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Wednesday, 21 Apr 2021

Written Answers Nos. 1345-1363

Third Level Fees

Questions (1346)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

1346. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the prohibitive fees for graduate entry to medicine programmes; the steps he is taking to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20669/21]

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Written answers

The fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the student's access route including previous education. Entry to medicine in Irish HEIs is provided through both undergraduate and graduate entry routes.

Under the Department's Free Fees Initiative, the Exchequer pays tuition fees on behalf of eligible first time undergraduate students attending approved full-time undergraduate courses (including medicine courses). In order to qualify for funding under the Department’s Free Fees Initiative, students must meet the criteria of the scheme including previous education attainment.

Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is one of the pathways to study undergraduate medicine. One of the recommendations of the Fottrell report (2006) was the introduction of a new graduate entry medicine programme (GEM). Students pursuing GEM programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding or for student grants.

However, in order to widen access to GEM programmes, and give assistance towards the financial burden on each student pursuing these programmes, the fees of participating EU students are partly subsidised by the State via the HEA. Currently, the subsidy is €11,200 per student (2019/20 academic year) with the balance of fees payable by the student.

Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs, including the management of academic affairs. They retain the right to determine their own policies and procedures. The total level of fees to be charged in the case of GEM fees are therefore solely a matter for the relevant institution to determine in line with its own criteria.

I recently held a meeting on this and have been engaging with my Department on these matters.

Asylum Seekers

Questions (1347)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

1347. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students who were supported by the student support scheme for asylum seekers in 2019-2020 academic year. [20673/21]

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Written answers

The student support scheme for asylum seekers is for students who are in the protection system or at the leave to remain (but not deportation order) stage and who are pursuing an approved Post Leaving Certificate course or an approved undergraduate course. It provides supports along similar lines to the current Student Grant Scheme (the SUSI scheme) to eligible applicants who are in the protection system and who are either:

- asylum applicants

- subsidiary protection applicants

- leave to remain applicants

The number of those supported for the scheme in the academic year 2019/20 was five out of a total of 17 applications.

There were a total of 109 applications to the student support scheme in 2020/21 and 40 students were awarded support.

Third Level Fees

Questions (1348)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

1348. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of altering the free fees criteria to include migrants, asylum seeker and undocumented students. [20674/21]

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Written answers

The cost of including all prospective students, as referenced by the Deputy, under the free fees criteria are not available.

The Department of Justice adjudicates on a person's entitlement to remain in the State and on the stamp that is awarded where permission to remain is sanctioned.

As the Deputy will be aware, the fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the student's access route including previous education.

Under the Department's Free Fees Initiative, the Exchequer pays tuition fees on behalf of eligible students attending approved full-time undergraduate courses. In order to qualify for funding under the Department’s Free Fees Initiative, students must meet the criteria of the scheme including the separate residency and nationality/citizenship requirements. Persons in the asylum application process that do not hold the required permissions as granted by the Minister for Justice are not eligible to access the Free Fees Initiative.

Where students do not qualify for free fees funding, they pay the appropriate fee, either EU or Non-EU, as determined by each higher education institution. These institutions are autonomous bodies and the level of fee payable by students who do not meet the requirements of the free fees scheme is a matter for the relevant institution to determine in accordance with their own criteria; the Department therefore has no role in the decision.

An administratively based Student Support Scheme for Asylum Seekers is currently in operation in my Department which provides supports along similar lines to the SUSI grant scheme. This scheme was introduced in 2015 and is available to persons who are either:

- asylum applicants; or

- subsidiary protection applicants; or

- leave to remain applicants.

Following a review in 2020, the requirement for prospective applications to have attended three academic years in the Irish school system and to have obtained the Leaving Certificate in the State is no longer required. Prospective applicants still have to meet the requirement to have been in the protection or leave to remain process for three years.

I believe these measures represent an important step in supporting asylum seekers in participating in higher education.

Refugee Status

Questions (1349)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

1349. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students currently studying in higher education institutions who are registered as having refugee status. [20675/21]

View answer

Written answers

The information requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department. Refugee status of students is not recorded on the HEA's student records system, which is my Department's main source of statistics on students in higher education institutions.

Question No. 1350 answered with Question No. 1271.
Question No. 1351 answered with Question No. 1261.

Third Level Staff

Questions (1352)

Richard O'Donoghue

Question:

1352. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of each two point reduction in the academic staff-to-student ratio for universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20715/21]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that in accordance with the methodology used in the Institutional Profiles (published by the Higher Education Authority) the current academic staff:student ratio in Universities is recorded at 20:1.

