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Tuesday, 18 May 2021

Written Answers Nos. 641-660

Departmental Investigations

Questions (641)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

641. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she and bodies under her aegis have engaged private investigation companies or persons in the past three years to date; and if so, the cost, duration and purpose of these engagements of this type of contractor. [25829/21]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that two agencies under the remit of my Department have engaged private investigation companies in the past three years to date. 

Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI)

The principal functions of the ISI include administering the estates of bankrupts. Bankruptcy is a process where the ownership of an insolvent person’s property transfers to the Official Assignee in Bankruptcy to be sold by them for the benefit of those to whom the individual owes money (creditors). In carrying out this role the Official Assignee has engaged private investigation companies or contractors in cases where bankruptcy estates are highly complex or where there has been material non-disclosure by individuals who have been adjudicated bankrupt.

The cost of engaging private investigators is set out by year in the table below:

Year

2018

2019

2020

Total

Cost

29,183

27,815

4,813

61,811

No costs have been incurred to date in 2021.

Private Security Authority

In 2019, the Private Security Authority engaged two private investigation companies for 50 hours each at a total cost of €4,674 (incl. VAT) to undertake online searches with a view to identifying the provision of unlicensed activities in the CCTV and intruder alarm sectors.

Coroners Service

Questions (642, 643)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

642. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the changes implemented in the coronial system on foot of the review of the coroner service report of the working group published in 2000 by her Department; the extent to and date by which each of the 110 recommendations has been implemented to date in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25836/21]

View answer

Catherine Connolly

Question:

643. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice her views on a report (details supplied); her plans to implement each of the 52 recommendations of the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25837/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 642 and 643 together.

As the Deputy may be aware, the coroners service comprises the network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. The coroner is an independent quasi-judicial office holder whose core function is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can be issued. This is an important public service to the living and in particular to the next-of-kin and friends of the deceased. Coroners not only provide closure for those bereaved, but also perform a wider public service by identifying matters of public health and safety concerns.

The Deputy references two reports or reviews, which I will address separately in turn.

The report from the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) - Death Investigation, Coroners’ Inquests and the Rights of the Bereaved - was published on 21 April last. The ICCL noted on its publication, that it had not sought to consult with, or to be in contact with, my Department prior to its publication and instead desired that my Department should study the report and the 52 recommendations contained therein.

On 11 May 2021, senior officials of my Department met with the ICCL and the report’s authors who outlined the development of the report and the various issues concerned. My Department will now proceed to examine the report and its recommendations in detail, as indicated to the ICCL.

The Report on the Review of the Coroner Service published in December 2000, was a significant milestone in the process of modernising our death investigation service, strengthening coroners’ powers and to provide for a major administrative restructuring of the coroner system. The report proposed that the coroner would remain an independent office holder, but there was no proposal to alter the position whereby the coroner is not permitted to consider or determine matters of civil or criminal liability at inquest – these are matters reserved to the Courts established under the Constitution.

In 2002, my Department worked with coroners and other stakeholders including the Faculty of Pathology of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, the then Department of Health and Children, the Office of the Attorney General, An Garda Síochána and the Samaritans to form a Rules Committee. The Report of the Coroners Rules Committee, published in 2003 proposed new rules for the work of the coroner and good practice guidelines.

The Coroners Bill 2007, incorporated many of the more than 100 recommendations contained in the 2000 Review. It also had regard to the proposals of the Rules Committee. However, due to the major challenges then confronting public finances, the administrative restructuring proposed in the 2007 Bill was not progressed following Second Stage in the Seanad.

Many of the recommendations of the 2000 review related to the strengthening of the legal provisions regarding the work of the coroner. In this regard, there has been significant implementation of many of the relevant recommendations, sometimes to a greater extent than that envisaged by the review in the intervening period. Such improvements were effected through amendments to the Coroners Act 1962 in 2005, 2011, 2013, 2019 and 2020 as follows.

- The Coroners (Amendment) Act 2005 ended the restriction on the number of medical witnesses allowed at inquest. 

- The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 provided for the restructuring and amalgamation of coronial districts. Coroner districts within counties have been amalgamated as the opportunities have arisen. There were 48 districts in 2000, there are 39 now and this will reduce to 38 within 2021. 

- The Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 provided for legal aid and legal advice by certification by the coroner to the Legal Aid Board in relation to inquests. 

