Written Answers Nos. 139-158
139. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice how many asylum applicants have failed the asylum application process in each of the past five years and to date in 2023; and how many of this cohort have left Ireland and-or have been removed from Ireland in the corresponding timeframe. [46801/23]
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 data in the table below show the latest statistics on decisions made.
Latest Decision Made per Applicant for International Protection from 2019 to September 2023*
|
Decision Year |
Refugee Status (RS) Grants |
Subsidiary Protection (SP) Grants |
Permission to Remain (PTR) (1st Instance and Final Decision) |
Refusal All (RS, SP & PTR) |
Total Decisions |
|
2019 |
951 |
163 |
427 |
1068 |
2609 |
|
2020 |
1032 |
153 |
316 |
616 |
2117 |
|
2021 |
1105 |
95 |
1148 |
16 |
2364 |
|
2022 |
1926 |
95 |
2851 |
1140 |
6012 |
|
2023 (up to 30.09.2023) |
1967 |
136 |
861 |
903 |
3867 |
|
Total |
6981 |
642 |
5603 |
3743 |
16969 |
Table 1 * –Latest decision made per applicant for International Protection/Asylum from 2019 to September 2023. Changes may occur due to data cleansing, permission revoked and if applicant appeals and a further final decision is made. There is no correlation between year of application and year decision is issued.
It must also be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must return to their own country.
A decision to effect a deportation order is taken following fair procedure and when the individual concerned has gone through all available avenues for appeal.
The table below contains details of persons confirmed deported and those confirmed deported following unsuccessful International Protection applications.
A person who has sought international protection is only subject to a deportation order when they have either not engaged with the application process or their case has been considered in detail and all available appeals processes have been exhausted. In the period 2018 until 30/09/2023 2,499 deportation orders were signed. During this period 232 people with deportation orders were escorted from the State. A further 206 people left after a deportation order was served on them.
Some people who apply for international protection process avail of a voluntary return programme or are offered the possibility of voluntary returning. Since 2018 up until 30/09/2023, 201 people have left the State on voluntary return programmes offered by the Department of Justice and the IOM.
|
- |
Deportation Orders Signed |
Enforced deportations |
People who left the state after a Deportation Order was issued |
People who availed of a voluntary return programme |
|
2018 |
229 |
55 |
39 |
9 |
|
2019 |
835 |
115 |
68 |
29 |
|
2020 |
291 |
24 |
39 |
38 |
|
2021 |
0 |
2 |
15 |
9 |
|
2022 |
539 |
17 |
38 |
35 |
|
2023 |
605 |
19 |
7 |
81 |
|
Total |
2499 |
232 |
206 |
201 |
It is also important to note that many individuals who withdraw from the international protection process or who are subject to a deportation orders leave the State without notifying the relevant authorities. This number in this particular category is difficult to quantify.
140. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of attempted murder and serious assault causing harm cases reported to gardaí within all of the Cork, Galway Waterford, Kilkenny and Limerick divisions in the years of 2020 and to date in 2023, by division, in tabular form. [46807/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics.
The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases, under reservation, in relation to various crime statistics. The most recent statistics were released on 25 September 2023, providing stats for Recorded Crime for Quarter 2 (Q2) 2023. The CSO also continues to work with An Garda Síochána to address quality issues in the underlying sources used to compile the statistics.
Figures in respect of attempted murder and serious assault causing harm reported to Gardaí in the Cork (City, North, and West), Galway, Waterford, Kilkenny/Carlow and Limerick divisions, can be found on the CSO website at the following link: data.cso.ie/table/CJQ06
141. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a breakdown of the awards of study visas, by country of origin of awardees, since the beginning of 2022, in tabular form. [46812/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that not every nationality is visa required to travel to the State. A full list of visa required and non-visa required countries is available at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Immigration-Service-Delivery-Visa-and-Non-Visa-Required-Countries.pdf
Any visa required national that wishes to enter the State, and remain, for up to 90 days must have a Type C Short Stay Visa. A Short Stay Study Visa can be sought for courses lasting less than 90 days, such as some intensive English language courses.
