Written Answers Nos. 838-857
840. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice for a breakdown of the different organisations the Irish Prison Service has funded from 2012 to 2022; the value of that funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48286/23]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my officials in the Irish Prison Service have advised me that unfortunately it is not possible to retrieve the information sought as the systems used to record financial data do not include a search facility to allow the selection of a category of payees.
Therefore, it would involve significant engagement and the manual examination of a considerable amount of records covering approximately 11 years. In the context of limited resources, such an examination would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and resources which I regret could not be justified.
841. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the number of MPV seizures made to date, by county, under the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, in tabular form. [48303/23]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate complete information as requested by the Deputy in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
|
Division |
Incident Type |
Incidents |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
149 |
|
Cork City |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
266 |
|
Cork West |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
51 |
|
D.M.R. Eastern |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
151 |
|
D.M.R. Northern |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
671 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
336 |
|
D.M.R. Western |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
917 |
|
Kerry |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
119 |
|
Limerick |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
239 |
|
Meath Division |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
197 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
61 |
|
Waterford Division |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
145 |
|
Wexford Division |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
170 |
|
Wicklow Division |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
97 |
|
Clare/Tipperary |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
219 |
|
Cork North |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
122 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
300 |
|
D.M.R. Southern |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
530 |
|
Donegal |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
152 |
|
Galway Division |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
184 |
|
Kildare Division |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
331 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
136 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
152 |
|
Louth Division |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
148 |
|
Mayo/Roscommon/Longford |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
214 |
|
Westmeath Division |
Vehicle Detained (Sc. 41 RTA) |
114 |
843. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of WTE probation officers, by grade, employed by her Department in the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [48329/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the number of WTE probation officers, by grade, employed by my Department in the years of 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Probation Officers |
Senior Probation Officers |
Assistant Principal Probation Officer |
Total |
|
2020 (1 Jan – 31 Dec) |
232 |
48 |
11 |
291 |
|
2021 (1 Jan – 31 Dec) |
231 |
42 |
11 |
284 |
|
2022 (1 Jan – 31 Dec) |
230 |
48 |
12 |
290 |
|
2023 (1 Jan – to date) |
246 |
49 |
13 |
308 |
844. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of penal warrants that are outstanding in the Meath Garda division as of 31 October 2023; and the number of penal warrants that have been outstanding for a period of more than 12 months. [48330/23]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate complete information as requested by the Deputy in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
|
Meath Division |
Warrant Type |
Outstanding |
12 Months or Older |
|
Total |
Penal Warrant |
180 |
180 |
845. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice the status of the case of a person (details supplied); if correspondence in relation to the matter will issue to the person as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48360/23]
View answerI am advised by the Citizenship Division of my Department that correspondence issued to the applicant on 28 September 2023 confirming registration of their application and providing the Citizenship application reference number.
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. If further documentation and/or clarification is required, the division will contact the applicant directly seeking same.
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.
846. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the average wait time for prisoners to see an addiction counsellor, by institution, within the Irish Prison Service system; the average prison time served, by institution; and the number of prisoners, by institution, who will see an addiction counsellor prior to their release. [48361/23]
View answerThe Irish Prison Service provides a health care service for prisoners with addictions in a structured, safe and professional way in line with international best practice. The Irish Prison Service continues to be committed to, and involved with, the National Drugs Strategy in partnership with community colleagues and organisations.
It is the policy of the Irish Prison Service that, where a person committed to prison gives a history of opiate use and tests positive for opioids, they are offered a medically assisted, symptomatic detoxification, if clinically indicated.
Patients can, as part of the assessment process, discuss other treatment options with healthcare staff and those treatment options may include stabilisation on methadone maintenance for those who wish to continue on maintenance while in prison, and when they return to the community on release.
The Irish Prison Service also engages Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) to provide a prison-based addiction counselling service across the entire Irish Prison Service estate (with the exception of Arbour Hill Prison where there is currently no clinical need for such a service, though this will be reviewed on an ongoing basis). The addiction counselling service includes structured assessments and evidence-based counselling interventions, with clearly-defined treatment plans and goals.
The MQI service provides a range of counselling and intervention skills related to substance misuse and dependency. These skills include motivational interviewing and enhancement therapy, a twelve step facilitation programme, cognitive behavioural therapy and harm reduction approaches. Prisoners are offered one to one counselling and group work interventions.
