Written Answers Nos. 798-817
798. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47475/23]
View answerWhere a person has made an application for international protection, there is a legal requirement under the International Protection Act 2015 to maintain full confidentiality at all times. Therefore the Department is unable to publish any information that would identify an international protection applicant.
If an application for international protection has been made in the State, the applicant or their designated legal advisor should contact the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate. This will enable a full and comprehensive reply to be provided.
Both the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) are fully independent in deciding whether or not to grant international protection. Each application is examined individually on its own merits, in line with national and international asylum law.
The International Protection Office may be contacted: by email to info@ipo.gov.ie; by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028000 or in writing to Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.
The International Protection Appeals Tribunal may be contacted either: by email to info@protectionappeals.ie; by telephone at 01-4748400 (or Lo-Call 1890 201 458), or in writing to Corporate Services Division, The International Protection Appeals Tribunal, 6-7 Hanover Street East, Dublin D02 W320.
Information and an overview of the application process for international protection applicants can be found on the IPO website here: www.ipo.gov.ie/en/IPO/Pages/Assessment_of_Application
Information on how to make an appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal, as well as how to access legal advice can be found here: www.protectionappeals.ie/how-to-appeal/.
The Department's website also provides a detailed overview of the International Protection process in Ireland which can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/304ba-international-protection/.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases (excepting those relating to an international protection applicant) may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas mail facility 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.
799. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice to provide information and statistics on the average processing time for granting work licences to nurses from countries outside the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47482/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that in 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). My Department has no role in the administration or processing of Employment Permits. When a visa required national receives an Employment Permit from the DETE they must then apply to my Department for a long stay Employment Visa. All long stay visas are also called 'D' visas. Further details on long stay Employment Visas may be found at the following link:www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-work-in-ireland/ The granting of an employment permit by DETE is not the sole determining factor as to whether a visa will subsequently be granted by my Department. These are two very distinct application processes with different checks and procedures in place in each respective Department. Ireland’s Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) is designed to accommodate the arrival of non-EEA nationals to fill short term labour market gaps. In recognition of the importance of frontline medical personnel, the AWS Unit prioritises these applications. There has been an unprecedented demand for AWS permissions this year, with a significant increase in the number of applications for healthcare workers. The number of applications received in the first six months of this year is 5,376. This represents an increase of 65% of applications that were received in the same period of last year.
Additional resources have been added to manage the Scheme earlier this year. I am pleased to say that for medical personnel the processing times for applications have reduced in recent weeks and are now approximately in line with the business target of 20 working days. My Department is continuing to work to reduce processing times through the modernisation of our systems and the introduction of efficiencies, as well as additional streamlining measures which should also reduce processing times for AWS applications. The AWS unit continues to liaise with all relevant stakeholders in this area and further information on the Atypical Working Scheme, including the criteria for documents, is available here:www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-work-in-ireland/what-are-my-work-visa-options/applying-for-a-long-stay-employment-visa/atypical-working-scheme/
I can further advise the Deputy that work is underway to unify the current system whereby employment permits and immigration permissions are dealt with separately, with a view to improving the user experience and enhancing Ireland’s competitiveness in attracting skilled migrant workers. The Government agreed in principle late last year that a single application procedure for employment permits and immigration permissions should be developed and that an Inter Departmental Working Group should be established to develop an implementation plan for consideration by Government.
The Inter-departmental Working Group is examining the operational, policy and legal considerations of simplifying the process for employment permits and immigration permissions to improve on timelines to secure critical skill workers. The Working Group aims to report back to Government shortly with an implementation plan and associated timelines. The Working Group’s report will also allow Government to consider opting-in to the recast EU Single Permit Directive at a future date.
800. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress that has been made to date in processing an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) whose record is affected by a number of offences, some of which are still pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47497/23]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
All applicants must satisfy the good character criterion under Section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. The Deputy will appreciate that the outcome of pending cases before the courts may have a significant influence in this regard.
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.
In October, 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.
801. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if male-born sex offenders will be located in the new women’s prison; and if prisoners will have access to communal spaces within the prison. [47507/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Irish Prison Service must provide safe and secure custody for all people committed to its care and safe working conditions for all of its staff.
Where a court makes an order committing a person to a prison, the Prison Service must accept that person into custody in whichever prison is specified by the court. While all prisoners committed are accommodated in accordance with their legal gender and having regard to their safety and the safety of the wider prison population, it should be noted that Irish prisons are not legally defined as 'male' or 'female' prisons.
On arrival in prison, the Prison Governor will consider all aspects of the health and well-being of the person arriving, and of the whole prison population.
