Written Answers Nos. 467-484
467. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports that are available for mature students that wish to study part-time on a course that is not covered by Springboard+; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2916/22]
View answerUnder the scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved full-time course at an approved institution. Part-time courses are not eligible for support under the scheme.
However, part-time students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. 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. I have approved the allocation of an additional €8.1m from the Return to Education 2021 funding to top up the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The SAF assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Institutions have the autonomy to maximise the flexibility in the Student Assistance Fund to enable HEIs to support students during the COVID-19 situation. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
Also, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education, including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from the student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
In the context of a person re-educating, Springboard+ is a specific initiative that strategically targets funding of free part-time higher education courses to enable unemployed people, returners (formerly referred to as homemakers) and those in employment to upskill or reskill in areas where there are identified labour market skills shortages or employment opportunities. The courses, which are at Level 6 (Higher Certificate) to Level 9 (Master's Degree) on the National Framework of Qualifications, are being delivered in public and private higher education providers around the country. Further information may be obtained from the website springboardcourses.ie/.
A very important commitment in the Programme for Government was the review of the Student Grant Scheme, this review will help shape decision-making on how we support students over the years to come. Following a procurement process, the review has been undertaken by Indecon Economic Consultants, under the guidance of a steering group which has included student and sectoral representatives.
There was significant public interest in the Review, with around 280 submissions. A very welcome feature of the process was engagement with students, and I understand that over 9,000 survey responses were received from students across the country. This strong element of public engagement, in addition to the economic work undertaken by the consultants, should provide a solid evidence basis for the recommendations of the review.
The draft report was submitted to me in late December 2021. Given the inter-connectivity between strategic student support issues and other reform priorities (e.g. the expansion of supports to part-time and blended learners as an enabler of lifelong learning or enhanced postgraduate supports as an enabler to equality, diversity and inclusion in the R&I system) it is now my intention to bring the report to Cabinet shortly alongside the Future Funding Model report.
468. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to date to develop and or introduce a gender-focused sexual education awareness campaign in the higher education sector. [2960/22]
View answerTackling sexual violence and harassment in our tertiary education system is and will remain, a key policy focus for me and my Department. Since I have been appointed, we have made some important changes. In August 2020, I wrote to all publicly funded HEIs outlining my commitment to tackling sexual violence and harassment in higher education and requesting a number of actions in this area, including the development of institutional action plans on tackling sexual violence and harassment. In this regard, I have been advised that all publicly-funded HEIs now have such action plans in place. I have also expanded the remit of the HEA’s Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality to cover all areas of equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as oversight of the implementation of the Framework for Consent in HEIs.
As part of monitoring requirements, the HEA requires that institutions, in respect of both staff and students, report progress on implementation of the Framework for Consent in HEIs on an annual basis. The annual HEI progress report on implementation of the Framework for Consent in HEIs addresses specific indicators related to the 15 Framework Outcomes. In addition to this, the HEI Annual Governance Statements submitted to the HEA require a statement confirming that an institution has an action plan in place to support the achievement of the objectives of the Framework for Promoting Consent and Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education and that this action plan is being implemented.
The Framework aims to ensure the creation of an institutional campus culture which is safe, respectful and supportive. Institutions have a duty of care to their students and staff, and a responsibility to foster a campus culture that is clear in the condemnation of unwanted and unacceptable behaviours. The Framework outlined a number of aims for HEIs, students, staff and for the HEA and/or my Department. To assist institutions with implementation of the Framework, funding of over €400,000 has been allocated by my Department to a number of initiatives since its launch. These initiatives have mainly focused on training, education and awareness raising initiatives. The HEA has allocated further funding of over €500,000 towards consent workshops, the development of the anonymous report and support tool, and the UCC Bystander intervention programme.
Since the academic year 2020/2021, the HEA’s National Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion has worked with HEIs and the sectoral representative bodies to ensure the national, sectoral and local roll out of:
- Online consent training for all incoming students;
- Online bystander intervention training for all incoming students;
- An anonymous report and support tool for issues of bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment; and
- The national Unmute Consent awareness raising campaign
There are two key actions in the Framework for Consent that focus on sexual education awareness:
- HEIs will provide direct student-facing activities including workshop/classes that promote an understanding of consent; student understanding and skills for speaking up and calling out unacceptable behaviour; and
- Ongoing messaging to disseminate information consistent with the Framework aims for cultural change and awareness.
