Written Answers Nos. 165-184
165. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the spend on foster care in each of the years 2014 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the percentage of this that was allocated to for-profit agencies; and the amount paid to each individual agency. [47109/21]
View answerThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
166. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount Tusla has paid for the placement of Irish children abroad in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the details of the placements; the number of children involved and their ages; the locations they have been sent to; the reasons for being sent abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47110/21]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that this question has been referred to Tusla for direct reply to him.
167. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children reported missing from residential care homes from 2018 to date in 2021. [47111/21]
View answerThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
168. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the longitudinal study his Department is conducting on children leaving the care system (details supplied). [47112/21]
View answerThe Ryan Report Implementation Plan, action 65, states that ‘the HSE will, with their consent, conduct a longitudinal study to follow young people who leave care for 10 years, to map their transition to adulthood.
A feasibility study carried out by Dr Carmel Devaney and Dr Cliona Rooney; The Feasibility of Conducting a Longitudinal Study on Children in Care or Children Leaving Care within the Irish Context (Devaney and Rooney, June 2018), provided a detailed overview regarding longitudinal research for children in care and those leaving care.
There is agreement between my Department and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that greater knowledge of the lives of children in care and leaving care is necessary. To that end, as you point out, agreement was reached to establish a working group comprising relevant officials from both my Department and Tusla. That working group was established in November 2020. The purpose of the working group is to inform me on how the Ryan Report Implementation Plan recommendation for longitudinal research into the lives and experiences of children in care and leaving care can best be met.
To date, five meetings have taken place and two further meetings are planned for October. You may be aware, the recent cyber-attack on HSE IT systems impacted some key systems within Tusla, and in the immediate aftermath the group was unable to meet as planned. Consequently, and as I’m sure you can appreciate, the work of the group was delayed. It is my expectation that the working group will produce a high-level summary report, outlining the findings and conclusions of its work, which I will consider before reaching a decision on how best to proceed.
It was originally planned that I would receive the working group's report at the end of Q3 2021. However due to the unforeseen delay, as mentioned above, the report is now expected to be delivered by end 2021, after which time I will make a decision regarding the next course of action.
169. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total spend on external contractors, consultancy services and other outsourcing in 2018 and 2019. [46928/21]
View answerThe Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science’s Vote, Vote 45, came into effect following the Further Revised Estimates for Public Services 2020.
Accordingly, the information requested is not available for this Department for the periods outlined.
170. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address the concerns raised in correspondence by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46975/21]
View answerIreland has an advanced system of skills provision, across Further and Higher Education, lifelong learning and human capital development, which is agile and responsive to changes in the world of work, in order to address evolving skills needs.
The National Skills Council (NSC) and nine Regional Skills Fora (RSF), created under the National Skills Strategy, foster engagement and collaboration between relevant Government Departments and agencies, the education and training system, and enterprise. The broader skills ecosystem also encompasses entities including the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU, hosted in SOLAS), the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment) and the National Training Fund Advisory Group (NTFAG, DFHERIS). While DFHERIS has responsibility for skills policy, this broader skills ecosystem informs and drives responsive, flexible forecasting, planning, and provision.
In terms of supporting learners to develop skills and achieve relevant qualifications to support the industries set out below, there are a wide range of programmes available across the further education and training and the higher education sectors to support the agri-machinery field. Examples include work based learning through traineeship (HGV Professional Driver Traineeship, Welding Fabrication Traineeship) or apprenticeship (see below) and the general further and higher education programmes from welding and motor technology to electronic engineering.
Eight of the ten occupations listed are craft apprentice occupations. Apprenticeship is a demand driven, employer-led offering based on a contract of employment between the apprentice and their respective employer. Therefore the number of apprentices in any specific sector is determined directly by employer provision. Recognising the importance of these occupations to the economy and the opportunity offered by apprenticeship to support economic recovery, the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme (AIS) was launched in March 2020 to support employers to continue to recruit apprentices during the COVID-19 period. The establishment, funding and success of the scheme is a strong demonstration of the Government's commitment to the development and growth of apprenticeship in Ireland, which will be sustained and intensified through the implementation of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship. In addition to the existing apprenticeships, a Commercial Driver Apprenticeship is in development and due to be launched shortly.
