Written Answers Nos. 571-592
571. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage of the total full-time undergraduate student body in receipt of SUSI support since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24423/22]
View answerThe Student Grant Scheme is the principal support for students in financial terms by my Department. It provides grant assistance to eligible students attending approved full-time courses in approved further or higher educational institutions who meet the prescribed eligibility criteria of the relevant scheme. It is a demand led scheme, with issues such as demographics playing a role in the amount of grantees in any one year.
The Scheme is administered since 2012 on behalf of the Department by the national student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland), a business unit of CDETB.
The following link gives the percentage of the total full-time undergraduate student’s body in receipt of grant support since the academic year 2011/12 - 2020/21. Please note that as SUSI was established in 2012/13, there was an initial period where both SUSI and local authorities were processing grants.
572. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost to the Exchequer of increasing all SUSI maintenance grants by 25% above 2020-2021 levels; the euro increase to each income threshold level of maintenance grant needed over and above the €200 allocated for the upcoming academic year in order to reach the 25% increase on 2020/2021 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24424/22]
View answerThe estimated cost to the Exchequer of increasing all SUSI maintenance grants by 25% above 2020-2021 levels would be € 41,150,164.
The total increase to each maintenance grant needed over and above the €200 allocated for the upcoming academic year ( based on 2020/21 paid maintenance) in order to reach the 25% increase on 2020/2021 levels is €28.88M.
The following link sets out the euro increase per maintenance category for 2020/21 needed to increase all rates by 25%.
As part of Budget 2022, I have secured an additional €15m to enhance the existing financial supports under the Student Grant Scheme for implementation in 2022.
For the academic year 2022/23 this will mean:-
- An increase to all student grant maintenance payments, including the special rate of grant, of €200 per year which will benefit all students entitled to receive a maintenance Grant. There are currently circa 62,000 SUSI grant recipients receiving maintenance support.
- The income threshold to qualify for the standard rate of student grant has been increased by €1,000.
- The qualifying distance criterion for students to qualify for the non-adjacent rate of grant has been reduced from 45km to 30km, effective from the start of the 2022/23 academic year.
I have prioritised these changes for the 2022/23 academic year and they will benefit thousands of students building on the improvements that have already been made for postgraduate students. Improvements to the student grant scheme have been a priority for me since taking up my Ministerial appointment.
573. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentices waiting to access off-the-job training; and the number who have been issued with a start date but are yet to begin their training; the number waiting for each further education and training college and-or higher education institute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24425/22]
View answerCraft apprenticeship in Ireland is demand-led, meaning that no limits are applied to the numbers that can register on any programme. Craft apprentice registrations have experienced a marked increase in interest over the past 4 years. In 2021, a record 8,607 new apprentices were registered. There were 6,955 registrations on the 25 craft programmes alone. These are the highest registration figures since 2007. As of Monday, 16 May 2022, there have been 2,286 registrations (1,997 craft and 289 on post 2016/consortia led apprenticeships).
With the increase in registrations, currently there are 8,208 apprentices waiting to access off the job training of which 7,228 are waiting for phase 2 and 980 are waiting for phase 4 and 6. The phase 2, 4 and 6 apprentice figures will continue to change as apprentices move through their on and off-the-job phases.
As of 16 May 2022, 1,261 apprentices are scheduled to commence their phase 2 off the job training in the coming weeks. It is anticipated circa 2,500 apprentices will be scheduled to phase 4 and 6 training for the September 2022/2023 term.
Scheduling for Term September 2022 will commence in July 2022. Since last September 2021 classes have been scheduled at full capacity (14-16 per class) whereas prior to this they had been scheduled based on 7-8 per class to comply with public health advice. Over 70% of apprentices who were delayed by Covid-19 have now progressed in their off-the-job training.
To ensure that the remainder of the Covid-19 backlog is cleared and the system has the capacity to meet the training needs of rapidly increasing numbers of apprentices, expansion of the apprenticeship system is continuing in 2022. Further major investment in workshops and staff is planned for this year.
574. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentice places in each college of further education and-or higher education institute per apprenticeship type in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24426/22]
View answerIn response to your question seeking details of the number of apprentice places in each college of further education and or higher education institute per apprenticeship, please find in the attached table, the data sought. The phase 2 capacity figures presented in the attached document are based on the year the class commenced.