A visa required national that wishes to reside in the State for longer than 90 days must have a Type D Long Stay Visa. Long Stay Study Visas are suitable where the applicant wishes to attend a course of study lasting longer than 90 days.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to Type C and D study visas for visa required nationals is available in the table below.
|
- |
2022 - Type C |
2022 - Type D |
2022 Total |
2023 - Type C |
2023 -Type D |
2023 Total |
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
|
7 |
7 |
|
|
|
|
Burundi |
|
|
|
|
9 |
9 |
|
Colombia |
11 |
175 |
186 |
9 |
149 |
158 |
|
India |
26 |
6,881 |
6,907 |
23 |
6,918 |
6,941 |
|
Jamaica |
|
6 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
Kazakhstan |
10 |
48 |
58 |
19 |
49 |
68 |
|
Kenya |
|
142 |
142 |
|
165 |
168 |
|
Kyrgyzstan |
|
27 |
27 |
|
12 |
12 |
|
Liberia |
|
10 |
10 |
|
10 |
10 |
|
Malawi |
|
13 |
13 |
|
12 |
12 |
|
Mauritius |
|
10 |
10 |
|
|
|
|
Mongolia |
6 |
1,324 |
1,330 |
6 |
717 |
723 |
|
Morocco |
6 |
47 |
53 |
6 |
77 |
83 |
|
Myanmar |
|
11 |
11 |
|
9 |
9 |
|
Nepal |
|
71 |
71 |
|
45 |
45 |
|
Nigeria |
7 |
653 |
660 |
6 |
457 |
463 |
|
Oman |
9 |
89 |
98 |
9 |
52 |
61 |
|
People's Republic of China |
47 |
2,446 |
2,493 |
169 |
3,161 |
3,330 |
|
Qatar |
|
9 |
9 |
|
17 |
17 |
|
Russian Federation |
285 |
261 |
546 |
254 |
244 |
498 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
90 |
248 |
338 |
112 |
160 |
272 |
|
Sierra Leone |
|
10 |
10 |
|
11 |
11 |
|
Somalia |
|
|
|
|
6 |
6 |
|
Sudan |
|
10 |
10 |
|
13 |
13 |
|
Turkiye |
140 |
2,246 |
2,386 |
134 |
878 |
1,012 |
|
Ukraine |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
United Republic of Tanzania |
|
34 |
34 |
|
49 |
49 |
|
Uzbekistan |
|
12 |
12 |
|
9 |
9 |
|
Zambia |
|
14 |
14 |
|
15 |
15 |
|
Zimbabwe |
|
47 |
47 |
|
21 |
21 |
|
Other |
143 |
2,009 |
2,142 |
103 |
1,940 |
2,040 |
|
Total |
780 |
16,860 |
17,640 |
850 |
15,205 |
16,055 |
*Please note all figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.
**It is the policy of the Department not to release numbers where there are less than 5 in respect of any nationality, as there is a possibility that a person may be identifiable by releasing such information.
Once a non-EEA national aged 16 or over has received an ‘permission to land’ and intends to stay in the State for more than 90 days, they must register a ‘permission to remain’ in order to receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP card) under Section 9 of the Immigration Act.
A Stamp 2 immigration permission indicates permission to study a full time course on the official Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) for a specified period, subject to restrictions.
The table below sets out the number of Stamp 2 registrations by nationality for 2022. Figures for 2023 will not be available until early 2024.
It is important to note that these figures contain both first time registrations and renewals of registration granted in the year. It is also important to note that not all registrations are granted for a 12 month period as some will have longer or shorter periods of validity and consequently will not register annually. A person may remain in the State on Stamp 2 student conditions for up to 7 years.
