Tuesday, 11 Jul 2023

Written Answers Nos. 97-111

Prison Service

Questions (97)

Francis Noel Duffy

Question:

97. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Taoiseach the recidivism rates in all Irish prisons. [33913/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Hildegarde Naughton)

The Central Statistics Office compiles official statistics on Prison Reoffending on an annual basis. The CSO does not currently include in its prison reoffending statistics any breakdown of reoffending by prison location because the prison where releases are registered taking place can differ from the prison location where individuals spend the majority of their custodial sentences. The Prison Reoffending publication does provide statistics on the number of individuals that are convicted of reoffending within one and three years of release from custody, classified by both personal and justice related characteristics including offence type, reoffending offence type and dwelling location at the time of their release, as recorded by The Irish Prison Service. Table 1.3 (Prison reoffending, 2019) provides the most recent statistics of the one-year reoffending rates of individuals classified by their county of residence at the time of their release. Statistics of one-year reoffending rates for individuals released from custody in 2020 is scheduled for publication shortly (11th July 2023).

Table 1.3 Individuals released from custody classified by 1-year re-offending indicator and county 1 , 2019

			Re-offence within one year	Re-offending2 rate
Regional Authority Area/County	Yes	No	Total	%
State	1,794	2,232	4,026	44.6
Border	68	108	176	38.6
Cavan	19	29	48	39.6
Donegal	13	28	41	31.7
Leitrim	8	8	16	50.0
Monaghan	21	19	40	52.5
Sligo	7	24	31	22.6
Dublin	627	835	1,462	42.9
Mid-East	152	244	396	38.4
Kildare	46	71	117	39.3
Louth	39	51	90	43.3
Meath	34	74	108	31.5
Wicklow	33	48	81	40.7
Midland	97	119	216	44.9
Laois	30	45	75	40.0
Longford	23	14	37	62.2
Offaly	17	24	41	41.5
Westmeath	27	36	63	42.9
Mid-West	198	204	402	49.3
Clare	41	51	92	44.6
Limerick	101	104	205	49.3
Tipperary	56	49	105	53.3
South-East	134	148	282	47.5
Carlow	29	28	57	50.9
Kilkenny	22	20	42	52.4
Waterford	37	37	74	50.0
Wexford	46	63	109	42.2
South-West	281	255	536	52.4
Cork	234	220	454	51.5
Kerry	47	35	82	57.3
West	79	110	189	41.8
Galway	57	71	128	44.5
Mayo	9	22	31	29.0
Roscommon	13	17	30	43.3

1 Offenders with addresses outside the jurisdiction are not included in this analysis at county or regional level but are included in the state figure.

2 See background notes.

Prison Service

Questions (98)

Francis Noel Duffy

Question:

98. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Taoiseach if a geographic breakdown of the origin of repeat offenders exists and if so, if he will supply this data. [33914/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Hildegarde Naughton)

The Central Statistics Office compiles official statistics on Prison and Probation Reoffendingon an annual basis. The CSO does not publish reoffending statistics classified by the geographical origin of repeat offenders. Information relating to the origin of an individual such as their original nationality, citizenship or birth location within Ireland is not available from the Irish Prison or Probation Service or Garda PULSE data that CSO use to compile the reoffending estimates. The Prison and Probation Reoffending series provides statistics on the number of individuals that are convicted of reoffending within one and three years of release from custody or probation, classified by both personal and justice related characteristics including offence type, reoffending offence type and dwelling location at the time of release or probation, as recorded by The Irish Prison or Probation Service. Table 1.3 (Prison reoffending, 2019) and Table 2.2 (Probation reoffending, 2018) below provides the most recent statistics of the one-year reoffending rates of individuals classified by their county of residence at the time of their release or probation supervision. Statistics of one-year reoffending rates for individuals released from custody in 2020 is scheduled for publication shortly (11th July 2023) and Probation reoffending estimates for 2019 are scheduled for publication in November 2023.

