Written Answers Nos. 1181-1200
1181. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide clarity around the installation process and approval of CCTV in the public realm the legality of it and the process for which local authorities can apply through An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38380/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, since 2017 my Department has administered a grant-aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area.
The CCTV grant scheme was extended in 2019 to cover not only new CCTV systems but to also provide funding for the extension or upgrade of existing CCTV systems which are incomplete or obsolete. Applicants may now also seek a once-off grant of up to €5,000 for minor maintenance costs.
The Community-based CCTV scheme is currently governed by section 38(3)(c) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006 (SI 289 of 2006), GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must:
• be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee,
• have a data protection impact assessment prepared,
• have the prior support of the relevant local authority, which must act as a joint data controller with An Garda Síochána and a joint data controller agreement must be put in place, and
• have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner.
The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 will reform CCTV schemes. Under the Bill, community groups will be able to request schemes in their area.
It is envisaged the Local Community Safety Partnerships being established under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill, once rolled out nationwide, will be the appropriate body to make the request, given that local residents, Local Authority staff, Councillors and members of An Garda Síochána will all be represented on the Partnerships.
The Local Authorities will take the lead and make the applications going forward and have full responsibility for the implementation of the scheme, and also managing the data protection aspects arising.
1182. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice as per section 38(11) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, if the guidelines for CCTV operations of An Garda Síochána can be revised and centralised in Kevin Street where it can be accessed by An Garda Síochána when needed, especially outside of office hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38381/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda equipment and resources, including ICT, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources, which includes the provision and management of ICT equipment, under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that a standalone computer is available for Garda members to view CCTV at Kevin Street Garda Station. I am further advised, if a member experiences difficulty with CCTV, members of the Divisional Technical Support Unit are available and can offer assistance and advice.
1183. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of scramblers and quad bikes seized by gardaí to date in 2023. [38430/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that 29 quad bikes and 69 scramblers have been seized by the Garda authorities in 2023. I am advised that these figures are based on incidents occurring from 1 January 2023 up to 31 August 2023.
The information provided is based upon operational data from the PULSE system as was available on 6 September 2023 and is liable to change.
Vehicles seized or detained include, but are not exclusively, those seized or detained under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 (as amended).
1184. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí, by rank, attached to the Meath divisional drugs unit as of 24 August 2023; and if she will provide the corresponding figures as of 1 March 2022, in tabular form. [38431/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions and am unable to seek to direct the Commissioner in such matters.
I can, however, assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented provision of in excess of €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 new recruits entering the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks.
I am assured that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under continued review, in line with crime and population trends, to ensure their optimum use.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as of 31 July 2023, there were 6 members assigned to the Meath Divisional Drug Unit; 1 Inspector, 1 Sergeant and 4 Gardaí. It may interest the Deputy to note that as of 28 February 2022, there were 5 members assigned to the Meath Divisional Drug Unit; 1 Sergeant and 4 Gardaí. I can also advise the Deputy that since 2015, there has been a 14% increase in overall Garda members assigned to Meath, from 277 to 318 as of July this year.
1185. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the Garda stations that currently have a defibrillator located within the station, in tabular form. [38476/23]
View answerI have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, and will contact him again when this is to hand.
1186. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice if she will commission a review of the operation of court ordered maintenance payments to assess if the current system is fit for purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38489/23]
View answerOn 16 November 2022, I, along with Minister for Social Protection published the Report of the Child Maintenance Review Group. On foot of its recommendations, a number of very significant reforms of the social welfare system in this field have been introduced, which will be of great benefit to lone parents.
In relation to the issue of child maintenance within the courts generally, following the work and report of the Child Maintenance Review Group my Department committed to undertake a review of the enforcement of child maintenance orders as an action in the Family Justice Strategy. The review is examining how the current enforcement process works, the challenges and benefits of it and areas which may require reform. The review is at an advanced stage and I expect it to be completed shortly.
1187. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice if she will waive the citizenship application fee in respect of a person (details supplied). [38492/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, it is open to any individual to make an application for Irish citizenship if they believe they meet the criteria as set out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, as amended.
When an application is received in my Department it is examined and a determination made about whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation.
There is no current provision in the Irish National and Citizenship Regulations to waive fees.
1188. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the cost of training Garda recruits for the year 2023, including projected and actual figures, in tabular form. [38520/23]
View answerI have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably, this information was not available in time and I will write again to the Deputy once it is to hand.
