Written Answers Nos. 774-796
774. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice if those who travelled to England and used a valid bus pass with a photo which is a valid from of travel documentation when travelling with a company (details supplied) to England will be permitted to pass through passport control on their return to Ireland using this form of identification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14741/22]
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.
776. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a schedule of the overall applications that have been made by Russian nationals under the Immigrant Investor Programme historically. [14806/22]
View answer781. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications from and visas awarded to Russian investors applying through the Immigrant Investor Programme, disaggregated by IIP investment option Enterprise Investment, Investment Fund, Real Estate Investment Trusts and Endowment with the amounts invested in each option in each of the years 2016 to 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14997/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 776 and 781 together.
The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest.
Successful applicants under the IIP and their nominated family members are granted a residence permission in Ireland under Stamp 4 conditions. Stamp 4 conditions permit non-EEA nationals to work, study or start their own businesses in Ireland. Therefore, given the significant immigration benefits accruing and to ensure the highest degree of transparency and accountability for the programme, all applications are subject to enhanced levels of due diligence processes in respect of both personal and financial checks to protect the State's interests.
Only a very small number of applications under the IIP have been made by Russian citizens since the inception of the scheme in 2012 and none have been approved in recent years.
I have recently instructed that no further applications from Russian citizens will be accepted into the Immigrant Investor Programme.
778. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application for residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14952/22]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy holds a Stamp 4 permission, which has been extended until 31 May 2022, under the final automatic extension of immigration permissions I announced on 17 December 2021. All permissions are extended on the same terms and conditions to the permission already held.
It is open to the person concerned to contact their local Immigration Office before 31 May 2022 to apply for a further renewal of their immigration permission. I strongly recommend that they make efforts to renew their permission as early as possible rather than waiting until May when demand for appointments will be significantly greater.
If the person has further queries in relation to the renewal they can also contact the Immigration Service of my Department directly for further advice. Contact details in relation to renewing a permission can be found here:
www.irishimmigration.ie/contact-immigration-service-delivery/
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.
779. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if a submission from a person (details supplied) has been received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14953/22]
View answerThe Family Reunification Unit of my Department received a letter dated 28 February 2022, on 4 March 2022, from the person referred to by the Deputy.
The Unit will shortly be in touch with the person concerned to request the supporting documentation referred to in the letter, but which was not submitted, and to request additional information. On receipt of the requested information the application will be considered further.
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.
780. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of deaths by year in or following Garda custody or contact since the creation of GSOC including but not limited to shootings, pursuits, deaths in custody and deaths following any Garda interaction in tabular form. [14991/22]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána. however it was not received in time. I will write to the Deputy with the information when it is available.
|
Year |
Fatal incidents involving referral under Section 102 |
|
2007 |
12 |
|
2008 |
13 |
|
2009 |
16 |
|
2010 |
10 |
|
2011 |
23 |
|
2012 |
13 |
|
2013 |
8 |
|
2014 |
14 |
|
2015 |
15 |
|
2016 |
12 |
|
2017 |
7 |
|
2018 |
15 |
|
2019 |
16 |
|
2020 |
20 |
|
2021 |
34 |
|
TOTAL |
228 |
|
Reason for s102 referral in 2021 |
No of s102 referrals |
|
Deaths following Garda Contact |
9 |
|
Deaths in Garda Custody* |
6 |
|
Deaths following release from Garda Custody |
5 |
|
Deaths, Road Traffic Collision (Pursuit) |
5 |
|
Deaths, Road Traffic Collision (Other) |
2 |
|
Deaths during restraint/arrest |
1 |
|
Deaths – Other |
6 |
|
Totals |
34 |
782. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications from and visas awarded to Chinese investors applying through the Immigrant Investor Programme, disaggregated by IIP investment option Enterprise Investment, Investment Fund, Real Estate Investment Trusts and Endowment with the amounts invested in each option in each of the years 2016 to 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14998/22]
View answerThe Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The IIP provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the IIP is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest. To date, more than 1,400 IIP applications have been approved for investment with a value of over €1 billion.
