Tuesday, 4 Jul 2023

Written Answers Nos. 404-420

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (404)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

404. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was not switched automatically from disability allowance to a State pension (non-contributory) on reaching the maximum allowable age limit for the allowance; if she is aware that the local office and the social welfare inspector are still conducting inquiries six months after the person's sole financial assistance was suspended; the reason for the delay in its decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32654/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

State pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over who have a legal right of residence and habitually reside in the state, and who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or only qualify for a reduced-rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.

All recipients of disability allowance are informed, in writing, three months in advance of reaching state pension age, that their disability allowance payment will cease from their 66th birthday and the need, if they wish, to apply for a state pension (contributory or non-contributory). As the means assessment frameworks for disability allowance and state pension non-contributory differ, there is no automatic transfer process between these schemes.

An application for state pension non-contributory was received from the person concerned on 9 December 2022. On 23 February 2023, a Social Welfare Inspector reported to the Deciding Officer that the applicant had failed to provide certain requested financial documentation. The Deciding Officer disallowed the person's application as they had failed to disclose their means.

On 9 March 2023, the case was re-activated and referred back to the Social Welfare Inspector as the Department was advised that the person had been in hospital. On 15 May 2023, the Inspector issued a communication to the person concerned requesting confirmation of the capital value of their farm or, if still farming the land, a copy of their farm accounts. To date, no reply has been received from the person concerned. The Inspector has re-issued this information request on 30 June 2023. The Inspector has been requested to expedite completion of their investigation and to contact the applicant again seeking the outstanding information.

On receipt of the Inspector’s further report, a Deciding Officer will make a determination on the eligibility of the person concerned for state pension non-contributory and the person will be notified of the outcome in writing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (405)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

405. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost if the household benefits package increased to €45 per month based on 2022 figures. [32669/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Household Benefits Package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. My Department will spend approximately €285 million this year on HHB for over 511,000 customers.

People over the age of 70 receive the HHB package, with one package provided per household. The package is also available to people living in the State aged 66-69 years who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments or who satisfy a means test. The package is available to some people under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.

Based on 497,196 households in receipt of the electricity/gas element of the HHB package at the end of December 2022, increasing the gas/electricity monthly rate of €35 to €45 would cost in the region of €59.7 million in a full year.

Number of Claims December 2022	Gas/electricity monthly	Proposed gas/electricity monthly	Full year cost of measure
497,197	€35	€45	€59.7 million

Any decision to enhance or increase the electricity and gas aspect of the package would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of overall budget negotiations.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (406)

Michael Ring

Question:

406. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the spring cost of living bonus has not yet issued to a person (details supplied) despite being promised payment within two weeks in a previous reply to a Parliamentary Question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32818/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

The Government is acutely aware of the effect that high energy prices and the cost of living are having on families, businesses and the most vulnerable. In addition to the substantial package of supports provided in Budget 2023, earlier this year the Government announced a €470 million package of measures to help social protection recipients including families, pensioners, carers and people with disabilities.

The Spring Cost of Living Bonus is one of the range of measures put in place. It is one lump sum payment of €200 for each eligible person who has an entitlement to a primary payment, in their own right. The Spring Cost of Living payment has already issued to over 1.2 million people.

On review of the person concerned's eligibility to the Spring Cost of living Bonus, it came to light that this person had, in fact, already received their €200 lump sum payment from their participation in the Rural Social Scheme (RSS). This was paid to their nominated post office in week ending 28 April 2023.

RSS is an income support initiative that provides part-time employment opportunities in the community and voluntary organisations for farmers or fishers who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are underemployed in their primary occupation.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Social Welfare Payments

Questions (407)

David Stanton

Question:

407. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of payments currently being made under the rent supplement scheme; the total cost per week; the total amount paid out under this scheme in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32832/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Rent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme supporting 8,861 active recipients at the end of May 2023.

The scheme provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment or income, can continue to meet their rental commitments.

Rent supplement weekly expenditure is not maintained; however a tabular statement providing the total expenditure and number of recipients at the end of December for the years: 2021 and 2022; and for the five months to the end of May 2023 is provided.

Tabular Statement 1 - Rent Supplement Recipients and Expenditure Figures

Year	Recipients	Expenditure
2021	13,401 (end December)	€123m
2022	9,731 (end December)	€75.1m
5 Months to end May 2023	8,861 (end May)	€26.6m

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (408, 419)

Imelda Munster

Question:

408. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Justice to set out in tabular form, for the years 2018 to 2023, the number of gardaí by rank and division in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32936/23]

Gerald Nash

Question:

419. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice to outline in detail the number of members of An Garda Síochána in place at the station in Drogheda, County Louth in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32142/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 419 together.

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 allocation of over €2 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.

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.

I am however 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.