The Irish Prison Service and MQI prioritise those that are in greatest clinical need, and work together as part of a multi-disciplinary team to manage the waiting list. MQI team leaders review caseloads with each addiction counsellor monthly to ensure that cases are closing appropriately.
In the larger prisons the average waiting period can be up to twelve weeks, sometimes longer. If there are concerns raised following a medical assessment, a prisoner will be prioritised. In addition, where waiting lists are high, MQI can offer group counselling as an alternative to one-to-one sessions to give access to as many people as possible.
There are many local variables unique to each prison which can influence how long a prisoner could remain on the waiting list to see an addiction counsellor. These factors include access to the prisoner, if they are on remand, their expected date of release, where in the prison they reside (e.g. are they on protection or non-protection), and the prisoners individual work schedule.
To manage these unique prison by prison variables, MQI are working on bespoke options. For example, in Cloverhill Prison, MQI in conjunction with the IPS, are preparing to pilot a new triage model. This triage model aims to direct the prisoner, following assessment, to the most appropriate follow up e.g. one-to-one on site counselling, one-to-one counselling utilising online systems, or onsite group support. This will be implemented before the end of this year, and will run for an initial six-month period, followed by an evaluation. MQI also provides a full time phone line in the prison estate to provide more immediate support and reduce pressure on waiting lists.
The data requested by the Deputy relating to the number of prisoners, by institution, who will see an addiction counsellor prior to their release is not collated. Prisoners who are closer to release are regularly prioritised and MQI aim to identify available services in the community to ensure there is continuity of care and that a release plan and harm reduction information can be imparted prior to departure.
It will also be of interest to the Deputy to know that the Prison Service is currently working to publish a new “Drug Strategy 2023 – 2026” by the end of 2023. This strategy will re-affirm the commitment to working steadfastly to reduce the harm of drug use within the prison population. This strategy will set out practical goals to increase support for security measures to prevent access, education and information programmes to deter trafficking, and promote drug treatment and counselling services in collaboration with government and non-government partners to help tackle the insidious threat posed by illegal drug use and trafficking.
In addition, the Irish Prison Service is developing a bespoke, peer-led recovery model to support people in custody who face addiction difficulties. Part of this peer led recovery model will provide for co-occurring difficulties associated with mental health and addiction.
847. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of drug seizures in the past five years, by institution, within the Irish Prison Service system; the total value, by institution, by year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48362/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that preventing the incursion of contraband items into prisons remains a major challenge. Irish Prison Service staff work tirelessly to take steps to reduce the flow of illicit substances into our prisons. Security measures to deter the introduction of dangerous contraband into prisons include: the installation of nets over exercise yards, vigilant observation of prisoners by staff, enhanced CCTV monitoring, strict control of visits, drug-swabbing equipment similar to airport-style explosives swabbing devices, random and targeted searches and joint operations with An Garda Síochána.
The Irish Prison Service continues to research and develop opportunities to install new security equipment and new security measures. Intelligence-led searching and detection practice means that a significant amount of drugs are detected and intercepted before reaching the prison population.
It must be recognised that the prison environment mirrors the same range of activity and challenges arising in many communities grappling with the scourge of harmful drug use. In order to meaningfully tackle the issue of drug-use and demand in prisons, the Irish Prison Service must work in partnership with all agencies across the criminal justice sector, additional support agencies active in Irish prisons, and relevant community-based organisations to reduce the demand. The Irish Prison Service aims to publish a new Drug Strategy by the end of 2023 setting out a series of goals to advance work towards reducing the harm of substances of abuse in the prison environment.
The Irish Prison Service seeks to confront the issue of drugs in prisons with the following interactive components to its approach:
|
Inform & Educate |
The Irish Prison Service will seek to broaden information and education to all people interacting with, and living and working within our prisons to increase awareness of the devastating effects of bringing drugs into prisons. |
|
Detect & Reduce |
The Irish Prison Service will work to further develop security measures to enhance the detection and prevention of smuggling of drugs into prisons and to improve retrieval rates of drugs that make their way into the prison. |
|
Support & Treat |
The Irish Prison Service will continue to grow and improve medical and therapeutic interventions and services for people in prison living with addiction. In doing so, the Irish Prison Service will recognise the overlapping presentations of addiction and mental health conditions and pursue an integrated approach to protect and maintain good health. |
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that, the information requested in respect of the number of drug seizures is not readily available but that officials in the Irish Prison Service will work to compile this table and send it directly to the Deputy in due course.
