Written Answers Nos. 1394-1418
1394. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Justice the last occasion on which a Department-wide review of all funding within her Department took place; the frequency of such reviews; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40640/21]
View answerThe Department prepares an annual Appropriation Account in line with guidance issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which provides details of the outturn for the year against the amount provided by Dáil Éireann, based on the cash amounts of payments and receipts. The Comptroller and Auditor General performs the audit of the appropriation accounts for the previous financial year prepared by the Department.
I can assure the Deputy that in addition to the annual audit of the Appropriation Account by the Comptroller and Auditor General, my Department monitors expenditure and income against budgets across its own Vote on an ongoing basis. There are a number of structures in place for this, including a dedicated Financial Management Unit in the Department and a Financial Management Committee which assesses expenditure and income against budget on individual Votes in the Justice Sector and across the Sector. From a control perspective, the Department has an Internal Audit Unit and independent Audit Committee in place, which oversee an annual schedule of audit work and reviews.
Of course, the Department complies with the Public Financial Procedures and the Public Spending Code issued by the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform respectively. In addition, all new expenditure requests are scrutinised carefully in advance of the Estimates process and critically reviewed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
My Department has also been fully engaged in the Spending Review process since its commencement in 2017 and has itself produced a number of reviews and also contributed to others carried out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
The reviews by my Department relating to the Justice Vote include a review of the Criminal Legal Aid scheme in 2018 and a 2019 review in relation to expenditure on direct provision accommodation. These are published on www.gov.ie .
1395. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a stamp 5 visa; when they can expect a decision on the case; and if the matter will be expedited given it is required to renew their driving licence which has expired. [40763/21]
View answerAn application for a Stamp 5 “Without Condition As To Time” endorsement was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 12 July 2021.The processing of this application is ongoing and the customer will be contacted by my Department once a decision has been made.
In the interests of fairness, all applications are processed in chronological order of receipt. While my Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, including the number of applications on hand, the complexity of the individual application and whether or not further information is required. The Deputy will wish to be aware that Stamp 5 applications are currently taking a minimum of 6 months to process.
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.
1396. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she has plans to implement a citizenship amnesty to applicants due to backlogs in the system and as a gesture from the State to all those who resided here during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40810/21]
View answerThe granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. To maintain the integrity of the process, an amnesty, as suggested by the Deputy, would not be considered appropriate.
However, I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department has continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and at all levels of public health restrictions. However, processing rates have been negatively impacted by the necessary health and safety related restrictions imposed and it has not been possible to hold in-person citizenship ceremonies since March 2020.
This has further exacerbated significant delays which arose from a High Court case in 2019, which was subsequently successfully appealed to the Court of Appeal. Unfortunately that resulted in the loss of over six months’ processing time, before the appeal resolved the issue.
In order to deal with applicants that were in the final stages of processing, on 18 January 2021, my Department opened a temporary system to enable applicants to complete their naturalisation process by signing a statutory declaration of loyalty. Since then, my Department has delivered on its commitment to communicate with 6,500 applicants by the end of June, inviting them to complete the final steps required prior to the granting of a certificate of naturalisation.
Over 4,400 people have received their certificates so far including a significant number of healthcare and other front-line workers who have made extraordinary contributions during the pandemic.
To further address the volume of applications on hand, additional staff are being assigned to the citizenship team; and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments.
The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times. Based on this, my objective is to achieve an improved decision making timeframe of 6-9 months for a majority of applications during 2022.
1397. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of cases that have been brought before the courts since the introduction of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40812/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is likely aware, the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act, referred to as 'Coco's Law', entered into force on 10 February 2021. It creates two new offences of sending, or threatening to send, intimate images without the consent of the person whose image it is.
Following the Deputy’s request, I sought information from both the Courts Service and the Garda Commissioner on the amount of cases that have been brought since the Act was commenced.
Even though the legislation has only very recently come into force, I am advised by the Commissioner that a number of investigations referencing Section 4 of the new legislation are proceeding. As these are ongoing cases the Commissioner is not in a position to provide an exact figure to ensure confidentiality.
I hope the Deputy can appreciate that because the operation of the Coco’s Law is in its infancy, no prosecutions have yet been brought forward. This will inevitably change in time.
