Written Answers Nos. 1261-1277
1261. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice the number of members of An Garda Síochána by rank in each of the local electoral areas of County Clare in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1449/22]
View answer1263. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice the number of members of An Garda Síochána in each of the local electoral areas of County Clare by rank in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1525/22]
View answer1266. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice the number of members of An Garda Síochána in each of the local electoral areas of County Clare in each of the years 2016 to 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1639/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1261, 1263 and 1266 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including decisions related to the deployment of resources within the organisation. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am assured however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use.
I have been provided by the Garda authorities with the number of Gardaí by rank attached to districts and stations in the Clare Garda Division as at 31 December 2021, which is set out in the below table.
It should be noted that the boundaries of the individual Garda Districts/Divisions are set by the Commissioner with regard to the operational need of An Garda Síochána and that they do not match or conform to the boundaries of the local electoral areas. As a result, figures are not available by local electoral area as requested.
|
District |
Station |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
ENNIS |
CRUSHEEN |
9 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
ENNIS |
91 |
23 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
|
122 |
|
|
IMMIGRATION OFFICE |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
KILLALOE |
22 |
5 |
1 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
NEWMARKET ON FERGUS |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
SCARIFF |
3 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
SHANNON |
46 |
7 |
1 |
|
|
|
54 |
|
|
SHANNON AIRPORT |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
SIXMILEBRIDGE |
4 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
TULLA |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
ENNIS Total |
|
186 |
40 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
|
236 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KILRUSH |
BALLYVAUGHAN |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
COROFIN |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
ENNISTYMON |
22 |
3 |
1 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
KILDYSART |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
KILKEE |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
KILMIHIL |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
KILRUSH |
34 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
42 |
|
|
LISDOONVARNA |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
MILTOWN MALBAY |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
KILRUSH Total |
|
64 |
10 |
2 |
1 |
|
77 |
|
|
CLARE TOTAL |
|
250 |
50 |
10 |
2 |
1 |
|
313 |
I have also been provided by the Garda authorities with the number of Gardaí by rank attached to districts and stations in the Clare Garda Division as at 31 December 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. These numbers are set out in the following tables.
|
2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
District |
Station |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
ENNIS |
CRUSHEEN |
8 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
ENNIS |
97 |
20 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
|
124 |
|
|
IMMIGRATION OFFICE |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
KILLALOE |
22 |
6 |
1 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
NEWMARKET ON FERGUS |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
SCARIFF |
3 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
SHANNON |
47 |
7 |
1 |
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
SHANNON AIRPORT |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
SIXMILEBRIDGE |
3 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
TULLA |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
ENNIS TOTAL |
|
190 |
38 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
|
237 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KILRUSH |
BALLYVAUGHAN |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
COROFIN |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
ENNISTYMON |
21 |
4 |
1 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
KILDYSART |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
KILKEE |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
KILMIHIL |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
KILRUSH |
34 |
6 |
|
1 |
|
|
41 |
|
|
LISDOONVARNA |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
MILTOWN MALBAY |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
KILRUSH TOTAL |
|
64 |
11 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
77 |
|
CLARE TOTAL |
|
254 |
49 |
8 |
2 |
1 |
|
314 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
District |
Station |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
ENNIS |
CRUSHEEN |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
ENNIS |
102 |
18 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
126 |
|
|
IMMIGRATION OFFICE |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
KILLALOE |
23 |
6 |
1 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
NEWMARKET ON FERGUS |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
SCARIFF |
3 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
SHANNON |
47 |
8 |
1 |
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
Shannon Airport |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
SIXMILEBRIDGE |
3 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
TULLA |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
ENNIS TOTAL |
|
190 |
35 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
|
233 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KILRUSH |
BALLYVAUGHAN |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
