Written Answers Nos. 854-869
854. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a list of the projects approved under the IIP project prior to the closing of the scheme which are still eligible to drawdown endowments to ensure completion, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27094/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The IIP Unit has published a FAQ concerning the closure on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/
However, I wish to reassure the Deputy that the closure of the Programme will not affect existing projects or individuals already approved under the programme. My Department will continue to monitor existing approved projects in relation to the delivery and for compliance with the terms of the Programme.
The Department is committed to ensuring that all applications will be examined on their own merits and will endeavour to conclude all decisions in a timely manner. However, there are a significant number of applications on hands and it is not possible at this time to give an indication as to when individual applications will receive a decision. The Deputy will also appreciate that, as Minister, I do not comment on the status of individual applications.
The Programme’s Independent Evaluation Committee has requested that an analysis of certain issues be undertaken to assist it in the task of ensuring that the closure of the Programme is carried out in a manner that is consistent and fair to applicants. The Committee has committed to more frequent and intense engagement to progress these matters, and the patience of stakeholders is requested over the coming months while this work is completed.
855. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 33 of 25 May 2023, how often the information is collated. [27095/23]
View answer856. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 33 of 25 May 2023, if there are any vacancies at the station; and if so, the number. [27097/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 855 and 856 together.
It is my understanding that the Deputy is referring to Parliamentary Question No. 41 of 25 May which sought the number of gardaí assigned to Gaeltacht regions; the number assigned to each station; the number who are fluent in Irish; the same number with respect to each, in each year since 2009.
As the Deputy is aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of Garda business, which includes the collation of all internal Garda Human Resources statistics. Garda HR statistics are provided regularly to my Department and on an ad hoc basis where required if the information is not part of the regular provision of statistics.
The Commissioner is also responsible, under section 33 of the Act, for the distribution and stationing of the Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions and am unable to seek to direct or otherwise influence the Commissioner in these matters.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Commissioner is responsible for recruitment and training of Garda members and staff under the Act. A separate Irish language stream is available for applicants who have the required proficiency in Irish to apply to become members of An Garda Síochána.
The Garda authorities have advised my Department that the figures provided as part of Parliamentary Question No. 41 of 25 May 2023 reflect what individual Garda members have declared to Human Resources in An Garda Síochána regarding their competency in Irish.
I am further advised that the station complement of 10 is correct as of 7 June, comprising 1 Sergeant and 9 Gardaí. Since 2016, due to retirements and lateral transfers, there has been a reduction in the members assigned to the station. Divisional management have indicated that, consequently, there are 3 open positions identified in the station at Garda rank. Additional Probationer Gardaí have been requested for the Division, which would enable an expansion of resources to Community Hubs, such as An Bun Beag Garda Station.
As the station is situated in the Donegal Gaeltacht and Irish is widely, and sometimes exclusively, spoken in the community, proficiency in the Irish language is a desirable requirement for Garda members attached to An Bun Beag.
The Garda authorities also advise that while members may be allocated to a particular station they may, for operational reasons, be deployed elsewhere. An Bun Beag Garda Station is patrolled by Milford District Headquarters which is opened on a 24/7 basis.
I am advised that the Garda Commissioner and his management team keep the distribution of resources under constant review, in light of local policing needs, crime trends and population trends.
857. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice if the e-gates in Dublin Airport for passport control have been subject to any review and checking since the IT malfunction in the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27183/23]
View answerThe Border Management Unit of my Department currently operate 25 eGates at Dublin Airport for eligible passengers arriving into the State.
I can confirm that officials from my Department meet with the current eGate supplier on a regular basis to discuss agreed service levels and ensure that all issues or risks are kept under review.
858. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice the number of new staff devoted to handling the increasing number seeking international protection; the target processing capacity which is planned over the coming year; if this is causing an increase in the prospective waiting period for a decision to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27225/23]
View answerMy Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response.
Since last November a number of measures have been implemented to improve efficiencies and throughput, in tandem with reforms to the application, interview and decision-making process. These reforms are having a significant impact on processing times.
On November 8 2022, the International Protection Office (IPO) introduced accelerated procedures for international protection applicants from safe countries of origin. These steps have recently allowed applicants from safe countries of origin to receive a first instance decision in less than 3 months, which is a significant reduction from a norm of 22 to 26 months earlier last year. The median processing time for all cases processed to completion in quarter 1 of 2023 was 10 months, a reduction from 18 months over the course of 2022.
