Written Answers Nos. 302-321
302. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science The number of students in further and higher education that have dropped out during the academic year 2021-2022, by institution and year group, that is, first year, second year, third year and fourth year [4208/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not available.
The key source of statistics on students in higher education is the HEA's student records system (SRS) which records enrolments as at March of every academic year, giving a single point of reference. Therefore data is not available on a national level on students who leave their programme during the course of the academic year. However representatives from the sector have stated that there was no significant difference in the number of deferrals or withdrawals during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison to previous years.
The HEA publishes reports on progression, which track the proportion of students registered in first year who progress to second year. The latest report, which tracks progression from the 2016/17 academic year to the 2017/18 academic year, reports an overall progression rate of 87%. Analysis of the data, including a breakdown by institution, can be found on the HEA's website at the following link: https://hea.ie/statistics/data-for-download-and-visualisations/progression-completion-data/progression1/
The HEA also publishes data on completion rates - i.e. the proportion of students who start a course in a given year and graduate within the institution they began in. The latest data published relates to students who entered higher education in 2010 and had graduated by the end of the 2017/18 academic year. A range of analyses, including analysis by institution, can be found on the HEA website: hea.ie/statistics/data-for-download-and-visualisations/progression-completion-data/completion-analysis-200809-200910-201011-entrants/.
Further Education and Training or FET, offers a wide variety of life-long education options including apprenticeships, traineeships, Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, community and adult education as well as core literacy and numeracy services. FET courses and programmes are provided through the Education and Training Board network as well as through other local providers including online through SOLAS’ eCollege. Courses may start at several different times during the year and may last 4 weeks to 9 months, ranging across the National Framework of Qualifications, and can be accessible during daytime or in the evenings.
The most recent report SOLAS published, using the Programme and Learner Support System (PLSS) database and the Educational Longitudinal Database (ELD) was to examine early leaver learner outcomes for those learners who were enrolled and exited their courses in 2017. This report is available at www.solas.ie/f/70398/x/72dc9680d4/early-leaver-outcomes-report.pdf.
303. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice if there are caps in place for commercial rent increases. [4168/22]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that there are currently no caps in place for commercial rent increases.
However, it is important to note that for leases entered into on or after 28 February 2010, for the purposes of carrying on a business, Section 132 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 prohibited upward only rent reviews and further detailed the applicable rules in this area.
In December 2011, the then Government took the difficult decision not to proceed with the commitment in the Programme for Government to abolish upward only rent reviews in so called "legacy leases", i.e., those entered into before 28 February 2010. In relation to these so-called "legacy leases", there was a substantial concern that any legislative scheme involving interference in the contractual relationships of private parties would be unlikely to withstand a Constitutional challenge.
In addition, the Government was advised that any model proposed would require the payment of compensation to landlords whose rights were infringed in order to ensure that the proposal would be compatible with the Constitution and with the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that, in accordance with section 87 of the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011, the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) maintains a Commercial Leases Database.
The purpose of the database is to provide transparency in the commercial rental market. It provides a valuable source of information for those about to enter into commercial leases or engage in rent reviews. The database (Commercial Leases Register) is available on the PSRA's website at:
https://www.propertypriceregister.ie/website/npsra/pprweb-com.nsf/page/ppr-home-en.
304. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice the budget allocated to the Legal Aid Board in each of the years 2016 to 2021; the number of legal aid certificates granted by the Legal Aid Board; the number of complaints received by the Legal Aid Board in respect of solicitors operating under legal aid certificates; the number of requests to change solicitor granted by the service in each of the years 2016 to 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4015/22]
View answerThe Legal Aid Board (“the Board”) is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means in the State, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 (the “Act”) and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2021. Section 3(3) of the Act provides that the Board shall, subject to the provisions of the Act, be independent in the exercise of its functions. However, to be of assistance to the Deputy I have had enquiries made with the Legal Aid Board on foot of which the following information is provided.