Coco’s Law will make sure that those who commit abusive crimes both online and offline can be prosecuted and, if prosecuted and found guilty, our courts now have sentences available that reflect the level of harm these crimes cause to their victims. I understand from An Garda Síochána that training on the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act has been covered on level 3 witness training from the 10th May 2021 in the lesson entitled ‘Victims of Sex Crime’.
I have also been informed that Coco’s Law was the subject of a HQ Directive (11/21) which issued in May 2021. The directive provides members with the necessary instruction regarding the implementation of the new offences. The Commissioner further assures me that both the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau and the Garda National Protective Services Bureau are there to help should any Garda member require assistance or support in prosecuting these offences.
The Deputy will also be pleased to know Government action to tackle this issue does not end with the implementation of this Act. When signing the commencement order for Coco’s Law it was announced that an agreement had been reached between my Department, the National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre at DCU, and the Department of Education to establish a ‘Research Observatory on Cyberbullying’ focused on providing up-to-date research, advice and resources related to cyberbullying, cyberhate, and online harassment, and the implementation of Coco’s Law. Funding for the Observatory is being provided by the Department of Justice in memory of Nicole (Coco) Fox.
Funding was also provided for Webwise to update their popular ‘Lockers’ programme, which is an important Junior Cycle resource to include information about Coco’s Law and non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
Finally, my Department is currently developing a wider awareness campaign on Coco’s Law and the penalties applicable if someone is convicted of sharing intimate images without consent, and to draw attention to the harm caused to the victim whose intimate image is shared. We intend to communicate our message in a way that will build on our existing ‘No Excuses’ campaign and its key message of not excusing any form of sexual harassment or sexual violence. This initiative is now at an advanced stage and will be launched soon.
1398. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on the Covid-19 compliance and welfare of prisoners in the prison system during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40814/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Irish Prison Service has put in place an extensive range of measures to prevent Covid-19 transmission within prisons, to detect early any possible infection in a prisoner or staff member and prevent the spread of infection should there be a confirmed case.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that as of 25 July, 2021 there have been 164 positive cases of Covid-19 identified amongst the prisoner population since March 2020, with the first case in September 2020. Of the 164 confirmed prisoner cases 72 were community acquired infections and 92 were prison based.
The measures which were introduced to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in prisons are guided by the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team and are consistent with the prison specific guidance for the management of Covid-19 issued by the World Health Organisation and the guidance of the Council of Europe.
There is a Primary Healthcare service available at each prison consisting of doctors and nurses who are responsible for the management of healthcare issues, including the treatment of Covid-19.
To date, all positive Covid-19 cases in the prisoner population have been managed in the relevant prison and there has been no requirement to transfer any prisoner to hospital. If however, the prison healthcare service consider that a prisoner requires hospital treatment they would refer the prisoner to the relevant hospital, alerting in advance that they are sending a Covid-19 patient. The prisoner in question would be transferred to the hospital via an ambulance.
The Irish Prison Service has further advised that it provides a range of therapeutic, support and counselling services to prisoners. These services have remained in place throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The restrictions imposed by COVID-19 required the development of new ways of working to support prisoners. All prisoner support services have adapted their working arrangements to respond innovatively to maximise opportunities for prisoner engagement by employing a combination of mediums including telephony, video-link and one-to-one contact where deemed clinically necessary.
The vaccination programme is currently being rolled out across the prison estate with an overwhelming majority of prisoners availing of the vaccine.
Throughout the public health crisis, every attempt has and continues to be made, to maintain psychological, addiction and other counselling services for those with an identified need. All prisons and prison-based services have displayed flexibility and adaptability and have used all mediums available to engage with the prison population.
I wish to assure the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service continues to manage the risks and challenges faced in a prison context during the Covid-19 pandemic in line with public health guidelines. In doing so, it maintains a close working relationship with my Department, relevant criminal justice authorities, the National Public Health Emergency Team and the HSE.
1399. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Justice when her Department last conducted a review of crime statistics in County Meath; the results of this last review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40932/21]
View answer1400. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Justice when her Department last conducted a review of crime statistics in County Westmeath; the results of this last review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40935/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1399 and 1400 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) is Ireland's national statistical office and its purpose is to impartially collect, analyse and make available statistics about Ireland’s population, society and economy. Their specific mandate under the Statistics Act 1993 is the collection, compilation, extraction and dissemination for statistical purposes of information relating to economic, social and general activities and conditions in the State.
