Written Answers Nos. 258-277
258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if this jurisdiction is likely to experience a shortage of graduates in the future within a particular area to meet the demand of the corresponding workforce; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15888/23]
View answer260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he continues to liaise with the technical sector with a view to ensuring adequate provision in respect of graduates in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15890/23]
View answer261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he continues to liaise with the academic sector with a view to ensuring adequate provision in respect of graduates in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15891/23]
View answer262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he continues to research future requirements in the education sector with a view to ensuring an adequate supply of graduates throughout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15892/23]
View answer263. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will indicate, arising from his discussions with the academic and technical sectors, the extent to which he is satisfied that adequate provision continues to be made in both areas with a view to meeting demand and job specifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15893/23]
View answer264. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department is focused on the health sector in terms of ensuring a steady supply of graduates with a view to ensuring the filling of the maximum possible number of posts in the health services in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15894/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 260 to 264, inclusive, together.
My Department is focused on aligning planning within the higher education sector with the skills needs of the country. Our approach to addressing these challenges is firmly rooted in collaborative partnership with enterprise and other stakeholders and is central to our economic and social ambitions. Planning for current and future public sector skills needs is a priority for my department. Officials are engaging with a number of government departments to determine the needs of their sectors in respect of crucial skill areas.
The National Skills Council within its remit advises on the prioritisation of identified skills needs and on how to secure delivery of these needs. Key high-level trends identified at recent National Skills Council meetings include automation and digitisation, digital literacy and transversal skills. Information on these trends is then used to formulate our skills strategies and initiatives such as the National Skills Strategy 2025; Technology Skills 2022; Springboard+ and the Human Capital Initiative.
Funding the Future was launched in May 2022. It provides the policy basis for the vision and direction of higher education funding in a sustainable way. A key element of this policy framework is a focus on driving skills and engagement, with a particular focus on essential public services. Through this policy framework my Department and the HEA will strengthen planning for provision, and alignment between the sector and the national skills architecture, including workforce planning for key public services.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Higher Education Authority is close to concluding a process to identify where additional capacity could be built in the higher education sector in a number of key disciplines including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and veterinary. Through the process, the HEA is examining opportunities for new programme provision as well as the expansion of current programmes, and will determine a final list of options. It is the intention that further such processes for other disciplines will be run later in the year.
The HEA appointed an Expert Advisory Panel to review new programme proposals. The panel was comprised of representatives from Government Departments and regulatory and professional bodies that have direct professional experience and/or academic expertise in the relevant disciplines, or knowledge of the higher education system at a senior level.
The Deputy will understand that, before making any determinations regarding additional places on existing or new programmes, my Department must first consider potential options having regard to workforce plans and projected demand for graduates from relevant line Departments. As such, on receiving recommendations from the HEA, I will engage with my colleagues the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minister for Health in relation to those Department's assessments of the scale of the demand for graduates in their specific area.
I look forward to receiving the final report of options from the HEA for my Department to review in the coming days.
My Department will continue to advance efforts to ensure that Ireland offers learning opportunities to all who wish to pursue them and produces the graduates the workforce needs with the skills that our economy and society require.
259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of apprentices currently available; the extent to which this is sufficient to meet requirements; his plans to introduce new apprenticeship programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15889/23]
View answerThe ‘Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025’ sets out new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships to make apprenticeship more accessible to employers and learners. Expansion to date has widened the impact of apprenticeship to areas of skills shortage such as engineering, technology skills, logistics, and fintech.
2021 figures showed 8,607 registrations – an increase of 40% on figures for 2019 (the last full pre-Covid year). 2022 saw 8,286 registrations and a population of over 26,000. The strong growth in apprentice registrations is continuing into 2023 with registrations of 1,301 at the end of February which represents an increase of almost 30% on this period in 2022.
The development of new apprenticeship programmes is intended to help deliver on the commitments made under the Programme for Government to support and drive the economy, while addressing the skills requirements identified across society. This is evidenced by the variety of programmes now available, with 66 in total. Of these, 41 have been developed since 2016.
Eight new programmes were launched over 2020 and 2021, despite the pandemic, with a further 4 launched in 2022. An additional 12 programmes across tech, engineering, farming, horticulture, and hospitality are due to be launched this year. A further 12 programmes in areas such as beauty, engineering, and construction are in earlier stages of development.
