Tuesday, 23 Nov 2021

Written Answers Nos. 457-476

Technological Universities

Questions (459)

Peter Fitzpatrick

Question:

459. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the suggestion that Dundalk Institute of Technology can achieve university designation as a standalone institute outside the framework of the Technological Universities Act 2018 given that the institute is not partnered with another institute of technology or technological university; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57033/21]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

There are no plans by Government to seek to establish any additional universities under section 9 of the Universities Act 1997.

Rather, it is stated Government policy to establish and develop technological universities, which agenda has been successfully pursued since 2019 with three TUs established, and a further two expected to be established next year.

Chapter 11 of the Technological Universities Act 2018 provides for the joining of an established technological university by an institute of technology.

Dundalk Institute of Technology is currently striving to achieve TU status with the expert advice and guidance of the Higher Education Authority and ongoing material support from the Exchequer under the Transformation Fund.

Nursing Education

Questions (460)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

460. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has engaged with Trinity College in respect of the return to in-class lessons for nursing students (details supplied). [57078/21]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Following Government approval, I published A Safe Return: Plan for a safe return to on-site Further and Higher Education and Research in 2021/22 on June 15th. The Safe Return Plan can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bcd91-a-safe-return-to-on-site-further-and-higher-education-and-research/

The plan, which is predicated on the sector’s full commitment to a significant increase in on-site teaching and learning activities and research, was developed following extensive discussions between sectoral representatives, public health and other relevant stakeholders, and provides a framework for higher education institutions to enable a return to on-site campus learning that that is in line with public health guidance. In that context, the sector has now arrived at a position where the return to on-site is well underway with approximately 400,000 learners having returned to on-site activity across all our further and higher education institutions.

At a minimum, on-site activity includes laboratory teaching and learning, classroom based teaching and learning, tutorials, workshops, smaller lectures, research, return to work-spaces and access to libraries with appropriate protective measures in place. Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies, and the way in which the Plan is implemented varies from institution to institution, recognising their own local context and physical infrastructure. As I understand it, Trinity College has resumed face to face learning across its campus since last month and I am concerned to read of the Deputy's constituent's experience and will seek further clarity on this matter.

Third Level Examinations

Questions (461)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

461. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it is planned to proceed with in-person exams in December 2021 in third-level institutions. [57444/21]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

The Government statement that there will be no change in current arrangements for student attendance and on-site activities in school, further and higher education institutions in line with COVID response plans for those sectors highlights that there is no change planned to the current arrangements for student attendance and on-site activities for the further and higher education sector. It is in this context that the sector continues to operate in accordance with the provisions of the Safe Return Plan, which has facilitated the return of over 400,000 learners since September, and which has been supplemented by recent guidance in relation to the sectoral approach for this current phase of the response.

For activities that are context dependent, in such a way that a one size fits all approach will not work across the sector, institutions have discretion to adopt public health measures appropriate to their own context, actively using significant precautionary measures to mitigate risk based on risk assessment and management systems, engagement with their stakeholders and building on the practices that were accrued through onsite provision in the more restrictive context of 2020/21. This encompasses ongoing monitoring and reviewing of plans, practices and measures including the approaches that institutions will take to terminal examinations.

Last week, I met with management, staff and student representatives and the issue of examinations was discussed. Management bodies confirmed that they are actively looking at a range of approaches to ensure that end of term examinations will be safe and that the requirements of students who may have Covid 19 or underlying health conditions can be addressed.

Third Level Admissions

Questions (462)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

462. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a mature student grant applicant (details supplied) in County Kerry who has established independent residency has had their application disallowed; if this decision will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57516/21]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

As part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications. This service compliments the established channels provided by SUSI which include online application tracking, a dedicated website, a telephone helpdesk, email and social media, including Facebook and Twitter. Enquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at [e-mail]. Staff in SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days. With regard to the specific application, I have been advised by my officials that the student outlined by the Deputy applied to SUSI as an independent mature student. According to SUSI, evidence of independent residency could not be established. The student exhausted the SUSI appeals process and on the 16th November 2021 the applicant contacted Support Desk to cancel her application. The application was cancelled and a letter confirming same was sent. The issue of independent applicants is an issue consistently raised with me and I intend to engage with my officials on this matter.

