of healthcare and other frontline workers who have made extraordinary contributions during the pandemic will also benefit from these new arrangements over the coming weeks and months.

It remains my intention that large scale ceremonies will recommence once circumstances allow. Since their establishment in 2011, citizenship ceremonies have been joyous occasions which mark the granting of Irish citizenships in a dignified manner and they have become a welcome addition to our public and civic life. In-person ceremonies have been provisionally scheduled to resume in December 2021, subject to the safety of all involved being assured.

Legislative Reviews

Questions (644)

Carol Nolan

Question:

644. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the status of the review of the Defamation Act 2009 being undertaken by her Department; when a report on the review originally promised in spring 2020 will be published; when amending legislation will be introduced in Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4267/21]

View answer

Written answers

The review of the Defamation Act 2009 is a legislative priority for the Government. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to review and reform defamation laws to ensure a balanced approach to the right to freedom of expression, the right to protection of good name and reputation, and the right of access to justice.

My Department has already completed extensive work on the defamation review, including holding a public consultation, publishing all submissions received, detailed consideration of the many issues raised, examining relevant reforms in other jurisdictions, organising a symposium on defamation law reform, and careful consideration of recent European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) case law.

Unfortunately, completion of the review was delayed in 2020, due to the need to prepare and enact urgent legislation to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit.

My Department is now finalising the report of the defamation review, with options for change to the law, and I expect to receive the report in the near future. I intend to publish it, subject to Government agreement, by the end of March. As a measure of the Government's commitment to this reform, I have already included the Defamation (Amendment) Bill, to implement the resulting legislative changes, in the Government’s updated Legislation Programme, which was published on 13 January 2021.

Residency Permits

Questions (645, 646)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

645. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications received under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015 for a residence card on the basis of being a permitted family member, that is, a member of the household of a European Union citizen; and the number of such residence cards granted in each year. [4280/21]

View answer

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

646. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications received in each year under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015 for a residence card on the basis of being a permitted family member, that is, a dependant of a European Union citizen; and the number of such residence cards granted in each year. [4281/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 645 and 646 together.

I wish to clarify that under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015, permitted family members must apply for an assessment as a permitted family member of a Union citizen, whether as a member of the household of that Union citizen or as a dependant of the Union citizen and be deemed as a permitted family member before consideration is given to whether an applicant qualifies for a residence card.

The Immigration Service of my Department advises that the number of applications received or approved under the category, member of household or dependant of the Union citizen, is not readily available and would take significant resources to identify those applications. In addition, some applications may be made and assessed under more than one category, including de facto partner or under health grounds. However, to be of some assistance to the Deputy, the number of all first-instance applications for assessment as permitted family member of a Union citizen received and approved in each year since the Regulations came into operation on 1 February 2016 are set out in Table 1 below.

Table 1 – Permitted Family Member Assessment applications and approvals

Year

Number of Permitted Family Member Assessment applications received

Number of Permitted Family Member Assessment applications approved*

2016 (from 01/02/2016)

1510

272

2017

738

252

2018

487

269

2019

477

320

2020

431

282

*the number of applications for assessment approved in a given year bears no correlation to the number of applications received during that year.

I regret to inform the Deputy that the number of the above applications that were approved whereby the applicant was subsequently granted a residence card at first-instance is not readily available, as statistics are not maintained in a manner that would allow for this figure to be determined without a significant amount of staff resources and time being required.

Citizenship Applications

Questions (647, 648)

Martin Kenny

Question:

647. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications for citizenship received by Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service monthly in each of the years from 2016 to 2020; the length of time it took to process these applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4308/21]

View answer

Martin Kenny

Question:

648. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if additional resources will be provided to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service in order to process applications for citizenship in a more timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4309/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 647 and 648 together.

The spreadsheet found at the link contains the number of applications for citizenship received by the Citizenship Division of the Immigration Service of my Department monthly in each of the years 2016 to 2020. The table below also sets out the average processing time (in months) for applications in each of the years 2016 to 2020.