Stamp 2 Students Registrations 2022
|
Nationality |
No of Stamp 2 Registrations |
|
Albanian |
13 |
|
Algerian |
152 |
|
American |
2269 |
|
Argentinian |
1002 |
|
Australian |
77 |
|
Azerbaijani Republic |
12 |
|
Bahrainain |
17 |
|
Bangladeshi |
95 |
|
Belarusian |
10 |
|
Bolivian |
1205 |
|
Bosnian |
12 |
|
Botswanian |
42 |
|
Brazilian |
16235 |
|
Brunei |
41 |
|
Cameroon |
23 |
|
Canadian |
1382 |
|
Chilean |
2495 |
|
Chinese |
3451 |
|
Colombian |
133 |
|
Costa Rican |
262 |
|
Ecuadorean |
20 |
|
Egyptian |
63 |
|
Ethiopian |
20 |
|
Georgian |
25 |
|
Ghanaian |
70 |
|
Grenadain |
6 |
|
Guatemalan |
93 |
|
Guyanan |
7 |
|
Honduran |
157 |
|
Hong Kong |
32 |
|
Indian |
6924 |
|
Indonesian |
94 |
|
Iranian |
186 |
|
Iraqi |
13 |
|
Israeli |
13 |
|
Japanese |
606 |
|
Jordanian |
75 |
|
Kazakhstan National |
49 |
|
Kenyan |
142 |
|
Korean |
88 |
|
Kuwaiti |
782 |
|
Kyrgyzstani |
24 |
|
Lebanese |
34 |
|
Lesotho |
7 |
|
Liberian |
10 |
|
Libyan |
7 |
|
Malawian |
20 |
|
Malaysian |
1313 |
|
Maldivan |
9 |
|
Mauritian |
16 |
|
Mexican |
3227 |
|
Mongolian |
1195 |
|
Moroccan |
43 |
|
Motswana |
81 |
|
Mozambican |
7 |
|
Myanmar |
14 |
|
Nepalese |
96 |
|
New Zealander |
15 |
|
Nicaraguan |
35 |
|
Nigerian |
841 |
|
Omanese |
307 |
|
Pakistani |
519 |
|
Palestine |
27 |
|
Panamanian |
344 |
|
Paraguayan |
152 |
|
Peruvian |
45 |
|
Philippine |
58 |
|
Qatar |
29 |
|
Russian |
336 |
|
Rwandan |
10 |
|
Salvadoran |
295 |
|
Saudi Arabian |
581 |
|
Serbian |
16 |
|
Seychellois Seychelloise |
43 |
|
Sierra Leonean |
12 |
|
Singaporean |
178 |
|
South African |
140 |
|
South Korean |
280 |
|
Sri Lankan |
136 |
|
Sudanese |
17 |
|
Swazi |
7 |
|
Syrian Arab Republican |
15 |
|
Taiwanese |
196 |
|
Tanzanian |
30 |
|
Thai |
69 |
|
Trinidadian |
49 |
|
Tunisian |
13 |
|
Turkish |
2676 |
|
Ugandan |
95 |
|
Ukrainian |
76 |
|
United Arab Emirate |
75 |
|
Uruguayan |
230 |
|
Uzbekistan |
8 |
|
Venezuelan |
13 |
|
Vietnamese |
212 |
|
Zambian |
22 |
|
Zimbabwean |
74 |
|
Others |
124 |
|
Total |
52896 |
142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice to indicate the current and-or expected position in regard to an application for naturalisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46814/23]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
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.
Last week, my Department moved from paper based applications to online forms for all new adult applications going forward. Online applications will make the process easier for customers, allowing them to easily fill in the relevant forms, upload the required documents, make payments and submit. The forms will provide a seamless application process and will help guide applicants through what is required for an application.
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.
143. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice if a review of the operation of county and city sheriffs' offices, including the need to put in place an independent mechanism to appeal decisions made by city and county sheriffs, has taken place; if the joint review group to examine the role of sheriffs has completed its report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46894/23]
View answerMy Department and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners established a Joint Review Group to examine the role of Sheriffs, as currently constituted, in respect of State work.
The Review Group was independently chaired by a former Secretary General of this Department, and comprised of representatives from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Courts Service, the Departments of Justice, Housing and Finance, as well as a representative from the Insolvency Service of Ireland.
The Review Group has examined the future role of Sheriffs, with a view to establishing if the nature of the role is currently in line with best international practice, or if there is a more efficient and cost effective system of debt collection. The review also considered the nature and volume of work carried out by Sheriffs.
