Written Answers Nos. 41-60
41. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if she intends to establish an independent inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied) in line with resolutions of both Houses of the Oireachtas. [26128/22]
View answer66. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Justice her views on establishing a public inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26058/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 66 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, retired Judge Gerard Haughton has been conducting a scoping exercise into the tragic circumstances surrounding Shane O'Farrell's death. The purpose of this exercise is to advise as to whether any further investigation or inquiry beyond those already carried out is necessary and, if so, to advise on the form of such investigation or inquiry and its terms of reference.
I am informed that the Judge is on the verge of completing the scoping exercise and has begun the process to compile his final report. Once that process is complete I understand that Judge Haughton will submit his final report to me.
Once I have received the final report, the advice of the Attorney General will be sought on publication.
I will conclude by re-stating in the clearest possible terms that neither the Government nor my own Department is in any way opposed to the possibility of a further inquiry into this case if that is what is recommended. However, the Deputy will understand that I cannot pre-empt the outcome of the scoping exercise.
43. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Justice the progress that she is making in developing the third strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25979/22]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) in all its forms, and to ensuring that people, particularly women and vulnerable people, feel safe and are safe in our communities.
The prioritisation of this hugely-important work is evident in the policy and legislative developments implemented by this Government and those that are currently being progressed. Additionally, increased budget allocations have been secured this year in order to address such heinous and unacceptable behaviour.
As the Deputy is aware, I am currently leading work on a new whole of Government strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. This new plan will have a particular focus on prevention, and on ensuring victims are better supported. It will set an overall goal of zero tolerance in our society of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
The strategy has been developed in partnership with the sector to ensure it is targeted, comprehensive and effective in achieving all of the goals set out. Earlier this year, I briefed those working in the sector on the progress of the strategy and as part of that ongoing consultation a wider public consultation run by my Department concluded in March.
Officials in my Department are currently working to finalise the strategy for submission to Government in light of submissions received in this final consultative phase.
The strategy and aims will set a high level of ambition. I am also working on finalising an accompanying action plan for the rest of this year and next year which will set out how each of these aims will be achieved, which Departments and agencies are responsible for them, and the timeframe for delivery, so that it is targeted, precise and deliverable.
I intend to bring both the finalised strategy and the action plan to Government in the coming weeks. They will both be published as soon as possible thereafter.
I have said on a number of occasions that this new Strategy will be the most ambitious to date, and I intend to deliver on that.
44. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if she has established a working group to implement the recommendations of the Courts' Security Review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26066/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, this matter is one of the objectives under Goal One of Justice Plan 2022 which is to tackle crime, enhance national security and transform policing.
Specifically, objective eight contains a commitment to implement recommendations arising from a review of Courts Security. As part of that commitment, a High Level Working Group has now been established and the first meeting is scheduled to take place on 23 June 2022.
The group will be chaired by the Deputy Secretary in charge of the Criminal Justice Pillar in my Department and will consist of senior management from our policy function, from within the Courts Service, as well as An Garda Síochána.
Officials are currently working on developing the Terms of Reference in advance of the first meeting of the group. These will focus on and explore how the review can be implemented in terms of the serving of summonses and the role of An Garda Síochána in Courts Security.
The next phase of this work involves the agreement of recommendations of the group by Q3 and the commencement of implementation by the end of the year.
45. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the progress made in reforming the Coroner Service. [25834/22]
View answerThe coroner service is a network of coroners in districts throughout the country. Coroners are independent quasi-judicial officials whose function is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can issue.
Many of the recommendations of the 2000 Review related to the strengthening of the legal provisions regarding the work of the coroner. There has been significant implementation of many of the recommendations, through amendments to the Coroners Act 1962, in particular;
- 2005 legislation ended the restriction on the number of medical witnesses allowed at inquest;
- 2011 legislation provided for the restructuring and amalgamation of coronial districts;
- 2013 legislation provided for legal aid and advice by certification by coroners to the Legal Aid Board in relation to inquests;
- 2019 legislation clarified, strengthened and modernised coroners’ powers in dealing with death investigation. The scope of enquires at inquest was expanded beyond being limited to establishing the medical cause of death, to seeking to establish the circumstances surrounding the death. The Act also broadened coroners’ 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.
