Fergus O'Dowd
Question:169. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to respond to concerns raised in respect of the carers allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50405/23]
View answerSocial Welfare Code
Questions (169)
Written answers
Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
In order to qualify, applicants must show that they are habitually resident in the State, that their means are less than the statutory limit, that they are providing full-time care and attention, and that the person being cared for requires that level of care.
Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse / civil partner / cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income - for example, occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.
The conditions attached to payment of CA are consistent with the overall conditions that apply to social assistance payments generally. This system of social assistance supports provides payments based on an income need with the means test playing a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency - be that illness, disability, unemployment or caring.
Social welfare legislation provides that, for social assistance schemes, income and capital (such as savings, investments and property other than the family home) belonging to the claimant and his or her partner, where applicable, is assessable for means assessment purposes.
The means test for CA has been significantly eased over the years and is now one of the most generous means tests in the Social Welfare system. As part of Budget 2022, additional measures were implemented to allow carers have a higher weekly household income and a higher level of savings, and still qualify for a CA payment. This included an increase in the income disregard from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for a couple, effective from 2 June 2022. In addition, the amount of capital disregarded in the means test increased from €20,000 to €50,000.
Once the applicant exceeds the disregard, the amount of CA to which hey are entitled begins to reduce until they no longer qualify. This is not on a euro for euro basis. When assessing means for CA, the gross income is assessed and the following is disregarded:
• Employee PRSI
• Superannuation (pension payments)
• AVC’s
• PRD
• Union dues
• And a €15 p/w travel amount (where applicable)
Please be advised that unless an individual applies for CA, we cannot say for certain if the person concerned would qualify for payment, what they will receive or whether their means is within the statutory limit.
As no application has been received by my Department from the person concerned, a CR1 Application form has been posted to the person. If the person in question wishes to make an application, they should complete and return the application form to Carer’s Allowance Section in the Social Welfare Services Office, Longford, as soon as possible.
I trust this clarifies the position for you at present.
Parking Provision
Questions (170)
Niamh Smyth
Question:170. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection to review correspondence (details supplied); if she will ensure that parking in provided for staff of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50306/23]
View answerWritten answers
Accommodation for my Department is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in buildings which are either State owned or leased by OPW on our behalf. The accommodation is typically shared with other Government Departments and Offices with limited car parking spaces available to staff.
This has been brought to the attention of the Department's management who are currently actively engaging with the OPW to establish if alternative arrangements can be made within the existing parking spaces in the portfolio.
Social Welfare Benefits
Questions (171)
Brendan Griffin
Question:171. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a child benefit payment in respect of a person in Co. Kerry (details supplied) will be reinstated and backdated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50409/23]
View answerWritten answers
Child Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16 and 17 if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.
Payment has been reinstated in the case of the person concerned. Payment including arrears will issue to the customer's nominated financial institution on 5 December 2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.
Community Employment Schemes
Questions (172)
Thomas Gould
Question:172. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection whether there is any restriction on CE workers using ride-on lawnmowers. [50425/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Community Employment (CE) programme is a community centered labour market initiative established for the purposes of social inclusion and activation, to help long-term unemployed people and other vulnerable groups to enter the workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment.
CE projects are sponsored by groups wishing to benefit the local community, namely voluntary and community organisations and, to a lesser extent, public bodies involved in not-for-profit activities, and provide valuable and dedicated services in communities all over the country.
Eligible work placements under CE are those that respond to an identified community need and provide development opportunities for participants in areas involving heritage, arts, culture, tourism, sport and the environment and may involve the use of ride-on lawnmowers. CE projects must not displace or replace existing jobs, have sufficient insurance cover for the types of work undertaken and offer valuable work experience to the CE participants.
Powered vehicles such as ride-on lawnmowers are generally designed and intended for off-road private use only. If used on a public road, they are subject to all of the regulatory controls that apply to other mechanically propelled vehicles e.g., registered, taxed and comply with road traffic regulations. In addition, the driver of the vehicle would have to hold the appropriate driving licence and be insured to drive that vehicle on a public road.
If the Deputy’s question relates to a specific issue he can submit details and an officer from the Department will look into it for him.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
School Meals Programme
Questions (173)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:173. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if anything can be done in a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50463/23]
View answerWritten answers
The School Meals Programme funds the provision of food to some 1,700 schools and organisations benefitting some 300,000 children. The objective of the Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to enable them to take full advantage of the education provided to them.