The Governor may make a recommendation on the appropriate placement within the prison system for the person concerned, taking into consideration good order, security and operational issues, protection issues, available accommodation and the healthcare needs and human rights of the individual, as well as the safety and security of the prison population more generally.
The strengths, needs and risk profile of each individual are continuously assessed, taking into account the views of the prison-based professional multi-disciplinary team, to determine the most appropriate placement across the prison estate to support their safety and wellbeing and that of the staff body and wider prison population.
802. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Dlí agus Cirt soiléiriú a thabhairt faoi conas a thug an Rialtas freagra i leith cinntí de chuid na gcúirteanna maidir leis an dá athbhreithniú bhreithiúnacha a bhain leis an gceart aistriúchán comhuaineach a fháil le linn cás coiriúil, agus argóintí an Stáit le linn na hathbhreithnithe sin a fhoilsiú. [47587/23]
View answerTuigtear dom gurb iad an dá athbhreithniú bhreithiúnacha dá dtagraítear ná Diarmaid Ó Cadhla v. An tAire Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais, Éire agus an tArd-Aighne agus an Stiúrthóir Ionchúiseamh Poiblí [2018/36AB] agus Diarmaid Ó Cadhla v. An tAire Dlí agus Cirt, Éire agus an tArd-Aighne, an Stiúrthóir Ionchúiseamh Poiblí agus Coimisinéir an Gharda Síochána [2022/540AB].
Tá curtha in iúl dom, i gcás an chéad athbhreithnithe bhreithiúnaigh, gur tháinig an phríomh-shaincheist chun cinn agus an consantóir ag iarraidh a chás a chur i láthair i nGaeilge sa Chúirt Dúiche, maidir lena mhéid atá dualgas ar an Stát Breitheamh Dúiche dátheangach a chur ar fáil chun cás a thriail. Foráiltear leis an Dearbhú a rinne an Breitheamh ‘go bhfuil dualgas ar an Stát iarrachtaí réasúnacha a dhéanamh chun Breitheamh Dúiche dátheangach a shannadh do thriail choiriúil an iarratasóra, atá le teacht sa Chúirt Dúiche.’ Tá cóip den Bhreithiúnas le fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin na Seirbhíse Cúirteanna (courts.ie/ga).
I gcás an dara ceann de na hAthbhreithnithe Breithiúnacha sin, tá curtha in iúl dom gur forchoimeádadh an breithiúnas agus go bhfuiltear ag fanacht leis i gcónaí. Ní cuí dom, mar sin, a thuilleadh a rá faoin Athbhreithniú Breithiúnach sin.
Mar is eol don Teachta, faoi fhorálacha an Achta um Sheirbhís Chúirteanna, 1998, is í an tSeirbhís Chúirteanna atá freagrach i mbainistiú na gcúirteanna, agus tá an tSeirbhís sin neamhspleách ag comhlíonadh a feidhmeanna di. Chuaigh mo Roinnse i mbun comhphlé leis an tSeirbhís Chúirteanna tar éis don bhreithiúnas a bheith tugtha. Chuaigh an Roinn i dteagmháil le hoifig Uachtarán na Cúirte Dúiche, chomh maith, maidir le sannadh Breithiúna chuig Dúichí ina bhfuil líomatáistí ina bhfuil an Ghaeilge in úsáid ghinearálta.
Tuigtear dom go gcoimeádann an tSeirbhís Chúirteanna comhshocraíochtaí agus nósanna imeachta ar bun chun a chinntiú go mbíonn ateangairí Gaeilge ar fáil i gcomhair na n-éisteachtaí cúirte go léir a mbíonn siad ag teastáil ón gCúirt lena n-aghaidh nuair a chuireann duine in iúl gur mian leis nó léi Gaeilge a úsáid sa chúirt. Tugaim do m’aire, i dTuarascáil Bhliantúil 2022 ón gCoimisinéir Teanga, gur léirigh an Coimisinéir a shástacht ‘go bhfuil cleachtais in áit ag an tSeirbhís Chúirteanna chun déileáil le hiarratais a fhaightear ar Ghaeilge a úsáid sa chúirt’.
803. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice the average waiting time for probate in Cork. [47608/23]
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.
804. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice the number of units currently awaiting probate in Cork. [47609/23]
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.
805. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied) who is currently in Gaza in the midst of the Israeli bombings; if she will provide a rationale for why his visa application to visit his family in Ireland was rejected; if she will review this application to provide the person with the support to leave Gaza to visit his wife Nada and their children in Ireland. [47621/23]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the application referred to was granted, on appeal, on 18 October 2023. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly by the Deputy 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.
806. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of statements of interests for the purposes of section 19 filed by her special advisers in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if she will provide a schedule of same. [47651/23]
View answerThe disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 apply to any special adviser appointed pursuant to the Public Service Management Act 1997 and to any special adviser within the meaning of section 19 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 (including ministerial personal appointees). As the Deputy may be aware, for the purposes of Section 19 of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995, where there are no interests to disclose, there is no obligation on a Special Adviser to furnish a Nil Statement. With that in mind, I can inform the Deputy that my Special Advisers had no interests to declare in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, each of my special advisers made a return to SIPO. A 2023 return is not required until the 31st January 2024.
807. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 402 of 24 October 2023, how An Garda Síochána will decide whether to charge someone for the crime of incitement to hatred, i.e., on what basis it is decided if hatred, specifically, has been incited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47695/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, prosecutions are a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The DPP is wholly independent in her functions under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended) and, as Minister for Justice, I have no role in the operations, governance or oversight of the Office of the Director, which is funded through the Vote of the Department of the Taoiseach.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána will only charge a person with an offence of incitement to hatred when directed to do so by the DPP.
808. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 403 of 24 October 2023, the progress made in regard to an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); the next steps to be taken in regard to this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47720/23]
View answerFurther to my answer to PQ 403 of 24 October 2023, I can clarify the applicant applied for naturalisation on 17 August 2022 and not 2023.
The position remains unchanged in that the naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
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.
809. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice to provide a breakdown of the advertising spend of her Department and agencies under the remit of her Department, by national media outlet and local newspaper outlet, for each of the years 2020 to 2022, in tabular form. [47736/23]
View answerUnfortunately it has not been possible to collate the requested information in the time requested. I will revert to the Deputy when the information is available.
810. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who had a visa application submitted at the same time as their sibling, who has been awarded citizenship, but has yet to receive any communication regarding the status of their application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47749/23]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy has been approved.
An approval letter has issued to the parent of the applicant. Once the required documents are received, their certificate of naturalisation will issue in the weeks following.
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.
In October 2023, 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.
811. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice to confirm the status of an application for Irish citizenship by naturalisation (details supplied); when a decision is likely to be reached; when the applicant will be notified of the outcome of the vetting application in view that disclosure was made available to the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service on 9 October 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47759/23]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
I am advised that this application is based on "Irish association" and at present these cases are taking in excess of 30 months to 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.
In October, 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.
812. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice the number of people granted free legal aid in criminal cases in each of the past five years, by category of main offence which the defendant was charged; the number of people granted free legal in each of the last five years, broken down by the number convicted and the number found not guilty. [47760/23]
View answerBy way of background, Criminal Legal Aid is a vital element of the criminal justice system and the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 gives expression to the Constitutional position that legal aid must be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under the 1962 Act, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid. My Department has no role in the granting of legal aid or in the appointment of solicitors to a case. My Department is only responsible for the payment of fees and expenses to the legal practitioners.
The information sought by the Deputy is not recorded in the way it is sought, therefore, it is not possible to provide the data as requested. The number of Criminal Legal Aid Certificates issued in the District Court are recorded and are provided in the table below. However, it should be noted that the number of certificates issued is not equivalent to the number of individuals granted Criminal Legal Aid.
|
Year |
Number of Criminal Legal Aid Certificates issued in the District Court |
|
2022 |
81,025 |
|
2021 |
80,831 |
|
2020 |
73,611 |
|
2019 |
79,346 |
|
2018 |
72,674 |
813. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons recruited to An Garda Síochána in each of the past five years and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [47767/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities – and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that. We will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe.
The unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion for 2023 and a further €2.3 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.
This level of funding is providing for a steady pipeline of new Gardaí, with new recruits entering the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks. Whilst the necessary temporary closure of the Garda College during the Covid-19 pandemic put an unfortunate pause on recruitment, the number of recruits has continued to grow in each class following the re-opening of the college.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am however assured that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under continued review, in line with crime and population trends, to ensure their optimum use.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, a total of 4,243 new recruits have attested as Gardaí and been assigned to duties nationwide. This includes the 237 Probationer Gardaí who have attested this year.
The table below sets out the number of Gardaí attested by year since 2019 up to 13 October 2023 (the date of the latest attestation).
|
Divisions |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Total |
|
Total |
605 |
522 |
148 |
370 |
237 |
1,882 |
Further detailed information in relation to the allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and Station can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
814. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who took early retirement in each of the past five years and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [47768/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all internal HR Garda matters and the recruitment and retention of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in this matter.
The following table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Gardaí who availed of early retirements in each of the past five years, and to date in 2023. Cost Neutral Early Retirements allow a member who has reached the age of fifty with less than the minimum thirty years’ service to retire early with a reduced pension and gratuity.
