Written Answers Nos. 560-576
560. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a list all peace commissioners appointed from 1 July 2020 to date; the area in which they were appointed; the age of each appointee at the time of their appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7496/22]
View answerAccording to my Department’s records, 209 Peace Commissioners were appointed in the period since 1 July 2020 (41 from 1 July 2020 to year end, 167 in 2021 and 1 to date to 10 February this year).
A list of the appointees, by county and Garda sub-district, is provided separately.
The Roll of Peace Commissioners maintained by the Department does not record age on appointment which could, in any event, be regarded as personal information.
561. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the reasons all Irish and UK citizens arriving at Dublin Airport from the UK are routinely subjected to passport checks by customs and immigration officials in spite of the existence of a common travel area between Ireland and the United Kingdom; the legal basis for these checks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7499/22]
View answerUnder Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004, any person entering the State at Dublin Airport or at any other port of entry to the State, must be in possession of a valid passport or other equivalent document, issued by or on behalf of an authority recognised by the Government, which establishes his or her identity and nationality to the satisfaction of an immigration officer.
This requirement also applies to any non-Irish or non-UK national coming from the United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) i.e. the Common Travel Area (CTA). There is no requirement for Irish or UK citizens to produce passports when travelling within the CTA. However, airline carriers may require their passengers to have a passport in their possession before allowing them to board the aircraft. This is not an immigration requirement.
There is no segregation of arriving passengers at Dublin Airport. Therefore, it is not possible to distinguish CTA passengers in advance of them presenting at immigration control desks. Immigration officers must establish where passengers have arrived from, and to do this, an immigration officer may ask passengers questions to establish their nationality and port of embarkation. Where a person, who is a citizen of the CTA, and who has travelled from within the CTA, is not in possession of a passport, an immigration officer is duty-bound to ask questions to establish that the person is entitled to benefit from the CTA immigration arrangements. The production of other forms of identification can be used to assist an immigration officer with these enquiries.
Once satisfied that a person is a citizen of the CTA and that they have travelled from the United Kingdom, the immigration officer will make no further requirement of that person.
Customs checks are a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.
562. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice if figures are available relating to concerns raised with An Garda Síochána in respect of sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological abuse, financial abuse, institutional abuse or neglect of residents living in nursing homes or disabilities centres which have been received since 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7551/22]
View answerIt has not been possible to obtain the information requested by the Deputy in the timeframe permitted. One this information is received I will write to the Deputy.
563. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 510 of 25 January 2022, if she will provide a full reply. [7560/22]
View answerIn Parliamentary Question No. 510 for answer on 25 January 2022, you requested information on my Department's total capital and current expenditure budget for 2021 and 2022 for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Unfortunately, at that time, I was not in a position to provide the information within the timeframe permitted but I am happy to be able to provide it to you now.
As I know you aware, tackling domestic violence in all its forms is a key priority for me and for this Government.
Under Budget 2022, I secured increased funding for combatting domestic abuse and sexual violence and increased funding for supporting victims of crime - a total of €13m has been allocated to further our work in these important areas.
This includes an additional €2.4m allocated for specific awareness raising and training programmes on DSGBV, bringing to €5.35m the funding available for combatting domestic sexual and gender based violence.
€4.9m has been allocated to supporting Victims of Crime. Many of the groups who are provided funding under the Victims of Crime Scheme have a primary remit to support victims of domestic and sexual violence. However, I would like to state that my Department provides funding to a number of other organisations that support victims of crime more generally and who, as part of their work, may also play a role in helping domestic and sexual violence victims recover from the trauma that they have been subjected to.
This is, of course, separate to the primary funding that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, under the aegis of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, provide for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and of course Tusla are, at this time, the primary funders of organisations that deliver frontline services.
As the allocation of the 2022 budget of €5.35m for combatting domestic sexual and gender based violence has not yet been finalised, I am not in a position to provide a breakdown of this time.