COROFIN |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
ENNISTYMON |
22 |
4 |
1 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
KILDYSART |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
KILKEE |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
KILMIHIL |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
KILRUSH |
32 |
7 |
|
1 |
|
|
40 |
|
|
LISDOONVARNA |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
KILRUSH TOTAL |
|
63 |
11 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
76 |
|
CLARE TOTAL |
|
253 |
46 |
7 |
2 |
1 |
|
309 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
District |
Station |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
ENNIS |
CRUSHEEN |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
ENNIS |
109 |
18 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
133 |
|
|
IMMIGRATION OFFICE |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
KILLALOE |
23 |
4 |
1 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
NEWMARKET ON FERGUS |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
SCARIFF |
3 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
SHANNON |
47 |
8 |
1 |
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
SIXMILEBRIDGE |
3 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
TULLA |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
ENNIS TOTAL |
|
199 |
32 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
|
239 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KILRUSH |
BALLYVAUGHAN |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
COROFIN |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
ENNISTYMON |
23 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
KILDYSART |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
KILKEE |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
KILMIHIL |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
KILRUSH |
35 |
8 |
|
1 |
|
|
44 |
|
|
LISDOONVARNA |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
KILRUSH TOTAL |
|
67 |
10 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
79 |
|
CLARE TOTAL |
|
266 |
42 |
7 |
2 |
1 |
|
318 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
District |
Station |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
ENNIS |
CRUSHEEN |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
ENNIS |
108 |
16 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
128 |
|
|
IMMIGRATION OFFICE |
11 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
KILLALOE |
22 |
4 |
1 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
NEWMARKET ON FERGUS |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
SCARIFF |
3 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
SHANNON |
43 |
8 |
1 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
SIXMILEBRIDGE |
3 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
TULLA |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
ENNIS TOTAL |
|
195 |
33 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
234 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KILRUSH |
BALLYVAUGHAN |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
COROFIN |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
ENNISTYMON |
22 |
4 |
1 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
KILDYSART |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
KILKEE |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
KILMIHIL |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
KILRUSH |
32 |
7 |
|
1 |
|
|
40 |
|
|
LISDOONVARNA |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
KILRUSH TOTAL |
|
62 |
11 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
75 |
|
CLARE TOTAL |
|
257 |
44 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
|
309 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
District |
Station |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
1262. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 575 of 28 September 2021, if her intended amendments to section 120 of the Succession Act 1965 will provide for circumstances of domestic homicide in which the perpetrator dies by suicide; and if the amendments will be included in the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. [1524/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to all the victims, families, and the loved ones of those who have been affected in such awful circumstances.
I can confirm that amendment of Section 120 of the Succession Act, is being considered in order to ensure that perpetrators of domestic homicides could not benefit through inheritance. The Office of the Attorney General is being consulted on the implications which require thorough examination by experts in this field of law. This is a complex matter, and I want to ensure that any amendment to the Succession Act best addresses the issues of concern families have, such as those raised by the Deputy. It is important that we avoid any unintended or unforeseen consequences.
Also, I understand that the report of the independent study on Familicide and Domestic Homicide Review will be finalised in the coming weeks, and it will subsequently be published. Although the terms of reference of the study do not cover this issue specifically, I would like to consider its findings and implications before completing the work on this proposed amendment. When I receive the report, I will examine it in detail and I am committed to considering any recommendations made as a priority.
For the reasons outlined, it was decided not to include an amendment to the Succession Act in the General Scheme of the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. However, I can assure the Deputy that this important work is progressing and that we will consider the appropriate legislative vehicle to ensure the best possible resolution to this issue.
1264. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice the current number of live studies, reviews and research projects undertaken or commissioned by her, in tabular form; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed. [1557/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the table below lists the live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by my Department, and included the scheduled completion date of each.