This is calculated based on the 2019/20 enrolment figures for full time equivalent (FTE) students (full and part time) to all academic staff as at 31 Dec 2019.

A two point reduction would require an additional 650 academic staff at an estimated cost of €42.250m per annum.

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (1353)

John McGuinness

Question:

1353. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the efforts his Department is making to achieve gender balance on all State boards and agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will set out the changes achieved to date on each; if 50% of the membership of all boards, policy groups or agencies that provide advice to Government on matters of policy will be reserved for appropriately qualified individuals from the private sector in order to achieve a balance between the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20727/21]

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Written answers

My Department was established in July 2020.

Its approach to the filling of board posts for bodies under its aegis is informed by guidance notes issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, guidance which includes the 2014 Guidelines on Appointments to State boards, the 2016 Code of Practice for the Governance of State bodies, and also the 2020 publication by D/PER of an Annex to the Code of Practice – the Annex on Gender Balance, Diversity and Inclusion (https://www.gov.ie/en/circular/ceb75-142020-code-of-practice-for-the-governance of-state-bodies/ ) which focuses on gender equality and diversity. This suite of guidelines codify the process for filling vacancies on State Boards, for bodies under the aegis of my Department in addition to the consideration which requires to be given to the relevant legislative underpinning of the aegis bodies, as appointments made by me as Minister, are not in all cases made at my discretion.

Appointments to state boards are typically made via the Public Appointments Service (PAS) who manage this process. Applications are made through the dedicated website www. Stateboards.ie with this website being the channel used by PAS to both inform the public of vacancies and to collate expressions of interest in vacancies.

Members of the public interested in service on a state board may register with PAS via www.publicjobs.ie and receive alerts when state board vacancies are advertised. In regard to vacancies, PAS stipulate the skill set required for service on individual boards in their candidate information booklets. An assessment process is undertaken by PAS leading to the creation of a list of candidates suitable for appointments to Boards.

The Minister for Education in responding to this question, is reporting on the details of board membership for the years prior to the establishment of my Department.

My Department will continue the engagement with the bodies under its remit to ensure appropriate consideration is given to gender balance in the composition of State boards.

Back to Education Allowance

Questions (1354)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

1354. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students receiving the back to education allowance who also applied for the student assistance fund based on the latest figures available. [20737/21]

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Written answers

The information requested by the Deputy is not available. The back to education allowance is a Department of Social Protection scheme. The Student Assistance Fund is administered locally by the Higher Education Institutions.

The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides financial support to full- and part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending higher education. Under the Fund, financial support can be provided to assist students who are unable to meet costs associated with day-to-day participation in higher education, including a number of categories such as books and other class material, rent, heating and lighting bills and other utility bills, essential travel, childcare costs etc.

The total SAF allocation for 2020/2021 was €18.2 million which included an additional €8.1m in response to the COVID19 pandemic, €1m for students attending Professional Masters of Education (PME) courses, who are experiencing financial difficulty and €1 million of ring-fenced funding for the support of part-time students who are lone parents or members of the other access target groups identified in the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education.

In 2019/2020 SAF supported circa 14,000 students in Higher Education.

Question No. 1355 answered with Question No. 1271.

Institutes of Technology

Questions (1356)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1356. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when works will be completed on the merger of Limerick Institute of Technology and Athlone IT into a technological university; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20764/21]

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Written answers

On 20 November 2020 I received a joint application under section 29(1) of the Technological Universities Act 2018 from Athlone Institute of Technology and Limerick Institute of Technology seeking technological university designation.

On 21 December 2020, I appointed an advisory panel to assess the application and to furnish a report thereon to the HEA. The advisory panel’s report was furnished to the HEA on 12 February 2021. I subsequently received this report along with the views of the HEA on 1 April 2021.

Under section 34(1) of the 2018 Act, I am required within 60 days of receiving and considering the advisory panel report, HEA views and information provided, to notify the applicant institutes of my proposed decision on their joint application.

I am currently considering all relevant material in the context of my role as decision maker under the 2018 Act and within the requisite legislatively prescribed timeframe.