I can however provide the breakdown of the 2021 budget under our combatting domestic sexual and gender based violence budget heading:
|
Budget Heading |
Amount |
|
Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programmes |
€955,839 |
|
Grants to NGOs for educational, legal and research programmes |
€273,705 |
|
Awareness Campaign's run by the Department to tackle Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence |
€1,448,460 |
As noted above, funding is also provided by my Department to assist organisations that support victims of crime and some of these organisations have, as their primary remit, supporting victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence. To be of assistance to the Deputy, I have also provided information in the table below on the funding provided in 2021 to these organisations which was made available through our Victims of Crime subhead.
|
Organisation |
Amount |
|
|
Adapt Domestic Abuse Services (Limerick) |
€68,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Amal Women’s Association |
€40,800 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Amen |
€22,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Aoibhneas |
€25,482 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Ascend |
€18,477 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Bray Women's Refuge |
€14,400 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Carlow Women's Aid |
€26,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Clare Haven Services |
€15,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Cuan Saor Women's Refuge Ltd. |
€26,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Domestic Violence Advocacy Centre (Sligo)(formerally Waves) |
€15,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Domestic Violence Response Galway |
€12,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Donegal Women's Domestic Violence Service |
€19,200 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Drogheda Women's Refuge and Children's Refuge Cent |
€12,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Esker House Women's Refuge |
€12,800 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Greystones Family Resource Centre |
€4,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Kerry Womens Refuge and Support Services (Adapt) |
€74,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Kilkenny Women's Refuge Ltd (Amber) |
€12,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Laois Domestic Abuse Service |
€25,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Lifeline Inishowen |
€8,568 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Longford Women's Link |
€25,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Meath Women's Refuge |
€40,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Mna Feasa Domestic Violence Project |
€5,990 |
Domestic Violence |
|
OASIS HOUSE WOMEN'S Refuge |
€12,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service |
€15,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
OSS Cork |
€5,500 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Roscommon Safe Link |
€20,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
SAFE Ireland |
€47,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Saoirse Housing Association |
€24,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Teach Tearmainn Housing Association Company Ltd. |
€5,600 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Tearmann Housing Association |
€20,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
West Cork Womens Project |
€8,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Westmeath Support Service against Domestic Abuse |
€20,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Wexford Women's Refuge |
€15,514 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Women's Aid Dublin |
€180,158 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Women's Aid Dundalk |
€16,000 |
Domestic Violence |
|
You Are Not Alone (YANA) |
€3,200 |
Domestic Violence |
|
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre |
€280,833 |
Sexual Violence |
|
One in Four |
€182,698 |
Sexual Violence |
|
Rape Crisis Network |
€65,500 |
Sexual Violence |
|
Sexual Violence Centre Cork |
€26,000 |
Sexual Violence |
I hope that this information is of help to you and I would like to thank you for your patience while we compiled the figures.
564. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of return orders issued under section 51A of the International Protection Act 2015. as amended, in total and individually to the United Kingdom. [7565/22]
View answerI can confirm that no Return Orders have been issued in 2021 and no Return Orders have been issued to date in 2022, under the relevant Section of the International Protection Act 2015 (as amended).
The 2015 Act was amended by Part 18 of the Brexit Omnibus Act 2020, and the relevant provisions came into effect from 1 January 2021. The amendments do not apply to people whose applications were deemed inadmissible in 2020 or earlier.
The relevant amendments provide that a Return Order can be made for people whose applications for international protection are determined to be inadmissible. An application can be considered as inadmissible if the person arrived in the State from a safe third country (such as the UK), and if, among other matters, the person has a sufficient connection with the country concerned. The matters to be considered are set out in the amendment to section 21 of the 2015 Act, which is outlined in Part 18 of the Brexit Omnibus Act 2020.
An application may also be deemed inadmissible if, for example, the applicant has protection status in another EU Member State. A Return Order would also apply to these cases once determined as inadmissible.
A person to whom an inadmissible notification is sent may appeal the recommendation to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT). A final determination will issue if the appeal is subsequently unsuccessful, allowing for a Return Order to issue.
565. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of cessations of refugee status and subsidiary protection status pursuant to sections 9 and 11 of the International Protection Act 2015 in 2021; and the number of persons excluded from refugee protection and subsidiary protection pursuant to sections 10 and 12 of the International Protection Act 2015. [7566/22]
View answerThe International Protection Act 2015, recognises, in accordance with international and EU law, that international protection ends under certain clearly defined conditions. Sections 9 and 11 of the 2015 Act set out the respective cessation provisions for both refugee status and subsidiary protection status and the situations where an international protection status that has been granted comes to an end.