The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the table below.
|
Year |
Chinese applications received |
Chinese approved applications |
Value (number) approved Enterprise |
|
2016 |
284 |
223 |
€95.5m (184) |
|
2017 |
308 |
224 |
€123.5m (125) |
|
2018 |
412 |
249 |
€172m (173) |
|
2019 |
412 |
287 |
€90m (90) |
|
2020 |
313 |
234 |
€74m (74) |
|
2021 |
243 |
56 |
€29m (29) |
|
TOTAL |
1,972 |
1,273 |
€584m (675) |
|
Year |
Value (number) approved Investment Fund |
Value (number) approved REITs |
Value (number) approved Endowment |
|
2016 |
€17m (34) |
0(0) |
€2.2m (5) |
|
2017 |
€62m (62) |
0(0) |
€130.5m(37) |
|
2018 |
€23m (23) |
€2m(1) |
€190.5m (52) |
|
2019 |
€45m (45) |
€8m(4) |
€59.5m(148) |
|
2020 |
€35m (35) |
0(0) |
€50.1m (125) |
|
2021 |
€5m (5) |
0(0) |
€88m(22) |
|
TOTAL |
€187m(204) |
€10m (5) |
€520.8m (389) |
783. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications received under the Afghan Admissions Programme; the number of these deemed admissible; the number deemed inadmissible; and the number awaiting determination of admissibility. [15020/22]
View answerThe Afghan Admission Programme closed to applications on 11 March 2022. All applications are now being reviewed by my Department, in line with the published criteria for the Programme. At this early stage of the examination process, it is not possible to determine how many may be deemed eligible or ineligible under the Programme.
I can confirm that approximately 500 applications have been received.
I expect to be in a position to provide a more comprehensive update in the coming weeks.
784. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the number of Syrian, Afghan, and Ukrainian citizens who have been refused entry into the country annually in each of the years 2014 to 2021, inclusive. [15062/22]
View answerUnder Section 4 of the Immigration Act 2004, an Immigration Officer must determine whether a non-EEA national should be granted leave to land and thus gain entry to the State. Each person who has been refused leave to land in the State is assessed on their own merits, taking all relevant information into consideration at that time. The grounds on which an Immigration Officer may refuse entry to the State are set out in Section 4(3) of the 2004 Act. These grounds include: where the person is not in possession of a valid Irish visa; where the person is not in possession of a valid passport or other equivalent document issued by an authority recognised by the Government which establishes their identity and nationality; where the person intends to take up employment in the State but does not have a valid employment permit; and where the person's presence in the State could pose a threat to national security or be contrary to public policy.
The Border Management Unit of my Department has responsibility for frontline immigration at Dublin Airport only. Other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
As the Deputy's query relates to refusals of leave to land at all ports of entry in the State, the data from GNIB and BMU has been combined in the table below.
|
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
|
Ukrainian |
76 |
74 |
31 |
25 |
|
Afghan |
74 |
143 |
175 |
117 |
|
Syrian |
15 |
61 |
38 |
42 |
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
|
Ukrainian |
17 |
15 |
8 |
6 |
|
Afghan |
52 |
76 |
82 |
198 |
|
Syrian |
70 |
95 |
162 |
511 |
If a person indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international protection process. However, they will still be recorded as a refusal of leave to land.
The above figures may include persons who hold a residence permission or are a beneficiary of international protection in another EU Member State.
785. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the steps she is taking to address problems for first-time applicants for Irish residence permits in securing online appointments in Burgh Quay. [15063/22]
View answerWhen a non-EEA national enters the State and intends to stay for more than 90 days, they must register their immigration permission.
First time registrations outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network. The allocation of appointments with GNIB is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
The Registration Office of my Department registers permissions for customers residing in the Dublin area.
Since the onset of the pandemic, immigration permissions have been extended nine times, which means that people who held a valid permission to be in the State in March 2020 are legally permitted to remain until 31 May 2022.
As a result of the unavoidable delays created from the closing of the Registration Office in Burgh Quay during Covid-19 restrictions, and the reduced capacity guidelines when open, a high number of customers are now coming forward to seek an appointment for first time registration. The Registration Office of my Department is currently operating at 100 per cent capacity.
As part of my Department’s ongoing work to meet the current unprecedented demand for first-time registration appointments, on 10 January 2022, a Freephone service (1800 741 741) was introduced for customers. It is currently operating 12 hours a day from Monday to Friday (8am to 8pm) and 8 hours a day on Saturday and Sunday (9am to 5pm). There are between 15 and 20 customer service representatives taking calls and making appointments. All appointments for Dublin based customers to register their immigration permission are now issued through this service, with operators offering one appointment per call, unless it is for an identifiable family group. Approximately 21,000 customer appointments have been allocated so far.
The Registration Office’s customer service team is also available to support customers who may have language difficulties or may need assistance with translation. A number of multi-lingual videos describing the registration process and what to expect are available on my Department's website www.irishimmigration.ie.
