Parliamentary questions

International Protection

Catherine Connolly

421. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 348 of 7 February 2024, 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, by month, 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. [22411/24]

Departmental Data

Catherine Connolly

441. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if the register of relevant organisations under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016 is publicly available; if not, her plans to make it publicly available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22653/24]

Residency Permits

Catherine Connolly

466. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the status of work on the single permit to both work and live in Ireland; the timeline for the implementation of the single permit; the status of plans to opt into the EU’s Single Permit Directive, and the timeline for same, and the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22936/24]

Visa Applications

Catherine Connolly

534. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the status of a visa application for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay and when a decision is likely; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19454/24]

Legislative Reviews

Catherine Connolly

14. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 23 of 22 February 2024, the status of the independent review of part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017; her plans to revisit the decision for the review to be completed by the data and research unit of her Department; if she will recruit another independent reviewer to complete the work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17851/24]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

39. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 35 of 22 February 2024, the number of people currently in Gaza who have permission to remain in Ireland, or who have a visa to live, study or work in Ireland; the steps being taken by her Department to assist them in exiting Gaza; the details of any engagement between her Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs in this regard since October 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17852/24]

Naturalisation Applications

Catherine Connolly

99. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application for a naturalisation certificate in respect of a person (details supplied); if the certificate has issued to date; if not, the expected timeline for it to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16922/24]

Asylum Seekers

Catherine Connolly

795. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice what provision her Department has made for Palestinians who have fled the war in Gaza to seek asylum in Ireland in circumstances (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13364/24]

Asylum Applications

Catherine Connolly

796. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of family reunification applications received in 2023; the number of family reunification applications pending before FRU at the end of the year; the average time taken to decide an application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11565/24]

Victim Support Services

Catherine Connolly

871. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if she has received the final report of the Law Reform Commission's project on compensating the victims of crime, which was due to be delivered in 2023; her plans to publish the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12234/24]

Victim Support Services

Catherine Connolly

872. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the actions undertaken by her Department to ensure that all new staff in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal receive training in dealing with victims; if all new staff receive this training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12235/24]

Victim Support Services

Catherine Connolly

873. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the actions undertaken by her Department to ensure that all staff in her Department and in organisations under the aegis of her Department, working with victims of crime, receive training in providing trauma informed care and support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12236/24]

Victim Support Services

Catherine Connolly

874. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of cases currently waiting to be heard by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal; the average length of waiting times; the measures taken and planned by her Department to clear any backlogs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12237/24]

Victim Support Services

Catherine Connolly

875. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the total funding provided to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal in each of the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12238/24]

Victim Support Services

Catherine Connolly

876. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the interim financial assistance that is available to victims of crime awaiting the outcome of their applications to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12239/24]

Victim Support Services

Catherine Connolly

877. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the measures that are in place to ensure that applicants to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal are made aware in advance of costs arising from the tribunal process, particularly in regard to the furnishing of physical and psychiatric reports; the details of any financial assistance provided to applicants to ease the financial burden of providing such reports during the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12240/24]

Naturalisation Applications

Catherine Connolly

356. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application for a naturalisation certificate in respect of a person (details supplied); if the certificate has issued to-date; if not, the expected timeline for it to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9234/24]

Legislative Reviews

Catherine Connolly

23. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 78 of 12 December 2023, the status of the independent review of part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017; the status of the recruitment process to replace the individual who had previously been engaged to carry out the study; if the new person has been appointed; the timeline for the completion of the review; the timeline for the publication of the final report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8202/24]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

35. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of people currently in Gaza who have permission to remain in Ireland, or who have a visa to live, study or work in Ireland; the steps being taken by her Department to assist them in exiting Gaza; the details of any engagement between her Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs in this regard since October 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8203/24]

International Protection

Catherine Connolly

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]

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Catherine Connolly

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]

Coroners Service

Catherine Connolly

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]

Family Law Cases

Catherine Connolly

296. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 538 of 23 May 2023, the timeline for the full commencement of the Mediation Act 2017; the timeline for the establishment of the mediation council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3564/24]

Legal Aid

Catherine Connolly

297. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the current waiting times for mediation in the law centres run by the Legal Aid Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3565/24]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

163. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of the number of people currently in Gaza who have permission to remain in Ireland, or who have visas to live, study or work in Ireland; the steps being taken by her Department to assist them in exiting Gaza; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55519/23]

Policing Authority

Catherine Connolly

73. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the terms of reference of the review she requested of the Policing Authority around public order policing and related issues, following the recent riots in Dublin. [55086/23]

Legislative Reviews

Catherine Connolly

78. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 23 of 11 October 2023, the status of the independent review of part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017; the status of the recruitment process to replace the individual who had previously been engaged to carry out the study; if the new person has been appointed; the timeline for the completion of the review; the timeline for the publication of the final report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55087/23]