Early Retirements as of 31 October 2023
|
Year |
Number |
|
2023 |
>10 |
|
2022 |
>10 |
|
2021 |
>10 |
|
2020 |
>10 |
|
2019 |
>10 |
|
2018 |
>10 |
|
Total |
19 |
As the Deputy may already be aware, exact data is not released by An Garda Síochána for counts less than 10 for data protection reasons.
815. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who have left the force in each of the past five years and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [47769/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all internal HR Garda matters and the recruitment and retention of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in this matter.
The below table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Gardaí who have left the service in each of the past five years, and to date in 2023. Figures include Voluntary Retirements, Compulsory Retirements, Cost Neutral Early Retirements, Resignations, Dismissals, Deaths in Service and Medical Discharges.
Garda Member Departures as of 31 October, 2023
|
Year |
Vol. Retire |
Compul. Retire |
Medical Discharge |
Resign |
Dismissal |
Death |
CNER |
Resig. in lieu Dism./Not Suit |
Total |
|
2023 |
199 |
55 |
22 |
143 |
>10 |
>10 |
>10 |
>10 |
434 |
|
2022 |
260 |
79 |
18 |
109 |
>10 |
>10 |
>10 |
>10 |
476 |
|
2021 |
213 |
78 |
>10 |
91 |
>10 |
>10 |
>10 |
>10 |
405 |
|
2020 |
213 |
34 |
>10 |
69 |
>10 |
>10 |
>10 |
>10 |
337 |
|
2019 |
160 |
60 |
11 |
71 |
11 |
16 |
>10 |
>10 |
333 |
|
2018 |
175 |
40 |
>10 |
77 |
>10 |
>10 |
>10 |
>10 |
312 |
|
Total |
1220 |
346 |
72 |
560 |
20 |
55 |
20 |
>10 |
2297 |
As the Deputy may already be aware, exact data is not released by An Garda Síochána for counts less than 10 for data protection reasons.
816. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who have been assaulted while on duty in each of the past five years and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [47770/23]
View answerWe are all immensely grateful to members of our police service for their outstanding dedication and commitment to serving the public and for the important role that they play in our society.
For the most part, the relationship between Gardaí and the public is one built on very significant trust. We only have to look to the fact that An Garda Síochána is a largely unarmed, and yet hugely effective, community policing service.
As the Deputy will be aware, an assault on a member of An Garda Síochána, a prison officer, a member of the fire brigade, ambulance personnel, or a member of the Defence Forces is already an offence under section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994.
A person convicted of such an offence is currently liable to a fine, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years, or both. The latter penalty was increased from a maximum term of 5 years in 2006.
However, the Government is committed to taking further action to protect Gardaí and frontline workers as necessary. To this end I recently announced a range of tougher sentences for existing offences under the Criminal Justices (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023. This sees the maximum sentence for assaulting or threatening to assault a Garda or other on duty emergency workers increased from 7 to 12 years
These changes will send a very clear message that attacks on frontline workers will not be tolerated, and will be dealt with robustly.
The table below, furnished to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Gardaí who have been assaulted while on active duty in the State in each year of the past five years and to date in 2023, as requested by the Deputy.
Number of Gardaí who reported sustaining an occupational injury as a result of being assaulted 2018 to date (as of 27/10/2023)
|
Year |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Total |
|
Number |
224 |
265 |
223 |
266 |
343 |
339 |
1660 |
817. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice if, further to recommendations on better supporting victims outlined within the O'Malley Report, she plans to introduce legislation which would allow victims of rape or sexual abuse to give evidence to a court via video link; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47771/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Constitution and the law, the Courts are independent in their functions, and the conduct of any court case is a matter for the presiding judge.
I can advise the Deputy that Section 13 of the Criminal Evidence Act 1992 provides that victims of rape or sexual abuse may give evidence through video link with the leave of the court.
There are no legal impediments to a witness giving evidence remotely in suitable cases.
I can assure you that I am acutely aware that the trial and sentencing stage can be a deeply traumatic experience, especially for victims of sexual violence.
Work is continuing to reform the system to ensure that a full range of supports are available for vulnerable victims from the moment they report an offence, through the investigation, trial and beyond.
The Courts Service Modernisation programme has already brought the number of technology enabled courtrooms from up from 55 to 136 over the past few years. The facilities available in these courts can support victims of rape or sexual abuse to give evidence to court via video link, as and when the judge and court deem it appropriate.
There are also 33 vulnerable witness rooms available across 45 Court buildings and as part of the Courts Service Modernisation Programme the Courts Service continues to seek opportunities to reform their facilities to meet the needs of court users.
