Written Answers Nos. 169-188
169. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice if cases for naturalisation of a minor are quicker in the event that both parents have become Irish citizens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35504/23]
View answer186. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice the current timeline in relation to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service for the processing of applications in respect of minors; the number of minor applications currently pending; and a breakdown of the length of time since pending applications were received in the following bands: less than 12 months, one to two years, and three years or more, in tabular form. [34742/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 186 together.
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.
There are however significant changes underway as the Division examines how it can become more efficient. One of the improvements that has become visible recently has been the reduction in wait times for files to be registered. Last year it took on average about 7 months for a file to be acknowledged. This year it is done in a matter of weeks. A related improvement is that Garda vetting is now carried out earlier in the naturalisation process to help improve processing efficiency.
The median processing time for Citizenship applications is 19 months however, the median processing time for minor applications currently stands at 9 months.
The number of minor applications currently at hand as of 11 JulyI am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to all of those who apply for it. My Department is aware that delays in processing times are frustrating and disruptive for applicants, and we are working hard to improve the position. 2023 is 5,077. I can further advise you that approximately 3,500 of the applications on hand have in fact received a positive decision and are now just awaiting processing of their final payment.
Another approximately 550 have been corresponded with in order to obtain further information and/or documentation to facilitate processing of the file. I have provided the requested stats in the below table and they should be read alongside the above information as to decisions issued to this group.
|
Received |
Total |
|
12 Months or less |
3,091 |
|
1 - 2 Years |
1,418 |
|
3 years or greater |
568 |
|
Total Applications Pending |
5,077 |
This year 6,061 citizenship certificates have been issued to newly certificated Irish nationals, including 1,295 minors.
There are ongoing developments and improvements being made to the citizenship application process to help make it more efficient and reduce the amount of time it takes. Significant reforms have been introduced for customers to streamline the number of proofs required to establish their identity and residency as part of the application process. A new scorecard was also introduced to help applicants to complete their applications, and a new eVetting mechanism has been put in place.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 recently passed all stages in the Oireachtas and was signed into law by the President on 5 July. The Act makes a number of amendments to the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 Act relating to naturalisation of children born in the State.
Section 8 sets out a clear and specific procedure that will apply where a citizenship application is made for a child. It reduces from five to three the number of years residence required for a child born in the State to become eligible for citizenship by naturalisation. This will allow children who are currently on a pathway to Irish citizenship to obtain that status at an earlier stage. It is hoped that the relevant provisions can be commenced as soon as possible.
Finally, I can advise the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department intends to regularly communicate with all applicants on a quarterly basis into the future, to keep them updated on the status of their application.
170. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will clarify if there are plans to amend section 19A of the Criminal Evidence Act 1992 as amended by section 39 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 so that a sexually abused child or adult will not have their private counselling or therapy records made available to the accused abuser; if she will clarify the rationale for this section of the Act and outline the implications for victims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34453/23]
View answerProtecting and supporting victims of sexual violence is a priority for me and my Department and I am keenly aware of the devastating physical and emotional consequences such crimes have on victims.
The issue of the disclosure of counselling records is a complex one. On the one hand, there is the victim’s right to personal privacy and on the other the accused person’s right to a fair trial. The accused’s right to a fair trial entails a right to disclosure of any material that may strengthen the defendant's case or weaken that of the prosecution. Counselling records might well contain such material. The accused’s right to a fair trial also places the onus on the prosecution to disclose all relevant information.
To strike a balance between these conflicting rights section 19A of the Criminal Evidence Act 1992 was enacted. Whilst section 19A permits an accused person to make an application to the court for the disclosure of counselling records, it also allows the victim to object to the disclosure of their counselling records. If a victim objects to the disclosure, the judge will examine the counselling records and decide if there is relevant information to be disclosed to the defence. The victim will be legally represented at a disclosure hearing and is entitled to have a solicitor or barrister engaged by the Legal Aid Board to act on their behalf.
