Written Answers Nos. 214-222
215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the processing application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14123/23]
View answerAs previously advised to the Deputy on the 18 January 2023, my Department has no record of having received an immigration application or any other documentation on behalf of the person referred to by the Deputy, based on the details supplied.
The person may wish to check with An Post or any alternative delivery service used in relation to the delivery of their documentation.
If the person referred to is in the State without an immigration permission, they must engage with the authorities if they wish to be permitted to remain here legally. Therefore, I would encourage them to contact the Immigration Service of my Department or their local immigration office and to take all appropriate steps to regularise their status.
216. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the processing an application for travel documents in the case of a person (details supplied) who submitted an application for travel documents in March 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14125/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the processing time for a travel document is currently 22 weeks, on receipt of a fully completed application. The person referred to in the Deputy's query was issued a travel document which is valid until the 4 February 2024. They made a subsequent application for their child, which was incomplete. As a result the application was returned. The completed application was received by the Travel Document unit of my Department on 10 November 2022.
In recent times the unit processing travel documents has experienced a very high volume of applications requiring processing and this has impacted on processing times. The unit are currently working on applications from the beginning of October and the application referred to above will be processed in the coming weeks.
Travel document booklets are printed by the Passport Office and this element of the process is not under the control of my Department.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie) which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
217. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if an extension of time can be afforded to a person (details supplied) to collate the information required in respect of his application for citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14132/23]
View answerI can confirm that Citizenship Division of my Department has extended the deadline for a further 28 days in order for this applicant to collate the information required to support their application for naturalisation.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and the naturalisation process, along with the relevant application forms and guidance notes, is available on my Department's Irish Immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.
However, if the applicant encounters further difficulties in sourcing the requested documentation, they can request another extension from Citizenship Division directly at citizenshipinfo@justice.ie
218. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice if training has been provided to gardaí with regard to new stalking legislation; if he will advise the measures that have been introduced to facilitate gardaí with providing supports regarding stalking and harassment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14172/23]
View answerI requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, this information was not received in time, however, I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
219. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the reason applicants who are granted a work permit from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment also have to apply for a working visa to come here; when this procedure came into place; the reason that a person applying for a working visa coming here has to give their current financial details as the very reason in coming here to work is to better themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14178/23]
View answerIn order to work in Ireland a person from outside the European Economic Area is required to make an application to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a work permit, and then make a second application to my Department for an immigration permission, including a visa, where applicable. The employment permit system is administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) having regard to the labour needs of sectors of the economy.
The granting of an employment permit by DETE is not the sole determining factor as to whether an immigration permission or visa will subsequently be granted by my Department. These are two distinct application processes with different checks and procedures in place in each respective Department.
As with all visa services worldwide, the central concern in deciding on visa applications is to strike the appropriate balance between protecting the country’s vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime while at the same time not placing unnecessary or unreasonable obstacles in the way of intending visitors. This involves consideration of various factors including the integrity of the immigration system, the maintenance of national security, public order, public health and the orderly regulation of the labour market.
Financial details are sought from a person who is applying for a working visa in order to demonstrate to a deciding officer that the person in question is in a position to support themselves on arrival in the State.
220. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 490 of 28 February 2023, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to answer the question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14219/23]
View answerI understand the Deputy is referring to Parliamentary Questions No. 490 of 28 February 2023, which asked for 'the number of gardaí by rank attached to a district community response team within the DMR as of 20 February 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter.'
As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda resources. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in these matters.
I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the 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 am further advised that there are no set requirements to have a specific number of Community Gardaí posts across the Divisions.
It is important to note 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.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below provides a breakdown of members attached to Community Policing Teams within the DMR.
|
Region |
Division |
District |
Garda |
Sergeant |
Inspector |
Total |
|
DMR |
West |
K |
21 |
3 |
1 |
25 |
|
DMR |
West |
L |
15 |
2 |
1 |
18 |
|
DMR |
West |
Q |
16 |
3 |
0 |
19 |
|
DMR |
South Central |
A |
5 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
|
DMR |
South Central |
B |
18 |
2 |
0 |
20 |
|
DMR |
South Central |
E |
10 |
2 |
2 |
14 |
|
DMR |
South |
G |
10 |
1 |
0 |
11 |
|
DMR |
South |
M |
22 |
3 |
1 |
26 |
|
DMR |
South |
P |
11 |
2 |
0 |
13 |
|
DMR |
North |
H |
17 |
2 |
0 |
19 |
|
DMR |
North |
J |
12 |
2 |
0 |
14 |
|
DMR |
North |
R |
16 |
2 |
0 |
18 |
|
DMR |
North |
Y |
13 |
1 |
0 |
14 |
|
DMR |
East |
W |
6 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
|
DMR |
East |
F |
9 |
1 |
0 |
10 |
|
DMR |
North Central |
D |
8 |
1 |
0 |
9 |
|
DMR |
North Central |
C |
6 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
|
DMR |
North Central |
U |
15 |
1 |
0 |
16 |
|
DMR |
North Central (Comm. Response Team) |
U |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
221. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of cases of robbery of an institution or establishment that were reported to gardaí in the B district within DMR in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14220/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the investigation of crime. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that there were 29 incidents of 'Robbery from an Establishment' reported during 2022 in the Pearse Street District.
I have also been advised that the year to date count to the end of February is fewer than 10. As the Deputy may already be aware, data is not released by An Garda Síochána for counts less than 10 for data protection reasons.
222. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if any gardaí went overseas for specialist training course for which that training is not available within the State in 2022 and to-date in 2023; if so, the name of the specialist course; the duration of that course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14221/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff, under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
To be of assistance I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised of the following information in relation to the Deputy's query.