Civil legal aid and advice is provided primarily through a network of law centres by solicitors employed by the Board. There are 34 full-time and 3 part-time law centres. Specific law centres in Dublin, Cork and Galway include an international protection speciality and there are also dedicated units in Dublin dealing with personal injury and/or medical negligence cases and cases involving children at risk. Family mediation services are provided through 10 full-time offices and 10 part-time offices.
The Board also engages private solicitors to supplement the services provided by Board solicitors in certain areas of law on a case-by-case basis, those areas of law being; District Court family law matters, Circuit Court judicial separation and divorce cases, international protection cases, and cases on foot of the Abhaile scheme.
Table A below shows the number of legal aid certificates issued for the years requested by the Deputy.
Table A
|
Year |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
No. Legal Aid Certificates Issued |
9,583 |
11,695 |
13,418 |
14,729 |
11,773 |
11,933 |
Under its Customer Care Charter, the Legal Aid Board provides a range of remedies for persons who are in receipt of its services and who are in some way dissatisfied with the service being provided. A person may, for example, submit a change of solicitor request, or may submit a complaint, or both. Table B below provides detail regarding the number of matters raised in respect of solicitors employed directly by the Board providing services through its network of law centres during the years sought by the Deputy.
Table B
|
Complaints against Law Centre Solicitors |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Complaint |
86 |
112 |
74 |
66 |
76 |
72 |
|
Change of solicitor request |
27 |
19 |
19 |
2 |
29 |
16 |
|
Complaint and change of solicitor request |
0 |
13 |
27 |
56 |
2 |
21 |
|
Total |
113 |
144 |
120 |
124 |
107 |
109 |
Table C below provides information on matters raised in respect of members of the Board’s private solicitors panel who provided legal advice/and or aid during the years sought by the Deputy. It should be noted that some complaints may have been received in relation to cases that were referred to the private solicitors panels in years prior to the year the complaint was received.
Table C
|
Complaints against Members of the Private Solicitors Panels |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Complaint |
96 |
22 |
23 |
20 |
15 |
10 |
|
Change of solicitor request |
8 |
123 |
109 |
5 |
30 |
85 |
|
Complaint and change of solicitor request |
0 |
20 |
31 |
162 |
115 |
76 |
|
Total |
104 |
165 |
163 |
187 |
160 |
171 |
Finally, with regard to the budget allocated to the Legal Aid Board in the period sought, the position is as outlined in Table D below.
Table D
|
Year |
Total (rounded figure in millions) |
|
2016 |
€34.8m |
|
2017 |
€39m |
|
2018 |
€40.3m |
|
2019 |
€40.8m |
|
2020 |
€42.2m |
|
2021 |
€44.6m |
305. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice when a response will issue from the management of the Irish Prison Service to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4023/22]
View answerI can advise the Deputy the Irish Prison Service will respond to the individual concerned by the end of the week, to apologise for the failure to respond to his correspondence and to provide him with a response to the matters which he raised.
306. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if, in her work to tackle gender-based violence, she will consider allocating additional resources and budget allocations to investigate unsolved murders of women in Ireland from previous years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4024/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will agree, resources are fundamental to tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
Budget 2022 has provided an unprecedented allocation of in excess of €2 billion to An Garda Síochána, which includes funding for the recruitment of 800 additional Garda Trainees and 400 Garda staff. This significant investment demonstrates the Government's commitment to increasing the Garda workforce to enable the organisation to keep our communities safe and prevent crime in all its forms.
Separately, Minister O'Gorman has secured an increase of €41m for Tusla under Budget 2022. This includes the budget which will be allocated to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence frontline services.
Also under Budget 2022, some €13m was allocated to my Department to help tackle domestic, sexual and gender-based violence – this was a €5m increase on previous years, and reflects the fact that tackling these crimes and supporting victims is a priority for this Government.