The CSO is also responsible for the collection and publication of crime statistics, and for reviewing data quality for the purpose of compilation of those statistics. As Minister for Justice, I play no role in these independent functions.
The operational review of crime statistics, at a national and regional level, is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). Again, I play no role in these independent functions.
1401. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí and civilian staff assigned to the Special Crime Task Force in each of the past five years; if these staff are assigned on a station or division basis; the number in each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40986/21]
View answerI have requested information from An Garda Síochána to answer the Deputy's question, but this was not available in time. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.
1402. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice the status of the youth justice strategy; the expected timeframe for the implementation of recommendation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41033/21]
View answer1406. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice her plans to introduce projects aimed at removing young persons away from crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41037/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1402 and 1406 together.
I can inform the Deputy that the Youth Justice Strategy 2021 – 2027 was published on 15 April 2021.
The Strategy includes consideration of the full range of issues connected to children and young people at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system, including early intervention and preventative work, family support and diversion from crime, through to court process and facilities, supervision of offenders, detention and reintegration and support post release.
The measures in the Strategy are premised on the need to maximise opportunities to promote positive behavioural change and desistance from offending. This will require a sustained commitment to collaborative working between State agencies and community partners, as well as a commitment to prioritise resource allocation to address factors connected to early involvement in criminal activity and more serious offending patterns. The Youth Justice Strategy 2021 – 2027 is available on my Department’s website.
The Strategy strengthens and expands the role of the Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs), which are a fundamental support to the operation of the statutory Garda Diversion Programme and provide a vital ingredient in enhancing community policing partnerships. The Strategy promotes appropriate linkages and alignment with other community-based initiatives, including those supported by the Probation Service. Bringing the full range of relevant interventions together in a coherent and holistic response to youth crime will support the objective of diverting young people from crime and anti-social behaviour.
The Strategy expands the remit of the GYDPs to provide a broader range of services for communities, families and children at risk, including family support and early intervention with children aged 8-12 years, as well as developing enhanced approaches to engaging with harder to reach children and young people who may have more entrenched patterns of offending. 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.
Funding for GYDPs has increased every year since 2015. €15.3 million was provided in 2019 and €15.6 million was provided for 2020. €18 million funding has been provided for 2021 with a further allocation of €3m for the Greentown pilots, Bail Supervision Scheme and the Research Evidence into Policy Programmes and Practice (REPPP) project.
The Bail Supervision Scheme provides nationwide availability of the internationally recognised approach to achieving bail compliance, supported by the REPPP University of Limerick partnership. The service is already being expanded beyond the initial pilot in Dublin to Cork and Limerick.
The Greentown initiative is a broad community-based programme to support children, families and communities most affected by criminal networks, and its development is strongly supported by An Garda Síochána. The Greentown Report recommended the design of a programme to include interventions with children and their families to help them withstand the influence of criminal networks. The Greentown Programme has been designed by the REPPP project team with the input of leading international expertise on crime and criminal networks, together with Irish scientific, policy and practice expertise in child protection and welfare, drugs and community development.
Pilot applications of the Greentown programme, developed by the REPPP, commenced in two locations in 2020 and will run for three years. The learning from these pilots will then be incorporated into mainstream GYDP practice. This specially designed intervention programme was developed with international expert advice, to tackle coercive control of children by criminal groups which entraps them in offending situations. Funds are already available for the initial pilots from the Dormant Accounts Funds, with a total of €4.2m allocated over three years.
The implementation of the Greentown pilot programme is part of the Strategic Objectives of the Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027. This implementation process began with the establishment of the Governance and Strategy Group, and the Youth Justice Oversight Group. Both groups are chaired by the Department of Justice, which will provide oversight arrangements for Youth Justice Initiatives to ensure that there is a cohesive response in practice to the needs of particular cohorts of children and particular communities.
1403. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide further details on the community safety forums including expected timeframes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41034/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that in April, the Government approved and Minister McEntee published the general scheme of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill, which is now
with the Joint Oireachtas Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny. The Bill will provide for a key principle from the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland - that preventing crime and harm and making our communities safer does not rest with An Garda Síochána and my Department alone. It will be best achieved as a ‘whole of government’ responsibility with Departments and agencies responsible for health and social services, education authorities and local authorities, the Gardaí and the wider community working together.
