Written Answers Nos. 285-294
285. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice to detail the number of prosecutions for dangerous driving where the charges were dropped due to a technicality in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [11324/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, prosecutions are a matter for the Director of Prosecutions, who is fully independent in her functions under Section 2(5) of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended).
As Minister I have no role in the operations, functions, governance or oversight of the Office of the DPP and am unable to provide any information or statistics relating to the Director's work as a result.
Additionally, management of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and through the separation of powers in the Constitution.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
To be of assistance I have referred the Deputy's question to the Courts Service for reply.
286. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider changing a rule (details supplied) restricting elected representatives from sitting on multiple Joint Policing Committees. [11351/24]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that there are no plans to amend or alter the current guidance governing Joint Policing Committee membership.
At present, this guidance is a matter for the independent Policing Authority to consider, after consulting with myself and my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government as outlined under section 35 (1) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended).
However, as the Deputy will be aware, the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 was recently enacted and under the Act, which I intend to commence later this year, the Joint Policing Committees will be replaced by the new Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs). This new model of community safety was one of the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and addresses the fact that many of the issues identified by the JPCs were outside the remit of An Garda Síochána or the local authority to resolve.
This new approach to community safety goes far beyond the traditional policing response and requires all relevant state bodies and voluntary organisations to work together in a joined-up way, in partnership with the local community, to prioritise and effectively address issues in their own area.
Three pilot Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) have been successfully operating in Longford, Waterford and Dublin's North Inner City over the last number of years. The plan is to roll out at least one partnership in every Local Authority area during the second half of 2024. These Partnerships will build upon and replace the existing JPCs, bringing together Gardaí, local representatives, community organisations, schools, local authorities and State bodies such as the HSE and Tusla, to draft a Community Safety Plan tailored to the community's needs. No one knows better than those who live in a community what its needs are.
The Community Safety Plans agreed by each LCSP will set out the actions identified by the community that need to be taken to improve their feeling of safety, and all of the relevant actors who are involved in delivering those actions are members of the LCSP and accountable to it.
287. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice how many gardaí were attested with full powers in the calendar year 2023. [11371/24]
View answerThe Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime. An Garda Síochána has been allocated unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for 2024 – this is a 25% increase since 2020. This funding will allow for the continued recruitment of Garda members and 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, including for the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
There are currently around 14,000 Garda members across the country and it is anticipated that the number of Garda members will begin to grow steadily throughout 2024.
I am advised that 746 trainee Gardaí entered Templemore in 2023, the highest number to enter Templemore since 2018. I am also advised that 388 new Gardaí attested in 2023 and were allocated to Garda stations nationwide.
The Deputy may be aware that there was very strong interest in the recent Garda recruitment campaign, with over 6,300 applications. The recruitment process is continuing to identify candidates to enter the Garda College over the coming period. The Garda Commissioner has also confirmed that he has requested the Public Appointments Service to undertake a Garda Reserve competition at the earliest possible date.
Further detailed information in relation to the allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and station can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
All information is operational and may be subject to change.
288. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice to review a case (details supplied) in assisting this person to regularise their status in Ireland once again. [11414/24]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy has no valid immigration permission to remain in the State.
Where a person remains resident in the State without an immigration permission, I encourage them to contact the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) or their local immigration office and to take all appropriate steps to regularise their status.
Any application submitted should explain their current circumstances and future intentions in the State and provide any documentation they feel will support their application.
In all cases, people must engage with the authorities if they wish to be permitted to remain here legally.
The Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) examines each application to remain in the State on a case-by-case basis and has consistently urged anyone in this position to come forward if they wish to apply to regularise their immigration position in the State.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by email using the Oireachtas Mail facility at IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the email service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice to indicate in the case of a person (details supplied), notwithstanding previous replies in the matter, when replacement stamp 4 might issue given that he applied as advised one month before expiry of the previous permission but is now restricted from employment due to expiry of this previous permission on 15 December 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11486/24]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy held a Stamp 4 immigration permission, which expired on 15 December 2023.