Even where a court orders disclosure, it may impose any condition it considers necessary in the interests of justice and to protect the privacy of any person. These include a condition that part of the record be redacted, that the record not be disclosed to any other person without leave of the court, that no copies be made of it, that the record be viewed only at the offices of the court, that the record be returned to the holder, and that it be used solely for the purpose of the criminal proceedings.
Similarly, if a victim does not object to the disclosure of their counselling records, the disclosure is still made under strict conditions. The prosecution requires undertakings from the defence as to how the records will be held and used. For example, the records may not be copied or distributed to anybody else, they may be consulted only in certain settings, and they must all be returned to the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions.
The O’Malley Review of Protections for Vulnerable Witnesses, completed in 2020, did not recommend any changes to section 19A . It recommended that the existence of section 19A be brought to the attention of victims and any persons advising them so that victims are aware of their right to object to the disclosure of counselling records. Relevant statutory agencies are complying fully with this recommendation.
Further work is underway in my Department to support and protect victims of sexual crimes. I intend to publish the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill this month which will implement more O’Malley Review recommendations, including:
- Extending victim anonymity to further categories of victims
- Exclusion of the public from sexual offences trials
- Repealing provisions for sentences to be delivered in public
- Extending legal representation for victims.
171. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the amount paid by her Department in 2022 and to date in 2023 on outside or third-party reports of a technical nature or qualitative and quantitative nature, by payee, in tabular form. [34474/23]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate complete information as requested by the Deputy in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
|
Payee |
Report Details |
Amount paid in 2022 & 2023 (to date) |
|
CSO |
Sexual Violence Survey |
€1,224,876 |
|
Deloitte |
Governance Review of the Abhaile scheme, jointly commissioned by Department of Justice and Department of Social Protection |
€30,688.50 |
|
OECD |
Research into judicial numbers in Ireland. |
€130,000 |
|
Research Matters |
Evaluation of Youth Diversion Projects |
€108,953 |
|
Children’s Research Network For Ireland & Northern Ireland |
Evaluation of the Local Community Safety Partnership Pilot Projects |
€94,974 |
|
Insights Health & Social Research |
Family Justice Consultation with Children and Young People |
€3,500 |
|
PA Consulting |
Independent review of the Department of Justice’s Operating Model |
€98,400 |
|
Maura Butler |
Study on Familicide and Domestic Homicide Reviews |
€180,240 |
|
Research Matters |
Evaluation of Youth Diversion Programmes |
€74,157 |
|
Sean Aherne BL |
Analysis of differential treatment of marital and non-marital families in legislation related to family, marriage, guardianship, and domestic violence legislation |
€6,302.30 |
|
Gemma McLoughlin - Burke BL |
Analysis of differential treatment of marital and non-marital families in criminal law. |
€6,301.96 |
|
Róisin Á Costello BL |
Analysis of differential treatment of marital and non-marital families in Immigration, citizenship and international protection legislation |
€3,153.12 |
|
Peter Hamilton BL |
Analysis of differential treatment of marital and non-marital families in succession, property, and insolvency legislation. |
€2,908.75 |
|
Coyne Research |
Quantitative Evaluation of Still Here Campaign |
€3,136.50 |
|
Coyne Research |
Quantitative Evaluation of Intimate Image Campaign |
€6,273 |
|
Coyne Research |
Quantitative Evaluation of Zero Tolerance Campaign |
€5,227.50 |
|
Ebiquity Marsh |
Audit of 2021 Media Spend of No Excuses Campaign |
€10,824 |
|
Connect the Dots |
Mapping of the current provision of training for members of An Garda Síochána, legal professionals, front line staff and others who are engaging with victims of sexual crime and vulnerable witnesses in a professional capacity |
€19,957 |
|
Bid and Tender Management Services |
Review of the Procurement Function in the Department of Justice and the Irish Prison Service |
€96,186 |
|
Niamh McCullagh |
Exhumation Plan |
€4,121 |
|
Behaviour and Attitudes Limited |
Criminal Justice Public Attitude Survey 2021 |
€75,983 |
|
Behaviour & Attitudes Limited |
Criminal Justice Public Attitude Survey 2022 |
€78,351 |
|
University College Dublin |
A Review of Sexual Offences in Ireland: Stakeholder Experiences – Parts 1 & 2 |
