Written Answers Nos. 1087-1106
1088. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Justice the number of bench warrants currently outstanding in Kildare; the number that were outstanding for more than six and 12 months; and the number that were outstanding for over 2, 4 and 5+ years. [63726/22]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is, by law, responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the allocation of Garda resources in respect of identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
As the Deputy will appreciate, difficulties in relation to the execution of warrants, including bench warrants, are a long-standing issue for many police services around the world; notably relating to persons actively seeking to evade detection and where limited identification information might be available to support enforcement. I am assured, however, that An Garda Síochána executes warrants as expeditiously as possible, giving priority to the execution of warrants relating to serious crimes.
The Deputy will also appreciate that the figure for outstanding bench warrants recorded by PULSE at any given time reflects an accumulation of old bench warrants which has arisen over the years and that therefore the total figure for outstanding bench warrants as shown on PULSE may not be a reliable indicator of the number of 'live' warrants which are actually enforceable.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below shows the number of bench warrants that were outstanding on the 10 January 2023 in Kildare Division.
|
Division |
Warrant Type |
Outstanding |
0-3 Months |
0-6 Months |
6-12 Months |
12-24 Months |
2-5 Years |
>5 Years |
|
Kildare Division |
Bench Warrant |
1,413 |
249 |
209 |
237 |
265 |
284 |
169 |
The figures provided were collated based on data from PULSE as of 01:30 on 10 January 2023. They are operational and liable to change.
1089. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the fact that that the final report of the Study on Familicide and Domestic Homicide Reviews was submitted to his Department for consideration in July 2022; and the reason for the delay in publishing same. [63771/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, an independent study has been commissioned by the Department into familicide and domestic homicide reviews.
This independent research has involved consultations with a wide range of stakeholders including family members of victims, state agencies and non-governmental organisations, with a view to making recommendations to improve the State's response to familicide and domestic homicide.
Given the sensitivities involved, it also required the study lead to pay particular attention to the fair procedures part of the process which involved allowing any persons or organisations who might be affected by the contents of the draft report (including the families concerned) to be given an opportunity to reply to the contents of the report.
The final report is being considered by officials in my Department and I intend to publish the report as soon as this examination and analysis is complete.
The Deputy will appreciate that due to the gravity of the subject matter and impact on victims' families, thorough examination is necessary before publication.
1090. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice the current status of the protected disclosure made by a person (details supplied). [63802/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Protected Disclosures Act was enacted in 2014 to allow employees to bring alleged wrongdoing to the attention of the appropriate authorities.
The Act as amended by the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 also affords very important protections to persons making protected disclosures. I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate therefore that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on nor confirm the existence of any specific protected disclosure. The protection of those wishing to make a protected disclosure rightly prioritises the confidentiality of the process, which is central to the efficacy of that process.
1091. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice when Ireland intends to ratify the Optional Protocol to the CRC on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2000, and signed by Ireland in 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63817/22]
View answerThe Government is firmly committed to ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, several legislative measures have been implemented which were necessary to ensure that Ireland is in compliance with the obligations of the Optional Protocol. Enactment of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 and the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 were significant steps on the pathway to the ratification of the Optional Protocol.
Further smaller legislative amendments relating to the extra-territorial jurisdiction requirements under Article 3.1 will ensure that the State is in compliance with certain outstanding aspects of the Protocol. These amendments have been included in the General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2022 which was approved for publication by the Government on 27 July 2022. Drafting of the Bill is currently at an advanced stage and will be finalised early in 2023 and published thereafter. Once enacted, Ireland should be in a position to ratify the Second Optional Protocol.
1092. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the reason for the delay in processing an application as part of the undocumented scheme in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63819/22]
View answerThe application for the person referred to by the Deputy was received by the Undocumented Unit of my Department on 10 February 2022 and continues to be processed. Due to the large number of applications on hand it is not possible to provide a definitive timeframe for a decision to issue.
The processing times of applications will vary depending on the complexity of the application, whether it is a single or family application, the supporting documentation and the vetting process with An Garda Síochána (AGS). Applications where there is an existing deportation order will require additional processing.
