Written Answers Nos. 751-773
751. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if she or officials from her Department have engaged in any form of communication with the World Economic Forum or representatives of the World Economic Forum including by phone call, webinar, email or any event organised by the World Economic Forum from 1 January 2019 to date; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14164/22]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that I received a meeting request from a representative of the World Economic Forum in November 2021. As the request was received at short notice, a meeting did not take place.
Neither I nor officials from my Department have engaged in any other communication with the World Economic Forum or representatives of the World Economic Forum in the timeframe specified.
752. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice if those who have fled Ukraine to avoid the war but did so ahead of the EU Temporary Protection Directive will be able to access the enhanced status that those that come under the Directive will get; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14193/22]
View answer753. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice if those who have fled Ukraine to avoid the war but are not Ukrainian nationals will be able to access the rights and status that are in the EU Temporary Protection Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14194/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 752 and 753 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC) has been activated for the first time in response to the Ukraine crisis. Ireland participates in this measure, which has been given legal effect under Section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015.
Those eligible for Temporary Protection (granted initially for one year, but renewable) will have immediate access to the labour market, social welfare, accommodation and other State supports as necessary.
Under the Council Implementing Decision (EU 2022/382), those who have fled Ukraine can avail of a temporary protection to reside in Ireland if they meet one of the following criteria:
a) They are a Ukrainian national who was residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022;b) They are a national of a third country (other than Ukraine) or stateless person who would have benefited from international protection (for example: Refugee status) or an equivalent national protection status in Ukraine and were residing there before 24 February 2022;c) They are a family member* of persons covered by a) and b) above, where their family already existed in Ukraine at the time of events leading to the mass influx prior to 24 February.
*Family members include a spouse or partner, unmarried minor children of either of them, and their other close dependent family relatives who have been living with them as part of the family unit.
Temporary protection also applies to people who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 with a permanent Ukrainian residence permit, who cannot safely return to their country of origin.
Other people who were legally residing in Ukraine without a permanent residence permit will be assisted to return to their country of origin, if it is safe for them to do so.
Given the events that have unfolded in Ukraine, I intend to continue to keep this matter under active review and adopt a pragmatic approach in managing the residency permissions of Ukrainians who are in Ireland.
754. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice when a join family non-EEA national spouse visa application by a person (details supplied) will be processed given that it has been in the system for over six months which is over the business target for dealing with this type of application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14240/22]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy created an online Join Family (Non-EEA national) (spouse) visa application on 14 July 2021. The supporting documentation and relevant fee were subsequently received on 1 September 2021 in the Ankara visa office.
The Visa Office in Turkey is experiencing an unprecedented number of applications at present. Notwithstanding this, the Visa Office continue to process Join Family applications within 6 to 12 months, in line with the Department's standard processing times.
The business target of 6 months for long term 'join family' applications was established following the publication of the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. This is a business target and not a legal obligation. The Visa Office endeavours to have applications of this nature processed earlier than this, however, this is not always possible. In order to be fair to all applicants, as you will appreciate, applications are processed in order by date received in the Office.
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.
755. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice if a person (details supplied) can have their work permit which was granted under an international protection order extended for six months. [14350/22]
View answerFor reasons of maintaining full confidentiality, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for asylum or subsidiary protection has been made in the State. An applicant for such protection status, or their legal representative, should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate.
The IPO may be contacted: by email to info@ipo.gov.ie; by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028008 or in writing to Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.
The IPAT may be contacted either: by email to info@protectionappeals.ie; by telephone at 01-4748400 (or Lo-Call 1890 201 458), or in writing to Corporate Services Division, The International Protection Appeals Tribunal, 6-7 Hanover Street East, Dublin D02 W320.
An international protection applicant is entitled to work using a Labour Market Access Permission once 6 months has elapsed from the date they applied for international protection, provided they have cooperated with the IPO and a first instance decision on their protection application has not issued during that time.
Applications should be made to the Labour Market Access Unit (LMAU) of the Immigration Service of my Department. If the application is successful, a labour market access permission is granted, which is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application.
Further information can be found at:
www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/labour-market-access-permission/.
756. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice if a naturalisation application by a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14366/22]
View answerThe granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed individually in line with the eligibility criteria as set out under that Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
There are no provisions in the Act or the accompanying Regulations to apply different criteria depending on the nationality of the applicant. All applicants are required to meet minimum periods of reckonable residence and standard checks are carried out as part of the overall process to maintain its integrity.
Applicants are required to have 5 years residence in the state prior to making an application. The final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State with up to 6 weeks allowed to facilitate foreign travel for business, family or holiday purposes.
Section 16 of the 1956 Act, as amended, provides discretion to waive the statutory conditions in certain circumstances, including where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations (defined as related through blood, affinity or adoption to a person who is or is entitled to be an Irish citizen).
There is no right or entitlement to have any of the statutory conditions waived even where the applicant comes within the certain circumstances defined. This discretion is used very rarely and only under the most exceptional and compelling circumstances.
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory conditions as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, and to provide such further information in support of that application.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation, along with the relevant application forms and guidance notes, is available on my Department's website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/citizenship/.
757. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice the date in March 2022 as indicated in the stakeholder engagement that the interdepartmental group reviewing the atypical work permit scheme for non-EEA fishers will conclude its review; when the recommendations will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14433/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) was established as a cross Departmental response to address the matter of non-EEA workers on certain categories of vessels in the Irish fishing fleet, who are not currently eligible for permission under the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment employment permit system.
The Scheme provided, for the first time, a framework for the employment of non-EEA workers within defined segments of the Irish fishing fleet and was welcomed as a solution to the risk of exploitation and to guarantee employment rights and protections to non-EEA fishers availing of the Scheme.
The Review of the AWS for Sea Fishers is a cross departmental review with representatives from my Department, the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment and the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine.
The review group has consulted, in so far as possible, with all relevant stakeholders as part of the review process, including those with permission under the scheme, employer representative groups, the ITF and the authors of the recent report published by Maynooth University.
The Review Group is considering all the issues and proposals raised, during the consultation process. It is expected to complete its work shortly and submit its report with recommendations to the relevant Ministers.
758. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she has any information suggesting that Russian officials based in the Russian embassy in Ireland are involved in illegal activity or espionage and if so, if she will disclose same. [14460/22]
View answer759. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she has any information suggesting that the Russian Federation is using Irish citizens in order to obtain confidential information concerning Ireland’s national security and if so, if she will disclose same. [14461/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 758 and 759 together.
The Deputy will appreciate that, for sound reasons, it is not the practice to comment on security matters nor would it be in the public interest to do so.
760. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if a person who became undocumented on 18 March 2018 just a few weeks after the cut off 31 January 2018 will be allowed to be included in the undocumented scheme. [14492/22]
View answerI was pleased to open the landmark Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants Scheme for applications on 31 January 2022 and applications will be accepted for six months until 31 July, when the scheme will close.
This once-in-a-generation scheme is designed to give long-term undocumented people without a current permission to remain in the State, the chance to regularise their status, access the labour market and begin their path to citizenship.
The criteria for the scheme, including the period of four years undocumented residence at the date of the opening of the scheme for primary applicants, have been designed in line with the Programme for Government commitment, and are not open to change. Therefore, any person who does not meet the specified undocumented residency criteria for the scheme will not be eligible to make an application.
If a person is resident in the State without permission and does not meet the terms of the published scheme, I encourage them to contact my Department or their local immigration office and to take all appropriate steps to regularise their status. Any application submitted should explain their current circumstances and future intentions in the State and provide any documentation they feel will support their application.
A full consideration of all aspects of their case will be carried out before a decision is made to grant permission to remain in the State or to make a Deportation Order. This will include a consideration of their private and family life rights, in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights.
In all cases, people must engage with the authorities if they wish to be permitted to remain here legally. A pragmatic approach is taken in relation to each case, which is considered on its individual merits.
761. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Justice if the Government is liaising with the Ukrainian Embassy with regard to the verification of credentials, qualifications and identification of Ukrainian refugees to ensure applications to work in any specific field and in areas where vetting is required such as, working with children and vulnerable adults are relevant and properly verified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14520/22]
View answerThe EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC) has been activated in response to the Ukraine crisis. Ireland participates in this measure, which is given legal effect under Section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015.
