Written Answers Nos. 323-343
323. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice to provide, in tabular form, the number of fines issued by gardaí to airlines operating out of Dublin Airport for allowing passengers to board without passports or other valid travel documents for each year from 2015 and to date in 2023; the amounts fined for each year involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49421/23]
View answerI have sought the information requested from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
324. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of applications for temporary protection received in the years 2021, 2022 and 2023, listed by country of origin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49423/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that Temporary Protection in Ireland applies to the following groups of people who have had to flee Ukraine due to the invasion by Russia:
a. Ukrainian nationals who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022;
b. Nationals of a third country (other than Ukraine) or a stateless person who would have benefited from international protection (for example: Refugee status) or an equivalent national protection status in Ukraine and were residing there before 24 February 2022;
c. Family members of persons covered by a) and b), where their family already existed in Ukraine, prior to 24 February.
Family members include a spouse or partner, unmarried minor children of either of them, and their other close dependent family relatives who have been living with them as part of the family unit before 24 February 2022.
Temporary protection also applies to nationals of a third country (other than Ukraine) and stateless people who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 with a permanent Ukrainian residence permit, who cannot safely return to their country of origin.
There have been 98,754 Temporary Permissions granted since March 2022 to 8 November 2023. It should be noted that 926 of these permissions are no longer valid due to factors such as voluntary withdrawal, so the current valid permission is 97,828.
The tables below provide the information requested by the Deputy.
Table 1. Temporary Permissions granted by nationality during 2022
|
Nationality |
Total |
|
Afghanistan |
39 |
|
Algeria |
7 |
|
Armenia |
16 |
|
Azerbaijan |
13 |
|
Belarus |
14 |
|
Egypt |
23 |
|
Ethiopia |
6 |
|
Georgia |
68 |
|
Ghana |
10 |
|
India |
13 |
|
Iran (Islamic Republic Of) |
5 |
|
Iraq |
6 |
|
Jordan |
5 |
|
Kenya |
18 |
|
Lebanon |
5 |
|
Moldova, Republic Of |
30 |
|
Morocco |
6 |
|
Nigeria |
255 |
|
Other** |
71 |
|
Russian Federation |
123 |
|
Pakistan |
19 |
|
Somalia |
26 |
|
Sudan |
13 |
|
Syrian Arab Republic |
39 |
|
Tajikistan |
25 |
|
Türkiye |
14 |
|
Ukraine |
68,681 |
|
United States Of America |
15 |
|
Uzbekistan |
16 |
|
Zimbabwe |
5 |
|
Total |
69,586 |
*Please note all figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.
**It is the policy of my 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.
Table 2. Temporary Permissions granted by nationality during 2023 to 8 November 2023
|
Nationality |
Total |
|
Georgia |
12 |
|
Moldova, Republic Of |
11 |
|
Nigeria |
19 |
|
Other** |
61 |
|
Russian Federation |
51 |
|
Ukraine |
29,001 |
|
Uzbekistan |
13 |
|
Total |
29,168 |
*Please note all figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.
**It is the policy of my 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.
325. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of deportation orders issued in the years 2021, 2022 and 2023, listed by country of origin; the number of deportation orders that were actually enforced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49424/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. It must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must remove themselves from the State. A person subject to a Deportation Order has no legal basis to remain in the State. Their case to remain in the State has been considered in detail and all available appeals processes have been exhausted.
The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) is responsible for carrying out deportations. However, the Deputy will be aware that the numbers of Deportation Orders effected by GNIB does not take account of individuals who have left the State without informing my Department. It is the case that many individuals who are subject to Deportation Orders leave the State without notifying the relevant authorities and this particular category of individual is difficult to quantify.
The gov.ie website publishes, on a monthly basis, statistics on Deportation Orders and Enforcement/Removals, where a person had a previous International Protection application. The Deputy will find further details at the link below:www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/.