Last November, I confirmed details of 18 organisations to receive funding primarily for regionally based domestic abuse services in an effort to increase these organisations' abilities to support victims, especially given the rise in those seeking help during the pandemic. A total of €445,000 was allocated.
The Deputy will appreciate that the manner in which all Garda investigations are conducted, including unsolved murders, and how resources are deployed are matters for the Garda Commissioner and his management team. As Minister, I have no role in this regard.
That said, I am informed that the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) continue to review serious cases that remain unsolved. The SCRT is concerned with the review of unresolved historical and current major crime incidents, with the primary aim of assisting in identifying new investigative opportunities in a case.
The SCRT is committed to establishing and identifying new lines of enquiry that might support the lawful cultivation of more evidence with a view, ultimately, to a prosecution. This will invariably involve an assessment of all investigative actions undertaken thus far.
307. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí assigned to each of the stations in Ballymun and Finglas, Dublin disaggregated further by overall number; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4028/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
Budget 2022 has provided an unprecedented allocation of in excess of €2 billion to An Garda Síochána, which includes funding for the recruitment of 800 additional Garda trainees and 400 Garda staff. This significant investment demonstrates the Government's commitment to increasing the Garda workforce to enable the organisation to keep our communities safe, and to preventing crime in all its forms.
The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, shows the number of Gardaí attached to the Ballymun Garda Station, DMR North Divison, and Finglas Garda Station, DMR West Division, from 2011 to 2021.
|
Ballymun |
Garda |
Sergeant |
Inspector |
Superintendent |
Chief Superintendent |
Total |
|
2021 |
113 |
13 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
133 |
|
2020 |
116 |
15 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
140 |
|
2019 |
116 |
16 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
139 |
|
2018 |
107 |
18 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
131 |
|
2017 |
93 |
13 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
113 |
|
2016 |
93 |
17 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
117 |
|
2015 |
97 |
19 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
124 |
|
2014 |
88 |
19 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
114 |
|
2013 |
94 |
18 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
118 |
|
2012 |
96 |
16 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
118 |
|
2011 |
91 |
18 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
113 |
|
Finglas |
Garda |
Seargeant |
Inspector |
Superintendent |
Chief Superintendent |
Total |
|
2021 |
89 |
7 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
98 |
|
2020 |
86 |
7 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
95 |
|
2019 |
94 |
9 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
104 |
|
2018 |
86 |
9 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
96 |
|
2017 |
90 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
99 |
|
2016 |
95 |
10 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
106 |
|
2015 |
92 |
12 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
106 |
|
2014 |
93 |
13 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
108 |
|
2013 |
95 |
11 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
108 |
|
2012 |
101 |
13 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
117 |
|
2011 |
103 |
14 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
120 |
308. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if her Department has commissioned any polling of the general public related to possible or existing policies within the remit of her Department for the period 1 January 2021 to date; if so, if she will provide details of the policies; the costs incurred for each individual poll; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4048/22]
View answerDetails of quantitative research carried out my Department in relation to policies within its remit, in the timeframe specified by the Deputy, are set out in tabular form below.
|
Topic |
Spend (exc. VAT) |
|
Attitudes towards/experiences of the taking of intimate images (to inform the development of a public education campaign relating to the enactment of Coco’s Law) |
€9,500 |
|
Criminal Justice Public Attitude Survey (baseline survey covering general attitudes) |
€61,775 |
309. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice when the findings from the public consultation on the review of prison rules which ended in September 2021 will be published; the timeline for the next steps in the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4089/22]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that work is continuing on the review of the Prison Rules 2007. The review is taking account of the updated European Prison Rules, which were published in 2020, and also considering changes within the Irish Prison Service, the prison system and also changes that have occurred within the wider criminal justice system over the past 15 years.
The public consultation phase of the review was completed in September 2021 and the submissions are currently being evaluated. It is intended to publish a summary of the submissions received under the public consultation phase once all submissions have been reviewed and considered.