Those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine will generally be eligible for this temporary protection, initially for one year and on a renewable basis. It will provide beneficiaries with immediate access to the labour market, along with access to social welfare, accommodation and other State supports.
There is no requirement for any beneficiary of temporary protection to have an employment permit issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, to access the labour market. The temporary protection permission letter issued by my Department establishes the right of access.
As with all applications for employment in the State, the personal credentials of the applicant and any specific qualifications, vetting or professional license they require for the role should be verified by potential employers as part of the candidate selection process. My Department does not have a role in this process.
762. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the number of new Garda cars and vans allocated to each Garda District in Dublin in 2021 and to date in 2022; and the number of Garda cars and vans withdrawn from each Garda District of Dublin in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14543/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase and distribution of Garda resources, including Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am advised, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review to ensure their optimum use in light of identified operational needs and emerging crime trends.
I have been provided with the information contained in the table below by the Garda authorities, outlining that as of 11 March 2022, two vehicles have been allocated to the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) this year with a total of 12 vehicles withdrawn. As outlined in the second table, a total of 65 vehicles were allocated with 44 vehicles withdrawn in 2021.
DMR Districts Allocations and Removals 2022 as at 11th March 2022
|
Allocations |
Withdrawn |
|||||
|
Cars |
Vans |
Total |
Cars |
Vans |
Total |
|
|
DMR East |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Blackrock District |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
DMR North |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Balbriggan District |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Raheny District |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
DMR North Central |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Fitzgibbon St District |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
DMR South |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
Crumlin District |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Tallaght District |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Terenure District |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
DMR West |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
Blanchardstown District |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Ballyfermot District |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Clondalkin District |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Overall Total |
0 |
2 |
2 |
9 |
3 |
12 |
DMR Districts Allocations and Removals 2021
|
Allocations |
Withdrawn |
|||||
|
Cars |
Vans |
Total |
Cars |
Vans |
Total |
|
|
DMR East |
11 |
1 |
12 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Blackrock District |
6 |
1 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dun Laoghaire District |
5 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
DMR North |
8 |
0 |
8 |
13 |
1 |
14 |
|
Balbriggan District |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Ballymun District |
4 |
0 |
4 |
9 |
0 |
9 |
|
Coolock District |
2 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
Raheny District |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
DMR North Central |
8 |
2 |
10 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Bridewell District |
2 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Fitzgibbbon St District |
4 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Store Street District |
2 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
DMR South |
11 |
1 |
12 |
9 |
0 |
9 |
|
Crumlin District |
3 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Tallaght District |
4 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Terenure District |
4 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
DMR South Central |
6 |
3 |
9 |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|
Donnybrook District |
1 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Kevin Street District |
3 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Pearse Street District |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
DMR Traffic |
2 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
DMR West |
8 |
1 |
9 |
8 |
0 |
8 |
|
Blanchardstown District |
5 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Clondalkin District |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Lucan District |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Harcourt Square |
2 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Overall Total |
56 |
9 |
65 |
42 |
2 |
44 |
763. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who have attended a human trafficking training course in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14544/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that no specialised human trafficking training was delivered in 2021 or to date in 2022, owing to restrictions in the availability of the Garda College, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A review of specialist Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) training is presently underway, which is intended to be rolled out in 2022. This training incorporates human trafficking among other modules such as Sexual Crime Investigation, Victims Engagement, Domestic Abuse Intervention, Online Child Exploitation and Investigation Sex Offender Management. The content and mechanics of this training are currently being developed with continued liaison between the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) and the Garda College.