The tables below provide the number of deportation orders signed in the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 (to 7 November 2023), listed by country of origin.
|
Deportation Orders Signed |
2021 |
|
Morocco |
5 |
|
Moldova, Republic of |
5 |
|
Others** |
23 |
|
Total |
33 |
|
Deportation Orders Issued |
2023 |
|
Afghanistan |
15 |
|
Albania |
169 |
|
Algeria |
45 |
|
Bangladesh |
10 |
|
Bolivia |
5 |
|
Brazil |
48 |
|
China (Including Hong Kong) |
5 |
|
Egypt |
5 |
|
Georgia |
209 |
|
Malawi |
6 |
|
Mauritius |
5 |
|
Nigeria |
27 |
|
Pakistan |
65 |
|
South Africa |
24 |
|
Viet Nam |
7 |
|
Zimbabwe |
8 |
|
Others** |
60 |
|
Total |
713 |
*Please note all figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.
**It is the policy of my 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.
The tables below provide the number of deportation orders effected in the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 (to 7 November 2023), listed by country of origin.
|
Deportation Orders Effected |
2021 |
|
Albania |
5 |
|
Pakistan |
13 |
|
Others** |
20 |
|
Total |
38 |
|
Deportation Orders Effected |
2022 |
|
Albania |
14 |
|
Brazil |
11 |
|
China (including Hong Kong) |
9 |
|
Georgia |
13 |
|
Iraq |
5 |
|
Nigeria |
20 |
|
Pakistan |
18 |
|
Others** |
28 |
|
Total |
118 |
|
Deportation Orders Effected |
2023 |
|
Brazil |
7 |
|
Georgia |
7 |
|
Pakistan |
6 |
|
South Africa |
8 |
|
Others** |
29 |
|
Total |
57 |
*Please note all figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.
**It is the policy of my 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.
326. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Justice the current average processing time for international protection applications; of the applications received in the years 2021, 2022 and 2023, the percentage which progress to residency permission; the percentage which are refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49425/23]
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 number of staff in the International Protection Office (IPO) has increased by 89% this year. The extra resources assigned have already seen a doubling of decisions in the IPO this year.
In addition to resourcing, it is important to acknowledge that action has already been taken by the Department to manage the high volume of applications by utilising all of its current resources. A number of measures have been implemented to improve efficiencies and throughput, in tandem with improvements to the application, interview and decision making process, and these are having a significant impact on processing times.
I introduced a new accelerated procedure for international protection applicants from safe countries of origin was introduced in November 2022 which has significantly reduced processing times for first instance decisions.
The current median processing time for all applications at the IPO is 14 months, down from a median processing time of 18 months in 2022.
In addition to the above assigned staffing numbers, case processing Panel Members are contracted by the Department to make recommendations on International Protection cases to the International Protection Office. The number of panel members recruited in the IPO has also increased during 2023.
These resources are supported by increased training and quality control support from the UNHCR.
The International Protection Appeals Tribunal's (IPAT) operational capacity is also currently being significantly expanded to meet their increased caseload. Additional resources are being deployed through increasing the number of Tribunal members as well as further recruitment of administrative staff.
Please see below the total number of applications received for 2021, 2022 and 2023 to date.
|
Year of Application |
No. of Applications |
|
2021 |
2,649 |
|
2022 |
13,651 |
|
2023 |
10,869* |
*Up to 10 November 2023
The data in the table below shows the latest statistics on first instance decisions.
|
Decision Year |
Refugee Status (RS) Grants |
Subsidiary Protection (SP) Grants |
Permissions to Remain (PTR) Grant |
Refusal All (RS, SP & PTR) |
Withdrawals |
Total Decisions |
|
2022 |
1388 |
70 |
2076 |
871 |
492 |
4,897 |
|
2023* |
2014 |
206 |
472 |
4097 |
328 |
7,117 |
There is no correlation between year of application and year decision is issued. The higher proportion of cases granted permission to remain in 2022 reflects the impact of the International Protection strand of the regularisation arrangements introduced in parallel with the general undocumented scheme.