In progress updates submitted to the HEA in late 2021, all HEIs reported that these actions are either complete or in progress.
469. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department is currently undertaking a review of student mobility on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3468/22]
View answerI have been concerned at the pattern of student flows between Ireland and Northern Ireland, particularly in recent times. While the Memorandum of Understanding on Education Principles under the Common Travel Area has provided a framework to facilitate mobility, through the maintenance of current fee structures and access to student finance, I would like to see the trends in both directions increase.
However, while the statistics from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the UK Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) can provide the data associated with such patterns, I am of the view that a more detailed study is required to build evidence in terms of student choice of institution and programme of study, not just on a North-South basis, but also on an East-West basis. My officials are working with their counterparts in the Department of Education in London to see if this proposal can be progressed.
470. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his Department’s total capital and current expenditure budget for 2021 and 2022 for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence with a breakdown for each related allocation for both years in tabular form. [3501/22]
View answerSince 2019, around €1m has been allocated by DFHERIS and the HEA to support projects in this area.
Funding is provided to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) - Centre of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in 2021 and 2022, for oversight of work in this area, as part of the HEA grant allocation. My Department has also collaborated with the Department of Justice on a dormant accounts funded project for the NUIG Active Consent programme in 2022. The Department of Justice has secured €189,000 in dormant accounts funding for this project in 2022.
Details of the funding provided by my Department for 2021 and 2022 is set out in the table below.
|
2021 |
In 2021, DFHERIS allocated funding to National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) for the Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in third level education (ESHTE) project totalling €21,130.42 |
|
2022 |
In Budget 2022, €300,000 additional funding was secured to support sectoral sexual consent related initiatives. This will be allocated by the HEA. |
471. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of civilian and Garda Ministerial drivers in his current corps of drivers; the breakdown of the civilian versus Garda drivers; and the total costs including salaries, maintenance, fuel and so on incurred by the driver corps in 2020 and 2021. [3969/22]
View answerIn accordance with the terms of the Guidelines for Ministerial Appointments for the 33rd Dáil, as published by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform, I have two civilian drivers to assist me in carrying out my ministerial duties. The Minister of State in my Department also has two civilian drivers.
The drivers are in receipt of a salary in line with the relevant pay scale. In line with the Ethics Acts, a copy of the contracts of employment of the drivers have been laid before the Oireachtas and can be viewed by the Deputy. Neither the Minister of State nor I have the services of Garda ministerial drivers.
Maintenance and the cost of fuel associated with our use of our cars are met by us as the registered owners and we are entitled to claim travel expenses in accordance with travel and subsistence regulations as set by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform.
As we did not have Garda ministerial drivers in 2020 and 2021 no costs associated with such positions were incurred in these years.
472. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the status of a naturalisation application by a person (details supplied). [2882/22]
View answerThis application for naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy, 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.
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.
473. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if she will introduce legislation to ensure that the public is informed of disciplinary findings concerning members of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2894/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI) report made a number of recommendations to reform policing in the State. A Policing Service for our Future (APSFF), the Government's implementation plan for the recommendations of the CoFPI report, contained an action to undertake a review of discipline and the disciplinary process within An Garda Síochána.
I can confirm that this review under APSFF has been completed by An Garda Síochána and the drafting of the Regulations to change the current arrangements is at an early stage, with a view to their coming into effect after the enactment of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill. The issue raised by the Deputy will be considered in that context.
474. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice if Garda recruitment is taking place in January 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2926/22]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that it is intended to hold a recruitment competition early this year, with the details expected to be announced in February.
475. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice when it is expected that the ongoing statutory review of the Personal Insolvency Acts will be completed and the resulting amendment Bill be published; if this Bill will specifically provide for the type of personal insolvency arrangement solutions endorsed by a person (details supplied) that resolve long-term mortgage arrears cases for older persons and persons living on social welfare that do not qualify for the mortgage-to-rent scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2998/22]
View answerMy Department is currently finalising the review of the operation of Part 3 of the Personal Insolvency Acts 2012 to 2015, as required by section 141 of the Act.