Caiteachas Ranna

Questions (1357)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1357. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta cé mhéad airgead atá á chaitheamh ag a Roinn le cúrsaí trí Ghaeilge a sholáthar ag an tríú leibhéal, nach mbaineann leis an nGaeilge mar ábhar nó leis an múinteoireacht, ar nós Dlí, Eolaíochta, Gnó, agus cé mhéad mac léinn timpeall na tíre atá sna cúrsaí seo. [20771/21]

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Written answers

Déanann mo Roinn maoiniú athfhillteach a dháileadh ar an Údarás um Ard-Oideachais (ÚAO) don íocaíocht amach go díreach chuig institiúidí ardoideachais ainmnithe an ÚAO. Déanann an ÚAO an maoiniú seo a dháileadh mar bhlocdheontas chuig na hinstitiúidí. Mar chomhlachtaí uathrialacha, baineann íocaíocht amach an mhaoinithe seo, lena n-áirítear aon chaiteachas ar na míreanna a cheistigh an Teachta, leis an institiúid aonair.

Ina theannta sin, mar is dócha gur eol don Teachta, tá tacaíocht shonrach d’fhorbairt Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge (OÉG) san áireamh sa leithdháileadh foriomlán, d’aontaigh an Roinn leithdháileadh €900,000 a sholáthar do na blianta acadúla 2019/20 agus 2020/21.

Gambling Sector

Questions (1358, 1384)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

1358. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice her plans to change the regulatory framework for gambling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20996/21]

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Neale Richmond

Question:

1384. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the status of the work towards establishing a gambling regulator; if there is a timeline for the introduction of such; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18334/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1358 and 1384 together.

The Programme for Government gives a clear commitment to establish a gambling regulator focused on public safety and well-being, covering gambling online and in person, and the powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps. The Justice Plan 2021 identifies the enactment of legislation to licence and regulate the gambling industry as a key objective.

As outlined in the Justice Plan 2021, I expect to be in a position to publish the Scheme of the Bill in Q3 2021, and will seek Government approval for the drafting of the Bill on that basis.

While a General Scheme of a Gambling Control Bill was published in 2013, a considerable amount of further work has been done in the meantime. The Inter-Departmental Working Group on Future Licensing and Regulation of Gambling reported in 2019 and a European Commission funded report on the structure of a Gambling Regulator was produced in late 2019. The task now is to bring all three elements together, and having regard to the on-going evolution of the gambling industry, into one coherent Scheme of a Bill that will deliver on the Programme for Government commitment.

Given the size, complexity and technological development of the modern gambling industry and having regard to the current outdated and complex arrangements, it will be important that the regulator will be established on a sound footing and be adequately resourced to carry out this important task. A key change from the 2013 Scheme will be that it will be an independent regulator.

Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge

Questions (1359, 1360, 1361, 1448, 1449, 1450)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1359. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Dlí agus Cirt cé mhéid breitheamh ag gach leibhéal cúirte sa tír atá inniúil ar chásanna a éisteacht as Gaeilge, sa Chúirt Uachtarach, sa Chúirt Achomhairc, san Ard-Chúirt, sa Chúirt Chuarda agus sa Chúirt Dúiche. [20972/21]

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Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1360. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Dlí agus Cirt cad iad na céimeanna a ghlacfaidh sí le cinntiú go mbeidh 20% de na breithiúna gach leibhéal cúirte sa tír atá inniúil ar chásanna a éisteacht as Gaeilge. [20973/21]

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Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

1361. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Dlí agus Cirt cad iad na céimeanna a ghlacfaidh aici le cinntiú go mbeidh an breitheamh dúiche a shannfar don bhfolúntas i nDúiche Uimhir a 1 inniúil ar chásanna a éisteacht as Gaeilge faoi mar a éilíonn alt 71 den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais 1924. [20974/21]

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Catherine Connolly

Question:

1448. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Dlí agus Cirt cé mhéad breitheamh i ngach cineál cúirte sa tír atá inniúil ar chásanna a éisteacht as Gaeilge, sa Chúirt Uachtarach, sa Chúirt Achomhairc, san Ard-Chúirt, sa Chúirt Chuarda agus sa Chúirt Dúiche; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [19762/21]

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Catherine Connolly

Question:

1449. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Dlí agus Cirt cad iad na céimeanna a ghlacfaidh sí chun a chinntiú go mbeidh 20% de na breithiúna i ngach cineál cúirte sa tír inniúil ar chásanna a éisteacht as Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [19763/21]

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Catherine Connolly

Question:

1450. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Dlí agus Cirt maidir le folúntas i nDúiche Uimh. 1 (Dún na nGall) atá ann faoi láthair agus breitheamh dúiche le sannadh di, cad iad na céimeanna a ghlacfaidh sí chun a chinntiú go mbeidh an breitheamh dúiche a shannfar do Dhúiche Uimh. 1 inniúil ar chásanna a éisteacht as Gaeilge de réir mar a cheanglaítear leis an Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924, alt 71; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [19764/21]

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Written answers

Molaim Ceisteanna Uimh. 1359 go 1361, cuimsitheach, agus 1448 go 1450, cuimsitheach, a fhreagairt le chéile.

