Catherine Murphy
Question:407. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank attached to each divisional public service vehicle inspectors as of 22 January 2024, in tabular form. [3877/24]
View answerAn Garda Síochána
Questions (407)
Written answers
The Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. An Garda Síochána’s 2024 allocation provides funding of over €2.3 billion, which includes funding for between 800 to 1,000 new Gardaí and an additional 250 Garda staff.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, as well as for decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as of 29 January 2024, there are 18 Public Service Vehicle Inspectors at the ranks of Sergeants and Gardaí.
I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that personnel assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategies, are continually monitored and reviewed. This ensures that optimum use is made of resources and the best possible policing service is provided to the public.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (408)
Catherine Murphy
Question:408. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of new Garda vehicles added to the Kildare and Wicklow Garda divisions in 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of Garda vehicles withdrawn from those divisions in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [3878/24]
View answerWritten answers
The unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion for 2023 and €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána 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 its vital policing work.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
The tables below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, show new vehicles allocated to, and removed from, the Kildare and Wicklow Divisions in 2023 and to date in 2024 (as of 25 January).
|
Kildare |
Allocated |
Removed |
|
2023 |
6 |
6 |
|
2024 to date |
1 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
Allocated |
Removed |
|
2023 |
3 |
4 |
|
2024 to date |
0 |
0 |
The purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochána is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis. Information supplied is operational and subject to change.
Road Traffic Offences
Questions (409)
Seán Sherlock
Question:409. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the timeline and costs involved for the introduction of the online portal uploading and reporting footage of road traffic offences, in tabular form. [3900/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in how An Garda Síochána investigates any criminal activity or collects evidence.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the introduction of an online portal for uploading and reporting of digital evidence such as video of road traffic offences will be delivered as part of a planned Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS).
I am advised that the mechanism for An Garda Síochána to accept video footage from the public will be via an online Portal. I am informed that once the footage is uploaded, a DEMS will be required to store, manage and process any footage received.
As the Deputy is aware the project to introduce body worn camera technology and a DEMS to An Garda Síochána is underway. A limited Proof of Concept deployment of body worn cameras in a small number of areas is planned for early 2024, following the enactment of the supporting legislation. This Proof of Concept will provide learnings for the next stage of the project, being the national procurement and rollout of body worn cameras including the introduction of a DEMS.
I am advised that given the lengthy process for the national procurement and rollout of body worn cameras and DEMS, as well as the follow-on implementation period, only costs and timelines can be confirmed at that stage of the project. I am further advised that it is envisaged that the introduction of an online Portal will be in 2025.
Work Permits
Questions (410)
Bernard Durkan
Question:410. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the correct procedure to be followed to permit a person (details supplied) to regain entry to Ireland for employment purposes, who returned to the Philippines in 2021 due to a health issue, who previously lived and worked in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3916/24]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that the person referred to previously applied for a Stamp 5 (Without Condition/Without Condition as to Time) in 2019. A decision letter was issued to the applicant on 21/12/2020, and their passport was stamped with a Stamp 5 endorsement that is valid until 20/03/2029.It does appear that the applicant did not register this Stamp 5 permission before their return to the Philippines in 2021.Citizens of the Philippines are visa required and must have a valid Irish entry visa before they seek to enter the State. Any person that wishes to make an application for a visa must do so online at: www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspxUpon her arrival into the State, she should write into Unit B – Domestic Residence & Permissions Division, explaining her situation. A letter can then be issued to the applicant that will assist her when registering her Stamp 5 permission through her local registration office. Address details below:Unit B – Domestic Residence & Permissions DivisionDepartment of JusticeImmigration Service Delivery13/14 Burgh QuayDublin 2Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie) which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Question No. 411 answered with Question No. 400.
Legislative Measures
Questions (412)
Patrick Costello
Question:412. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if she will conduct a health impact assessment of the proposed sale of alcohol bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3940/24]
View answerWritten answers
The General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol intends to modernise our existing licensing laws in line with the expectations and needs of today’s society, and to encourage the development of a modern and diverse night-time economy.
The proposed legislation endeavours to strike a balance between maintaining strict controls and safeguards in relation to the sale of alcohol, while providing support to those involved in our night time economy.
Given the known social and health effects associated with misuse of alcohol, Ireland has, for many decades, operated a restrictive regime for licencing. The General Scheme of the bill retains that approach and will ensure that the sale of alcohol remains closely regulated.
Throughout the development of the Bill, my Department engaged in an extensive consultation process with representative bodies in the licensed trade, businesses, public health bodies and advocacy groups, consumers and communities in relation to the proposed legislation.
A public consultation, including an online survey and a request for submissions, ran from November 2021 until January 2022. More than 5,000 responses were received. These included responses from Alcohol Action Ireland; Ballymun Local Drugs and Alcohol Task Force; The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland; The Health Service Executive Alcohol Programme; Institute of Public Health; Irish Community Action on Alcohol Network and National Suicide Research Foundation.
In addition, a webinar and panel discussion event was held on 10 March 2022. The consultation process demonstrated that there is a strong demand for reform and modernisation of the law in this area.
I can assure the Deputy that public health is a factor for my Department when considering the introduction of reforms with regard to the sale of alcohol. As part of the overall process, my Department continues to engage with various public and voluntary health bodies and is committed to considering their views and those of the Department of Health on any potential health implications as the Bill progresses.
It is my intention to bring forward 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, enforcement powers for An Garda Síochána as well as cultural amenity licences. Drafting has commenced on this Bill, which I hope to bring to the Houses of the Oireachtas in the coming months.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (413)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:413. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice to detail if the gardaí have carried out any investigation into the number of people who have received deportation orders but have not self-deported; and if the gardaí have carried out this research, will she provide me with a copy of the report or detail the findings of this research. [3947/24]
View answerWritten answers
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 who is subject to a Deportation Order has no legal basis to remain in the State.
When issued with such an order, the person concerned is required to remove themselves from the State. Many people comply with this and leave the country without informing my Department. As such it is not possible to record these departures definitively.
However, the Garda National Immigration Bureau has reviewed a large sample of the people who were subject to deportation orders and they are satisfied that a very significant number have in fact left the State. The Deputy will appreciate that the detail of how these inquiries are conducted are operational matters for the Garda authorities.
Visa Applications
Questions (414)
Niall Collins
Question:414. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice if an issue can be expedited (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3963/24]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on the 11/10/2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Ottawa office on the 06/11/2023. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on the 16/11/2023 where it awaits examination and processing.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.pdfThis Policy Document contains a stated business target that visa applications for family reunification for immediate family members of Irish citizens and Category A sponsors, such as Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders, should be dealt with within 6 months of application.However, it must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.The applicant will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday:www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.