Written Answers Nos. 349-368
349. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of times she embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days she spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by her Department in relation to each trip, in tabular form. [5246/24]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to the international visits I have undertaken on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government is provided in the table below.
|
Year |
Date |
Location |
Flight Cost |
Accommodation Cost |
Number of Nights |
Purpose |
|
2021 |
December 1 |
London |
€162.82 |
€311.13 |
1 |
British Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIICG) |
|
|
December 8 |
Brussels |
€138.43 |
€688.51 |
2 |
JHA Brussels |
|
2022 |
January 23 |
London |
€298.63 |
€289.23 |
1 |
Meeting with UK Justice Secretary |
|
|
February 2 |
Brussels |
Government Jet |
€239.30 |
1 |
JHA Brussels |
|
|
February 27 |
Brussels |
€434.65 |
€124.76 |
1 |
Emergency JHA |
|
|
March 2 |
Brussels |
€230.31 |
€278.38 |
2 |
JHA Brussels |
|
|
March 13 |
Boston - Atlanta Savannah - New York |
€1,454.74 |
€1,417.85 |
5 |
St Patrick's Festival |
|
|
March 28 |
Brussels |
€198.33 |
Nil |
0 |
JHA |
|
|
May 31 |
Brussels |
€181.34 |
Nil |
1 |
CSA Summit |
|
|
June 8 |
Luxembourg |
€268.24 |
€530.00 |
2 |
JHA Luxembourg |
|
|
September 13 |
New York |
€706.61 |
€1,040.00 |
3 |
Ireland for Law events |
|
|
October 6 |
London |
€292.47 |
€446.21 |
1 |
BIIGC London |
|
2023 |
July 19 |
Barcelona - Bilbao |
€279.40 |
€161.32 |
2 |
JHA (informal) |
|
|
September 27 |
Brussels |
€192.39 |
€304.00 |
1 |
JHA Brussels |
|
|
October 18 |
Luxembourg |
€388.61 |
€275.00 |
1 |
JHA Luxembourg |
|
2024 |
January 25 |
Brussels |
€141.98 |
Nil (Cost met by European Council) |
1 |
JHA (informal) |
350. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the status of the board of the new Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency; the progress to-date on appointing members to the board; the timeline for when the board will be in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5271/24]
View answerA central element of delivering on the Zero Tolerance goal of the Third National Strategy (TNS) is the establishment of a statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) agency under the aegis of my Department. I established Cuan on 1 January 2024.
Cuan has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the strategy across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue.
In line with good governance and practice, the legislation establishing the agency provides for a board which will include a chairperson and six ordinary members with experience variously in DSGBV matters, governance/public management, and other matters relevant to the functions of the Agency.
The Board will be appointed by, and report to me as Minister for Justice, following an appropriate open and competitive process.
I can advise the Deputy that an open competition for Board Members was advertised by State Boards and closed in December 2023 and the assessment process with State Boards is ongoing.
351. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 301 of 25 January 2024, if any of the Cuan safe homes referred to were delivered in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5304/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, earlier this year the Government established Cuan, a new statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
The agency has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. As part of its remit, the agency has responsibility for the provision of DSGBV services, including the provision and funding of refuge spaces and rape crisis centers.
As such, I have referred the questions posed by the Deputy to Cuan for direct reply.
352. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 301 of 25 January 2024, if any Cuan safe homes were delivered in County Clare; if not, will any housing supports be delivered to support Clare Haven services refuge in Clare for 2024/2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5305/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, earlier this year the Government established Cuan, a new statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
The agency has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. As part of its remit, the agency has responsibility for the provision of DSGBV services, including the provision and funding of refuge spaces and rape crisis centers.
As such, I have referred the questions posed by the Deputy to Cuan for direct reply.
353. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the establishment of a Garda vetting review group to discuss proposals regarding potential amendments to vetting legislation to rectify the current situation whereby some people are having to apply for Garda clearance up to three and four times for work, voluntary activities and sports etc purposes. [5321/24]
View answer354. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the establishment of a Garda vetting review group to discuss proposals regarding potential amendments to vetting legislation with a view that one certificate clearance is adequate, once it is in date and has not expired; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5322/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 353 and 354 together.
The Deputy will be aware that the primary purpose of the employment vetting carried out by the National Vetting Bureau is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate the importance of this task and the need for it to be carried out thoroughly and correctly.