Year

Average Processing Time (Months)

2016

7.80

2017

7.39

2018

10.40

2019

11.6

2020

13.5

In general, the current target is that it should take around 12 months for a standard application for a certificate of naturalisation to be processed from the date it is received to the date a decision is made. However, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process.

Processing timescales can be impacted by incomplete applications having to be returned; further documentation being required from the applicant; where the payment of the required certificate fee is awaited; or if the applicant has not been engaging with the Immigration Service.

In some instances, the input of several government agencies, both within and outside the jurisdiction is needed and the request and receipt of information from these sources can result in delays in processing some applications. Issues can also arise at the final stage of the naturalisation process, for example, where additional information comes to light which is required to be considered before a final decision is taken.

Additionally a number of issues have impacted on the processing of citizenship applications over the past 15 months. A High Court case which was subsequently successfully appealed to the Court of Appeal resulted in significant delays. This has been compounded by the COVID-19 restrictions which have impacted the delivery of normal services to date this year. The combined impact of the Jones judgment and the COVID-19 disruption has resulted in the loss of over six months processing time. As a result, the processing timeline for standard applications has increased to 12 months.

I am conscious that a significant backlog has built up regarding the granting of citizenships due to the inability to hold in person ceremonies during Covid-19. Unfortunately, the pandemic has prevented the holding of such ceremonies, which are usually attended by hundreds of people and which have become a welcome addition to our public and civic life.

I was pleased to announce last week that a temporary system is now in place that will enable up to 4000 citizenship applicants to complete their naturalisation process by signing a statutory declaration of loyalty. This signed statutory declaration replaces the requirement for citizenship applicants to attend citizenship ceremonies, which have been temporarily suspended during COVID-19.

The new system is in place from 18 January 2021, and my Department will communicate with applicants regarding the requirements, on a phased basis over the next few months until in-person citizenship ceremonies are able to recommence.

In addition to the provision of an alternative platform to large-scale citizenship ceremonies, work is well advanced on the following suite of measures designed to deal with the current unprecedented level of demand being witnessed:

- Additional staffing resources are being assigned to the Citizenship Division. Attendant to this development, restructuring of the organisational structure of the Division is currently underway to ensure optimal customer service delivery.

- In the context of communications, the Citizenship website has been significantly revamped to make it more user friendly, As part of this process, a new online chat conversation application, or “Chatbot” called Tara was introduced last December. This provides users with an instant response to frequently asked questions and mimics real-time text or message exchanges with a member of staff. There have been over 4,600 interactions on the Chatbot since it launched.

- Plans for the digitalisation of the naturalisation process are also well advanced, through increased digital and ICT investment. As part of this process, eTax-clearance for citizenship applicants has been introduced. Online payments have been trialled for applications from minors and the process is currently being rolled out to adult applications on a phased basis.

The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up additional resources to focus on enhanced customer service delivery, ensuring the integrity of the process is protected and processing applications in a timely and efficient manner.

Applications

Citizenship Applications

Questions (649)

Thomas Gould

Question:

649. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice if a letter from a general practitioner or educational institution can be submitted as proof of address in circumstances in which applicants do not have the sufficient number of utility or other bills in their own names. [4358/21]

View answer

Written answers

I understand that the Deputy's query relates to an application for citizenship. A letter from the applicant's General Practitioner showing the applicant's name, address and dates of attendance can be used as proof of residency. A letter from an educational institution can only be used if the applicant is still attending the educational institute, and must include the student's name, address and dates of attendance.

A list of documents that can be used as proof of residency can be found on the Citizenship website at https://www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Proofs-of-residence.pdf

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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (650)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

650. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined. [4366/21]

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Written answers

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (651)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

651. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the budgetary analysis being carried out in her Department and each State agency under the remit of her Department to plan for long Covid-19 impacts, in tabular form. [4491/21]

View answer

Written answers

“Long COVID” as it is termed is still in the very early stages of being understood. New information is emerging as the pandemic continues and scientists worldwide are researching the effects of COVID-19 and it is hoped that their work can inform future decisions. My officials will continue to be guided by our public health professionals on this matter and will monitor the potential impacts in the Department and its Agencies to ensure an effective response to any issues that might emerge in relation to “Long COVID.” In the interim I can confirm that no budgetary analysis has been carried out by my Department or by the Agencies/Offices under my remit.