- The Coroners (Amendment) Act 2019 clarified, strengthened and modernised coroner’s powers in the reporting, investigation and inquest of deaths. The scope of enquires at inquest was expanded beyond being limited to establishing the medical cause of death, to seeking to establish, to the extent the coroner considers necessary, the circumstances in which the death occurred. The Act also broadened the coroner’s powers relating to mandatory reporting and inquesting of maternal deaths, deaths in custody or childcare situations and significant new powers to compel witnesses and evidence at inquest. 

- The Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 provided, among other items, for the assignment and appointment of temporary coroners to act simultaneously with other coroners in exceptional circumstances to be utilised as part of the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

My Department continues to actively consider the optimum organisation of the coroner service.  It  has taken responsibility for the Dublin Coroner Office from the local authorities since 1 January 2018. We have greatly increased the resources available to that Office in the intervening period. The related mortuary and post-mortem examination facilities, which are also available to the Office of State Pathologist have also been improved and extra resources provided.

Probate Applications

Questions (644)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

644. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice the waiting times for the granting of probate in the Probate Office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25838/21]

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Written answers

Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has provided the following update on the District Probate Registry in Wexford.

The current waiting time in the District Probate Registry in Wexford is 14 – 16 weeks.  The Courts Service advises that the Office experienced a temporary resourcing issue which led to an increase in waiting times. Normally, it would be possible to address such problems by temporarily bringing resources from other offices to back fill posts.  However operational risks, including the risk of cross office infection arising from Covid-19, currently limit this option. 

I am informed that the Wexford Court Office and the acting County Registrar notified the local Solicitors Associations of the situation and explained that it would lead to a temporary increase in waiting times.

I have been advised that the issue has since been resolved. Outstanding applications are being worked through and the Wexford Office expects waiting times to improve in the coming weeks and months.

International Protection

Questions (645, 646)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

645. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice her views on the duty of care of Ireland to Palestinian refugees here who are awaiting the transfer of relatives whose applications for family reunification have been approved; and the timeline for when these transfers will take place given the escalating violence in the region. [25887/21]

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Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

646. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice if psychosocial and or informational supports are available to persons who are seeking information in relation to when their family members will be able to travel and are navigating the anxiety of their family members in Palestine being in such an unstable geopolitical situation. [25894/21]

View answer

Written answers

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

The Family Reunification Unit (FRU) of the Immigration Service of my Department currently has 24 family reunification applications from Palestinian applicants on hand, 9 of which are in the final stages of processing. I expect a decision to issue on these applications shortly. FRU will continue to process applications as quickly as possible to ensure there are no delays when visa processing recommences.

Anyone with a query in relation to their family reunification application can contact FRU at: FRU_IPA@justice.ie quoting their application reference or person ID.

Travel restrictions are part of the Government’s efforts to interrupt the transmission of COVID-19 and are designed to support our current public health restrictions on movement, including into and out of Ireland. The situation will be reviewed in consultation with the relevant authorities as part of the consideration of matters relating to international travel more generally by Government.  When making such decisions, the Government considers the expert public health advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) to tackle the disease.

Regular updates relating to visa matters are provided on the Immigration Service website at: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/COVID-19-updates-and-announcements .

Youth Work Projects

Questions (647)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

647. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice the status of the operation and funding allocated by her Department to local Garda youth diversion projects as Ireland exits Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25901/21]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) are a fundamental support to the operation of the statutory Garda Diversion Programme and provide a vital ingredient in enhancing community policing. These projects are community based multi-agency crime prevention initiatives.

As an essential crime prevention and community safety service, GYDPs have continued in operation, with appropriate restrictions and social distancing measures in place, during Covid-19.  These operational restrictions are in line with the health advice and will be eased in line with the developing advice as restrictions are eased generally.

€18 million funding has been provided for 2021, with a further allocation of €3m specifically for the following related youth justice projects: the Greentown pilots, the Bail Supervision Scheme and the Research Evidence into Policy Programmes and Practice (REPPP).

There are currently 105 GYDPs nationally and the intention is to further develop this service so that it is available to every child in the State who could benefit from it, through an ongoing expansion of existing services and the foundation of new projects where necessary.

Gambling Sector

Questions (648)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

648. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice the status of the establishment of a new gambling regulator; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25902/21]

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Written answers

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 Statement of Strategy and the Justice Plan 2021, identify 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. My Department is targeting some key milestones in the year ahead. In addition to the publication of the General Scheme, it is intended to finalise the appointment of a CEO Designate by the end of the year. This is the clear path towards the Regulator being fully operational in early 2023.  

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.