Higher education: The first tab in the following table collated by SOLAS shows Capacity Provision by Trade and Location for Term 2 (Academic Year 2021/2022) of Phase 4 and 6 training which is delivered in Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities
Further education: The second tab in the following table shows the phase 2 capacity figures of each college of further education per apprenticeship type and the total increase since 2019.
|
Location |
Trade |
Capacity |
|
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics |
48 |
|
|
Motor Mechanics |
16 |
|
|
TUS - Athlone Campus |
Plumbing |
64 |
|
Electrical Instrumentation |
80 |
|
|
Instrumentation |
32 |
|
|
IT Carlow |
Carpentry & Joinery |
32 |
|
Carpentry and Joinery |
32 |
|
|
Construction Plant Fitting |
48 |
|
|
Electrical |
128 |
|
|
M.A.M.F. |
32 |
|
|
Metal Fabrication |
80 |
|
|
Motor Mechanics |
32 |
|
|
Pipe fitting (Phase 6 only) |
16 |
|
|
Plastering |
12 |
|
|
Plumbing |
64 |
|
|
MTU Cork |
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning |
32 |
|
Bricklaying |
16 |
|
|
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics |
32 |
|
|
M.A.M.F. |
32 |
|
|
Metal Fabrication |
32 |
|
|
Motor Mechanics |
32 |
|
|
Painting & Decorating |
16 |
|
|
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning |
16 |
|
|
Sheet Metalwork |
16 |
|
|
Industrial Insulation |
16 |
|
|
Vehicle Body Repairs |
32 |
|
|
TU Dublin - Bolton St |
Wood Manufacturing & Finishing |
24 |
|
TU Dublin - Grangegorman |
Electrical |
96 |
|
TU Dublin - Tallaght |
Electrical |
64 |
|
TU Dublin - Blanchardstown |
Plumbing |
32 |
|
Carpentry and Joinery |
32 |
|
|
Electrical |
128 |
|
|
Motor Mechanics |
32 |
|
|
Dundalk IT |
Plumbing |
64 |
|
Dun Laoghaire FEI |
Carpentry and Joinery |
32 |
|
Electrical |
128 |
|
|
Motor Mechanics |
32 |
|
|
Galway Mayo IT |
Wood Manufacturing and Finishing (Letterfrack) |
16 |
|
Letterkenny IT |
Electrical |
32 |
|
Carpentry and Joinery |
32 |
|
|
Electrical |
128 |
|
|
M.A.M.F. |
32 |
|
|
TUS - Moylish Campus (Limerick) |
Motor Mechanics |
32 |
|
Mallow CFE |
Carpentry and Joinery |
32 |
|
Carpentry and Joinery |
48 |
|
|
Electrical |
128 |
|
|
IT Sligo |
Toolmaking |
48 |
|
Agricultural Mechanics |
32 |
|
|
Carpentry and Joinery |
80 |
|
|
MTU Tralee |
Electrical |
32 |
|
Electrical |
128 |
|
|
Motor Mechanics |
32 |
|
|
Plumbing |
64 |
|
|
Electronic Security Systems |
16 |
|
|
Waterford IT |
Bricklaying |
16 |
575. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the further education colleges in each education and training board; the courses that are offered and the course capacity in each in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24437/22]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is currently being compiled by SOLAS, the Further Education Authority. I have requested that SOLAS forward the information directly to the Deputy when complete.
576. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 8 March 2022, if data in relation to the number of students enrolled in green certs via education and training boards is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24657/22]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
577. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the rationale for SUSI refusing a grant under article 14(2) of the student grant scheme 2022 in cases in which the additional income has not pushed the applicant over the income threshold by SUSI’s own measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24664/22]
View answerUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by an appeals officer in SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal may be submitted to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe (i.e. not later than 30 days after the notification of the determination of the appeals officer to the applicant). Such appeals can be made by the appellant on line via www.studentgrantappeals.ie.
As per Article 14 (2) of the Student Grant Scheme 2022, a student is not eligible for a grant if they have been awarded or hold a grant, scholarship, prize, allowance or bursary which is made from public funds in the State, or equivalent from a Member State, the EEA or Swiss Confederation.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
As part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications. Inquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. Staff in SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days.
578. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it is within the remit of SUSI to grant funding for a person (details supplied) considering the circumstances of the bursary that was granted and that they are under the reckonable income threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24665/22]
View answerUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by an appeals officer in SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal may be submitted to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe (i.e. not later than 30 days after the notification of the determination of the appeals officer to the applicant). Such appeals can be made by the appellant on line via www.studentgrantappeals.ie.
As per Article 14 (2) of the Student Grant Scheme 2022, a student is not eligible for a grant if they have been awarded or hold a grant, scholarship, prize, allowance or bursary which is made from public funds in the State, or equivalent from a Member State, the EEA or Swiss Confederation.
With regard to the specific application, I have been advised by my officials that an ineligibility letter was issued from SUSI to the student in question on 16th March 2022 as they were in receipt of the Health & Social Care Services in Northern Ireland (HSCNI) Bursary. The student subsequently appealed to SUSI and was turned down by the Appeals Officer on 21st April 2022 on the basis that the HSCNI Bursary is a publicly funded Bursary and not included in the exceptions as outlined in Article 14 (3) of the legislation. To date the student has not submitted an appeal to the Student Grant Appeals Board.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
As part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications. Inquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. Staff in SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days.
579. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice the protocol that is in place for the re-use of computer hardware when it is replaced or upgraded within her Department and the bodies under the aegis of her Department; her plans to ensure that this complies with the forthcoming Circular Economy and Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24146/22]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to the forthcoming Circular Economy and Waste Management (Amendment) Act, which builds on the government’s commitment as set out in the 2020 Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, and the 2021 Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy. The recently published Circular Economy Bill now places that strategy on a statutory footing, putting the re-use of resources and reduced consumption at the heart of the Irish economy.
In relation to the re-use of computer hardware, I am informed that my Department operates a Citrix kiosk-based IT access system which requires very low PC specifications. The design of these kiosks ensures that no data is stored locally, therefore low specification components can be used on the PCs. Staff log onto the kiosk and into the Department’s network. This method of operation results in an extension of the lifetime of the PCs used by the Department by several years.
The Department, in conjunction with the Irish Prison Service, has contracts in place to ensure the safe and secure disposal of any IT equipment. Hard drives are removed from end of life machines for secure disposal and PCs are assessed to decide if components can be re-used as spare parts. Where this is not possible the PCs are offered to local schools and charities to be repurposed.
Only in the event that these options are not availed of, are the PCs sent for disposal with the Department's current contractor who has a strong ongoing commitment to minimising the impact of IT equipment on the environment by focusing on the re-use and re marking of IT assets. Certificates of secure disposal are provided in each instance.
The protocols in place for the re-use of computer hardware by the agencies, offices and bodies under the aegis of the Department of Justice, whose IT services are not managed by my Department's ICT Unit, are outlined below in tabular form.
|
Offices and Bodies under the aegis of the Dept of Justice |
IT |
|
An Garda Síochána |
Computer hardware which needs to be replaced or upgraded due to key performance issues is assessed for suitability for reuse through refurbishment or repair. If parts are suitable for reuse, they are used to replace non-working components of existing hardware. Where end of life hardware does not meet operational standards, by way of minimum required specification, it is disposed of through a WEEE recycling company. An Garda Síochána's aim is to keep all suitable computer hardware components and products in use for as long as possible and once beyond operational use they are disposed of in as an environmentally sustainable process as possible. |
|
Courts Service |
Technology upgrade and refresh programmes in the Courts Service include the analysis of computer hardware and appliances for reuse or redeployment on the estate. All computer hardware, appliances and components identified for refresh or replacement are triaged and assessed by Courts Service technicians for internal reuse and redeployment. |
|
Criminal Assets Bureau |
All computer hardware is disposed of and removed from the Assets Register when it is either replaced or upgraded, and therefore not re-used. |
|
Forensic Science Ireland |
IT equipment that has reached end of life is securely disposed of by Vyta Lifecycle IT Solutions. |
|
GSOC |
All HDDs/SSDs are removed from obsolete devices, industrially wiped and industrially shredded. The remaining components are recycled by the Prison Service and devices are removed from GSOC’s asset register. Hardware that continues to be suitable is reused as often as required until it reaches end of life as determined by GSOC’s ICT Unit. Given the removal of all desktop PCs as a result of COVID-19, consideration is being given to current desktop PCs being sold or given to a charitable cause (e.g. a school). |
|
Irish Prison Service |
The Irish Prison Service uses its ICT equipment until it no longer works, is damaged beyond repair, or is no longer fit for purpose. As a result such equipment cannot be reused. The Irish Prison Service recycles all equipment which has reached end of life stage. For security reasons ICT remove all hard drives of old/obsolete PC’s/laptops, these are shredded by the Irish Prison Service and the shredded material is disposed of by a licensed waste management company. The remaining parts are sent to Arbour Hill prison for re-cycling as part of the waste management programme. |
|
Legal Aid Board |
The Legal Aid Board has an arrangement with the Irish Prison Service for the disposal of its computer hardware. Hard disks are removed from computers and sent to the Irish Prison Service for shredding. The Board receives a certificate of destruction for these hard disks. The remainder of the equipment is sent to the Irish Prison Service for disposal. |
580. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the delays in processing passport applications due to ongoing issues with confirming Garda witnessing (details supplied); her plans for a central logging system for the witnessing process of passport applications; her plans to raise this matter with the Minister for Foreign Affairs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24132/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be appreciate, the Department of Foreign Affairs has responsibility for the Passport Service, including the processing of passport applications. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in relation to this matter, nor do I have any role in operational or administrative matters which fall within the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner.