To be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that as of 31 May there are 391 Garda members assigned to Louth Division which represents an increase of just over 12% since 2018, when there were 348 Garda members. I have also been advised that the tables in the attached document set out the number of Garda members assigned to Louth Division from end 2018 up to end May 2023, the latest date for which figures are available. Please note that this information is operational and may be subject to change.

Garda figures Louth division

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/

Visa Applications

Questions (409)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

409. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice if a visa will be granted to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32051/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I am pleased to inform you that the application referred to by the Deputy was granted on 28 June 2023 and the Visa sticker issued on 29 June 2023.

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 ([e-mail]), 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.

Citizenship Ceremonies

Questions (410)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

410. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice if she will confirm a future date for a person (details supplied) to attend a citizenship ceremony; if she will confirm their Irish citizenship; when they will receive a new date for same; and the process they should now follow. [32090/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I am pleased to confirm that my Department intends to host the next in-person Citizenship Ceremonies in the autumn of 2023 and the Citizenship Division have advised that they will revert to the applicant directly in due course regarding their application and next steps.

More information regarding Citizenship Ceremonies is available on my Department’s website, which will be further updated once all details of the upcoming ceremonies are finalised: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/citizenship-ceremonies/

Domestic Violence

Questions (411)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

411. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice if she will seek the figures on breaches for domestic violence orders for the years 2021 to dates for the greater Drogheda and surrounds, including Bettystown, Mosney, Collon and Dunleer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32113/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I would like to assure the Deputy that both Commissioner Harris and I are committed to combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and to ensuring that An Garda Síochána is resourced to provide support to victims of this terrible crime.

Twelve months ago we published our Zero Tolerance strategy. It is an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept domestic violence or the attitudes which underpin it.

The €363 million strategy is built on four pillars – Protection, Prevention, Prosecution and Policy Co-ordination – and the accompanying implementation plan contains 144 detailed actions to be implemented through new oversight structures.

As the Deputy may be aware, the nationwide roll-out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs), which was an action under both the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and ‘Supporting a Victim's Journey’, has been completed.

There is now a DPSU in every Garda division across the country.

This ensures that when vulnerable victims of crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence present to Gardaí, they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance.

In relation to the specific information sought, a search of the PULSE database was conducted on the 28th June 2023 for incidents of the following types:

• Breach of Barring Order

• Breach of Emergency Barring Order

• Breach of Interim Barring Order

• Breach of Protection Order

• Breach of Safety Order

which were reported during the period 01/01/2021 – 28/06/2023.

The following stations were included in the search and return to meet the scope of the request:

- Drogheda; Collon; Dunleer; Laytown.

The number of incidents by type and by year in the period 2021 to the 28th of June 2023 is shown in the table below.

Incident Type	2021	2022	20231	Grand Total
Breach of Emergency Barring Order	-	-	-	-
Breach of Barring Order/Interim Barring Order*	13	12	21	46
Breach of Protection Order	51	47	26	124
Breach of Safety Order	45	42	18	105

1 - Up to 28/06/2023

* - Incident types have been merged to mitigate the risk of identifying parties where numbers are low

Additional Information

Incident data is based upon operational data from the PULSE system as was available at 01:00 on 28/06/2023 and is liable to change. Crime counting rules have not been applied, to reflect all recorded incidents.

Departmental Programmes

Questions (412)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

412. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice when an application (details supplied) for funding under the immigrant investor programme was made, approved by the independent evaluation committee, and signed off on by her. [32114/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As 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/

As Minister, I do not comment on individual IIP applications not does my Department publish the details of individual approved IIP investments.

All projects in which IIP applicants are investing are examined in detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate expertise in this area.

This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the individual application will be submitted to the Minister for final approval.

Gambling Sector

Questions (413)

Peter Burke

Question:

413. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice what plans the Government has in relation to a potential ban of advertising for gaming, lottos, competitions and so on. [32121/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Justice

The Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to reform gambling legislation, with a focus on public safety and well-being. The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 will cover gambling online and in person, and include powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps.

The Bill was published and completed Second Stage in the Dáil in early December 2022 and my Department is currently preparing amendments to the Bill for Committee Stage, which is expected to take place before the summer recess.

The Bill sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body – Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland – and for a robust regulatory and licensing regime to regulate gambling in-person and online, and for the regulation of gambling advertising, websites and apps.

A key focus of the Bill is to protect children and vulnerable people from the harms associated with gambling. The Bill includes restrictions on gambling advertising and on sponsorship by gambling service providers.

In May 2022, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice published its report of its pre legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Bill and recommended the introduction of a pre-watershed ban on all forms of gambling advertising without exception. Consistent with that recommendation, section 141 of the Bill provides for a watershed prohibiting the broadcast of gambling advertising on television, radio and on audio-visual media services between the hours of 5:30am and 9:00pm, with a focus on protecting children from the widespread proliferation of gambling advertising across these forms of media.