Approximately €19m was allocated in Budget 2023 to the International Protection Office (IPO) and International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) to scale up processing. This will be supported by investment in human resources, infrastructure, technology and process engineering. In particular, there has been a significant increase in staffing of the International Protection Office since 2019 (from 143 to 309 staff) and this will be increased further during 2023, as will the number of panel members to be recruited in both the IPO and IPAT. This expansion in human resources has resulted in a substantial increase in the number of recommendations made.
Overall, my Department is working to minimise the timeframe for receiving a decision on an international protection application, giving status to those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who are deemed to be not entitled to international protection.
859. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on the current status of an EU Treaty Rights application by a person (details supplied); if the application has been reviewed by the relevant authorities; if so, the outcome or progress of the assessment; if there are any outstanding issues or requirements related to the application that need to be addressed; the estimated timeline for the final decision on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27275/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was granted on 31 May 2023.
The applicant has been advised that they must register this permission with their local Garda Síochána Registration Office at Westport Garda Station, The Fairgreen, Westport, Co. Mayo. Attendance is by appointment only. They should contact the local Garda Síochána Registration Office at MR.Bservices@garda.ie and request an appointment.
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.
860. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who were granted permission to enter the State in the context of the temporary protection decision who have left the State since the introduction of the decision, by month and year, in tabular form. [27289/23]
View answerThe 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.
The number of Temporary Protection Certificates issued each month since March 2022 are contained in the table below:
|
Year Granted |
Month Granted |
No. of TP Grants |
|
2022 |
March |
13,159 |
|
2022 |
April |
12,135 |
|
2022 |
May |
7,977 |
|
2022 |
June |
6,921 |
|
2022 |
July |
5,732 |
|
2022 |
August |
4,000 |
|
2022 |
September |
4,861 |
|
2022 |
October |
6,056 |
|
2022 |
November |
4,124 |
|
2022 |
December |
4,575 |
|
2023 |
January |
2,659 |
|
2023 |
February |
3,081 |
|
2023 |
March |
3,207 |
|
2023 |
April |
1,889 |
|
2023 |
May |
2,726 |
|
Total |
83,102 |
*Figures correct at time of issue and may be subject to change.
A person who has moved to Ireland after fleeing the war in Ukraine and who has been granted temporary protection is free to leave and re-enter the State. Figures on the number who have done so are not available.
Beneficiaries of the Temporary Protection Directive that wish to withdraw their Temporary Protection are required to return their Temporary Protection Certificate. The number of Temporary Protection Certificates returned each month are contained in the table below.
|
Year Withdraw |
Month Withdraw |
No. of TP Withdraws |
|
Date Unavailable |
25 |
|
|
2022 |
March |
2 |
|
2022 |
June |
8 |
|
2022 |
July |
3 |
|
2022 |
August |
7 |
|
2022 |
September |
20 |
|
2022 |
October |
23 |
|
2022 |
November |
33 |
|
2022 |
December |
19 |
|
2023 |
January |
29 |
|
2023 |
February |
39 |
|
2023 |
March |
55 |
|
2023 |
April |
58 |
|
2023 |
May |
43 |
|
Total Withdrawals |
364 |
*Figures correct at time of issue and may be subject to change.
861. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí assigned to work in Ballymun Garda station. [27317/23]
View answer862. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda personnel assigned to the Santry-Whitehall area, given the closure of Whitehall Garda station. [27318/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 861 and 862 together.
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 for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented provision of over €2.14 billion to the Garda Vote this year, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles.
This level of funding provides for a steady pipeline of new Gardaí in the coming years, supporting the recruitment of up to 1,000 Gardaí and 400 additional Garda staff this year, with new recruits to enter the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks.
I am assured that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under continued review, in line with crime and population trends, to ensure their optimum use.
As the Deputy is aware both Ballymun and Santry Garda stations are located within the DMR North Division. I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of the end of April 2023, a total of 759 Garda members and 69 Garda staff were assigned to DMR North Division. This represents respective increases of 14% and 57% since end December 2015.
This increase in Garda staff numbers means that as well as new Gardaí assigned to the Division, additional Gardaí can be redeployed from administrative to operational policing duties, where their training and policing expertise can be used to best effect.
Coupled with further reassignments of Gardaí to operational front-line policing and the continued roll out of the new Operating Model with its core focus on community policing, I am confident that the Commissioner has suitable resources and plans in place to continue to deliver on An Garda Síochána's mission of keeping people safe.
I am further advised that as of the same date there were 130 Garda members assigned to Ballymun Garda Station, which represents an increase of 5% since the end of December 2015, and 82 Garda members assigned to Santry Garda station. This is consistent with the numbers assigned to Santry Garda station at the end of December 2015.