Apprenticeship programmes are employer-led and the development of new apprenticeships is undertaken in accordance with published criteria and led by apprenticeship consortia comprising of employers, education and training providers and sectoral representatives. Timing and progress on the development of new apprenticeships is therefore generally under the control of the individual apprenticeship consortium and progress through the national qualification quality assurance processes (QQI).
Under the Action Plan, there will be increased online visibility regarding apprenticeship engagement and development processes for employers/sectors who wish to assess the potential for new apprenticeships. Applications for new apprenticeship development are open on an ongoing basis, allowing employers to progress the development of programmes in response to emerging skills needs on an as-needed basis in all sectors of the economy. Such is the dynamic nature of apprenticeship programme development, additional programmes are continually being proposed for assessment by the National Apprenticeship Alliance.
Amendments to the Industrial Training Act, 1967, included in the recently passed Higher Education Authority (HEA) Act 2022, will widen the scope for new apprenticeship programmes even further in an expanded range of sectors.
The increased diversity of new apprenticeships, many of which have off-the-job training delivered through online or blended learning, provides a significant opportunity for widening of access to apprenticeship for rural businesses and learners. In addition, Education and Training Boards, Institutes of Technology, and Technological Universities are spread throughout the country and play a very important role in ensuring apprenticeship provision has a strong regional dimension.
265. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to indicate the extent to which his Department continues to monitor incidents of professional bullying throughout the higher education system; the extent to which bullying is evident in colleges throughout the country; the action taken or being taken to counter this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15895/23]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that there are a number of Programme for Government (PfG) commitments aimed at addressing bullying, including a commitment to commission surveys of staff and students in the areas of harassment, sexual harassment, and bullying in higher education.
Our higher education institutions have a duty of to ensure that staff and students have a safe environment to study and work; free from bullying, harassment or other forms of unwanted behaviour. This is not an ‘add-on’ or part of a wish-list. This is an entitlement for everyone who works and studies at our third level institutions.
The Deputy will also be familiar with the ‘Speak Out’ tool which my Department has funded. Speak Out is an online, anonymous reporting tool for staff, students and visitors to higher education institutions that was developed by the Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education Ireland with financial support from my Department, the Department of Education and the Higher Education Authority.
This tool provides a safe space for members of higher education communities to speak out about experiences of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, discrimination, hate crime, coercive behaviour/control, stalking, assault, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape. Users of the tool are provided with tailored information on the support services available to them.
Data on reports made via Speak Out is regularly reviewed at the institutional level. Data from all institutions implementing Speak Out is currently being collated by PCHEI, and once available it will be published alongside a report of the pilot of the tool. PCHEI and the HEA are organising an evaluation of the pilot of the Speak Out Anonymous Reporting Tool initiative which is expected to commence in April 2023.
In August 2022, I launched the findings of a Report on the National Survey of Staff Experiences of Bullying in Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) conducted by the specialist DCU Anti-Bullying Centre. This report presents the findings of an anonymous online survey, commissioned by my department, examining the prevalence and impact of workplace bullying among staff in 20 publicly-funded HEIs in Ireland. The survey of staff experiences of bullying in higher education was conducted in late 2021. A total of 3,835 HEI staff responses were analysed. The survey report includes a number of recommendations, which will inform future policy decisions to tackle workplace bullying within higher education institutions.
On 28th October, 2022 I launched a national survey on student experiences of bullying in the higher education sector. The survey was conducted by researchers at the DCU Anti-Bullying Centre, and it was sent to higher education students in Ireland by their institutions. A report on the findings will be published later this year.
The primary goal of the proposed project is to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of bullying among higher education students across Ireland. Insights from this study will be used to implement new or updated policies, processes, training and resources to support higher education institutions in addressing these issues.
We currently have an expert Advisory Group on Ending Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment in HEIs in place which is providing advice on appropriate policy responses in this area. The intention is to establish a working group, under the auspices of the HEA’s Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, to review the findings of the two bullying surveys and develop actions to achieve our shared goal to develop a more inclusive organisational culture for both staff and students in Irish higher education institutions.
