Written Answers Nos. 402-421
402. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of times gardaí were called to the scene of a domestic violence incident in each county, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [51884/23]
View answerCombatting domestic violence is a priority for both me and this Government, and this is reflected in a range of policies and legislation, as well as unprecedented increases in Budget allocations.
In June of last year, I published an ambitious five-year Zero Tolerance Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. This is a €363 million strategy, and is built on the four pillars of Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Policy Co-Ordination.
The implementation of the Strategy entails a significant body of work and key elements include:
• The doubling of the overall number of refuge units over the lifetime of the Strategy.
• The establishment of a new statutory DSGBV Agency in January 2024, which will bring together the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue.
• A range of enhanced supports for victims, including the provision of legal aid and legal advice, and trauma-informed training.
A fundamental aim of the Strategy is to change societal attitudes to domestic and sexual violence. By building on the successes of previous awareness-raising campaigns, new initiatives on intimate image abuse and on the importance of sexual consent in healthy relationships have been produced this year, while another on support services - including domestic violence supports - is in development.
Under Budget 2024, an additional €12m in funding for combatting DSGBV has been allocated. This represents a record 25% increase.
This additional funding will support the implementation of the Zero Tolerance plan, including by allowing for the establishment of the new agency, and will greatly assist the agency in meeting the acute needs for services throughout the country.
The agency will have a core budget of €43m next year which will increase nationwide coverage, and will boost the momentum in implementing the ambitious goals set out in the Zero Tolerance plan.
To strengthen our laws in this area and to encourage more victims to come forward, I have introduced legislation which creates new standalone offences of non-fatal strangulation and stalking. The Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill – which was signed into law by the President in July - also increases the maximum penalty for assault causing harm from five to ten years.
This is one of the most commonly prosecuted domestic violence related offences, and this increased maximum penalty reflects the seriousness with which these crimes are taken.
As the Deputy will be aware, creating a criminal justice system that better supports vulnerable victims is something I have prioritised since taking office. This is with a view to encouraging more victims to come forward and report what has happened, confident in the knowledge that the system will support them. As part of that work there is now divisional protective service units across the country with specially trained officers who will engage with, and support, vulnerable victims.
I'm informed by the Commissioner that, to determine the number of Domestic Abuse incidents reported in a given timeframe, a number of criteria are applied. The counts in the table attached are a combination of the following:
The incident type is one of:
• Coercive Control
• Breach of Interim Barring Order
• Breach of Protection Order
• Breach of Barring Order
• Breach of Safety Order
• Domestic - No Offence Identified
• Breach of Emergency Barring Order
• Or is of any incident type, but with a recorded motive of ‘Domestic Abuse’.
Counts of incidents reported per year up to and including 26 November, 2023 are given in the table attached
Incident counts are based on reported date, and crime counting rules are not applied.
403. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice when strand 4 endowment applications for the Immigrant Investment Programme will be processed; if she will outline the projected timeframes for processing of application under this strand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51903/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023.
The IIP Unit has published an FAQ document concerning the closure of the programme on my Department's Immigration Services website, which will be updated with any further questions arising from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/
Due to the exceptionally large number of applications on hand it is not possible to give a timeframe as to when applications will receive a decision, however, I can confirm that all applications will be considered on their own merits and my Department will endeavour to make decisions in a timely manner.
404. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice the status of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022; whether guidelines on what documentation and financial information can be requested from patrons will be issued to bookmakers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51951/23]
View answerhe Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to reform gambling legislation, with a focus on public safety and well-being from both an online and in person perspective.
The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body – Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland – and for a robust regulatory and licensing regime to regulate gambling in-person and online, and for the regulation of gambling advertising, websites and apps.
The Government approved publication of the General Scheme of the Bill in October 2021. In May 2022, the Committee published its report of its pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Bill. The Bill was approved for publication in November 2022, completed Second Stage in Dáil Éireann in December 2022 and Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann on 11 July 2023.
While the scheduling of Oireachtas business is a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas, I am hopeful that the Bill will be enacted in the coming months.
At its core, this legislation is a public health measure aimed at protecting our citizens from gambling harm, including younger people and those more vulnerable in our communities. My officials and I have engaged in extensive consultation with representatives from the industry, the charity sector, related sectors and as well as with professionals working in the area of problem gambling, persons adversely affected by the consequences of gambling and those with lived experience of problem gambling.