- 2020 legislation provided for the appointment of temporary coroners to act simultaneously with coroners in exceptional circumstances.
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. Due to the challenges confronting public finances, the administrative restructuring proposed in the 2007 Bill was not progressed following Second Stage in the Seanad.
I am committed to reform in this area and the Justice Plan 2022 commits to bringing forward nationwide coroner review proposals later this year to address identified issues and drive innovative change.
46. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on the appointment of a CEO to the Gambling Authority. [26024/22]
View answerLast October, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform sanctioned the recruitment of the CEO Designate of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, and the process is now well underway.
The Public Appointments Service, in conjunction with an Executive Search Agency, is managing the recruitment, applications for which have now closed. It will be done in line with its normal interview processes, including confidentiality.
The start date and on boarding process for the new CEO Designate will be determined once the successful candidate has been identified.
47. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice the allocation of community gardaí and sergeants to Finglas Garda station in the K district; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26118/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This includes the deployment of Garda members throughout the State.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with an unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2022 of over €2 billion.
I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
I can inform the Deputy that as at 30 April 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there are 102 Garda members assigned to Finglas Garda Station, of which one sergeant and 10 Garda members are categorised as Community Gardaí. The number of Gardaí categorised as Community Gardaí assigned to Finglas Garda Station has increased by 10% since the end of 2016, when there were 10 Garda members but no sergeant categorised as Community Gardaí.
As the Deputy will be aware, to date the official categorisation as a Community Garda has simply referred to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society, including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. It is important to note, however, that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties.
Indeed, this is fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and currently being rolled out under 'A Policing Service for Our Future', the Government's implementation plan for the Commission's recommendations.
48. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice the expected timeline to introduce a new offence of stalking and non-fatal strangulation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25992/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, I recently secured Government approval to draft legislation to make stalking and non-fatal strangulation standalone offences.
The introduction of these new offences form part of the Government’s zero tolerance approach to domestic, sexual and gender based violence, and will be key actions in the Third National Strategy which is currently being finalised.
While both stalking and non-fatal strangulation are already crimes, I propose a number of changes to make the law in this area clearer and stronger.
These new provisions, which will be included in the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, will:
- Amend section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 to introduce a standalone stalking offence, and amend the existing harassment offence
- Empower the courts to issue orders restraining stalking behaviours without a criminal prosecution
- Strengthen procedural protections for alleged victims of stalking during the court process
- Introduce a standalone offence of non-fatal strangulation
Stalking is an extremely serious and intrusive crime that can cause devastating psychological distress. It may also be a precursor to acts of physical violence. Evidence suggests that having a specific offence leads to greater public awareness and to an increase in the number of cases being reported and prosecuted.
It is important to say that while these changes will improve the law, stalking is already a crime under the existing harassment offence. I would encourage victims of stalking to report it. It can be, and it is prosecuted. Offences carry a potential sentence of up to 10 years imprisonment and perpetrators should know they cannot act with impunity.
The proposals on non-fatal strangulation will ensure assaults involving strangulation or choking can be prosecuted as a serious offence, even if there are no observable injuries.
We know that non-fatal strangulation can be an indication of future, lethal violence and is a risk factor for homicides against women in the home. Non-fatal strangulation is prevalent in domestic abuse and frequently used as a tool of coercion, often accompanied by threats to kill.
While choking and strangling are already illegal, it is hoped that creating this new offence will encourage victims to come forward and report what has happened to them.
As I noted, the Government recently approved the drafting of these provisions and work in that regard is ongoing. The drafting of the text of the Bill in which they will be included is well advanced and is expected to be published in the coming weeks.
49. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on the further roll-out of electronic tagging of criminals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26112/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Criminal Justice Act 2006 contains provisions for the introduction of Electronic Monitoring in this jurisdiction. Section 108 makes provision for an order for electronic monitoring in the context of a restriction of movement condition applying to the granting of temporary release.