The new Bill will achieve this by establishing innovative Local Community Safety Partnerships to develop local safety plans, tailored to the priorities and needs identified by communities themselves. The Local Community Safety Partnerships will replace and build upon the existing Joint Policing Committees and will provide a forum for State agencies and local community representatives to work together to act on community concerns.
Each Partnership will devise and oversee a Local Community Safety Plan, which will be informed by the community itself. Membership of the Partnerships will be broader than that of the existing JPCs and will include residents, community representatives (including youth, new communities and voluntary sector representation), business and education sector representation, relevant public services including the HSE, Tusla, An Garda Síochána and local authorities as well as local councillors.
The Deputy will be aware that in November 2020, Minister McEntee announced the establishment of three new Local Community Safety Partnerships on a pilot basis in the north inner city of Dublin, Waterford and Longford. The locations of the pilots, which will run for 24 months, were chosen based on a number of factors including population density, crime rates and economic indicators. An independent Chairperson has been appointed to chair each Partnership pilot.
As the pilots progress, they will be carefully evaluated and any necessary changes made to ensure the Partnerships work as effectively as possible for the communities involved. The pilots will inform the further development of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill, which will facilitate the rollout of Local Community Safety Partnerships in every local authority area. Following the pre-legislative scrutiny and drafting by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, I hope to be in a position to publish the Bill early next year.
1404. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice the details of the youth diversion projects planned for County Louth in tabular forum.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41035/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that 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 partnerships. These projects are community based multi-agency crime prevention initiatives.
Funding for GYDPs has increased every year since 2015. €15.3 million was provided in 2019 and at least €15.6 million was provided for 2020. €18 million funding has been provided for 2021 with a further allocation of €3m for innovative programmes to support interventions for children under the influence of criminal network (Greentown pilots) and bail compliance (Bail Supervision Scheme).
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. The necessary resources to implement the community based approach will be considered as part of the annual estimates and budgetary processes.
Details of funding provided for Garda Youth Diversion Projects in Co. Louth in 2021 are as follows:
|
Garda Youth Diversion Project |
Location |
Community Based Organisation |
2021 Allocation |
|
Boyne |
Drogheda |
Youth Work Ireland |
€118,951 |
|
Cable |
Drogheda |
Foróige |
€195,789 |
|
High Voltage |
Dundalk |
Independent |
€129,890 |
|
Team |
Dundalk |
Independent |
€167,013 |
|
Total |
|
|
€611,643 |
1405. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank, file and section currently stationed throughout County Louth; the number of vacant posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41036/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes the deployment of members of An Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in this independent function.
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 can inform the Deputy that on 30 June 2021 there were 384 Garda members assigned to the Louth Division, which represents an increase of almost 34% since 2015.
Extensive information is available on my Department’s website in relation to the numbers of Garda members and their assignment nationwide, including by rank and station, at the following link : www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Workforce
This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána.
Details in relation to the number of Garda staff nationwide are also available on my Department's website at the following link: justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Staff
1407. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice the breakdown of the monies seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau by county from 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41042/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996. The Bureau’s remit is to target those assets of persons which are derived, or are suspected to have derived, from criminal activity. I can inform the Deputy that the Bureau does not record statistics in relation to specific geographical areas.
Since its inception, the Bureau has conducted investigations into individuals and organised criminal groups involved in various types of crime, including money laundering and the sale and supply of controlled drugs. With regard to the details of the activities of the Bureau, these are reported on each year in its Annual Report. These Annual Reports can be found at www.cab.ie
For the Deputy's information, I am advised by CAB that the tables appended to this answer represents the various assets that were seized by the CAB from its inception until 2020. Please be advised that the figures for 2020 are provisional pending the publication of the CAB Annual Report for 2020.
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1408. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice the status of activity to deal with major organised crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41043/21]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that tackling organised criminal activity is a key priority for the Government, and an ongoing priority for An Garda Síochána.
The Government has supported An Garda Síochána in addressing the threat from organised crime gangs through the introduction of legislative measures such as:
- The Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2016 which provides additional Garda powers for the immediate seizure of assets suspected of being the proceeds of crime to prevent them being disposed of;
- The Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Act 2014, providing for the establishment and operation of the DNA database providing Gardaí with links between people and unsolved crimes;
- The Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009, introduced to protect the justice system from being subverted by criminal groups, including potential intimidation of juries.