An open consultation process was undertaken between 3 March 2023 and 24 March. Simultaneously, a targeted consultation process was held where key stakeholders were asked for their views.
The Terms of Reference and further information regarding the Group is available on Gov.ie at the following link: gov.ie - Sheriffs Review Group (www.gov.ie).
The Report of the Review Group is very nearly finalised and will be published in due course.
144. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if Irish Embassy, consular, or mission staff in Albania and Georgia, which are designated safe countries, have engaged with any representatives of the Albanian or Georgian Governments or government agencies to determine the reason such large numbers of their citizens are choosing Ireland as a country in which to apply for international protection, given there are no conflicts currently ongoing in those countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46901/23]
View answerThe International Protection Office examine applications for international protection by anyone who indicates they wish to make an application. The staff of the IPO are independent by law in the exercise of their international protection functions. All applications for international protection are examined fully and individually on their merits, including those from countries which are designated as safe countries of origin.
I signed regulation to introduce new procedures were introduced in the International Protection Office to accelerate the process for making a protection application in Ireland. The European Communities (International Protection Procedures) Regulations 2022, introduced accelerated procedures for international protection applicants from safe countries of origin for the first time in Ireland.
The changes to the International Protection process were designed to establish an accelerated process for international protection applicants from safe countries of origin. Designated countries include Georgia, Albania among others.
Under the new process, applications from safe countries of origin are processed in an accelerated or prioritised procedure to enable a more timely decision on such cases. Applicants from such countries can now expect to receive a first instance decision within three months.
The list of countries designated as a safe country of origin is subject to ongoing review.
The Deputy will appreciate that any engagements by diplomatic staff would be a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs.
145. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice if the Courts Service plans to review and streamline the probate processing service due to ongoing and lengthy delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46902/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware as Minister for Justice, I have no role in the exercise of Probate functions.
The Probate Office is an office of the High Court, and management of the courts is the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. Probate functions are also carried out by County Registrars at District Probate Registries in 14 provincial court offices. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
However, I would like to draw the Deputy’s attention to the fact that the Courts Service have embarked on a 10-year programme of modernisation of the Courts system. A proposal to roll out an eProbate project has been identified as part of the civil law modernisation workstream.
I have secured an additional funding allocation for the Courts Service to facilitate the delivery of eProbate in 2024. The introduction of this improved system should lead to a faster and more efficient process.
146. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice if a decision has been made on an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry to become a peace commissioner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46943/23]
View answerPeace Commissioners are appointed by the Minister for Justice under Section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act 1924.
The appointment of a Peace Commissioner is entirely at the discretion of the Minister for Justice and the fact that an applicant or nominee may be suitable for appointment does not, in itself, provide any entitlement to appointment as a Peace Commissioner because other factors, such as the need for appointments in particular areas, are taken into account.
While it would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases, I can inform the Deputy that my Department intends contacting the individual concerned directly in the coming days regarding his Peace Commissioner application.
147. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the visa options available to an American citizen (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46945/23]
View answerIn order to work in Ireland, a non-EEA national, unless they are exempted, must hold a valid employment permit, which is administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). It is open to the person referred to to apply to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an Employment Permit. More information is available from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment website at
enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/
US Nationals are not visa required in order to present at a port of entry. If the applicant is given permission to enter the state, the immigration officer will place a stamp in their passport, which sets out the duration and conditions of their stay in the State. The stamp placed in the passport by an immigration officer gives a temporary permission to stay in Ireland up to the date indicated on the stamp.
The duration of stay permitted is at the discretion of the immigration officer, up to a maximum of 3 months. If granted a permission to stay in Ireland the applicant must register with the Irish immigration authorities within 90 days.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
148. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if she will outline the environmental standards and nature protection provisions her Department oversees; the level of activity of enforcement in each case, covering inspections, issuing of notices, and prosecution; and if she plans to step up activity. [46970/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware primary responsibility for nature conservation, wildlife protection and the presentation and preservation of our National Parks and Nature Reserves sits with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
My Department has no direct role in the setting of environmental standards or protection of nature.