Sections 10 and 12 of the 2015 Act set out the criteria by which individuals may be excluded from international protection because there are serious reasons/grounds for considering that they have, inter alia, committed various types of serious crimes, or that they are already receiving assistance from the United Nations, or that they have access to national or other protection.
There were no cessations of refugee status and subsidiary protection status under sections 9 and 11 of the International Protection Act 2015 in 2021. There was one person excluded from refugee protection and subsidiary protection pursuant to sections 10 and 12 of the International Protection Act 2015 in 2021.
566. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of international protection applicants who have been issued a final negative decision from the Ministerial decisions unit as per section 47(5) of the International Protection Act 2015 in each of the years 2016 to 2021. [7567/22]
View answerThe table below sets out the statistics sought by the Deputy in each of the years requested.
|
Year Decision Made |
No. of People in Receipt of a Ministerial Decision to Refuse International Protection* |
|
2016 |
2,029 |
|
2017 |
394 |
|
2018 |
537 |
|
2019 |
1,679 |
|
2020 |
936 |
|
2021 |
971 |
|
TOTAL |
6,546 |
*Figures relate to the year in which the decisions were made and not to the year in which the applications were made.
567. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice when in-person family visits to prison will resume on a weekly basis with no restriction on the number of visitors or children per visit in order to allow physical contact between visitors and prisoners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7568/22]
View answerI am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that they continue to review and modify Covid-19 restrictions which have been in place 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.
I can advise the Deputy that following a short two week suspension in January 2022, the Irish Prison Service recommenced with physical visits to prisoners on Monday 24 January. During the period 24 January to 13 February prisoners were entitled to receive one physical visit per fortnight with a maximum of two visitors allowed during each physical visit, one of whom may be a child (under 18 years of age).
From the 14 February 2022 the number of visitors permitted on a visit increased to three people, two of whom may be a child (under 18 years of age). Prisoners are currently entitled to receive one thirty minute physical visit every fortnight and on the weeks that they are not receiving a physical family visit, prisoners are able to avail of a video visit. Prisoners may also choose to avail of a video visit instead of a physical visit if they prefer.
I can further advise the Deputy, that no decision has been taken in relation to the resumption of weekly visits but this matter is under constant review. The Irish Prison Service continues to try to balance the need for infection control with the need to ensure that prisoners continue to receive support from family and friends while in prison.
The high prevalence of Covid-19 in our communities continues to present a high risk of transmission to the prison population and this risk is higher with the increased movement of people into and out of our prisons. In that regard, I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service is currently managing seven Covid-19 outbreaks across the 12 prisons and, as the Deputy will appreciate, additional restrictions will continue to apply in prisons where outbreaks of Covid-19 are ongoing.
568. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice the status of legislation to bring the use of CCTV for Garda investigations into GDPR compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7569/22]
View answerIn April 2021, I secured government agreement to publish the General Scheme of the Garda Síochána (Digital recording) Bill 2021. The Bill has three key purposes:
- To provide a legal basis for the deployment and use of body-worn cameras by An Garda Síochána.
- To provide for the extension of the circumstances in which CCTV may be authorised, taking account of GDPR and the Law Enforcement Directive.
- To provide an updated legal basis for the deployment of Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology by An Garda Síochána.
My Department engaged extensively with An Garda Síochána, Garda oversight bodies and strategic partners during the preparation of the General Scheme, as well as the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties.
Following government approval, the General Scheme was sent to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for formal drafting, and drafting is continuing. The General Scheme was also submitted to the Oireachtas Committee on Justice for pre-legislative scrutiny. The Committee’s report was received in December 2021 and is currently being examined by officials in my Department.
This legislation is a significant priority and I and my Department are working intensively with the Attorney General to ensure that the Bill can be published by the end of March. I hope that it will then complete its passage through the Oireachtas as soon as possible, hopefully later this year.