Part 3 provides for the three new insolvency arrangements introduced in 2012, namely the Debt Relief Notice, Debt Settlement Arrangement and the Personal Insolvency Arrangement, and for the process of the appointment of personal insolvency practitioners.
Completion of the review was unfortunately delayed by other priority legislation, including the Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Act 2021. This Act made a number of urgent changes to facilitate insolvent persons, including those in financial difficulties arising from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, being able to avail effectively of the personal insolvency legislation, and to modernise and streamline a small number of key processes and procedures under that Act.
Completion of the review is now proceeding, and I expect to receive the report in early 2022.
I am committed to addressing recommendations for further changes to the legislation in a General Scheme of a further Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Bill.
476. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the amount of cash seized by An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2015 to 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3004/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for the identification, tracing, freezing, and ultimate confiscation of criminal assets does not rest with a single organisation in Ireland and is spread across a number of different agencies and statutory bodies, not all of which are the responsibility of my Department. These include An Garda Síochána, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Revenue Commissioners, the Chief State Solicitors Office, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Courts. It should be noted that in some cases, funds seized represent overdue/unpaid personal taxation. I understand that, in accordance with the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Acts 1996-2016, the Criminal Justice Act 1994 and SI No. 418/2011 - Finance (Transfer of DepartmentalAdministration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011, all confiscations relating to the proceeds of crime are transferred to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to be paid into, or disposed of, for the benefit of the Exchequer. It is from this central fund that the Government draws for expenditure on all necessary public services and investment, including for communities affected by crime.
However, last year I reached agreement with Minister McGrath to establish a Community Safety Innovation Fund to allow the money seized from criminal activity to be more directly utilised in communities affected by crime. The new Community Safety Innovation Fund (CSIF) will support the work of the Community Safety Partnerships and other policy initiatives of the Department of Justice in the areas of Community Safety and Youth Justice. The initial outlay of the fund will be €2 million in 2022 and is expected to increase in subsequent years.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that PULSE was examined to determine the recorded value of cash objects which were seized in any crime or non-crime incident and also associated with a ‘Search with a Warrant’ incident.
I am further advised that the table below sets out the recorded values of cash seized by An Garda Siochána in incidents associated with a Search with a Warrant between 2015 and 2021.
Recorded Values of Cash Seized in Incidents Associated with a Search with a Warrant
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
€524,195 |
€896,121 |
€1,866,059 |
€3,459,873 |
€3,368,100 |
€11,439,326 |
€5,162,789 |
* Information provided is taken from PULSE as of 18/01/2022.
For clarity, items that are recorded in PULSE in association with incidents are classified as ‘Objects’. These items include cash, drugs, firearms, electronics, clothing; anything which does not occupy a separate item class. Vehicles for example are not classified as ‘Objects’ and occupy a separate item class whereby specific descriptive fields are available in PULSE.
The cash values provided relate to bank notes and/or coin, rather than cash equivalents, and as this information is operational, it may be liable to change.
477. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the value of drugs seized by An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau in each of the years 2015 to 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3005/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the enforcement of legislation pertaining to illegal drugs, and Garda operations concerning same. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I can inform the Deputy that the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) is having significant success in disrupting drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs by organised crime groups. The Bureau’s work is supported by Divisional Drugs Units nationwide, and by all Gardaí working in local communities. GNDOCB also works closely and productively with international law enforcement partners. Gardaí continue to work closely with local authorities, HSE, NGOs, community groups and other state agencies to tackle the problems of drug addiction and abuse.
The Criminal Assets Bureau, under its statutory remit, does not engage in searches pursuant to the Misuse of Drugs Acts. However, during the course of CAB’s investigations, the Bureau may from time to time seize drugs it discovers and these seizures are lodged and logged with An Garda Síochána and are captured in An Garda Síochána’s statistics for the relevant year. I am informed that the Criminal Assets Bureau currently has no drugs stored on its premises.
The data requested by the Deputy is published in the Annual Reports of An Garda Síochána, which are available online at An Garda Síochána's website at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/Information-Centre/Annual-Reports/ .
To be of assistance, the following table, based on information published in An Garda Síochána’s Annual Reports (2015-2020), detail the value of drugs seized for each year from 2015 to 2020.