I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
For the Deputy's information, the attached table which was provided to me by An Garda Síochána sets out the number of Gardaí assigned to the DMR North Division at the end of April 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, by District and Station.
In the interest of transparency, detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers are published on gov.ie and are updated regularly by my Department from information provided by An Garda Síochána. The statistics can be accessed using the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/.
GARDA STATISTICS MONTH ENDING 30 April 2023
|
Division |
District |
Station |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
D.M.R. NORTH |
BALBRIGGAN |
BALBRIGGAN |
79 |
8 |
4 |
1 |
92 |
||
|
GARRISTOWN |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
LUSK |
12 |
1 |
13 |
||||||
|
RUSH |
7 |
1 |
8 |
||||||
|
SKERRIES |
10 |
2 |
12 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
110 |
12 |
4 |
1 |
127 |
||||
|
BALLYMUN |
BALLYMUN |
103 |
20 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
130 |
||
|
DUBLIN AIRPORT |
40 |
5 |
1 |
46 |
|||||
|
SANTRY |
66 |
13 |
3 |
82 |
|||||
|
TOTAL |
209 |
38 |
8 |
2 |
1 |
258 |
|||
|
COOLOCK |
COOLOCK |
104 |
13 |
3 |
1 |
121 |
|||
|
MALAHIDE |
23 |
2 |
1 |
26 |
|||||
|
SWORDS |
69 |
7 |
1 |
77 |
|||||
|
TOTAL |
196 |
22 |
5 |
1 |
224 |
||||
|
RAHENY |
CLONTARF |
54 |
9 |
1 |
64 |
||||
|
HOWTH |
22 |
4 |
1 |
27 |
|||||
|
RAHENY |
48 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
59 |
||||
|
TOTAL |
124 |
19 |
5 |
2 |
150 |
||||
|
D.M.R. NORTH Total |
639 |
91 |
22 |
6 |
1 |
759 |
863. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if an application for asylum which was made in 2021 is being processed for a person (details supplied); when a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27319/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, for reasons of maintaining full confidentiality, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for international protection has been made in the State. An applicant for such protection status, or their legal representative, should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate if they wish to receive an update on the status of their case.
The International Protection Office may be contacted: by email to info@ipo.gov.ie; by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028008 or in writing to Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.
The International Protection Appeals Tribunal may be contacted either: by email to info@protectionappeals.ie; by telephone at 01-4748400 (or Lo-Call 1890 201 458), or in writing to Corporate Services Division, The International Protection Appeals Tribunal, 6-7 Hanover Street East, Dublin D02 W320.
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 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.
864. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if asylum seekers can engage in third level programmes or apprenticeships if they have a permit to work but are waiting for their asylum application to be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27320/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, overall responsibility for 3rd level education in the State and for the operation of the apprenticeship system lies with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS).
In relation to my Department’s responsibility to provide labour market access to International Protection Applicants, I can confirm for the Deputy that an applicant may avail of vocational training as per Section 11 (11) (a) & (b) of the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 – SI No. 30 of 2018.
As per section 11 (11) the Regulations an applicant who holds a labour market permission shall be entitled to avail of vocational training —
(a) subject to subparagraph (b), in the like manner and to the like extent in all respects as an Irish citizen,
(b) and (b) in the case of vocational training relating to an employment contract, to the extent to which the training relates to an occupation in which the applicant may, by virtue of the permission, be employed or self-employed.
Additionally, any international protection applicant can access third level education with the assistance of the International Protection Student Scheme while they await a final decision on their application. The DFHERIS has overall responsibility for the operation of the Scheme and the Scheme is administered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) on their behalf.
Further information on the Scheme can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/service/e786a-student-support-scheme-for-asylum-seekers/.
Further information on the apprenticeship system in Ireland can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/service/b9760-how-to-become-an-apprentice/.
865. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice if she will conduct a review of the business visa requirements based on the information in a letter. (details supplied). [27327/23]
View answerMy Department fully appreciates the needs of business travellers and I can advise that it is open to visa applicants to request their passport back while they are waiting on the processing of their applications. We have also extended the multi-entry visa option for up to 5 years, for all visa required countries.
Any person applying for a short stay ‘C’ visa may apply for either a single or a multiple entry visa. If a person wishes to apply for a multiple entry visa, they can indicate this on their application. The granting of a multiple entry visa is at the discretion of the Visa Officer. Multiple entry visas are usually only issued to an applicant who has shown a compliant travel history.
The policy considerations underpinning decisions on applications for multiple entry visas are explained on our website to assist applicants in deciding whether to apply for a single or multiple entry visa. Further information is available at the link below:
www.irishimmigration.ie/single-multiple-visas/.