An Garda Síochána has also been allocated an unprecedented €1.92 billion euro in Budget 2021 to increase recruitment, improve facilities and equipment and also to aid in the roll out of the organisational changes recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, including the new Garda Operating Model. Further redeployment of sworn Garda members to front-line policing duties, where their skills, training and expertise can be of most use, is continuing in line with these changes.
An Garda Síochána continues to develop and implement strategies to dismantle and disrupt criminal networks, utilising advanced analytical and intelligence methods. Gardaí target serious criminals and organised criminal groups through the use of focused intelligence led operations by specialist units such as the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the Criminal Assets Bureau, and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. An Garda Síochána regularly liaises and cooperates with their international policing and security partners, such as EUROPOL and INTERPOL, in their mutual objective of combatting transnational organised crime.
1409. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice the expected timeframe for the implementation of the recommendations contained within a plan (details supplied); the status of the work programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41044/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, I launched the Drogheda Implementation Plan on 21st July.
The Plan is the result of extensive engagement between my Department and the various stakeholders identified in Vivian Geiran's report. The report made almost 80 recommendations across a range of sectors, including justice, health, education and youth services. The Implementation Plan provides detailed actions on these recommendations, including proposed timelines.
The plan is available on gov.ie at the following web address:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/c179b-drogheda-report-implementation-plan/
1410. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice the timeline in relation to the criminal justice review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41045/21]
View answerI understand the Deputy's question to refer to the independent review of the Offences against the State Acts.
As the Deputy will be aware, in February last Minister McEntee established a Review Group under the chair of Mr Justice Michael Peart, former Judge of the Court of Appeal.
The group comprises a number of experts in this field and is tasked with examining all aspects of the Offences Against the State Acts having regard to the current threat posed by domestic/international terrorism and organised crime, the duty to deliver a fair and effective criminal justice system to ensure the protection of communities and the security of the State and Ireland’s obligations in relation to Constitutional and ECHR rights and international law.
The Chair has indicated to me that there is a considerable body of work involved. Nevertheless I know the review group is conscious of the need to complete its work with as much expedition as is consistent with such a comprehensive task and I am grateful to all the members for their commitment.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Houses recently renewed certain provisions of the Offences against the State legislation for a further 12 months. As I indicated in that debate by that time I expect to have the benefit of the group's final report.
1411. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if additional resources will be provided to deal with the scourge of street dealing in illicit drugs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41090/21]
View answer1412. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice her views on a programme (details supplied) that was broadcast on 20 July 2021 in respect of several open drugs markets operating in Ballymun, Dublin 11; and the number of drugs gardaí working in the Ballymun area specifically [41284/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1411 and 1412 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management of An Garda Síochána, including operational matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters.
The response to the issue of drug dealing is complex and extends far beyond policing. This broader, health led response is key to the National Drugs Strategy, ‘Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery’, which is being led by my colleague Minister Frank Feighan. Gardaí work closely with local authorities, HSE, NGOs, community groups and other state agencies to tackle the problems of drug addiction and abuse.
At a national level, the Commissioner launched Operation Tara on 2 July 2021 to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks at all levels - international, national and local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs.
The level of open drug dealing shown on the programme mentioned is unacceptable and highlights the damage which such activity causes to communities as a whole.
I understand that the issue of open drug dealing in Ballymun, as well as the Safer Ballymun Plan and the ‘A Brighter Future’ report were discussed at the most recent Northwest Area Joint Policing Committee meeting held on 21 June.
From a policing perspective, I am informed by An Garda Síochána that both the Divisional Drugs Unit and the Street Crime Unit in DMR North have had their resources increased by 25% in recent months and that the Superintendent in Ballymun station introduced a specific operation in mid-May to target street level dealing in Ballymun. These operations take the form of both overt high visibility policing and covert operations targeting street-level and organised drug dealing. There have also been several high profile drug seizures and arrests in the area over recent months.
As of 30 June, there are 29 Garda members attached the DMR North drugs unit, which Ballymun is part of. There are 263 Gardaí assigned to Ballymun district, an increase of almost 16% since 2015 when there were 227 members assigned to the district. In addition, there are currently 67 Garda staff (civilians) assigned to DMR North Division as a whole, an increase of over 52% since 2015.