In addition, the Government recently approved my proposal to publish the Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021, which has since passed second stage in the Dáil.
As drafted, this Bill includes provision for a court to order an electronic monitoring device for a convicted sex offender who is subject to a post-release supervision order, or a sex offender order, that includes a condition restricting the offender's movement, post release.
The Deputy may wish to note that the operational details of how this will work will have to be carefully developed and take account of the costs and value for money, in the context of the technology’s relatively limited effectiveness, as well as the Council of Europe Guidelines.
The aim is to provide our courts with a range of appropriate tools and interventions to allow for monitoring and reducing the risks posed by sex offenders, to facilitate rehabilitation and to protect the public.
There is some evidence that electronic monitoring can be effective in respect of sex offenders when used for a short duration in tandem with other interventions, such as probation supervision and this is what I am proposing in the Bill.
As a technology, electronic monitoring has advanced over the years, but not all of its limitations have yet been overcome and I envisage therefore that a pilot scheme will be introduced to explore its costs and benefits once the legislation is in place. I will keep this matter under review.
It important to note that while electronic monitoring can serve a useful purpose, it does not in and of itself prevent the commission of crime. It is not a real time surveillance system but primarily a means of checking compliance with any conditions of probation or bail. However, we have in place a number of ways of engaging with and monitoring people both on probation and on bail and electronic tagging, if it is to be used, should be considered in conjunction with targeted probation supervision measures, and/or for those on temporary early release.
50. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice her plans for the reform of licensing laws; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25985/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to modernising our licensing laws and application processes, and my Justice Plan 2022 commits to publishing and enacting new laws to update and modernise licensing laws.
I am delivering on that commitment by preparing Heads of a General Scheme of a Sale of Alcohol Bill.
The objective of the proposed Bill is to repeal the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2018, the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2008, and the Public Dance Hall Act 1935, and to replace them with updated and streamlined provisions more suited to the 21st century.
Codifying alcohol licensing law into a single Act will make it more accessible and user-friendly for the licensed trade, courts, Gardaí and the public.
The development of this Bill will take account of concerns on a wide range of issues, including public health, public order and the interests of consumers, communities and businesses.
Last November, I launched a wide-ranging consultation to seek the views of the public on the modernisation of Ireland’s licencing laws. The consultation, which ran until 21 January this year, looked at how best to update the existing laws governing the sale and regulation of alcohol in Ireland. Members of the public, academics, sectoral groups, and representative organisations were invited to complete an online survey and/or make a written submission to my Department.
There was a high level of response to the consultation, with in excess of 5,000 responses received. My Department is now reviewing these responses to ensure the reform of the legislation takes account of and is informed by this engagement.
The Deputy may also be aware that, on 10 March, I hosted a consultation webinar and panel discussion event on the reform of the alcohol licensing laws to give an opportunity for further discussion of the issues of concern to stakeholders.
That webinar can be viewed on my Department’s YouTube channel via the following link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tMtKzd_9jA.
It is intended to progress this legislation in the months ahead. Details of the proposed reform will be included in the General Scheme when published.
51. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if there are any outstanding legislative obligations for her Department arising from commitments made in the Stormont House Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26115/22]
View answerThe Stormont House Agreement, concluded by the two Governments and the Northern Ireland Parties in December 2014, provides for a framework of measures to address the legacy of troubles-related violence in Northern Ireland.
The framework of measures agreed include the establishment of the Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR).
Given the cross-border nature of the ICIR, in September 2015, the Government signed an International Agreement with the British Government on the establishment of the Independent Commission for Information Retrieval (ICIR). The development of proposals for legislation to establish the ICIR in this jurisdiction have been progressed, in close cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, and Heads of Bill are well advanced. However, ICIR will require legislation to be enacted in both jurisdictions with parallel provisions in order for it to come into effect, which is presenting a particular difficulty at the current time.
As the Deputy will be aware, the UK Government recently published a Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill. The Bill does not provide for an Independent Commission for Information Retrieval as set out in the Stormont House agreement and therefore legislation cannot be progressed at this time.
