Written Answers Nos. 1613-1628
1613. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the approximate breakdown of the projects which applicants invested in through the Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme by category of project, investment type, year and value of investment in tabular form. [41714/22]
View answer1614. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice if Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme applicants are still required to make a minimum investment of €1 million under the enterprise investment and investment fund options, €2 million under the real estate investment trusts option and €500 million under the endowment option; if an applicant can only submit an application under one option; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41715/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1613 and 1614 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.
The IIP offers four investment options for potential investors.
- Enterprise Investment: A minimum of €1 million invested in an Irish enterprise for a period of at least three years;
- Investment Fund: A minimum of €1 million invested in an approved investment fund for a period of at least three years. Such funds must be approved and regulated by the Central Bank;
- Real Estate Investment Trusts: A minimum investment of €2 million in any Irish REIT that is listed on the Irish Stock Exchange, for a period of at least three years; and
- Endowment: A minimum €500,000 (or €400,000 where five or more applications are received) philanthropic donation to a project which is of public benefit to the arts, sports, health, culture or education in Ireland.
The criteria applied when assessing applications under the IIP is set out in the guidance published on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/i-want-to-invest-in-ireland/
Over 1,400 applications have been successful under the IIP to date with the value of investments approved over €1bn.
All projects which IIP applicants are investing in are also examined in great detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising key officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate corporate expertise in this area. This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and, if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to me for final approval.
My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments. The tables below provide a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to end 2021.
|
Year |
Applications received |
Approved applications |
Value of Approved Investment |
|
2012 |
5 |
2 |
1,500,000 |
|
2013 |
18 |
16 |
12,200,000 |
|
2014 |
30 |
8 |
4,450,000 |
|
2015 |
75 |
71 |
38,800,000 |
|
2016 |
334 |
33 |
18,750,000 |
|
2017 |
324 |
373 |
253,700,000 |
|
2018 |
423 |
156 |
139,750,000 |
|
2019 |
443 |
237 |
209,300,000 |
|
2020 |
339 |
270 |
188,000,000 |
|
2021 |
258 |
265 |
186,100,000 |
|
TOTAL |
2,249 |
1,431 |
1,052,550,000 |
Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications.
|
Investment Type |
Total Applications Approved |
Total Value of Investment |
|
Enterprise |
780 |
639,000,000 |
|
Investment Fund |
214 |
196,000,000 |
|
REIT |
6 |
12,000,000 |
|
Endowment |
375 |
152,600,000 |
|
Bond & Mixed Investment |
56 |
53,950,000 |
|
TOTAL |
1,431 |
1,052,550,000 |
1615. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider a weapons amnesty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41862/22]
View answerI wish to assure the Deputy that the Government is very cognisant of the dangers posed by all forms of violent and weapons related crime. Clearly weapons of any kind have the potential to cause irreparable physical harm and tragic consequences and the Government remains determined to prevent Ireland from becoming a place where the problems developing in nearby jurisdictions are mirrored.
As the Deputy may be aware, the commitment to review the powers assigned to An Garda Síochána to tackle use of dangerous weapons is set out in the Justice Plan, 2022, to ensure our police force is legally equipped to protect our communities. My Department will inform progressive policy in this area by way of research and learnings from international best practice and, as well as developing new sources of data.
The Anti-Social Behaviour Forum, which I chair, convened a sub-group to examine issues relating to knife crime. This work will inform the development of relevant proposals for practical measures, including community-based programmes and for legislative amendments, where deemed necessary and appropriate.
The consistent expert advice from An Garda Síochána in relation to conducting a weapons amnesty in the face of continued weapons crimes and tragic circumstances, is that such an amnesty is not likely to yield any significant benefits. It is well understood that the type of knives frequently used in crime are ordinary household / kitchen knives and an amnesty would have no impact on the availability of such implements as they are present in almost every household.
Similarly, the type of firearms used in violent crime are not found to be the type of firearms which have historically been surrendered and, therefore, a weapons amnesty is likely to have little to no impact on violent criminality.
Minister McEntee has consulted with Garda Commissioner Harris on this issue and has agreed that further analysis is needed to provide greater insights into the level of violent incidents in society. My Department and An Garda Síochána will remain in contact on the issue.
1616. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice her views on the recent report by an organisation (details supplied) which found that Ireland does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking; the measures that she is taking to improve this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41900/22]
View answerI assure the Deputy that my colleagues in Government and I are serious about preventing and prosecuting human trafficking. Human trafficking is a particularly heinous crime, based on deception and exploitation of vulnerable people. We are confident that the victim-centred policy approach we are taking will encourage more victims to come forward which will, in turn, strengthen prosecutions and convictions.