I am advised, however, that An Garda Síochána implements a passport application recording mechanism at each Garda Station in which the details of passport applicants, and in the case of juveniles, their parents / guardians, are noted in the Stations’ Passport Record Book for the purpose of verifying the details of applicants when required by the Passport Office. I am further advised that An Garda Síochána has a dedicated Garda Passport Integrity Office, which is operationally responsible for liaising with the Passport Office in respect of dealing with issues arising from applications concerning certification, verification and/or passport integrity.
581. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the analysis that has been undertaken of the Coroners Amendment Act 2019, in particular of section 24 in which coroners have the power to command documents and evidence; the number of times documentation and evidence has been requested pursuant to section 24 of the Act; if her attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied) and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24138/22]
View answerI would like to take the opportunity to express my sincere sympathy and condolences to the family of the deceased.
The Coroners Service comprises of a network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. Coroners are independent quasi-judicial office holders whose core function is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can be issued. My Department does not have a role in directing the work of coroners or in individual death investigation cases. The exercise of statutory powers by a Coroner during an inquest is entirely a matter for the relevant Coroner.
The Coroners (Amendment) Act 2019 clarified, strengthened and modernised coroner’s powers in the reporting, investigation and inquest of deaths. The scope of enquiries at inquest was expanded beyond being limited to establishing the medical cause of death, to seeking to establish, to the extent the coroner considers necessary, the circumstances in which the death occurred. The Act also broadened the coroner’s powers relating to mandatory reporting and inquest of maternal deaths, deaths in custody or childcare situations and significant new powers to compel witnesses and evidence at inquest.
Section 24 of the Coroners (Amendment) Act 2019 amended section 38 of the Coroners Act 1962 to provide for increased powers for a coroner in relation to the taking of evidence at an inquest, including a power to direct any person to produce documents or things necessary for the proper conduct of the inquest, and to direct a witness to answer questions. It is important to note that inquest hearings are subject to fair procedure and natural justice.
Neither I nor my Department gather data on any aspect of Section 38 of the Coroners Act 1962, as amended. Therefore, the information requested by the Deputy is not available.
582. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be made in relation to an application for family reunification submitted by a person (details supplied) in December 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24169/22]
View answerThe application for the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by my Department and continues to be processed at this time.
All applications are processed in chronological order and my officials continue to prioritise applications made by Afghan nationals at this time.
The speed in which a decision can be made largely depends on the quality of the application received. My Department will continue to engage with the applicant for any further information that may be required to assist with the processing of the application.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.
583. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be made in relation to an application for family reunification submitted by a person (details supplied) in January 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24170/22]
View answerThe application for the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by my Department and continues to be processed at this time.
All applications are processed in chronological order and my officials are continuing to prioritise family reunification applications made by Afghan nationals at this time.
The speed in which a decision can be made largely depends on the quality of the application received. My Department will continue to engage with the applicant for any further information that may be required to assist with the processing of the application. 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.
584. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she fully co-operated with an European arrest warrant court judgment and provided all the requested information in respect of a case (details supplied); and if she granted permission to a person to remain in Ireland while being sought by law enforcement authorities in another jurisdiction. [24197/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, it is solely a matter for the High Court to decide whether a European Arrest Warrant received in the State will be executed and/or surrender ordered.
Section 9 of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 designates the High Court as the executing judicial authority in the State.
The Central Authority in my Department has the function of receiving and transmitting European Arrest Warrants under the Act and will also seek any additional information from the issuing authority when requested by the High Court to do so.
As the High Court is entirely independent in the administration of its functions it would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual cases. It is, however, understood that the High Court delivered a final judgment on this case on 24 May 2019.
As the Deputy will be aware, citizens of the European Union are entitled to free movement between, and residency in, other Member States.
585. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an update on a pathway to citizenship for those born in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24198/22]
View answer586. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the current number of citizenship applications being processed for minors with a naturalised parent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24199/22]
View answer587. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the average waiting time for citizenship applications for a minor with at least one naturalised parent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24200/22]
View answer588. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the number of decisions made per year over the past five years for citizenship applications for a minor with at least one naturalised parent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24201/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 585 to 588, inclusive, together.
The 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 and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
The 1956 Act, as amended, provides that an application may be submitted for a minor if the minor's parents have already been naturalised or if the minor is of Irish descent or has Irish associations or, at the time of their birth, was not entitled to Irish citizenship but has since accumulated five years reckonable residency in the State.
Minors cannot apply for naturalisation in their own right. The application must be made by their parent, legal guardian or person acting on the child's behalf "in loco parentis".
If one or more of the minor’s parents has already been naturalised they should apply using Form 9. If the minor is of Irish descent or has Irish associations they should use Form 10. If the minor was born in the State after 1 January 2005, and was not entitled to Irish citizenship at the time of birth, but has since accumulated five years’ reckonable residence they should use Form 11.
Section 6A of the 1956 Act also provides details on the criteria for naturalisation that applies to a child born to parents who were legally resident in the State at the time of their birth.