I am further advised that the Irish Prison Service does not collate statistics on the value of drug finds, as the Irish Prison Service does not have the facility to test for quantity or substance type, and any suspected drug seizure is passed to An Garda Síochána for examination.
848. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of staff, by institution, who have been suspended pending investigation for bringing illegal substances into the prison system in the past five years. [48363/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that preventing the incursion of contraband items into prisons remains a major challenge. Irish Prison Service staff work tirelessly to take steps to reduce the flow of substances of abuse into our prisons. Security measures to deter the obtrusion of dangerous contraband into prisons include: the installation of nets over exercise yards, vigilant observation of prisoners by staff, enhanced CCTV monitoring, strict control of visits, drug-swabbing equipment similar to airport-style explosives swabbing devices, random and targeted searches and joint operations with An Garda Síochána.
As part of this all visitors and prison staff are searched when entering a prison.
Further, the Irish Prison Service continues to research and develop opportunities to install new security equipment and new security measures. Intelligence-led searching and detection practice means that a significant number of drugs are detected and intercepted before reaching the prison population.
It must be recognised that the prison environment mirrors the same range of activity and challenges arising in many communities grappling with the scourge of harmful drug use. In order to meaningfully tackle the issue of drug-use and demand in prisons, the Irish Prison Service must work in partnership with all agencies across the criminal justice sector, additional support agencies active in Irish prisons, and relevant community-based organisations to reduce the demand. The Irish Prison Service aims to publish a new Drug Strategy by the end of 2023 setting out a series of goals to advance work towards reducing the harm of substances of abuse in the prison environment.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Prison Service sets high standards in respect of its staff and requires that all staff carry out their duties with integrity, commitment and professionalism at all times. In circumstances where the conduct of a staff member falls below the high standards expected, this is treated with the utmost seriousness in accordance with the Civil Service Code of Discipline. Allegations or claims of inappropriate behaviour by Prison Service staff are taken very seriously and are fully investigated. Any issues arising in respect of staff and their conduct in the Irish Prison Service are dealt with through the normal disciplinary process.
I have been advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that no staff have been suspended pending investigation for bringing illegal substances into the prison system in the last five years.
849. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice the number of “stop and search” operations conducted by An Garda Síochána under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, in 2022. [48387/23]
View answer|
Incident Type |
2022 |
|
Search Person |
4266 |
|
Search under Drugs Acts 1977/1984 |
47794 |
850. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice the number of stops and searches that have been carried out by gardaí in each of the past five years. [48388/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 849 and 850 together.
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately it was not possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
851. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice to detail what swimming and water safety courses are mandatory as part of Garda training in the Garda College, Templemore, County Tipperary; how many Garda recruits who went on to ‘pass out’ as gardaí have completed these courses between in each of the years 2013 and 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48396/23]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate complete information as requested by the Deputy in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
|
Probationer Gardaí |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Total |
|
Total |
296 |
393 |
883 |
789 |
605 |
522 |
148 |
370 |
237 |
4,243 |
852. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice how many Garda recruits who passed through the Garda College, Templemore, County Tipperary, in each of the years 2013 and 2023 successfully achieved Water Safety Ireland’s Rescue Level 2, which relates to contact safety and rescue in water, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48397/23]
View answerAs the Deputy can appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the training of Garda members and recruits. As Minister, I have no role in this matter.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that, currently, only Level 1 training is provided to trainees. As such, there have been zero Rescue Level 2 courses held in the Garda College during the years requested.
853. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) to facilitate residency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48456/23]
View answerI am advised by Citizenship Division of the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) that the decision remains as stated in a letter dated 21 June 2021.
There is no time limit within which an unsuccessful applicant can make a new naturalisation application, nor is there any limit on the number of applications made. Applicants are advised that in making any new application they should bear in mind the reasons for the previous refusal. Each application is examined individually and assessed on their own merits. A decision on an applicant can only be made after a new application is received.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals where the requirement is 3 years. In both cases, the final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State.
It is open to anyone to make an application for citizenship once they meet the criteria as set out in the 1956 Act, as amended. Once an application is received, a determination on whether the applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation will be made.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and the naturalisation process, along with the relevant application forms and guidance notes, is available on my Department's Irish Immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.
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.
854. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice when she intends to extend the operation of the Parole Act 2019 to sentences of more than eight years and less than life; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48462/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Parole Board was established as a statutory body under the Parole Act 2019 on 31 July 2021, replacing the non-statutory Interim Parole Board which had been in place since 2001.