|
Study/Review/Research |
Scheduled Completion Date |
|
Public Consultation on updating the Discount Rate. |
Policy proposals under consideration by Minister. |
|
Review of Defamation Act 2009. |
Report of Review to be brought to Government shortly with a view to its publication thereafter. |
|
Review of personal insolvency legislation. |
Q1 2022 |
|
Study on Familicide and Domestic Homicide Reviews (established May 2019). |
Q1 2022 |
|
Benchmarking of ‘No Excuses’ sexual violence awareness campaign. |
Q1 2022 |
|
Benchmarking of intimate image abuse awareness campaign. |
Q1 2022 |
|
Mapping exercise of the current provision of training for members of An Garda Síochána, legal professionals, front line staff and others who are engaging with victims of sexual crime and vulnerable witnesses in a professional capacity (Supporting a Victim’s Journey). |
Q1 2022 |
|
Rapid Evidence Review: Understanding reoffending – Push factors and preventative responses. |
Q1 2022 |
|
Programme for Government Review of policy options for prisons and penal reform. |
Q1 2022 |
|
Policy review of the General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill 2014. |
Q1 2022 |
|
Health Needs Assessment of Prison Population Report. |
Q1 2022 |
|
The High Level Review Group to consider the role of An Garda Síochána in the public prosecution system. |
Q1 2022 |
|
Public Attitudes Survey to measure public views and experience in a range of relevant Department of Justice areas. |
Q1 2022 |
|
Anti-Social Behaviour: to map out how anti-social behaviour has been defined (recognising it is a contested concept) and map out interventions and their effectiveness. |
Q1 2022 |
|
Approaches to the Concept of Parental Alienation in other jurisdictions. |
Q1 2022 |
|
Review of Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programmes. |
Q1 2022 |
|
Review of the Processing of Sexual Offences: Stakeholder Experiences |
Q1 2022 |
|
The OECD has been engaged to carry out an evidence-based research project to assist the Judicial Planning Working Group in its deliberations. The aim of this research project is to provide an evidence-based view of the experiences of other OECD jurisdictions in regard to judicial resource requirements and to make recommendations as to how Ireland should resource its judiciary. |
Q1 2022
As this report is commissioned from the OECD, its publication date may be impacted by any necessary verification or pre-publication requirements of that body. |
|
Annual 'Year in Review' report on the overall issue of cyberbullying, cyber hate, and online harassment, conducted by the Research Observatory on Cyberbullying in conjunction with the commencement of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act. |
Q1 2022, Q1 2023, Q1 2024 |
|
The Review of Part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017. |
Q2 2022 |
|
Review of the operation of the provisions of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 as they relate to guardianship of children whose parents are neither married or in a civil partnership. |
Q2 2022 |
|
Scoping Paper on Longitudinal Analysis of People who Offend. |
Q2 2022 |
|
An evidence review of Behavioural Economics in the Justice Sector. |
Q2 2022 |
|
Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) / Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) in the area of litigation costs to the State: this aims to identify and cost alternative models for litigation. |
Q2 2022 |
|
Independent Review of the Offences Against the State Acts. |
Q2 2022 |
|
Evaluation of Joint Agency Response to Crime (JARC) ACER Regional Sites. |
Q3 2022 |
|
Evaluation of Joint Agency Response to Crime (JARC) ACER Initial Sites (Dublin). |
Q3 2022 |
|
Exploring the experiences of International Protection Applicants (and other stakeholders) of access to the labour market. |
Q3 2022 |
|
Review of enactments providing for the imposition of minimum mandatory sentences in accordance with Section 29 of the Judicial Council Act, 2019. |
Q4 2022 |
|
Evaluation of the Garda Youth Diversion Projects. |
Q4 2022 |
|
Sexual Violence Survey: to measure the prevalence of sexual assaults and the experiences of victims of sexual assaults. This is being run by the CSO, but is being supported by the Department and there is a joint oversight group. |
Q2 2023 |
|
Evaluation of the Local Community Safety Partnership Pilots over 3 sites. |
Q4 2023 |
The following revised reply was received on 10 March 2022.
This PQ was answered with an omission regarding the Abhaile Governance Review detailed below, which I believe should have been included.
|
Study/Review/Research |
Scheduled Completion Date |
|
Governance Review of Abhaile |
Q1 2022 |
1265. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice the status of a residency application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1607/22]
View answerThe application for the person referred to by the Deputy is currently under consideration. The application was made in September 2021 and the original documentation submitted has since been returned by my Department to the applicant.
Applications are processed in the order that they are received and a decision will issue in due course. The length of time it takes to process applications varies, depending on a number of factors, including the volume of applications on hand and the impact of Covid-19 safety restrictions.
1268. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the status of the review of the civil legal aid scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1649/22]
View answerAs you will be aware, I am committed to undertaking a review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme and my Department is currently working to finalise the mode and terms of reference of the review.
