Written Answers Nos. 415-428
417. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice how much her Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether her Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53804/23]
View answerMy Department selects media channels based on their suitability to deliver our communications to relevant people. The public awareness campaigns currently underway by my Department are not promoted on X. My Department has also not incurred any expenditure advertising on X/Twitter in 2023.
The amount spend on advertising of public awareness campaigns with X/Twitter in the years specified is provided in the table below:
|
2019 |
€1,238.61 |
|
2020 |
€0 |
|
2021 |
€5226.86 |
|
2022 |
€10,309.53 |
|
2023 |
€0 |
418. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of phase one gardaí trainees expected in Templemore Garda Training in 2023; and how many were in the college in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [53823/23]
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 €2.31 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.
The closure of the Garda College for much of 2020 and 2021 as a result of COVID-19 had a significant impact on Garda numbers. However, the number of recruits has continued to grow since its re-opening. A total of 637 trainees entered the training college so far in 2023. Another class is due to enter Templemore in December putting An Garda Síochána on track for between 700 and 800 new recruits into the college this year.
The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of trainee Gardaí who commenced Phase I of their training in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023.
|
Year |
Number |
|
Year |
Number |
|
2021 |
385 |
|
2022 |
116 |
|
2023 (to date) |
637 |
Detailed information in relation to the allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and Station is published by my Department, and may be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
419. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice the number of meetings he or officials from his Department have held with companies (details supplied) regarding the fraudulent content with respect to financial fraud and scams on their platforms in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. [53849/23]
View answerNeither I nor officials from my Department have held any meetings with the companies referred to regarding such matters in the specified timeframe.
421. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the total number of persons denied entry to the State and returned, specifying the breakdown of their countries of origin, in each of the years 2020 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [53881/23]
View answerThe 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 (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).
I have sought the additional information required to respond to the Deputy's query from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
422. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the total number of international protection applications that have been processed in accordance with the accelerated procedure since it was introduced in November 2022; and to provide a breakdown of the decision outcomes under this procedure in respect of granting permission to remain, granting and refusing international protection respectively, in tabular form. [53882/23]
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 13,650, 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. This programme is implementing measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as improving the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. This will give status to those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who do not meet the criteria.
Already these reforms are having a significant impact with the median processing time for first-instance decisions reducing from 18 months in 2022 down to 15 months in 2023. The median processing times for appeals is also down from 15 months at the beginning of 2022 to five months in 2023.
As part of this modernisation programme, I also signed a regulation in November 2022 to introduce an accelerated procedure for international protection applicants from designated safe countries of origin. These applicants now typically 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 year, to end November 2023, the IPO completed 8173 first instance decisions – an increase of 66.89% on the same period last year, increasing even further the rate of decisions year on year.
The table below sets out the breakdown of IPO first instance decision outcomes under the accelerated procedure from November 2022 to 30 November 2023. In that time, 2,013 applications were received under this procedure.
The total decision reflects the initial IPO decision, and the Ministerial Decision Unit decision unit issues final, post-appeal decisions to complete a case.
|
Accelerated Procedure International Protection Applications from 8th November 2022 to 30th November 2023* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outcome Type |
Refugee Status Grants |
Subsidiary Protection Grants |
Permission to Remain Grant (1st Instance and Final Decision) |
Refusal All |
Total Decisions |
|
IPO 1st Instance Determination |
115 |
5 |
53 |
1258 |
1431 |
* The data in this table is valid as at 5th December 2023. The applicant's MDU latest decision may change due to data cleansing, permission revoked and if applicant appeals and a further final decision is made.