A new Immigration Service appointment and scheduling system is expected to be available to customers shortly, replacing the Freephone service and further streamlining and improving the registration process. The new arrangements will be communicated at the appropriate time.
Dublin based customers who are seeking to renew their permission can continue to do so online at inisonline.jahs.ie/user/login.
786. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice the number of Ukrainian refugees, adults and children that have been taken in by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15071/22]
View answerMy Department does not hold information or statistics regarding the numbers of Ukrainian nationals that have been provided with accommodation or other supports on a county by county basis.
As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the accommodation system and material supports for Ukrainian persons seeking protection are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
The table below provides more general detail on the recorded arrivals to Ireland from Ukraine up to 20 March 2022.
Total recorded arrivals to Irish points of entry (Ukrainians and 3rd Country Nationals)
|
Week |
Dates |
Dublin Airport |
Other ports of entry |
TOTAL |
|
Week 1 |
25/02 - 27/02 |
92 |
1 |
93 |
|
Week 2 |
28/02 - 06/03 |
1,698 |
139 |
1,837 |
|
Week 3 |
07/03 – 13/03 |
3,423 |
547 |
3,970 |
|
Week 4 |
14/03 – 19/03 |
2,924 |
723 |
3,647 |
|
20/03/2022 |
201 |
14 |
215 |
|
|
TOTAL |
8,338 |
1,424 |
9,762 |
The vast majority of those arriving to date are women and children, with children under the age of 18 years accounting for approximately one-third of all arrivals.
The 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 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.
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.
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.
787. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the DRIVE initiative in Cork. [14466/22]
View answerThe DRIVE Project is a national initiative involving 23 drug and alcohol task forces. It aims to;
1. Develop a data driven community intervention model to build the capacity of communities to respond more effectively to drug related intimidation and violence.
2. Build the capacity of relevant stakeholders in communities to better understand drug related intimidation and violence, its impact on their everyday lives and the potential supports available to them for an ordered response
3. Develop a mechanism for capturing the nature and prevalence of drug related intimidation and violence at community, regional and national level to informed targeted responses at each level of need
4. Develop sustainable regional and local interagency structures and systems to improve collaboration between the An Garda Síochána and key Community, Voluntary & Statutory stakeholders across Task Force Areas to work together to address drug related intimidation at community level
5. Develop an interagency focal point for developing models of good practice, dissemination of evidence informed approaches and awareness raising
In 2019, the Department of Health provided funding of €180,000 over 36 months to the DRIVE initiative. The DRIVE Oversight committee leading the initiative comprises of relevant stakeholders from the Regional and Local Drug and Alcohol Task Forces, An Garda Síochána, the HSE Addiction Services, Family Support Services, Community & Voluntary services and Probation Services
I launched the DRIVE research report in late November 2021.
Phase 2 of the DRIVE initiative involves the following actions;
1. The recruitment of the DRIVE coordinator to project manage its roll-out and dissemination into communities
2. The development of the data collection tool with the Health Research Board.
3. Design training in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, task forces, and people with lived experience and progress to implementation on the ground
A Data subgroup has been established with members of the DRIVE oversight Committee and HRB.
Through the DATFs a group of over 25 frontline practitioners from around Ireland are engaged in a drug related intimidation data collection scoping exercise which will help inform a standardised tool for capturing anonymous data on the nature, prevalence and extent of drug related intimidation across DATF areas.
I fully support the work of the DRIVE Initiative to tackle drug related intimidation and violence and look forward to the implementation of the new data-driven community intervention model. I will consider any request for additional resources upon completion and evaluation of phase 2 of the project.
It is suggested that the Deputy contact the Cork drug and alcohol task force who may be able to provide additional information in relation to the activities of the DRIVE project in Cork.
788. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to engage with various professions, sectors and employers to ascertain if the qualifications of Ukrainian nationals are acceptable here to create employment opportunities; if so, if they can be rapidly facilitated to work, particularly in sectors in which Ireland currently has shortages in the economy, such as general practitioners and the health service; if he will engage with Ministerial colleagues in this regard; if he will consider putting in place a mechanism to identify employment vacancies in local areas to simplify and facilitate the rapid employment of Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14521/22]
View answerThe Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people fleeing the war in Ukraine and seeking protection in Ireland as part of the EU response.
Very significant planning and preparatory work is taking place across Government to provide accommodation and other essential supports to those who have arrived here already, as well as the large numbers of further people expected to arrive. This work is taking place with the support of the Irish Red Cross and NGOs and charities across the country.