As part of the review process, it is intended that there will be significant consultation to ensure that the insights of a range of stakeholders regarding the operation of the scheme – and how best to support those of insufficient means with legal needs – will inform the work of the Review Group. The review may also contain a research element which could, among other things, identify international approaches to supporting people with legal assistance needs.
Since the Civil Legal Aid Scheme was established over 40 years ago, Irish society has changed and the demands on the Scheme have grown. In order to provide maximum benefit to those it was established to serve, within the finite resources available to fund legal aid, a robust, comprehensive review of the Scheme is now timely.
Ultimately the review should map out a future for the Civil Legal Aid Scheme; one which will provide for a flexible service that has, as far as possible, the capacity and resources to respond to the priority legal assistance needs of those of insufficient means.
Dependent on finalisation of the approach and confirmation of membership, it is envisaged that the Review Group will commence its work early this year.
1269. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if a visa and citizenship application will be processed as soon as possible for a person (details supplied). [1651/22]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for a EU3 - Permanent Residence card with the EU Treaty Rights Division of my Department on 23 February 2021. Processing of this application is ongoing at present.
As each application is examined under its own merits, I am unable to provide an exact timeframe for its completion. However, the person can be assured that there will be no avoidable delay in finalising their application. They will be contacted in writing as soon as a decision has been made.
An application for a certificate of naturalisation was also received from the person concerned on 12 November 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.
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 unfortunately 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.
In 2021, 11,512 citizenship decisions were delivered, 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: 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.
1270. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if in relation to legal support for divorcing couples, her Department will make changes (details supplied); and if not, the reason. [1652/22]
View answerIssues concerning child maintenance are being considered by the Child Maintenance Review Group established by the Department of Social Protection. However, I can assure the Deputy that family law reform is a major element of my Department's work.
The forthcoming Family Court Bill intends to create a new dedicated Family Court within the existing court structure and provide for court procedures that support a faster and less adversarial resolution of disputes in specialised centres.
This significant piece of legislation will be a key element of the development of a more efficient and user-friendly family court system that puts families at the centre of its activities, provides access to specialist supports and encourages the use of alternative dispute resolution in family law proceedings. The development of sensible, comprehensive and sensitive family law procedures, particularly for vulnerable families, will be central to the new system.
The Family Justice Action Plan will set out a high-level vision and key medium and longer-term objectives for the development of a national family justice system. There has been significant consultation by the Family Justice Oversight Group, including with members of the public who have engaged with the family justice system. This Strategy, along with the Family Court Bill, will start the process of reforming the current system, and will seek to improve the experience of all those seeking a resolution to their family justice issues.
At present, the Legal Aid Board offers free mediation services where parties cannot agree on the terms for their separation or divorce, parenting and/or maintenance issues. The Legal Aid Board's Family Mediation Service has remained open at every level of Covid-19 restrictions. It offers a blended service of room based, telephone, and online video mediation, depending on the needs of the clients. People are facilitated to resolve their issues and negotiate their own terms of settlement.
In relation to the provision of Legal Aid, as you will be aware, I am committed to undertaking a review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme. I am currently working to finalise the mode and terms of reference of the review.
As part of the review process, it is intended that there will be significant consultation. This will ensure that the insights of a range of stakeholders regarding the operation of the scheme – and how best to support those of insufficient means with legal needs – will inform the work of the Review Group. The review may also contain a research element which could, among other things, identify international approaches to supporting people with legal assistance needs. It is envisaged that the Review Group will commence its work in early 2022.
1271. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the amount spent on social media by her Department and agencies under her remit in 2021; and the platforms the monies were spent on in tabular form. [1704/22]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy to provide this information as soon as it is available.
