Written Answers Nos. 658-685
658. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice when it is planned to publish the 2019 and 2020 reports on the operation of the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Acts which, according to the provisions of the Acts, should have been published by the end of April 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11019/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Section 11 of the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act, 1995 requires me to make a report to the Houses of the Oireachtas on the operation of matters within the Act in the preceding year.
While there was a delay in the publication of the report last year, I can confirm that the 2019 Annual Report on the operation of the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act 1995 & 1997 was recently laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. It was also published on the website of my Department. I regret that the timeframe for laying the report before the Houses was not met in this instance.
The 2020 Annual Report is currently being considered by senior management in Irish Prison Service and will be submitted to me the coming weeks in accordance with the provisions of the Act. I will ensure that the 2020 Annual Report is published and laid before the Houses within the required timeframe.
660. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who reported being victims of domestic violence in the period from June to December 2020; the corresponding figures for the same periods in 2018 and 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11074/21]
View answer661. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who reported being victims of domestic violence in the period from October 2020 to January 2021; the corresponding figures for October 2019 to January 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11075/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 660 and 661 together.
I am informed that the Garda Síochána Analysis Service, having reviewed the recorded data, are unable to provide the statistics requested by the Deputy. They have informed me that trying to establish unique persons in these incidents would require the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources in order to provide suitably accurate figures.
I would like to assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána attaches the highest priority to domestic abuse incidents and in order to ensure appropriate targeted and proactive action and supports during the pandemic established Operation Faoiseamh. Operation Faoiseamh continues to ensure that victims of domestic abuse are supported and protected by An Garda Síochána during this extraordinary time and ensures that domestic abuse incidents are receiving the highest priority response.
Provisional figures available to An Garda Síochána for 2020, which maybe of interest to the Deputy, indicate that under Operation Faoiseamh:
- Gardaí received approximately 43,000 calls to respond to domestic abuse incidents, 16% increase on 2019
- In excess of 4000 criminal charges referred for breaches of domestic abuse court orders, up 25% on 2019
- In excess of 7600 criminal charges in total for crimes involving an element of domestic abuse, up 24% on 2019.
- In excess of 4300 Domestic Abuse Court Orders notified to AGS in 2020
- 3 convictions recorded in 2020 for Coercive Control
- 1 Circuit Court conviction by Jury following trial
- 1 Circuit Court Conviction on plea of guilty
- 1 District Court conviction on a plea of Guilty
Gardaí also continue to develop their specialist services in this area and Divisional Protective Services Units have now been rolled out nationwide, with specially trained officers responsible for investigations, including engagement with victims.
I can also assure the Deputy that tackling domestic abuse and providing supports for victims is a priority for me as Minister and for Government. I am working with my colleagues and with our partners to ensure we have an appropriate collective national response that supports victims and holds perpetrators to account.
662. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí stationed at Ballyfermot, Crumlin, Kilmainham, Sundrive Road and Terenure stations by rank in tabular form. [11090/21]
View answerAn Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. The significant level of funding provided over recent years is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, there are now approximately 14,600 Garda members and over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide.
The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no role in decisions on such 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.
A detailed breakdown of Garda numbers by Division, District and Station is available on my Department’s website, in the interests of transparency and for the convenience of Deputies and the wider public. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána. The Information on Garda members requested may be accessed at the following link:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Workforce
I am informed that overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda Resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.
As the Deputy is aware the allocation and transfer of Garda Personnel is determined by a number of factors, including crime and non-crime workload, minimum establishment, population, area, policing arrangements, operational strategies and transfers applications, including welfare issues. When allocations are taking place, comprehensive consultation is carried out with Local Management during which all factors are taken into consideration. Where a deficiency in resources is identified, the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly.
663. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice the response times for each Garda station in County Clare to all 999 calls; the average response time for the county; the average response time nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11168/21]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that statistics relating to Garda response times for emergency call-outs throughout the country are not readily available. In addition, I understand that compiling the relevant figures would require a significant amount of resources which are required for other Garda purposes.
The Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation and I have been advised that the highest importance is given to emergency calls, to ensure that they are responded to on a priority basis. Furthermore, this is an area that is kept under on-going review and the Garda authorities are satisfied that the current service is effective in delivering efficient arrangements to communities.
664. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of large public service vehicle, LPSV, licences that have been revoked permanently and-or cancelled; and the number of LPSV licence holders who have been issued with suspensions due to notification of a drug and-or alcohol test failure in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, by county. [11221/21]
View answerI am advised by the Garda authorities that is not possible to provide the number of LPSV licences that have been revoked permanently and or cancelled, as the information requested is not available in an easily accessible format. I am informed that hard copies of these licenses are held by each Garda division as there is no general database of LPSV licences.
With regard to the number of LPSV licences that have been issued with suspensions due to notification of a drug and or alcohol test failure in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, by county, I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is the vehicle, rather than the driver, that is licenced by An Garda Síochána. As such, failure of an intoxication test would not result in the suspension of a LPSV licence.
665. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the timelines with regard to planned changes to the Garda Síochána Inspectorate; the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on these timelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11354/21]
View answer666. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice when she anticipates being able to publish the general scheme of the policing and community safety Bill. [11369/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 665 and 666 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government commits to the rapid implementation of the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI). Our aim is to deliver a new approach to policing and community safety, increasing police visibility in communities and focusing on preventing crime and harm, and delivering a professional, ethical, modern and effective police and security service that is well-managed, cost-effective, properly trained and equipped, and is clearly accountable.
While the Covid-19 pandemic has presented challenges, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I will shortly bring the General Scheme of a new Policing and Community Safety Bill to Government for approval. Once approved, it will be sent to the Joint Oireachtas Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny and published.
The legislation will provide for a new governance and oversight framework to strengthen the internal governance of An Garda Síochána and to ensure strong, truly independent external public oversight of policing. Specifically in relation to the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, it will provide for the merging of the broad-ranging oversight functions of the Policing Authority and the inspection functions of the Inspectorate in a new, stronger independent oversight body. Extensive consultations have taken place with key stakeholders including the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, the Policing Authority and the Garda Commissioner in the course of the development of the Scheme.
In advance of the introduction of this new legislation, the important oversight work of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate will continue.
667. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the details of contracts of €25,000 or more that have been awarded by her Department or bodies under her aegis that were found to be non-compliant with procurement guidelines in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; the value and nature of the contact work carried out in each case; the year of each contract in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11381/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the information sought by the Deputy across the Justice Vote Group for 2018 and 2019 is included, where applicable, within the Statement on Internal Financial Control, provided by the respective Accounting Officers, in the Appropriation Accounts for 2018 and 2019 published by Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General and that can be accessed here:
2018
- https://www.audit.gov.ie/en/Find-Report/Publications/2019/Vote-24-Justice-and-Equality.pdf
- https://www.audit.gov.ie/en/Find-Report/Publications/2019/Vote-25-Irish-Human-Rights-and-Equality-Commission.pdf
- https://www.audit.gov.ie/en/Find-Report/Publications/2019/Vote-20-An-Garda-Siochana.pdf
- https://www.audit.gov.ie/en/Find-Report/Publications/2019/Vote-21-Prisons.pdf
- https://www.audit.gov.ie/en/Find-Report/Publications/2019/Vote-22-Courts-Service.pdf
- https://www.audit.gov.ie/en/Find-Report/Publications/2019/Vote-41-Policing-Authority.pdf
2019
- https://www.audit.gov.ie/en/Find-Report/Publications/2020/Vote-24-Justice-and-Equality.pdf
- https://www.audit.gov.ie/en/Find-Report/Publications/2020/Vote-25-Irish-Human-Rights-and-Equality-Commission.pdf
- https://www.audit.gov.ie/en/Find-Report/Publications/2020/Vote-20-An-Garda-Siochana.pdf
- https://www.audit.gov.ie/en/Find-Report/Publications/2020/Vote-21-Prisons.pdf
- https://www.audit.gov.ie/en/Find-Report/Publications/2020/Vote-22-Courts-Service.pdf
- https://www.audit.gov.ie/en/Find-Report/Publications/2020/Vote-41-Policing-Authority.pdf
Work is continuing across the Justice Vote Group on compiling similar information for 2020 and it is expected that this will be published in the 2020 Appropriation Account, which is currently being prepared.