Prison Service

Questions (463)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

463. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of Covid-19 cases reported in each of the prisons here in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of Covid-19 related hospitalisations that occurred in respect of each of the prisons in the same period; the number of Covid-19 related deaths that occurred in respect of each of the prisons in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56911/21]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The Irish Prison Service has put in place an extensive range of measures to prevent Covid-19 transmission into our prisons. The Prison Service Covid-19 response aims to prevent the spread of infection into a prison; detect early any possible infection in a prisoner or staff member; and prevent the spread of infection within a prison should there be a confirmed case.

The measures which have been introduced to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in prisons are updated on a regular basis, 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.

On 9 June 2021 a bespoke prison vaccination programme commenced on a phased prison-by-prison basis. Vaccinations were administered by National Ambulance Service and Irish Prison Service healthcare teams to all prisoners who wished to receive one. The roll out of a Covid-19 mass vaccination programme has seen in excess of 85% of the prison population vaccinated.

The first positive prisoner case of Covid-19 was confirmed in an Irish prison in August 2020. As such, there were no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in our prisons in 2019.

There were 23 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in 2020 and 254 confirmed cases in 2021 (figures are correct up to 20 November, 2021).

I can advise the Deputy that there were no prisoner hospitalisations due to Covid-19 until earlier this month (November 2021) when two prisoners were hospitalised following an outbreak of Covid-19 in the Midlands Prison. I regret to inform the Deputy that one of the prisoners who was hospitalised sadly passed away. His cause of death will be determined by a Coroner's Inquest and I would like to extend my sympathies to his family and friends on their loss.

Detailed information on the number of confirmed cases in prisons in 2020 and 2021 is set out in Tables 1 and 2 below.

Table 1 Confirmed Prison Covid-19 cases, Covid-19 Hospitalisation and Covid-19 related deaths in 2020 by prison ;

Prison	Total Number of Covid-19 Cases	Covid-19 Related Hospitalisation	Covid-19 Related Deaths
Dochas	1
Cloverhill	9
Mountjoy	1
Midlands	7
Limerick	4
Castlerea	1
Loughan	0
Wheatfield	0
Shelton Abbey	0
Portlaoise	0
Cork	0
Arbour Hill	0
Total	23	0	0

Table 2 provides the number of prisoner confirmed Covid-19 cases including hospitalisation and related deaths in 2021 by prison;

Prison	Total Number of Covid-19 Cases	Covid-19 Related Hospitalisation	Covid-19 Related Deaths
Dochas	6
Cloverhill	49
Mountjoy	53
Midlands	66	2	*1
Limerick	16
Castlerea	7
Loughan	12
Wheatfield	13
Shelton Abbey	3
Portlaoise	3
Cork	12
Arbour Hill	14
Total	254	2	1*

*The cause of death is a matter for the Coroner's Office.

Court Accommodation

Questions (464)

Denis Naughten

Question:

464. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice the alternative temporary location for Roscommon District Court; when it is envisaged that the relocation will take place; the reason this has not happened to date; when works will commence on the refurbishment of the courthouse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56946/21]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, 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 carrying out its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has provided me with the following update on Roscommon Town Courthouse.

The Government's revised National Development Plan 2021 -2030 includes a number of Courts Service capital building projects to be completed during the period of the plan, including the Hammond Lane Family Law Complex and the provision of further new or refurbished courthouses in cities and county towns, including in Roscommon. The Courts Service informs me that it has commenced the process of identifying/acquiring suitable sites for those projects to be completed over the period of the Plan. Additional space on the historic Roscommon Courthouse site has already been acquired from the Local Authority to facilitate the future expansion/refurbishment of the courthouse.

