Written Answers Nos. 129-37
129. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Defence the special considerations that are put in place for applications from persons with dyslexia when sitting the aptitude test for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42169/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Defence Forces are committed to the principles of equal opportunity, in all employment policies, procedures and regulations. The Defence Forces operate in an environment which is free from discrimination as provided for by the Equality Acts.
The Military Authorities have confirmed that when applicants are contacted regarding the Psychometric tests, they are advised to submit Education Assessment Reports, as recognised by the State Examinations Commission and the Department of Education, in the event of them having a learning difficulty. On receipt of such a report, arrangements are made with the online Psychometric Testing Company to allow extra time in both the numerical and verbal reasoning tests to take account of the applicant's learning difficulties.
130. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the rationale behind the age limit of eight years of age of children whose parents apply to take parental leave; if she will increase this age limit to 12 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42121/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe basis for the current age limit is contained in Council Directive 2010/18/EU giving effect to the revised Parental Leave Framework Agreement negotiated by the European social partners in 2009. The essential point is that the upper age limit was negotiated and agreed by employers and Trade Union representatives at EU level and their agreement was then given force of law by the Directive. There are no plans at present to extend this limit. However, I should refer the Deputy to the announcement in the recent Budget of a new entitlement to two weeks paternity leave from work for fathers together with a social welfare payment to take effect from September 2016.
131. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will commission an immediate investigation into the leaking of information to journalists by prison authorities regarding the case of a person (details supplied). [42056/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that there has been no evidence or information to indicate that a member of staff of the Irish Prison Service leaked information on the individual concerned.
I am further advised by the Irish Prison Service that there were no journalists present when the person referred to in the question was advised of the arrangements being put in place for the management of his sentence and his continued incarceration.
132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current or expected residency status and eligibility for long-term residency of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has applied for renewal of Stamp 4; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42140/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 408 of 20 October 2015 as set out as follows.
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it wrote to the person concerned on 14 July, 2015 in connection with a passport submitted in support of the application. The passport has been forwarded to an outside agency for examination and verification and I am advised that INIS will be in contact with the person again as soon as a report is available.
This position remains unchanged.
The Deputy will be aware that 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.
133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which submissions are required to facilitate an application for regularisation of residency by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 who, it is understood has submitted all information available to the person; if any further documentation is required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42141/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State as the Spouse of an EU National who was exercising their EU Treaty Rights in this State. This permission to remain was valid until 24 January 2012. This permission was not renewed as the person concerned failed to submit satisfactory evidence of the EU citizen exercising their EU Treaty Rights in the State for a continuous period of five years. The person concerned was notified of this decision by letter dated 9 July 2012 and has not had permission to be in the State since that date.
The current situation is that the file pertaining to the person concerned has been referred to the Removal Unit for consideration under Regulation 20(1)(a) of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2006 (as amended) as to whether a Removal Order should be made against the person.
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.
134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current residency status and likelihood of upgrade for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 and the person's family; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42142/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department (INIS) that the person referred to by the Deputy is the subject of a Deportation Order, issued on 12 September 2011.
On 22 September 2011, the person concerned commenced Judicial Review proceedings, seeking, inter-alia, to challenge the Deportation Order. As the proceedings are currently before the High Court and are sub judice, I do not propose to comment further on the matter.
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.
135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford who has been in this jurisdiction for eight years, who was resident here for five years before the making of a deportation order, and who is anxious to integrate and contribute to society; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42143/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 9 May 2012 and therefore has no entitlement to residency in the State. Judicial Review proceedings were issued on 6 June 2012 challenging the Deportation Order and accordingly, as the matter is sub judice do not propose to comment further.
I should remind the Deputy that 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 through the more expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and expected residency status, including eligibility for naturalisation, of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42144/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that an application for a certificate of naturalisation has been received from the person referred to by the Deputy. This application has entered the final stage of processing. A letter issued to the person concerned advising that I propose to grant the application and requesting him to submit the prescribed fee and other documents. When the fee and documentation have been received an invitation will be issued to attend a citizenship ceremony, at which the person concerned will make a declaration of fidelity to the Irish Nation and loyalty to the State and receive his certificate of naturalisation.
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 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 INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current status in determining residency for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42146/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned has applied for a right of residency in the State, accompanied by the right to work, based on her parentage of an Irish citizen child earlier this month. The Deputy will appreciate that applications are dealt with in chronological order. I am advised that the application is under consideration at present.
The Deputy will be aware that 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.