Each application received is assessed individually in accordance with the published criteria, available on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Undocumented-Policy-Scheme-January-2022.pdf.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
1093. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice if his Department has any plans to establish a statutory compensation scheme for prison officers similar to the compensation scheme that is in place for members of An Garda Síochána who sustain personal injuries in the performance of their duties which helps affected gardaí get support for their recovery and compensates them for their injuries. [63834/22]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that I have asked officials in my Department to liaise with management in the Irish Prison Service to examine proposals on replacing the current Scheme with a Scheme similar to the one being introduced for An Garda Síochána and to revert with their observations in due course.
As regards the operation of the current Scheme, I wish to advise the Deputy that it provides for compensation in respect of personal injuries criminally inflicted on Prison Officers in the course of duty.
The Scheme is administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal, which is independent in the matter of individual decisions on applications for compensation.
Paragraph 7 of the Scheme already provides that compensation awarded by the Tribunal will be on the basis of damages awarded under the Civil Liability Acts (except in a range of defined circumstances set out in that paragraph).
In assessing an award for general damages under the prison officer scheme, the Tribunal in the past took the Book of Quantum into account.
In April 2021, the Judicial Council Personal Injuries Guidelines were commenced and I can confirm that since then, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal has regard to those guidelines in assessing general damages under the Prison Officer scheme.
1094. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the timeline, if any, that the Government has to introduce Court and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022, to allow barristers and solicitors to jointly provide legal services in Ireland. [63922/22]
View answerThe Deputy will wish to note that, in October 2016, the Legal Services Regulatory Authority was established under the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 as the independent statutory regulator for both branches of the legal profession - barristers and solicitors.
The Authority’s remit includes the maintenance and improvement of standards in the provision of legal services and it also accepts and investigates complaints which relate to the provision of legal services by barristers and solicitors, including solicitors’ firms.
The Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 includes provisions to allow for the commencement of section 100 of the 2015 Act, which will provide for the introduction, of Legal Partnerships i.e., partnerships between solicitors and barristers or between barristers and other barristers.
The Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 2022 completed Committee Stage in the Dail on the 22 November. It is expected that this Bill will commence report stage in the coming weeks before continuing the legislative process.
1095. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application for regularisation under the undocumented scheme for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63952/22]
View answerThe application for the person referred to by the Deputy was received by the Undocumented Unit of my Department on 16 February 2022 and continues to be processed. Due to the large number of applications on hand it is not possible to provide a definitive timeframe for a decision to issue.
The processing times of applications will vary depending on the complexity of the application, whether it is a single or family application, the supporting documentation and the vetting process with An Garda Síochána (AGS). Applications where there is an existing deportation order will require additional processing.
Each application received is assessed individually in accordance with the published criteria, available on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Undocumented-Policy-Scheme-January-2022.pdf.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
1096. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if he agrees that there needs to be more resources provided to make the citizenship application process more efficient (details supplied); and the steps that have been taken and are planned to help tackle this issue going forward. [63978/22]
View answerThe staffing levels in the Citizenship Division of my Department are kept under review in line with the business needs of the Division. The Citizenship Division receives approximately 1,000 applications per month and utilises the resources available to maximise processing and reduce waiting times.
Unfortunately due to unprecedented demand, and the ongoing legacy of the pandemic, processing times have been extended. I understand that extended processing times can be frustrating for applicants, however the Citizenship division has been working hard to clear backlogs.
In 2022 there were 13,613 Certificates of Naturalisation issued, including 1,719 in respect of minor applicants. This represents a 39% increase on the number of certificates issued for 2021 (9,780) and demonstrates the Departments commitment to processing applications in a timely manner. The processing time for applications in 2021 was 24 months. It currently stands at 19 months for decisions issued in 2022, an almost 21% decrease.
There are ongoing developments and improvements being made to the Citizenship application process. Significant changes have been introduced for customers regarding the number of proofs required to establish their identity and residency as part of the application process. A new scorecard was introduced to help applicants to complete their applications with greater certainty than before. Since the go-live of the scorecards, a preliminary review of applications received indicates that the quality of the applications has markedly improved.
This is a welcome development and builds on other innovative measures introduced in the citizenship application process, including the deployment of “Tara” the e-chat bot, e-payments, e-tax clearance and Gardaí e-vetting, and the removal of the requirement to provide the original passport when making an application, all of which have positively enhanced the applicant's experience.
Insofar as the question of judicial review proceedings are concerned, the figures and costs are reflective of the scale of my Department’s processing of immigration applications. My Department processes upwards of 250,000 immigration and international protection applications annually and operate in line with constitutional, European and international obligations. Immigration is a complex and litigious area internationally, given the impact it has on people’s lives. The number of cases and the costs associated with them reflects this complexity and the consistently high volume of applications.