Table 1.3 Individuals released from custody classified by 1-year re-offending indicator and county 1 , 2019

				Re-offence within one year	Re-offending2 rate
Regional Authority Area/County	Yes	No	Total		%
State	1,794	2,232	4,026		44.6
Border	68	108	176		38.6
Cavan	19	29	48		39.6
Donegal	13	28	41		31.7
Leitrim	8	8	16		50.0
Monaghan	21	19	40		52.5
Sligo	7	24	31		22.6
Dublin	627	835	1,462		42.9
Mid-East	152	244	396		38.4
Kildare	46	71	117		39.3
Louth	39	51	90		43.3
Meath	34	74	108		31.5
Wicklow	33	48	81		40.7
Midland	97	119	216		44.9
Laois	30	45	75		40.0
Longford	23	14	37		62.2
Offaly	17	24	41		41.5
Westmeath	27	36	63		42.9
Mid-West	198	204	402		49.3
Clare	41	51	92		44.6
Limerick	101	104	205		49.3
Tipperary	56	49	105		53.3
South-East	134	148	282		47.5
Carlow	29	28	57		50.9
Kilkenny	22	20	42		52.4
Waterford	37	37	74		50.0
Wexford	46	63	109		42.2
South-West	281	255	536		52.4
Cork	234	220	454		51.5
Kerry	47	35	82		57.3
West	79	110	189		41.8
Galway	57	71	128		44.5
Mayo	9	22	31		29.0
Roscommon	13	17	30		43.3

1 Offenders with addresses outside the jurisdiction are not included in this analysis at county or regional level but are included in the state figure.

2 See background notes.

Table 2.2 Probation re-offending rate by regional authority area and county of residence of offender 1 , 2018

			Re-offence within one year	Re-offending2 rate
Regional Authority Area/County	Yes	No	Total	%
State	1,355	3,644	4,999	27
Border	112	371	483	23
Cavan	44	122	166	27
Donegal	25	131	156	16
Leitrim	3	12	15	20
Monaghan	24	73	97	25
Sligo	16	33	49	33
Dublin	432	1103	1,535	28
Mid-East	94	363	457	21
Kildare	23	97	120	15
Louth	29	108	137	29
Meath	11	45	56	31
Wicklow	31	113	144	26
Midland	85	265	350	28
Laois	27	68	95	29
Longford	25	66	91	28
Offaly	13	67	80	27
Westmeath	20	64	84	28
Mid-West	177	415	592	34
Clare	35	88	123	31
Limerick	100	203	303	32
Tipperary	42	124	166	39
South-East	151	401	552	28
Carlow	27	76	103	22
Kilkenny	43	98	141	33
Waterford	46	98	144	27
Wexford	35	129	164	29
South-West	227	474	701	34
Cork	215	423	638	34
Kerry	12	51	63	29
West	76	242	318	23
Galway	53	141	194	30
Mayo	12	58	70	10
Roscommon	11	43	54	12

1 Offenders with addresses outside the jurisdiction are not included in this analysis.

2 See background notes.

Departmental Websites

Questions (99)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

99. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach to clarify whether at any point over the past ten years the SSL certificates for his Department’s websites expired for a period of time; if so, the reason this occurred; and the duration they remained expired. [33283/23]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The situation described has not arisen in the Department of the Taoiseach.

Social Welfare Benefits

Questions (100)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

100. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the total number of persons currently in receipt of unemployment assistance on a short- or long-term basis, and the fluctuation in this number over the last five years to date. [33377/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Hildegarde Naughton)

The Live Register series provides a monthly breakdown of the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance and Other Registrants including applicants for credited Social Welfare contributions. The figures are compiled from returns made for each local office to the Central Statistics Office (CSO) by the Department of Social Protection (DSP).

In June 2023 there were 118,970 persons on the Live Register for less than one year. This compares with 133,287 persons in June 2018 – a decrease of 14,317 persons over the period.

In June 2023 there were 65,909 persons on the Live Register for one year or more This compares with 94,778 persons in June 2018 – a decrease of 28,869 persons over the period.

See Table 1 below - This information is also available online on the CSO Px-Stat Table LRM18.

Table 1 Persons on the Live Register classified by duration of continuous registration

Duration	June 2018	June 2019	June 2020	June 2021	June 2022	June 2023
Less than one year	133,287	119,916	149,204	94,965	119,333	118,970
One year or more	94,778	77,192	71,667	80,316	67,486	65,909
Total	228,065	197,108	220,871	175,281	186,819	184,879

Source: Live Register, CSO

Departmental Staff

Questions (101)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

101. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Taoiseach to provide the names and contact information of all special advisers to Ministers and Ministers of State within his Department. [33591/23]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The persons employed in my Department as Special Advisers are detailed in the table below.