International Protection

Questions (652)

Holly Cairns

Question:

652. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the status of implementing each of the recommendations of the report of the advisory group on the provision of support, including accommodation, to persons in the international protection process relevant to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4519/21]

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Written answers

I am committed to ensuring that my Department plays its part in supporting the implementation of the recommendations of the Advisory Group on the Provision of Support including Accommodation to Persons in the International Protection Process that are within my remit, as far as possible and appropriate, and to work collaboratively with other Departments where relevant.

My Department is already progressing actions to deliver on many of the recommendations. A high level Programme Board, chaired by the Deputy Secretary General, has been established in my Department to oversee and drive forward the implementation of recommendations that relate to my Department and the agencies under its aegis, as appropriate. In addition, an Implementation Working Group of senior officials from the responsible areas is tasked with working together to support the implementation of actions and to plan for their delivery. This group is meeting on a weekly basis and detailed consideration of each of the recommendations is still ongoing. This includes considering actions to achieve more efficient timelines in processing and deciding applications, and legislation that may be required to support such changes.

In line with the Advisory Group’s recommendations, my Department is committed to achieving a reduction in processing times for both first instance decisions and appeals to 6 months each respectively as far as possible.

Significant progress has already been made in relation to some of the recommendations. For example, additional ICT resources have been secured for 2021 and detailed work including an end-to-end review of processes to guide enhanced processing times is underway. When this first phase of work has been carried out it will enable a more detailed set of milestones to be put in place.

To date, the Ministerial Decision Unit has been relocated to the International Protection Office enabling streamlining of work processes and the IPAT has been designated as a body authorised to hold remote hearings. In addition, in October 2020 the Government approved, following a review by my Department, a reduction in the waiting period for access to the labour market from 9 months to 6 months and an increase in the validity period of a labour market access permission from 6 months to 12 months. Work on the relevant legislative changes is at an advanced stage with a view to introducing the proposed changes shortly and I expect to make a further announcement in relation to this soon.

Notwithstanding the progress being made on implementing the recommendations set out above there are certain current constraints and challenges for my Department in delivering some of the recommendations of the Advisory Group given the impact of COVID on current operations.

My colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is responsible for progressing recommendations related to accommodation and related services for international protection applicants.

Disability Act Employment Targets

Questions (653)

Holly Cairns

Question:

653. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the absolute and relative number of persons with disabilities employed by her Department in each of the years from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2020; if these persons are in full-time or part-time roles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4531/21]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy may be aware, Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 provides for a statutory report on the employment of people with disabilities in the public sector. This report is compiled by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, from information provided by all public bodies staffed by civil servants, and gives details of the number of people with a disability employed in the Civil Service. This report is submitted to the National Disability Authority (NDA).

The absolute and relative number of persons with disabilities employed by my Department in each of the years from 2015 to 2019 is set out below.

- The 2015 report indicated that 100 out of 2009 employees, or 4.97%, reported having disability.

- The 2016 report indicated that 117 out of 2154 employees, or 5.4%, reported having a disability.

- The 2017 report indicated that 129 out of 2371 employees, or 5.4%, reported having a disability.

- The 2018 report indicated that 146 out of 2488 employees, or 5.9%, reported having a disability.

- The 2019 report indicated that 144 out of 2676 employees, or 5.4%, reported having a disability.

In each of these years, the current 3% target of employment of persons with disabilities set in the Disability Act 2005 was exceeded.

Officials in my Department are currently preparing the 2020 return - these figures are not yet available.

My Department does not have data regarding the breakdown in terms of full-time or part-time staff, as the data gathered on disability is anonymised to facilitate staff declaring a disability.