I should point out that while this will not be an excessively long Bill, I am aware that the issues it addresses, such as privacy rights and data protection, are complex. All uses of recording devices under the legislation are linked to Garda functions, namely the investigation, detection, prevention and prosecution of criminal offences, public order and public safety, and safeguarding the security of the State.
While Gardaí have extensive common law powers at their disposal when carrying out their functions, it is important to have in place a modern and robust statutory framework to set standards and procedures in relation to the use of recording devices and to provide appropriate oversight of the use of the powers, in particular where they could infringe on the privacy or data protection rights of citizens.
The digital recording technology for policing purposes continues to evolve at pace and it is vital that the law supports the Gardaí to respond dynamically to this and be in a position to make the best use of emerging technology. Nevertheless it is also my intention to build in a number of safeguards to the legislation in order to maintain public trust in policing and to make clear that any intrusions into a citizen's private life are only where necessary and proportionate and for justifiable policing purposes.
569. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider a review of the payment levels to solicitors and barristers for the provision of services under civil legal aid for domestic violence and family law matters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7575/22]
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. 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.
The Legal Aid Board has made proposals to my Department with regard to the restructuring of the terms and conditions for the District Court Family Law Panel of private solicitors, and the Barristers Panel. These proposals are currently being considered in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
570. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice the number of additional Garda patrols on public transport in the greater Dublin area as part of efforts to make public transport safer for users; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7576/22]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, but I have not received this information in time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.
571. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice the Garda strength by rank across each Dublin metropolitan region district during the years 2016 to 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7577/22]
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 up to 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 attached table, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, shows the number of Gardaí attached to the Dublin Metropolitan Region, by rank, during the years 2016 to 2021.
As the Deputy will appreciate, Garda numbers nationwide can be affected by a number of factors, including retirements, medical discharges and resignations. The impact of policing measures and other steps to support the public health restrictions has also, exceptionally, had an impact across the country over the past two years. However, I am pleased to note that recruitment has resumed and that there are currently 231 trainees engaged in training.
I am also pleased to note that 148 members of An Garda Síochána were recently assigned to Garda Divisions throughout the country following two attestations in January.
Detailed information in relation to Garda numbers is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country.
The information can be found at the following links: www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
572. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if a person (details supplied) is eligible to apply to the undocumented scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7621/22]
View answerThe Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants Scheme opened for applications on 31 January 2022. Applications will be accepted for six months until 31 July 2022, when the scheme will close.
This once-in-a-generation scheme is designed to give long-term undocumented people living in the State without a current permission to remain, the chance to regularise their status, access the labour market and begin their path to citizenship.
Full details regarding the qualifying criteria, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document and the required documentation for the scheme is available on my Department's website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/regularisation-of-long-term-undocumented-migrant-scheme/.
Regarding the person referred to by the Deputy, a Deportation Order was made in respect of them under the provisions of Section 3 (2) (f) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as they were residing in the State without any lawful permission. It is open to them to apply, under section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to have that Order revoked.
However, to have a realistic chance of a favourable outcome, the request would need to be founded on new information or changed circumstances which were not able to be considered, nor were capable of being considered, when the original decision to make the Deportation Order was made. The outcome of that request will be that the existing Deportation Order will either be ‘affirmed’ or ‘revoked’.
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.
573. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to answer Parliamentary Question Nos. 476 and 478 of 30 November 2021. [7632/22]
View answerParliamentary Question No. 476 of 30 November 2021 asked “if all Garda stations custody suites are covered by CCTV cameras and audio recording facilities; if not, the estimated cost of ensuring the remaining Garda stations custody suites are covered by CCTV cameras and audio recording facilities”.
As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that CCTV cameras and audio recording facilities are in place in a number of Garda station custody suites and in all new-build Garda stations, where a custody suite is part of the build. I am further informed that ongoing requirements for CCTV cameras and audio recording facilities are planned and implemented on the basis of operational needs and available resources.
I understand that these systems are specified by Garda ICT and are tendered and procured by the OPW and installed under contract by a preferred bidder. The Garda authorities advise me that in these circumstances it is not provide the cost estimates referred to.