1097. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice if he will confirm his role in the staff recognition programme for the Irish Prison Service; if he will outline the guidelines and or protocols that are used to determine whether the service rendered of a member of the prison staff services merits a recognition award or Stack medal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64002/22]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that, following significant engagement with stakeholders and other agencies, the Irish Prison Service Staff Recognition Policy came into effect on 1 June 2013 and was updated in 2017. There are various schemes provided under the current version of the policy to recognise (a) length of service, (b) retirements, (c) Merit Awards for Bravery and (d) Excellence and Innovation Awards.
Under the Merit Awards there are three levels of award, depending on the degree of bravery, heroism or merit, beyond the normal expectation of the member of staff and taking account their experience and training. The Merit Awards Scheme operates as a graded system to recognise the range of brave and heroic actions and awards include three levels - the Stack Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal and the Governor's Commendation and they operate as follows - 1. The Stack Medal is presented by the Serving Minister for Justice and is the highest honour than can be bestowed upon a member of staff and is recognition of an act of exceptional personal bravery by the nominee. 2. The Distinguished Service Medal is presented by the Director General and may be awarded for the following actions:I. Prevention of an attempted escape;II. An action that preserved life or prevented serious harm to others;III. Acts that displayed exceptional commitment under duress e.g. riots, volatile situations;IV. Other such significant events that the committee deems appropriate for consideration. 3. Certificate of Special Commendations may be issued where the Staff Recognition Committee consider that a particular deed of a staff member merits official recognition but would not meet the threshold to be awarded the Stack or Distinguished Services Medal. The Certificates of Commendation are presented by the Governor of the Prison.
In 2017, when the Irish Prison Service updated the Staff Recognition Policy, two Stack Medals, 60 Distinguished Services Medals and 90 Governor’s Commendations had been approved. This included nominations for cases that predated the introduction of the policy, as the 2013 Policy did not specify any specific deadline for the submission of applications .
A number of changes were made to the Staff Recognition Policy in 2017 including the introduction of a further element, namely Excellence and Innovation Awards.
In addition, the revised Policy also included the provision that applications for Merit (Bravery) Awards must be received within 12 months of the incident or event occurring. This was to ensure that emphasis and focus was put on contemporary incidents and to ensure that such applications could be adequately scrutinised, including the review of available supporting material.
I can further advise the Deputy that decision on the awards under the Staff Recognition Policy are on foot of recommendations by the Irish Prison Service National Staff Recognition Committee and final approval by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service. The Minister for Justice has no decision making role in this regard.
1098. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice if he will set out the establishment number and the current number in the Garda Reserve force; if the Garda Commissioner plans to recruit additional members during the course of 2023; if a review has taken place of the role and function of the Garda Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1017/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). This includes responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members and members of the Garda Reserve. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters.
I would however like to take this opportunity to convey my gratitude to the members of the Garda Reserve for their service and for the valuable contribution they make to policing throughout the country.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 31 December 2022, the Garda Reserve strength is 375 members.
As part of the Government’s plan to modernise and strengthen An Garda Síochána, A Policing Service for our Future (APSFF), the Garda Commissioner has developed a Garda Reserve Strategy 2021-2025, which provides a roadmap for the development of this important service.
The Strategy published in October 2021, and available on the Garda website, is informed by an internal review of the Reserve, and sets out key commitments including recruitment, training and development, deployment, governance and evaluation. The Strategy aims to ensure that members of the Reserve are fully supported by local Garda management and that the role is recognised and promoted throughout the organisation.
The Garda Commissioner has established an implementation group and oversight committee to ensure the Strategy delivers on its objectives, and I look forward to working with him to increase the number of members of the Reserve and in realising its full potential as a resource to policing and in providing a pathway to full-time membership of An Garda Síochána, including from minority communities.
A priority is a new recruitment campaign, which I understand will be held Q4 2023 or Q1 2024, and on foot of which new reservists will be appointed.
I understand that the campaign will target a broad and inclusive range of candidates, in keeping with the Reserve's role as a visible form of community engagement. The Department of Justice is currently engaging with An Garda Síochána on revisions to the regulations governing the Reserve ahead of the commencement of this recruitment process.