The closure of face to face training in education and training institutions resulted in a backlog of off-the-job training delivery for craft apprentices in phases 2,4 and 6 of their seven phase apprenticeship. SOLAS and the HEA have been working with education and training providers to agree a significant response which commenced in September and will clear the waiting lists by April 2022 for phase 4 and 6 and by year end 2022 for phase 2 apprentices. An update issued on www.apprenticeship.ie on 23rd September. Published minimum entry requirements for apprenticeship include an age restriction and academic entry requirements – apprentices must be aged 16 years or over and must hold a junior cycle certificate or equivalent or have relevant experience. The actual entry requirements to access to employment may be higher than the minimum entry requirements and are set by employers in accordance with the level of education or experience required to deliver the role effectively in the workplace. Apprenticeship qualifications range from QQI level 5-10, with a number of programmes requiring post-school level qualifications and experience as entry requirements.
General expansion of apprenticeship as a route to career development is a key priority for Government. As such, an Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 was published in April of this year which sets out a strategic approach to broadening the visibility of apprenticeship as an opportunity for school leavers and career changers.
171. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when outstanding claims for incremental credits will be finalised in the case of a person (details supplied) given that this matter has been ongoing for some time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47001/21]
View answerClaims for incremental credit pertaining to the personal salary of an employee is a matter for the employee concerned and their employer, Louth Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB).
The criteria required to have incremental credit awarded to primary and post-primary school teachers is set out in the Department of Education and Skills Circulars 10/2001, 29/2007 and 29/2010. The terms and conditions set out in these circulars were agreed under the auspices of the Teachers' Conciliation Council (TCC).
I understand from LMETB that the staff member referred to by the deputy has been working to progress this query in conjunction with the HR Department of LMETB. LMETB HR department continues to work on this matter as an active case and are liaising in this regard with the staff member concerned.
172. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total allocated Exchequer funds for 2021 for the student grant scheme, student assistance scheme and associated supports, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47054/21]
View answerThe principal support provided by my Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The scheme is demand led and as such the numbers applying each year can change for reasons such as demographics, employment rates etc. The budgetary provision for the Student Grant Scheme in 2021 is €364.5M, plus €9.05M to cover SUSI administrative costs.
The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending third level. Students can be assisted towards costs such as rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. Students on full or part-time courses leading to a higher education award (NQF level 6-10) in the universities, institutes of technology and other approved colleges can apply for the SAF. The core allocation for the SAF is €9.1 million per annum which is expected to support circa 14,000 students. This includes €1 million which was added to the fund in 2017 for part-time students who are lone parents or members of the other access target groups. Prior to that the fund supported full-time students only. In July 2021, as part of the €21 million of extra supports for students in further and higher education, an additional €10 million in financial support to students in financial difficulties while in higher education. This will be mainly made available through the Student Assistance Fund. This Department is working closely with the Higher Education Authority regarding the best way for disbursing the funds to the Higher Education Institutions to ensure students who find themselves in a financial situation are supported.
The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) supports participation by students with a disability in further and higher education. The FSD is one of the main funding sources supporting participation by students with disabilities in approved further and higher education courses in Ireland. It also supports students from Ireland to study on approved courses in Northern Ireland, the UK and other EU countries. The actual level of support to be provided to individual students is decided by each HEI who carry out a needs assessment to determine the types of supports and accommodations needed. The 2021 allocation to the fund is €7.658m which supports circa 14,000 students.
The Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Fund is the funding mechanism that supports the implementation of the current National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education (NAP) 2015 - 2021. There are three strands of the PATH fund and the 2021 allocation for the fund is just over €9m.
173. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students on college waiting lists for accommodation; and his views on whether the current situation in relation to student accommodation is a crisis. [47194/21]
View answerI am acutely aware of the challenges facing students with regard to securing accommodation. A number of factors are exacerbating the problem this year including houses previously rented to students being rented to year-round tenants, a reluctance by people to rent rooms in their houses to students due to Covid concerns, and higher education institutions in general not offering shared rooms this year.
In the context of significant unmet demand for student accommodation, I was extremely disappointed to see the recent granting by Local Authorities of "Change of Use" permissions to allow privately-owned purpose built student accommodation be used for other purposes. This runs contrary to the Student Accommodation Strategy. I welcome the issuing by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage of a circular to Local Authorities underscoring the critical need for purpose-built student accommodation to be available to meet the needs of students in third level education.
Housing For All, the Government's recently announce plan for housing, contains a commitment to support technological universities to develop purpose-built student accommodation where such a requirement exists, through access to appropriate financing, and a specific action in relation to legislating to allow for Technological Universities to borrow from the Housing Finance Agency.
My officials and I will continue to work with colleagues in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the universities, and the Union of Students in Ireland on these issues.
My Department does not hold the specific information sought with regard to waiting lists.
174. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice when persons (details supplied) in County Clare will receive their pre-clearance and visa approval to return to Ireland from Vietnam; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46875/21]
View answerThe persons referred to by the Deputy submitted online Join Family visa applications on 14 July 2021. The supporting documentation and relevant fees were received on 13 August 2021 in the Hanoi visa office. These applications are currently awaiting comprehensive examination.
All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service of my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available. Applicants are advised to allow at least 12 weeks for processing.
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 is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
175. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice the reason Schengen co-operation has improved over the past number of years; if she will outline the improvements in the operation of the agreement; if Brexit has allowed an improvement of co-operation through Schengen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46857/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that Ireland's participation in the European Union’s Schengen Agreement is limited to some of the policing co-operation agreements under which participating member states co-ordinate policing activities. This includes the current second generation of the Schengen Information System (SIS II).
SIS II is a centralised secure database used by European countries for maintaining information (alerts) related to border security and law enforcement and is a critical component of the open border policy that has been operating in Europe. The integration of SIS II into national systems means that automatic alerts are generated in real-time in instances where, for example, a Garda member encounters a person who is wanted or has been involved in a serious crime in another jurisdiction. SIS II also generates alerts on missing persons (in particular children), as well as information on certain types of property, such as banknotes, vehicles, firearms and identity documents that may have been stolen, misappropriated or lost.
Ireland's participation in SIS is not impacted by Brexit, although unfortunately as the Deputy will appreciate, the UK no longer participates in SIS II as a consequence of its departure from the EU.
On 15 September last, the Garda Commissioner and I welcomed six months of Ireland’s successful connection to SIS II, which occurred on 15 March 2021.
I can inform the Deputy that in the first six months of operation, there have been 74 arrests on SIS Article 26 (Alerts on Persons Wanted for Arrest for Surrender or Extradition Purposes) and 52 Arrests on already endorsed European Arrest Warrants for offences including drug trafficking, robbery, sexual assault, burglary, theft, assault causing harm, fraud and property offences. This is double the corresponding figures for the same six months in 2020.
I am very pleased with the progress Ireland has made since connecting to SIS II six months ago. These numbers demonstrate the positive impact SIS II has had on the investigation of trans-European crime to date, with a significant increase in the number of arrests for a large number of crime types.
176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination for residency and naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46858/21]
View answerThe International Protection Office of my Department is responsible for processing applications for international protection under the International Protection Act 2015. It also considers, as part of a single procedure process, whether applicants should be given permission to remain.
For reasons of confidentiality I am unable to comment on any individual immigration or international protection cases.
If the persons referred to by the Deputy have made applications for international protection in the State, they should contact the International Protection Office directly either by email to info@ipo.gov.ie, by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028008 or in writing to Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.
177. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the person or body that will manage the promotion of Garda sergeants, inspectors and superintendents in the future under her Department’s planned reforms. [46859/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that promotions to the ranks of Sergeant and Inspector are the subject of recent Regulations - Garda Síochána (Appointment to the Ranks of Inspector and Sergeant) Regulations 2021 S.I. 370/2021.