Furthermore, 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.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (649)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

649. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí allocated to the Garda public order unit by Garda division in the Dublin metropolitan region on 1 May 2019, 2020 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25903/21]

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Written answers

I have requested a report on the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, however this was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question number 649 of 18 May 2021 where you asked for the number of Gardaí allocated to the Garda Public Order Unit by Garda division in the Dublin metropolitan region on 1 May 2019, 2020 and 2021.
You will recall that it was not possible to obtain the information in the time available and I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact you again when the requested information was available.
As you will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demands. This includes deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in these matters.
I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that due to operational and security reasons the specific number of members attached to the Garda Public Order Unit in the DMR, cannot be disclosed. I am assured that the unit has sufficient resources to meet operational demands.
I trust this information is of assistance.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (650)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

650. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the number of 1200cc and 1500cc motorcycles attached to Garda roads policing units. [25921/21]

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Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. In addition, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of motorcycles. 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 informed by the Garda authorities that at 12 May 2021 there were 115 motorcycles assigned to Roads Policing duty.

I am further advised that of these 115 motorcycles, there are five 1250cc motorcycles and forty seven 1200cc motorcycles in the fleet.  There are no 1500cc motorcycles within the Garda fleet at present.

I am pleased to note that significant capital investment continues to be made in An Garda Síochána, including a total of €46 million specifically for the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021.  This continuing investment is intended to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet and that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.  The allocation of these and all other vehicles in the fleet is entirely a matter for the Commissioner and his management team.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (651)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

651. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the number of kennels in the Garda dog unit; and if all kennels are currently in use. [25922/21]

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Written answers

The Deputy will appreciate that under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána and for the effective and efficient use of the resources at his disposal.  Decisions in relation to the allocation and management of Garda equipment and resources are a matter for the Commissioner, in accordance with operational need and policing priorities. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda Dog Unit is based at Kilmainham Garda Station, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. There are six dog kennels in the Garda Dog Unit, Kilmainham, all of which are in use.

In addition, there are Regional Dog Units based at Cork and Limerick in the Southern Region.  I am advised that there are two dog kennels in Garda Dog Unit, Togher Garda Station in Cork and that there are two dog kennels in Garda Dog Unit, Henry Street in Limerick that are also in use.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (652)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

652. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the number of burglaries reported to gardaí in the Mullingar Garda district in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [25923/21]

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Written answers

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of  burglaries reported within Mullingar District for 2019, 2020 and as of 13 May 2021 is as follows:

 

2019

2020

2021*

Total - Aggravated Burglary and Burglary

167

76

26

 

 

 

 

*Year to date, as of 05:00 on 13 May 2021

A search of the PULSE database was conducted on 13 May 2021 to identify all incidents of ICCS Type 0711 – Aggravated burglary and 0712 Burglary (not aggravated) reported within Mullingar District since 1 January 2019.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) produce regular quarterly updates on the crime figures and make these available on their website.  Figures for 2020 are currently available and many incident types figures can be obtained at district or station level at the following link:  https://data.cso.ie/product/rc.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (653)

Martin Browne

Question:

653. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank in each divisional crime scenes unit as of 10 May 2020 and 10 May 2021, in tabular form. [25933/21]

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Written answers

I have requested a report on the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, however this was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question number 653 of 18 May 2021 where you asked for the number of Gardaí by rank in each divisional crime scenes unit as of 10 May 2020 and 10 May 2021, in tabular form.
You will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact you again when the requested information was available.
As you will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demands. This includes deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in these matters.
I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the work of the Divisional Scenes of Crime units is supported by the Garda National Technical Bureau (GNTB). The functions of the Garda National Technical Bureau (GNTB) are administered through its Management Support Office (MSO) and consists of the following specialist sections:
- Ballistics & Forensic Investigation Section
- Photographic Section
- Mapping Section
- National Forensic Coordination Office (NFCO)
- Controlled Drugs Coordination Office (CDCO)
- Garda National Technical Bureau Stores
- Firearms Stores
Nationally, GNTB provides operational support and assistance with forensic investigations of a serious and complex nature.
The appendix to this letter , which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out in tabular form, the number of Gardaí by rank in each divisional crime scenes unit as of 10 May 2020 and 10 May 2021.
I trust this information is of assistance.
Appendix