It is my intention that the forthcoming Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill will reduce the residency requirements for naturalisation for children born in the State from 5 years to 3 years and will also set out clear procedures that will apply to citizenship applications relating to children.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and the naturalisation process, along with the relevant application forms and guidance notes, is available on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.
There are currently 3,012 applications in the system in respect of a minor who is the child of a naturalised Irish citizen. Details of the processing time by this application category only are not maintained by my Department.
As a result of the introduction of the temporary statutory declaration process in January 2021, and the additional staff assigned to the citizenship team, last year, 11,512 citizenship decisions were delivered, which is the highest number of decisions since 2015 and reflects positively the significant changes undertaken to date.
Since 1 January 2022, new applicants for citizenship no longer have to submit their original passport with their application. Instead, they can provide a full colour copy of their entire passport, including the front and back covers. This is also freeing up valuable staff that up to now have been engaged in returning passports to applicants and will also help to reduce processing times.
A number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times.
The following table provides a breakdown decisions of per year for minors.
|
Year |
Decisions |
|
2016 |
1,870 |
|
2017 |
1,375 |
|
2018 |
1,318 |
|
2019 |
778 |
|
2020 |
820 |
|
2021 |
665 |
589. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the number and corresponding percentage of members of An Garda Síochána who have a moderate and-or strong competency in spoken Irish by Gaeltacht area in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24213/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no role in the matter.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána as of 30 April 2022 is 14,294. I am informed that of these members, 1,469 (10.27%) have declared competency in Irish with 111 declaring as native Irish speakers (0.77%). I am further informed that 526 members competent in Irish and 49 native Irish speakers are based in Gaeltacht areas as outlined in the tables below.
Stations located in or near Gaeltacht areas have been placed in bold text.
|
Cork City |
Total |
Irish Speaker |
|
ANGLESEA STREET |
276 |
35 + 3 Native |
|
BLACKROCK |
16 |
2 |
|
BRIDEWELL |
36 |
1 |
|
COMMAND & CONTROL |
24 |
4 |
|
BLARNEY |
14 |
1 |
|
CARRIG NA BHFEAR |
1 |
|
|
GURRANABRAHER |
58 |
2 |
|
GLANMIRE |
24 |
7 |
|
MALLOW ROAD |
1 |
|
|
MAYFIELD |
59 |
5 + 2 Native |
|
WATERCOURSE ROAD |
33 |
4 |
|
BALLINCOLLIG |
55 |
5 |
|
BISHOPSTOWN |
12 |
2 |
|
CARRIGALINE |
20 |
2 |
|
CROSSHAVEN |
2 |
|
|
DOUGLAS |
30 |
2 + 1Native |
|
PASSAGE WEST |
2 |
|
|
TOGHER |
64 |
10 |
|
Total |
727 |
88 |
|
Cork West |
Total |
Irish speaker |
|
BALLINEEN |
2 |
|
|
BALLINHASSIG |
2 |
|
|
BALLINSPITTLE |
1 |
|
|
BANDON |
79 |
8 + 2 Native |
|
INNISHANNON |
1 |
|
|
KILBRITTAIN |
1 |
|
|
KINSALE |
17 |
4 |
|
TIMOLEAGUE |
1 |
|
|
BANTRY |
39 |
4 + 1 Native |
|
CASTLETOWNBERE |
7 |
1 |
|
DRIMOLEAGUE |
1 |
|
|
DURRUS |
1 |
|
|
GLENGARRIFF |
1 |
1 |
|