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (654, 655)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

654. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of State and semi-State board appointments that fall under the aegis of her Department made since this Government took office, including the name of the board or agency and the remuneration level associated with the board position, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4557/21]

View answer

Mattie McGrath

Question:

655. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a list of all State and semi-State boards that fall under the aegis of her Department; the level of remuneration being paid to each board member, including chairpersons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4570/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 654 and 655 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the details requested in relation to the State boards which come under the aegis of my Department are set out in the table below with regard to:

(a) members’ level of remuneration, and

(b) appointments of members since the Government took office on 27 June 2020.

State Board/Body

Remuneration Level

Appointments or re-appointments made since 27 June 2020

Censorship of Publications Board (CPB)

Travel and subsistence for days on which the board convenes for both the Chairperson and Ordinary members.

N/A

Classification of Films Appeals Board (CFAB)

Travel and subsistence for days on which the board convenes (The board has meets once or twice a year) for both Ordinary members and the Chairperson.

1 Chairperson & 5 Ordinary members on 07/12/2020

Courts Service Board

Chairperson - No fee payable. Travel and subsistence expenses at rates sanctioned by the Department of Finance. Ordinary members receive a fee of €11,970 paid to non-judicial members of the Board (with the exception of the Chief Executive Officer) plus travel and subsistence expenses at rates sanctioned by the Department of Finance. Two appointees receive no fee under the One Person, Once Salary policy (OPOS.)

6 Ordinary members on 08/11/2020

Garda Síochána Inspectorate

Chief Inspector is paid at the level of an Assistant Garda Commissioner. Deputy Chief Inspectors are paid at a level equivalent to Principal Officer. These roles are full-time.

N/A

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC)

The current Chairperson is a serving High Court judge and is paid on that basis. The two ordinary members of the Ombudsman are paid at a level equivalent to that of Assistant Secretary. These roles are full-time.

Resolutions were put to the Seanad on 26 January 2021 and to the Dáil on 27 January 2021 with regard to proposed appointments of two new ordinary members

International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT)

Positions of the Chairperson, Deputy Chairpersons and Full-time members are salaried positions. Members are paid on a fee per item basis in respect of completed decisions. The current rates are set out below and cover all expenses that may be incurred.

8 Tribunal members part-time in July 2020 13 Tribunal members part-time in September/October 2020 23 Tribunal members part-time in December 2020

Judicial Appointments Advisory Board (JAAB)

N/A

1 Ordinary member ex-officio (AG) on 27/06/2020 1 Ordinary member on 01/08/2020

Legal Aid Board

Chairperson receive a fee of €11,970 plus superannuation benefits and allowances for expenses as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may, from time to time determine. Ordinary members receive a fee of €7,695 (three members)€8,538 (four members) plus superannuation benefits and allowances for expenses as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may, from time to time determine.

N/A

Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA)

The Chairperson receives a fee of €11,970 plus allowances for expenses (if any) as the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform may from time to time determine. Ordinary members receive a fee of €7,695 (four members) plus allowances for expenses (if any) as the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform may from time to time determine. Two appointees receive no fee under OPOS policy.

3 Ordinary members on 01/10/2020 1 Chairperson on 01/10/2020

Mental Health (Criminal Law) Review Board

The Chairperson is paid €70,875 annually in respect of this role. Board members are paid a fee of €250 per case reviewed. T&S expenses are not payable.

N/A

Parole Board (interim)

The Chairperson is paid an annual fee of €11,970. Expenses of €149.75 per day for each prison visit to a maximum of €12,600. Ordinary members of the Board are paid an annual fee of €7,695. Expenses of €149.75 per day for each prison visit to a maximum of €12,600.

Members re-appointed by Minister until 30 June 2021

Parole Board (statutory)

To be decided in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Appointments are expected to be made following commencement of the Parole Act 2019.

Policing Authority

The current Chairperson is paid €32,450 per annum on the basis of providing 2.5 days’ service per week to the Authority Ordinary members of the Policing Authority receive an annual fee of €14,963.