Applicants with refugee status, subsidiary protection or permission to remain have permission to reside in the state.
First instance decisions can be appealed to IPAT. To the end of September, IPAT closed 1,106 cases this year, and upheld 72% of IPO decisions.
The Deputy may also wish to know that my Department has created a new website to provide a detailed overview of the International Protection process in Ireland which can be accessed at:
www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/304ba-international-protection/.
This site also provides detailed statistics and metrics in relation to processing of applications for protection. These statistics will be published on a monthly basis.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/.
327. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Justice given that International protection applicants can request permission to enter the labour market if their IP application has not been completed within five months, if she will outline, in tabular form, the percentage of IP applicants that have achieved employment status in the years 2021, 2022 and 2023; the number of these applicants who are still awaiting a decision on their IP applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49426/23]
View answerSince January 2021 nearly 22,000 first-time applications and renewal applications have been received by the Labour Market Access Unit of my Department and nearly 20,000 have been granted.
With effect from 9 February 2021, the waiting period to be granted labour market access for international protection applicants was reduced from 9 months to 6 months. The validity of the permission was also extended to 12 months from the date of issue. The permission may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application.
Applicants are eligible to apply if:
• They are an international protection applicant; and
• They have waited at least 5 months from their “Application Received” date for their first instance recommendation; and
• They are cooperating with the international protection process – delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant.
Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation.
The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment. In total, since 2021 over 4,160 separate individuals have returned at least one LMA5 form, which records that they had found employment at some point over that time. However, please note these forms are not always returned to the Department. Accordingly, it is not possible using Departmental records to set out the percentage of international protection applicants that have achieved employment status, or the number of such persons who are awaiting a decision. I would not that where a person is granted a refugee status they no longer require a Labour Market Access permission and instead are issued with a Stamp 4 immigration permission.
Data on total number of applications received and first permits and renewed permissions processed since 2021 is detailed below.
|
Applications Received (First & Renewal) |
Applications Granted (First & Renewal) |
|
|
2021 |
5080 |
4776 |
|
2022 |
9098 |
6383 |
|
2023 |
7806 |
8832 |
Data on the number of LMA5 forms returned is detailed below.
|
Year |
Number of LMA5 Forms Returned |
|
2021 |
1214 |
|
2022 |
1311 |
|
2023* |
1641 |
*To June 2023. Applications from July are currently being processed.
Please note all data provided is correct at the time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.
328. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Justice what steps are being taken by her Department to prevent the destruction of passport documents following embarkation from the country of origin and arrival at border control on Irish shores; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49427/23]
View answer329. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of international protection applicants, listed by country of origin, who passed through Irish border control without passport documentation in the years 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49428/23]
View answer330. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Justice if there are any plans to improve the immigration controls at Irish ports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49429/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 328, 329 and 330 together.
Immigration officials conduct passport checks on arrival to ensure passengers are properly documented in accordance with Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual rights.
The establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process. This is especially important in the context of persons who enter the Irish State for the purposes of making a claim for international protection. Irrespective of whether an applicant for international protection presents valid identity documentation at their point of arrival, over the course of the international protection determination process, they will be required to substantiate their claim for protection including as to their identity and country of origin.
The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for frontline immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
For security reasons and to protect the integrity of the immigration system, both I and my Department do not comment in detail on operational procedures of the BMU or the GNIB.
However, I can assure the Deputy that both the BMU and the GNIB are working with airlines and international colleagues to take measures both at domestic airports and points of embarkation to address this issue and to identify the point of embarkation of undocumented passengers. In addition to providing advice to airlines on specific queries, training is provided to airline ground staff on current travel documentation requirements.
If a person arriving at a port of entry to the State indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international protection process. My Department examines applications for international protection by anyone who indicates they wish to make an application, this is in accordance with our obligations under international and EU asylum law.
The International Protection Office does not collate statistics relating to applications for international protection based on whether such applicants were refused leave to land or whether a person had valid documentation upon arrival at a port of entry.
331. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice if she has any plans to reform the policy on daylight savings time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49447/23]
View answerSince 2001, summer time arrangements in the EU have been governed by EU Directive 2000/84/EC which sets out the obligation on all Member States to switch to summer time on the last Sunday of March and to switch back to their standard time (winter time) on the last Sunday of October.
Following a resolution of the European Parliament in 2018, the European Commission proposed a change to this arrangement, under which:
• The last mandatory change to summer time would take place on 28 March 2021, after which
• Member States who wish to remain on winter time would make one last seasonal clock change on 31 October 2021. This decision was to be notified to the Commission by 1 April 2020.
• Members States would remain free to choose their standard time, on the condition that they give 18 months’ notice to the Commission.
Ireland’s consistent position at the EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy (TTE) Council has been that it will not support the proposal. A major consideration is the possibility that the proposal could lead to the imposition of two time zones on the island. More generally, in the context of the EU proposal, Ireland’s position, along with a number of other Member States, has reflected concern that the proposal could reduce synchronicity and result in a ‘patchwork’ of time zones across the EU, thereby causing unnecessary confusion in the Single Market. Ireland has supported the carrying out of a full impact assessment of this proposal prior to any final decisions being taken at EU level.
Discussions with Members States on the proposal are on-going via the TTE Council.
332. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on the Government’s commitment to review the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011; if she will establish a regulator for management companies with robust enforcement powers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49017/23]
View answerThe Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 was enacted with the primary purposes of reforming the law relating to the ownership and management of common areas of multi-unit developments, and facilitating the fair, efficient and effective management of owners' management companies (OMCs). Well-functioning OMCs are key to maintaining and sustaining higher-density residential developments, such as apartments.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to conduct a review of the existing management company legislation, to ensure that it is fit for purpose, and that it acts in the best interests of residents. This is referring to the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011.
Housing for All also provides for Regulations to be made under the MUDs Act relating to the:
• management of annual service charges by OMCs; and
• expenditure incurred of a non-recurring nature by OMCs (i.e. ‘sinking fund’ expenditure).
The work of my Department in relation to multi-unit developments is guided by that of the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in view of its central role in this area. The importance of policy input from that Department is underlined by a number of important initiatives in relation to multi-unit developments that have been brought forward in recent months by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
These include the remediation scheme, which Minister O’Brien announced earlier this year, and which will provide support for the remediation of apartments and duplexes with fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects, constructed between 1991 and 2013. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage also published in July this year, a Code of Practice for remediation of such defects to ensure a consistent approach nationwide to remediation, which will allow stakeholders such as OMCs and industry to align their work with its provisions.
The Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is also currently working with the Housing Agency on advice and guidance on the steps OMCs should take when carrying out such safety works. Minister O’Brien also expects to publish next year the draft legislation required to underpin the scheme, and to put in place the statutory scheme shortly thereafter.
It is important that the review of the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011, and the drafting of any Regulations under the Act, would be informed by these key ongoing and priority developments, and as such it is it is not possible to say when the review of the Act will be published.
As regards the establishment of a Regulator for OMCs, there are no plans at present to introduce a specific oversight and enforcement mechanism for OMCs. However, it should be noted that OMCs are subject to company law provisions, including their own memorandum of association, and are subject to oversight by the Company Registration Office and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. Furthermore, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, also plays a role in providing information and advice to intending purchasers of residential units in multi-unit developments.
Furthermore, the MUDs Act acknowledges the risk of disputes arising in the enforcement of rights and the performance of obligations imposed by its provisions and makes provision for the resolution of such disputes. For example, section 24 provides that a person, including any member of an OMC, may apply to the Circuit Court for an Order to enforce any rights conferred or obligations imposed by the Act. Section 24(2) allows the Court to take into account whether the parties have tried to resolve their differences by mediation or other alternative dispute resolution. While section 27 provides for court-directed mediation if the court considers that a ‘mediation conference’ between the parties would assist in reaching a settlement of the matter.
333. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on the average length of time for an application under the Afghan Admission Programme; the average length of time for the provision of a PPS number under the same programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49459/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that my Department does not collate data on average processing times for the Afghan Admission Programme (AAP). This Programme opened for applications on 16 December 2021. The Programme closed for applications on the 11 March 2022. A total of 528 applications in respect of 1,492 potential beneficiaries were received under the Programme.My Department issued the first approval under the Programme on 14 November 2022. As of 8 November 2023 we have issued 234 positive decisions in respect of 623 beneficiaries.
A further 32 negative decisions in respect of 109 individuals have been issued under the terms of Programme. In addition, a further 68 applicants have been informed that their applications in respect of 183 individuals were not eligible under the terms of the Programme. As of 8 November 2023, my Department has 178 applications in respect of 555 beneficiaries in processing. My Department continues to process the remaining applications and will notify all applicants as soon as is practicable. It is currently anticipated that the AAP will be largely concluded by the end of 2023.I can also advise that if an applicant has received a negative decision in respect of their application to the AAP it is open to them to appeal this decision. The appeal must be submitted on the appeal form within 20 working days of the date of the decision letter. Further details together with a link to the appeal form can be found at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/the-afghan-admission-programme-information-page/the-afghan-admission-programme-aap-appeals/ My Department has no role in the issuing of PPS Numbers. This is a matter for the Department of Social Protection (DSP).
334. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice how many international protection applicants were received and how many were approved during all of 2022; how many were processed and how many were approved from the beginning of 2023 to 7 November 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49483/23]
View answerMy Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly and efficiently, as part of the broader Government response to this challenging issue.
The number of international protection applications last year was 13,651, a significant increase on recent years. It represents a 186% increase on the number received in 2019, the most recent year in which application numbers were not impacted by Covid-19.
In July this year, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. As part of this programme, a number of measures have been implemented to improve efficiencies and throughput, in tandem with improvements to the application, interview and decision-making process. This programme builds on steps to increase the number of applications processed by 97% from 2,484 in 2021 to 4,899 in 2022.
These reforms are having a significant impact. The median processing time for first-instance decisions in for 2023 is ten months, a reduction from 18 months over the course of 2022. The median processing times for appeals in 2023 is five months, down from 15 months at the beginning of 2022.
As part of this programme, I signed a regulation on November 2022 to introduce an accelerated procedure for international protection applicants from safe countries of origin was introduced.
Applicants from safe countries of origin now receive a first instance decision in less than three months, which is a significant reduction from a norm of 22 to 26 months early last year. These reforms are being supported with significantly increased resources. Approximately €34m has been allocated in budget 2024 to the International Protection Office, IPO, and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal to continue to scale up processing. This will be supported by investment in human resources, infrastructure, technology, and process engineering. As part of the modernisation programme I have put in place, these resources and the impact they are having is being closely monitored and will be adjusted and refined as necessary.
As part of this programme, a number of measures have been implemented to improve efficiencies and throughput. This year, to end October 2023, the IPO completed 7,117 first instance decisions – an increase of 66.3% on the same period last year, increasing even further the rate of decisions year on year. The table below sets out IPO first instance grant and refusal decisions issued in 2022 and 2023 to end of October 2023*.
|
Decision Year |
Refugee Status (RS) Grants |
Subsidiary Protection (SP) Grants |
Permissions to Remain (PTR) Grant |
Refusal All (RS, SP & PTR) |
Withdrawals |
Total Decisions |
|
2022 |
1388 |
70 |
2076 |
871 |
492 |
4,897 |
|
2023* |
2014 |
206 |
472 |
4097 |
328 |
7,117 |
*To end October 2023. There is no correlation between year of application and year decision issued.
The higher proportion of cases granted permission to remain in 2022 reflects the impact of the International Protection strand of the regularisation arrangements introduced in parallel with the general undocumented scheme.