SCHULL |
4 |
|
|
BALTIMORE |
1 |
1 |
|
CLONAKILTY |
33 |
2 + 2 Native |
|
DUNMANWAY |
18 |
2 |
|
ROSSCARBERY |
1 |
|
|
SKIBBEREEN |
10 |
3 |
|
BAILE BHUIRNE |
1 |
|
|
BÉAL ÁTHA AN GHAORTHA |
2 |
|
|
BOHERBUE |
1 |
|
|
COACHFORD |
2 |
|
|
CROOKSTOWN |
13 |
2 |
|
MACROOM |
38 |
6 |
|
MILLSTREET |
15 |
1 |
|
RATHMORE |
1 |
|
|
STUAKE |
1 |
|
|
TARELTON |
1 |
|
|
Total |
295 |
40 |
|
Donegal |
Total |
Irish speaker |
|
AN CHARRAIG |
2 |
|
|
ARD AN RÁTHA |
2 |
1 |
|
BALLINTRA |
1 |
|
|
BALLYSHANNON |
55 |
6 +1 Native |
|
BUNDORAN |
4 |
|
|
DONEGAL TOWN |
27 |
4 + 1 Native |
|
MOUNTCHARLES |
1 |
|
|
NA CEALLA BEAGA |
7 |
4 |
|
NA GLEANNTA |
10 |
3 |
|
PETTIGO |
1 |
|
|
BUNCRANA |
63 |
6 + 1Native |
|
BURNFOOT |
3 |
|
|
CARNDONAGH |
10 |
2 |
|
MOVILLE |
4 |
1 |
|
MUFF |
2 |
|
|
BALLYBOFEY |
25 |
3 |
|
CARRIGANS |
3 |
|
|
CASTLEFIN |
3 |
1 |
|
CONVOY |
4 |
|
|
LETTERKENNY |
132 |
28 + 5 Native |
|
LIFFORD |
12 |
1 |
|
NEWTOWNCUNNINGHAM |
5 |
|
|
RAPHOE |
5 |
|
|
AN BUN BEAG |
10 |
7 + 1Native |
|
AN CLOCHÁN LIATH |
7 |
2 |
|
AN CRAOSLACH |
1 |
1 |
|
AN FÁL CARRACH |
9 |
6 |
|
CARRAIG AIRT |
1 |
1 |
|
DÚN FIONNACHAID |
1 |
1 |
|
KERRYKEEL |
1 |
|
|
KILMACRENNAN |
1 |
1 |
|
MILFORD |
34 |
6 |
|
Total |
446 |
94 |
|
Galway |
Total |
Irish Speaker |
|
AHASCRAGH |
1 |
1 |
|
BALLINASLOE |
40 |
1 |
|
BALLYGAR |
1 |
|
|
CREGGS |
1 |
|
|
KILCONNELL |
1 |
|
|
MOUNT BELLEW |
5 |
1 |
|
MOYLOUGH |
1 |
|
|
AN MÁM |
2 |
2 |
|
CARNA |
1 |
1 Native |
|
CLIFDEN |
26 |
7 |
|
CLOCH NA RÓN |
1 |
1 |
|
LETTERFRACK |
1 |
|
|
ATHENRY |
6 |
1 |
|
GAILLIMH |
152 |
42 + 3 Native |
|
LOUGH GEORGE |
2 |
1 |
|
MONIVEA |
1 |
|
|
NW REGION HQ |
107 |
42 + 1 Native |
|
NWRHQ Garda Station |
11 |
2 |
|
ÓRÁN MÓR |
18 |
10 |
|
CRAUGHWELL |
3 |
1 |
|
EYRECOURT |
1 |
|
|
GORT |
25 |
3 |
|
KILLIMOR |
1 |
1 |
|
KILRICKLE |
1 |
|
|
KINVARA |
1 |
|
|
LOUGHREA |
39 |
7 |
|
PORTUMNA |
7 |
2 |
|
WOODFORD |
1 |
|
|
Command & Control NWRHQ |
28 |
3 |
|
AN CHEATHRÚ RUA |
5 |
1 + 3 Native |
|
AN SPIDÉAL |
2 |
1 Native |
|
CILL RÓNÁIN |
3 |
3 |
|
INDREABHÁN |
1 |
1 |
|
LEITIR MÓIR |
1 |
|
|
MAIGH CUILINN |
1 |
1 |
|
ROS MUC |
1 |
1 |
|
SALTHILL |
49 |
16 + 2 Native |
|
UACHTARARD |
3 |
1 Native |
|
BARNADERG |
1 |
|
|
COROFIN |
1 |
|
|
DUNMORE |
3 |
|
|
GLENAMADDY |
1 |
|
|
HEADFORD |
2 |
|
|
MILLTOWN |
1 |
|
|
TUAM |
52 |
8 |
|
WILLIAMSTOWN |
1 |
|
|
Total |
613 |
171 |
|
Kerry |
Total |
Irish speaker |
|
BARRADUFF |
1 |
|
|
CAHERCIVEEN |
15 |
1 + 1 Native |
|
GLENBEIGH |
1 |
|
|
KENMARE |
12 |
2 |
|
KILLARNEY |
66 |
13 + 1 Native |
|
KILLORGLIN |
13 |
5 |
|
PORTMAGEE |
1 |
1 |
|
SNEEM |
1 |
1 |
|
WATERVILLE |
1 |
1 |
|
BALLYBUNION |
7 |
1 |
|
BALLYDUFF |
1 |
|
|
BALLYHEIGUE |
1 |
|
|
KNOCKNAGOSHALL |
1 |
1 |
|
LISTOWEL |
43 |
8 |
|
LIXNAW |
1 |
|
|
TARBERT |
2 |
|
|
AN DAINGEAN |
12 |
6 |
|
ANNASCAUL |
1 |
|
|
ARDFERT |
2 |
|
|
BAILE AN FHEIRTÉARAIG |
1 |
|
|
CASTLEGREGORY |
2 |
1 Native |
|
CASTLEISLAND |
38 |
5 |
|
CASTLEMAINE |
1 |
|
|
FARRANFORE |
2 |
|
|
TRALEE |
126 |
14 + 4 Native |
|
Total |
352 |
66 |
|
Mayo |
Total |
Irish Speaker |
|
BALLINA |
57 |
7 |
|
BONNICONLON |
1 |
|
|
CROSSMOLINA |
3 |
|
|
FOXFORD |
3 |
|
|
KILLALA |
2 |
|
|
BALLYCROY |
2 |
1 Native |
|
BANGOR ERRIS |
2 |
|
|
BÉAL AN MHUIRTHEAD |
29 |
5 |
|
GLEANN NA MUAIDHE |
1 |
1 |
|
BALLA |
3 |
|
|
CASTLEBAR |
67 |
6 + 1 Native |
|
PARTRY |
2 |
1 |
|
BALLINDINE |
1 |
|
|
BALLINROBE |
8 |
2 |
|
BALLYHAUNIS |
10 |
|
|
CHARLESTOWN |