Due to the poor condition of the historic courthouse in Roscommon, I am informed that the Courts Service has had no option but to source alternative accommodation until such time as the refurbishment project is completed. The Courts Service recognises the local importance of having court sittings in the town. With this in mind, a temporary premises has been sourced at Racecourse Road and I am informed that the fit out will commence shortly dependent on the successful conclusion of lease arrangements. The temporary premises will be capable of hosting multiple defendant jury trials - which currently cannot be accommodated in the historic courthouse. I understand that the temporary premises is expected to be operational towards the end of Q2 2022, Covid-19 restrictions permitting.

Mental Health Policy

Questions (465)

Francis Noel Duffy

Question:

465. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Justice if her Department will review the need for pre-arrest diversions to psychiatric services for persons with mental health illnesses as recommended in a recent report (details supplied). [56971/21]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I very much welcome the publication of this report from the Mental Health Commission. I thank both the Inspector of Mental Health Services and the Inspector of Prisons for their work on this important issue and I believe the publication of this report is very timely.

We know that the healthcare needs of vulnerable, sometimes seriously ill, people who interact with the criminal justice system are complex and require whole of systems consideration and priority action. It is widely acknowledged that these people are too ill to be in prison as they require urgent medication and treatment and that there is a vital need to put in place properly resourced, appropriately located systems of care for these most vulnerable people in society.

The Council of Europe Committee on the Prevention of Torture report last year reinforced the need for us to work together to provide appropriate care for those that have specific mental health needs when they come into contact with our criminal justice system.

This is also acknowledged in the Programme for Government commitment to the establishment of a high-level cross-departmental/cross-agency taskforce to consider the mental health and addiction challenges of those imprisoned, and primary care support on release.

I am pleased to say that considerable progress has been made on meeting this commitment. Last April, the Minister for Health and I established the High Level Taskforce to consider the mental health and addiction challenges of persons interacting with the criminal justice system. The Taskforce has already met on five occasions and has established three expert subgroups on diversion, prison and central mental hospital capacity and community throughcare. The Taskforce is aiming to provide a high level implementation plan for its recommendations by early 2022.

I am advised that the Mental Health Commission has now written to the chair of the Taskforce, providing her with a copy of the report and expressing their openness to presenting the report to the group. I understand that the chair has welcomed the offer to meet as it is very timely in terms of the Taskforce’s desire to consult with the Commission. Arrangements in that regard are currently being finalised.

The Commission report also references Crisis Intervention Teams. Following on from the recommendation of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, the Limerick Division are leading out on the design and implementation of a Crisis Intervention Team pilot project.

I am advised that this is currently at consultation phase and that liaison is on-going through a dedicated Steering Committee with local HSE representatives. It is envisaged that it will involve a co-located response unit comprising of a Community Psychiatric Nurse working alongside frontline members of An Garda Síochána to respond to calls from anyone in crisis.

Citizenship Applications

Questions (466)

Carol Nolan

Question:

466. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of a citizenship application in the case of a person (details supplied); when the application will be concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57086/21]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 7 January 2021. 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.

In addition, the combined impact of the 2019 High Court judgment in the Jones case and the necessary health restrictions arising from the pandemic, has resulted in the processing time for standard applications increasing.

However, my Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have also 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.

This year, we are on track to deliver approximately 11,000 decisions, significantly exceeding the levels achieved in the last two years. Additional staff have also been assigned to the citizenship team. Based on these measures, my Department's objective is to achieve an improved timeframe of 6-9 months for decisions on a majority of applications during 2022.

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: [e-mail], 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.

Departmental Inquiries

Questions (467)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

467. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice when the scoping exercise into the death of a person (details supplied) will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57088/21]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I wish to assure the Deputy that I recognise the ongoing pain and anguish of the O'Farrell family on the tragic death of Shane and I sincerely sympathise with them on their loss.