Funding under the School Meals Programme can be provided for breakfast, snack, cold lunch, dinner, hot school meals and afterschool clubs and is based on a maximum rate per child per day, depending on the type of meal being provided.
The Hot School Meal option of the Programme was introduced in 2019 and is currently only available in primary schools.
Ennistymon Vocational School, which was a DEIS secondary school, amalgamated with two non-DEIS secondary schools – Meanscoil na mBráithre and Scoil Mhuire – to form Ennistymon Community School at the end of August 2023.
The new amalgamated school was designated with non-DEIS status by the Department of Education.
In line with Department of Education policy, the pupils from the former DEIS school holds its DEIS supports, including school meals funding, for a period of 6 years until the pupils from the former DEIS school have transitioned out of the school. In other words, the students who had been in the DEIS school before the amalgamation can retain their entitlement to school meals until they have completed secondary school.
It is important to say that Meanscoil na mBráithre and Scoil Mhuire had not been in the School Meals Programme prior to to the amalgamation.
In light of the circumstances which have arisen at this school, which is in no way the fault of the pupils, I have instructed my officials to continue funding for school meals for all students until the end of the school year.
This will allow time for officials from my Department and the Department of Education to engage with the Principal and the Board of Management of Ennistymon Community School on these matters.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (174)
Bernard Durkan
Question:174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when carer’s allowance might be restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50468/23]
View answerWritten answers
Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
In order to qualify, applicants must show that they are habitually resident in the State, that their means are less than the statutory limit, that they are providing full-time care and attention and that the person being cared for requires that level of care.
Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse / civil partner / cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.
The “rent a room” means disregard may apply to Carer’s Allowance applicants who rent out a room in their own home. This allows for up to a limit of €269.23 per week in respect of income from renting a room in their own home to be disregarded. This does not apply to short-term lettings (of less than 28 consecutive days). It also does not apply if you are renting a room to your employee or to an immediate family member. The prescribed conditions for benefitting from this disregard can be found in the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) (Amendment) (No 10) (Income Disregard) Regulation 2022 (SI 397/22), as amended.
Please be advised that unless an individual applies for CA, we cannot say for certain if the person concerned would qualify for a payment, the amount they might receive or whether their means is within the statutory limit.
As the person concerned has not been in receipt of CA since 2018 and there is no application lodged with the Department at this time, a new CR1 Application form has been posted to by the person concerned for completion. If the person in question wishes to make an application, they should complete and return the application form (CR1) to Carer’s Allowance Section in the Social Welfare Services Office, Longford, as soon as possible. Following the receipt of a completed application form and the finalisation of any necessary investigations, the person concerned will be notified directly in writing of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the position for you at present.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (175)
Bernard Durkan
Question:175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when disability allowance or basic allowance can be paid in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50470/23]
View answerWritten answers
Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions
I can confirm my Department has not received an application for DA for the person concerned. A completed DA application form must be submitted to the Department in order to establish if the person concerned has an entitlement.
The person concerned can apply to the Community Welfare Officer based in their local Intreo office for the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) if they are in need of financial assistance.
Application forms for DA and SWA were posted to the person concerned on 13 November 2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (176)
Bernard Durkan
Question:176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether illness benefit or disability allowance can or will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50471/23]
View answerWritten answers
Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
I can confirm that the Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 12 October 2023. The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
An information request was sent to the person concerned on 23 October 2023, allowing 21 days to provide the information. On receipt of the supporting documentation and on completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
Illness Benefit (IB)?is the primary short term income support provided by my Department to those who are unable to work due to illness of any type and who are covered by social insurance. Eligibility for IB depends on the person’s PRSI record and class.? People must have made the required number of contributions in Class A, E, H or P to qualify.
A completed IB application form should be submitted to the Department in order to establish if the person concerned has an alternative entitlement. An application form for Illness Benefit has been sent to the person concerned on 13 November 2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (177)
Bernard Durkan
Question:177. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether an urgent review/appeal is possible in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50472/23]
View answerWritten answers
Invalidity Pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
For IP, claimants must have at least 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 contributions paid or credited in the last or second last complete contribution year before the relevant date of their claim. Only PRSI classes A, E ,H & S contributions are reckonable for IP purposes.
The qualifying PRSI contribution conditions are laid down in Social Welfare legislation and must be satisfied in order to be considered eligible for IP.