In addition to the watershed provisions, the Bill provides for a wide-ranging power to allow the Authority to prescribe the times, place and events where gambling advertising can be broadcast, displayed or published, and allows the Authority to specify the frequency which advertising can be broadcast, the duration of advertisements, and the volume / amount of advertisements that can be shown. This power will allow the Authority to address the issue of gambling advertising on social media, online and on traditional media such as on television, radio, in publications and outdoor advertising such as billboards, etc.

Furthermore, the Bill prohibits persons from advertising, or causing another person to advertise, a relevant gambling activity on an on-demand audio-visual media service or by any other means of electronic communication (including on a video-sharing platform, a social media website, by telephone, text message or email) to another person, unless that person has consented to such advertising.

Domestic Violence

Questions (414)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

414. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice the number of staffed domestic violence refuge centres and the number of supported units open in each county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32122/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy is aware the Government will establish a statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The agency will have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. Pending establishment of the Agency, responsibility for domestic violence services continues to be managed by Tusla.As this will continue to be the case until services formally transfer to the new DSGBV agency, I have referred the question posed by the Deputy to Tusla for direct reply.

Domestic Violence

Questions (415)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

415. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice the number of new refuge accommodation units delivered and opened for each of the years 2020 to 2023 inclusive, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32123/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy is aware the Government will establish a statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The agency will have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. Pending establishment of the Agency, responsibility for domestic violence services continues to be managed by Tusla.As this will continue to be the case until services formally transfer to the new DSGBV agency, I have referred the question posed by the Deputy to Tusla for direct reply.

Domestic Violence

Questions (416)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

416. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice the number of refuge accommodation units that closed in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 inclusive, for each county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32124/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy is aware the Government will establish a statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The agency will have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. Pending establishment of the Agency, responsibility for domestic violence services continues to be managed by Tusla.As this will continue to be the case until services formally transfer to the new DSGBV agency, I have referred the question posed by the Deputy to Tusla for direct reply.

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Questions (417)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

417. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice the Tusla funding allocation for each of the years 2020 to 2023 inclusive for staffed refuges, domestic violence support services, rape crisis centres and associated helplines, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32125/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy is aware the Government will establish a statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The agency will have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. Pending establishment of the Agency, responsibility for domestic violence services continues to be managed by Tusla.As this will continue to be the case until services formally transfer to the new DSGBV agency, I have referred the question posed by the Deputy to Tusla for direct reply.

Asylum Seekers

Questions (418)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

418. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of Ukrainian refugees who have transferred or sought a transfer to Ireland from another EU country having originally sought protection in that country; the country from which they have transferred or sought a transfer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32140/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I can advise that the Deputy that in accordance with the Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382, those fleeing the war in Ukraine are entitled to apply for Temporary Protection in any EU Member State and are not obliged to formally obtain a transfer of their permission when seeking to move from one Member State to another.

In this regard, if someone fleeing the war in Ukraine has already claimed Temporary Protection in another EU Member State, they remain eligible for Temporary Protection in Ireland provided that they meet the criteria set out in the above Decision, which are:

1. Ukrainian nationals who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022;

2. Nationals of a third country (other than Ukraine) or a stateless person who would have benefited from international protection or an equivalent national protection status in Ukraine and were residing there before 24 February 2022;

3. Family members of persons covered by a) and b), where their family already existed in Ukraine, prior to 24 February 2022.

Officials in my Department will assess an applicant’s situation and make a decision on whether or not they are eligible for Temporary Protection according to the above criteria. While applicants have in the main not registered previously in another Member State, figures for the numbers who have done so are not currently readily available.

Question No. 419 answered with Question No. 408.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (420)

Gerald Nash

Question:

420. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice if she plans to provide an extension to the operational period of the Drogheda Implementation Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32144/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I can assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to improving safety and wellbeing for the community in Drogheda.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Drogheda Implementation Plan outlines 73 actions to support community safety and chart a path to improved community wellbeing in and around Drogheda. The Plan is reviewed on a quarterly basis, with a progress report published biannually. The Board consists of an independent, voluntary Chair, appointed by the Department of Justice, and 16 individuals representing 14 organisations, ranging from community representatives to senior decision-making representatives from statutory and other key agencies. The second progress report of the Drogheda Implementation Plan was published in March 2023 and the report identified a number of positive developments in the area.At a local level, the Drogheda Implementation Board is the core driver and co-ordinator of the activities outlined in the Plan, while my Department provides national oversight to ensure strategic direction, action planning and the delivery of the Drogheda Implementation Plan.The lifetime of the Drogheda Implementation Board is for a two year period and my Department is in discussions with the Chair of the Board in relation to how the strong and coordinated work in Drogheda will be taken forward in the longer term and I intend to provide an update on this following this consultation. The Drogheda Plan is an example of the power of cooperation and community. We are gaining momentum here and I look forward to seeing further great strides made for the people of Drogheda.