These Regulations were drafted in accordance with Section 122(1)(j) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, and fulfil a long-term objective to establish an efficient, independent and best practice promotion process for Garda Sergeants and Inspectors. The requirement to amend the promotion process for Sergeants and Inspectors was endorsed in the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI) following its fundamental in-depth review in 2018, and was contained as a key action in ‘A Policing Service for our Future’, the implementation plan for the CoFPI report.
These Regulations mark a fundamental change by providing that promotion competitions to these supervisory ranks, which previously had been managed wholly by An Garda Síochána, will for the first time be carried out in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Following an independent selection process carried out by PAS, a panel will be formed from which the Garda Commissioner will appoint candidates as appropriate and in accordance with the requirements of An Garda Síochána.
The introduction of the Regulations has allowed the commencement of a new competition for promotion to Garda Sergeant which will address the need for new appointments to this important supervisory role within the organisation.
It is my intention that these new arrangements for promotion to Sergeant and Inspector would continue after the enactment of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill which is currently being drafted. Insofar as appointments to the rank of Superintendent are concerned, these are currently made by the Policing Authority. Under the Bill, responsibility for such appointments will transfer to the Commissioner and it would be my expectation that promotion competitions for these appointments would also be conducted by the Public Appointments Service in the future.
178. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the CSO keeping Garda PULSE data under reservation; the actions her Department is taking to improve the quality of Garda PULSE data; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46861/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This responsibility includes the management of the PULSE system and the gathering of data generally.
The Deputy will also be aware that the CSO resumed publication of recorded crime statistics in March 2018 using the category 'Under Reservation'. This allowed the CSO to use the best available data for crime recorded in Ireland while informing users of concerns regarding the quality of the data.
I am advised that the CSO and An Garda Síochána consulted on the steps needed in order to get the reservation lifted. The CSO proposals outlined three main areas for development regarding the quality of PULSE based statistics, being the appointment by An Garda Síochána of a senior manager with overall responsibility for data quality, provision of a more comprehensive set of crime counting rules, and the development and implementation of a formal quality management system for PULSE-based statistics.
Significant progress has been made in each of these areas, including the appointment of a Chief Information Officer for An Garda Síochána in November 2019, who engages extensively with the CSO on data quality matters, and the publication of the Guide to How Crime is Recorded and Counted by An Garda Síochána. In addition, a data quality framework has been developed and is operated by the Garda Information Services Centre (GISC).
This progress has been acknowledged by the CSO, as have been improvements in data quality as GISC has progressively created a greater proportion of incidents.
The Deputy will be aware that the fourth Review of the Quality of Recorded Crime Statistics published by the CSO on 21 July 2021, examines the extent to which user needs for crime data are being met from PULSE and notes that better quality data is enabling the CSO to expand the statistical products it can provide. For instance, as a result of the improved reliability of PULSE outputs relating to detected crime and suspected offenders, the CSO has been able to publish new and more detailed statistical analysis related to these categories. The CSO report also acknowledges other improvements in PULSE data quality, such as the classification of crime incidents and timeliness of recording incidents.
179. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the person or body that is responsible for the collection, input and centralisation of data under the new Garda operational model; and the person or body that will hold the position of data controller in each division. [46862/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This includes processing of personal data for law enforcement purposes.
Processing of personal data for law enforcement purposes is subject to Part 5 of the Data Protection Act 2018. Section 69(1) of the Act defines a data controller as a competent authority that, whether alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of processing personal data.
As a competent authority for law enforcement with functions established under Section 7(1) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, An Garda Síochána is the data controller for personal data processed by it for the purposes of prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of criminal offences, including personal data processed under the new Garda Operating Model.
Under the overall responsibility of the Garda Commissioner, all members and staff of An Garda Síochána must abide by relevant policies and procedures in respect of the processing of personal data. This includes the commitment, under the Code of Ethics for An Garda Síochána, to gather, retain, access, disclose of process information only in accordance with the law and principles of data protection.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that both currently and under the new Garda Operating Model, the Garda Information Service Centre (GISC) has primary responsibility for the input and collection of crime incident data, working with Garda members to ensure that data on every incident is centrally recorded consistently and accurately.
