Written Answers Nos. 329-348
329. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice if she plans to reduce the €950 cost to apply for citizenship, which is the highest in the EU and second to the UK and Switzerland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5094/24]
View answerThe fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011). The application fee is €175.
A certification fee of €950 is then required following a positive decision being reached on the naturalisation application.
The standard certification fee is set at €950, while a reduced fee of €200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of recognised refugees and stateless persons, there is no certification fee.
The State has not increased the fees for naturalisation applications since 2011.
There is no provision in the Regulations for a discretionary waiver or reduction of fees, or for differing fees to apply to different nationalities, or based on the length of residency in the State.
All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, are kept under ongoing review by my Department. However, there are no current plans to amend the fees.
330. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice if there are plans to increase the 12 month extension period to the residence permission for graduates with a level 8 qualification under the third level graduate scheme; if he has considered increasing it to 18 months and to 24 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5103/24]
View answer332. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice if there are plans to increase the maximum limit of seven years for permission to remain in Ireland under the third-level graduate scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5105/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 330 and 332 together.
My Department regularly consults and engages with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, among other key sectoral stakeholders, in relation to the entry and residence conditions of non-EEA students.
A non-EEA student who has completed their studies in Ireland and gained an award at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or above may qualify for a Stamp 1G for a period of 12 months and an individual who receives an award at Level 9 NFQ may qualify for a Stamp 1G for up to 24 months subject to the overall limit of 8 years.
The additional period of residence on the Stamp 1G immigration permission is designed to provide the graduate with an opportunity to obtain graduate level employment and to provide any prospective employer with the opportunity to make an application to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an employment permit, before the expiry of the Stamp 1G permission. If the application for an employment permit is successful, the applicant can register their permit and will be granted a Stamp 1 immigration permission and be allowed to remain in the State. If unsuccessful, the student is required to make arrangements to leave the State.
The conditions attaching to all immigration permissions for non-EEA students are kept under ongoing review by my Department. There are currently no plans to alter the existing arrangements in this area.
331. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice the reason graduates outside of Dublin cannot apply online for the 12-month extension period to their residence permission while graduates in Dublin can do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5104/24]
View answerAn Garda Síochána has oversight of the first registration and renewal of immigration residence permissions for non-EU/EEA/UK nationals residing outside of the Dublin area. This applies for all categories of registrations and renewals. The waiting time for appointments outside of Dublin is dependent on the demand for registrations in each office, and fluctuates based on seasonal demands and other variations. I have no role in regard to the scheduling of these appointments.
My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for customers residing in the Dublin area only.
The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (COFPI) recommended that immigration administrative functions should transfer from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) to the Department of Justice. My Department and An Garda Síochána have engaged intensively on the scope of immigration operations to transfer to the Department and a roadmap outlining the functions for transfer is currently being finalised.
333. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application by (details supplied) for a short-stay visa in Ireland in order that they can leave Gaza for their own personal safety and survival, and reside with and be financially supported by their family member in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5115/24]
View answer334. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice for a status update on the application (details supplied) for a short-stay visa in Ireland in order that they can leave Gaza for their own personal safety and survival, and reside with and be financially supported by their family member in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5118/24]
View answer335. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice for a status update on the application (details supplied) for a short-stay visa in Ireland in order that they can leave Gaza for their own personal safety and survival, and reside with and be financially supported by their family member in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5119/24]
View answer337. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice for an update on an application of a person (details supplied) for a short-stay visa in Ireland in order that they can leave Gaza for their own personal safety and survival, and reside with and be financially supported by their family member in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5123/24]
View answer338. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice for a status update on the application (details supplied) for a short-stay visa in Ireland in order that they can leave Gaza for their own personal safety and survival, and reside with and be financially supported by their family member in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5124/24]
View answer339. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice for a status update on the application (details supplied) for a short-stay visa in Ireland in order that they can leave Gaza for their own personal safety and survival, and reside with and be financially supported by their family member in Ireland,; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5127/24]
View answer340. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice for a status update on the application (details supplied) for a short-stay visa in Ireland in order that they can leave Gaza for their own personal safety and survival, and reside with and be financially supported by their family member in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5130/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 333, 334, 335, 337, 338, 339 and 340 together.
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.
My Department is in regular contact with the Embassy of Ireland in Israel regarding a 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.
I can confirm that applications have been received from the people concerned for short term visas and that the response issued referred to reflects the requirements of eligibility for that scheme.
If, however, the persons referred to wish to reside in the State for longer than 90 days they should withdraw the Type C Short Stay Visit applications and lodge the summary forms together with supporting documentation for the Type D Join Family application with the Irish Embassy/Consulate/Visa Office as soon as possible.