1189. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Justice to provide in tabular form the total amount of moneys allocated by her Department to Muintír Na Tíre over the past five years; to provide a breakdown by annual year and by individual county allocation of the dispersed budget per year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38535/23]
View answer1190. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Justice to outline any allocation of funding to Muintír Na Tíre over the past five years, which derived from capital seizures through the proceeds of crime legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38539/23]
View answer1191. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Justice to provide a breakdown in tabular form for the total amount of spending for the past five years recorded by Muintír Na Tíre to support community alert schemes, the report to provide a breakdown by county for each of the five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38540/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1189 to 1191, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department provides funding for the costs associated with the national Community Alert Programme. This includes the employment of Development Officers who provide support for local community engagement with An Garda Síochána, including in relation to Community Text Alert schemes.
As Minister, I have no role in the internal governance or operations of Muintír na Tíre, beyond the funding provided by my Department, including the organisation’s budgetary process and funding model and I cannot comment on these matters.
In 2021, my Department committed in the region of €150,000 to local communities who wish to apply for a rebate towards the costs associated with running their local Text Alert Scheme, which is administered by Muintír na Tíre. This is a continuation of the annual funding made available by the Department for the Text Alert Rebate scheme each year since 2016.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Community Safety Innovation Fund, was established in 2021 by myself and the Minister for Public Expenditure to allow proceeds of crime to be directed into community projects to support community safety. Muintír na Tíre has not received any funding from the Community Safety Innovation Fund to date.
I can advise the Deputy that the table below sets out the funding provided in respect of salaries of specific Regional Development Officers in Muintir na Tíre, general administration costs and IT equipment, for each of the years requested:
|
2023 |
€76,500 |
|
2022 |
€218,689 |
|
2021 |
€225,352 |
|
2020 |
€232,000 |
|
2019 |
€174,000 |
My Department have begun negotiations with Muintir na Tíre to put long-term funding on a more sustainable and clearer basis and move to a funding model that links more explicitly with the work of the regional development officers and is focussed on Muintir na Tíre support for Garda /community relationships primarily in rural areas.
The funding provided by my Department for the Text Alert Rebate for the years 2019 – 2021, by county, is detailed in the below table. It should be noted that additional funding was provided in the rebate for 2020 for increased costs incurred due to Covid. I understand that Muintir na Tíre are currently compiling the 2022 Text Alert Rebate application.
|
County |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Carlow |
€4,840.00 |
€4,476.94 |
€4,827.57 |
|
Cavan |
€2,071.93 |
€2,570.00 |
€620.00 |
|
Clare |
€4,372.00 |
€9,931.92 |
€4,790.00 |
|
Cork |
€17,998.84 |
€25,378.00 |
€16,376.96 |
|
Donegal |
€4,220.00 |
€4,491.50 |
€1,710.00 |
|
Dublin |
€3,400.44 |
€4,969.56 |
€4,237.45 |
|
Galway |
€5,950.00 |
€10,300.89 |
€8,140.00 |
|
Kerry |
€5,343.00 |
€11,640.00 |
€5,463.00 |
|
Kildare |
€2,714.35 |
€5,245.75 |
€3,520.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
€4,991.66 |
€10,370.96 |
€5,722.65 |
|
Laois |
€4,131.18 |
€4,848.24 |
€4,694.71 |
|
Leitrim |
€830.00 |
€1,070.00 |
€1,340.00 |
|
Limerick |
€7,963.80 |
€14,003.00 |
€7,520.00 |
|
Longford |
€2,116.12 |
€3,610.40 |
€1,079.06 |
|
Louth |
€1,084.44 |
€1,840.00 |
€1,270.00 |
|
Mayo |
€5,380.00 |
€11,075.00 |
€7,880.00 |
|
Meath |
€5,455.70 |
€9,450.06 |
€6,420.00 |
|
Monaghan |
€1,140.00 |
€430.00 |
€240.00 |
|
Offaly |
€3,933.50 |
€4,456.53 |
€3,755.30 |
|
Roscommon |
€3,070.13 |
€14,072.82 |
€4,370.00 |
|
Sligo |
€4,629.55 |
€4,934.50 |
€2,760.00 |
|
Tipperary |
€7,211.93 |
€14,336.33 |
€7,950.00 |
|
Waterford |
€2,749.80 |
€2,510.15 |
€2,480.65 |
|
Westmeath |
€3,065.00 |
€4,470.93 |
€2,970.00 |
|
Wexford |
€4,445.44 |
€5,566.33 |
€4,030.00 |
|
Wicklow |
€3,003.00 |
€2,513.00 |
€2,093.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Admin Costs |
€7,800.00 |
€7,800.00 |
€7,800.00 |
|
Grand Total |
€123,911.81 |
€196,362.81 |
€124,060.35 |
1192. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of visa applications processed in each overseas visa offices in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [38553/23]
View answerVisa applications are currently processed in 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 in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated sanction from my Department.