At present, the provisions of the Parole Act 2019 apply to those serving a sentence of imprisonment for life. Section 24(3) of the Parole Act 2019 provides that the Minister may introduce regulations prescribing eligibility criteria for applications for parole for those serving long-term fixed sentences.
To date, no such regulations have been made. In making regulations under section 24(3), the Minister is required to consider the desirability of equality of treatment with regard to eligibility for consideration for parole of people serving different types of sentences, the objective of incentivising people serving sentences to be rehabilitated, and the availability of other forms of early release.
The Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024 (approved by Government at the end of August 2022) contains a commitment (Action 15) to examine the policy base to allow for the introduction of the regulations necessary to determine eligibility for parole for those serving long-term fixed sentences under the statutory Parole Board. My Department is due to commence shortly.
855. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if, following the recommendation of the Citizens Assembly on drugs, her Department and the Irish Prison Service will develop and fund enhanced prison-based addiction treatment services. [48481/23]
View answerThe Irish Prison Service provides a health care service for people with addictions on a structured, safe and professional basis in line with international best practice. The Irish Prison Service continues to be committed to, and involved with, the National Drugs Strategy in partnership with community colleagues and organisations.
The recommendations of the Citizens Assembly on Drugs have been of specific interest to the Irish Prison Service, especially where the recommendations apply to people in custody. It is recognised that prisons are an important component of the overall response to problems associated with addiction in Irish society. The prison environment provides a unique opportunity to support individuals to address addiction and co-occurring needs, and therefore it is vital to have a range of treatment and intervention options available to ensure the best possibility of a positive outcome.
In fulfilment of a Programme for Government commitment, the Final Report and Recommendations of the High Level Task Force considered the mental health and addiction challenges of those who come into contact with the criminal justice sector. This was published in September 2022. This report identifies over 60 recommendations, including that the IPS and the HSE work together on the development of a dual diagnosis service within prisons. It is recommended that an interdepartmental group involving the Department of Justice, the IPS, the HSE and other relevant stakeholders be established to explore the options of establishing dual diagnosis services in Irish prisons and the development of a clear pathway for this. This is in line with recommendations within the HSE's 'Model of Care' for People with Mental Disorder and Co-existing Substance Use Disorder (Dual Diagnosis). I am informed that specific business cases seeking additional funds to enhance prison-based addiction and further enable dual diagnosis treatment services will be submitted as part of future estimates asks.
With regard to current approaches, I am advised that in excess of €1.5 million of the prisoner healthcare budget is spent each year on addiction treatment across the prison estate. This includes the funding of an addiction counselling service provided by Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI). The services provided by MQI in Irish prisons include structured assessments and evidence based counselling interventions with clearly defined treatment plans and goals. MQI provide a range of counselling and intervention skills related to substance misuse and dependency. These skills include motivational interviewing and enhancement therapy and harm reduction approaches. Prisoners are offered one to one counselling and group work interventions. MQI also provide a Treatment and Rehabilitation Programme (TARP) in Mountjoy Prison. The mission of this six-week programme is to provide more intensive recovery support.
In line with one of the key recommendations of the Citizens Assembly on Drugs, the Irish Prison Service currently provides trauma-informed training to Recruit Prison Officers. The expected learning outcomes for this training include the ability to describe psychological trauma, symptoms of psychological trauma and how trauma occurs and to develop a trauma informed understanding of the pathways to offending and desistance.
Outside traditional healthcare and addiction counselling provision, the Irish Prison Service is currently exploring how 'Recovery College' and 'Recovery Academy' might work together within prison settings to support prisoners with addictions and dual diagnosis, and is also working with Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous to support the maintenance of both programmes across the prison estate.
856. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice to provide a breakdown, by county, of the number of transfer requests submitted by An Garda Síochána personnel between 2018 and 2023, indicating the number of approvals and refusals, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48602/23]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate complete information as requested by the Deputy in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
857. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice when a person (details supplied) will receive their citizenship certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48618/23]
View answerI am advised by the Citizenship Division of my Department that the Certificate of Naturalisation was issued to the address as provided by the applicant on the Form 6 they signed on the date of ceremony.
As the applicant is no longer at that address it should therefore be returned undelivered by An Post, at which point Citizenship Division will re-issue the certificate to the new address provided.