Last week I welcomed our ranking upgrade when the Trafficking in Persons report was published and was pleased to note that the report recognises, what it termed, 'significant efforts' made by Ireland to combat trafficking and support victims.
Significant developments in 2021 taken into account by the US State Department when assessing Ireland include:
- The first convictions, in September of last year, for human trafficking;
- Government approval for the creation of a revised National Referral Mechanism to make it easier for victims of trafficking to come forward, be identified and access support;
- The development of a new National Action Plan on Human Trafficking; and
- An increase in funding dedicated specifically to supporting victims of trafficking, and for public awareness and prevention efforts.
The work that is being carried out in my Department over the past 12 months in progressing the revised National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and the new Action Plan on Human Trafficking, which is nearing completion, will make a substantial difference to the identification and protection of human trafficking victims in Ireland. These reforms are reflected in key recommendations made in the TiPs Report.
The NRM provides a way for all agencies, both State and civil society, to co-operate, share information about potential victims, identify those victims and facilitate their access to advice, accommodation and support. The new approach acknowledges that other state bodies and NGOs have a role in identifying victims of human trafficking and referring them to the NRM.
We want to be sure that every victim of trafficking is identified and helped so we can support them. Doing this is of course the right approach but it will also help us gather more information and evidence in order to bring to justice the traffickers who prey on vulnerable people with no regard for the lives and safety of their victims.
In relation to the development of a new National Action Plan on human trafficking, the Deputy may be aware that my Department engaged with a working group to draft the new National Action Plan high-level goals and outcomes. The draft Action Plan has been prepared and I intend to engage in a further round of stakeholder consultations before the plan is finalised and submitted to Government for approval in Q3 2022.
In addition, Zero Tolerance; the Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence that I launched recently contains an action to identify linkages between the implementation plan accompanying that Strategy, and the National Action Plan on human trafficking, as well as ensuring actions to prevent prostitution and combat trafficking for sexual exploitation, are addressed in an integrated manner.
In addition to engaging with the TiPs process, Ireland continues to work actively with all our partners in multilateral international organisations who are active in tackling human trafficking. Such organisations include the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking (GRETA), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the UN and the European Union. These organisations periodically conduct country visits and make recommendation for areas of improvement.
Last week’s announcement by the US State Department that Ireland had been removed from the Tier 2 Watchlist in the latest TIPs report was positive but I can assure the Deputy that we are continuing to advance our work in this area. By delivering the actions outlined above and by working with all of our relevant partners in multilateral international organisations, we will continue to increase our effectiveness in the fight against human trafficking and will improve how we respond to the needs of victims.
I am confident that our commitment to this work will positively impact on our rating in future TIPs reports.
1617. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide details of all properties in cases in which they were leased by State bodies under her aegis; the list of all State bodies under her aegis that are or could be currently acting independently of the Office of Public Works, OPW, to acquire their own property; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42027/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy the details of all properties in cases in which they were leased by bodies, agencies and offices under the aegis of my Department are provided in the table below.
|
Organisation |
Address |
Owned/Leased |
Expiration date of Lease |
Notes |
|
Garda Síochána Inspectorate |
87 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 |
Leased |
On-Going |
Lease held by Department of Justice |
|
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission |
150 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1 |
Leased |
29/04/2032 |
|
|
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission |
Unit 4D The Atrium , Blackpool Retail Park , Co Cork. |
10 year leased signed in October 2018 |
24/10/2028 |
|
|
Data Protection Commission |
Trinity Point, Leinster Street, Dublin 2 |
Leased |
31/03/2032 |
Lease held by OPW |
|
Data Protection Commission |
Canal House, Station Road, Portarlington, Co Laois |
Leased |
30/11/2026 |
Lease held by OPW |
|
Legal Service Regulatory Authority |
Regus House, Harcourt Road, Dublin 2 |
Leased |
31/03/2020 |
|
|
Legal Service Regulatory Authority |
Units 1-3, Manor St. Business Park, Dublin 7 |
Leased from 01/08/2019. |
31/07/2029 |
|
|
Probation Service |
Probation Office, Unit 15, Churchview Square, Cavan |
Leased |
Annual Roll-Over |
|
|
Probation Service |
Tallaght Probation Project, Courthouse Square, Westpark, Tallaght, Dublin 24 |
Leased for a Probation Service supported Community Based Organisation |