The table below shows the total number of decisions made at first instance (both granted and refused) and decisions made at appeal (granted and refused) that have been processed in the seven overseas Visa Offices of my department for the period 2022 to 05 September 2023.
|
Overseas Office |
2022 Type C |
2022 Type D |
2023 Type C |
2023 Type D |
|
Abu Dhabi |
8,094 |
4,382 |
6,057 |
3,105 |
|
Abuja |
5,417 |
2,085 |
2,873 |
2,212 |
|
Ankara |
2,550 |
2,924 |
3,553 |
2,169 |
|
Beijing |
2,258 |
6,234 |
5,403 |
5,980 |
|
London |
7,583 |
743 |
8,816 |
401 |
|
Moscow |
2,163 |
1,637 |
1,879 |
722 |
|
New Delhi |
17,892 |
25,658 |
16,928 |
18,762 |
If an application is refused and the applicant appeals the decision to refuse, the decision on that appeal will be be counted as a further decision in above figures. In such cases the application is examined for a second time by a different officer.
It should also be noted that a decision made in a particular year may relate to an application made in a previous year.
1193. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of unmarked vans assigned to the Garda collision forensic investigation unit as of 22 August 2023 and 1 June 2022, in tabular form. [38554/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the allocation of resources to a given specialist unit. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
The below table, provided to me by Garda authorities, details the number of unmarked vans assigned to the Garda Forensic Investigation Unit as of the end of May 2022 and the end of August 2023.
|
As at |
Unmarked Vans |
|
31 May 2022 |
10 |
|
31 August 2023 |
10 |
I am assured by Garda authorities that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under continued review in light of operational policing demands to ensure their optimum use.
1194. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if her Department has taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) within her Department; if any section of her Department currently makes use of A.I., and if she will outline the purposes it is utilised for and costs associated with same; and if she has consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of A.I. [38571/23]
View answerWhere appropriate, my Department plans to assess the opportunities presented by all digital tools, including AI, to improve the delivery of services to our customers. This will be done in compliance with National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) advice and in line with the Government National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for Ireland, AI – Here for good.
As with all new technologies, its adoption will be subject to data privacy and other appropriate legislation and approval by the Department’s internal governance processes. As the Deputy will be aware, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued useful guidance to all Government Departments in June of this year in relation to the use of Generative AI. My Department has not contracted any consultancy firms for additional advice in respect to the use of AI to date.
1195. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update to date on the status in relation to the processing of a citizenship application on behalf of a person (details supplied) which was submitted almost two years ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38588/23]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
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.
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.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs. All applicants with applications for naturalisation that were submitted prior to 2023 should have now received a request for e-Vetting to further process their application. Once the vetting is complete, and any additional information is not awaited from an applicant, the file will be progressed towards naturalisation.
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.
Finally, I can advise the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department intends to regularly communicate with all applicants, to keep them updated on the status of their application.
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.
1196. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the number of horsebox vehicles currently assigned to the Garda mounted unit; and if she will provide the same figures as of 31 January 2021, in tabular form. [38599/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
The below table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of vehicles allocated to the Garda Mounted Unit at the end of January 2021 and the end of August 2023, the most recent date when figures were available.
|
- |
4x4 |
Total |
|
31 August 2023 |
4 |
4 |
|
31 January 2021 |
4 |
4 |
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochána is made on the basis of identified operational demands and the availability of resources, and is reviewed on a continual basis.
Information supplied is operational and subject to change.
1197. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she has responded to a plea for compassionate and humanitarian support addressed to her from a Sudanese refugee who is now an Irish citizen (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38636/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that officials from my Department replied to the correspondence referred to on 7 September 2023.
Sudanese nationals are visa required and must have a valid Irish entry visa before they seek to enter the State.
Any person that wishes to make a visa application must do so online at:
www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspx.
Due to the unrest in Khartoum the office of Ireland’s Honorary Consul is currently inaccessible. Where possible visa applicants should engage with the nearest available Irish Embassy who can give further information on specific cases.
The applicant should also email travelrequest@justice.ie with the subject 'Emergency Travel Required' along with their visa application number. A member of the Customer Service Team will respond as soon as possible. The Customer Service Team will usually seek supporting documentary evidence to verify the situation e.g. a letter from a hospital/doctor or other relevant authority. The team will work with families, or their representatives, to facilitate the application if possible.
Emergency applications will be dealt with on a case by case basis but will, wherever possible, be processed speedily and sympathetically.
1198. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice when a person (details supplied) can expect to hear back on their citizen application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38645/23]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
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.
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.
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.
1199. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 444 which states that there are currently 1793 people recorded at the Sex Offenders Management and Intelligence Unit who are subject to Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001; if she will provide a breakdown of offenders originating from other jurisdictions, other than Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38646/23]
View answer1200. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 444, if she can clarify a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38647/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1199 and 1200 together.
I have asked An Garda Síochána to provide any information of relevance to the Deputy’s question. I will contact the Deputy once An Garda Síochána have responded to my request.