I am informed that An Garda Síochána works closely with the NPWS as they are empowered under the Wildlife Acts to investigate alleged wildlife crime offences and to prosecute if appropriate.
149. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice if a decision has been made on an application under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 by a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47020/23]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy was issued a letter refusing permission to remain in the state on 2 August 2022. In response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the persons concerned.
These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made. These cases are amongst many to be considered at present and, as such, it is not possible to provide a specific indication as to when the cases will be finalised.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
150. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the fact that her attention has been drawn to a case within the IPS, she will engage with management and the officer (details supplied). [47058/23]
View answerI am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on nor confirm the existence of any specific protected disclosure. Nor would it be appropriate for me to comment on individual cases involving staff of my Department or the agencies under its remit.
However, as the Deputy is aware, the Protected Disclosures Act was enacted in 2014 to allow workers report alleged wrongdoing to the appropriate authorities. The Act, as amended by the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022, also affords very important protections to persons making protected disclosures. The process for making a protected disclosure rightly prioritises the confidentiality of the individual making the disclosure. This confidentiality is central to the effectiveness of the process.
151. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department, or any body under the aegis of his Department, has facilitated in-person or remote briefings on any issue from organisations (details supplied) from 2021 to date; if so, the topic discussed; the fees paid to the organisations for these briefings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46746/23]
View answerMy Department has not facilitated in-person or remote briefings with the organisations Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) and BelongTo from 2021 to date.
As regards the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
152. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an urgent reply will issue to a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46815/23]
View answerThe designation of lands as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) is a function exercised by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. My Department has not approved any afforestation within any of the six SPAs designated for breeding Hen Harrier since 2013.
During the Forestry Programme (2014-2022), consent for afforestation in SPAs, other than the six designated for breeding Hen Harrier, could be given in certain cases. In order to approve an afforestation licence within a SPA, it was necessary for my Department to conclude that the planting proposed did not adversely affect the integrity of the NATURA site, either alone or in combination with other plans or projects. An ecological report demonstrating how the project could take place in a manner compatible with the ecological objectives of the designation may have been required. This was the policy that was in place in October 2022.
The new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 launched on the 6 September 2023 and a new Afforestation Scheme opened. It will no longer be possible for my Department to issue an afforestation licence for land within any of the Special Protection Areas.
Adoption of this new requirement was necessary due to concerns raised by the European Commission during our State Aid approval process. I am confident that the changes introduced will allow my Department to fully align the licence application and assessment process for afforestation with both environmental legislation and with the State Aid conditions underpinning the new Forestry Programme.
153. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the basic income support sustainability scheme will be made available to a farmer in Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46830/23]
View answerThe person named submitted an application under a reference number for the 2023 Basic Income Support Sustainability Scheme (BISS). He has now submitted further documentation to allow this Reference Number be linked with a herd number. The application is now being processed and will be subject to the standard administrative checks. Once these checks are complete any payment due will issue. My Department will be in contact with the person named if any further information is needed to assist in the processing of the application.
154. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date on which the announced sheep improvement scheme payment increase from €12 to €20 will take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46919/23]
View answerMy Department provides significant support to the sheep sector under the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), through a targeted scheme for sheep farmers - the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) - as well as other CSP interventions such as ACRES and the Organic Farming Scheme which are open to both specialist sheep and mixed beef and sheep enterprises.
In addition to the substantial payments under the CSP specifically targeted at the drystock sector, I have also been able to secure a further €15m of exchequer funding for the sheep sector for 2024. This additional funding, when combined with the current €12 payment to SIS participants, will result in a payment equivalent to €20 per ewe to beneficiaries in 2024. This increased provision will be the highest ever payment provided to our vitally important sheep sector.
In announcing details of my Department’s budget for 2024, I emphasised that my primary focus was on protecting farmer incomes while at the same time funding the agriculture sector’s environmental ambition and on-farm sustainability. The significantly improved payment announced in Budget 2024 will assist in alleviating input cost inflation for sheep enterprises which have greatly impacted on their profitability despite the record returns available to producers in recent years.