Office of the Taoiseach
Name	Role
Brian Murphy	Chief of Staff (Taoiseach's Office)
Philip O'Callaghan	Deputy Chief of Staff (Taoiseach's Office)
Clare Mungovan	Special Adviser to the Taoiseach
Bríd Murphy	Special Adviser to the Taoiseach
Matthew Lynch	Special Adviser to the Taoiseach
Sarah O'Neill	Special Adviser to the Taoiseach
Cliona Doyle	Special Adviser to the Taoiseach
Jim D'Arcy	Special Adviser to the Taoiseach
Office of the Government Chief Whip
Paul Melia	Special Adviser to the Government Chief Whip
Denise Duffy	Special Adviser to the Government Chief Whip
Office of the Tánaiste
Deirdre Gillane	Chief of Staff (Tánaiste’s Office)
Pat McParland	Deputy Chief of Staff (Tánaiste’s Office)
Alan Ahearne	Special Adviser to the Tánaiste
Diarmuid Lynch	Special Adviser to the Tánaiste
Office of the Leader of the Green Party
Anna Conlan	Joint Chief of Staff
Donall Geoghegan	Joint Chief of Staff
Eamonn Fahey	Special Adviser to the Leader of the Green Party
David Healy	Special Adviser to the Leader of the Green Party
Niamh Allen	Special Adviser to the Leader of the Green Party

The email address template to contact special advisers at my Department is [e-mail] Special advisers can be reached by contacting the main telephone number for the Department - 01 6194000.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (102)

Paul Murphy

Question:

102. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will ensure that long-Covid is included in the terms of reference for the Covid inquiry; and if he will ensure those advocating on behalf of people suffering with long-Covid are allowed to be core participants. [33598/23]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

A comprehensive evaluation of how the country managed COVID-19 will provide an opportunity to learn lessons from our experiences in dealing with a pandemic. It will include a review of the whole-of-government response to the pandemic and how we might do better and be in a stronger position if another pandemic or other similar type event were to occur. It will include a consideration of the health service response covering hospitals, the community and nursing homes, along with the wider economic and social response.

The exact format that the evaluation will take is currently under consideration, including the approach to public engagement.

It is intended that it will be established in 2023.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (103)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

103. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach the amount spent by his Department on Covid-19 advertising and public messaging in print, broadcast and online since January 2020 to date; and if he can provide a breakdown of each campaign in tabular form. [33681/23]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of the Taoiseach has incurred expenditure of €31,095,788 on COVID-19 public information campaigns. This incorporated a wide range of campaigns to ensure maximum clarity for citizens, businesses and the wider community. The accompanying table shows a breakdown of the different campaigns over the period 2020-2022 for which there was expenditure. There has been no expenditure on this area in 2023 to date.

Year	Campaign: across print, radio, online and production	€
2020	Emergency Business Supports	€512,427.12
Use of Outdoor/Public Spaces	€408,261.60
14 Day Restrictions	€466,717.10
Community Call	€1,774,624.83
Business Supports - SMEs	€1,018,966.06
Wellbeing	€836,840.97
Reopening Roadmap	€850,617.72
Business Reopening - Return to Work Safely Protocol	€868,179.96
Leaving Certificate	€58,436.20
Phase 1 Reopening	€1,176,758.08
Business  Reopening - RTW 2	€600,942.24
Phase 2 Reopening	€892,544.96
Phase 3 Reopening	€1,205,813.77
Personal Responsibility	€384,388.06
Travel	€323,353.39
Phase 4 Reopening - July Delay	€735,731.30
July Jobs Stimulus	€652,372.84
Travel Green List	€175,910.63
Phase 4 Reopening - August Delay	€171,363.68
3 Counties Restrictions (National and Regional)	€119,421.74
Additional National Measures (August)	€449,607.56
Dublin/Limerick High incidence awareness	€376,737.58
Living with COVID (Announcement, Framework and Household booklet)	€902,588.36
Dublin Level 3 (Sept)	€12,317.80
Donegal Level 3 (Sept)	€181,933.47
Reinforcing Public Health Messaging Nationwide	€123,087.38
Nationwide Level 3 (Oct)	€239,670.59
3 Counties L4 / National L3 update	€44,844.91
Nationwide Level 5 (Oct)	€211,717.44
Nationwide Level 5 Continuation (Nov)	€0.00
Keep Well - Community Wellbeing	€741,342.65
#SafeChristmas Phase 1 (L3)	€40,159.90
#Antiviral	€87,120.00
#SafeChristmas Phase 2 (Christmas Week)	€0.00
3rd Party Copy/Scriptwriting/Strategy	€46,433.75
#SafeChristmas Phase 3 - Live action TV ad	€157,058.00
#SafeChristmas Phase 3 - Animated TV ad	€36,947.35
2021	Reinforcing Public Health Messaging Nationwide	€726.00
Nationwide Level 5 (continuation in Nov)	€9,833.10
#Safe Christmas Phase 1	€843,637.23
#Antiviral phase 1	€76,835.00
#SafeChristmas P2 - (Christmas week)	€480,956.52
#SafeChristmas P3 - Gathering/Dinner	€384,819.90
Christmas transition to Level 5	€222,949.56
Dec/Jan return to full Level 5	€426,578.89
January Additional Level 5 measures	€607,975.23
#Antiviral maintenance campaign	€33,831.60
Stay at home - Do the Right Thing	€17,894.02
Calendar	€42,164.59
Stay the Course - Do the Right Thing	€145,539.58
Maintain Progress - February	€136,888.29
Reopening of Schools Spring 2021	€673,342.29
#Antiviral  phase 2 - Real Stories	€98,655.84
How it started	€414,315.59
Avoid the Surge	€168,282.29
30th March Announcement	€840,863.84
Antiviral Phase 2 - Real Stories pt 2	€74,262.82
Stay Local for April	€152,108.54
Stay Local for April update	€190,133.88
Recovery Plan Summer - May	€1,266,480.89
Economic Recovery Plan	€511,791.52
Recovery Plan Summer - June	€927,824.98
Recovery Plan Summer - July	€919,916.88
Protect our Progress Progress - August 2021	€9,116.46
Reframing the Challenge - September	€961,960.42
Reframing the Challenge - October	€872,234.01
Protect our Progress - October 2021	€7,993.17
RSVP	€33,948.00
3rd Party Copy/Scriptwriting/Strategy	€11,992.50
2022	Maintain Progress – November 2021	€17,999.99
When to Antigen	€19,997.14
Reframing the Challenge – December	€7,991.10
RSVP	€1,030,619.80
Maintain Progress – Christmas	€3,995.10
Reframing the Challenge: January Reopening	€633,789.07
RSVP Phase 2 (March refresh)	€369.00
RSVP Phase 2 (June & July refreshes)	€38,738.13