This Government remains committed to the Stormont House framework as the way forward on legacy issues.
The Government will continue to engage and work with the British Government and the parties in Northern Ireland on this very important issue.
52. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Justice the status of the introduction of changes to gambling laws; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26121/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government gives a clear commitment to establish a gambling regulator, which I am working to deliver.
The Regulator will be focused on public safety and wellbeing with responsibility for regulating both in-person and online gambling, gambling advertising, gambling websites and apps.
The Government has approved the Gambling Regulation Bill for priority drafting and publication. Drafting of the Bill is underway.
The publication by the Justice Committee of its pre-legislative scrutiny report on the General Scheme is another welcome step in the process.
Now that I have received the pre-legislative scrutiny report, my officials will examine and consider the recommendations and findings of the Committee.
Recruitment of the CEO Designate is also underway through an open Public Appointments Service competition.
A Programme Board has been established in my Department to ensure that the legislation and the operational preparations are progressed in parallel so that the Authority commences operations as soon as possible after enactment.
There is a pathway mapped for this legislation progressing which, with the cooperation of the Houses of the Oireachtas, will facilitate the Authority being established and operational in 2023.
53. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice her plans for the establishment of a new agency to deliver services to persons affected by domestic, sexual and gender-based violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25990/22]
View answerIn 2020, the Department of Justice, in consultation with the Department for Children, Equality Integration Disability and Youth, initiated an audit of the effectiveness of existing structures to oversee domestic, sexual and gender-based violence policy and its implementation.
The aim of the audit was to examine concerns about fragmentation and gaps given that responsibility for DSGBV is dispersed across various different Departments and agencies. The audit findings pointed to a need for more robust and authoritative co-ordination structures in the interest of more joined-up and effective services for victims.
To deliver what is needed, not just in the short term but into the future, the Government is considering the establishment of a statutory agency dedicated to DSGBV - an agency that will drive this work and bring the expertise and focus needed to bear on the issue.
The agency would work with all state and non-state actors to bring about the changes and improved responses that victims deserve and that the sector is calling for.
Subject to Government approval and the enactment of the necessary legislation, I would hope to have this agency up and running within 18 months. Work has begun in my Department on the necessary scoping and planning to prepare for the design, establishment, and resourcing of the agency.
It is envisaged that this agency would be tasked with:
- Delivering excellent services to victims of DSGBV, which will include delivering on the number of safe and accessible accommodation spaces needed for victims of DSGBV, as well as ensuring that helpline and other supports are available to everyone who requires them;
- Driving and co-ordinating the delivery of all Government actions under the third national strategy;
- Developing strategies/plans for improved and standardised data gathering and analysis to help inform future policy development and service provision;
- Conducting/commissioning research to inform future development of policy and services;
- Carrying out awareness-raising and information campaigns for victims and wider society;
- Taking responsibility, and establish new and consistent standards for, the delivery of all DSGBV services currently provided by Tusla (including the greatly expanded provision of refuge services nationwide); and
- Working closely with the NGO sector in a spirit of collaboration to ensure that the best possible services are in place to meet the needs of victims.
54. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice if the Garda authorities have reported on priorities for new Garda station constructions in 2022 and 2023; if they have identified new stations to the OPW and any other relevant bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25835/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the Garda estate. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. Works in relation to Garda accommodation are progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the OPW.
The determination of the need for the development of a new Garda Station in any location is considered by the Commissioner in the context of a wide range of factors, including the overall accommodation needs arising from the ongoing expansion of the Garda workforce, the implementation of 'A Policing Service For our Future' (the Government's implementation plan for the recommendations of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland), the new Garda Operating Model and available resources.
I can advise the Deputy that a new Garda Capital Plan 2022 – 2030 is currently undergoing consideration by my Department, An Garda Síochána and the OPW and the final project priorities will be settled in the context of this plan.
However I can advise the Deputy that An Garda Síochána, in conjunction with OPW, continue to make good progress on a number of key capital projects including a purpose built facility at Military Road, which is due for completion in late September 2022, and a number of other associated projects to enable the decant from Harcourt Square to be completed before the end of 2022.