Additionally, I am advised that human trafficking training is delivered within the Children First module, as part of Phase I of Garda training within the BA in Applied Policing programme. Children First Training is now completed by way of a two-day workshop and it is mandatory for all Trainee Gardaí to receive this training. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and closures of the Garda College to comply with public health guidelines, delivery of this training was not undertaken in 2020. The completion date of the course for each Garda trainee intake impacted by the closures and subsequent intakes is outlined in the table below.
|
Intake of Gardaí |
Gardaí who completed Children First training |
Date |
|
193 |
183 |
10/09/2021 |
|
201 |
121 |
23/04/2021 |
|
202 |
69 |
11/06/2021 |
|
203 |
75 |
05/08/2021 |
|
211 |
148 |
14/01/2022 & 21/01/2022 |
|
212 |
71 |
11/03/2022 |
|
Total |
667 |
764. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice the process by which an Irish person who is normally resident in Ireland can apply for a visa for their unmarried partner to come and live and work in Ireland from Sri Lanka; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14606/22]
View answerBased on the information supplied by the Deputy, it is not possible to definitively state the type of application that should be made. However, it would appear that an application for a de facto partner of an Irish National may be the most appropriate application. Further details on how to make such an application are available on my Department's website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/ and at:
www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/joining-an-irish-national/de-facto-partner-of-an-irish-national/
It is open to anyone to create a visa or preclearance application at any time to suit their particular circumstances. Visa applications must be made on-line at: www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome2.aspx
Upon creating an on-line visa application, the summary sheet must be printed and signed by the applicant and then submitted to the relevant Visa Office, along with supporting documentation and the relevant fee, within 30 days. Upon receipt of this, the visa application will be processed.
If the applicant intends to enter the State with a view to residing here for more than 90 days, they should apply for a D Type - Join Family visa application. If they intends to visit for less than 90 days, they should apply for a C Type - Visit Visa.
In all cases, the onus is on the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer that a visa should be granted.
765. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice her plans for the future use and or disposal of Thornton Hall; if she has received an updated valuation of the site; and the costs to date on an annual basis in respect of services and security associated with the site. [14614/22]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the Thornton Hall site remains an important strategic State asset with potential future use value. As previously advised, the Irish Prison Service is continuing to engage with the Land Development Agency to explore the options for the future development of a portion of the site to maximise its value to the State.
The Prison Service recently sought an updated valuation of the Thornton Hall site and house to reflect its value at the end of December 2021. The Prison Service expects to receive the valuation report shortly.
I am advised that the reference to the cost of services for Thornton Hall house and site have been interpreted as referring to annual recurring costs for utilities, security systems and statutory checks. These costs for the year 2021 are set out in the table below.
The security costs incurred relate to the costs of the security alarm monitoring and CCTV systems. As the Deputy is aware the house at Thornton Hall is listed as a protected structure in the Fingal County Council register of protected structures and the security and utility costs incurred are necessary to meet statutory obligations under the Planning and Development Acts relating to such structures.
Utilities, security systems and statutory checks costs for 2021
|
Electricity |
€7,637.65 |
|
Gas |
€338.15 |
|
Water |
€1,581.53 |
|
Security (Alarm Monitoring) |
€2,407.90 |
|
Statutory Checks |
€4,272.40 |
|
Total |
€16,237.63 |
766. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice the status of an Afghan admission programme application by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14631/22]
View answerThe Afghan Admission Programme enabled current or former Afghan nationals living legally in Ireland to apply to have their close family members, who are living in Afghanistan or who have recently fled to eligible territories bordering Afghanistan, to apply for temporary residence in Ireland. The eligible neighbouring countries are: Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
The Programme closed for applications on 11 March 2022.
I can confirm that the person referred to by the Deputy has made an application under this Programme. All applications received by my Department are currently being examined with decisions expected to issue to all applicants in the coming months.
767. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Justice the current situation in regard to the use of quarantine measures for new committals to prison including whether such measures continue to be used; the length of time that persons are currently held in quarantine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14644/22]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service introduced a wide range of measures necessary to protect the prisoner population form Covid-19 including the quarantining of new committals.
While it has been possible to lift the majority of restrictive measures introduced, the Irish Prison Service, recognising the threat that Covid-19 continues to pose to the vulnerable prison population, has continued a number of essential infection control measures which includes the quarantining of new committals and the isolation of suspected Covid-19 cases.
The continuation of such measures is necessary to prevent the spread of infection within prisons and allows for the continued relaxation of other infection control measures for the wider prison population.
Remaining restrictive measures are continually reviewed taking account of the community rate of transmission and the level of risk posed.