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
|
Total (€’s) |
46,704,247 |
29,706,281 |
71,859,695 |
30,696,694 |
30,572,365 |
31,406,368 |
I am advised by the Garda authorities that data for 2021 is not yet available.
478. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the value of goods seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau and An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2015 to 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3006/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the identification, tracing, freezing, and ultimate confiscation of criminal assets does not rest with a single organisation in Ireland and is spread across a number of different agencies and statutory bodies, not all of which are the responsibility of my Department. These include An Garda Síochána, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Revenue Commissioners, the Chief State Solicitors Office, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Courts. It should be noted that in some cases, funds seized represent overdue or unpaid personal taxation.
I understand that, in accordance with the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Acts 1996-2016, the Criminal Justice Act 1994 and SI No. 418/2011 - Finance (Transfer of DepartmentalAdministration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011, all confiscations relating to the proceeds of crime are transferred to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to be paid into, or disposed of, for the benefit of the Exchequer. It is from this central fund that the Government draws for expenditure on all necessary public services and investment including for communities affected by crime.
However, last year I reached agreement with Minister McGrath to establish a Community Safety Innovation Fund to allow the money seized from criminal activity to be more directly utilised in communities affected by crime. The new Community Safety Innovation Fund (CSIF) will support the work of the Community Safety Partnerships and other policy initiatives of the Department of Justice in the areas of Community Safety and Youth Justice. The initial outlay of the fund will be €2 million in 2022 and is expected to increase in subsequent years.
The table below, provided to me by CAB, indicates the total value of seizures as requested by the Deputy in each of the years 2015 to 2020. As outlined above, there are a number of pieces of legislation that CAB can utilise to seize assets and the values are broken down by currency. CAB have advised that the figures for 2021 are not available at present and will be published in their annual report once finalised.
|
Year |
Section 2 Interim Orders |
Total sent to Exchequer from Section 4(1) & 4A |
|
2015 |
€941,078.59 |
€1,642,962.29 |
|
2016 |
€643,063.07 |
€1,412,920.41 |
|
2017 |
€7,020,539.20 |
€1,698,721.08 |
|
2018 |
€8,263,582.30 |
€2,271,799.92 |
|
2019 |
€64,985,550.30 |
€1,559,726.31 |
|
2020 |
€5,814,206.00 |
€1,838,507.25 |
The Deputy may wish to note that €53 million of the large increase in valuations in 2019 was in virtual currencies.
In addition, all 2019 figures are calculated at the time of seizure of asset. These figures are subject to change depending on the realisation value at the time of disposal and may be higher or lower than that indicated on Section 2 Order.
The table below outlines the taxes collected and social welfare recoveries for the years 2015 – 2020.
|
Tax Collections |
Social Welfare Recoveries |
||
|
Year |
Amount |
Year |
Amount |
|
2015 |
€2,038,000.00 |
2015 |
€185,354.32 |
|
2016 |
€2,106,000.00 |
2016 |
€297,430.12 |
|
2017 |
€2,374,000.00 |
2017 |
€319,720.31 |
|
2018 |
€3,097,000.00 |
2018 |
€302,673.36 |
|
2019 |
€2,206,000.00 |
2019 |
€324,055.73 |
|
2020 |
€2,138,000.00 |
2020 |
€317,236.57 |
479. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice when a person (details supplied) will receive their certificate of naturalisation and citizenship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3045/22]
View answerThis application for naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy, 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.
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.
480. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied). [3077/22]
View answerThe application for the person 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. If any further documentation is required, it will be requested from the person in due course.
While this application is at an advanced stage of processing, there are still some checks to be finalised, along with a recommendation to be made to me as Minister prior to a final decision being made.
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.
481. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the number of applicants waiting for a decision on naturalisation; the number of applications that have waited 12 months plus for a decision; the number of applications that have waited 24 months plus for a decision; and the average wait on a decision. [3078/22]
View answerI am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department has continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and during all levels of public health restrictions.
However, 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.
Currently, there are just over 20,526 applications on hand, of which 8,650 applications are between 12 and 24 months in the system and a further 5,231 applications are more than 24 months. The average processing time currently is 23 months.
My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of citizenship applications. Last year, 11,512 citizenship decisions were delivered, significantly exceeding the levels achieved in the last two years.