The Deputy may also wish to know that my Department has created a website to provide a detailed overview of the International Protection process in Ireland which can be accessed at:
www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/304ba-international-protection/
This site also provides detailed statistics and metrics in relation to processing of applications for protection. These statistics are published on a monthly basis.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/
335. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice how many staff are working in the international protection Office for the processing of International Protection applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49485/23]
View answerIn the International Protection Office (IPO), the government is investing in the recruitment of staff, as part of an ongoing modernisation strategy to increase the use of digitisation, speed up decision-making, and give clarity to those seeking protection as early as possible.
The number of staff in the IPO has increased by 89% this year from 206 to 389. The extra staff assigned has seen a doubling of decisions in the IPO this year ensuring that those in need of protection receive that status without undue delay, while those that do not qualify are advised of this in good time. Additional funding allocated in Budget 2024 will support further resourcing of the IPO including recruiting up to 125 additional staff with the purpose of meeting a processing target of 1200 decisions a month by the end of 2024.
In addition, case processing panel members are contracted by the Department to make recommendations on International Protection cases to the International Protection Office. The number of panel members to be recruited in the IPO and International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) will continue to be increased for the remainder of 2023 and into 2024.
These panel members will be supported by increased training and quality control support from the UNHCR. This expansion in human resources has already resulted in a substantial increase in the number of recommendations made.
336. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice if staff in the international protection office who were processing International Protection applications were moved to a different section during Covid-19; if so, whether they were replaced or reinstated since; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49486/23]
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.
During the Covid-19 public health emergency, resources were allocated as required to ensure business delivery continued. A small number of experienced staff were temporarily reassigned to the Border Management Unit from the IPO during the pandemic to support that unit.
As part of the International Protection Office's (IPO) ongoing modernisation strategy, the IPO are increasing digitisation and speeding up decision-making to give clarity to those seeking protection as early as possible. There has been a significant increase in the number of staff in the IPO with an increase of 89% this year so far. I have secured funding in Budget 2024 to continue this investment in resources for the IPO.
The extra resources assigned have already seen a doubling of decisions in the IPO this year.
Staffing figures in the International Protection Office for the past 3 years are set out in the table below.
|
Year |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023* |
|
Number of staff |
147 |
180 |
206 |
389 |
*To 10 November 2023.
My Department has created a website to provide detailed statistics and metrics in relation to processing of applications for protection. These statistics are updated on a monthly basis.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/
337. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for a visa in the case of a person (details supplied); when a decision is expected to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49560/23]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy created on-line Join Family(Non EEA Nat)(Spouse) visa application on 25 November 2022. The supporting documentation and relevant fees were received on 17 December 2022 in the Karachi visa office. This visa application was then forwarded to the Dublin visa office for further processing.
Processing of this application is ongoing at present. As each application is examined under its own merits, it is not possible to give an exact time-frame for completion. However, the applicant can be assured that there will be no avoidable delay in finalising their application.
The Dublin visa office are currently processing applications of this type received on the 29 November 2022. Applicants can keep up-to-date with the processing dates for the visa Office in Dublin by checking the following page; which is updated weekly;www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
The person referred to by the Deputy will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a visa officer.
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.
338. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí, by rank, attached to Carlow-Kilkenny Garda diversion forensic collision investigation unit as of 7 November 2023; If she will provide the same figures as of 31 March 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49584/23]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
339. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the top seven countries where interpreters are needed for use by An Garda Síochána where persons have no or little English in the years of 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49585/23]
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.
340. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the number of serious sexual assault crimes reported to gardaí within the Kilkenny-Carlow division in the years of 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49586/23]
View answerCombatting all forms of violence against women and sexual violence is a priority for this Government.
This is reflected in a record 25pc increase of €12m in Budget 2024 allocations and in the development of policy and legislation.
Through the Zero Tolerance Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence which I launched last year, we want to achieve a society which does not accept violence against women or the attitudes which underpin it.
Key to delivering on its ambition is the establishment of the new statutory based DSGBV Agency, which will be operational early next year.