An application for IP was received from the person concerned on 10 October 2023. Her claim was refused on the grounds that the contribution conditions for the scheme are not satisfied. Specifically, she does not have the required 260 contributions paid since entering social insurance. The Department's records indicate she has a total of 191 contributions paid. The person in question was notified of the decision to refuse IP on 16 October 2023, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal. To date, no request for a review or appeal has been received.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (178)
Bernard Durkan
Question:178. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment can be made in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50473/23]
View answerWritten answers
There is a range of supports provided by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme. These supports can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANPs). The Department may make an ANP to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) and Urgent Needs Payments (UNPs), and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary. ANPs are administered by Designated Persons (DP) in the Community Welfare Service considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case. Departmental records show that the person concerned has not made an application for assistance under the SWA scheme. If the person is experiencing financial difficulties they can apply for assistance by completing a SWA1 form and providing all relevant documents in support of their application. For convenience, an application pack has been posted to the person concerned. On receipt of a completed application form and supporting documentation, the claim will be assessed, and the person will be advised of the outcome in writing. Alternatively, if the person has a verified MyGovID account they can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie. Further information on all of my Department’s schemes and payments is available at www.gov.ie.. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Questions (179)
Bernard Durkan
Question:179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment can be made in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50478/23]
View answerWritten answers
There is a range of supports provided by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme. These supports can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANPs).
The Department may make an ANP to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) and Urgent Needs Payments (UNPs), and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary. ANPs are administered by Designated Persons (DP) in the Community Welfare Service considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.
Departmental records show that the person concerned has not made an application for assistance under the SWA scheme. If the person is experiencing financial difficulties they can apply for assistance by completing a SWA1 form and providing all relevant documents in support of their application. For convenience, an application pack has been posted to the person concerned. On receipt of a completed application form and supporting documentation, the claim will be assessed, and the person will be advised of the outcome in writing. Alternatively, if the person has a verified MyGovID account they can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie.
Further information on all of my Department’s schemes and payments is available at www.gov.ie.. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
State Pensions
Questions (180)
Bernard Durkan
Question:180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the refusal of application for a top up pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50479/23]
View answerWritten answers
State pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over who have a legal right of residence and habitually reside in the state, and who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or only qualify for a reduced-rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.
Following the Deputy's previous representations in this matter, on 19 June 2023, a Deciding Officer wrote to the person concerned, setting out the evidential requirements to assess their satisfaction of the habitual residency condition, in order to determine their eligibility for a state pension non-contributory. To date, no reply has been received. Should the person be in a position to provide a verified record of at least five years continuous residency in the State, it is open to them to submit this evidence to the Department in order for their pension entitlement to be considered.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Parking Provision
Questions (181)
Brendan Smith
Question:181. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that the existing carparking arrangements for staff in her Department (details supplied) continue to be made available for staff members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50517/23]
View answerWritten answers
Accommodation for my Department is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in buildings which are either State owned or leased by OPW on our behalf. The accommodation is typically shared with other Government Departments and Offices with limited car parking spaces available to staff.This has been brought to the attention of the Department's management who are currently actively engaging with the OPW to establish if alternative arrangements can be made within the existing parking spaces in the portfolio.
Deportation Orders
Questions (182)
Carol Nolan
Question:182. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice how the State and the International Protection Accommodation Services verify that deportations are carried out by persons subject to such orders; if there is a verification process in place; if so, whether she will confirm the number of persons who voluntarily self-deported for each year from 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50326/23]
View answerWritten answers
I 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.When issued with a deportation order, a person is required to remove themselves from the State. Many people comply in this manner and leave the country, often without notifying the immigration authorities that they have done so. However, where a person does not voluntarily return to their own country, Ireland, like all other EU Member States, puts in place arrangements to return people to their home country. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual rights. 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 table below provides the number of persons who are recorded as having voluntarily self-deported in the years 2011 to 2023 (to 13 November 2023).
|
Year Effected |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 (up to 13th Nov) |
|
Persons who have self-deported |
39 |
28 |
36 |
41 |
205 |
366 |
58 |
78 |
143 |
97 |
33 |
92 |
25 |
*Please note all figures are correct at time of issue and may be subject to data cleansing.The numbers above do not take account of all individuals who have left the State. 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.Any person subject to a deportation order is required to present to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). GNIB has operational responsibility for enforcing deportation orders. Any person subject to a deportation order is obliged to keep my Department informed of their current address. Where a person does not present to GNIB at a specified time and date they will be deemed to be evading deportation and become liable to arrest and detention until their removal from the state.