Vetting is carried out by An Garda Síochána in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 - 2016. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am advised by An Garda Síochána that the average turnaround time for vetting applications where there is no need to take any further action or make any further enquiries has, since the start of 2023, been seven working days and that there are currently no backlogs or delays in Garda vetting.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Garda Vetting Review Group was established in April 2021 and meets regularly to discuss potential amendments to vetting legislation. This group includes members of the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) in An Garda Síochána, officials from my Department, from Tusla, and from other relevant stakeholders.
The primary focus of the Group is strengthening the vetting legislation in an effective manner, including any changes that may be possible in relation to multipurpose vetting or re-vetting.
As per action 10 in Justice Plan 2023, which is available on the Department’s website, I expect to receive the Group’s report on arrangements for Garda Vetting in the context of the introduction of a statutory re-vetting regime early this year.
355. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice for an update regarding an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5324/24]
View answerThe visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office in Dublin. The reasons for this decision was set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicant on 12 October 2022. An appeal of this decision was received on 08 December 2022.
All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on our website. Applicants that meticulously follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision at first instance.
It should be noted that visa appeals are dealt with in strict chronological order. 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/.
Processing times can change during the year, for example before holiday periods or for study applications prior to a new college year.
A decision will be issued to the applicant as soon as full consideration has been given by a Visa Appeals Officer.
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.
356. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice the status of a visa application (details supplied); the exact location of the application; when this application will be reviewed; the average processing times for such applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5337/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on the 17 May 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Tehran office on the 12 June 2023. You were informed, in error, via Oireachtas Mail on 14 November 2023 and 19 January 2024 that the application had not yet been received in the Dublin Visa office. I apologise for any confusion or concern this may have caused and I can confirm that the application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on the 29 June 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.
I can further confirm that the Dublin Visa Office are currently processing visa applications of this type received, in the Dublin office, on 02 March 2023. 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.
357. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the amount spent on traditional and online advertising by her Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5353/24]
View answerThe information requested is currently being compiled and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
358. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if her Department has spent money or sought external assistance with Departmental and-or ministerial public relations; if so, the cost; and the name of the agencies, consultants and companies involved in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5371/24]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not incurred any cost in relation to the provision of Departmental or Ministerial public relations services in the timeframe outlined.
It is my Department's policy to use in-house resources as much as possible and to minimise the use of external consultants.
359. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the amount spent by her Department on legal costs or legal services in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5389/24]
View answerThe information requested is currently being compiled and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
360. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the amount spent by her Department on the procurement of office space and furniture and office IT equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [5407/24]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is provided in the table below.
|
- |
Furniture |
Office Space* |
IT Equipment* |
|
2014 |
€3,092.29 |
€691,080.00 |
€542,666 |
|
2015 |
€27,490.47 |
€779,080.00 |
€974,050 |
|
2016 |
€106,696.08 |
€723,080.00 |
€657,690 |
|
2017 |
€92,969.49 |
€698,200.00 |
€881,592 |
|
2018 |
€44,617.50 |
€871,065.00 |
€550,022 |
|
2019 |
€93,409.27 |
€1,244,097.00 |
€526,084 |
|
2020 |
€50,031.94 |
€1,417,247.00 |
€564,374 |
|
2021 |
€183,854.02 |
€1,463,254.00 |
€602,509 |
|
2022 |
€264,209.23 |
€1,866,559.17 |
€1,179,791 |
|
2023 |
€534,066.61 |
€1,919,144.17 |
€792,424 |
|
2024 (to date) |
€4,674.00 |
€174,742.16 |
€7,785 |
The purchase of IT equipment in 2022 includes equipment to support the response to the Ukraine crisis, as well as the scheduled replacement of older equipment, which was delayed during the pandemic.
The 2023 costs mainly relate to the provision of equipment for additional offices and increased staffing to support the International Protection Office.
The Deputy may also wish to note that over the period 2015-2017 my Department's ICT function took on responsibility for providing equipment to over 80 additional offices nationwide which had been previously provided by an external contractor.
*The majority of properties occupied by my Department are owned or leased on its behalf by the Office of Public Works (OPW). Information in respect of buildings/office accommodation leased directly for office space for areas of my Department which are paid for from the Justice vote are included in the table.