Division

2020

2021

DMR

Sergeant

Garda

Sergeant

Garda

DMR North

0

7

0

6

DMR South

1

8

1

8

DMR East

1

6

1

5

DMR West

0

9

1

10

DMR North Central

0

7

0

6

DMR South Central

1

8

1

9

Division

2020

2021

North Western Region

Sergeant

Garda

Sergeant

Garda

Donegal

1

5

1

5

Louth

1

4

1

4

Cavan-Monaghan

0

4

0

4

Sligo-Leitrim

1

5

1

5

Galway

1

5

1

5

Roscommon-Longford

1

5

1

5

Mayo

1

3

1

2

Division

2020

2021

Eastern Region

Sergeant

Garda

Sergeant

Garda

Laois/Offaly

1

3

1

3

Waterford

0

4

0

4

Westmeath

1

5

1

5

Kildare

1

4

1

4

Meath

0

2

1

4

Wicklow

0

5

0

5

Wexford

0

4

0

4

Kilkenny/Carlow

0

4

0

4

Division

2020

2021

Southern Region

Sergeant

Garda

Sergeant

Garda

Clare

1

3

1

4

Cork City

1

6

1

6

Cork North

0

4

0

4

Cork West

0

3

0

3

Kerry

1

5

1

5

Limerick

1

5

1

5

Tipperary

0

5

0

5

An Garda Síochána

Questions (654)

Martin Browne

Question:

654. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice the budget allocation for the Garda Witness Protection Programme in 2020 and 2021, in tabular form. [25934/21]

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Written answers

The Revised Estimates provide detail on the budget allocations for the year ahead.

The provision for the Witness Security Programme for 2020 and 2021, as published, is set out in the  table below. 

 Year

Estimates provision for the Witness Security Programme

 2021

€1.198m 

 2020

€1.198m  

Departmental Budgets

Questions (655)

Pa Daly

Question:

655. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice if she will account for the €37.6 million underspend within the Justice vote group for 2020 as detailed on page 59 of the Public Service Performance Report 2020. [26010/21]

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Written answers

I would like to advise the Deputy that the underspend referred to relates to the cumulative position for five of the six votes in the Justice Vote Group, excluding An Garda Síochána, and relates to gross expenditure. For the most part, the underspend relates to work on capital projects impacted by Covid 19 restrictions, and hence more of the cost than originally envisaged falling due in 2021 and later years. 

The Justice Vote accounts for €18.75 million of the underspend. This is directly related to the Forensic Science Ireland laboratory project. The expenditure of circa €16 million in 2021 was significantly less than the available budget, as the Covid 19 restrictions came into place very shortly after the commencement of the main construction works in March 2020.  

A carryover to 2021 of €3.9 million from the underspend was  provided under the capital carryover provisions, bringing the total budget for the project to just under €55 million in 2021. Despite the Covid 19 restrictions, the project is making good progress and is due to be completed in the third quarter of 2022.

The Prisons and Courts Votes had underspends of almost €7 million and €6.55 million respectively, and were mainly related to the timing of payments in relation to capital projects,  which will now be incurred in 2021. It was possible to carryover a large proportion of this underspend in additional capital funding for 2021; almost €5.5 million in the case of Prisons and circa €4.9 million in Courts.

The remainder of the underspend relates to the Data Protection Commission Vote, €4.7 million which is due in part to slower than expected take on of additional staff, due to the requirement to move recruitment completely online during 2020.

There was an underspend of €600,000 in respect of the Policing Authority Vote, largely arising from less expenditure than expected on non-pay costs mainly due to the impact of Covid 19.

Court Accommodation

Questions (656)

Pa Daly

Question:

656. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice if the facilities in Tralee courthouse were upgraded during the budget year 2020. [26011/21]

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Written answers

Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made regarding Tralee Courthouse and the Courts Service has provided me with the following update on this matter.

Tralee Courthouse is one of the sites identified to be included in a project to upgrade courtroom facilities by installing new video conference technology.  I am advised that the Circuit and District courtrooms in Tralee will be upgraded in the course of 2021, to become full technology courtrooms and it is expected that this will become operational in the coming months.

The Courts Service is also in discussion with Kerry County Council to identify a suitable town centre site for a new courthouse as a longer term investment in Tralee town.

Forensic Science Ireland

Questions (657)

Pa Daly

Question:

657. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice if she will address the overperformance of Forensic Science Ireland with regard to its target metrics for missing persons case investigations or body identifications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26014/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) Performance Delivery Agreement 2020 was concluded on 16 June 2020. This agreement includes targets and target outturns for 2020. Among the agreement's metrics are targets for the number of missing persons case investigations or body identifications. 