With respect to the Deputy’s substantive query, section 161 of the Bill requires a person to open an account with a licensee where that person wishes to gamble online and that person must supply documentation to verify that they are over the age of 18. Furthermore, section 161(1) provides that the Authority may specify any other information or documentation that person must submit to a licensee when opening such an account. However, to clarify, the Bill does not create any requirements or obligations to provide sensitive personal or financial information to licensees.
Section 30 of the Bill provides that the Authority may make codes of practice relating to the provision of relevant gambling activities. As such, and in addition to section 161(1), the Authority will have discretion to develop codes of practice for licensees concerning the information that licensees may request from those wishing to gamble.
In addition to the above, the Bill includes a number of safeguards to protect those participating in gambling such as enabling the Authority to make regulations to set limits on:
• the amount of money that may be lodged when gambling online; and
• the number of lodgements a person may make with licensees within in a particular timeframe.
The Bill also includes a number of further measures to protect people participating in gambling such as:
• obligations on licensees to provide proper and transparen information to customers when opening an account and while participating in gambling activities;
• obliging licensees to provide facilities to allow people to set limits on the amount of money that may be lodged to their account in a particular timeframe;
• specifying the information to be provided to people gambling online, while they are playing, to inform them of their winnings and losses;
• obligations on licensees to train staff to be able to identify excessive and compulsive gambling behaviour according to standards set by the Authority; and
• obligations to refund money where a person closes their account with a licensee.
405. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the total number of Freedom of Information requests submitted to her Department in 2022 and to date in 2023; the total number of such requests that were rejected in their entirety; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51977/23]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that I am committed to fulfilling all obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.
My Department ensures that those requesting information are dealt with in an open and constructive manner.
The information requested is provided in the table below.
|
Year |
Requests Received |
Requests Refused by Decision Maker |
|
2022 |
695 |
157 |
|
2023 (To 31/10/2023) |
773 |
159 |
ll decisions to refuse requests were in accordance with the relevant exemptions and administrative refusals as set out in the Freedom of Information Act 2014. This includes instances where the requested records do not exist or are already in the public domain. My Department ensures that where a decision is made to refuse the individual requester is made aware of their appeal rights.
406. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice the number of members of An Garda Síochána who have been redeployed or retired from the Clare Garda division during the first nine months of 2023; the number of members of An Garda Síochána that have been assigned to the Clare Garda division for duty during both years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52002/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities – and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that. We will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe.
The Government has allocated the highest ever budget to An Garda Síochána. The unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion for 2023 and a further €2.3 billion for 2024 demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.
This level of funding is providing for a steady pipeline of new Gardaí, with new recruits entering the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks. Whilst the necessary temporary closure of the Garda College during the Covid-19 pandemic put an unfortunate pause on recruitment, the number of recruits has continued to grow in each class following the re-opening of the college.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all internal HR Garda matters and the recruitment and retention of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that this distribution is kept under review in light of emerging crime trends and policing needs.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that a total of 28 Garda members transferred into Clare Division in 2022 and that fewer than 10 members transferred out of the Division in the same period. As the number of transfers out of the Division is under 10 the Garda authorities are unable to provide a further breakdown as it could lead to the identification of the Garda members.
I am further advised that by the end of September 2023 a total of 20 Garda members transferred into Clare Division. 13 Garda members transferred out of the Division this year.
I am also informed that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, a total of 51 Probationer Gardaí have been assigned to Clare Division.
I am advised that a total of 14 Garda members have retired from Clare Division in 2022 and 2023 combined, up to the end of September. As the number of retirements is under 10 for each year the Garda authorities are unable to provide a more detailed breakdown.
As the Deputy may be aware, Clare Division has merged with the Tipperary Division under the new Operating Model. At the end of October 2023 there were 674 Garda members assigned to the Division.
Further detailed information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division and Station can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
407. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice the up-to-date position regarding applications for consideration under the International Investment Programme by an organisation (details supplied) in County Kerry; when the organisation can expect to hear an update regarding whether their applications will proceed to the next phase; if anticipated timelines for the overall process will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52006/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023.
The IIP Unit has published an FAQ document concerning the closure of the programme on my Department's Immigration Services website, which will be updated with any further questions arising from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/
As Minister, I do not comment on individual IIP applications, however, my Departments IIP Unit is committed to ensuring that all applications will be examined on their own merits and will endeavour to conclude all decisions in a timely manner.
Due to the exceptionally large number of applications on hand it is not possible to give a timeframe as to when individual applications will receive a decision.
408. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice when it was agreed to permit Israeli security personnel to be located on the premises of Dublin Airport in order to screen passengers intending to travel on El Al flights from Dublin to Tel Aviv; if similar arrangements are in place for any other sovereign nations’ security or intelligence personnel in addition to those of the United States; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52011/23]
View answerMatters of aviation security are agreed between the Airport Operator and An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will appreciate that for sound security reasons, it is not the policy to comment on specific arrangements in place for individual air carriers.
409. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice if plans for the deregulation of the pub industry will result in more off licences in the future; if this will de-value the cost of a licence; and if off-licence hours of businesses will be extended under the plans (details supplied). [52045/23]
View answerFollowing extensive consultation with representative bodies in the licensed trade, businesses, public health bodies, consumers and communities, the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill was published on 25 October 2022. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice conducted two pre-legislative scrutiny sessions on the draft legislation, and the Committee’s report was published on 2 March 2023.
Ireland has long operated a closely regulated alcohol licensing regime. It is important to note that this system will be retained, and the sale and supply of alcohol will continue to be closely regulated. The reform of the extinguishment rule (whereby an existing licence must be purchased in order to open a new premises) will not result in its removal.
Extinguishment will be retained for the purposes of opening new off-licences. It is noteworthy that between 2005 to 2021, there was a decline of 21% in the number of pubs operating in Ireland. Many of these licences have fallen into abeyance.
While work on the wider reform Bill will continue, it is my intention to bring forward, in the coming months, a shorter Bill to provide for key reforms including the standardisation of opening hours for pubs and off-licences.
It will also introduce an annual late bar and nightclub permits as well as cultural amenity licences. This legislation marks the Government’s commitment to the reform of licensing laws to support and stimulate the night time economy.
This shorter Bill will provide for pubs to open from 10.00am to 12.30am (the following day) and off-licences to open from 10.30am to 10.00pm seven days a week. This Bill will not include any alteration to the existing extinguishment requirements.
Following the shorter Bill, the wider Sale of Alcohol Bill will be advanced to consolidate, streamline and modernise our current licensing system. It will provide for the amendment of the extinguishment requirements for on-licences to assist new entrants into the market and to revive and provide further support to local businesses. It will also provide for a more transparent, efficient, cost-effective and user-friendly application process.
410. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice if she will introduce new criminal law legislation to empower judges to impose significant maximum terms of imprisonment, including whole life terms, for criminals convicted of murder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52046/23]
View answerThe sentence for murder is a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.
I have committed to developing legislation to allow judges recommend minimum periods in prison where a life sentence has been handed down.
This would allow a judge, for example, to recommend that a minimum period of 20, 25 or 30 years be served before parole may be granted. I believe that a new provision of this kind will give the public more confidence that, in the most heinous murder cases, the judiciary will have the discretion in their sentencing recommendation to reflect the aggravating factors and gravity of certain cases.
Under these reforms, a minimum custodial term may be recommended by the trial judge, who would have regard to the aggravating and mitigating factors based on the facts and evidence in the particular case.
I intend to bring a detailed to proposal to Cabinet in due course.
411. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of flights arriving into each international airport in Ireland that have been attended by immigration officers as passengers disembark; how many passengers travelled without passports and documentation; their country of origin; how many were detained, and how many were denied entry and placed on return flights, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52053/23]
View answer412. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice how many passengers arriving into each international airport in Ireland were found to have false passports and documentation at the point of entry, in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [52054/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 412 together.
The State has a duty to protect its borders and following examination, ensure that all arriving passengers are entitled to enter the State. This is a fundamental exercise of State sovereignty, which is necessary to protect the security of the State and to prevent illegal immigration. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual rights.
The Border Management Unit of my Department is responsible for frontline Immigration at Dublin Airport only. Other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
Under Section 4 of the Immigration Act 2004, an Immigration Officer must determine whether a non-EEA national should be granted leave to land and gain entry to the State. In performing their duties, an Officer is required to consider all of the circumstances of the individual at the time of entry. Section 4(3) of that Act sets out the full range of grounds on which a passenger may be refused.
Immigration officials conduct passport checks, and run operations as required, to ensure passengers arriving in the State are properly documented in accordance with Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004.
With regards to the number of flights that Immigration Officers conducted checks on, for security reasons and to protect the integrity of the immigration system, both I and my Department do not comment on operational procedures of the Border Management Unit or the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
When a person is refused leave to land at Dublin airport, the Immigration Officer will arrange for the person to be referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) for removal from the State. The priority is to return them on the next available return flight to the last point of embarkation.