Parliamentary Question No. 478 of 30 November 2021 asked "the capacity of each motorcycle shed for roads policing motorcycles in each RPU base in tabular form".
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently 50 Garda districts which have motorcycles assigned to them. I understand that it is not a requirement, on the allocation of a motorcycle to a Garda station, that a purpose built shed be available to house the vehicle.
The table below, provided by the Garda authorities, outlines the storage/parking facilities that are available in each of the 50 districts which have been assigned motorcycles:
|
Number of Districts with Storage Facilities (shed/garage) |
Number of Districts with outdoor parking bays |
Number of Districts with no dedicated storage/parking facility available |
|
39 |
6 |
5 |
I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to provide details on the capacity figures for each of the sheds.
574. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank attached to the Garda band as of 7 February 2022; and if she will provide same figure as of 1 February 2020, in tabular form. [7634/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for decisions in relation to the allocation and control of Garda personnel and resources. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the number of Gardaí attached to the Garda Band at 1 February 2020 and 7 February 2022.
|
Garda Band |
Inspector |
Garda |
Total |
|
01/02/2020 |
1 |
26 |
27 |
|
07/02/2022 |
1 |
26 |
27 |
|
Inspector |
Garda |
Total |
|
1 |
26 |
27 |
|
1 |
26 |
27 |
575. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice if a Garda recruitment competition will commence in February 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7660/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment, training and appointment of its members. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I am very pleased that, as we celebrate 100 years of service from An Garda Síochána, the Government is increasing the number of Gardaí on our streets and last week a new recruitment competition was launched by An Garda Síochána.
Budget 2022 includes an unprecedented allocation of in excess of €2 billion to An Garda Síochána, including provision for the recruitment of up to 800 Gardaí and 400 Garda staff this year, and many of the 800 Gardaí to be recruited will be drawn from this competition.
I would urge anyone who wants to join An Garda Síochána to apply for a position in the service, but I would particularly urge women, members of new Irish communities and people from minority groups to consider a career in An Garda Síochána.
Both the Government and the Garda Commissioner are committed to increasing diversity within An Garda Síochána and ensuring that all communities can see themselves reflected in our police service.
The Garda Commissioner has put a welcome focus on equality, diversity and inclusion, as An Garda Síochána seek to embed the principle that human rights are the foundation and the purpose of policing in Ireland.
This has included changes to Garda uniform policy, the establishment of the Garda National Diversity Forum, and representation from diverse and minority communities in the Garda Reserve. An Garda Síochána are working to produce a combined internal and external Equality, Diversity and Integration Strategy early this year.
The recruitment competition is open until 3pm on Wednesday 16 March 2022 and full details can be found at www.publicjobs.ie.
576. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Justice the steps that have been taken to meet the commitment to have citizenship applications processed within a year; the number of additional staff that have been hired or relocated to assist; the way processes have been streamlined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7666/22]
View answerThe pandemic has had a significant impact on our service delivery. However, at all times and during all levels of restrictions, my Department has continued to accept and process citizenship applications.
Some cases are unfortunately taking more than 24 months to process. My Department's objective is to achieve a significantly improved decision making timeframe of 6-9 months for a majority of applications during this year. My Department has introduced a number of changes to help speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to support applicants and increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments.
A particularly useful change that has been welcomed by applicants is that since the beginning of this year, all applicants are no longer required to submit their original passport with their application. Instead, they can provide a full colour certified copy. A points-based scoring system for proofs of residence has also been introduced to assist applicants and ensure that submitted applications are complete.
My Department has identified that approximately 20% of the 25,000 applications currently in the system are incomplete, with further action required by the applicant to progress the application. From the end of March, if there is no further engagement with my Department, these applications will be deemed ineligible and returned to the applicant. This will allow my officials to focus resources on processing complete applications and ensure that decisions are delivered more quickly for those applicants.
The aim of the steps taken is 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.
As an early indication of the success of these measures, my Department made more than 11,500 citizenship decisions last year, which is the highest level since 2015.
Last December, an additional 8 staff members were allocated to the citizenship team, bringing the total staffing complement to 75 staff / 68 Full Time Equivalents. There are also 5 Temporary Clerical Officers currently assigned to the team.