As the Deputy will be aware, a highly respected retired Judge, Gerard Haughton, has been conducting a scoping exercise into the tragic circumstances surrounding Shane O'Farrell's death.

The purpose of this exercise is to advise as to whether any further investigation or inquiry beyond those already carried out is necessary and, if so, to advise on the form of such investigation or inquiry and its terms of reference.

Judge Haughton furnished an interim report to the then Minister for Justice in November 2019 in which he stated that he would not restrict or limit Shane's family in their submissions to him or the nature and extent of the documentation they wished to furnish to him in his scoping exercise.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Judge is completely independent in conducting this scoping exercise. It is not open to me as Minister to comment on any aspect of the Judge's work or the process of compiling the final report. My Department maintains regular contact with the Judge and has assured him that any assistance he requires to complete his final report will be made available.

While I genuinely regret that this process has taken significantly longer than any of us would wish, I am also aware that the Judge is doing all that he can to ensure that the concerns which the family have raised with him during the process are followed through to the greatest extent possible. I understand that Judge Haughton has been in contact with the O’Farrell family throughout his scoping exercise.

I am informed the process is now at the stage of seeking comments on various sections of the report from the parties named in it. Judge Haughton wrote to my Department seeking comments on a number of sections of his draft report and the Department has responded to this request. I also understand that Judge Haughton has been in touch with the O'Farrell family regarding this matter.

Following receipt of responses from all relevant parties, it is understood that Judge Haughton will be in a position to finalise his report. My Department will continue to provide all necessary assistance to the Judge, and I look forward to receiving his final report in due course.

Following receipt of the final report, in line with established process, the advice of the Attorney General will be sought on publication and any other issues arising.

Fines Administration

Questions (468)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

468. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the fact that members of the public who travelled abroad during lockdown for essential medical treatment are now being issued with fines by An Garda Síochána for non-essential travel (details supplied); if there is an appeals process available to these persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57140/21]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the general management and administration of Garda business. This includes the enforcement of all applicable legislation and the management of the Fixed Charge Notice system.

The enforcement of public health legislation by members of An Garda Síochána is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner and the issuance of any individual Fixed Charge Penalty Notice (FCPN) is not within my remit as Minister, nor is any operational policing decision related to the enforcement of any applicable legislation.

I am informed that an initial period of 28 days from the date of the Fixed Charge Notice allows for payment at the fixed charge amount. A further period of 28 days is permitted to accept payment at the fixed charge amount plus 50%.

A third payment option was introduced on 1 June 2017, with the commencement of Section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 2010, as amended, by the Department of Transport. Section 44 provides that a person who is served with a summons in respect of a fixed charge offence may pay a fixed charge of an amount 100% greater than the original fixed charge, not later than 7 days before the date of the court on which the charge is to be heard, and a second Fixed Charge Notice is issued to this effect. If a person takes up the third payment option, proceedings in respect of the alleged offence are discontinued, the case does not come before a Judge, and the person need not attend court.

If an individual does not pay a fixed charge amount on receipt of a Fixed Charge Notice at any of the three payment points outlined above, he or she will be summonsed to appear in court and, if convicted of a fixed charge offence, the ensuing fine is paid to the Courts Service, not the Fixed Charge Processing Office.

Anyone receiving a Fixed Payment Notice (FPN) from An Garda Síochána can apply to have it cancelled. The grounds on which such an application can be made and how to make the application are available on the Garda website. Normally, a person who fails to pay a FPN will be prosecuted. However, following a review the FPN may be cancelled and no prosecution will then take place.

FPNs can be cancelled by An Garda Síochána when the evidence would not sustain a prosecution and / or due to exceptional circumstances a prosecution would not be appropriate, fair or proportionate.

Decisions on cancellations are governed by Garda policy and procedures and I, as Minister, have no role in this process.

It remains an option for a person to not pay a FCPN and to proceed to Court, where they can offer a defence for the initial offence to a Judge who will decide on their case. As the Deputy can appreciate I am unable to comment on individual cases that are, or may be, before the Courts.