Re-appointments of five members were made by Government with effect from 01 January 2021. There are four vacancies on the Authority since 01 January 2021. A selection process to identify candidates for appointment was undertaken by the Public Appointments Service in 2020; it is expected that this matter will be brought to Government shortly.

Private Security Authority (PSA)

The Chairperson receives a fee of €11,970 per annum. Ordinary members receive a fee of €7,695 per annum.

N/A

Private Security Appeal Board (PSAB)

Chairperson receives a fee of €351per meeting. Ordinary member receives a fee of €170 per meeting.

N/A

Property Services Appeal Board (PSAB)

Chairperson receives a €500 fee per sitting: Fees are not paid for Membership of the Board but for participation in sittings of the Board to determine appeals. Ordinary members receives a €416 fee per sitting of Board to determine appeals.

N/A

Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA)

Chairperson receive a fee of €8,978 plus allowances for expenses (if any) as the Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, determine. Ordinary members receive a fee of €5,985 (seven members) Plus allowances for expenses (if any) as the Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, determine. One appointee receives no fee under the OPOS policy.

3 Ordinary members on 28/11/2020

Fees for International Protection Appeal Tribunal Members:

International Protection Act - Case Type

Fee (Principal Applicant)

Single Procedure: Oral Hearing

€ 730

Single Procedure: Papers Only Appeal

€ 490

Inadmissible and subsequent application appeals

€ 365

Withdrawn: Prior to hearing

€ 245

Withdrawn: Post hearing

€ 490

Postponement: Day of hearing

€ 245

Note:Ex Officio members are generally not eligible for payment of fees in line with the principle of “One Person, One Salary”.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (656, 657)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

656. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the amount of funding allocated by her Department on the Covid-19 communications strategy since the beginning of the pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4760/21]

View answer

Mattie McGrath

Question:

657. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the amount of funding spent by her Department on the Covid-19 communications strategy since the beginning of the pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4771/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 656 and 657 together.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic my Department has been working closely with all government departments to support the national Covid-19 effort.

At all times my Department has contributed to, and participated in, the large scale cross-Government communications programme which has been running since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has involved supporting and amplifying Government and public health messaging through both our internal and external communications channels.

Since the onset of the pandemic, my Department has had concerns about the potential for increased domestic abuse as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. Sadly these concerns were well founded as can be seen in recent figures released by An Garda Síochána and frontline domestic abuse groups.

To tackle the scourge of domestic abuse, and support the wider COVID-19 response, my Department has been running a successful communications campaign called Still Here, which aims to reassure victims of domestic abuse that support services from State agencies and the voluntary sector are still available and accessible during the Covid-19 pandemic, regardless of what level of restrictions that are in place.

To date the Department has spent €401,952.56 on the Still Here campaign.

The following revised reply was received on 25 March 2021.

Regrettably we are now aware that a mistake was made in the answer regarding the total figure for the Still Here campaign, specifically a credit note had not been accounted for correctly in our records. The figure in my original answer of €401,952.56 was incorrect and the correct total spend for the Still Here campaign so far is €397,944.36.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (658)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

658. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will provide all the minutes of meetings of the high-level task force on Covid-19 vaccination to date. [3313/21]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is collating the information requested and it will be forwarded to the Deputy directly.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (659)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

659. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Health the financial supports being given to section 39 organisations that have lost finances due to the inability to fundraise due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4150/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Department of Health recognises the invaluable contribution of S39 agencies in the provision of vital health services across Ireland. The Department does not directly provide funding to section 39 organisations to replace lost fundraising income. Rather, these organisations are funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to provide specific health services on behalf of the Executive and this service delivery is governed via an annual service level agreement between the Executive and the agency in question.

In addition to this ongoing funding allocation for services delivery provided by the HSE to S39 agencies, there were two additional once off funding allocations which were made by Government in late 2020.