I have been very clear that the tertiary education and training sector must lead the way in changing cultures, behaviours and practices across society to ensure that bullying, sexual violence and harassment are not tolerated. I want to bring about institutional change where all forms of unwanted behaviour are eradicated.
266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure continued access to third level for all students seeking to avail of education at this level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15896/23]
View answerWith regard to the Student Grant Scheme, the Deputy may be aware that I already instigated improvements to the student grant scheme in Budget 2022. For the academic year 2022/23, I increased the income threshold to qualify for the standard rate of student grant by €1,000 & all maintenance grant holders benefited from a grant increase of €200.
I also announced a range of further measures to enhance the scheme as part of Budget 2023. Some of these cost-of-living measures commenced in 2022.
- As part of the Government's cost of living measures, every SUSI maintenance grant recipient received an additional once-off extra maintenance payment;
- All higher education students who are eligible for the fees initiative benefited from a once off reduction in the Student Contribution rate of €1,000 for the 2022/2023 academic year;
- PhD students funded by the SFI and the IRC benefited from a once off payment of €500 in the current academic year; and
- Post Graduate Students who met the eligibility criteria for a Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant benefited from a once off increase in this grant of €1,000 from €3,500 to €4,500.
In addition, I increased all maintenance grants effective from January 2023 in order to provide further financial assistance to those students most in need. The special rate and Band 1 rate of maintenance increased by 14% and all other maintenance grant rates increased by 10%.
A further range of improvements to the student grant scheme as announce in Budget 2023 will take effect for the 2023/24 academic year, including:
- An increase in income limit from €55,240 to €62,000 for the 50% student contribution grant;
- A new student contribution grant of €500 for incomes between €62,000 and €100,000;
- An increase the postgraduate fee grant by €500 on 2022 levels from €3,500 to €4,000;
- A reduction in the eligibility for second chance mature students from 5 to 3 years;
- Exclusion of up to €14,000 rental income earned under Rent-a-Room Relief Scheme from reckonable income;
- An increase in student earnings outside of term time from €4,500 to €6,552; and
- A greater degree of flexibility for students who may have a long term social welfare payment but are falling outside of the special rate (this will allow a small increase on the income threshold for the special rate if a family has 4 or more children and/or has two or more students in college).
As I did for the first time last year, it is my intention to publish a cost of education options paper which will set out options for further enhancement of student supports for consideration as part of the Budgetary process in the Autumn.
In addition to all of these improvements to the Student Grant Scheme, a further €8 million of funding has been secured for the Student Assistance Fund for the current academic year. Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The Fund provides financial support to students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college. Students can apply for SAF to help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties and can be assisted towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. It is open to both full and part-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. It is designed to provide a source of financial support in addition to a SUSI grant.
Regarding access measures for disadvantaged students, the new National Access Plan, a Strategic Action Plan for Equity of Access, Participation and Success 2022-2028 was developed in the context of Programme for Government (PfG) commitments and other social inclusion policy measures. The plan aligns with and builds on the wider ambitions of the PfG by providing accessible, affordable education to all citizens. €5m was secured under Budget 2022 to support new pilot initiatives and enhance existing initiatives under the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Fund to address priority actions under the NAP. Delivery of the Plan is supported by the PATH programme which provides a range of supports to priority groups including bursaries under the 1916 scholarship scheme and support for people from target groups in accessing initial teacher education. The programme also supports clusters of higher education institutions in attracting under-represented students. PATH will receive an additional dedicated investment of €35 million over the course of the plan.
267. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he and his Department have identified any specific obstacles which may impede improvement and achievement in the further and higher educational sectors and impact our ability to continue to establish Ireland’s reputation as equal to the best globally in higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15897/23]
View answerIt is a key priority for my Department to continue to strengthen our skills ecosystem to ensure it has the agility and flexibility to adapt to changing priorities in the skills and workforce development landscape, including increasingly rapid, technologically driven changes in the world of work. This is why we are partnering with the OECD on a detailed and comprehensive OECD review of Ireland's National Skills Strategy and approach, which is currently in the final stages.