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.
336. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice the steps that are being taken to address the continued delays in applicants receiving appointment dates at the Garda immigration section in Limerick with 18 week lead-in times for such appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5120/24]
View answerAn Garda Síochána has oversight of the first registration and renewal of immigration residence permissions for non-EU/EEA/UK nationals residing outside of the Dublin area. I have no role in regard to the scheduling of these appointments. The waiting time for appointments outside of Dublin is dependent on the demand for registrations in each office, and fluctuates based on seasonal demands and other variations.
My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for customers residing in the Dublin area only.
The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (COFPI) recommended that immigration administrative functions should transfer from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) to the Department of Justice. My Department and An Garda Síochána have engaged intensively on the scope of immigration operations to transfer to the Department and a roadmap outlining the functions for transfer is currently being finalised.
The roadmap will address the future transfer of work relating to the nationwide registration and renewal (outside of Dublin) of residence permission and the renewal of such permission from An Garda Síochána to the Registration Office of my Department.
341. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of the case (details supplied); if there are plans to intervene on their behalf; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5138/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that Syrian nationals are visa required and can apply for an Irish entry visa before they seek to enter the State. A visa required national that wishes to reside in the State for longer than 90 days must have a Type D Long Stay Visa.
Any person that wishes to make a visa application must do so online at: www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspx.
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.
342. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice the rationale behind granting and then revoking temporary release for individuals in Shelton Abbey Prison in the month of December 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5165/24]
View answerTemporary Release may be granted to prisoners in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended. One of the main purposes of temporary release is to assist in re-integrating prisoners into the community. In considering whether to grant temporary release, consideration must be given to a range of factors including the nature and gravity of the offence, the length of the sentence imposed, the time served to date, the potential threat (if any) to the public, the risk of the person failing to return to prison after a period of temporary release, and the person’s conduct.
At present, applications for temporary release in respect of some categories of prisoners (typically those with short sentences) may be approved by the Irish Prison Service. Applications in respect of others, including life-sentence prisoners and those sentenced to eight years or more of imprisonment, are submitted by the Irish Prison Service for Ministerial consideration.
Applications may be submitted for temporary release at Christmas, in accordance with guidelines approved annually. As the Deputy may already be aware, 139 prisoners were granted varying periods of temporary release in respect of the Christmas period in 2023. Of those, I approved temporary release for 17 life-sentence prisoners.
During December 2023, in their initial consideration of applications for Christmas temporary release, the Irish Prison Service identified that a small number of applications were from prisoners serving sentences of eight years or more who were not at that time eligible under the guidelines to apply for Christmas temporary release. These applications were therefore not submitted for formal consideration and were not granted Christmas temporary release. The Irish Prison Service has since submitted applications for programmes of temporary release in respect of each of the prisoners concerned and consideration of those applications is ongoing.
343. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the number of WTE civilian forensic photographers employed by An Garda Síochána in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5185/24]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
344. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the amount that An Garda Síochána spent on vehicle recovery services within Cavan-Monaghan Garda division in 2023; and the timeframe for when this contract is due to expire. [5186/24]
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 the procurement of services required by An Garda Síochána to perform its function of keeping people safe. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
However, to be of assistance, I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been informed that €769,822 was spent on vehicle recovery services within the Cavan-Monaghan Garda Division from January to the end of December 2023.
I am further informed the contract for recovery, towing and management services in Cavan/Monaghan Division commenced in April 2023 and is due to expire in April 2028.
345. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the amount that has been spent by the Legal Aid Board to personal insolvency practitioners, solicitors and barristers under the PIA Review of the Legal Aid Service for 2022 and 2023; the details of these payments; the companies and individuals that received same; the amount received by each company and individual; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5211/24]
View answer346. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the amount that has been accrued, but is as yet unpaid, by the Legal Aid Board to personal insolvency practitioners, solicitors and barristers under the PIA Review of the Legal Aid Service since its inception in 2016 to date; the details of these liabilities; the companies to which they are owed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5212/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 346 together.
The Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2021. Section 3(3) of the Act states that the Board shall, subject to the provisions of the Act, be independent in the exercise of its functions.
As the Deputy will be aware, civil legal aid and advice is provided primarily through a network of law centres by solicitors employed by the Board. There are 34 full-time centres and dedicated units and three part-time law centres. The Board also operates 20 family mediation centres. Eight of the law centres and family mediation offices are co-located.
The Board has in place panels of private solicitors, and a barristers’ panel, which are used to supplement the services provided by Board solicitors in certain areas of law on a case-by-case basis, including cases on foot of the Abhaile scheme. Each panel has its own schedule of fees set out and approved by me as Minister for Justice and my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
As the Deputy will be aware, the government-funded Abhaile service was set up by the then Minister for Justice and Equality in October 2016, to help those in long term home mortgage arrears.