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. In addition to providing advice to airlines on specific queries, training is provided to airline ground staff on current travel documentation requirements. As can be seen from the figures below, the number of undocumented arrivals has reduced significantly this year.
If a person indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international protection process. However, they will still be recorded as a refusal of leave to land.
Statistics are not available in the manner requested for airports other than Dublin Airport.
Table 1 – Dublin Airport Summary
|
Year |
Total Arriving Passengers |
Total Refusals |
Undocumented Arrivals |
False Documents |
|
2019 |
16,318,300 |
6151 |
1579 |
1849 |
|
2020 |
3,636,256 |
2077 |
712 |
169 |
|
2021 |
4,118,027 |
3210 |
2082 |
279 |
|
2022 |
13,930,041 |
7662 |
4968 |
832 |
|
2023 YtD |
14,304,987 |
4,606 |
2,572 |
690 |
Table 2 – Refused Leave to Land for other International Airports
|
Year |
Cork Airport |
Kerry Airport |
Knock International Airport |
Shannon Airport |
|
2020 |
55 |
<10 |
<10 |
<10 |
|
2021 |
24 |
<10 |
<10 |
18 |
|
2022 |
130 |
13 |
29 |
58 |
|
2023 |
72 |
<10 |
11 |
33 |
*Both tables may be subject to slight variance following data cleansing.
413. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice her views in regard to the “Working to Change” programme; what plans, if any, she has for continuing it beyond the current timeframe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52055/23]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that both I and this Government continue to be focused on reducing reoffending including by diverting people, where appropriate, from the criminal justice system and ensuring the underlying causes of offending behaviour are addressed. Part of this is giving people a second chance, an opportunity to build a crime free life, and we know gaining stable employment and being able to provide for their families is a big part of ensuring this happens.
Working to Change: Social Enterprise and Employment Strategy 2021-2023, launched in November 2020, has been an important part of the suite of initiatives being undertaken in this area.
As the Deputy may already be aware this is the second employment-related strategy focusing on those with previous criminal convictions, following on from A New Way Forward: Social Enterprise Strategy 2017-2019.
Building on the work of A New Way Forward, Working to Change identified 46 actions across three pillars relating to three avenues of forms of employment; social enterprises, mainstream employment, and entrepreneurship.
Working to Change provides a whole-systems approach to increasing employment options for people with past convictions that recognises their skills and capabilities leading to active citizenship, safer communities, fewer victims and supporting desistance.
The lifetime of the Working to Change strategy is now coming to an end.
In the first half of 2023, my Department confirmed a follow on strategy is to be developed. To begin this work, in May 2023, the Steering Committee, Chaired by the Director of the Probation Service and composed of representatives from a number of Departments and relevant organisations, asked officials from the Department of Justice, the Probation Service, and the Irish Prison Service to develop proposals for actions to be taken forward under a new strategy.
These officials have conducted extensive consultation with key stakeholders, including individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system, key organisations working in this space, and officials from other Departments.
The consultation with stakeholders examined the opportunities currently presented in mainstream employment, regarding the shortages in certain sectors of the labour market, which may yield very positive results.
Work remains ongoing towards the development of the successor strategy and the actions of the new strategy are yet to be agreed or approved. However, I can advise the Deputy that it is currently intended to structure the actions of the new strategy from the perspective of the labour market more generally, which includes social enterprises.
The Deputy may also be aware that supports for the social enterprise sector have largely been mainstreamed through the Department of Rural and Community Development’s National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019-2022. Work on the follow on national social enterprise strategy is progressing, which my Department has contributed to, and officials are ensuring that both this strategy and the criminal justice employment strategy are broadly aligned in relation to social enterprises.
I am looking forward to the outcome of the consultations for this follow on strategy, which I hope to have in place in early 2024.
414. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice about the case of a person (details supplied) who applied in June 2023 for an extension of their visa that was due to expire and has not received any response back regarding the status of their extension application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52135/23]
View answerThe application for an Extension of Student Conditions (ESTC) permission from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
To be fair to all applicants, applications are dealt with in chronological order by date received. My Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible. However, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of applications on hands, individual circumstances, the complexity of applications, whether further information is required, and the resources available.
There has been a significant increase in recent months for people seeking Extension of Student Conditions (ESTC). These are being dealt with as expeditiously as possible but it is only in exceptional circumstances that such an application will be considered.
In meantime the person concerned should continue to seek for meaningful graduate level employment which would allow them to change their immigration status and remain in the State.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by email 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 email service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
415. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice to report on the general scheme of Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022, which seeks to reform alcohol licensing legislation in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52136/23]
View answerFollowing extensive consultation with representative bodies in the licensed trade, businesses, public health bodies, consumers and communities, the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill was published on 25 October 2022.