I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to provide support and flexibility to Reserve Gardaí carrying out their functions in a voluntary capacity.
1099. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice the current timeframe for the processing of citizenship applications; the number of applications processed in each of the years 2020 to 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1098/23]
View answerI am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and during all levels of public health restrictions.
All naturalisation applications are processed in chronological order on date received and in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended. All applicants are required to meet minimum periods of reckonable residence and standard checks are carried out as part of the overall process to maintain its integrity.
The Citizenship Division receives approximately 1,000 applications per month and utilises the resources available to maximise processing and reduce waiting times. For a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time. The current median processing time for naturalisation applications is 19 months.
The table below sets out the number of certificates that have issued since 2020.
|
Year |
Certificates Awarded |
|
2020 |
5,472 |
|
2021 |
9,780 |
|
2022 |
13,613 |
There are ongoing developments and improvements being made to the Citizenship application process. Significant changes have been introduced for customers regarding the number of proofs required to establish their identity and residency as part of the application process. A new scorecard was introduced to help applicants to complete their applications with greater certainty than before. Since the go-live of the scorecards, a preliminary review of applications received indicates that the quality of the applications has markedly improved.
This is a welcome development and builds on other innovative measures introduced in the citizenship application process, including the deployment of “Tara” the e-chat bot, e-payments, e-tax clearance and Gardaí e-vetting, and the removal of the requirement to provide the original passport when making an application, all of which have positively enhanced the applicant's experience.
1100. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice the current timeframe for the processing of citizenship applications in view of the fact that it is over 35 months since an application (details supplied) was first lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1099/23]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course.
The Citizenship division wrote to the person concerned on 11 January 2022 requesting that a form be completed and returned. The application will be processed further on receipt of the requested form.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
Applications are processed in chronological order by date received. Due to the high volume of applications currently on hand, regrettably, the median time for processing applications is 19 months.
However, my Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and 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.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
1101. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide a current update on an application for Irish citizenship by a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1100/23]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
Applications are processed in chronological order by date received, and though it is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay, due to the high volume of applications currently on hand, regrettably, the median time for processing applications is currently 19 months. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
However, my Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and 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.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
1102. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the average application for asylum processing time in Ireland; the longest application processing time; and the number of persons who are currently having their applications for asylum processed. [1187/23]
View answerMy Department's overall objective is to have decisions made on applications from people seeking international protection as quickly as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of protection in Ireland can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here with a sense of safety and security.
As the Deputy will be aware, during 2022 the number of people claiming international protection increased significantly, with 13,651 applications made with the IPO. This is a 186% increase on the same period in 2019, the last year in which application numbers were not impacted by COVID-19.
Since the introduction of new efficiency measures during 2022 the IPO have been able to increase the number of first instance recommendations and permission to remain decisions being made by the IPO by 44%, when compared with the same period pre-Covid in 2019.
Notwithstanding the very large increase in the number of applications during 2022, the median processing time for all international protection cases (which includes decisions on permission to remain) and processed to completion by the IPO in Quarter 4 of 2022 was 10 months for all cases. The median processing time for cases processed to completion for all of 2022 was 18 months.
The longest application processing time for 2022 was 170 months, i.e. first instance determination issued in 2022, but 170 months after initial application. It should be noted that unusually long processing times for individual applications such as this are often attributable to circumstances outside of the control of the IPO. The reasons for such extended delays in processing can include an applicant who may have an ongoing Judicial Review, certain applicants may be uncontactable or missing including children with separate applications where a parent has already received a decision, and some applicants may not be co-operating with the application process itself.
92% of cases decided in 2022 were processed in 3 years or less and 62% of cases decided in 2022 were processed in 2 years or less
I can inform the Deputy that the number of applications pending at the International Protection Office at the end of December 2022 is 14,103. There were a total of 839 appeals pending with the IPAT (International Protection Appeals Tribunal) as at 31st December 2022.