It is expected that, in line with previous years, that similar details relating to this year will be published in the 2021 Appropriation Account next year.
668. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the details of the meetings, correspondence and engagements she and her officials have had with a group (details supplied); if she will specifically address the concerns outlined by the group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11413/21]
View answerSince my appointment as Minister for Justice, I have not had any meetings with the Independent Scientific Advocacy Group (ISAG), nor has my colleague the Minister of State James Browne T.D. Furthermore, I am not aware of any meetings between my officials in the Department of Justice and the ISAG.
669. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of prison staff and prisoners, respectively, who have tested positive for Covid-19 since March 2020 to date in 2021, by prison; the number who required hospitalisation; and the procedures that are in place for when a prisoner is required to stay in hospital due to Covid-19. [11426/21]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that as of 1 March 2021, there have been 97 confirmed prisoner cases of Covid-19 in our prisons. Of these cases, 44 were community based infections, which were detected during the committal testing process.
The Deputy will also be aware that since October 2020 there have been 9 confirmed Covid-19 outbreaks within our prisons resulting in 53 confirmed Covid-19 cases among the general prison population
To date, no prisoners have been hospitalised with Covid-19.
I have been informed by the Irish Prison Service that there are 26 prisoners across the estate currently being treated for Covid-19.
A breakdown of cases per location since September 2020 is set out in Table 1.
Table 1. Record of prisoners as per prison as of 1 March 2021
|
Prison |
Nos. |
|
Dochas |
1 |
|
Cloverhill |
19 |
|
Mountjoy |
4 |
|
Midlands |
22 |
|
Limerick |
11 |
|
Castlerea |
1 |
|
Loughan |
9 |
|
Wheatfield |
11 |
|
Shelton |
1 |
|
Portlaoise |
3 |
|
Cork |
2 |
|
Arbour Hill |
13 |
|
Total |
97 |
The Irish Prison Service has further advised that for operational and confidentiality reasons they cannot provide a breakdown of cases reported by staff members by prison, but have advised that since March 2020 a total of 312 confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been reported by staff members.
670. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice when the independent study into familicide and domestic homicide reviews commissioned in May 2019 will be completed. [11480/21]
View answerThe publication of the independent research on Familicide and Domestic Homicide Reviews is an important commitment under Justice Plan 2021, our plan to build a justice system that works for everyone.
This independent study commissioned by my Department is looking at international best practice in the conduct of domestic homicide reviews with a view to making recommendations in relation to their application in this jurisdiction. The study will be a key facet in delivering on this commitment.
Ms Maura Butler, who is a solicitor and has been a member of the Study’s Advisory Group since its establishment, agreed to take responsibility for leading completion of the study, following the sad and untimely death of Norah Gibbons, who was previously responsible. I would emphasise the importance of recognising that the Advisory Group and their work is independent, and my Department is not involved in the work of the study nor is it a member of the Advisory Group.
I expect the report will be finalised in the coming weeks and it will subsequently be published. I look forward to examining the report in detail and I will consider any recommendations made as a priority.
671. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice the annual budget and resources allocated to the Hickson commission of investigation since its establishment in 2018, in tabular form. [11484/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Hickson Commission is tasked with the investigation of the extent to which a number of organisations, including State bodies and individuals, were aware of the activities of Bill Kenneally and whether they failed to take appropriate action.
Retired Judge Mr Justice Barry Hickson is the sole member of the Commission. He is supported by two senior and two junior counsel, as well as documentary counsel. A solicitor from the Chief State Solicitors Office has been seconded to work with the Commission. In addition, a clerical officer has been assigned to the Commission
The table below outlines the annual budget allocated to the Hickson Commission.
|
Budget 2018 |
As the Commission was only set up in November 2018, no budget was allocated. |
|
Budget 2019 |
€194,198.00 |
|
Budget 2020 |
€194,089.00 |
|
Budget 2021 |
€422,000.00 |
672. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice the work undertaken by the Hickson commission of investigation to date since the formal commencement of the work on 1 November 2018. [11485/21]
View answer675. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice when she expects the Hickson commission of investigation to conclude its work. [11489/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 672 and 675 together.