A number of days of action have been conducted in the DMR North Division this year and a number of suspects have been arrested in relation to drugs related intimidation incidents. I understand that a number of persons are currently before the courts and files are currently with the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to other persons.
1413. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the targeted recruitment for both sworn and civilian staff in An Garda Síochána for 2022. [41285/21]
View answerIn keeping with the commitment in the Programme for Government, and in the context of implementing A Policing Service for the Future, my intention is that there will be an active programme of recruitment of both sworn members and Garda staff in 2022, building on the substantial recruitment of recent years. The specific numbers to be recruited are a matter to be determined in consultation with the Garda Commissioner, and as part of the overall discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform leading to Estimates 2022.
1414. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the number of civilian analysts that are employed by An Garda Síochána in the area of cybercrime; and the grade of each in tabular form. [41289/21]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, but this was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once I receive the required information.
1415. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 304 of 14 July 2021, the total amount that is in the fund for 2021; the details of the allocations made to date for the Garda youth diversion projects and proposals for community-based interventions in relation to the dangerous misuse of scramblers, quad bikes and electric scooters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41293/21]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the Government is strongly committed to tackling the issue of misuse of scramblers and similar vehicles. In May 2021, my Department invited the Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) to present proposals for a scheme to offer positive alternatives to young people engaged in anti-social use of scramblers, including specific contact with GYDPs in areas that are most affected by this issue.
The community-based initiative is open to receive proposals from local areas, coordinated through GYDPs, and it is open to any GYDP to submit a proposal. The intention is that proposals submitted before the end of July may be eligible for support in the current year, subject to assessment of the details of the proposal. I can assure the Deputy that I will keep the operation of the scheme under review, with a view to providing appropriate support for local areas where there are significant problems with the misuse of scramblers, quad bikes and similar vehicles.
I can confirm that my Department has not yet received proposals from Community Based Organisations in relation to the dangerous misuse of scramblers, quad bikes and electric scooters. The deadline for submissions is 30 July 2021.
For the Deputy's information, the below table contains the details of the allocations made to date for 2021 for the Garda Youth Diversion Projects. The total budget for 2021 for GYDPs is €17,701,477.54.
|
Project |
Area/Town |
County/Postal District |
2021 Funding Allocation |
|
ABLE |
Ballyfermot |
Dublin 10 |
€120,941.00 |
|
ACORN |
Edenderry |
Offaly |
€145,663.00 |
|
ALF |
Athlone |
Westmeath |
€127,785.00 |
|
APT |
Tallaght |
Dublin 24 |
€114,558.00 |
|
ATHY |
Athy |
Kildare |
€115,876.00 |
|
BALL |
Lisduggan |
Waterford |
€137,500.00 |
|
BÁN |
Galway |
Galway |
€148,408.00 |
|
BANDON YOUTH |
Bandon |
Cork |
€177,704.00 |
|
BAP |
Ballincollig |
Cork |
€149,852.00 |
|
BEAT |
Blanchardstown |
Dublin 15 |
€157,441.00 |
|
BLOCK |
Port Laoise |
Laois |
€248,499.00 |
|