I am advised that any individual person who has any queries relating to a FCPN may contact the Garda Fixed Charge Processing Office at the following contact details:

Fixed Charge Processing OfficeParnell StreetThurlesCounty Tipperary

Tel: [phone]

Freephone: 1890 30 40 60

Fax: [phone]

E-mail:[e-mail].

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Questions (469, 470, 471)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

469. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice the reason there is a 60-day waiting period when renewing a lottery licence for community organisations, sports clubs and charities. [57160/21]

Cathal Crowe

Question:

470. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice if organisations will be losing out in 60 days trading due to the waiting period for renewing their lottery licence. [57161/21]

Cathal Crowe

Question:

471. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice the way in which the new rule in relation to a lottery licence was communicated to organisations. [57162/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 469, 470 and 471 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is not in a position to interpret the law as passed by the Oireachtas.

The Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019 commenced on 1 December 2020, with all sections coming into effect. The 2019 Act modernises the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 and helps the better promotion of local gaming and lottery activity.

As well as the many representations received from a range of stakeholders prior to enactment, the Bill was fully debated in the Oireachtas prior to its enactment in December 2019.

My Department placed advertisements in 35 regional papers, including the Clare Champion, and information notes and a detailed Press Release were published on my Department’s website.

The process whereby a charitable or philanthropic organisation can apply to the District Court for a lottery licence is set out in the new Section 28 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956, as inserted by the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019.

Applications for lottery licences should be made to the District Court of the district in which it is proposed to promote the lottery, authorising the person to conduct periodical lotteries in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The application should be made not less than 60 days before the first day on which it is intended to promote the lottery. This period was intended to ensure that the court is provided with sufficient notice and full details of the proposed lottery activity so as to determine the application. Revised conditions for the promotion of lotteries are now contained in Section 28 of the 2019 Act.

Question No. 470 answered with Question No. 469.

Question No. 471 answered with Question No. 469.

Visa Applications

Questions (472)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

472. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if she has plans to increase staff levels at the Burgh Quay Registration Office to help speed up appointments for persons that have been trying for months to get an appointment for a stamp 4 visa; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57168/21]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

My Department consistently works in partnership with the Public Appointments Service to ensure optimum staffing levels across the Immigration Service Delivery function and continuously reviews staffing levels to ensure that each area is adequately and efficiently resourced. Regarding the Registration Office in particular, a number of additional measures have been put in place to help clear the backlog, and to process appointments efficiently.

Staff in the Registration Office have been working extra hours, including at weekends, to meet the demand for first-time registrations, renewal of permissions, and re-entry visas for minors. The public office in Burgh Quay is now open from 08:00 to 20:30 to provide assistance to customers who wish to register.

Public health guidance currently determines the number of appointments that can be facilitated each day, while maintaining safe levels in the public office. Currently, almost 1,000 customers are being registered every week. Our staff continue to engage with stakeholders to understand how their needs can best be met. Since the introduction of a new online system for the renewal of permissions for Dublin-based customers in July 2020, over 98,000 applications have been processed. a

My officials and I continue to explore new ways of processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, improving service to our customers, and reducing waiting times.

Credit Register

Questions (473)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

473. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice if she plans to reform personal insolvency legislation around the position for a person’s credit rating when they exit a personal insolvency arrangement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57191/21]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I am aware that concerns have been raised about the restoration of a person’s credit rating after they have completed a personal insolvency arrangement. However, the operation of credit registries does not fall within my remit as Minister for Justice.

The Credit Reporting Act 2013 (as amended) provides the statutory basis under which the Central Bank of Ireland operates the Central Credit Register. It sets out provisions with respect to matters such as the retention, amendment and correction of information on credit situations.

More generally, the Deputy may be aware that the the Programme for Government commits to introducing necessary reforms to our personal insolvency legislation and ensuring that sufficient supports are in place for mortgage holders with repayment difficulties. As outlined in Justice Plan 2021, I plan to complete a statutory review of Personal Insolvency Acts 2012-2015 and to prepare a Scheme of a Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Bill based on outcome of that review.