10/08/2025 |
|
|
Probation Service |
INPRO, Unit 4, Southside Industrial Estate, Pouladuff Road, Cork |
Leased by Probation Service |
01/03/2015 |
|
|
Irish Prison Service |
Building Services Division, Unit 2, Airways Industrial Estate, Santry, Dublin 9 |
Leased |
27/09/2029 |
|
|
Irish Prison Service |
Strip of ground at Royal Canal, Phibsboro |
Leased |
Annual Roll over |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Co-Location |
1st Floor, Riverpoint, Lower Mallow Street, Limerick |
Leased |
09/09/2046 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Law Centre |
Suites 1/2 Courtyard House, The Courtyard Shopping Centre, Newbridge, Kildare |
Leased |
30/09/2041 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Co-Location |
Bridgewater House, Rockwood Parade,Thomas St, Sligo |
Leased |
12/09/2041 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Law Centre |
Station Road, Ennis |
Leased |
01/09/2039 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Co-Location |
Fort Lynne, Letterkenny |
Leased |
31/12/2038 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Co- Location |
Unit 261, Gannon Court, Portlaoise |
Leased |
24/10/2038 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Law Centre |
Kennedy Road, Navan, Co. Meath |
Leased |
30/09/2038 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Co- Location |
Village Green, Tallaght, Dublin 24 |
Leased |
09/10/2036 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Law Centre |
Harbour Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly |
Leased |
30/09/2036 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Law Centre |
Market Street, Longford |
Leased |
24/11/2035 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Law Centre |
Alma House, The Diamond, Monaghan |
Leased |
30/10/2035 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Law Centre |
Floor 3, Block D, Civic Offices, Bray, Co Wicklow |
Leased |
20/07/2034 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Co-Location |
Jervis Street, Dublin 1 |
Leased |
31/03/2031 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Mediation Centre |
13B Wallace House, Maritana Gate, Canada Street, Waterford |
Leased |
31/01/2031 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Mediation Centre |
Unit 8, Redmond Square, Wexford |
Leased |
31/05/2028 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Law Centre |
Seville House, New Dock Street, Galway |
Leased |
31/12/2026 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Mediation Centre |
Suite 10, 1st Floor, Inish Carraig Business Centre, Golden Island, Athlone, Co. Westmeath |
Leased |
30/04/2026 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Former Law Centre (sub-let) |
Unit F, Lock Quay, Limerick |
Leased |
12/03/2026 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Law Centre |
Slaney Street, Wexford |
Leased |
28/02/2026 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Law Centre / administrative offices |
48/49 North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7 |
Leased |
31/01/2026 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Law Centre |
North Quay House, 2nd. Floor, Popes Quay, Cork |
Leased |
31/08/2025 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Law Centre / Library |
Montague Street, Dublin 2 |
Leased |
22/08/2024 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Mediation Centre |
Unit 2, Market Place, Maine Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry. |
Leased |
05/02/2024 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Law Centre |
Unit 1A, First floor, Smithlands Centre, Loughboy, Kilkenny |
Leased |
15/01/2024 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Law Centre |
Humbert Hall, Main Street, Castlebar Co, Mayo |
Leased |
03/03/2023 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board - Law Centre |
Suite 9/10 Station House, Railway Square, Waterford |
Leased |
25/01/2042 |
|
|
Stardust Inquiry |
Regus Harcourt Street, Dublin 2 |
Leased by OPW but all costs reimbursed to OPW |
August 2022 |
|
|
Dublin City Coronors Service |
Richmond Education and Events Centre, Dublin 7 |
Leased for Inquests |
13/06/2025 |
|
|
Hickson Commission |
7/8 Upper Mount Street, Dulbin 2 |
Leased by OPW but all costs reimbursed to OPW |
14/09/2020 |
|
|
Inspector of Prisons |
40 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2 |
Leased |
01/01/2021 |
OPW sourcing permanent accommodation |
1618. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the status of the annual financial supports being provided to organisations such as an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo; if there are plans to develop a funding plan to create additional capacity to address business cases and emergency and future care needs; if there are plans to introduce adequate multi-annual budgets provided as well as capital funding and funding for transport and therapy supports; the steps being taken to increase funding for children’s respite provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41271/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1619. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated full cost of implementing the recommendations in the disability capacity review; and the estimated cost of same in year one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41498/22]
View answerThe Department of Health published the Disability Capacity Review in July 2021. This report set out the capacity requirements for health-funded disability services for the period up to 2032. In order to drive the process of implementing the recommendations of the Capacity Review, a Working Group was set up to develop an Action Plan for Disability Services for the period 2022-2025.