Through its free, expert financial and legal support services, Abhaile aims, wherever possible, to find solutions for borrowers that enable them to remain in their homes and out of homelessness.
The scheme has proven critical in terms of supporting families who find themselves in serious or long-term mortgage arrears and are at risk of losing their homes.
An important component of Abhaile relates to the provision of legal aid for proceedings under Section 115A of the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 (as amended). This legislation provides for a process where a proposal for personal insolvency arrangement (PIAs) can be implemented by a court even if rejected by creditors at a creditors meeting. Section 115A cannot be invoked in respect of all PIAs. It can only be invoked where the proposal for a PIA includes a mortgage secured on the person’s principal private residence and the person is in arrears on that mortgage or having been previously in arrears has entered into an alternative repayment arrangement with their lender.
The provision of legal aid for personal insolvency court reviews as part of Abhaile is in support of the Government's objective to keep as many people in their homes as possible. Legal aid includes the services of a solicitor from the Legal Aid Board’s Abhaile Solicitors Panel and payment to the personal insolvency practitioner in respect of expenses that occur in making a Section 115A application. Prior to 1 March 2019, the services of Junior Counsel were funded in all s115A applications. Since that date, the services of Counsel may be sought on a case by case basis as for other civil legal aid matters.
I have been provided with the following Schedules by the Legal Aid Board.
Schedule A sets out in tabular format the amounts spent by the Legal Aid Board on solicitors, barristers and personal insolvency practitioners for applications under the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 in 2022 and 2023
Schedule B sets out in tabular format the amount paid by the Legal Aid Board to each individual solicitor, barrister and personal insolvency practitioner for applications under the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 in 2022 and 2023.
Schedule C sets out in tabular format the total amounts incurred but not yet paid by the Legal Aid Board in connection with solicitors, barristers and personal insolvency practitioners for applications under the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 as at 1 February 2024. I am informed that while the Legal Aid Board has changed its procedures so as to obtain the name of the solicitor/Counsel from the PIP at the outset of the case, this information has not been recorded for historical cases and so the Board is not able to provide this information on an individualised basis.
I am informed that all amounts are inclusive of VAT.
Schedule A
Amounts spent by the Legal Aid Board on solicitors, barristers and personal insolvency practitioners for applications under the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 in 2022 and 2023.
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Barristers |
€775,305 |
€442,253 |
|
Solicitors |
€982,928 |
€614,667 |
|
Personal Insolvency Practitioners |
€801,514 |
€510,799 |
Schedule B
Amount paid by the Legal Aid Board to each individual solicitor, barrister and personal insolvency practitioner for applications under the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 in 2022 and 2023
2022
Solicitors
|
Name of Firm |
Amount (€) |
|
Catherine Allison & Co. |
€128,652 |
|
Ashtown Gate Solicitors |
€35,092 |
|
Brady Kilroy Solicitors |
€11,359 |
|
Carley & Associates Solicitors |
€51,136 |
|
Gibson & Associates Solicitors |
€67,847 |
|
Hanlon & Co. Solicitors |
€36,980 |
|
Holohan Solicitors |
€5,258 |
|
Kayanne Horgan Solicitors |
€27,226 |
|
Elizabeth Howard & Co. Solicitors |
€7,011 |
|
Anthony Joyce & Co. |
€429,023 |
|
KM Solicitors |
€7,011 |
|
Alan McGee & Co. Solicitors |
€92,336 |
|
Louisa C. McKeon & Company Solicitors |
€72,511 |
|
Midland Insolvency Solutions |
€1,353 |
|
Kieran Mulcahy Solicitors |
€3,856 |
|
Pierse Fitzgibbon Solicitors |
€2,571 |
|
J. F. Williams & Co. Solicitors |
€3,506 |
Barristers
|
Name of Barrister |
Amount (€) |
|
Keith Farry |
€733,924 |
|
Brian Hallissey |
€21,069 |
|
Andrew D. King |