A public consultation, including an online survey and a request for submissions, ran from November 2021 until January 2022. This consultation was focused on seeking views on how best to update the existing laws governing the sale and regulation of alcohol in Ireland. There was a high level of response, with in excess of 5,000 responses received from members of the public, academics, sectoral groups and representative organisations. The Department reviewed these responses to ensure the reform of the legislation takes account of and is informed by this engagement. A report on the responses received was published on 7 November 2022.
On 10 March 2022, I also hosted a consultation webinar and panel discussion event on reform of the alcohol licensing laws to give an opportunity for further discussion of the issues of concern to stakeholders.
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice conducted two pre-legislative scrutiny sessions on the draft legislation, and the Committee’s report was published on 2 March 2023.
While work on this Bill is progressing, it is my intention to bring forward, in the coming months, a shorter Bill to provide for key reforms including the standardisation of opening hours for pubs and off-licences. It will also introduce an annual late bar and nightclub permits as well as cultural amenity licences. This legislation marks the Government’s commitment to the reform of licensing laws to support and stimulate the night time economy.
The shorter bill will also provide for new grounds of objection in line with the Zero Tolerance Third National Strategy to Tackle Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence and provide that licensing applications, which are currently heard in the Circuit Court, would be moved to the District Court.
I hope to bring this legislation to the Houses of the Oireachtas in Q1 2024. Work to progress the other provisions in the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022 to streamline and consolidate our liquor licensing laws will be continued once this has been completed.
416. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress made to date in progressing an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52145/23]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eVetting and online payments.
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 communicate regularly 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.
417. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the total costs incurred by her Department arising from the placing of advertisements with the national broadcaster, RTÉ, in any format, for each of the years 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52168/23]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
418. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if her Department, or any body under the aegis of her Department, has facilitated in-person or remote briefings on any issue by organisations (details supplied) from 2020 to date; if so, the topic discussed; the fees paid to the organisations for these briefings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52195/23]
View answerI am informed that neither my Department, nor any body under the aegis of my Department, has any record of facilitating in-person or remote briefings on any issue by either organisation in question from 2020 to date.
419. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice if the allocation of prisoners to Loughan House in Cavan is being reviewed in light of recent reports (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52228/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the sentence management process for transfer to an Open Centre is guided by the Irish Prison Service Open Centre Policy and a person's suitability for transfer to an Open Centre is based on a number of criteria.
These criteria are particularly reflective of the nature of the offence they committed, the length of sentence remaining and any risk posed to public safety. A person who is to be considered for an Open Centre will have his sentence management plan reviewed at a Prison review meeting where a multi-disciplinary team will decide on their suitability to be accommodated at an Open Centre. For those with short sentences or committed for certain offences (e.g. non-violent first time offenders) the necessity of reviewing their case at a formal review meeting may not be necessary.
When a person is transferred to an Open Centre, a sentence management programme is structured to meet their needs. The sentence management programme will also take into consideration, among other things, the persons potential participation in the Community Return Scheme, further education courses or employment.
Life sentenced prisoners may also be transferred to an Open Centre as a result of their involvement in the Parole Board process.
420. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the options for Irish citizens who have family members in Gaza in terms of refugee or family reunification programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52374/23]
View answerI 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.
My Department is in regular contact with the Embassy of Ireland in Israel regarding a small number of visa applications, from residents of Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. The Embassy are actively engaging with the applicants to gather the required documents to ensure that the Visa Division of this Department have everything needed progress these applications.
Any person that wishes to make a visa application can do so online at:
www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspx.
Further information in relation to the making of a visa application for permission to travel to Ireland can be found on my Department’s immigration website at:
www.irishimmigration.ie
421. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the number of family liaison officer courses held for gardaí within Cavan-Monaghan division in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form; and the duration of this course. [52404/23]
View answerAs 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 advised the duration of the Family Liaison Officer (FLO) course is 3 days. The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines a breakdown of FLO courses conducted in 2022 and 2023:
|
Year |
No. of Courses |
Total No. of Members Trained |
|
2022 |
2 |
41 |
|
2023 |
5 |
81 |
I am further advised that fewer than 10 members from within the Cavan/Monaghan division attended these courses over the 2 years. It is worth noting that the FLO courses are not generally allocated out to specific Divisions, with participants on any given course being from various Divisions around the country.