€30,714 |
|
Sagaciti Consulting Ltd. |
ACER Initial Sites evaluation |
€20,985 |
|
Sector 3 Solutions Ltd |
ACER regional sites evaluation |
€14,652 |
|
National University of Ireland Galway |
Provisions of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 as they relate to guardianship of children whose parents are neither married nor in a civil partnership |
€32,584 |
|
WWPEN (European Network for the Work with Perpetrators of Domestic Violence |
A review of Domestic Violence Intervention Programme |
€34,773 |
|
University Of Portsmouth |
Understanding reoffending: Push factors and preventative responses. A Rapid Evidence Review |
€12,915 |
|
Ipsos |
LPA Labour Market Survey |
€29,482 |
|
Ipsos |
Research Survey |
€20,061 |
|
National University of Ireland Maynooth |
Research on ethnic monitoring in the Criminal Justice System |
€4,605 |
|
Trinity College Dublin |
Scoping paper on Longitudinal Analysis of People who offend |
€15,327 |
172. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice the status of a citizenship application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34511/23]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
A request for a solicitor letter of authorisation from the person cited issued last week.
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 the freeing up of more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, improving service to our customers and reduction of 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
173. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice the terms of the pension of a person (details supplied); and whether continuing payments are due to their surviving spouse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34512/23]
View answerI am informed that officials in my Department are liaising directly with the concerned party to progress this matter.
174. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice her views on the recording and reporting of sentencing data, with a particular focus on sexual offences; and what changes or reforms she intends to make in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34514/23]
View answerIs the Deputy may be aware, the Judicial Council Act 2019 provided for the establishment of the Sentencing Guidelines and Information Committee of the Judicial Council. Its functions include the collation of information on sentences imposed by the courts and the dissemination of that information to judges and others. The Committee has commissioned and published expert research on the methodological considerations in the collection and analysis of sentencing data, as well as a guideline document setting out the procedure the Committee intends to apply in developing sentencing guidelines. The data published on foot of the Sentencing Guidelines and Information Committee will be used to inform policy and legislation in relation to criminal offences, including sexual offences.
More generally, and as part of the Courts Service Modernisation Programme, the Courts Service have published the Courts Service Data Strategy 2021 – 2024, which sets out a clear range of actions that will bring a coherent focus to efforts to improve the organisation’s capacity to manage and appropriately use the data it processes. Furthermore, on foot of the publication of the Final Report of the Judicial Planning Working Group the Courts Service has been working to produce a suite of metrics to demonstrate the impact of the first tranche of judicial appointments. This work is well advanced, with ongoing engagement with officials in my Department.
175. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on the strategic review of the Abhaile dedicated mortgage arrears service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34532/23]
View answer176. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice when a decision on the future of the Abhaile dedicated mortgage arrears service can be expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34533/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together.
Abhaile is jointly coordinated and funded by the Department of Justice and the Department of Social Protection, under a Joint Steering Board and a Joint Working Group, which include the implementing bodies. The service’s implementing bodies are the Citizens Information Board (which includes the Money Advice and Budgeting Service), the Insolvency Service of Ireland, the Legal Aid Board and the Courts Service.
My Department continues to provide legislative support to Abhaile in its delivery through the Legal Aid Board and the Insolvency Service of Ireland. The Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Act 2021 has made several important changes in order to support borrowers to achieve more effective access to personal insolvency solutions.