My Department is currently working on the precise modalities and the potential measures by which the increased exchequer funding can best be directed to sheep farmers in 2024 taking into account EU State Aid rules governing support schemes for agricultural commodities. I will be in a position to announce further details on measure design and implementation arrangements once this process has concluded.
155. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the process whereby a fisherman can get a disputed harbour charge reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46944/23]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing all customers with the most timely, efficient and courteous service possible. The delivery of a user friendly, high quality service to all customers and clients is not only key but also a core value of my Department and is set out in the Customer Charter.
If a customer wishes to dispute a harbour charge arising from use of one of the Department's Fishery Harbour Centres, the customer should make contact with the relevant Harbour Master in the first instance.
If the issue cannot be resolved to the customers satisfaction a formal complaint can be made to the Department's Quality Service Unit. If the customer remains dissatisfied after following the steps above, it is open to the customer to contact the Office of the Ombudsman. The Department’s Customer Service Complaints Procedure is available online at: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/31429-customer-service-complaints/
156. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a scheme (details supplied) will extend beyond March 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46956/23]
View answerThe Accommodation Recognition Payment Scheme, provided for under the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022, is a tax-free monthly payment available to those providing accommodation to Ukrainians who arrived in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive since March 2022.
The scheme is linked to the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive and is currently due to end on 31 March 2024. On 28 September 2023, the Council of the European Union agreed to extend the temporary protection for people fleeing the crisis in Ukraine from 4 March 2024 to 4 March 2025. In light of this, and in accordance with the governing legislation, I intend to make an Order to extend the scheme to the end of March 2025, subject to consultation with the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.
157. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department, or any body under the aegis of his Department, has facilitated in-person or remote briefings on any issue from organisations (details supplied) from 2021 to date; if so, the topic discussed; the fees paid to the organisations for these briefings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46747/23]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy in relation to her request that the Children’s Rights Alliance facilitated a remote targeted consultation with a number of invited organisations, including BelongTo, on the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People on behalf of my Department, in 2022. There was no fee associated with their participation in this consultation.
In 2021 and 2022, the CEO of BelongTo was a member of the voluntary National Advisory Council on Children and Young People.
In addition, BelongTo and Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) are represented on the Steering Committee that oversees the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy. The LGBTI+ National Inclusion Strategy Steering Committee comprises representatives from key Government departments, State bodies and NGOs, particularly those representing LGBTI+ people. The Steering Committee reviews the implementation of the actions contained in the Strategy and progress towards the fulfilment of outcomes.
The bodies listed in the Table below fall under the aegis of my Department, and I have asked that they reply directly to the Deputy on this matter.
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Body |
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National Disability Authority |
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Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission |
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Child and Family Agency (TUSLA) |
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Adoption Authority of Ireland |
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Oberstown Children Detention Campus |
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Gaisce – The President’s Award |
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Ombudsman for Children’s Office |
158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to indicate the eligibility criteria for redress-compensation as part of the mother and baby homes redress scheme in the case of a person (details supplied); the procedure to apply for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46773/23]
View answerI can confirm that Clare (Ennis) County Home is an institution that is included in the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. While it is not possible to comment on a specific individual's potential eligibility for Scheme benefits, it may be helpful to note that the Scheme will be straightforward and non-adversarial, and will provide benefits to applicants based on time spent in an institution without any requirement to bring forward evidence of abuse or harm.
Opening the Scheme as soon as possible is a priority for me and my Department. The Deputy may be aware that underpinning legislation for the Scheme - the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023- was passed into law on 11 July 2023.
This Act allows for the establishment of an Executive Office in my Department to administer the Scheme and the appointment of the Chief Deciding Officer to head up that office. It also allows for the making of the necessary regulations which must be in place prior to the Scheme opening and provides a lawful basis for access to information and records which are essential for the processing of applications.
Intensive work is underway to conclude the work on the administrative structures in as timely a manner as possible and to transition to a live Scheme. An information awareness campaign will take place in Ireland and abroad in advance of the Scheme opening. Once the Scheme is open, applicants will be supported throughout the process with information and advice if they need it. I would encourage any person who thinks they may be eligible for the Scheme to make an application at that time.