The agency will have a core budget of €43m next year which will increase nationwide coverage, and will boost the momentum in implementing the Strategy’s ambitious goals.
Under the current Zero Tolerance implementation plan there are 144 actions assigned to various Departments, the majority of which have, or are, progressing in line with the specified timeframes.
• For example, legislation has been enacted to double to maximum sentence for assault causing harm to 10 years, and to introduce standalone offences of stalking and non-fatal strangulation;
• I commenced the Sex Offenders (Amendment) Act 2023 earlier this month;
• The Sexual Violence Survey 2022 was published by the CSO providing high quality national prevalence data on sexual violence; and
• Awareness campaigns on intimate image abuse and victims of crime have been produced, with another on healthy sexual consent in development.
As 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 in relation to various crime statistics. The most recent statistics were released on 25 September 2023.
Figures in respect of sexual offences, rape and sexual assault and other sexual offences which were reported to Gardaí in the Kilkenny/Carlow Division, can be found on the CSO website at the following link: data.cso.ie/table/CJQ06
341. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if she will confirm that on retirement, all gardaí employed since 1995 will be required to apply for jobseekers' payments for nine months; if she is aware of the concern this issue is causing garda members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49657/23]
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.
342. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice when a person (details supplied) who attended their citizenship ceremony on 2 October 2023 will receive their certificate and have their passport returned, given the Department commits to issuing certificates of naturalisation via registered post within two weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49797/23]
View answerI am advised by the Citizenship Division of my Department that a Certificate of Naturalisation for the person referred to by the Deputy was issued and has been returned as not delivered by An Post. The reason given was "The addressee is not at the address anymore."
The person concerned should email citizenshipinfo@justice.ie with their correct address. They should also put "Certificate not received in post & change address" in the subject line. Applicants should also quote their application ID on all correspondence.
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.
343. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the number of designated community gardaí in the Cork City division for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form, by station; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49830/23]
View answerThe unprecedented allocation of over €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána for 2024 demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring the Gardaí have provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work. This includes funding for between 800 to 1,000 new Gardaí and a 66 per cent increase in the Garda training allowance to €305.
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.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána, and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties. Community policing is also fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model which is currently being rolled out in all divisions and is fully commenced in eight.
The new model will provide more front-line Gardaí, increased Garda visibility, and a wider range of policing services for people in their local area. It will divide service delivery within division into four functional areas, one of them being Community Engagement. This will allow for a greater focus on community policing in all divisions.
Garda authorities have advised that a member of An Garda Síochána can be deemed to be a ‘Community Garda’ where that member is allocated to a Community Policing Team (CPT) and is responsible and accountable for applying a problem–solving approach to appropriate crime and policing quality of life issues in a specified geographic area through partnership and engagement.
It is important to note that community safety is not just about the number of Gardaí in communities. Community safety is a whole of Government responsibility and it requires a multi-agency approach. The Government is providing significant additional resources to An Garda Síochána, including to support recruitment to CPT teams nationwide.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 30 September 2023, the latest date for when figures are available, there were 36 Community Gardaí assigned to the Cork City Division. This represents an increase of over 12% since the end of December 2019.
The table below sets out the number of Community Gardaí assigned to Cork City Division by station for the years 2019 up to 2022, and up to 30 September 2023, the latest date for when figures are available. This information is based upon operational data and may be subject to change.
|
Cork City Division |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
30 September 2023 |
|
Anglesea Street |
5 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Blackrock |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Bridewell |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
Mayfield |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Watercourse Road |
4 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
|
Glanmire |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Togher |
3 |
4 |
6 |
3 |
4 |
|
Bishopstown |
1 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
|
Douglas |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Carraigaline |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Ballincollig |
1 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
Blarney |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Gurranbraher |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Total |
32 |
38 |
40 |
36 |
36 |
Further detailed information in relation to Garda numbers, including Community Policing, is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country.
The information can be found at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