BOOST |
Tallaght |
Dublin 24 |
€104,695.00 |
|
BOYNE |
Drogheda |
Louth |
€118,951.00 |
|
BRIDGE |
Celbridge |
Kildare |
€150,288.00 |
|
BRÚ |
Crumlin |
Dublin 12 |
€171,499.00 |
|
BYB (BALLYMUN) |
Ballymun |
Dublin 11 |
€264,314.00 |
|
CABLE |
Drogheda |
Louth |
€195,789.00 |
|
CABRA STEP UP |
Cabra |
Dublin 7 |
€224,290.77 |
|
CASTLE |
Carrickmines |
Dublin 18 |
€123,998.00 |
|
CAVAN 365 |
Cavan |
Cavan |
€245,250.00 |
|
CLAY |
Crumlin |
Dublin 12 |
€134,070.00 |
|
CLOYNE MOBILE DIVERSION |
Charleville |
Cork |
€226,964.60 |
|
CODY |
Ballyfermot |
Dublin 10 |
€158,022.00 |
|
COMPASS |
Kilkenny |
Kilkenny |
€143,389.00 |
|
CURRAGH NEWBRIDGE (THE CAN) |
Newbridge |
Kildare |
€109,421.00 |
|
CYAP |
Castlebar |
Mayo |
€116,008.00 |
|
CYD |
Clonmel |
Tipperary |
€138,000.00 |
|
DAN |
Donore Avenue |
Dublin 8 |
€105,839.00 |
|
DAY |
Dungarvan |
Waterford |
€110,500.00 |
|
DEN.NENAGH |
Nenagh |
Tipperary |
€106,772.00 |
|
DONEGAL DIVISION |
HQ Raphoe |
Donegal |
€498,385.00 |
|
DONNYCARNEY |
Donnycarney |
Dublin 5 |
€125,000.00 |
|
DOUGLAS WEST |
Douglas |
Cork |
€132,509.00 |
|
EDGE |
Carrick on Suir |
Tipperary |
€198,000.00 |
|
EFFORT |
Finglas South |
Dublin 11 |
€139,722.00 |
|
ENNIS YOUTH |
Ennis |
Clare |
€169,826.00 |
|
EYE |
Mullingar |
Westmeath |
€124,125.00 |
|
FAN |
Finglas South |
Dublin 11 |
€251,925.00 |
|
FAYRE |
Farranree |
Cork |
€123,795.00 |
|
FEABHAS |
Cobh |
Cork |
€118,225.20 |
|
FUSION |
Tullamore |
Offaly |
€111,833.00 |
|
GAP |
The Glen |
Cork |
€194,788.00 |
|
GRAFT |
Clondalkin |
Dublin 22 |
€126,126.00 |
|
HAY |
Summerhill |
Dublin 1 |
€358,179.00 |
|
HERON |
Carrigaline |
Cork |
€106,708.00 |
|
HIGH VOLTAGE |
Dundalk |
Louth |
€129,890.00 |
|
HUB |
Carlow |
Carlow |
€125,992.00 |
|
JAY |
Tallaght |
Dublin 24 |
€193,858.00 |
|
JETS |
Swords |
Dublin |
€120,381.00 |
|
JUNCTION |
Ballinasloe |
Galway |
€125,891.00 |
|
KEEP (FORMERLY KILMORE WEST) |
Kilmore West |
Dublin 5 |
€236,854.00 |
|
KERRY KEY SERVICE |
Killarney |
Kerry |
€905,458.00 |
|
KEY (1+2) |
Tallaght |
Dublin 24 |
€214,233.00 |
|
KILRUSH |
Ennis |
Clare |
€114,910.00 |
|
KNOCKNAHEENY/HOLLYHILL |
Knocknaheeny |
Cork |
€117,998.00 |
|
KRIB |
Inchicore |
Dublin 8 |
€117,682.00 |
|
LAB |
Dun Laoghaire |
Dublin |
€186,544.00 |
|
LAR |
Navan |
Meath |
€131,209.00 |
|
LEAP |
Longford |
Longford |
€287,809.00 |
|
LIBERTIES CLUB |
The Coombe |
Dublin 8 |
€124,100.00 |
|
LIMERICK YOUTH SERVICE |
Ballynanty |
Limerick |
€530,000.00 |
|
MALLOW |
Mallow |
Cork |
€115,580.00 |
|
MAY |
Mahon |
Cork |
€106,920.00 |
|
MEAS |
Westside |
Galway |
€132,315.00 |
|
MNYP |
Monaghan |
Monaghan |
€134,869.00 |
|
MOST |
Rotunda |
Dublin 1 |
€402,690.00 |
|
MOYROSS/CCYDG |
Moyross |
Limerick |
€210,168.00 |
|
NAAS |
Naas |
Kildare |
€121,315.00 |
|
NEW DIRECTIONS |
Bray |
Wicklow |
€126,017.00 |
|
NORTH BAY |
Donaghmede |
Dublin 5 |
€116,801.00 |
|
NORTH FINGAL |
Balbriggan |
Dublin |
€265,943.00 |
|
NYDP |
Navan |
Meath |
€235,233.00 |
|
ORB |
Hartstown |
Dublin 15 |
€107,677.00 |
|
PACT |
Ferrybank |
Waterford |
€126,328.00 |
|
PORT |
Portarlington |
Laois |
€114,229.00 |
|
RAD |
Roscommon |
Roscommon |
€134,827.00 |
|
RATHKEALE |
Rathkeale |
Limerick |
€156,928.00 |
|
RAY |
Roscrea |
Tipperary |
€169,410.00 |
|
SAFE |
Wexford |
Wexford |
€124,650.00 |
|
SAY |
Sandyford |
Dublin 18 |
€137,634.00 |
|
SLANEY |
Enniscorthy |
Wexford |
€122,813.00 |
|
SMART |
Trim and Kells |
Meath |
€202,451.00 |
|
SOUTHSIDE YOUTH INITIATIVE |
Limerick |
Limerick |
€211,480.00 |
|
SUB |
Birr |
Offaly |
€140,193.00 |
|
SWAN |
Dunne Street |
Dublin 1 |
€445,421.00 |
|
SWAY |
Waterford |
Waterford |
€118,000.00 |
|
SWIFT |
Clondalkin |
Dublin 22 |
€133,271.00 |
|
TACT |
Togher |
Cork |
€118,206.00 |
|
TAR |
Tipperary Town |
Tipperary |
€102,635.00 |
|
TEAM |
Dundalk |
Louth |
€167,013.00 |
|
TREO NUA |
Tuam |
Galway |
€113,806.00 |
|
TREÓIN |
New Ross |