|
Department of Justice |
Platform |
Cost in 2021 |
|
|
€19,226.99 |
|
|
Snapchat |
€2,050.00 |
|
|
Spotify |
€6,264.22 |
|
|
TikTok |
€12,093.99 |
|
|
Tinder |
€12,500 |
|
|
|
€4,241 |
|
|
YouTube |
€8,835.09 |
|
Agency |
Platform |
Cost in 2021 |
|
Courts Service |
Sprout Social |
€3,811.23 |
|
Insolvency Service Ireland |
|
€49.89 |
|
Legal Services Regulatory Authority |
|
€245.94 |
|
Policing Authority |
|
€712 |
|
|
€603 |
|
|
Property Services Regulatory Authority |
Facebook and Instagram |
€14,625 |
1272. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the amount spent on consultancy services by her Department in 2021; the reason for each consultancy; and the name of the consultancy in tabular form. [1722/22]
View answerThe amount spent on consultancy services by my Department in 2021, the reason for each consultancy and the name of the consultancy is set out in tabular form below.
|
Company |
Cost |
Reason |
|
Accenture Limited |
€72,935.78 |
Business analysis services |
|
Arcline Limited |
€13,394.70 |
Records management services |
|
Bid And Tender Management Services |
€70,257.60 |
Procurement review reports |
|
Bob Semple |
€6,088.50 |
Risk management consulting services |
|
Byrne Wallace |
€15,025.91 |
Protected Disclosures policy review |
|
Connect The Dots Events Limited |
€9,978.38 |
Strategic plan preparation |
|
CVG Procurement Services Limited |
€8,185.05 |
Procurement Consultant |
|
Deloitte Ireland LLP |
€845.01 |
Consultancy services |
|
Ellen O' Malley Dunlop |
€19,200 |
Domestic sexual gender based violence audit |
|
EY Business Advisory Services |
€18,150 |
Review of the Immigration Investor Programme |
|
Foroige |
€1,490 |
Consultation services, Family Justice Oversight Group |
|
Garadin Limited |
€9,218.75 |
Professional services |
|
Gauge NI CIC |
€24,628.45 |
Customer insights consultancy services |
|
Information Security Assurance Services Limited |
€40,355.39 |
IT consultancy services |
|
KOSI Corporation Limited |
€32,137.44 |
Business processes review |
|
Mary Higgins |
€19,200 |
Domestic sexual gender based violence audit consultation, research and report preparation |
|
Mazars |
€32,410.50 |
GDPR/Data Protection audit |
|
Michael Breen |
€4,500 |
Research consultancy |
|
Multi Health Systems INC |
€20,209.94 |
Risk assessments consultancy for Youth Diversion projects |
|
Software Pipeline Ireland Limited |
€23,616 |
IT consultancy services |
|
Total |
€441,827.40 |
|
1273. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on the situation of delays in the youth justice system; the steps she will take to eliminate undue waiting times for cases to be heard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1740/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the courts are independent in their functions under the Constitution and the law. The matter of scheduling court cases is administered by the Courts Service in consultation with the Judiciary. With the exception of more serious offences, criminal prosecutions involving children (under 18) are generally heard in the District Court, which operates as the Children Court, with procedures specified in the Children Act 2001. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.
Great efforts have been made to minimise disruption to courts due to COVID-19, with priority continuing to be given to urgent matters such as domestic violence applications. Throughout the pandemic, the Judiciary and the Courts Service have worked closely and innovated through the use of technology to maintain the highest level of court activity possible.
Addressing the waiting times built up in some areas during the pandemic, while at the same time meeting the goals set out in the Courts Service Modernisation Programme, will be a significant challenge for the courts. The Courts Service management, both nationally and locally, continue to work closely with the Judiciary to deal with the consequences of the pandemic and look to schedule extra sittings to deal with delays within the system. However, it is likely the pressure on the courts system will remain a feature for the short to medium term.
The Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027, which Minister McEntee and I published in April 2021, contains a range of actions that aim to improve the interaction between the justice system and those young people who come into contact with it. The Strategy contains a strategic objective (3.4) to prioritise processing of children and young adult cases to minimise delays, including with regard to the role of Garda Case managers.
This will include specific actions on how the Case Manager role and/or other mechanisms can be used to:
- reduce delays in bringing cases to Court;
- minimise the number of Court appearances for each child or young person;
- ensure effective practice so that young persons are fully informed and aware of what is involved in the Court process; and
- provide appropriate review mechanisms.
These actions will be taken forward as part of the implementation of the Strategy.