In addition, it is expected that the tender for the re-development of Portlaoise Garda Station will issue in Q3 2022. Works are also progressing on a number of other Garda projects including Bailieboro Garda Station and the Property and Exhibit Management Systems (PEMs) at Drogheda and Tallaght Garda Stations.
Additionally, as the Deputy will be aware, the construction of the new Garda station at Macroom is to proceed on the basis of a major Public Private Partnership (PPP) project which also includes the construction of a new Garda Station in Clonmel and Courts Service accommodation in Dublin. I am advised that planning permission for the new Garda station in Macroom has been approved in recent months. An Garda Síochána continues to engage with my Department, the OPW and the National Development Finance Agency, which is the procuring authority for PPPs, to progress this project which will include the tender process, contract agreement and construction, with a view to issuing the related tender in mid-2023.
55. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the degree to which she and her Department remain alert to the increasing number of incidents of drug related crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26022/22]
View answerThe Government is acutely aware of the substantial and ongoing damage that drug dealing has on communities across the country. Organised criminal activity, including drug dealing, represents a serious threat to community safety.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Health leads on Government policy in the area of drugs, and this policy is guided by the national drugs and alcohol strategy, 'Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025'. This strategy represents a whole-of-government response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland.
The Government’s strategic approach is health-led to reduce demand while balancing this with reducing access to illegal drugs. This approach aims to reduce the numbers criminalised for the possession of drugs for personal use by diverting these people to health and diversion treatments to address their habits and behaviours.
While the strategy aims to support the most vulnerable people who use drugs, it is also matched with strong enforcement measures across Government to tackle the supply of illegal drugs.
The below table includes controlled drug offences data obtained from the Central Statistics Office database and I welcome the decrease of approximately 13% in recorded offences in 2021 compared to 2020. When analysing this data, it is important to be cognisant of the impact of Covid-19 and be vigilant and mindful of the potential opportunities for criminal activity that the opening up of our society may offer.
|
CSO Recorded Crime Offences Under Reservation |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Controlled drug offences |
16,759 |
18,277 |
21,313 |
23,175 |
20,140 |
|
Importation of drugs |
21 |
15 |
28 |
21 |
23 |
|
Cultivation or manufacture of drugs |
247 |
199 |
192 |
379 |
246 |
|
Possession of drugs for sale or supply |
3,842 |
4,137 |
4,785 |
6,041 |
5,099 |
|
Possession of drugs for personal use |
12,157 |
13,384 |
15,594 |
15,776 |
13,944 |
|
Other drug offences |
492 |
542 |
714 |
958 |
828 |
The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) is having significant success in disrupting drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs by organised crime groups. I am advised by the Garda authorities that in 2021, GNDOCB seized almost €64m worth of illicit drugs and over €5.6m in cash, a significant increase from 2019, when there were over €21m worth of illicit drugs and over €2.5m in cash seized.
GNDOCB’s work is supported by Divisional Drugs Units nationwide, and by all Gardaí working in local communities. GNDOCB also works closely and productively with international law enforcement partners. Gardaí continue to work closely with local authorities, the HSE, NGOs, community groups and other State agencies to tackle the problems of drug addiction and abuse.
As the Deputy may be aware, drug-related intimidation is a very serious issue and the GNDOCB has worked with the National Family Support Network to develop ‘the Drug Related Intimidation Reporting Programme’ to respond to the needs of drug users and family members experiencing drug-related intimidation.
The Commissioner has tasked an Inspector in every Garda Division to respond to the issue of drug related intimidation. People seeking assistance may contact their local Inspector confidentially who will provide practical personal security and safety information and advice in relation to particular threats or instances of intimidation, along with information on appropriate drug support services for the individual in the family who is accruing drug debts, while also providing information regarding the process involved in making a formal complaint.
On 2 July 2021, An Garda Síochána commenced an enhanced Operation Tara, which has a strong focus on tackling street-level dealing throughout rural and urban Ireland. The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels - international, national and local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Fógra was launched by An Garda Síochána in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) as part of Operation Tara to combat drug-related intimidation in the DMR region.