Ar an drochuair, níl mé in ann an t-ábhar a sholáthar laistigh den am atá ar fáil. Cuirfidh mé freagra ar aghaidh chuig na Teachta Dála i bhfoirm scríofa sna laethanta amach romhainn.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51:
Tagraím do Cheisteanna Parlaiminteacha Uimhreacha 1359, 1360 agus 1361 uait, a bhí le freagairt ar an 21 Aibreán 2021. Mar is cuimhin leat, níorbh fhéidir an fhaisnéis a iarradh a fháil sa tréimhse ama a bhí ar fail, agus gheall an tAire Nic an tSaoi go rachadh sí i dteagmháil leat arís nuair a bheadh na mionsonraí ar fáil. Táimse ag freagairt thar a ceann.
Bhain na Ceisteanna le líon na mbreithiúna atá inniúil ar chásanna a éisteacht i nGaeilge i ngach dlínse chúirte, leis na bearta a rinneadh chun a chinntiú gur féidir le 20% de na breithiúna cásanna a éisteacht i nGaeilge, agus le folúntas breithiúnach i nDún na nGall. Tá an fhaisnéis a iarradh faighte agam anois ón tSeirbhís Chúirteanna, agus tá áthas orm a nua-shonrú-san a chur ar fáil duit.
Mar is eol duit, faoi fhorálacha an Achta um Sheirbhís Chúirteanna, 1998, is í an tSeirbhís Chúirteanna atá freagrach i mbainistiú na gcúirteanna, agus tá an tSeirbhís sin neamhspleách ag comhlíonadh a feidhmeanna di. Ina theannta sin, is ábhair a bhaineann go hiomlán le hUachtaráin na gCúirteanna agus leis na breithiúna ceannais – atá, faoin mBunreacht, neamhspleách ag comhlíonadh a bhfeidhmeanna breithiúnacha dóibh – iad cásanna cúirte aonair a sceidealú agus gnó cúirte a leithroinnt.
Tá dearbhaithe ag an tSeirbhís Chúirteanna, áfach, cé nach gcoimeádann an tSeirbhís painéal sonrach de bhreithiúna a bhfuil inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge acu, go bhfuil breithiúna a bhfuil líofacht sa Ghaeilge acu agus ar féidir leo cásanna a stiúradh i nGaeilge ag na cúirteanna seo a leanas:
An Chúirt Uachtarach: Is féidir le 5 Breitheamh, ar a laghad, gnó breithiúnach a stiúradh trí Ghaeilge. Rinne an Chúirt Uachtarach achomharc a stiúradh go hiomlán i nGaeilge, gan aistriúchán, le fíordhéanaí.
An Chúirt Achomhairc: 1 Breitheamh.
An Ard-Chúirt: 1 Breitheamh.
An Chúirt Chuarda: 3 Breitheamh.
An Chúirt Dúiche: 6 Breitheamh.
Tá an Rialtas tiomnaithe d’acmhainní dóthanacha a chinntiú do na cúirteanna chun rochtain ar an gceartas a choinneáil do na saoránaigh go léir, lena n-áirítear na daoine ar mian leo go ndéanfaí imeachtaí a stiúradh trí Ghaeilge. Á chur sin san áireamh, féachann an Rialtas le folúntais bhreithiúnacha a líonadh chomh luath agus is féidir, agus lena chinntiú go leanfaidh ár gcúirteanna de bheith ag oibriú chomh héifeachtach éifeachtúil agus is féidir.
Déanann an tUachtarán, ag gníomhú dó nó di ar chomhairle an Rialtais, ceapacháin bhreithiúnacha de réir Airteagail 13.9 agus 35.1 den Bhunreacht. Is é an Bord Comhairleach um Cheapacháin Bhreithiúnacha an comhlacht a bhfuil curtha de chúram air iarrthóirí cuí a mholadh lena gceapadh. Tuigtear dom go lorgaítear faisnéis maidir le hinniúlacht iarratasóra sa Ghaeilge, i measc scileanna eile, ar fhoirm iarratais an Bhoird.
Foráiltear leis an Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924, gur ceart, sa mhéid gur féidir é, breitheamh a shanntar do Dhúiche nó do Chuaird ina bhfuil limistéar Gaeltachta a bheith inniúil sa Ghaeilge. Cuirtear na forálacha sin san áireamh sa phróiseas breithnithe maidir leis na folúntais iomchuí, lena n-áirítear ceapachán breithimh Cúirte Dúiche le gairid i nDún na nGall (Dúiche 1). Tá áthas orm a rá go bhfuil an breitheamh nua-cheaptha inniúil sa Ghaeilge.
Ag díriú ar an todhchaí, féadfaidh sé go mbeidh sé fóinteach a thabhairt do d’aire go leagtar amach ceanglas i gCeannteidil fhoilsithe an Bhille fá Choimisiún um Cheapacháin Bhreithiúnacha go ndéanfadh an Coimisiún um Cheapacháin Bhreithiúnacha riachtanais lucht úsáide na gcúirteanna maidir le himeachtaí a bheith á stiúradh sa Ghaeilge a chur san áireamh. Tá foráil dá samhail molta maidir le daoine le hinniúlacht sa Ghaeilge a bheith ar áireamh i gcomhaltas na breithiúnachta nuair a bheidh moltaí á gcur faoi bhráid an Aire maidir le breithiúna a cheapadh.
Ar deireadh, tá Gasra Oibre, de réir an ghealltanais sa Chlár Rialtais, bunaithe ag an Rialtas chun breithniú a dhéanamh ar líon agus ar chineál na mbreithiúna atá ag teastáil chun a chinntiú go ndéanfar an ceartas a riar go héifeachtúil sna cúig bliana amach romhainn. Breithneoidh an Gasra sin an ceanglas maidir le hinniúlacht sa Ghaeilge laistigh den bhreithiúnacht, chomh maith.
Tá súil agam go gcuideoidh an fhaisnéis seo leat.

