Written Answers Nos. 140-148
140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners deemed to have absconded while in prison or on bail in each of the past five years and in 2015 to date; the number recaptured or still at large; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13814/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that Irish Prison Service records indicate that for the period 1 January 2010 to 31 March 2015, 293 persons absconded from custody, of these 15 remain unlawfully at large. The table sets out the number of prisoners deemed to have absconded in this period and who remain at large, as of 31 March 2015:
|
Year |
Number of absconders |
Number Still at large |
|
2010 |
112 |
7 |
|
2011 |
86 |
1 |
|
2012 |
63 |
2 |
|
2013 |
18 |
0 |
|
2014 |
11 |
2 |
|
2015 |
3 |
3 |
Gardaí are informed when prisoners abscond and they have the power to detain, arrest, and return such persons to prison. Experience has shown that the vast majority of offenders who abscond return voluntarily or are returned to custody to complete their sentences within a short time frame.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that in October 2012, the Director General of the Irish Prison Service established a project team to examine how the Irish Prison Service might reduce the number of prisoners who are unlawfully at large from custody. The project team has worked closely with An Garda Síochána and the Department of Social Protection and its work has led to the re-committal of a number of prisoners who had absconded from custody. This project is ongoing.
Regarding the number of persons recorded as having absconded while on bail, I have requested the Courts Service to supply information on the number of bench warrants issued where a person on bail fails to attend court. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.
142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current position in regard to an application for family reunification and stamp 4 status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13828/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service that the application of the person mentioned by the Deputy is currently receiving attention and that correspondence in this regard is due to issue in the coming days.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility 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 from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view inadequate or too long awaited.
143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed in the case of non-European Economic Area persons employed here for more than seven years who wish to regularise their status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13829/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is the responsibility of all non-EEA nationals who are resident in the State to ensure that they have an appropriate permission from my Department if they wish to remain. That said, in situations where the person concerned does not have such permission, it is open to him/her to make an application to the Residence Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service setting out the circumstances of his/her case, how he/she came to be in the State and any extenuating factors. All such applications are considered on their merits and on a case by case basis.
144. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if all documentation required to verify requirements set out has been provided in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Longford, in order to satisfy the requirements for naturalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13830/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation has been received from the person referred to by the Deputy.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process. Certain information was requested from the applicant and a response has been received. Processing of the application is ongoing and the case will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been established specifically 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 from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
145. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current or likely position in regard to determining residency entitlement in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2, who has lived in direct provision for the past nine years, whose two children were born here, and who suffers from ill health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13831/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 20 August 2009 and therefore has no entitlement to residency in the State.
Representations were received from the person's legal representative dated 24 August 2009, which were examined in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended). Following consideration of the information submitted, the Deportation Order was affirmed.
Further representations were received from the person's legal representative asking that the Deportation Order be revoked, in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended). When a decision has been made on that application, that decision, and the consequences of that decision, will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility 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 from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2 who arrived in this jurisdiction as a minor, completed her leaving certificate here and is currently studying engineering at third level, having received sponsorship to discharge the student fees; if that person will be awarded stamp 4 status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13832/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIf the person whose details were supplied has made an application for asylum or subsidiary protection, the Deputy will be aware that it is not the practice to comment on such applications until such time as they have fully completed the protection process.
Protection applicants are issued with a temporary residence permission pending a final decision on their application.
In the event that an applicant is finally determined not to be in need of protection then consideration is given to whether the person should be given leave to remain in the State on humanitarian grounds.
147. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding dental treatment in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13610/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
148. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive expects to fill the position of a permanent opthamologist serving Connemara in County Galway following a vacancy that occurred in November 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13611/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this issue. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