The OECD Skills Strategy project, which ran through 2022 and early 2023, examined the skills ecosystem in a holistic way, including the Higher Education system. We know that Ireland does many things well, including our rates of tertiary participation by young people, and our partnership approach to solutions to nascent skills issues. The DESI Index 2022 ranked Ireland 5th overall, an 8.5% increase on 2021 and well above the EU average, while also indicating that Ireland now ranks 3rd in Europe for human capital. We will need to build on our strengths to meet the challenges and opportunities presented by the change world of work, the digital revolution, and climate transformation.
Clear areas of focus emerging from the work of the OECD, include increased focus on short, flexible and blended skilling options for individuals entering or transitioning in the workforce; and progressing ease of navigability through options for skilling and ensuring individualised, continuous learning journeys are encouraged and enabled for all. These will be key themes for my Department as we move forward on Ireland's skills agenda.
This means ensuring that Ireland boldly and bravely embraces a fully transformed 21st century model of learning and talent development - and that we are just as successful in that as Ireland was in its embrace of education through the last century. The development of a Unified Tertiary System, launched last year, is led by the Department’s Statement of Strategy in its mission to develop Ireland’s higher and further education, and research and innovation sectors to ensure that they are capable of meeting the diverse needs of learners and researchers as well as industry and wider society.
Specifically in relation to the Higher Education sector, in May I launched Funding the Future - a landmark funding and reform framework for higher education. Funding the Future sets out the vision and direction of higher education funding, commits to addressing legacy issues in higher education and details our ambitious plans for investment and reform. One of the priority strands of work identified in Funding the Future is enhancing the quality and international standing of the higher education system. Budget 2023 allocated €40 million to advancing this reform agenda.
My Department will continue to work to improve higher education outcomes and enhance the agility and responsiveness of the higher education system and, in doing so, we will strengthen the standing of our higher education system internationally.
268. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice what the next steps are for an applicant (details supplied) regarding a family reunification application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15882/23]
View answerBased on the information supplied by the Deputy, it has unfortunately not been possible to locate any current application for the person referred to.
If more information can be provided I would be happy to re-examine your request.
In order to be of assistance, the Deputy would need to provide the following information to my Department:
- Full name of applicant
- Date of birth of applicant
- Person ID Number
- Application number
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.
269. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice if he will advise of the procedure for family reunification in a situation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15883/23]
View answerA Turkish national that wishes to reside in the State for longer than 90 days must apply for a Type D Long Stay Visa. Any person that wishes to make a visa application must do so online at:
www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspx .
Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. This policy document may be accessed at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf .
This Policy Document contains a stated business target that visa applications for family reunification for immediate family members of Irish citizens and Category A sponsors, such as Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders, should be dealt with within 6 months of application.
However, it must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.
All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
Applicants are advised not to pay for airline or other travel tickets without having first been issued with a visa.
The following pages on the Irish Immigration website may be of some assistance when creating a visa application: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/.
270. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of Ukrainian nationals, who may have lost their own documentation, who have been granted Irish citizenship since the beginning of the Russian invasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16026/23]
View answer277. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice if a Ukrainian national who has arrived in Ireland and has lost all ID documentation due to the Russian invasion can apply for and legitimately obtain Irish citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16028/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 277 together.
Those fleeing the war in Ukraine are granted Temporary Protection.
The EU Temporary Protection Directive was activated by the EU Council in March 2022 in response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The Council Decision to activate the Directive places specific obligations on Ireland and on all EU Member States, including the duration of the Temporary Protection to be awarded and the State supports and services that the beneficiary should be entitled to.
Temporary Protection was granted initially for one year, but this has now been extended to March 2024. Those who are granted Temporary Protection here in Ireland have immediate access to the labour market, social welfare, accommodation and other State supports as necessary.
Officials from my Department assess applications made under the Temporary Protection Directive and issue a Temporary Protection certificate to each eligible person.
Further information on the process for applying for Temporary Protection is available on my Department's website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/temporary-protection-for-people-fleeing-the-conflict-in-ukraine/.
Applicants for Citizenship by naturalisation are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals where the requirement is 3 years. In both cases, the final 12 months, prior to the submitting of the application, must be continuous residence in the State.