Under the Strengthening Disability Services Fund announced in October 2020, a total of €20 million in one-off grants will be provided to reform disability services, build the capacity of disability organisations and to improve the quality of life of those who rely on these services. In November 2020, the Minister announced €10m in once-off funding for palliative and end-of-life care in 2020 to deal with the challenges posed by Covid-19. The funding was made available to hospices and other voluntary organisations providing services and supports in the palliative care sector. Some, but not all of these service providers, are funded by the HSE as S39 agencies.

In addition, during 2020, in recognition of the pressures on Section 39 organisations in the disability sector related to Covid-19, the Minister for Health confirmed that disability service providers would not be required to meet previously planned financial efficiency targets in 2020.

The Government Covid Stability Fund, introduced last year, provided €35 million to assist community and voluntary organisations, charity and social enterprises which experienced financial difficulties due to a reduction in their fundraising or trading income as a direct result of Covid-19. The scheme was intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups delivering front-line services to the most at need in our society and in danger of imminent closure due to lost fundraising or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of Covid-19. Qualifying organisations must have seen their income drop significantly during the crisis. Grants of between €2,000 and €200,000 were available. An additional €10m was made available for the stability fund in Budget 2021.

The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD), along with the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration funded the COVID-19 Stability Fund from the Dormant Accounts Fund.

DRCD, in conjunction with Pobal, developed the scheme and the application facility based on parameters agreed with DPER and by Government. The fund was administered by the DRCD and Pobal.

Funding of €44m has been approved to just under 600 organisations to date and the payment processes for this funding remain ongoing. Details of these can be found at: https://www.pobal.ie/programmes/covid-19-cv-stability-scheme/

104 organisations have been supported through this fund by the Department of Health, with allocations to date of €12.36m. The Stability Fund is now closed for further applications.

Status

No.

Contract Value (including top-up)

Paid/ready for Payment

86

€11,080,878

Contract Issued

13

€1,275,208

Terminated

4

€0

Withdrawn

1

€0

Total

104

€12,356,086

Water and Sewerage Schemes

Questions (660)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

660. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if funding has been allocated for a nationwide wastewater surveillance programme to monitor the prevalence of Covid-19, as endorsed by NPHET in November 2020; when he expects the programme to be fully rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3542/21]

View answer

Written answers

At its meeting on 12 November 2020, the NPHET endorsed a paper “SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance in Ireland” and recommended that the NVRL and HPSC work collaboratively to implement a national wastewater surveillance network for SARS-CoV-2. The paper is available online: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/691330-national-public-health-emergency-team-covid-19-coronavirus/#november

Wastewater surveillance involves the analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in sewage samples which will capture both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in the community, providing an early warning system that will identify when SARS-CoV-2 levels are increasing in the community. This type of enhanced surveillance doesn't provide much additional information when there are high levels of virus circulating, but it can be an effective early warning system when there are low levels of circulating virus in the community.

An inter-agency group has been established to develop the surveillance programme, and work is underway to ensure it is in place for when case numbers reach a substantially lower level. Funding requirements will be considered and addressed by the group.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (661, 671)

Kieran O'Donnell

Question:

661. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health if he will support and make provision for the mandatory use of face coverings in banks, credit unions and post offices (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3546/21]

View answer

Robert Troy

Question:

671. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will amend the statutory instrument to add banks and credit unions to the list of workplaces in which the wearing of face coverings is mandatory. [3600/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 661 and 671 together.

As you will be aware, a person, without reasonable excuse, must wear a face covering when using public transport, in retail outlets, shops and shopping centres, in other indoor spaces such as libraries, cinemas and cinema complexes, theatres, concert halls, bingo halls, museums, businesses carrying out cosmetic nail care or nail styling, hair care or hair styling, tattoo and piercing services, travel agents and tour operators, laundries and dry cleaners and licensed bookmakers.

The Regulations relating to face coverings have recently been amended to include post offices, credit unions and banks.

The relevant Regulations in relation to face coverings which remain in place until 9 June, 2021 can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/1f150-view-statutory-instruments-related-to-the-covid-19-pandemic/

The current advice in relation to face coverings is available at -https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/face-masks-disposable-gloves.html and http://www.gov.ie/facecoverings/

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