Written Answers Nos. 491-503
491. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 457 of 9 May 2023, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to have this PQ answered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25648/23]
View answerI understand that Parliamentary Question No. 457 of 9 May 2023 refers to the number of each category of public order training courses provided to Gardaí within the Dublin metropolitan division in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form.
As 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 training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the breakdown of public order training courses provided to Garda members within the DMR for the years requested is as follows:
|
2022 |
4 x Basic GNPOU (Garda National Public Order Unit) Level 2 Operator courses completed.7 x Recertification GNPOU Level 2 Operator courses completed. |
|
2023 up to 9 May |
7 x GNPOU Level 1 Operator Courses completed.2 x GNPOU Level 3 – Specialist – Protestor Removal Team Operator Course completed. |
Please note that these figures are operational and may be subject to change.
492. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if he and or his officials have been consulted by Garda management in respect of a new policing plan post-the 2022-2024 plan. [25677/23]
View answerThe Garda Strategy Statement is submitted to the Policing Authority under section 21 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), and the Authority approves the Statement with my consent as Minister.
The Deputy will be aware that the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill will reform the current Garda oversight and governance structures. The Bill provides for the establishment of a new non-executive Garda Board, which is in keeping with best practice governance structures across other State agencies and public sector bodies.
Through the expertise and external perspective of its members, the Board will provide practical support along with robust, constructive challenge to the senior leadership team in An Garda Síochána, with the Garda Commissioner being accountable to the Board for the performance of his or her functions. The Board, as is the case with such boards generally, will not have any role in relation to operational matters, with the Garda Commissioner’s operational independence made explicit in the Bill.
Under Section 63 of the Bill, the Strategic Plan for An Garda Síochána will be prepared by the Commissioner. Once adopted by the Board, the Plan is to be submitted to the Minister for approval. It is expected that this statutory framework will apply to the next Strategic Plan for An Garda Síochána.
493. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice if he will strongly consider an organisation (details supplied) for State funding towards its operational managerial costs and towards GP costs for its members, in view of the sterling work that it is carrying out and the costs it has saved the State in the long run; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25691/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that senior officials of the Irish Prison Service have met with the Prison Officers Medical Aid Society (POMAS) on a number of occasions over the last 6 months in order to gain an understanding of their current situation and the range of services they provide to their members. This range of services is similar in nature to what comparable organisations such as An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces receive through the St Paul's Medical Scheme and the newly announced medical scheme for the Defence Forces respectively.
POMAS have outlined the significant challenges they are facing due to the exponential increase in medical costs and the Irish Prison Service have committed to meeting POMAS again in the near future in order to identify what supports the Prison Service can provide, subject to the availability of the necessary resources.
494. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25705/23]
View answerThe person referred to has made a request to have their deportation order revoked, pursuant to the provisions of section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). This request was received on the 19 December 2022 and will be considered as soon as it is possible to do so.
The decision to ensue from the consideration of this request will be that the existing deportation orders will be either ‘affirmed’ or ‘revoked’. Once this decision has been made, it will be notified to the person concerned in writing.
It should be noted that this request is amongst many to be considered at present and, as such, at this point in time, it is not possible to provide a specific indication as to when this case will be finalised. However, the person concerned can be assured that there will be no avoidable delay in having their case brought to finality.
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.
495. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if urgent clarification can be given as to the next steps to be followed in the case of a person (details supplied), who has a valid work permit, had a visa but was unable to travel due to a family member being gravely ill; if a visa can be reissued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25710/23]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the person referred to was granted a visa to enter the state which was valid for the period 26 October 2022 to 26 April 2023. As the person was unable to travel during this period of validity, they must apply for a new visa to enter the state.
When making this new application, the person referred to should include the reasons why they were unable to travel on the previous visa and should submit any relevant documentation in support of this.
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.
496. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an update on a naturalisation application by a person (details supplied), where further information was requested in March 2023. [25711/23]
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.
A request for further documentation was made to the person concerned on 3 March 2023 and was received on 29 March 2023.
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.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.
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.
My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including 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.
497. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current and/or expected residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25712/23]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy holds a Stamp 4 permission, which expires on 27 February 2024.
They also have a naturalisation application in progress which 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.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs. 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.
My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including 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.
498. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current and/or expected residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25713/23]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy holds a Stamp 4 permission, which expires on 01/10/2025
They also have also submitted a naturalisation application which 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.
The median processing time for applications now currently stands at 19 months. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.
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.
My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including 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.
499. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when a visa application will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25716/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that the visa application he refers to was granted on 24 May 2023.
The applicant may wish to note that entry into the State is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. The onus is on the individual concerned to have all documentation relating to their reasons for entering Ireland available for presentation to the Immigration Officer. The Immigration Officer may grant leave to enter to a maximum period of three months or they may, depending on the documentation presented, refuse entry to the state or grant a lesser period than three months.
Any non EU/EEA national who wishes to remain in Ireland for longer than 90 days must register with their local immigration office and apply for further permission to remain, before their initial permission to remain expires. Full details of the registration process can be found at the link below:
www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-register-your-immigration-permission-for-the-first-time/requirements-and-documents-needed/.
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.
500. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide a breakdown of the number of seizures of cannabinoids (cannabis edibles) products by An Garda Síochána for each of the years 2018 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; the estimated street value or worth of those seizures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25750/23]
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 operational policing matters and the recording of information on the Garda PULSE system. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised that An Garda Síochána is unable to provide counts of seizures related to cannabis edibles. Confirmation of drugs seized are subject to analysis and verification by Forensic Science Ireland prior to publication in the Garda Annual Report. Page 94 of the 2021 report provides a breakdown of Garda seizures for that year, and can be viewed at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/news-media/ags-annual-report-2021-english.pdf.
The Deputy should note that these figures do not include drugs seized by other responsible State agencies, such as Revenue Customs Service.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics. The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases under reservation in relation to various crime statistics, including recorded and detected crime. The CSO continues to work with An Garda Síochána to address quality issues in the underlying sources used to compile the statistics.
Data by Garda Division for drugs offences under the Misuse of Drugs Acts (Section 3 – Simple Possession and Section 15 – Possession for Sale or Supply) is available at the following link from Q1 2003 to Q4 2022 (the latest published data): data.cso.ie/table/CJQ06.
501. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice the number of arrests related to seizures of cannabinoids (cannabis edibles) products by An Garda Síochána for each of the years 2018 to 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25752/23]
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 operational policing matters and the recording of information on the Garda PULSE system. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised that An Garda Síochána is unable to provide counts of seizures and/or arrests related to cannabis edibles.
Confirmation of drugs seized are subject to analysis and verification by Forensic Science Ireland prior to publication in the Garda Annual Report. Page 94 of the 2021 report provides a breakdown of Garda seizures for that year, and can be viewed at the following link:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/news-media/ags-annual-report-2021-english.pdf .
The Deputy should note that these figures do not include drugs seized by other responsible State agencies, such as Revenue Customs Service.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics. The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases under reservation in relation to various crime statistics, including recorded and detected crime. The CSO continues to work with An Garda Síochána to address quality issues in the underlying sources used to compile the statistics.
Data by Garda Division for drugs offences under the Misuse of Drugs Acts (Section 3 – Simple Possession and Section 15 – Possession for Sale or Supply) is available at the following link from Q1 2003 to Q4 2022 (the latest published data): data.cso.ie/table/CJQ06 .
502. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice the number of prosecutions related to seizures of cannabinoids (cannabis edibles) products by An Garda Síochána for each of the years 2018 to 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25753/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is fully independent in her functions under Section 2 (5) of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended). As the Office of the DPP is not an agency under my remit as Minister for Justice I have no role in the operations, functions, oversight or governance of that Office. Therefore, I am unable to provide any general or statistical information related to the work of the Director. This includes all breakdowns of prosecutions.
I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised that An Garda Síochána is unable to provide counts of seizures and/or arrests related to cannabis edibles.
Confirmation of drugs seized are subject to analysis and verification by Forensic Science Ireland prior to publication in the Garda Annual Report. Page 94 of the 2021 report provides a breakdown of Garda seizures for that year, and can be viewed at the following link:www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/news-media/ags-annual-report-2021-english.pdf .
The Deputy should note that these figures do not include drugs seized by other responsible State agencies, such as Revenue Customs Service.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics. The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases under reservation in relation to various crime statistics, including recorded and detected crime. The CSO continues to work with An Garda Síochána to address quality issues in the underlying sources used to compile the statistics.
Data by Garda Division for drugs offences under the Misuse of Drugs Acts (Section 3 – Simple Possession and Section 15 – Possession for Sale or Supply) is available at the following link from Q1 2003 to Q4 2022 (the latest published data): data.cso.ie/table/CJQ06 .
503. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice if there are plans to bring forward legislation to control the sale and supply of illegal drugs or substances through social media channels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25754/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, legislation in this area falls under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Health. Any matters relating to policy or legislation governing the sale of controlled substances, by any means, are for his Department.
I can assure the Deputy however that I am acutely conscious of the devastating impact that illegal drugs, drug dealing and related criminality have on communities across the country and I have discussed these concerns with the Garda Commissioner and his senior team since my appointment as Minister.The Deputy will also be aware that the Garda Commissioner is, by law, responsible for deployment of Garda resources. The Government remains committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to keep communities safe, evidenced by the unprecedented funding of over €2 billion provided in Budget 2023. Tackling drug dealing and associated criminal activity, including by organised crime groups and by members of the public who, through their drug-taking fuel this illegal and very harmful trade, is a top priority for An Garda Síochána and the Government.
The additional resources allocated to An Garda Síochána in recent years have enabled the Garda Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist units involved in tackling organised crime, including the Armed Support Unit, Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB).An Garda Síochána also uses multi-disciplinary approaches to ensure the activities of individuals and groups involved in criminal enterprise are effectively targeted. Such approaches include the use of money-laundering legislation and the powers available to CAB under the proceeds of crime legislation.The Deputy may also wish to know that the Garda Commissioner has tasked an Inspector in every Garda Division to respond to the issue of drug-related intimidation. There are currently thirty nominated Garda Inspectors appointed to act as liaison officers for the Drug-Related Intimidation Reporting Programme, covering each Garda Division.