Specialist training undertaken by members attached to the Garda College in 2022-2023 to date, which was not available within the State, is as follows:
|
Name of the course |
Duration |
|
Stinger Master Instructor Level |
Three day |
|
Sig Sauer Firearms Instructor Training |
Ten day |
|
CBRN Instructors level |
Fourteen day |
|
ASP, Baton and Handcuff Instructor re-cert |
Seven day |
I am further advised that the Irish CEPOL National Unit, International Training, Garda College Templemore is responsible for the distribution of CEPOL (Collège Européen de Police - European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training) onsite courses to the various Policy Owners in An Garda Síochána.
CEPOL onsite courses are held in a training institute in the various EU Member States, such as the Garda College, Templemore. CEPOL onsite activities provide an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of a specialist subject area for which training is not available within the State. CEPOL course thematic areas range from “SIRENE” (Supplementary Information Request at the National Entries) to “Crisis Hostage Negotiation” to “Cross-border Drug Investigation”. These courses provide an excellent opportunity for participants from An Garda Síochána to network and cooperate with fellow law enforcement officials in Europe and to increase their knowledge of specialist areas.
An Garda Síochána participated in seventy-four CEPOL Residential/Onsite Courses abroad in 2022, as follows:
|
Name of the course |
Duration |
|
Workshop on Preventing & countering terrorist infiltrations among illegal migration routes |
3 days |
|
Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Incidents Management Operational Training |
5 days |
|
EU/Turkey Workshop on "Exploring the link between organised criminal groups & terrorist groups." |
3 days |
|
Child Trafficking |
4 days |
|
OSINT and IT Solutions (1st) |
5 days |
|
Live Data Forensics |
5 days |
|
JIT Implementation |
5 days |
|
Darkweb and cryptocurrencies |
5 days |
|
Malware Investigation |
5 days |
|
Trafficking in human beings - Sexual Exploitation |
4 days |
|
Document Fraud Investigation |
5 days |
|
Child Sexual Exploitation on the Internet |
5 days |
|
Illicit Laboratory Dismantling - advanced |
12 days |
|
Intellectual Property Rights - counterfeiting and piracy |
5 days |
|
Schengen evaluation - Police cooperation |
5 days |
|
Informant handling - advanced |
4 days |
|
Terrorism and Firearms |
4 days |
|
Preventing juvenile crime and domestic violence |
4 days |
|
Countering Serious Organised Crime and Mafia-style groups |
4 days |
|
Child Sexual Exploitation Victim Identification |
11 days |
|
First Responders and Cyber Forensics |
5 days |
|
EEODN (European Explosive Ordnance Disposal Network |
5 days |
|
Train the Trainers |
5 days |
|
Investigating & Preventing Corruption |
4 days |
|
Organised Property Crime |
4 days |
|
Excise Fraud |
5 days |
|
Public-private Partnerships Other Forms to Counter Financing of Terrorism |
5 days |
|
Money laundering via offshore structures |
5 days |
|
PNR Data Analysis |
3 days |
|
Cash & Trade based Money Laundering |
5 days |
|
Drug Trafficking Methods - Mail and Postal Parcels |
5 days |
|
OSINT and IT Solutions (2nd) |
5 days |
|
THB - Labour Exploitation |
5 days |
|
Conducting Forensic Searches in Various IT devices |
5 days |
|
Behaviour Analysis in the context of Facilitated Illegal Immigration |
5 days |
|
Financial Investigation on Virtual Currencies |
5 days |
|
Violent attacks against public - amok shootings |
4 days |
|
Victim Protection |
4 days |
|
EMPEN tactical medical training |
4 days |
|
Fundamental Rights - Police Ethics |
5 days |
|
Interoperability of the EU large Scale IT Systems - current and future implementation |
5 days |
|
Civilian CSDP Operational Planning |
5 days |
|
Financial intelligence and analysis |
5 days |
|
Investigation of Facilitated Illegal Immigration |
5 days |
|
Pan European Football Security |
5 days |
|
Hate Crime |
4 days |
|
Wildlife Crime |
5 days |
|
Illicit Drug Laboratory Dismantling |
4 days |
|
Digital Forensic Investigator |
12 days |
|
ONS MAC Forensics |
5 days |
|
Joint Investigation Team Leadership |
5 days |
|
Training on Police Information Exchange |
5 days |
|
CPCC Planners - Civilian CSDP Planning |
5 days |
|
Understanding the Darknet |
5 days |
|
Police Data Exchange with Third Countries |
5 days |
|
Witness Protection |
5 days |
|
Waste Crime |
5 days |
|
Undercover Operations |
4 days |
|
Crisis Hostage Negotiation |
5 days |
|
Workshop for Activity Managers |
4 days |
|
Cross-border Drug Investigations |
5 days |
|
Trafficking in Human Beings - forced criminality & forced begging |
4 days |
|
Firearms Crime |
5 days |
|
Public Order & Crowd Management |
4 days |
|
Insider Threat - Radicalisation within the LE |
4 days |
|
SIRENE Officers Level 2 |
4 days |
|
Linux Forensics |
5 days |
|
Dismantling of Cannabis Production and Trafficking |
4 days |
|
Drug Crime & Markets |
4 days |
|
Cybercrime: Advanced Windows File Systems: Forensics |
5 days |
|
Operational Intelligence Analysis |
5 days |
|
Darkweb and cryptocurrencies Advanced |
5 days |
|
MTIC Missing Trader Intra Community Fraud Course |
4 days |
|
Behind Enemy Minds |
6 days |
An Garda Síochána have participated in two CEPOL Residential/Onsite courses abroad to date in 2023, as follows:
|
Name of the course |
Duration |
|
Anti-Corruption and Economic/Financial Crime |
3 days |
|
Hate Crime |
4 days |