1103. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who have applied for asylum who have been repatriated in each of the past ten years; and the number who have applied for asylum who have been repatriated due to a previous criminal record coming to light in their home country and or due to a criminal record incurred in Ireland, respectively. [1189/23]
View answerThe table below contains details of persons confirmed deported and those confirmed deported following unsuccessful International Protection applications. The Department does not record data in the manner requested by the Deputy where criminality is concerned.
|
Year Effected |
DO Effected |
DO Effected after Failed IP Application |
|
2012 |
301 |
186 |
|
2013 |
199 |
101 |
|
2014 |
110 |
33 |
|
2015 |
250 |
112 |
|
2016 |
428 |
228 |
|
2017 |
138 |
84 |
|
2018 |
163 |
94 |
|
2019 |
299 |
183 |
|
2020 |
140 |
61 |
|
2021 |
38 |
17 |
|
2022 |
119 |
54 |
|
Total |
2,183 |
1,153 |
When issued with a deportation order, a person is required to remove themselves from the State. Many people also comply in this manner and leave the country, without notifying the immigration authorities that they have done so. However, where a person does not voluntarily return to their own country, Ireland, like all other EU Member States, puts in place arrangements to return people to their home country.
1104. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the breakdown of the staffing levels in his Department and associated agencies dedicated to processing international protection applications in each of the years 2015 to 2022, in tabular form. [1199/23]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to note that on the commencement of the International Protection Act 2015 in December 2016, the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner was abolished and responsibility for the investigation of applications for international protection transferred to the International Protection Office.
The International Protection Appeals Tribunal, formerly the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, was established in December 2016 in accordance with section 61 of the International Protection Act 2015.
As the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme transferred to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth with the transfer of functions, in October 2020.
A breakdown of officers involved in processing international protection applications within the Department of Justice from 2015 to 2022 is set out in the table below.
|
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Office of Refugee Applications Commissioner |
88 |
124 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Irish Refugee Protection Programme |
9 |
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
International Protection Office |
|
|
140 |
144 |
143 |
148 |
178 |
214 |
|
Refugee Appeals Tribunal |
37 |
40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
International Protection Appeals Tribunal |
|
|
44 |
48 |
50 |
47 |
51 |
47 |
|
Total |
134 |
172 |
184 |
192 |
193 |
195 |
229 |
261 |
1105. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the breakdown of the average wait times to process international protection applications in each of the years 2015 to 2022. [1200/23]
View answer1113. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the number of applicants for international protection that were dealt with under the single application procedure in 2022. [1386/23]
View answer1114. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide a breakdown of the number of applicants for international protection in each of the years 2012 to 2022, cross-tabulated with applicants' final decision status, in tabular form. [1395/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1105, 1113 and 1114 together.
The statistics sought by the Deputy are set out in the document attached to this response.
My Department's overall objective is to have decisions made on applications from people seeking international protection as quickly as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of protection in Ireland can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here with a sense of safety and security.
During 2022, the number of people claiming international protection increased significantly, with 13,651 applications made with the International Protection Office (IPO). This is a 186% increase on the same period in 2019, the last year in which application numbers were not impacted by COVID-19. The number of applications for previous years 2012 to 2021 can be found in the tables attached.
It is not possible to provide the Deputy with information or data which cross tabulates applications with final decisions, as statistics are not maintained in this manner by my Department. However, in order to be helpful to the Deputy, I have included a table which sets out decisions made by the Department’s Ministerial Decisions Unit (based on applicant final decision only) for the same reference period.
Since the introduction of new efficiency measures in the IPO during 2022 the number of first instance recommendations and permission to remain decisions have increased by 44 % when compared with the same period pre-Covid in 2019. The total number of first instance recommendations made by the IPO under the single application procedure for 2022 was 4,899, compared with 3,410 for all of 2019.
Notwithstanding the very large increase in the number of applications during 2022, the median processing time for all international protection cases (which includes decisions on permission to remain) and processed to completion by the IPO in Quarter 4 of 2022 was 10 months, and 9 months for prioritised cases.
My Department is committed to reducing processing times for international protection applicants and is taking steps to ensure that applications are dealt with as quickly as possible.
1106. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of marked motorcycles attached to Garda roads policing units in 2021 and 2022; and the number of motorcycles withdrawn from unit during this period. [1213/23]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. Budget 2023 provides funding of €2.14 billion for An Garda Síochána, of which €10m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet.
While the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of resources, I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that at 31 December 2022 there were 3,312 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet. This represents an increase of over 2% since end December 2021 when there were 3,240 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet.
I am further informed that at 31 December 2021 there were 114 motorcycles attached to the Roads Policing Unit and that this remained unchanged at 31 December 2022.
I am advised that no motorcycles were removed from Roads Policing duty in 2021 and 2022.