In compliance with data protection legislation, the Data Protection Officer (DPO) is a Principal Officer position in An Garda Síochána reporting to the Executive Director, Chief Information Officer. I am informed that the role is currently filled on an acting basis with a permanent appointment due to be made at the conclusion of a dedicated open competition in October, 2021. The Data Protection Commissioner was formally notified of the appointment of the current DPO in line with the provisions of Article 37(7) of the General Data Protection Regulation (the GDPR, EU 2016/679) and Section 88(4)(b) of the Data Protection Act 2018.
180. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the status of the ongoing pay dispute with senior officers of An Garda Síochána in relation to the availability allowance; and the impact of this dispute on current GSOC investigations. [46863/21]
View answerIssues relating to a review of the Availability Allowance which is paid to Superintendents and Chief Superintendents have been the subject of extensive engagement at official and Ministerial level over a number of years.
A review of the Availability Allowance undertaken by Garda management and my Department, with input from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, has been shared with both the Superintendents Association and the Chief Superintendents Association. The review suggests that this issue could be considered under the sectoral bargaining element of the new public service agreement, Building Momentum.
I am advised, however, that the Associations do not favour this approach. I am further advised that unfortunately the approach being taken by both Associations in respect of their duties has the potential to impact on Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) investigations, in circumstances where an officer may be appointed to investigate a complaint which has been returned by GSOC to An Garda Síochána for investigation.
I can inform the Deputy that I have discussed this potential impact with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and my officials will engage further with Garda management and his Department in this regard, as part of the ongoing work to find a resolution to this matter.
181. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice if she will review the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations with regard to fees for persons seeking a certificate of naturalisation in cases in which the persons concerned can provide evidence that they have been living in Ireland for decades, paid their taxes and contributed to their respective communities (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46898/21]
View answerI recognise and acknowledge the crucial role the person referred to by the Deputy, and all frontline workers, have and are continuing to play in responding to the threat of COVID-19. They work in a challenging environment and deal with vulnerable people on a daily basis. Their exceptional commitment has been particularly clear throughout the pandemic, during which they have been playing a key role in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
I am also 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.
All naturalisation applications, whether they are made by EU citizens or non-EU citizens, are processed entirely in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. There are no provisions to apply different criteria depending on the category of employment or nationality of the applicant. All applicants are required to meet minimum periods of reckonable residence and standard checks are carried out as part of the overall process to maintain its integrity.
The fees in relation to applications for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 and have not increased in the past ten years notwithstanding that considerable investments has taken place including a new website and an e-payments facility.
The fees are in two parts - the current application fee is €175, payable when an application for naturalisation is lodged; and a certification fee which is payable, only when the application is successful, and a certificate of naturalisation issues.
The standard certification fee is set at €950, while a reduced fee of €200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of recognised refugees and stateless persons, there is no certification fee.
The standard fees payable by an applicant are designed to reflect the effort and cost involved in processing applications for a certificate of naturalisation which, given the benefits involved, is quite a detailed process.
There is no provision for the discretionary waiver or reduction of fees, or for different fees to be applied. All of fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, are kept under ongoing review by my Department. However, there are currently no plans to amend the fees.
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory conditions as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended and pay the appropriate fees.
182. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the total spend on external contractors, consultancy services and other outsourcing in 2018 and 2019. [46931/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department spent the following on external contractors, consultancy services and other outsourcing in years 2018 and 2019:
|
Year |
€’000 |
|
2018 |
7,167 |
|
2019 |
18,694 |
183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); when their application can be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47008/21]
View answerThis application for a certificate of naturalisation continues to be 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 in due course.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. 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.
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.
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.
184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in respect of the determination of an application for citizenship in the case if a person (details supplied); when the application can expect to be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47142/21]
View answerThe application referred to by the Deputy 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.