€11,892 |
|
Eoin Martin |
€1,550 |
|
Mark Rodgers |
€4,225 |
|
Mark Sanfey |
€2,645 |
Personal Insolvency Practitioners
|
Name of Firm |
Amount (€) |
|
ACO Financial |
€42,579 |
|
Arthur Insolvency Services Ltd T/A Colm Arthur PIP |
€32,595 |
|
Cork Insolvency Centre |
€1,127 |
|
Charles P. Crowley & Co |
€3,075 |
|
John Paul Donelon |
€10,250 |
|
DS Debt Solutions |
€1,000 |
|
R. Hendy & Co. Chartered Accountants |
€13,531 |
|
Hogan & Co. |
€4,305 |
|
Insolvency Resolution Service |
€47,666 |
|
David Keogh |
€6,150 |
|
Kildare Audit & Accountancy Services |
€11,583 |
|
Kirk & Associates |
€38,437 |
|
KPMG Restructuring |
€22,039 |
|
DV Mannion & Co. Ltd |
€9,943 |
|
McCambridge Duffy Ltd |
€97,418 |
|
Alan McGee Personal Insolvency Services (PIP) |
€30,137 |
|
Midland Insolvency Solutions |
€40,715 |
|
Milne O’Dwyer |
€3,075 |
|
Minotaur Financial Services Ltd |
€6,457 |
|
Moore Stephens Debt Solutions |
€2,256 |
|
Mulhern Leonard |
€4,167 |
|
PIP Solutions |
€2,256 |
|
FPM Accountants Ireland Limited |
€3,075 |
|
Rebate Insolvency Solutions |
€48,217 |
|
Jeanne Stapleton |
€6,150 |
|
Grant Thornton Debt Solutions Ltd |
€164,947 |
|
Uhy Personal & Corporate Solutions Ltd |
€148,364 |
2023
Solicitors
|
Name of Firm |
Amount (€) |
|
Catherine Allison & Co |
€31,482 |
|
Carley & Associates Solicitors |
€29,446 |
|
Gibson & Associates Solicitors |
€17,038 |
|
Hanlon & Company Solicitors |
€47,675 |
|
Kayanne Horgan Solicitors |
€47,355 |
|
Anthony Joyce & Co |
€307,382 |
|
Alan McGee & Co Solicitors |
€30,125 |
|
Louisa C. McKeon & Company Solicitors |
€47,207 |
|
Nicola Nevin & Co. Solicitors |
€24,473 |
|
John O’Keeffee & Co. Solrs |
€3,505 |
|
Sheridan Fitzgerald Solicitors |
€28,979 |
Barristers
|
Name of Barrister |
Amount (€) |
|
Brian Hallissey |
€5,776 |
|
Keith Farry |
€436,477 |
Personal Insolvency Practitioners
|
Name of Firm |
Amount (€) |
|
ACO Financial |
€22,855 |
|
Arthur Insolvency Services LTD T/A Colm Arthur PIP |
€14,700 |
|
Charles P. Crowley & Co |
€3,075 |
|
John Paul Donelon |
€4,332 |
|
Friel Stafford Financial Services Limited |
€2,870 |
|
R. Hendy & Co. Chartered Accountants |
€2,050 |
|
Hogan & Co |
€2,050 |
|
Insolvency Resolution Service |
€71,406 |
|
Irish Insolvency & Debt Management Ltd |
€16,197 |
|
David Keogh |
€10,886 |
|
Kildare Audit & Accountancy Services |
€5,433 |
|
Kirk & Associates |
€19,885 |
|
John J Lupton |
€3,075 |
|
DV Mannion & Co. Ltd |
€1,353 |
|
McCambridge Duffy Ltd |
€38,435 |
|
Alan McGee Personal Insolvency Services Ltd (PIP) |
€28,087 |
|
Moore Stephens Debt Solutions |
€5,125 |
|
FPM Accountants Ireland Limited |
€35,676 |
|
Professional Debt Solutions Limited t/a Rescue Me |
€12,609 |
|
Rebate Insolvency Solutions |
€7,482 |
|
Jeanne Stapleton |
€1,230 |
|
Grant Thornton Debt Solutions Ltd |
€80,957 |
|
Uhy Personal & Corporate Insolvency Solutions |
€116,031 |
|
Karen Whitty Associates |
€5,000 |
Schedule C
Total amounts incurred but not yet paid by the Legal Aid Board in connection with solicitors, barristers and personal insolvency practitioners for applications under the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 as at 1 February 2024.
|
- |
Total at 1 February 2024 |
|
Total – comprising of: |
€3,865,076 |
|
Fees to barristers |
€1,398,246 |
|
Fees to Personal Insolvency Practitioners |
€900,133 |
|
Fees to Solicitors |
€1,566,697 |
Question No. 346 answered with Question No. 345.
347. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice the status of a visa application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5214/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 26 April 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on the 17 May 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.pdf.
This 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.
348. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of applicants for international protection who have been called for their personal interview under section 35 of the International Protection Act 2015 while awaiting accommodation from IPAS since the Government announced that it would no longer be able to guarantee accommodation for single male applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5216/24]
View answerThe information requested is currently being compiled and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