2 |
|
|
CLAREMORRIS |
40 |
6 |
|
CONG |
1 |
|
|
KILKELLY |
8 |
|
|
KILMAINE |
2 |
1 |
|
KILTIMAGH |
1 |
|
|
KNOCK |
1 |
|
|
SHRULE |
1 |
|
|
SWINFORD |
37 |
5 + 2 Native |
|
ACHILL SOUND |
5 |
2 |
|
KEEL |
2 |
2 |
|
LOUISBURGH |
3 |
|
|
NEWPORT |
4 |
1 |
|
WESTPORT |
26 |
2 |
|
Total |
324 |
45 |
|
Meath |
Total |
Irish Speaker |
|
ASHBOURNE |
68 |
6 |
|
DULEEK |
5 |
|
|
DUNBOYNE |
9 |
|
|
DUNSHAUGHLIN |
24 |
2 + 1 Native |
|
LAYTOWN |
18 |
6 |
|
BAILE ÁTHA BUÍ |
2 |
|
|
KELLS |
39 |
1 |
|
OLDCASTLE |
3 |
1 |
|
NAVAN |
95 |
10 + 2 Native |
|
NOBBER |
3 |
|
|
SLANE |
8 |
|
|
BALLIVOR |
1 |
|
|
ENFIELD |
3 |
|
|
LONGWOOD |
1 |
|
|
SUMMERHILL |
2 |
|
|
TRIM |
49 |
6 |
|
Total |
330 |
35 |
|
Waterford |
Total |
Irish Speaker |
|
AGLISH |
1 |
|
|
AN RINN |
1 |
1 |
|
ARDMORE |
1 |
|
|
BALLYMACARBERRY |
1 |
1 |
|
CAPPOQUIN |
2 |
|
|
DUNGARVAN |
53 |
1 + 1 Native |
|
LISMORE |
3 |
|
|
TALLOW |
2 |
|
|
KILMACTHOMAS |
11 |
2 |
|
PORTLAW |
1 |
|
|
TRAMORE |
43 |
5 |
|
DUNMORE EAST |
2 |
|
|
FERRYBANK |
3 |
|
|
PASSAGE EAST |
1 |
|
|
WATERFORD |
228 |
21 + 1 Native |
|
COMMAND & CONTROL |
27 |
3 |
|
Total |
380 |
36 |
590. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the way that her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit meet their obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. [24311/22]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that my Department and the bodies and agencies under its aegis are committed to ensuring that obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts, 1998-2015 are met, and that all staff have access to equal opportunities surrounding employment, career progression, learning and development and all other aspects of working life.
The Deputy may also be interested to note that on 11 March 2022, my Department launched its first Equality Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, which provides clear milestones and a framework through which it will build on its ambition to be an organisation that is welcoming and inclusive. This Strategy strengthens the Department’s capabilities to promote equality, embrace diversity and foster inclusion in its day to day business and services, in policy-making and in providing equal opportunities for all staff.
My Department has a Disability Liaison Officer, who is available to provide confidential support, information and advice to all staff with disabilities and their managers. The Disability Liaison Officer actively engages with staff with a disability to ensure reasonable accommodations are put in place to enable them to carry out their roles effectively, access training and development, and pursue opportunities for career progression and promotion.
Reasonable accommodation measures include, but are not limited to, assistive software or hardware, accessible parking, role adjustment/tailoring, or time off to attend medical appointments related to a disability. Where necessary, the Disability Liaison Officer collaborates with IT, Corporate Facilities and Human Resources, as well as the Department’s Health and Safety Officer, to coordinate the provision of these reasonable accommodations. Further, if additional training is required to facilitate a staff member who has a disability to meet their job requirements, this is identified to the Corporate Learning Unit, who source appropriate training with the assistance of the DLO and the staff member.