** Expenditure on IT equipment includes laptops, personal computers, photocopiers and printers.
361. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the ratio of psychologists to prisoners, per prison at the end of 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5419/24]
View answerThe role of the Irish Prison Psychology Service is to deliver, develop and manage an integrated mental health and criminogenic needs assessment and treatment service for people in custody, in line with service plans and objectives, and within established professional standards, guidelines and policy.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) that the Psychology Service has the following authorised posts: a Head of Service, a Principal Psychologist Manager, a Principal Specialist Psychologist, 14 Senior Psychologists, 23.4 Psychologists and 14 Assistant Psychologists. The latter is a fixed term contract unqualified grade not included in psychologist numbers or psychologists to prisoner ratios. Owing to the increased commitments to management and supervision by Senior Psychologists, they are calculated at a ratio of 0.5 rather than one WTE psychologist.
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the ratio of psychologists to prisoners by prisonis provided in the table below. This table recognises that the psychology service has vacancies, particularly in Castlerea, Cloverhill, Wheatfield and Midlands Prisons.
|
Psychologist to Prisoners National Ratios* |
2023 |
|
Arbour Hill Prison |
1:91 |
|
Castlerea Prison |
0.6:340 |
|
Cloverhill Remand Prison |
0.5:433 |
|
Cork Prison |
1:118 |
|
Limerick Prison |
1:228 |
|
Midlands Prison and NVRU |
1:583 |
|
Mountjoy Prison (Female) |
1:133 |
|
Mountjoy Prison (Male) |
1:302 |
|
Portlaoise Prison |
0.5:229 |
|
Wheatfield Prison |
1:265 |
|
Training Unit Place of Detention |
0.4:96 |
|
Shelton Abbey Place of Detention |
0:115 |
|
Loughan House Place of Detention |
0.4:140 |
*Ratios are based on bed capacity: Most of 2023 witnessed overcrowding in prisons, with the number in custody often being above capacity at various sites. Thus, psychologist to prisoner ratio in 2023, would have been further adversely impacted.
362. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners on waiting lists to access prison psychology services and addiction services in 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5420/24]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Irish Prison Service. Unfortunately, it 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.
363. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the total number of women’s refuges across the island of Ireland, per county; the names of the services; the amount of funding that has been made available to these services in the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5433/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, earlier this year the Government established Cuan, a new statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
The agency has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. As part of its remit, the agency has responsibility for the provision of DSGBV services, including the provision and funding of refuge spaces and rape crisis centers.
As such, I have referred the questions posed by the Deputy to Cuan for direct reply.
364. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the total number of emergency phone calls received by An Garda Síochána relating to domestic violence in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5435/24]
View answerCombatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based remains a priority for this Government, the Department of Justice and the Garda Commissioner.
'Zero Tolerance,' the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV), sets out an ambitious whole of government five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which underpin these crimes. The Strategy, which was co-designed with the sector, also has a significant focus on improving the system for victims of these terrible crimes and on ensuring there is a full range of supports and services available nationwide to support and empower victims and survivors.
I can assure the Deputy that creating a criminal justice system that supports and protects victims at every stage of their journey through it, is and will remain a priority and to ensure this is the case, An Garda Síochána and my Department are continuing to work hard to strengthen trust and confidence in the system, so that victims will feel confident in coming forward to report what has happened to them and get justice.
An Garda Síochána prioritise and proactively respond to incidents of domestic abuse and as the Deputy may be aware, there is now a Divisional Protective Services Unit in each Garda Division, meaning specialised teams are in place nationwide to engage with vulnerable victims in these most difficult cases.
As part of delivering on the commitments under the Third National Strategy, I have strengthened the law to combat all forms of domestic, sexual and gender based violence, including by introducing new stand-alone offences of stalking and non-fatal strangulation and by doubling to 10 years the maximum sentence for assault causing harm, this being one of the most common offences in domestic violence cases. I am also progressing a new Sexual Offences Bill which will, among other things, improve supports for victims.
In relation to the Deputy's query, I have been informed by An Garda Síochána that 59,625 Domestic Abuse calls were reported during 2023.
This is operational data taken from PULSE on today’s date and is liable to change.
Domestic Abuse calls are counted as any of the following incident types:
• 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
Also included are incident types with a recorded motive of ‘Domestic Abuse’, as well as any incident type with an original CAD incident type of ‘DVSA’.
365. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice the length of time it takes international protection applicants to be interviewed and their application processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5458/24]
View answer366. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice the length of time it takes for appeals against a decision to refuse refugee status or other permission to remain in Ireland to be heard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5459/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 366 together.
Over the course of the last year, the IPO increased the number of monthly determinations to over 1,000 in November 2023, and plans to deliver at least 14,000 decisions in 2024, an increase of 5,000 cases on the level achieved in 2023.
In November 2022, I signed a regulation 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 10 weeks. The number of applications from safe countries has fallen by 38% over the first 12 months of the operation of the accelerated procedure.
Overall median processing times first-instance decisions has reduced from 18 months in 2022 down to 13 months in 2023.
The median processing time for IPAT appeals was 5.5 months in 2023 down from 13.5 months at the start of 2022.
Reforms to the international protection process will continue in 2024. Approximately €34m was allocated in budget 2024 to the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) to continue to scale up processing.
The Deputy may also wish to know that my Department has created a website to provide a detailed overview of the International Protection process in Ireland which can be accessed at:
www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/304ba-international-protection/
This site also provides detailed statistics and metrics in relation to processing of applications for protection. These statistics are published on a monthly basis.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/48a28-international-protection-in-numbers/
367. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice how many international protection applicants are working in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5460/24]
View answerUnder the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), persons are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if:
• They are an international protection applicant; and
• They have waited at least 5 months from their “Application Received” date for their first instance recommendation; and
• They are cooperating with the international protection process – delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant.
Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application.
Since January 2021 nearly 23,800 first-time applications and renewal applications have been received by the Labour Market Access Unit of my Department and nearly 21,400 have been granted.
Labour market access permission gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State’s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection.
The granting of a labour market access permission does not necessarily confirm that the applicant has found employment. In total, since 2021 approximately 6,500 separate individuals have returned at least one LMA5 form, which records that they had found employment at some point over that time.
However, please note these forms are not always returned to the Department. Accordingly, it is not possible using Departmental records to set out the number of international protection applicants that have achieved employment status, or the number of such persons who are awaiting a decision.
I would note that where a person is granted refugee status or other permission to remain they no longer require a Labour Market Access permission to take up employment and instead are issued with a Stamp 4 immigration permission.
368. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice when the report following the public consultation on reform of the Coroner’s Service in Ireland will be published; the number of submissions received to ‘consultation part 1’ and ‘consultation part 2'; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5492/24]
View answerOn 20 October 2023, I launched a wide-ranging consultation to inform the development of proposals for comprehensive reform of the Coroner Service in Ireland. Public consultation closed on 19 January 2024.
The consultation provided an opportunity for members of the public, stakeholder groups and members of the Oireachtas to express their views, express observations and provide proposals on how the Coroner Service might be enhanced into the future.
My Department sought submissions in relation to four key areas:
• Structure and Roles;
• Pathology and Related Services;
• Reportable Deaths; and
• Inquests.
The Consultation involved two online surveys. Survey 1 was aimed at members of the public who have lived experience of the Coroner Service. Survey 2 was targeted at a wide range of interested parties who are involved either directly or indirectly in supporting the delivery of the coroner service.
My Department has also established an Advisory Committee to support the consultation process. The Advisory Committee has held 3 meetings so far, with at least 1 more meeting scheduled. Members include representatives from the Department of Justice, the Coroners Society of Ireland, the Department of Health, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Local Authorities, the Health Service Executive, An Garda Síochána, the Office of the State Pathologist, the Royal College of Physicians - Faculty of Pathology, an independent expert, and two members of the public who have experience of engaging with the coroner service.
In order to reach as many interested parties as possible, officials from my Department sent more than 500 emails to individuals and stakeholder groups encouraging them to take part, including every member of the Oireachtas. As well as the surveys, my Department provided a specific email address for any party who wished to make a written submission. Department officials also held a large number of bilateral meetings with key stakeholders.
Links to the surveys were shared on my Department's social media channels a number of times throughout the consultation period, to further extend public awareness of the consultation.
I am pleased to say that there was a very high level of public engagement in the consultation process with approximately 250 submissions received across both surveys. Departmental officials are currently analysing the information gathered during the consultation process with a view to publishing a report in due course.
Further information on the public consultation is available on the Department’s website.