Abhaile was initially established in 2016 with the intention of being a three-year response to the impact of the financial crisis on mortgage arrears in Ireland, with a plan to wind down the service at the end of this three-year period. However, in 2019, taking account of continuing need, the Government approved a three-year extension to Abhaile, with earmarked funding until the end of 2022. A commitment was also made under the Programme for Government 2020 to continue to resource Abhaile. In making this extension, the Government agreed that a Strategic Review of the Operation of Abhaile should be undertaken. In November 2022, taking account of continuing need and a forthcoming external Strategic Review of the scheme to determine its future, the Government approved an extension of the Abhaile scheme, including the Dedicated Mortgage Arrears Service, to the end of 2023.
The Strategic Review examined the effectiveness of the current structures of Abhaile in coordinating and delivering its services on behalf of the State to borrowers in serious mortgage arrears. It is important that Abhaile can operate as effectively as possible in supporting those in need of its services.
This Strategic Review, conducted consultants on behalf of my Department and the Department of Social Protection, is now complete. The final report and its recommendations are expected to be brought to Government by myself and my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, for consideration in the coming weeks.
177. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1053 of 21 March 2023, the reason some groups have not yet received their rebate from Muintir na Tíre; the groups that have not received a rebate, by county, under the headings (details supplied) together with her explanation regarding the non-payment. [34535/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, my Department provides funding to Muintir na Tíre to cover the costs incurred by communities in administering the Text Alert Scheme. The Scheme is administered on a refund basis whereby communities submit their annual costs to Muintir na Tíre and a maximum refund of up to €450 is provided to the community. This funding is provided for in the Department of Justice’s Crime Prevention Budget.The Department made the following payments to Muintir na Tíre:
• 2021 €124,060.35
• 2020 €196,362.80
• 2019 €123,911.81
I can confirm to the Deputy that the last request for payment the Department received from Muintir na Tíre was on 12 December 2022, which was for the 2021 Text Rebate claim, and this was sent for payment on 13 December 2022. The Department is awaiting the 2022 rebate request.Officials within my Department have engaged with Muintir na Tíre on their review of the Text Alert Scheme with a view to delivering more cost effective options, such as the use of apps, for future versions of the Scheme.
178. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice to confirm the current timeframe for the processing of citizenship applications, given it is almost six years since an application (details supplied) was lodged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34560/23]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
A request for a solicitor letter of authorisation from the person cited issued last week.
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 the freeing up of more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, improving service to our customers and reduction of 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.
179. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Justice for an update on an application for citizenship for a person (details supplied). [34563/23]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the person concerned attended a Citizenship Ceremony on 20 June and their Certificate of Naturalisation will be posted to them in the coming weeks.
With regards to the child's potential citizenship application, there are no provisions to apply different criteria depending on the category of employment or profession of the applicant, or any intended purpose of naturalisation such as sporting representation or attendance at third level education.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and the naturalisation process, along with the relevant application forms and guidance notes, is available on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.
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.
180. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice the number of failed refugee applicants currently held in Cloverhill Prison in Dublin or other prisons across the country awaiting deportation. [34598/23]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that there are currently 5 individuals detained in prison under section 5 of the Immigration Act 1999. The 5 individuals have been refused international protection under Section 51 of the International Protection Act.
Section 5 of the Immigration Act 1999 provides that where an immigration officer or a member of the Garda Síochána, with reasonable cause, suspects that the person against whom a deportation order is in force has failed to comply with any provision of the order, or with a requirement in a notice under section (3)(b)(ii) of the 1999 Act, he or she may arrest him or her without warrant and detain him or her in a prescribed place.
Arrangements are being put in place for the removal of each of the persons in question at the earliest opportunity.
181. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the international protection recognition rates for all countries of origin at first instance and appeal stages, in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34617/23]
View answerMy Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times.
The International Protection Office (IPO) of my Department is responsible for examining all international protection applications received. The staff of the IPO are independent by law in the exercise of their international protection functions.
In 2022, almost 5,000 first instance decisions were made by the IPO – a higher number than any annual number of applications over the past five years and exceeding the Catherine Day Report target of 3,500. Of those cases, 1,388 were granted refugee status, 70 were granted subsidiary protection, 2,077 were granted permission to remain while 1,366 were refused a grant.