Deportation Orders

Questions (474)

Robert Troy

Question:

474. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons currently on the deportation list. [57242/21]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Justice can make an order under the Immigration Act 1999, requiring people who are non-nationals to leave the State, commonly known as a deportation order. I can advise the Deputy that prior to a Deportation Order being made, the permission to remain process includes a full consideration of private and family rights in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights as well as consideration of their work history if any, among other issues. Each case is examined in detail on its individual merits, taking all factors into account.

The principle of non-refoulement applies to these decisions. Under international human rights law, the principle of non-refoulement guarantees that no one should be returned to a country where they would face torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and other irreparable harm.

The concept of voluntary return is actively encouraged prior to a Deportation Order being made.

If a Deportation Order is subsequently made, Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) allows an Order to be amended or revoked by making a request to me, as Minister for Justice. The request can be made to raise matters which were not considered at the time when the decision to make a DO was taken. I would encourage anyone making such a request to be as detailed as possible in their representations so that fully informed decisions can be taken at the appropriate time. The outcome of such a request will be that the Order is either revoked or affirmed.

The table below provides the number of Deportation Orders (DO’s) issued from 2011 until the end of October 2021.

Year	DOs Issued
2011	1353
2012	1330
2013	1173
2014	959
2015	817
2016	1442
2017	1122
2018	1117
2019	2017
2020	873
2021	26
Total	12,229

The low number of deportations in 2021 reflects my decision only to deport persons in very restricted circumstances in the context of the pandemic.

Asylum Applications

Questions (475)

Robert Troy

Question:

475. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice the number of asylum seekers currently being processed that will benefit from the amnesty for the undocumented. [57243/21]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The Government committed to introducing new pathways to status regularisation within 18 months of its formation. My Justice Plan 2021 contains a commitment to create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependents who must meet specified criteria to regularise their status.

The scheme will provide an opportunity for those who meet its criteria to remain and reside in the State and to become part of mainstream Irish society rather than living on its margins. Successful applicants will receive an immigration permission, access to the labour market and will be able to begin the process of becoming Irish citizens, should they wish to do so. The objective is to ensure that the scheme is as inclusive as possible and my Department has conducted a targeted consultation on the proposed scheme which has provided a valuable opportunity to hear from those affected by the proposed approach to the scheme.

Following the consultation process, my Department continues to work to finalise the details, including eligibility considerations and qualifying criteria, and also to design and manage the practical aspects to enable applications to be made and processed as efficiently as possible.

We are now working to finalise the details for the scheme, including eligibility considerations and qualifying criteria, with a view to bringing a proposal to Government and to publish the details of the scheme before the end of this year.

Departmental Data

Questions (476)

Michael Creed

Question:

476. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice if she will publish all details regarding the imminent investment programme for the past ten years including the individuals involved; the investment projects funded and all other relevant detail; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57405/21]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest.

My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments, however, this matter is currently under consideration. The following information may, however, be of assistance to the Deputy. Over 1,400 applications have been successful under the IIP to date with the value of investments approved over €1bn. Social housing (€324m), nursing homes (€176m) and the hospitality/tourism sector (€115m) account for almost two thirds of the overall investment value.

There are currently four options for investing, one of which is the endowment of €500,000 (or €400,000 where a group of five or more combine to make a large endowment) towards a project of public benefit in the arts, sports, health, cultural or educational field. A number of such community projects have been approved for IIP investment under the scheme to date.

Projects seeking funding under the IIP are assessed by an independent Evaluation Committee, comprised of senior civil and public servants from relevant Government Departments and State Agencies involved in enterprise development in Ireland. The Evaluation Committee convenes at least four times a year to assess projects submitted for consideration under the Programme.

The Evaluation Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the application will be submitted to me for final approval.