I am informed by FSI that this measure includes both identification of individuals that are classified as missing persons, and identification of deceased individuals not classified as missing persons but where Coroners or An Garda Síochána are seeking confirmation of their identity with a DNA profile. For both categories, similar DNA technology and processes are used.

I am informed that there was a significant increase in the number of submissions into FSI in 2020 where Coroners or An Garda Síochána required confirmation of a person’s identify using DNA profiles. FSI prioritised these identifications, and processed all submissions despite the increase. 

As such, the FSI's original target for 50 identifications for 2020 was exceeded by 60%, for a total of 80 identifications. The Deputy will note that the target number of identifications for 2021, as outlined in the FSI Performance Delivery Agreement 2021, has been set at 80.

Citizenship Applications

Questions (658)

Pa Daly

Question:

658. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice if she will address missing targeted citizenship applications by 57% for 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26015/21]

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Written answers

The Citizenship Division of the Immigration Service of my Department estimated that it would finalise in the region of 12,000 citizenship applications in 2020. However, the Deputy will appreciate that these figures were projected before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and before Citizenship Division became aware of the impact the pandemic would have on its processing capabilities. 

The processing of citizenship applications in particular has been presented with a number of challenges over the past two years. In the first instance, a judicial review was taken in the High Court in 2019, by an applicant who was refused a certificate of naturalisation due to his absences from the State during the last year continuous prior to the date of his application. The outcome of this ruling – which was subsequently successfully appealed to the Court of Appeal – resulted in significant delays to the processing of citizenship applications in 2019 and in 2020. This has been seriously compounded by COVID-19 restrictions from March 2020, which has resulted in significant challenges to the delivery of normal services. The priority at all times is to balance operational outcomes with staff and public safety, complying fully with HSE and Government guidelines.

The Deputy will be aware that citizenship ceremonies have been temporarily suspended during the pandemic, in the interest of public safety.

On 18 January 2021, a temporary system that enables applicants to complete their naturalisation process by signing a statutory declaration of loyalty was opened. Approximately 2,014 people have received their Irish citizenship since then.  A further 1,823 people have returned their signed statutory declarations and the Immigration Service of my Department will be sending them their certificates of naturalisation in the coming weeks.

We communicated with a further 1,000 people in April and 1,500 more will be communicated with by the end of June.  At that point, we will have communicated with all those that were recorded, as at 30 December 2020, as having been in the system 24 months or more and 6,500 people, will have been given the opportunity to complete their Irish citizenship.

Those receiving a communication from my Department are being invited to complete the final steps required prior to the granting of a certificate of naturalisation.

In addition, additional staffing resources have been assigned to Citizenship Division to deal with the backlog of applications. Applications have continued to be accepted at all times during the pandemic, despite the operational challenges. Procedural initiatives recently introduced including moving the Garda vetting process from a paper based one to a fully digital platform, and accelerating the number of applications utilising on-line payments, have the potential to radically improve efficiency and reduce processing times.

Citizenship Ceremonies

Questions (659)

Marian Harkin

Question:

659. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Justice when the next citizenship ceremony statutory declaration process will take place; if a person (details supplied) will be granted citizenship during that process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26090/21]

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Written answers

On 18 January 2021, a temporary system that enables applicants to complete their naturalisation process by signing a statutory declaration of loyalty was launched. Approximately 2,014 people have received their Irish citizenship since then.  A further 1,823 people have returned their signed statutory declarations and the Immigration Service of my Department will be sending them their certificates of naturalisation in the coming weeks.

We communicated with a further 1,000 people in April and 1,500 more will be communicated with by the end of June.  At that point, we will have communicated with all those that were recorded, as at 30 December 2020, as having been in the system 24 months or more and 6,500 people, will have been given the opportunity to complete their Irish citizenship. Those receiving a communication from my Department are being invited to complete the final steps required prior to the granting of a certificate of naturalisation.

The Citizenship Division of my Department has confirmed that the person referred to by the Deputy will shortly receive a communication to comply with the final stage in the citizenship process.

Data Protection

Questions (660)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

660. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of data breaches suffered by her Department in each of the past five years and to date in 2021. [26103/21]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is committed to protecting the rights and privacy of all individuals and complies fully with data breach reporting requirements. 

Personal data breach numbers recorded by my Department in each of the years 2017–2021 are outlined below.

Year

Number of Breaches Recorded

2021 (to May 12, 2021)

51

2020

121

2019

131

2018 (from May 25, 2018 when GDPR came into effect)

41

2018 (pre GDPR)

5

2017 (pre GDPR)

1

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