Between 1 January and 1 July 2023, 3996 first instance decisions were made. Of those cases, 983 were granted refugee status, 98 were granted subsidiary protection, 353 were granted permission to remain while 2477 were refused a grant and 85 were deemed inadmissible.
The higher proportion of cases granted permission to remain in 2022 reflects the impact of the International Protection strand of the regularisation arrangements introduced in parallel with the general undocumented scheme.
The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) is a statutorily independent body and exercises a quasi-judicial function under the International Protection Act 2015.
The Tribunal has provided data sought by the Deputy with regard to the recognition rates for appeals. In 2022 a total of 1,300 decisions were issued by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) and of those cases 496 were granted and 804 were refused by the Tribunal.
Between 1 January and 1 July 2023, a total of 757 decisions were issued by the Tribunal and of those cases 229 were granted and 528 were refused by the Tribunal.
My Department does not maintain statistics in a manner that would provide a detailed breakdown of recognition rates for recommendations or decisions on appeals according to country of origin.
My Department is committed to reducing processing times for international protection applicants and is taking steps to ensure that applications are dealt with as quickly as possible.
Significant investment in human resources and other modernisation initiatives is underway with a view to reducing processing times for international protection applicants, ensuring that those in need of protection receive that status without undue delay, while those that do not qualify are advised of this in good time.
The Deputy may also wish to know that my Department has created a new website to provide a detailed overview of the International Protection process in Ireland which can be accessed at:
www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/304ba-international-protection/
This site also provides detailed statistics and metrics in relation to processing of applications for protection. These statistics will be published on a monthly basis.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/
182. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of cultural mediators currently employed at the International Protection Office; the languages they are employed to interpret; the number of cultural mediators present in the IPO on a daily basis; if they are subject to an interpreter's code of conduct; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34618/23]
View answerMy Department's objective is to ensure that applications are dealt with fairly and efficiently within the framework of Ireland's international obligations.
The International Protection Office has partnered with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), a key UN body in this field, to provide cultural mediators to assist applicants in completing application forms and provide support and information in respect of the protection system in Ireland. All Cultural Mediators employed are subject to an interpreter's code of conduct, both an IPO and separate IOM Code of Conduct.
The role of the cultural mediator is to independently assist and support the applicant in the process, and is complementary to the provision of formal legal advice. Cultural mediators support customers through the application procedure in the language of their choice. The languages they are employed to interpret at the IPO reception are: Persian; Hindu; Urdu; Pashto; Kurdish; Sorani; Farsi; Spanish; Isizulu; Africaans; Ndebele; Setswana; Arabic; Tigrinya; Tigre; Amharic; French; Bangla; Georgian and Somali.
The Cultural Mediators also identify any signs of vulnerability, including unaccompanied minors, victims of domestic or gender-based and/or sexual violence and human trafficking. Presently, there are 12 Cultural Mediators employed at the IPO and all 12 mediators are present in the IPO on a daily basis.
All applicants for International Protection are encouraged to seek legal assistance at any stage of their application, be that at initial application stage, their substantive interview or later in the process. Applicants are also provided with the necessary interpretation supports at each stage of the process. Legal advice and representation, where required, is provided by the independent Legal Aid Board.
183. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of approvals and negative decisions made to date under the Afghan Admission Programme; the number of visas which have been issued to beneficiaries of the programme; if the final number of beneficiaries is expected to be greater than 500; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34619/23]
View answerI understand that this is a difficult situation for our Afghan community and would like to take this opportunity to assure them that my Department is processing applications under the Afghan Admissions Programme (AAP) as quickly as possible.To ensure as many people as possible can avail of this important programme my Department have been liaising with representatives of the Afghan Community and with applicants directly to ensure the Afghan Admission Programme team have everything needed to progress applications.Where applicants are missing important information, such as proof of identity and familial relationships, the Afghan Admission Programme Unit contacted people directly to gather the required documents. This process is now complete. The requested information has begun to be received and applications continue to be assessed in a pragmatic and humanitarian manner.