Wexford |
€123,000.00 |
|
TYRE |
Tramore |
Waterford |
€114,000.00 |
|
UCAN |
Lucan |
Dublin |
€164,021.00 |
|
VALLEY |
Clondalkin |
Dublin 22 |
€117,596.00 |
|
WAY |
Wicklow Town |
Wicklow |
€145,111.00 |
|
WEB |
Blanchardstown |
Dublin 15 |
€163,313.00 |
|
WEST LIMERICK |
Newcastle West |
Limerick |
€121,046.00 |
|
WOODALE GYDP |
Darndale |
Dublin 17 |
€178,145.00 |
|
YAB |
Ballina |
Mayo |
€124,979.00 |
|
YAPS |
Sligo |
Co. Sligo |
€167,723.00 |
|
YEW |
Ballyboden |
Dublin 16 |
€131,153.00 |
|
YOUGHAL |
Youghal |
Cork |
€128,888.00 |
|
TOTAL |
|
|
€17,628,040.57 |
1416. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the reason for the delay in the naturalisation process for a person (details supplied); and when the person will receive the outcome of the citizenship application. [41387/21]
View answerAn application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 2 January 2020. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
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.
1417. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the reason for the delay in the naturalisation process for a person (details supplied); and when the person will receive the outcome of the citizenship application. [41388/21]
View answerAn application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 30 December 2019. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
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.
1418. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the average timeline for applications to Irish citizenship through naturalisation receiving an outcome of granted or denied; and if she will provide the current number of applications waiting in the system for over two and half years or 30 months and over five years. [41389/21]
View answerThe tables below set out the figures requested by the Deputy.
Table 1 - Average Timelines
|
Year |
Average processing time for an approval Decision (months) |
Average processing time for a refusal Decision (months) |
|
2018 |
7 |
23 |
|
2019 |
10 |
24 |
|
2020 |
12 |
35 |
|
*2021 |
23 |
155 |
* Please note that the 2021 refusal figure is skewed by the closing of a significant number of applications where the applicant had failed to engage with the Citizenship Division of my Department for several years. In order to close these applications, a refusal decision had to be recorded for each case.
Table 2 - Number of open applications
|
Over 30 months but less than 5 years |
3902 |
|
Over 5 years |
517 |
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
However, I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department has continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and at all levels of public health restrictions. However, processing rates have been negatively impacted by the necessary health and safety related restrictions imposed and by a High Court case in 2019, which was subsequently successfully appealed to the Court of Appeal.
For applicants that were in the final stages of processing, on 18 January 2021, my Department opened a temporary system to enable applicants to complete their naturalisation process by signing a statutory declaration of loyalty. Since then, my Department has delivered on its commitment to communicate with 6,500 applicants by the end of June, inviting them to complete the final steps required prior to the granting of a certificate of naturalisation. Over 4,400 people have received their certificates so far.
To further address the volume of applications on hand, additional staff are being assigned to the citizenship team; and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments.
The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times. Based on this, my objective is to achieve an improved decision making timeframe of 6-9 months for a majority of applications during 2022.