The initial review phase will be completed by the end of Q1 2022 and this will include completing stakeholder engagement. The policy proposals needed to enable the relevant amendments to Prison Rules 2007 will be developed with a view to then drafting the Statutory Instrument needed to amend the Prison Rules.
310. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of reports that have been submitted to her office by the current Inspector of Prisons; and the number that have been published. [4090/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the Office of the Inspector of Prisons is a statutory body, independent in how it carries out its work, set up under the Prisons Act 2007. The Inspector's key role is to carry out regular inspections of prisons and the Inspector plays a vital role in ensuring effective independent oversight of our prison system.
The current Inspector of Prisons, Ms. Patricia Gilheaney, was appointed in May 2018.
Please see below a breakdown of the number and types of reports submitted to my office, and the numbers published to date from the years 2018 to 2022.
|
Type of Reports |
Submitted to the Minister |
Published Reports |
|
Death in Custody Reports |
49 |
43 |
|
Thematic Functional Reports* |
12 |
8 |
|
Annual Reports |
3 |
3 |
|
Strategic Plan |
1 |
1 |
|
Governance Documents |
3 |
3 |
|
Other Investigation Reports** |
1 |
1 |
|
Other reports *** |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
71 |
61 |
*These include 12 COVID- 19 Thematic Inspection reports and a three day monitoring report of Mountjoy Women’s Prison (Dóchas Centre).
**This is a Report by Inspector of Prisons into allegations of wrongdoing in the Irish Prison Service.
*** This is a report on a COVID 19 Staff Survey carried out by the office of the Inspector of Prisons between 30 April and 16 May 2021. The survey sought to gather prison staff experiences of working in prisons during the pandemic.
All such published reports are available on the website of the Office of the Inspector of Prisons.
Furthermore, the Inspector has indicated that she is currently finalising the investigation report carried out under Section 31(2) of the Prisons Act 2007 in relation to matters concerning the Dochas Centre and I expect to receive the final report shortly.
311. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the proposed timeline on the removal of Covid-19-related restrictions on the prison system. [4091/22]
View answerThe Irish Prison Service has continued to review and modify Covid-19 restrictions throughout the pandemic.
Restrictive measures have been modified in line with the various announcements made by Government and in line with advice from Public Health/HSE and the Irish Prison Service National Infection Control Team.
In 2021, the unwinding of restrictions was linked to the roll out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme in prisons. As a result of the successful roll out of the programme to all prisons, the Service was able to unwind a significant amount of measures in all locations with the exception of Cloverhill Prison which did not have a critical mass of prisoners vaccinated at the time.
In October 2021, following the latest advice from Government, the Prison Service commenced a significant unwinding of measures in line with similar action taken in the community.
This included:
- the recommencement of physical visits in all locations (except Cloverhill Prison),
- the removal on the restriction preventing the mixing of prisoners from different areas within the prison,
- the return of constructive activities to full capacity,
- the recommencement of prisoner temporary release programmes, and
- the resumption of religious services.
The resumption of these services was contingent on the continuation of a number of infection control measures to ensure the health and safety of both staff/service providers and prisoners.
A number of other restrictions were retained at that time including the continued suspension of non-essential prison visits, the continued suspension of group gatherings including award ceremonies and presentations, the continued need to maintain social distancing and the wearing of face coverings in line with both public health guidance and Government restrictions in place in the community.
The Irish Prison Service introduced a Covid-19 Contingency Plan which is implemented during an outbreak of the virus within a prison. Under this Plan restrictions are introduced to prevent the spread of Covid within the prison and these include the suspension of physical visits, the closure of staff gyms and the introduction of a restricted regime for prisoners in the infected area while mass testing is underway.
The Irish Prison Service has been managing a number of Covid-19 outbreaks in prisons since November 2021 which have resulted in a significant number of prisoners testing positive for the virus.