The objectives of Operation Fógra are to support communities, increase frontline awareness of drug-related intimidation and enhance collaboration. A Senior Investigating Officer is appointed to all incidents identified as having a drug-related intimidation motive.
Recent successes of Operation Tara and Operation Fógra include the seizure of an estimated €1.12 million of suspected cannabis and €420,000 of suspected cocaine in Counties Kildare and Meath, and the arrest and charging of three individuals on 17 May in relation to drug-related intimidation.
56. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she will introduce a register of domestic violence offenders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25986/22]
View answerI met with the Garda Commissioner in recent weeks, and we discussed if a similar scheme could be operated here. Any such proposal obviously brings data protection issues into play and we would need to be sure that such a scheme, if introduced, would be legally sound and robust.
The Commissioner has undertaken to explore the possibility with his data protection and legal experts.
As to the question of legislating for a register, I will look at that when the Commissioner has had the opportunity to consider how such a scheme might operate in this jurisdiction.
57. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice the steps that are being taken to coordinate the issue of travel visas for those who have received work permits from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; the average time to issue these visas; and the scope for improving these timelines. [26025/22]
View answerIn order to work in Ireland, a non-EEA national, unless they are exempted, must hold a valid employment permit, which is administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE).
Visa required nationals must apply for a “D” long stay employment visa once they have been granted an employment permit from DETE. Any non EU/EEA nationals who wish to remain for longer than 90 days must also register with my Department, within 90 days of their arrival in Ireland, and apply for further permission to remain.
The processing times for visa decisions are published on the visa pages of each Visa Office and the relevant Embassy website. Currently, the average time taken to process an employment visa received in my Department's Visa Offices in Dublin and overseas is three weeks.
The granting of an employment permit by DETE is not the sole determining factor as to whether a visa will subsequently be granted by my Department. These are two very distinct application processes with different checks and procedures in place in each respective Department.
The central concern in deciding on visa applications, as with all visa services worldwide, is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime while at the same time facilitating travel for those who meet the criteria. Each visa application is therefore decided on its own merits taking all factors into account.
59. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the criteria to make an application to the Community Safety Innovation Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24871/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department opened applications for the new Community Safety Innovation Fund on 11 April.
Reflecting the success of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau in identifying and seizing proceeds from criminal activity, the new fund will use money seized from the proceeds of crime to support investment in innovative community safety projects.
The Fund, which is expected to grow in the coming years, will have an initial outlay of €2m for this year and will be subject to a robust evaluation at the end of Year 1 to inform future decisions. The intention is that bids for further allocations will be part of the normal budgetary process.
It is anticipated that the kind of projects which may be supported will include new additional activities, not already covered by existing funding streams, intended to:
- tackle crime or reduce the fear of crime;
- improve community safety;
- support the creation of safe and resilient communities;
- reduce reoffending; or
- divert vulnerable individuals away from engagement in criminal behaviour.
This Fund will ensure that the success of An Garda Síochána and CAB is reflected back into new investments in our communities, and on projects which will build strong and safe communities.
Community Safety is about people being safe and, just as importantly, feeling safe within their communities. This, of course, goes beyond policing alone. This fund will ensure that the best proposals get the funding they need, and will encourage the development of innovative ways in which to improve community safety from those people who understand local needs best.
The development of innovative ideas will also allow best practice on community safety and youth justice to be shared with other partnerships and communities nationally as new proposals are developed.
The Fund is open to bodies involved in community safety and will support them in addressing local needs and opportunities for innovation not provided for in other funds managed by Departments and agencies. The call for applications for the Fund runs from 11 April until 8 June 2022 and grants will range from €20,000 to €150,000.
An information webinar will be held at 4pm on 30 May to provide information for potential applicants to the scheme.
If the Deputy is aware of any suitable projects, I would urge him to encourage them to apply for funding. Completed application forms are to be returned by 5pm on 8 June 2022 to a dedicated email address: CommunitySafetyInnovationFund@justice.ie
Further information is available on my Department's website.