We issued the first approval under the Programme on 14 November 2022. As of 7 July 2023, 463 beneficiaries have received approvals and 11 negative decisions in respect of 36 beneficiaries have been issued under the terms of Programme. In addition, a further 28 applicants have been informed that their applications in respect of 77 beneficiaries were not eligible under the terms of the Programme. The Department continues to process the remaining applications and will notify all applicants in the coming months.
The Programme has been developed to allow as many families as possible the opportunity to have some family members join them here in Ireland.
It was originally envisaged that up to 500 places would be available under the Programme. However, applicants who have met the deadlines and other criteria for the Programme will continue to be assessed and have determinations issued on their application. Consequently the number of places to be provided under the programme is likely to exceed 500.
I can also advise that if an applicant has received a negative decision in respect of their application to the AAP it is open to them to appeal this decision at no extra cost. The appeal must be submitted on the appeal form within 20 working days of the date of the decision letter. Further details together with a link to the appeal form can be found at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/the-afghan-admission-programme-information-page/the-afghan-admission-programme-aap-appeals/
184. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Justice if she will expedite the application process for persons seeking a visa to enter this country for work purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34682/23]
View answerArrangements for visa process recognise the importance of facilitating travel to the State for a range of economic and social purposes.
As with all visa services worldwide, the central concern in deciding on visa applications 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 not placing unnecessary or unreasonable obstacles in the way of intending visitors.
Following Government approval in December last year, my Department has established an Inter-Departmental Working Group to prepare an implementation report for consideration by Government on the introduction of a single permit process for employment permit and immigration permissions.
The aim of the single permit process is to simplify the procedure for third country nationals wishing to migrate to Ireland for work. This will improve the experience for people who want to move to and work in our country, as well as enhance the service provided to employers.
Currently, there are seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. They are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs process certain visa applications, including Employment Visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated sanction from my Department.
All applicants are advised that processing times vary between countries. They also vary during high volume periods during the year. However, applicants can generally expect a decision within 8 weeks from the date on which their application is received in the visa office, embassy or consulate.The Dublin Visa Office are currently processing Employment Visas received on the 24 May 2023. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
Processing times and decisions at the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link:www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/#decisions
185. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Justice if she is satisfied with the number of gardaí in the force presently; the number of gardaí who will be retiring in the next 12 months; the number of gardaí who will be recruited in the same time; the number of gardaí who have retired early in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34683/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management of and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the recruitment and retention of Garda members.
I can assure the Deputy the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and the 2023 budget of over €2 billion will allow for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff with recruits entering Templemore every 11 weeks. I can confirm that there are currently 370 recruits in the Garda College in Templemore.
The number of recruits have continued to grow in each class following the re-opening of college after Covid-19, with 92 recruits entered the training college in late November, 135 in February and another 154 in May. Another class will enter the college at the end of July.
The Deputy will also note that almost 5,000 people applied to join An Garda Síochána in this year’s recruitment campaign. This is in line with the last pre-Covid campaign in 2019, which shows demand to join An Garda Síochána is as strong as ever. This campaign, which only closed on 14 April, will provide a stream of candidates for future intakes.
I understand the development of a recruitment and retention strategy is a priority for An Garda Síochána. As of the end of May 2023, there were 13,927 Garda members across the country. This represents an increase of over 8% since 2015. In addition, the civilianisation programme as freed up almost 900 Garda members from back office work for front line policing work since 2015.
In terms of retention, it’s important to note that just over 100 Gardaí resigned last year, which represents less than 1% of members. I have been informed by Garda authorities that, as of 31 May, 59 Garda members have resigned in 2023 while 150 have retired. I also understand An Garda Síochána have recently introduced exit interviews to get a clearer view on why people may choose to resign.
I can assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to reaching its current targets of 15,000 Gardaí and 4,000 Garda staff and I will be engaging with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, over the coming months, to secure the resources in 2024 to ensure that we continue to make progress towards those targets.
187. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a detailed timeline of correspondence between his Department and the European Commission concerning the proposed forestry programme and its compatibility with EU state aid rules in 2023. [34407/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the next Forestry Programme is subject to State Aid approval under the Guidelines from the EU Commission. Minister of State, Pippa Hackett met with Commissioners Virginijus Sinkevicius and Janusz Wojciechowski in 2022 to update them on Irish forestry, particularly the extensive public consultation undertaken on the Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050 and the subsequent development of the new Forest Strategy and Forestry Programme.
The previous State Aid Guidelines in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas expired on 31 December 2022 and have now been replaced with a revised version as of 01 January 2023. The introduction of these revised guidelines meant that a formal application for State Aid could not have been submitted to the European Commission until the revised guidelines were in place, i.e. before January 2023.
Cognisant of the importance of implementing the new Forestry Programme as early as possible in 2023, and of the constraint that we could not submit a formal application for State Aid in 2022, the Department secured the agreement of the European Commission to facilitate a pre-notification in November 2022.
The European Commission advised that the most efficient route to full State Aid approval is by way of close engagement between the Department and the Commission, in advance of formal notification for State Aid approval.
My Department, after an extensive pre-notification process, submitted the Formal State Aid Notification for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 on the 20 April 2023.
The Commission are currently reviewing this notification in detail to decide whether the proposed Forestry Programme is compatible with EU State Aid Rules. As part of their considerations, the Commission has conducted an inter-service consultation with other Directorate Generals (DGs) with a legitimate interest in the proposal. I can advise that to this effect, my Department has now received further written correspondence relating to this notification on the 6 and the 21 of June 2023.
My Department has responded in detail to the correspondence received on the 6 June, which covered afforestation and creation of woodlands. My Department is preparing an additional reply to the further correspondence received on the 21 June which covers support schemes, and will issue this week.
My Department officials are fully engaged with the Commission in order to secure this formal State Aid approval as soon as is allowable. Due to this ongoing engagement, it is therefore not appropriate to comment further on the details of the correspondence exchanged at this time.
However, I would like to highlight that as per EU Council Regulation 2015/1589, Article 32, the Commission shall in co-operation with my Department, publish details pertaining to their final decision in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This will be completed after the ongoing State Aid processes are concluded. I would also draw attention to the fact that my Department officials are bound by Article 30 with regards to Professional secrecy within this State Aid process.
Additionally, bi-lateral discussions were held on the Forestry Programme in person with the Commission between Minister Eamon Ryan and Minister of State, Pippa Hackett on 20 June 2023. This included intensive engagements with First Vice President Timmermans and Commissioner Sinkevicius, at which the importance of the forestry programme to our climate change and environmental targets was emphasised.
I would like to assure the Deputy that the receipt of formal State Aid approval and the launch of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is a matter of the utmost priority for my colleagues. As you will be aware, a comprehensive and well-subscribed Forestry Programme has the potential to deliver lasting benefits for climate change, biodiversity, wood production, economic development and quality of life.
188. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will engage with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and ask officials from his Department and the Office of Public Works to re-engage with a person (details supplied) to discuss a safe and fair management system for the water courses that run through his farm land from all the hills in the surrounding townlands into the sea at the adjoining public beach. [34417/23]
View answerI am advised that the person named is a participant in the Agri-Climate, Rural, Environment Scheme (ACRES). As a participant of the Scheme it is open to them to engage with their ACRES approved agricultural advisor and the local ACRES Co-operation Project Team (CP Team), to address issues found on the participant’s holding. This may include the management of water courses, through the careful application of the appropriate Non-productive Investments (NPIs), which will shortly become available. In addition to this, the Scheme plans to have larger-scale Landscape Actions, which may be employed to address wider landscape issues that affect individual farms.
It is unclear what the specific issues are affecting the person named and I suggest contacting the local Office of Public Works as a first step in addressing these matters.