Presently, all new committals to the Irish Prison service are placed in isolation and undergo a PCR test on day 5. Certain committals are also tested on day 1 including prisoners who have arrived from a foreign country and anyone who is deemed to be a close contact.
Results permitting, prisoners are then transferred to the general prison population and engage in the normal prison routine.
Should a new committal test positive for Covid 19 on their day 5 test, they remain in quarantine for 10 days.
768. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if the Irish Prison Service Framework for Unwinding Prison Restrictions or a similar plan for the unwinding of Covid-19 restrictions in prison will be published; if so, when it will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14674/22]
View answer769. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if the Irish Prison Service Covid-19 Contingency Plan will be published; if so, when it will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14675/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 768 and 769 together.
The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Prison Service has continued to review and modify Covid-19 restrictions throughout the pandemic in line with the various announcements made by Government, advice from Public Health/HSE and the Irish Prison Service National Infection Control Team.
In 2020 the Irish Prison Service developed a Framework for Covid-19 Restrictions in line with the Government Framework and in 2021 a Covid-19 Contingency Plan was introduced to govern the management of a Covid-19 outbreak within a prison. The Covid-19 Contingency Plan is an internal operational document for the management of Covid-19 outbreaks in prisons and has not been published for security and operational reasons.
Throughout the pandemic wide ranging infection control measures and restrictions were introduced to prevent the spread of Covid-19 within the prison estate including the suspension of physical visits, the restriction of movements within prisons and the introduction of a restricted regime for prisoners in the infected area while mass testing was underway.
A substantial amount of work has been carried out by the Prison Service to address the evolving challenges, both in the broad range of protective measures designed to keep prisoners and staff safe, as well as initiatives to mitigate against the inevitable impact of Covid-related restrictions and changes in regime on those in custody, however necessary they may be. All while continuing to provide a range of rehabilitative support services for prisoners in custody.
The Prison Service has been very successful in its management of Covid-19 since the pandemic commenced in March 2020. However, it is a fact that managing the risks and challenges faced in a prison context during the Covid-19 pandemic has proved to be significant, particularly over such a protracted period of time.
I can assure the Deputy that the Prison Service has at all times been very mindful of the impact the necessary measures introduced to restrict the spread of Covid-19 have on the routine of the prisoner population and has consistently kept all such measures under review.
In early 2021, the Prison Service aligned the unwinding of restrictions to the roll out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme in prisons. As a result of the successful roll out of the vaccination programme to all prisons, the Service was in a position to unwind a significant amount of restrictive measures in all locations with the exception of Cloverhill Prison which did not have a critical mass of prisoners vaccinated at the time.
In mid 2021, following the latest advice from Government, the Prison Service commenced a further unwinding of measures in line with similar actions taken in the community.
This included:
- the recommencement of physical visits in all locations,
- 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.
In early 2022, the Irish Prison Service undertook another significant review of infection control measures resulting in further restrictions being lifted. This included an increase in the number of visitors permitted to visit prisoners, the resumption of non-essential prison visits including the facilitation of in-reach services on a priority basis and the removal of capacity restrictions and the compulsory wearing of facial coverings.
As a result the majority of restrictive measures have been lifted. However, the Prison Service, recognising the threat that Covid-19 continues to pose to the vulnerable prison population, has continued a number of infection control measures such as the quarantining of new committals and the isolation of suspected cases. All such measures are continually reviewed taking account of the community rate of transmission and the level of risk posed.
770. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice if there are guidelines and controls regarding the establishment of property management companies; if procedures are in place to audit the activities and management of property management companies; the reporting mechanisms that are in place in cases in which persons believe management companies may not be operating correctly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14678/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011, a company seeking to provide property management services on behalf of the owner(s) of a property, must hold a licence from the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA).
Such services are normally provided under contract between the property services provider and the owner of the property (or, in the case of a multi-unit development, the owners’ management company, as established under the Multi-Unit Development Act 2011). They may include administrative services and the procurement of maintenance, servicing, repair and insurance services. In such situations, the property management company is normally acting as agent for the owner or owners.
Part 7 of the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011 makes extensive provision for the handling of complaints against licensees, the investigation of alleged breaches of the Act, and the imposition of sanctions.