The Service intends to conduct a further review of remaining restrictions once all outbreaks have been successfully concluded and the unwinding of these measures will be determined by the level of risk posed to prisons at that time.
312. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of prison officers by prison in the State; and the number of those which have CPR training, in tabular form. [4093/22]
View answerIt has not been possible to obtain the information requested by the Deputy in the time permitted. Relevant information has been sought and I will send it to the Deputy directly when it has been compiled.
|
Prison |
Prison Nurses |
Others |
|
Arbour Hill |
7 |
2 |
|
Castlerea |
11 |
2 |
|
Cork |
4 |
5 |
|
Cloverhill |
7 |
6 |
|
Limerick |
6 |
7 |
|
Midlands |
12 |
10 |
|
Mountjoy (Male+Female) |
10 |
5 |
|
Portlaoise |
7 |
5 |
|
Wheatfield |
12 |
6 |
|
PSEC |
10 |
|
|
Loughan House |
1 |
10 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
2 |
19 |
|
Totals |
79 |
87 |
313. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the drug rehabilitation services currently offered in each prison. [4094/22]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service have a range of programmes, support services and through-care options for prisoners who wish to address their substance misuse. While drug treatment services are provided in all closed prisons, the same type of programmes are not offered in open prisons as a condition of transfer to an open prison is that the prisoner is drug free.
The Prison Service advise me that It is considered that approximately 70% of prisoners who are committed to custody have addiction issues. It is the policy of the Irish Prison Service that, where a person committed to prison gives a history of opiate use and tests positive for opioids, they are offered a medically assisted, symptomatic detoxification, if clinically indicated.
Patients can, as part of the assessment process, discuss other treatment options with healthcare staff; those treatment options may include stabilisation on methadone maintenance for persons who wish to continue on maintenance while in prison, and when they return to the community on release.
I am further informed that the Irish Prison Service engages Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) to provide a prison-based addiction counselling service. This service includes structured assessments and evidence-based counselling interventions, with clearly-defined treatment plans and goals.
The Merchant Quay Ireland service provides a range of counselling and intervention skills related to substance misuse and dependency. These skills include, motivational interviewing, motivational enhancement therapy, twelve step facilitation programme, cognitive behavioural therapy and harm reduction approaches. Prisoners are offered one to one counselling and group work interventions. Merchants Quay Ireland counsellors work to address presenting issues and to explore the underlying reasons for drug use and how this impacts on the prisoner and wider community.
314. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice if she has considered expanding the terms of the Afghan Family Reunification Programme announced in 2021 to include family members of resettled Afghan refugees who are in danger in Afghanistan at present; if she has considered an application (details supplied) for family reunification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4108/22]
View answerIn response to the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, I opened the special Afghan Admission Programme for applications on 16 December 2021. Applications will be accepted until 24 February 2022, with up to 500 places available for eligible Afghan family members.
The Programme enables current or former Afghan nationals living legally in Ireland to apply to have certain close family members come to live with them in Ireland. There is no prohibition on a resettled refugee making an application under the Programme, as long as they can meet the requirement of providing accommodation and supports for their family member(s).
As the Deputy will appreciate, no immigration programme can be unlimited in scope, therefore, in line with policy considerations, certain conditions apply. The Programme has been developed to allow as many families as possible the opportunity to have some family members join them here in Ireland. Allowing applicants to nominate larger numbers of family members for admission, would mean that some families would miss out.
At this time, the Government decision is to allow up to 500 places under the Programme. There are no plans for approvals beyond this at this stage. However, developments at EU level may play a role at a later stage.
Furthermore, it is important to note that all current immigration avenues remain open for new applications, including visa and family reunification applications. The Afghan Admission Programme is additional to the current suite of immigration schemes and should not be viewed in isolation. Many people are already availing of these other avenues, and will continue to do so.