The Deputy will be aware that the Hickson Commission is tasked with the investigation of the extent to which a number of organisations, including State bodies, and individuals were aware of the activities of Bill Kenneally and whether they failed to take appropriate action.
The work of the Commission is at an investigative phase. The Commission held an opening hearing in November 2019 which was attended by some of the survivors with their legal advisers and also had representatives of An Garda Síochána, the HSE, Tusla and Basketball Ireland.
During 2019 and 2020, the Commission’s legal team attended a number of locations on a number of occasions to interview relevant parties. The Commission’s legal team continues to contact relevant parties and interview witnesses. The Commission has received and reviewed a large volume of disclosure. It has also sought, on an ongoing basis, submissions from interested parties (having regard to its terms of reference) in relation to its ongoing work, including in relation to the scope for and conduct of physical hearings under the current public health restrictions.
Once the Commission is in a position to proceed with hearings in relation to all of the evidence before it, it is anticipated that it could conclude its work and issue a report within 8-12 months.
The Commission has at all times had, and will continue to have, due regard to its terms of reference.
673. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice the dates on which her Department received correspondence from the Hickson commission of investigation in tabular form. [11486/21]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy within the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy to provide this information as soon as it is available.
674. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice if, further to her Department’s loss of a USB stick containing personal data relating to the Hickson commission of investigation, she has met the persons whose personal data were on the USB stick; and if she has provided them with the details of their information contained on the lost item. [11488/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Hickson Commission is an independent body and I, as Minister for Justice, have no role in the conduct of its investigation.
I am informed by my officials that, in May 2019, having been made aware of the loss of the USB stick containing personal data in relation to the Hickson Commission, my Department notified the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC), as required under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. I am further informed that the Data Protection Officer in my Department investigated the circumstances surrounding the missing USB stick and the outcome of that investigation was subsequently notified to the ODPC.
The investigation found that:
- Despite a thorough search of both premises the missing USB stick was not located.
- An Post indicated that no USB stick was identified in their Recovery/Reclaim Unit.
- The USB stick in question was an INTEGREL Courier USB key with hardware encryption. The encryption used with this device is AES 256-bit, which is ISO27001 compliant.
- The data contained on the USB stick had been uploaded to the Commission’s secure system prior to the stick being mislaid.
As the data contained on the USB stick continued to be available to the Commission and the missing USB stick was encrypted to industry standard, the risk to individuals whose personal data was on the USB stick was evaluated, as required by data protection legislation, and found to be low. Any third party finding the USB stick would be unable to access any information contained therein. In circumstances where the USB stick’s technical protection measures (i.e. encryption) rendered the data unintelligible, there was no reason to notify the data subjects. I understand that the details of the investigation were notified to the DPC and that, in mid-June 2019, the ODPC notified my Department that the breach was closed.
I regret the upset and anger caused by the breach and in particular I regret that those concerned found out about it through the media. To avoid this occurring and as a courtesy, those concerned should have been notified of the data breach at the time that it occurred. I have written to them to express my regret about what happened. I am continuing to liaise with the legal representatives of the persons concerned to arrange a meeting in the near future.
676. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice if consideration will be given to an extension to Private Security Authority, PSA, licences given the cost of renewing the licences and the restrictions on the sectors many of them would be used within; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11491/21]
View answerI refer the Deputy to the Questions 729, 730 and 731, which I responded to on 24 February 2021. This position which I have set out below is as previously outlined in my answer to those questions.
The Private Security Authority (PSA), established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, as amended, is responsible for the licensing and regulation of the private security industry in the State. The PSA is an independent statutory body under the aegis of my Department and I have no involvement in the day-to-day operations of the Authority.
In April 2020, the Board of the PSA submitted proposals to my Department for a change in the licence fee for contractors. This proposal took account of the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on the security industry at that time, and also the additional costs which will arise from implementing the new health and safety requirements in the workplace. Having considered this matter against the backdrop of evolving arrangements for reopening society and business, I requested the Board of the PSA to review their proposal in light of what might be the continuing impact of COVID-19 on the security industry.