The central concern in deciding on visa applications, as with all visa services worldwide, is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime, while at the same time facilitating travel for those who meet the criteria. Each visa application is therefore decided on its own merits taking all relevant factors into account.
866. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the cost associated with any current planned updates Garda ICT structures. [27345/23]
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 purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda resources. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I can however 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. The 2023 allocation for An Garda Síochána provides funding of over €2.24 billion. The Garda capital budget is an unprecedented €183 million including €100 million for Garda ICT and €11.5 million for Transport & Communications.
The ongoing provision of capital funding on Garda ICT infrastructure will support the ongoing business and operational requirements of An Garda Síochána enabling them to deploy the latest, cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime.
The Garda authorities have advised that An Garda Síochána developed its Connect Digital Strategy in 2019, describing the necessary modernisation of their systems to enable police and support staff to connect to the information they require and to each other. This strategy also outlines how they can connect and collaborate with their partner agencies to achieve An Garda Síochána’s strategic goals and, most importantly, that An Garda Síochána can connect with the public whom they endeavour to keep safe.
The 2020 Data & Technology Vision builds on the Connect Digital Strategy to describe how An Garda Síochána will deliver on the 8th principle of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland – that policing should be “information led”. The Data & Technology Vision has been agreed with stakeholders such as the Policing Authority and the Implementation Group on Policing Reform. I understand the Data & Technology Vision has been revised in 2023 and is expected to be published in the coming months.
The Deputy will appreciate, projects to modernise the technology available to An Garda Síochána are prioritised and delivered based on their impact and the resources and funding available on a multi-year basis with costs determined following detailed planning and responses to public tender competitions.
867. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the cost of the pilot mental health de-escalation programmes within An Garda Síochána. [27346/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, one of the recommendations made by the High Level Taskforce established to consider the mental health and addiction challenges of those who come into contact with the criminal justice sector, is the development of a Community Access Support Team or CAST. This recommendation came from the work of a subgroup of the High Level Taskforce that looked at diversion.
The CAST pilot project is expected to commence in late 2023 and I am advised by the Garda Authorities that regular meetings are taking place between An Garda Síochána, the HSE and Limerick City and County Council and work to progress the pilot is advancing.
In response to the Deputy's specific question about the cost of the CAST pilot project for An Garda Síochána, I can advise the pilot is yet to go live and that the involvement of An Garda Síochána in any task-force or multi-agency project is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner. As such I am not in a position to provide information on the costs arising for An Garda Síochána.
868. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the projected cost of implementing the Judicial Planning Working Group recommendations. [27348/23]
View answerThe final report of the Judicial Planning Working Group, which was established to consider the number of, and type of, judges required to ensure the efficient administration of justice over the next five years, was published on 27 February 2023. Officials in the Department of Justice have established an implementation group to oversee the delivery of the recommendations outlined by the JPWG.
The report estimated the costs of the additional 24 judges and the support staff required as recommended in the first tranche as being €18 million in a full year. I should note that Judges salaries are paid from the Central Fund and support staff will be paid by the Courts Service. There will also be costs in relation to implementing the other recommendations in the report and these have yet to be quantified. The Minster for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will be consulted before any significant expenditure is incurred.
869. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the projected cost of increasing funding to restorative justice initiatives by 100%. [27349/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware Restorative justice is one of a suite of measures available to the criminal justice system.
It is delivered by the Probation Service, both pre and post-sentence; by An Garda Síochána within the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, and by Community-Based Organisations that receive referrals at specific points in the criminal justice process.
It is already an important part of the work of the Probation Service, which established a National Restorative Justice and Victim Services Unit in 2018.
I have been advised by the Probation Services that the estimated operating cost of the Restorative Justice & Victims Services Unit per year is €233,556.47. In addition to direct support and training provided by the Restorative Justice and Victims Services Unit, the Probation Service provides €637,500 in funding to four community-based organisations to provide dedicated restorative justice programmes.
In Budget 2023, the Probation Service was allocated additional funding of €1m to support the development of capacity in community-based organisations to facilitate restorative justice services.
In relation to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, Juvenile Liaison Officers (JLOs) facilitate Restorative Justice in respect of children who have committed a criminal offence and following consideration by the Garda Youth Diversion Bureau (GYDB) are admitted to the Diversion Programme and a Restorative Caution is delivered as part of that process.
An Garda Síochána have advised that it is not possible to provide details as to the costs incurred, including training of JLOs in respect of restorative justice, as they are not captured on a separate cost code.