While the situation in Afghanistan is dire for everyone, we are all acutely aware that some groups face an even greater risk to their freedoms and safety, most especially women, girls and minorities. This has been well documented by multilateral organisations like the UN and civil society organisations that have been working in Afghanistan for many years.
For this reason, my Department is prioritising these and other groups for admission. Within families, there will be some members that fall into these higher risk categories and others that do not but we will not be breaking up families when considering applications.
My Department has received family reunification applications from the person referred to by the Deputy. These applications have been refused as they do not meet the criteria under Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015.
315. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice if there is a dedicated Houses of the Oireachtas email address for the Irish Prison Service. [4143/22]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that Oireachtas members may raise issues directly with the Irish Prison Service using the following email address - ipsrequests@irishprisons.ie.
316. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when the residency position of a person (details supplied) is likely to receive sympathetic treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4206/22]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 1 February 2019. However, they made a request on 23 October 2020, under section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to have that Order revoked and this will be considered as soon as possible.
All applications are examined on a case by case basis, on the documentation supplied and as provided for under Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). The decision will be that the existing Deportation Order will be either ‘affirmed’ or ‘revoked’.
As a person subject to a Deportation Order, they are legally obliged to comply with any reporting obligations placed on them by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) during this 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 (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.
317. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the amount of cash seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau in each of the years 2015 to 2021. [4220/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996. The Bureau’s remit is to target a person's assets, wherever situated, which derive, or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. Since its inception, the Bureau has been at the forefront of fighting organised crime in this jurisdiction and disrupting the activities of criminal gangs by depriving them of ill-gotten assets.
The Bureau is widely regarded as a best practice model in the context of combating organised crime. It works closely with law enforcement bodies at national and international levels and continues to relentlessly pursue the illicit proceeds of organised crime activity. The actions of the Bureau send a strong message to criminals and to local communities that profiting from crime will not be tolerated.
The table below sets out the physical cash seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau for the years 2015 up to and including 2021. I am advised that these figures are subject to review and may be revised slightly following updates that may not yet be captured.
|
Year |
EURO |
STERLING |
OTHER FOREIGN CURRENCY DENOMINATIONS (Polish Zloty, Chinese Yuan, American Dollar, and other) |
|
2015 |
€315,410 |
||
|
2016 |
€571,970 |
£12,145 |
|
|
2017 |
€811,356 |
£31,135 |
|
|
2018 |
€373,775 |
£1,600 |
|
|
2019 |
€1,090,925 |
£24,200 |
|
|
2020 |
€1,353,501 |
£5,690 |
|
|
2021 |
€388,594 |
€2,500 (Approx Euro Value) |
318. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if catering staff and chefs in hospitals and nursing homes will be included in the special Covid-19 recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4005/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
In recognition of the efforts of the general public, volunteers and all workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Wednesday 19 January last, the Government announced a once-off public holiday will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.
The Government also announced COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 will not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The measure will be ring fenced to staff ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments within the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021.
Those public sector frontline healthcare workers eligible for the payment will be directly employed public health sector staff working in clinical settings. A pro-rata arrangement will apply for eligible part time staff / equivalents and supernumerary students who were required to perform training in clinical sites.
The Department of Health will also introduce a measure for making a similar payment to staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices that were affected by Covid-19.
I would like to assure the Deputy that work is underway to ensure fairness in the application of this measure as the Government intended. The Department and the HSE are currently engaging in finalising arrangements to give effect to the Government announcement concerning the Recognition Payment. Full particulars, eligibility and terms and conditions that apply to this payment shall be made available shortly. It is important that this measure is applied fairly as intended and I welcome the work that is ongoing to ensure this is so.
There are many, many individuals in our country who did so much during the pandemic. I and the Government is sincerely grateful for this commitment but it is appropriate that these public sector frontline healthcare workers get particular recognition. They exposed themselves to particular COVID-19 risks that did not exist in other work environments or those working from home. I am also deeply appreciative of all those frontline workers who worked in our nursing homes and hospices during this pandemic and that they also get similar recognition.