The Deputy may also wish to know that the Department’s website provides a detailed overview of the International Protection process in Ireland as well as monthly statistics and metrics on the processing of international protection applications. This can be accessed at:
www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/304ba-international-protection/
www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/
423. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the average cost of effecting a deportation/return in 2023 in accordance with EU legislation, specifying the breakdown of average costs associated with flights, accommodation, administration, and other relevant costs, in tabular form. [53887/23]
View answerI understand that the Deputy has clarified that their question concerns removals effected under Section 20(b) of the European Communities Freedom of Movement of Persons Regulations 2015 which involves the removal of EU Citizens to other EU Member States. I can advise that there have been 21 such removals effected during 2023. The associated flight costs are €29,989.92. This includes the flight costs of escorts from the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Subsistence or accommodation costs for members of the GNIB are met under standard travel and subsistence rates under the Garda vote. Persons who are removed under these Regulations are usually removed from prison. Any administration costs are met by the repatriation unit of Immigration Service Delivery, who consider the cases for removal, and organise flights and travel documents where appropriate.
424. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the average cost of effecting a transfer/return in 2023 in accordance with the Dublin III Regulation, specifying the breakdown of average costs associated with flights and transportation, accommodation, administration and other relevant costs, in tabular form. [53889/23]
View answerRegulation (EU) No 604/2013 (Dublin III Regulations), came into force on 19 July 2013, and lays down the criteria and mechanisms for determining which EU country is responsible for examining an asylum application. The Dublin Regulation is based on the principle that the first Member State to facilitate entry to the EU should be responsible for examining the protection application.
The making of a transfer decision under the EU Dublin Regulation is not a deportation order. The International Protection Office considers whether applicants might have their cases considered under the Dublin Regulation. If the Regulation is deemed to apply, the applicant may appeal that decision to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT). In practice, and in keeping with the experience of all Member States, effecting transfers under the Regulation is challenging, and reforming these arrangements therefore forms a key part of the ongoing discussions at EU level with respect to agreeing a new Migration and Asylum Pact.
A decision to transfer made under the Dublin III Regulations expires after six months. This extends to 18 months if the applicant has absconded. If an appeal is launched, a Dublin III decision expires six months from the date the appeal decision is given.
I can advise the Deputy that there have been two transfers under the Dublin iii Regulation in 2023. One transfer was in respect of a person who paid for their own flight. The cost of the flight for the transfer of the other person concerned was €268.17.These returns are to other EU Member States and are usually unescorted, so the costs incurred are usually comprised of the direct flight cost. There are no accommodation costs incurred. Any administration costs are met by the repatriation team in my Department, who organise all returns.
The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum seeks to establish a more coherent approach across the EU to migration, asylum, integration and border management. Ireland is actively participating in the negotiations on the pact. The Pact, includes ten legislative measures to reform the Common European Asylum System. The proposals aim to provide swift, sustainable and fair procedures for the management of migration and asylum in the EU in ordinary times as well as in times of migratory pressure and crisis situations. They also aim to create greater convergence in asylum standards and processes across the Union to prevent the levels of secondary movements currently being experienced. One of the proposed measures is the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) which will replace the Dublin III Regulation. It provides, inter alia, for streamlined criteria and reduced timeframes for determining the Member State responsible for determining an asylum application as well as revised rules on transferring responsibility within the EU.
425. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if she directed the Garda Commissioner to attest early the 151 recruits in the Garda College which was announced recently. [53899/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the management and administration of Garda business, including all HR and recruitment matters. As Minister I cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to such matters and I had no role in his decision to move forward the attestation date from the 12th January 2024 to the 15th December 2023.
However I support his decision to attest in excess of 150 trainees early by a small number of weeks to support current policing requirements during this busy Christmas period. It is important to note that they will return to the college to complete their studies at a later date. A similar approach was taken in March 2020 when two classes attested early to support the policing response to Covid 19.
426. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter with regard to redundancy payments from a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53213/23]
View answerThe Animal Health and Welfare (Fur Farming Compensation Scheme) Regulations 2022 S.I. 650 OF 2022 makes provision for compensation of the employer (fur farmer) for costs incurred in making an employee redundant, including any lump sum paid to the employee in accordance with section 19 of the Redundancy Payments Act of 1967, as a result of the ban on fur farming. This may also include certain compensation for payments made to the employee as part of a training fund. The assessor appointed by me to determine the compensation amounts payable continues to evaluate applications from the fur farmers in accordance with the provisions of SI No. 650 of 2022. However, an individual's entitlement to a redundancy payment is covered under the Act of 1967 and is a matter for the employer and the employee and is not under the remit of my Department.
427. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what bio-security measures are currently in place to appropriately assess imported timber given the current risk posed by the great spruce bark beetle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53285/23]
View answer428. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in light of the current threat posed by the great spruce bark beetle, if his Department is of the view that the facilities and biosecurity measures are currently in place for the assessment and quality control of timber when imported are sufficient; if the Department has any plans to re-assess or change these measures to appropriately address this threat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53286/23]
View answer429. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if every timber shipment imported is examined to ensure it is of the highest quality and it does not pose a biosecurity risk; how timber imports are examined - by visual assessment or by x-ray; if shipments are actively being checked for the great spruce bark beetle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53287/23]
View answer430. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has any plans to liaise with the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland to co-ordinate an all-island approach with regard to measures taken to prevent the importation of the great spruce bark beetle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53288/23]
View answer431. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine following the discovery of the great spruce bark beetle in Scotland, if there is any co-ordination between the Department and the relevant Scottish authorities to ensure the great spruce bark beetle is not present in timber shipments coming to Ireland; if there is any certification or authentication process verifying that the beetle is not present in timber shipments coming from Scotland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53289/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 427, 428, 429, 430 and 431 together.
Coniferous roundwood is both imported into and exported out of Ireland. All imports into Ireland must be compliant with the EU Plant Health Regulation and importers must be registered as Professional Operators. Similarly, any action Ireland takes in response to threats from pests must also be compliant with EU Plant Health Regulations and the International Plant Protection Convention.
Importers in Ireland are prohibited from importing roundwood from areas known to be affected by quarantine bark beetle species. The only area internationally where imports into Ireland of coniferous roundwood with bark is permitted is from a specific UK Government authority assigned ‘Pest Free Area’ (PFA) in the West of Scotland. In light of recent developments with bark beetles in Great Britain, found outside of their ‘Pest Free Area’, this Department has been engaging directly with Scottish forestry authorities, Northern Ireland and the European Commission to ensure that the pest free status of the island of Ireland is maintained.
My Department maintains very close contact on plant health matters with its counterpart Department in Northern Ireland, the Department of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (DAERA), in the context of the consideration of the island of Ireland as a single epidemiological unit. This contact includes discussions on policy regarding roundwood imports from Scotland.
My Department has an ongoing dialogue with the Scottish Authorities on matters related specifically to the Pest Free area and log imports into Ireland.
The Scottish Authorities carry out a range of surveys for bark beetles, including aerial surveillance, pheromone trapping and on the ground surveys. These surveys have been ongoing for several years and no instance of spruce bark beetles of concern to Ireland have been found within the PFA.
In addition, I understand that the felling sites in the PFA, where timber is due to be exported to Ireland, are subject to an inspection regime, as part of their phytosanitary certification system.
Imports of roundwood logs from this PFA in Scotland are subject to an inspection regime by my Department. This involves documentary, identity and plant health physical checks at the port. All imports from the PFA must be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate which is issued by the UK Government authority, in accordance with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), to attest that the logs meet the phytosanitary import requirements of Ireland and the EU, and are in conformity with the certifying statement.
In addition, and in order to support the proof of origin of the roundwood (i.e. the PFA), Phytosanitary Certificates provide identification of the specific forest location from which the roundwood is sourced. All documents associated with roundwood imports are inspected to verify the phytosanitary import requirements for the Protected Zone of Ireland are satisfied and the roundwood originates from an area within the PFA, and these are recorded and mapped to identify and track roundwood source locations.
Inspections at the port involve sampling of logs from the shipment in accordance with a standard operational procedure. A sample of logs from various parts of the ship are brought to a safe examination area and are visually examined. Any beetles found are identified and any beetles found to date are beetles that we already have in Ireland and are not of quarantine significance. Physical inspection of logs at the port do not take place for every import consignment.
There are three ports where roundwood logs are imported into Ireland. These are Rushbrooke port and Passage West port in Co. Cork and Wicklow port. These three ports are designated Border Control Posts for roundwood logs where inspection facilities have been put in place.