Since the 01 March 2022 to date 167 Ukrainian nationals have been granted a Certificate of Naturalisation. To clarify, these people will have resided in Ireland prior to the war and, as part of the application process, have met the criteria as set down in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended including the reckonable residency requirement.
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/.
271. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on an application for family reunification for a refugee (details supplied). [15820/23]
View answerThe application referred to by the Deputy has been received by my Department and continues to be processed at this time. All applications are processed in chronological order.
The time taken to issue a decision will largely depend on the quality of the application received and if further documentation is required. My Department will continue to engage with the applicant for any further information that may be required to assist with the processing of their application.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie) which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
272. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the total cost to the State of running Immigration Service Delivery, previously Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, by year, from 2013 to date, excluding the International Protection Office service delivery. [15838/23]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
|
Year |
ISD Costs €000’s |
|
2013 |
34,329 |
|
2014 |
38,581 |
|
2015 |
36,729 |
|
2016 |
39,006 |
|
2017 |
43,188 |
|
2018 |
50,278 |
|
2019 |
54,936 |
|
Year |
ISD Costs €000’s |
|
2020 |
54,570 |
|
2021 |
51,838 |
|
2022 |
59,031 |
273. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the total cost to the State of creating and issuing IRP, formerly GNIB cards, by year, from 2013 to date, excluding IRP cards issued to persons granted international protection. [15839/23]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
274. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 1122 of 18 January 2023, the new incident types and related offences under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 were configured and deployed to PULSE on 7 February 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15846/23]
View answerAs 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. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in such matters.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have made enquires and am advised by the Garda authorities that the PULSE Codetable Release 1 of 2023 was deployed on Tuesday, 7 February 2023 as scheduled and the necessary changes for the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 have now been implemented and are available for use.
275. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the proposals, if any, to provide additional supports to the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains in view of the absolute importance of this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15935/23]
View answerThe Good Friday Agreement specifically provided that it was essential to acknowledge and address the suffering of the victims of violence as a necessary element of reconciliation. The establishment by both the UK and Irish Governments of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) was one among a key set of actions taken by the Governments in fulfilling this commitment.
The ICLVR was established under the Agreement signed on 27 April 1999 by the Governments of Ireland and the UK, and by legislation enacted in the two jurisdictions. As the Deputy knows, the Commission is responsible for facilitating the location of the remains of victims of paramilitary violence (known as 'the Disappeared') who were murdered and secretly buried.
The Commission’s role is purely humanitarian. Their overriding priority is to return the remains of the victims to their families in order that they can receive a decent burial and that the families may, in some measure at least, achieve resolution or closure in regard to the deaths. These families have for decades struggled with the pain and trauma of not knowing what happened to their loved one.
The ICLVR is a concrete demonstration of the commitment of the two Governments to the families of the disappeared. The Commission has a total of 17 persons on its list and, to date, they have recovered the remains of 11 of the Disappeared. Two other victims’ remains were recovered, though not by the Commission. Four remain to be found: Joseph Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire.
The Commission, with the support of the Irish and British Governments, continues to work tirelessly on behalf of the families of the Disappeared and is committed to completing its task and locating the remains of these four people. I was pleased to meet with some of the families recently and I also had the opportunity to meet the Commission yesterday to thank them for their work and pay tribute to their retiring Chief Investigator.
I can assure the Deputy of my Department’s full support for the work of the Commission. The work of the Commission is demand led and when extra resources have been needed, those resources have been provided.
The ICLVR continues to call on those with information to bring that information to the Commission.
Those with information have an opportunity to ease the pain of the families who have suffered so much for so long. It is important that persons who may have relevant information but may be reluctant to share it with the Commission should know that confidentiality is assured and the confidentiality rule has always been strictly observed. A key feature of the governing legislation in both Ireland and the UK is that it legally guarantees that any information given to the Commission must be treated as absolutely confidential and can be used solely for the purpose of locating remains.
I call on anyone with information that could help recover the remains of those still missing to please pass that information onto the Commission where it will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
276. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the up-to-date position regarding the provision of Garda services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15974/23]
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 all decisions related to the Garda Estate. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am however advised by the Garda authorities that the proposed works remain under consideration and will be the subject of ongoing review by the Commissioner.