An updated proposal was received by my Department from the PSA in October 2020 and as the Deputy can appreciate, due to the potential impact on exchequer receipts it was deemed prudent to first seek the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform approval in this regard. While following consideration the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform were of the view that the proposal would at the time be a disproportionate response, they also put forward an alternative proposal in the form of a four month transitional moratorium.
Having considered the proposal from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the PSA advised my Department that this option was similar to the instalment payment arrangements already available from the PSA to contractors.
My Department will remain available to continue engagement with all stakeholders in this regard.
677. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice when a person (details supplied) who has been granted a stamp 1 G visa will receive the visa; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11527/21]
View answerI am informed by the Detective Chief Superintendent of the Garda National Immigration Bureau that the person concerned received their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card on 27 February 2021, at their local Immigration Office.
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 at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, 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.
678. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice when an immigration officer will be appointed in the Tullamore district; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11528/21]
View answerThe management and administration of the Immigration Office in the Tullamore District is the responsibility of An Garda Síochána. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have made enquiries with the Commissioner and received the following update.
As a result of a recent competition, a member was appointed as Immigration Officer in the Tullamore District on Monday 1 March 2021.
679. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank attached to Garda National Immigration Bureau as of 23 February 2021. [11561/21]
View answerAn Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. The significant level of funding provided over recent years is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, there are now approximately 14,600 Garda members and over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide.
The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no role in decisions on such 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 table below, as provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Gardaí assigned to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) at 31 January 2021, the latest date for which figures are available.
|
31 January 2021 |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
Total |
|
Immigration Bureau |
96 |
13 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
116 |
(Note - in the above table, GD indicates Garda, SG indicates Sergeant, IN indicates Inspector, SU indicated Superintendent, and CS indicates Chief Superintendent).
At 31 January 2021 there were 4 Garda staff members assigned to GNIB.
A detailed breakdown of Garda numbers by Division, District and Station is available on my Department’s website, in the interests of transparency and for the convenience of Deputies and the wider public. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána. The Information on Garda members requested may be accessed at the following link:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Workforce
680. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda roads policing vans that came into the fleet in each of the years 2017 to 2020; and the number of roads policing vans withdrawn during this period. [11562/21]
View answerThe Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána and deployment of resources. This includes responsibility for personnel matters and the distribution of personnel across the various Garda Divisions, including Roads Policing Units. 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. I am advised that the responsibility for the efficient deployment of all official Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between Stations as required by operational circumstances.
The Garda Commissioner established the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau to ensure a consistent approach to road safety and enforcement of road traffic legislation across the country. This is achieved through coordination of enforcement and development of policy based on research and analysis of statistics and by engaging in campaigns in partnership with other State agencies.
I understand that in addition to a focus on the lifesaver offences of speeding, seatbelts, mobile phones and driving under the influence, Divisional Roads Policing Units work closely with other relevant Divisional Units to target known criminals and to disrupt their activities through strict enforcement of road traffic legislation.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the number of roads policing vans allocated to and removed from the Garda Fleet for the years requested by the Deputy.
|
Year |
Allocated |
Removed |
|
2017 |
0 |
7 |
|
2018 |
0 |
4 |
|
2019 |
0 |
0 |
|
2020 |
0 |
0 |
Separately, I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are 3 vans attached to Roads Policing Duty at 26 February 2021.
681. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice the arrangements in place for citizens of Columbia who may need to come to Ireland for personal reasons in view of the access changes that have taken place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11607/21]
View answerAs part of Government efforts to tackle the pandemic, visa requirements have been introduced for passport holders from a number of South American countries and South Africa. The Order and the associated measures came into effect at midnight on 27 January 2021. The Immigration Service of my Department has also temporarily ceased accepting new visa/preclearance applications, with effect from close of business on 29 January 2021.
While it will still be possible to apply for an Irish visa/preclearance online in the normal manner, these temporary measures mean that applicants will not be able to complete their application process at this time. Any application made online will remain valid, until such time as restrictions are lifted. The Immigration Service intends to resume accepting applications as soon as safety concerns abate.