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Questions (104)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

104. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when he will publish his diary for quarter 2 of 2023 on the website of his Department. [33974/23]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Taoiseach's diary for quarter 2 of 2023 has been published and is available on the Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/e0fb8-taoiseachs-diary/.

Departmental Data

Questions (105)

Carol Nolan

Question:

105. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach if his Department or any agency under the aegis of his Department operates a ‘barter account’ for the provision of goods or services; if so, if payments have been directed to be made to a barter account during the period 2011 to date [34156/23]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

Neither the Department of the Taoiseach, nor the National Economic and Social Development Office which is the only body under the aegis of my Department, operates a barter account.

Passport Services

Questions (106, 108, 110, 121)

Steven Matthews

Question:

106. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33515/23]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

108. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33638/23]

John Brady

Question:

110. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide an update on the status of a passport application (details provided) as the application has passed the target issue date and the applicants travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33701/23]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

121. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made on passport applications for siblings (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34334/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 108, 110 and 121 together.

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

I encourage Deputies to advise their constituents of the advantages of using the substantially more efficient Passport Online service, which is now used by more than 90% of applicants worldwide.

Departmental Staff

Questions (107)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

107. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide the names and contact information of all special advisers to Ministers and Ministers of State within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33583/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

The below named are special advisers to Ministers and Ministers of State that are employed by my Department:

Ms Gráinne Weld, Special Adviser to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence; Ms Sharon McGowan, Special Adviser to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence;Ms Laura Mannion, Special Adviser to the Minister of State for European Affairs; andMr Eoin Delaney, Special Adviser to the Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora.

All are contactable via the Department’s main telephone number 01 408 2000 or via the ‘Contact Us’ tab on the Department’s website www.dfa.ie/about-us/contact-us/.

Question No. 108 answered with Question No. 106.

Passport Services

Questions (109)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

109. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33653/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, documents for this application were received on 13 June. Turnaround time from the receipt of documents is 20 working days. The estimated issue date for this application is 11 July 2023.

Question No. 110 answered with Question No. 106.

Foreign Birth Registration

Questions (111, 117)

Marian Harkin

Question:

111. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on an application by a person (details supplied) for citizenship under FBR. [33753/23]

Jackie Cahill

Question:

117. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on the citizenship application through the foreign birth register of a person (details supplied); if all outstanding documents have been submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34218/23]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 117 together.

With regard to the specific Foreign Birth Registration applications about which the Deputies have enquired, these applications have been approved. Certificates will issue to the applicants shortly.