Citizenship Ceremonies

Catherine Connolly

270. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if, in light of recent events in Dublin city, additional security measures will be considered for upcoming citizenship ceremonies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54359/23]

Airport Security

Catherine Connolly

408. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice when it was agreed to permit Israeli security personnel to be located on the premises of Dublin Airport in order to screen passengers intending to travel on El Al flights from Dublin to Tel Aviv; if similar arrangements are in place for any other sovereign nations’ security or intelligence personnel in addition to those of the United States; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52011/23]

Naturalisation Applications

Catherine Connolly

342. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice when a person (details supplied) who attended their citizenship ceremony on 2 October 2023 will receive their certificate and have their passport returned, given the Department commits to issuing certificates of naturalisation via registered post within two weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49797/23]

International Protection

Catherine Connolly

787. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice her plans to extend the 2001 Temporary Protection Directive to Palestinian nationals living in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem; the representations she has made at EU level in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48777/23]

International Protection

Catherine Connolly

881. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the current contractual arrangements for the appointment or provision of translators throughout the international protection process, in particular with regard to translators for oral appeal hearings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48772/23]

International Protection

Catherine Connolly

882. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if her Department is aware of current difficulties encountered by applicants, solicitors-barristers for applicants, IPO presenting officers and International Protection Appeals Tribunal members with the standard of translators provided and appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48773/23]

International Protection

Catherine Connolly

883. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of complaints raised in relation to translators and translation services in the international protection process since 2020; the stages within the IP process at which these complaints have been raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48774/23]

International Protection

Catherine Connolly

884. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if her Department has sought any improvements at any stage from translation service providers on foot of any complaint; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48775/23]

International Protection

Catherine Connolly

885. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of oral appeal hearings that have been adjourned or rescheduled due, in full or in part, to poor-quality translators; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48776/23]

Naturalisation Applications

Catherine Connolly

246. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice in light of the current backlog in citizenship applications, her plans to allow for the taking of declarations and undertakings in naturalisation applications other than in citizenship ceremonies, as provided for in the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45812/23]

Legislative Reviews

Catherine Connolly

23. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 11 July 2023, the status of the independent review of part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, which was due for completion by the end of 2022; the status of the recruitment process to replace the individual who had previously been engaged to carry out the study, and if the new person has been appointed; if the Minister has received the completed report to-date; the expected timeline for the publication of the final report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43950/23]

Visa Agreements

Catherine Connolly

370. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 183 of 12 July 2023, the number of approvals and negative decisions made to date under the Afghan Admission programme; the number of applicants who have been informed that their applications were not eligible under the terms of the programme; the number of visas which have been issued to beneficiaries of the programme; the timeline for when all applications to the programme will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43978/23]

Citizenship Applications

Catherine Connolly

374. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the status of a citizenship application (details supplied); when a decision is likely to issue, in light of the fact that the application was made over two years ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44049/23]

Residency Permits

Catherine Connolly

458. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 147 of 1 March 2023, her plans to reduce or remove the annual fee for renewals of Irish residence permit cards for non-EEA nationals; her plans to review this matter; the details of any reviews carried out or commissioned to date by her Department in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42845/23]

Regulatory and Poverty Impact Assessments

Catherine Connolly

427. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of Bills prepared by her Department in the 33rd Dáil to date; the number and title of those Bills that included a Regulatory Impact Assessment; the title of the RIAs published by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41594/23]

Extradition Arrangements

Catherine Connolly

686. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice to detail the offence that is punishable by imprisonment in Ireland for a maximum period of at least one year referred to in a document (details supplied), in light of the fact that Ireland does not and has never maintained a conscription regime, or imposed any legal obligation to serve in the armed forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39890/23]

Domestic Violence

Catherine Connolly

867. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide details of the number of domestic violence refuge spaces in each county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36680/23]

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Catherine Connolly

868. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice for a status update on the delivery of priority refuge units under the Third National Strategy; the details, by local authority area, of the progress made to date regarding site identification and site ownership for the additional units, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36681/23]

Immigration Policy

Catherine Connolly

877. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 407 of 5 May 2022, when the review of the immigrant investment programme, delivered to her Department in November 2020, will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36943/23]

International Protection

Catherine Connolly

181. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the international protection recognition rates for all countries of origin at first instance and appeal stages, in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34617/23]

International Protection

Catherine Connolly

182. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of cultural mediators currently employed at the International Protection Office; the languages they are employed to interpret; the number of cultural mediators present in the IPO on a daily basis; if they are subject to an interpreter's code of conduct; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34618/23]

International Protection

Catherine Connolly

183. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of approvals and negative decisions made to date under the Afghan Admission Programme; the number of visas which have been issued to beneficiaries of the programme; if the final number of beneficiaries is expected to be greater than 500; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34619/23]

Prison Service

Catherine Connolly

481. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 433 of 20 June 2023, if the information can now be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33678/23]