Outside of the above recognition, the Government also notes that some private healthcare companies have recognised the work of their employees during the pandemic. I would encourage private healthcare companies that have not already done so to consider appropriate measures to recognise their own frontline workers for their work during this most trying period.
319. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason that general practice nurses have been excluded from the €1,000 payment announced recently; if his attention has been drawn to the significant role they have played (details supplied); if he will include such nurses in the recognition payment that many of their nursing colleagues will rightfully receive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4076/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
In recognition of the efforts of the general public, volunteers and all workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Wednesday 19 January last, the Government announced a once-off public holiday will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.
The Government also announced COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 will not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The measure will be ring fenced to staff ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments within the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021.
Those public sector frontline healthcare workers eligible for the payment will be directly employed public health sector staff working in clinical settings. A pro-rata arrangement will apply for eligible part time staff / equivalents and supernumerary students who were required to perform training in clinical sites.
The Department of Health will also introduce a measure for making a similar payment to staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices that were affected by Covid-19.
I would like to assure the Deputy that work is underway to ensure fairness in the application of this measure as the Government intended. The Department and the HSE are currently engaging in finalising arrangements to give effect to the Government announcement concerning the Recognition Payment. Full particulars, eligibility and terms and conditions that apply to this payment shall be made available shortly. It is important that this measure is applied fairly as intended and I welcome the work that is ongoing to ensure this is so.
There are many, many individuals in our country who did so much during the pandemic. I and the Government is sincerely grateful for this commitment but it is appropriate that these public sector frontline healthcare workers get particular recognition. They exposed themselves to particular COVID-19 risks that did not exist in other work environments or those working from home. I am also deeply appreciative of all those frontline workers who worked in our nursing homes and hospices during this pandemic and that they also get similar recognition.
Outside of the above recognition, the Government also notes that some private healthcare companies have recognised the work of their employees during the pandemic. I would encourage private healthcare companies that have not already done so to consider appropriate measures to recognise their own frontline workers for their work during this most trying period.
320. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lack of available occupational therapists across the country and in particular in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will provide further information on accessing support to enable persons to access these services. [4087/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
321. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health his views on whether public health nurses are carrying out vital work during the pandemic and are public facing; if he made a case to Government for their inclusion in the Covid pandemic bonus payment; if so, the case he made; if not, the reason; and if he plans to pursue the issue via the Government appointed panel. [4106/22]
View answerFirstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.In recognition of the efforts of the general public, volunteers and all workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and in remembrance of people who lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Wednesday 19 January last, the Government announced a once-off public holiday will take place on Friday 18 March 2022.The Government also announced COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The payment of €1,000 will not be subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The measure will be ring fenced to staff ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments within the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021. Those public sector frontline healthcare workers eligible for the payment will be directly employed public health sector staff working in clinical settings. A pro-rata arrangement will apply for eligible part time staff / equivalents and supernumerary students who were required to perform training in clinical sites.The Department of Health will also introduce a measure for making a similar payment to staff in private sector nursing homes and hospices that were affected by Covid-19.
I would like to assure the Deputy that work is underway to ensure fairness in the application of this measure as the Government intended. The Department and the HSE are currently engaging in finalising arrangements to give effect to the Government announcement concerning the Recognition Payment. Full particulars, eligibility and terms and conditions that apply to this payment shall be made available shortly. It is important that this measure is applied fairly as intended and I welcome the work that is ongoing to ensure this is so.There are many, many individuals in our country who did so much during the pandemic. I and the Government is sincerely grateful for this commitment but it is appropriate that these public sector frontline healthcare workers get particular recognition. They exposed themselves to particular COVID-19 risks that did not exist in other work environments or those working from home. I am also deeply appreciative of all those frontline workers who worked in our nursing homes and hospices during this pandemic and that they also get similar recognition.