Dedicated cross-agency structures have been established to guide the implementation of the Strategy overall, as well as expert research support to assist in developing enhanced policies, programmes and practice. In addition, I chair a Youth Justice Advisory Group which includes a broad range of community and expert stakeholders which provides advice and expert insights to help us pursue the very wide range of objectives contained in the Strategy.
A range of other actions are being considered under the Strategy, such as the expansion of the Garda Youth Diversion Programme to young adults aged 18 - 24, designed to reduce the time a young person spends within the system and to improve the positive outcome for that young person. These actions will also have an impact on the number of cases brought before the courts, further helping to reduce the delays experienced at present.
1274. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a schedule of all client and-or customer facing and-or orientated services that her Department provides via a contracted service provider; the contractor that provides the service; and the cost of same for the past five years to date in 2022. [1804/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested is set out in the table below.
|
Contractor |
Service provided |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Eir |
Telephonist Service |
212,477.88 |
190,313.29 |
225,825.21 |
198,334.25 |
145,036.76 |
|
|
Eir |
Telephonist Service (Immigration Service Delivery) |
105,854 |
125,100 |
105,854 |
95,762 |
51,008 |
|
|
Manguard Ltd. |
Building Security |
|
|
156,797 |
193,852 |
267,301.69 |
|
|
Top Security Ltd. |
Building Security |
63,013 |
64,390 |
26,158 |
|
|
|
|
Noonan Services Group |
Building Security |
105,535 |
111,882 |
55,475 |
|
|
|
|
Safetynet Primarycare* |
Medical Panel |
|
|
|
|
|
2,200 |
|
Convention Centre Dublin |
Citizenship Ceremonies Venue hire, catering, security |
58,008.40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
National Concert Hall Dublin |
Citizenship Ceremony Venue hire, catering, security |
|
3,872.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
INEC Killarney |
Citizenship Ceremonies Venue hire, catering, security |
|
70113.66 |
73702.64 |
70,083.43 |
|
|
|
WIT Waterford |
Citizenship Ceremony Venue hire, catering, security |
|
|
5,540.19 |
|
|
|
|
Cellmark |
Family Reunification DNA Testing |
17,490 |
30,725 |
18,120 |
1,733 |
15,615 |
|
|
Arema |
Call Centre for Registration appointment service |
|
|
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
VF WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS LTD |
Visa Administration Services |
|
|
|
|
|
102,358 |
*The Medical Panel was established under Section 23 of the International Protection Act 2015. Section 23 allows the Minister of Justice, an International Protection Officer or a Member of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal to require to be examined and a report furnished in relation to the health of the applicant where a question arises regarding the physical or psychological health of the applicant.
1276. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the position regarding Ireland’s non-implementation of the Employers Sanctions Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1838/22]
View answerThe EU Employers Sanctions Directive aims to stop employers from recruiting illegal migrants by introducing sanctions for employers who do so. It also protects irregular workers by ensuring they get outstanding pay from their employers, by facilitating complaints and by emphasising the right not to be subjected to particularly exploitive working conditions.
Ireland has not opted into the EU Employers Sanctions Directive. Opting-in to any EU legislation requires detailed considerations of the implications of the measures for the State. However, these matters are continually kept under review.
As the Deputy is aware, I recently launched a once-in-a-generation scheme to regularise long-term undocumented migrants and their dependents living in the State, where specific criteria are met. Applications to the scheme will be accepted between 31 January and 31 July 2022 and successful applicants will be awarded a Stamp 4 residence permission which allows for full access to the labour market.
Many undocumented people are likely to already be in employment but the permission will open up greater opportunities for labour mobility, career choices and employment generally.
Queries on the enforcement of employment laws on employers or in respect of employees are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, or the Workplace Relations Commission.
1277. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application by a person (details supplied). [1871/22]
View answerThe immigration case of the person referred to by the Deputy is impacted by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) judgment in the Chenchooliah case.
My Department has, this week, issued the person concerned with a short-term permission on Stamp 1 conditions, which allows them to work without the need for an employment permit. Their longer-term position in the State is expected to be decided on within the period of the short-term permission granted. If this is not possible, the permission will be extended for a further period, on similar conditions, subject to compliance with the original conditions of the short-term permission.
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.