In addition, since the beginning of this year, new applicants no longer have to submit their original passport with their application. Instead, they can provide a full colour copy of their entire passport, including the front and back covers. This is also freeing up valuable staff that up to now have been engaged in returning passports to applicants and will also help to reduce processing times.
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 to between 6-9 months for a majority of applications during 2022.
482. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice if she plans to further amend legislation relating to the sale of alcohol in order that small supermarkets will be allowed in future to sell bottles and cans of beer without the need for a bar licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3107/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to ‘modernising our licensing laws and application processes’ and my Justice Plan 2021 commits to reviewing and modernising alcohol licensing.
As the Deputy may be aware, it is intended to bring forward legislation that will contain proposals to update the law relating to the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol in licensed premises and registered clubs, by replacing both the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2018 and the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2008 with streamlined provisions more suited to modern conditions. Codifying alcohol licensing law into a single Act will make it more accessible and user-friendly for the licensed trade, courts, Gardaí and the public. The creation of new categories of intoxicating liquor licences is foreseen in order to meet the needs of new areas of activity in the hospitality sector.
Any changes in alcohol licensing laws must be balanced with the need for regulation in the public interest, in particular public health and public order. Reforms will be developed with a supportive approach to businesses, and the interests of public health, consumers and communities will be central to implementation.
The position is that the sale of alcohol by retail outlets is subject to the premises having an appropriate licence issued by the Revenue Commissioners. There are important statutory provisions that govern the licensing of premises for the sale and supply of intoxicating liquor, and regulate such sale and supply. There is no plan to remove such requirements as all premises who wish to sell and supply intoxicating liquor must hold the appropriate licence.
483. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to reports that scammers in response to the launch of the Garda National Immigration Bureau new phone number are contacting applicants who previously sought their help with fake appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3117/22]
View answer484. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to reports of difficulties contacting the new 1800 phone number of the Garda National Immigration Bureau; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3118/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 483 and 484 together.
When a non-EEA national enters the State and intends to stay for more than 90 days, they must register their immigration permission. First time registrations outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network and securing of those appointments with GNIB are a matter for An Garda Síochána.
The Registration Office of my Department registers permissions for those residing in the Dublin area.
Since the onset of the pandemic, immigration permissions have been extended nine times, which means that people who held a valid permission to be in the State in March 2020 are legally permitted to remain until 31 May 2022.
As a result of the unavoidable delays created from closures and the reduced capacity of the Registration Office during Covid-19 restrictions , a high number of customers are now coming forward to seek an appointment. When the office is open, 50% of normal capacity or 200 first time registration appointments are permitted every day. This is the maximum allowed under current public health guidelines, which are strictly adhered to for the safety of all staff and customers alike.
As part of my Department’s ongoing work to meet the current unprecedented demand for first-time registration appointments, on 10 January 2022, a Freephone service (0800 741 741) was introduced for customers. It is currently operating 12 hours a day from Monday to Friday (8am to 8pm) and 8 hours a day on Saturday and Sunday (9am to 5pm).
Due to significant customer demand and the initial high volume of calls, some customers have unfortunately experienced delays or difficulties in connecting to the phone service. This situation has improved on a daily basis and, by the end of last week, the average customer waiting time was 8 minutes. Currently, there are between 15 and 20 customer service representatives taking calls and making appointments.
All appointments for customers to register their immigration permission are now issued through this service, with operators offering one appointment per call, unless it is for an identifiable family group. As of today, 25 January, some 6,269 customer appointments have been allocated and registration will take place as soon as possible.
This service, which is being paid for by my Department and was initiated as a pilot, is designed to improve customers' access to the available appointments. Due to measures taken by the service since it was initiated, it is also working to minimise to the greatest extent possible the practice by some parties of block booking appointments for sale, which has caused extensive problems for both the Department's customers and for my Department itself.
My Department strongly advises against the practice of providing sensitive and personal data to unregulated and unknown third parties.
The Registration Office’s customer service team is available to support customers who may have language difficulties or may need assistance with translation. A number of multi-lingual videos describing the registration process and what to expect are available on our website www.irishimmigration.ie.
A new Immigration Service appointment and scheduling system, which will streamline and further improve the registration process, is currently being developed and is expected to be available to customers shortly.
Dublin based customers seeking to renew their permission can continue to do so online at inisonline.jahs.ie/user/login.