Family Reunification
Questions (183)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:183. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if there is any expedition for families applying for reunification of their family members in Gaza who cannot access original documents as necessary in usual circumstances given this is an abnormal situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50364/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department is working closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes their work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance.Where via applicants are missing important information, such as proof of identity and familial relationships, there is active engagement with the applicants to gather the required documents to ensure that the Visa Division of my Department have everything needed progress these applications.
The central concern in deciding on visa applications, as with all visa services worldwide, is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime while at the same time facilitating travel for those who meet the criteria. My Department must be satisfied as to the identity and relationship to the sponsor in Ireland of the person to whom a permission may be granted.
I can also advise that Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. This policy document may be accessed at the following link:www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf .
An Garda Síochána
Questions (184)
Patrick Costello
Question:184. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice for a breakdown of Garda staff in each divisional protective services unit, broken down by rank. [50391/23]
View answerWritten answers
I 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.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to your Parliamentary Question No. 184 of 16 November 2023 asking for a breakdown of Garda staff in each divisional protective services unit, broken down by rank. You will recall that at the time, I contacted An Garda Síochána to request the information relevant to the question posed by the Deputy and I undertook to contact you as soon as the information is to hand. The nationwide roll out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs), which was an action under both the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and ‘Supporting a Victim's Journey’, has been completed.
As the deputy will be aware, there is now a DPSU in every Garda division across the country.
This is to ensure that when vulnerable victims of crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence present to Gardaí, they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that when consideration is given to the allocation of resources (including newly attested Probationer Gardaí, personnel being allocated to specialist units, e.g. Roads Policing, Community Policing, Divisional Protective Services Units, Divisional Drug Units, etc.) and in facilitating transfers of personnel to/from any Division, account is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan and priorities as determined in delivering ‘A Policing Service for The Future’.
Also taken into account in the context of the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide, are local and national crime trends and workloads; policing arrangements and operational strategies; minimum establishment statistics; local population and trends, geographical area and size; transfer applications, including welfare / personnel issues and concerns.
To ensure the continued level of delivery of policing services within Garda Divisions, local and Senior Garda Management are also consulted during the allocation of personnel and are responsible for the specific deployment/assignment of duties being undertaken at Divisional level.
The situation remains closely monitored by the Garda Senior Leadership Team, particularly in view of commitments to the continued roll-out of the Operating Model of policing at Divisional level to ensure optimum use of all Garda Resources in providing the best possible Garda service to the community.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that Garda staff are assigned at a Divisional level to Crime, Community Engagement, Performance Assurance or Business Services and not recorded as being individually assigned to Divisional Protective Services Units which are part of the Crime functional area.
However, I can advise the Deputy that the table below shows the number of Garda members attached to Regional DPSUs as at 06/11/2023.
|
DPSU 16/11/2023 |
Detective Inspector |
Inspector |
Detective Sergeant |
Sergeant |
Detective Garda |
Garda |
Grand Total |
|
DMR |
* |
14 |
92 |
112 |
|||
|
Eastern Region |
* |
* |
13 |
65 |
* |
84 |
|
|
Southern Region |
* |
15 |
61 |
* |
80 |
||
|
North Western Region |
* |
* |
63 |
76 |
|||
|
Total |
16 |
* |
42 |
281 |
* |
352 |
*denoted less than 10
In view of the policy of not providing numbers less than 10, the data was rolled up to Regional Level to facilitate the release of Garda numbers.
Departmental Data
Questions (185)
Carol Nolan
Question:185. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice to provide details on the engagement her Department has had with the Department of Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth to address concerns raised by the Scoping Study on the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People in Ireland conducted by UCD; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50410/23]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is happy to engage with Tusla and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on this matter.
To date, we have not been contacted about this study.
Prison Service
Questions (186, 187, 188)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:186. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a breakdown of the total current number of prisoners who have been convicted of a sexual offence, by prison and gender and age, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50416/23]
View answerÉamon Ó Cuív
Question:187. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide the number of prisoners committed under sentence for sexual offences each year from 2018 to present, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50417/23]
View answerÉamon Ó Cuív
Question:188. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide the number of prisoners committed for sexual offences who have completed the Building Better Lives programme over the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50418/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 186, 187 and 188 together.
The information requested by the Deputy on the number of prisoners who have been convicted of a sexual offence, by prison, gender and age, is set out in table 1 below. On 31st October, there were 598 individuals currently serving a sentence where their most serious offence was categorised as a sexual offence.