Details of how to make a complaint, including a complaint form, are available on the PSRA’s website: www.psr.ie.
It is also the case that companies are subject to all relevant requirements of the Companies Acts and relevant supervision and enforcement by the Companies Registration office and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement.
771. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for visa in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14709/22]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy created an online Visit visa application on 30 November 2021.
Visa applicants in Nigeria are required to provide biometrics as part of the application process. To submit an application, the person concerned needs to book an appointment with VFS in either Abuja or Lagos to have their fingerprints taken and to submit their supporting documents.
The visa sponsor has sent documents directly to the Visa Office in Abuja. However, until such time as the applicant attends a VFS appointment to submit their application, the Office cannot start to process the visa. The creation of an online application does not start the examination process. It is only when an application is fully submitted and the fee is paid that the processing starts.
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.
772. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if her Department will produce a roadmap for supporting all persons arriving in Ireland from Ukraine in conjunction with other Government Departments and State agencies. [14714/22]
View answerThere is a coordinated whole-of-Government response to support people arriving in Ireland who have fled the violence in Ukraine. Government Departments and services are working together to implement Ireland's commitments under the EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC), which has been activated for the first time to grant temporary protection to displaced persons from Ukraine.
The Directive has legal effect under Section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015.
Those eligible for Temporary Protection (granted initially for one year, but renewable) will have immediate access to the labour market, social welfare, accommodation and other State supports as necessary.
To date, approximately 90 per cent of Ukrainians who have entered the State have been welcomed at Dublin Airport. Beneficiaries are being provided with their temporary protection permission letter on arrival in the Airport in the 'one-stop-shop' established for that purpose, to ensure early access to all necessary supports.
Arrangements have also now been put in place to provide permission letters to those who arrived at Dublin Airport prior to 9 March (when permission letters started to issue) and to those who have arrived at other ports of entry to the State.
The ‘Ukraine Support Centres’ opened in Dublin and Cork, and soon to open in Limerick, are assisting those newly arrived to obtain their PPS Numbers and to access social welfare income supports, and receive referrals to other State services.
A centralised Government information portal is available on www.gov.ie/ukraine, and is regularly updated.
My Department’s Irish Immigration website also contains a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page at: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-for-ukraine-nationals-and-residents-of-ukraine/.
I can assure the Deputy that my Government colleagues and I will continue to work with our EU counterparts on any further EU-wide measures that might be needed to assist those fleeing Ukraine. However, the immediate and overriding priority is to assist those who have arrived and continue to arrive in Ireland to find safety with access to state supports as needed, as part of a whole of Government response.
Notwithstanding this, given the very extreme pressures being faced by Moldova in the current circumstances, the Government has agreed, as part of an EU response, to offer to accept from Moldova up to 500 people who have fled the war in Ukraine.
773. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if it is proposed to extend measures designed to support refugees from Ukraine to persons fleeing from other conflict zones; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14715/22]
View answer777. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the legal entitlements of refugees from Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive; if a comparison of these entitlements with previous European Union refugee programmes will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14913/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 773 and 777 together.
The EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC) establishes the minimum standards for giving temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons from third countries who are unable to return to their country of origin. It can only activated in specific circumstances by an EU Council Decision.
Section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015 gives effect to the Directive in national law.
On 4 March, the Council of EU agreed to activate the Temporary Protection Directive following a proposal from the European Commission. This proposal was informed by its assessment of the situation in Ukraine and the scale of the movements of displaced persons, and the advisability of establishing temporary protection, based on information from Member States, UNHCR and other relevant international organisations. It is the first time that the Directive has been activated since it was introduced.
The Council Decision places specific obligations on Ireland and on all EU Member States, including the duration of the temporary protection to be awarded and the State supports and services that the beneficiary should be entitled to. This includes the right to seek employment or self-employment, access to suitable accommodation, access to primary and post primary education, access to medical care, and any necessary assistance in terms of social welfare if the person does not have sufficient resources.
As this is the first occasion on which a Council Decision under Article 5 of Directive 2001/55/EC has been made, no similar EU refugee programmes exist. Therefore, it is not possible to establish comparisons.