An online registration renewal application was submitted on 24 November 2023. Further documentation was requested from the person concerned. Upon receipt of the requested documents, the application will be considered further.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by email using the Oireachtas Mail facility at IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the email service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
290. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if it is likely to respond favourably or otherwise to the application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied); the current and/or expected position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11487/24]
View answerThe Family Reunification application for the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by my Department and continues to be processed at this time. All applications are processed in chronological order.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and all applicants for Family Reunification would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. My Department will continue to engage with the applicant for any further information that may be required to assist with the processing of the application.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie , which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
291. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the entitlement to employment in the case of a person (details supplied), notwithstanding previous replies in the matter; whether his access to employment requires further authorisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11488/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for international protection has been made in the State. If a person is in the international protection process, there is a legal requirement under the International Protection Act 2015 to maintain full confidentiality at all times.
However, if an application for international protection has been made in the State, the applicant or their designated legal advisor should contact the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly with any queries. This will enable a full and comprehensive reply to be provided.
The International Protection Office may be contacted: by email to info@ipo.gov.ie ; by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028000 or in writing to Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.
The International Protection Appeals Tribunal may be contacted either: by email to info@protectionappeals.ie ; by telephone at 01-4748400 (or Lo-Call 1890 201 458), or in writing to Corporate Services Division, The International Protection Appeals Tribunal, 6-7 Hanover Street East, Dublin D02 W320.
As the Deputy may be aware, access to the labour market is provided under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 to 2021 and applications are made to the Labour Market Access Unit of this Department.
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.
Applicants are eligible to apply 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.
Any queries in relation to a person's eligibility or otherwise for a labour market permission can be directed to: Lmauqueries@justice.ie or by post to the ISD Labour Market Access Unit, PO Box 12931, Freepost FDN5264, Dublin 2
Further information in relation to Labour Market Access, including how to apply for labour market access permission can be found at:
www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/labour-market-access-permission/
My Department's website also provides a detailed overview of the International Protection process in Ireland which can be accessed at:
www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/304ba-international-protection/
292. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current position in relation to the application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11490/24]
View answerThe naturalisation application for the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
In a little over two years the Citizenship Division of my Department has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year to processing over 20,000 applications. This 66% increase in processing has been achieved through digitising and streamlining processes.
My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eVetting and online payments.
My Department has recently moved from paper to online based citizenship applications. This is one of a number of measures introduced in an effort to optimise the application process and enhance the overall customer service experience. As part of the new online process, customers are issued with an acknowledgment on submission of the online application. The forms provide a seamless application process and help guide applicants through what is required for an application.
Finally, I can advise the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department continues to communicate regularly with all applicants to keep them informed as to updates on processing times and arrangements.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie , which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
293. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a foreshore licence will issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11197/24]
View answerMy Department considers all applications for foreshore licences in accordance with the provisions of the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended) and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with scientific and technical advisers and Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.
In accordance with the applicable legislation, the Statutory and Public Consultation phases are currently ongoing in respect of the application referred to by the Deputy. The closing date for receipt of submissions is 9 March 2024. As this application is under active consideration process, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter at this time.
294. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when TAMS applications will be processed; if he will expedite applications for time-sensitive measures such as replacement of silage slabs (need to be completed by May); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11198/24]
View answerOverall, the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3), has proved very popular, with an unprecedented level of applications received in the first two tranches (almost four times the average number received per tranche under TAMS 2).
Approvals for TAMS 3 applications are issuing on a daily basis, with a total of 5,635 approvals now issued. As I have previously highlighted, applicants who have applied for mobile equipment may purchase equipment at their own risk, subject to the verification of eligibility in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the scheme.
To address the issue where there is an urgent need to commence works, the priority approval mechanism that was available under Tranche 1 is available again for Tranche 2 applicants. Applicants or their advisers should contact their local Department office outlining the circumstances and the critical requirement to proceed with the investment. On receipt of a request in writing or by email, the application will then be assessed to determine whether there is an urgent necessity to issue approval.