As part of their induction training, all new entrants to my Department are informed about the Disability Liaison Officer and the supports available to staff with disabilities.
Staff are invited by the Corporate Learning Unit to indicate whether they require reasonable accommodation when participating in any training taking place in the Department. Additionally, live closed captions are provided on all webinars delivered by the Corporate Learning Unit and other supports such as Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpreting and plain text content are made available, to allow greater access to training for staff with disabilities.
My Department is currently working with colleagues in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure that any purchased eLearning content is accessible to all staff e.g. compatible with screen reader technology and also works with external training providers to ensure any e-learning modules designed for and delivered to staff adhere to accessibility and universal design principles.
As my Department transitions into a new phase of blended working, it has shaped its policy and procedures to ensure that staff who have disabilities are provided with the reasonable accommodations they require to carry out their work effectively. For example, any staff member who uses assistive software and/or hardware will be allocated a permanent, designated desk in their office, which can only be used by that staff member.
591. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if a person holding a refugee convention travel document from another EU member state is entitled to live and work in Ireland without obtaining a permission from the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service. [24349/22]
View answerIreland is a signatory to the Council of Europe ‘European Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees’, which allows the holder of a Convention Travel Document to travel visa free for short stays of up to 90 days in countries that are parties to the Agreement. A holder of a Convention Travel Document is not subject to an Irish visa requirement for short stays of up to 90 days in Ireland if the Travel Document has been issued by a European State that is a contracting party to the Agreement.
A list of the countries from whom Ireland accepts Convention Travel Documents can be found on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-work-in-ireland/what-are-my-options-for-working-in-ireland/coming-to-work-for-less-than-90-days/join-ship-visa/recognition-of-convention-travel-documents/.
A Convention Travel Document holder, similar to any other non-EEA national who is visa exempt, may seek to enter and reside in the State on visitors conditions for up to 90 days without having to register with the their local Immigration Office.
Any non EEA national, including Convention Travel Document holders, who wishes to remain in the State for more than 90 days must make an application for the appropriate immigration permission, or an application for an employment permit from the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment, prior to entering the State. The right to access employment will depend on the granting of an appropriate immigration permission or an employment permit.
Entry into the State is solely at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. The onus is on an individual to have all documentation relating to their reasons for entering Ireland ready for presentation to the Immigration Officer to gain entry. The Immigration Officer may grant leave to enter to a maximum period of three months. They may, depending on the documentation presented, refuse entry to the State or grant a lesser period than three months.
If remaining in the State for more than 90 days, they must register their immigration permission with their local Immigration Office.
592. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the progress made to meet the recommendations of the review of the Coroner Service: Report of the Working Group relating to 3.4.1 organisation and 3.4.6 a new coroner agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24350/22]
View answerThe coroner service comprises a network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. Coroners are independent quasi-judicial office holders whose core function is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can be issued. My Department does not have a role in directing the work of coroners.
Many of the recommendations of the 2000 Review related to the strengthening of the legal provisions regarding the work of the coroner. In this regard, there has been significant implementation of many of the relevant recommendations, sometimes to a greater extent than that envisaged by the Review, in the intervening period. Such improvements were effected through amendments to the Coroners Act 1962 in 2005, 2011, 2013, 2019 and 2020 as follows:
- The Coroners (Amendment) Act 2005 ended the restriction on the number of medical witnesses allowed at inquest.
- The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 provided for the restructuring and amalgamation of coronial districts. Coroner districts within counties have been amalgamated as the opportunities have arisen. There were 48 districts in 2000, this has reduced to 38 in 2022.
- The Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 provided for legal aid and legal advice by certification by the coroner to the Legal Aid Board in relation to inquests.
- The Coroners (Amendment) Act 2019 clarified, strengthened and modernised coroner’s powers in the reporting, investigation and inquest of deaths. The scope of enquires at inquest was expanded beyond being limited to establishing the medical cause of death, to seeking to establish, to the extent the coroner considers necessary, the circumstances in which the death occurred. The Act also broadened the coroner’s powers relating to mandatory reporting and inquest of maternal deaths, deaths in custody or childcare situations and significant new powers to compel witnesses and evidence at inquest.
- The Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 provided, among other items, for the assignment and appointment of temporary coroners to act simultaneously with other coroners in exceptional circumstances to be utilised as part of the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
With regard to reform of the Coroners Service, the Coroners Bill 2007, incorporated many of the more than 100 recommendations contained in the 2000 Review. It also had regard to the proposals of the Rules Committee. However, due to the major challenges then confronting public finances, the administrative restructuring proposed in the 2007 Bill was not progressed following Second Stage in the Seanad.
My Justice Plan 2022 commits to bringing forward nationwide coroner review proposals later this year to address identified issues and drive innovative change.