This Group, whose membership consisted of senior officials from the Departments of DCEDIY, Social Protection, Housing, Local Government & Heritage, Further and Higher Education, Health as well as the Health Service Executive, has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan, which will include costings, is currently being finalised for approval.
1620. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the current spending on personal assistants; the increase that would be needed in order for Ireland to fulfil its commitment under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41502/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1621. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the current spending on provision of respite for those with disabilities; the estimated increase that would be needed in order that Ireland would fulfil its commitment under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41503/22]
View answerAs the Deputy's questions relate to service issues, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1622. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 29 June 2022, if it is his preference for an elective centre to be established in partnership with a private company or for an existing model 2 hospital to be upgraded to a an elective centre or a model 3 hospital, as per the recommendations and responses of the University Limerick Hospitals Group to the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, report on the accident and emergency department at University Hospital Limerick, UHL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39572/22]
View answer1624. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 29 June 2022, his views, not those of the Hospital Group, on the proposals outlined in the HSE response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39574/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1622 and 1624 together.
The Cross Party Sláintecare Report in 2017 articulated a new vision for healthcare in Ireland, including the provision of elective only hospitals, providing protected capacity for elective care. The “Elective Hospitals Oversight Group”, under the joint governance of the Department of Health and HSE has been guiding the development of the elective hospital proposals, following the process outlined in the updated Public Spending Code, setting out the value for money requirements for the evaluation, planning, and management of large public investment projects.
Government policy position for additional protected capacity for elective care is further confirmed by the Government Decision, in December 2021 and subject to the necessary approvals and requirements under the Public Spending Code being met, on a new National Elective Ambulatory Care Strategy. This new strategy aims to change the way in which day case, scheduled procedures, surgeries, scans and outpatient services can be better arranged to ensure greater capacity in the future and help to address waiting lists. This policy position for the development of additional capacity will be provided through dedicated, standalone Elective Hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin. The Government decision is very clear on this and no other locations are under active consideration. It is important to note that the locations chosen will allow for new facilities of a size and scale to implement a national elective care programme that will tackle waiting lists on a national basis. This means that the new facilities will be designed to maximise their capacity and in doing so will operate to cover as a wide catchment area as possible, extending beyond existing and future health areas including the mid-west.
The elective care scope of service will be developed in two phases commencing with day cases, diagnostics, and outpatients and then by in-patient treatment. On this basis, the Elective Care Centres (ECCs) will be designed to provide sufficient capacity to facilitate future phases, including some elective in patient capacity, thereby providing a sustainable and strategic response to cater for the highly dynamic landscape of healthcare policy and practice.
1623. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 29 June 2022, the capital requirements to fund an expansion of 120 beds with theatre capacity at St. John’s Hospital in Limerick; the associated whole-time equivalent requirement and revenue funding levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39573/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1625. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the circumstances whereby a person (details supplied) managed to get out of bed and receive further injuries notwithstanding the fact of being in the high dependency unit in Beaumont Hospital; if adequate provision is being made to ensure the non-recurrence of this situation in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39598/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1626. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if reports in the media (details supplied) in relation to the amount that was spent by the HSE on personal protective equipment. PPE, are correct; the amount that the HSE was given sanction for; the amount that the HSE spent in 2020 on PPE; and if he will quantify the spending by the HSE in each of the past ten years in cases in which no Ministerial or Departmental approval was provided. [39599/22]
View answerThe HSE spent approximately €920m on personal protective equipment throughout 2020.
An amount of €253 was sanctioned initially, with a further €670m sanctioned on 23 July 2020.
The challenge Ireland faced in sourcing PPE in the early stages of COVID-19, in an exceptionally competitive and highly volatile global market, was unprecedented. Throughout this period, demand for PPE was 100 times higher than normal and prices were up to 20 times higher. The procurement activities reflected the critical and urgent need to secure high volumes of PPE, which was instrumental in protecting the health and lives of front-line workers and patients in Ireland.
1627. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of staff employed by a section 38 organisation (details supplied) who were deemed eligible and received the pandemic recognition payment have now been advised they are not eligible and are liable for overpayments despite working in an environment that warranted their inclusion in sequence group 1 and 2 of the vaccination programme and being in direct contact with patients; if this is correct; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39600/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1628. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health when private nursing home staff will receive the €1,000 pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39602/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.
On January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website: www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html. Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/S38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in front-line Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
Rolling out the payment to eligible employees of those specific non-HSE/Section 38 organisations covered by the government decision is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered, but this work is being given priority attention. Payment to eligible workers will be made as soon as possible.