These measures are designed to support our public health restrictions on movement, including into and out of Ireland. The strong advice from Government, is that everyone, regardless of their nationality or visa/preclearance status, or where they started from, who cannot provide proof of an essential purpose to travel to or within Ireland, should not travel to Ireland at this time.
Certain Priority/Emergency cases will continue to be processed and these include the following:
- Workers or self-employed persons exercising critical occupations including healthcare workers, frontier and posted workers as well as seasonal workers as referred to in the Guidelines concerning the exercise of the free movement of workers during the COVID-19 outbreak;
- Transport workers or transport service providers, including drivers of freight vehicles carrying goods for use in the territory as well as those merely transiting;
- Patients travelling for imperative medical reasons;
- Pupils, students and trainees who travel abroad on a daily basis and Third-country nationals travelling for the purpose of third level study;
- Persons travelling for imperative family or business reasons;
- Diplomats, staff of international organisations and people invited by international organisations whose physical presence is required for the well-functioning of these organisations, military personnel and police officers, and humanitarian aid workers and civil protection personnel in the exercise of their functions;
- Passengers in transit;
- Seafarers;
- Journalists, when performing their duties.
For citizens of Colombia, if an application falls into one of these categories, an application can be made online in the usual way.
Visa applicants are advised to monitor my Department's immigration website (www.inis.gov.ie) where a Frequently Asked Questions document on the impact of COVID-19 on immigration and international protection is available. This document is regularly updated. Additionally any person intending to travel should also take note of the General COVID-19 Travel Advisory issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
682. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice the education programmes members of An Garda Síochána, especially members of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, undertake to understand the specific practical requirements on and legal rights of cyclists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11634/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that members of An Garda Síochána receive training in respect of road traffic legislation as part of their Student/Probationer training at the Garda College. In addition, when new legislation is introduced, information relating to the legislation is circulated to Garda personnel.
I am further informed that Garda members, including members of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, assess the circumstances in relation to any incident on a case by case basis, with due reference to legislation and the rules of the road. All road users, including cyclists, are required to conform with road traffic legislation.
683. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice when the next intake of Garda recruits will occur; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11648/21]
View answerAn Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. The significant level of funding provided over recent years is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, there are now approximately 14,600 Garda members and over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide.
The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no role in decisions on such 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.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the next intake of Garda recruits will occur on 24 May 2021, with 150 Garda Trainees scheduled to enter the Garda College.
684. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by Filipino citizens, many of whom are front-line workers employed in the HSE, who have been unable to apply for renewal of their Philippine passports at the embassy in London due to travel restrictions and as a result are facing difficulties renewing their stamps 1 and 4 critical-skill visas; if she has considered a scheme in which skill-based visas are automatically renewed without the requirement to hold a valid passport, in recognition of the service rendered by foreign citizens supporting the health service and economy here during these difficult times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11677/21]
View answerThe difficulties faced by Filipino nationals regarding their ability to obtain new passports at this time are noted by my Department. I recognise that this is clearly a very difficult situation for all involved. The Immigration Service of my Department is not in a position to provide assistance with obtaining new or replacement Filipino national passports and the issuance of same is a matter for the authorities in the Philippines and the individual seeking the passport.
Notwithstanding this, to facilitate applicants who find themselves in this difficult situation and who are awaiting a new/extended document, the Immigration Service will examine each case on its own merits with a view to issuing a six month immigration permission pending receipt of the new/extended document. Applicants should include evidence of their application for a new/extended document when applying to register with the Immigration Service.
Filipino nationals with an existing immigration permission will also have benefitted from the six automatic extensions of immigration permissions provided in response to the pandemic, the most recent to 20 April 2021.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has responsibility for the Employment Permits Scheme.
685. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice her plans to introduce legislative or regulatory measures in response to the proposed imposition of negative interest rates on solicitors’ client accounts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11709/21]
View answerI do not believe that the issues raised by the Deputy are susceptible to being resolved by way of legislation from my Department.
To be of assistance more generally, I have made enquiries with my colleague the Minister for Finance who informs me that the application of interest rate charges is solely a commercial matter for the board and management of each bank.