Naturalisation Applications

Questions (1362)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1362. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when consideration will be given to naturalisation in the case of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18110/21]

View answer

Written answers

Written representations have been submitted on behalf of the persons concerned in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).

These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of final decisions being made.

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 (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 Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from my Department is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Victim Support Services

Questions (1363)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1363. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice her plans to implement the Justice Plan 2021 with particular reference to the relevant sections supporting a victim's journey and the availability of counselling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18117/21]

View answer

Written answers

I would like to assure the Deputy that protecting and supporting victims of crime for the duration of their journey through the criminal justice system is a key priority for me.

As the Deputy will be aware, following my reply to his question on the 24th March 2021, the Justice Plan 2021 has a number of actions to advance the goal of strengthening community safety, reduce reoffending, support victims and combat domestic sexual and gender based violence, including through the implementation of Supporting a Victims Journey.

I am deeply committed to implementing in full all of the recommendations set out in Supporting a Victims Journey and I am chairing an Implementation Oversight Group comprising all relevant Departments and Agencies responsible for driving the implementation of the agreed actions.

As I stated in my previous reply, the provision of counselling services is not directly under my remit and falls to Tusla and the Department of Health. I can confirm that both are represented on the O'Malley Implementation group and are committed to delivering the recommendations as set out in Supporting a Victims Journey and to providing all relevant supports for victims of crime.

My Department is carrying out a mapping exercise to identify the nature, spread and level of services that may be encompassed by the ‘Supporting a Victim’s Journey’ plan and to identify where gaps in supports exist and how to ameliorate those gaps, as reflected in objective 133 in the 2021 Justice Action Plan. This work is indicative of our commitment to working in partnership with organisations that support victims of crime to ensure the victim’s perspective and voice is at the heart of what we do. Crucially important physical and emotional supports and services are provided by NGOs and the reform and development of these services is being progressed in a spirit of co-design between the State as funder and the voluntary sector as provider.

We have reviewed our grant schemes for organisations working with victims of crime. We asked each NGO to identify the precise categories of victims they work with, the services they provide and the geographical areas they work in. The funding available increased from some €2m in 2020 to some €4m this year. We have allocated most of the 2021 grant monies, but are still analysing the data to see where gaps remain so we can work to fill those. We are also offering multi-annual funding commitments to those NGOs we work most closely with and where the funding covers staff salaries – in the interest of promoting more sustainable service delivery and planning. These grants cover court accompaniment, accompaniment to Garda interviews and to sexual assault treatment units, emotional support, counselling and referral to other services.

We are also working with our NGO partners and others to map the journey faced by individual victims to identify issues and support needs not met. The working group leading on this task has met and the NGOs have presented us with a considerable amount of data, which is currently being analysed. When this analysis is complete, the group will reconvene to identify and agree actions to be taken to meet those needs.

The outcome of this work will be published as soon as practicable but I can confirm it is on target to be completed by the end of Q2 2021, as stated in Justice Plan 2021.

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