The additional details requested in respect of the number of prisoners committed under sentence for sexual offences each year from 2018 to present, is set out in table 2 below. This information is also available on the Irish Prison Service website www.irishprisons.ie/information-centre/statistics-information/yearly-statistics/.
Table 1 - The number of prisoners who have been convicted of a sexual offence, by prison, gender and age
|
Establishment |
18 to <21 |
21 to <25 |
25 to <30 |
30 to <40 |
40 to <50 |
50 years + |
Total |
|
Arbour Hill |
0 |
2 |
5 |
11 |
25 |
62 |
105 |
|
Castlerea |
0 |
0 |
4 |
7 |
5 |
10 |
26 |
|
Cork |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Limerick Female |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Limerick Male |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
|
Midlands |
11 |
21 |
42 |
74 |
90 |
125 |
363 |
|
Mountjoy Female |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
10 |
|
Mountjoy Male |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
|
Training Unit |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
82 |
82 |
|
Grand Total |
11 |
23 |
54 |
99 |
123 |
288 |
598 |
Table 2 - The number of prisoners committed for sexual offences from 2018 to 2022
|
Sexual Offences |
<3 Mths |
3 to <6 Mths |
6 to <12 Mths |
1 to <2 Yrs |
2 to <3 Yrs |
3 to <5 Yrs |
5 to <10 Yrs |
10+ Yrs |
Life |
Total |
|
2022 |
3 |
5 |
30 |
49 |
32 |
55 |
58 |
26 |
0 |
258 |
|
2021 |
1 |
12 |
18 |
37 |
29 |
39 |
39 |
14 |
0 |
189 |
|
2020 |
2 |
4 |
8 |
25 |
17 |
22 |
30 |
10 |
0 |
118 |
|
2019 |
0 |
8 |
15 |
34 |
24 |
42 |
48 |
16 |
0 |
187 |
|
2018 |
4 |
8 |
17 |
28 |
25 |
28 |
49 |
13 |
0 |
172 |
The Building Better Lives (BBL) Programme is the Sex Offender Treatment Programme delivered in the Irish Prison Service, and is based on the Canadian Rockwood Model and jointly delivered with the Probation Service. It is provided over two stages – Exploring Better Lives (Part 1) which lasts 12 weeks, and Practising Better Lives (Part 2) which lasts for 60-70 sessions. Typically eight participants attend each group at any one time.
The number of prisoner who completed the BBL Programme in the last five years is set out in table 3.
Table 3 - The number of participants who completed the Building Better Lives programme in the last 5 years
|
Year |
No. of Participants |
|
2023 |
11 |
|
2022 |
7 |
|
2021 |
9 |
|
2020 |
9 |
|
2019 |
21 |
The BBL programme is currently undergoing a major review by a Canadian expert, Professor Liam Marshall, and a final report is expected in the coming weeks. Following receipt of Professor Marshall’s report, a new model of treatment for sexual violence will be developed to incorporate a multi-trajectory, person centred and trauma informed approach to the understanding and treatment of sexual violence. This will directly address current low participation rates, and will seek to increase the numbers accessing treatment.
The additional funding secured for psychologists in 2023 will allow an additional senior psychologist and principal psychologist specialist to be recruited to support the delivery of this expanded sex offender treatment programme.
The new approach will focus on early intervention, a responsive model of treatment which will address a broader range of criminogenic needs and will include engaging with people who deny their offences, those who are at low risk of re-offending, and/or those on short sentences who were previously excluded from the BBL Programme. These changes should result in a significant reduction in the barriers to treatment, thereby significantly increasing access to sexual violence treatment.
I can further advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service provide other assessments and treatment for people convicted of sexual violence, depending on the person’s strengths, needs and risks, including:
• Individual offence focused work by the Irish Prison Service Psychology Service
• Individual or group work focused on mental health, emotional regulation or other offence related need by the Psychology Service;
• Psychology ‘Pathways to Change’ group (focuses on an introduction to risk factors);
• Engagement with prison in-reach psychiatry service for stabilisation and maintenance of mental health where a mental health diagnosis is made;
• Education and Work training;
• Integrated Sentence Management;
• Engagement with the Irish Association for the Social Integration of Offenders (IASIO);
• Engagement with Resettlement Services;
• Sex Offender Risk Assessment and Management (SORAM);
• Safer Lives Community Group Work Treatment Programme (and allied community interventions).
Question No. 187 answered with Question No. 186.
Question No. 188 answered with Question No. 186.