The Department of Health is liaising with other Government departments and agencies to provide humanitarian support for Ukrainian refugees. It is a priority for the Department and the HSE to ensure that Ukrainian refugees are provided with appropriate health and social care services.
Ukrainians refugees arriving in Ireland will be granted temporary protection status. Under this measure, they will be considered ordinarily resident in Ireland for a limited time period and therefore will be entitled to access health care services, in line with other refugee groups and Irish citizens.
HSE is responsible for the provision of healthcare services in Ireland, working with the Department of Health, and planning is underway through existing processes to ensure healthcare needs will be met.
Budget 2022 continues to fund a large expansion of the workforce, and secured funding for up to an additional 10,000 WTE, reflecting the ambition and desire to invest in our health services. The HSE have identified the more realistic recruitment target of 5,500 WTE alongside a more challenging ‘stretch’ target of 10,000 WTE set out in the 2022 National Service Plan. The upper affordable limit is ambitious and challenging to achieve, given the risks affecting labour market supply.
My Department is in contact with the health professional regulators with a view to ensuring that any practitioners arriving here from Ukraine can be supported and facilitated in gaining access to the professional registers where possible, mindful at all times of the importance of maintaining and promoting patient safety.
789. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to recruit extra staff for the HSE and Tusla to deal with the unprecedented level of demand for services if the estimated number of Ukrainian refugees arrive in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14523/22]
View answerThe Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people fleeing the war in Ukraine and seeking protection in Ireland as part of the EU response.
Very significant planning and preparatory work is taking place across Government to provide accommodation and other essential supports to those who have arrived here already, as well as the large numbers of further people expected to arrive. This work is taking place with the support of the Irish Red Cross and NGOs and charities across the country.
The Department of Health is liaising with other Government departments and agencies to provide humanitarian support for Ukrainian refugees. It is a priority for the Department and the HSE to ensure that Ukrainian refugees are provided with appropriate health and social care services.
Ukrainians refugees arriving in Ireland will be granted temporary protection status. Under this measure, they will be considered ordinarily resident in Ireland for a limited time period and therefore will be entitled to access health care services, in line with other refugee groups and Irish citizens.
HSE is responsible for the provision of healthcare services in Ireland, working with the Department of Health, and planning is underway through existing processes to ensure healthcare needs will be met.
There has already been unprecedented health workforce expansion since December 2019, due to the additional pressures from the onset of COVID-19, and meeting the population’s needs long-term. There has been an increase of +12,506 WTE from end 2019 to end 2021 (+6,357 WTE in 2020 and +6,149 WTE in 2021), excluding those employed indirectly, in Contact Tracing and Vaccination staff.
Budget 2022 continues to fund a large expansion of the workforce, and secured funding for up to an additional 10,000 WTE, reflecting the ambition and desire to invest in our health services. The HSE have identified the more realistic recruitment target of 5,500 WTE alongside a more challenging ‘stretch’ target of 10,000 WTE set out in the 2022 National Service Plan. The upper affordable limit is ambitious and challenging to achieve, given the risks affecting labour market supply.
790. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the HSE to continue to fund long-Covid occupational therapy services in St. James’s Hospital which are currently set to cease in April. [15509/22]
View answer791. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of funding for a senior occupational therapist in the long Covid clinic at St. James’s Hospital; if there will be a reduction in such posts in 2022 on 2021 levels at this site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15520/22]
View answer1039. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason that the occupational therapy in the long-Covid clinic at St. James's Hospital is being discontinued in April 2022 (details supplied); if he will provide funding to keep occupational therapy in the clinic; if will he further invest in a nationwide network of multidisciplinary long-Covid clinics to ensure that Ireland has the capacity and expertise to deal with this growing challenge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14807/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 790, 791 and 1039 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly
792. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to dentists from the Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13810/22]
View answerThe Dental Council is very sympathetic to the plight of refugees from Ukraine and elsewhere, and has been actively considering ways in which it can support refugees holding dental qualifications seeking to register for practice in Ireland
The Dental Council examination provides a route to registration for those holding dental qualifications issued outside the EU. The Dental Council will continue to explore possibilities in this area, and will review what other registration options may be available within the provisions of the Dentists Act 1985. The Dental Council’s priority is to protect patients and as such, all opportunities to support dentists holding refugee status will be considered within this overarching obligation.”
793. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of staff currently employed in each of the children's disability network teams by role in County Cork. [13811/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
794. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13820/22]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
795. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a scan will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13823/22]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
796. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 662, 663 and 664 of 15 February 2022, the most recent valuation of each building and the date of the valuation; the date on which the asset was procured; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13827/22]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
