Written Answers Nos. 329 - 343
329. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for a spousal visa; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6868/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by officials in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused in the INIS Visa Office in New Delhi on 4 November, 2015, and this decision was communicated to the applicant by my officials. The applicant was advised that an appeal could be submitted up to two months following the visa refusal. No appeal was submitted.
It is of course open to the applicant to submit a fresh visa application at any time. However she should bear in mind the original refusal reasons communicated to her and be in a position to address these in a new application.
The Deputy may wish to note 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. 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.
In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to INIS (visamail@justice.ie).
330. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application for long-term residency by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6869/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that Long Term Residency is granted on the basis that a non EEA national has completed a minimum of five years (i.e. 60 months) legal residence in the State on work permit conditions which is reflected in the corresponding Stamp 1 or Stamp 4 endorsements on a person's passport and not by the dates of commencement and expiry of each work permit or equivalent document as some applicants assume.
I have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned made an application for Long Term Residency on 24 November, 2015. I am advised that such applications are considered on a case by case basis having regard to the particular circumstances of the application. In this regard, I am advised that INIS wrote to the applicant on 26 November, 2015 and awaits clarification on the issues raised.
The Deputy will be aware 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 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 Parliamentary Question 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.
331. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of the presence of An Garda Síochána at Shannon Airport in County Clare protecting civilian troop carriers and military aeroplanes of the US, by month in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6877/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra338. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of having An Garda Síochána at Shannon Airport in County Clare protecting civilian troop carriers or military planes of the United States of America by month in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6988/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 338 together.
The deployment of Gardaí at Shannon Airport is aimed primarily at protecting the safety of passengers and other people working at and using the airport. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the cost to An Garda Síochána of deployment at Shannon airport was €1,231,671 in 2015 comprising salaries and other pay and non-pay related expenditure and the breakdown of that expenditure by month is set out in the following table.
|
Month in 2015 |
Expenditure |
|
January |
€107,928 |
|
February |
€86,833 |
|
March |
€105,202 |
|
April |
€105,572 |
|
May |
€96,355 |
|
June |
€94,392 |
|
July |
€107,434 |
|
August |
€105,640 |
|
September |
€99,955 |
|
October |
€123,827 |
|
November |
€96,465 |
|
December |
€102,068 |
|
Total |
€1,231,671 |
332. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to increase the number of Garda Síochána in east Meath; to review the operational control of this district which is under the Ashbourne area, and to place it in a new district including Drogheda. [6881/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
Ashbourne Garda District is in the Meath Garda Division. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that of the 277 Gardaí assigned to the Division, 103 are assigned to the Ashbourne District. There are also 9 Garda Reserves and 5 civilians attached to the District.
Since the Garda College reopened in September 2014, there have been seven intakes of Garda Trainees giving a total intake of 700, with a further 450 to be recruited this year. So far 395 of the new Garda Trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned by the Garda Commissioner to Garda stations throughout the country to carry out mainstream uniform policing duties. I have been informed that of these, 15 have been assigned to the Meath Division. I am assured by Garda management that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of newly attested Gardaí.
There are currently no plans to alter the existing Districts. Any proposals of this nature must be included in the draft annual policing plan prepared by the Garda Commissioner for the approval of the Policing Authority and the consent of the Minister for Justice and Equality in accordance with section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
333. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to increase the number of Garda Síochána in the Drogheda, Dundalk and north County Louth area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6882/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that on the 29 February 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 285 members assigned to Louth Garda Division. The table attached sets out the distribution of these Gardaí throughout that Division.
I am further informed that the work of local Gardaí in the Louth Division is augmented by a number of Garda national units which are assisting with covert and overt operations targeting prolific criminals and dissidents who reside within and outside this jurisdiction. Furthermore there is ongoing liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland under the auspices of an agreed Cross-Border Policing Strategy to continue the excellent levels of cooperation between both police services in addressing crime and terrorist activities in all its manifestations.
As the Deputy will appreciate it is vital that An Garda Síochána is renewed in order to ensure that it has the capacity to provide effective and visible policing throughout the country. With this objective in mind, there have been seven intakes of Garda Trainees to the Garda College since it was reopened in September 2014 giving a total intake of 700. A further 450 will be taken in this year. So far 395 of the new Garda Trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream uniform duties in communities nationwide. The Garda Commissioner has informed me that 18 of these newly attested members have been assigned to the Louth Division. I am assured by the Commissioner that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of newly attested Gardaí.
Louth Garda Division 29 February 2016
|
District |
Station |
Gardaí |
|
ARDEE |
26 |
|
|
CASTLEBELLINGHAM |
2 |
|
|
COLLON |
5 |
|
|
LOUTH |
2 |
|
|
ARDEE |
TOTAL |
35 |
|
CLOUGHERHEAD |
3 |
|
|
DROGHEDA |
95 |
|
|
DUNLEER |
6 |
|
|
DROGHEDA |
TOTAL |
104 |
|
BLACKROCK |
3 |
|
|
CARLINGFORD |
6 |
|
|
DRUMAD |
8 |
|
|
DUNDALK |
121 |
|
|
HACKBALLSCROSS |
4 |
|
|
OMEATH |
4 |
|
|
TOTAL |
146 |
|
|
DUNDALK |
LOUTH TOTAL |
285 |
335. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 242 and 243 of 22 March 2016, wherein he lists those who were not convicted and the original parliamentary question which asked in July 2015 requested the breakdown of cases dismissed, acquitted and struck out, if a further breakdown of the not-convicted figure is available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6899/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of information on the courts system. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have made enquiries and the Courts Service has advised that the information is currently being compiled and verified. I shall arrange for the information requested to be forwarded to him when it is available.
336. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details, in tabular form, of vacant State properties and land, including car parks not in use, owned by her Department or by bodies and agencies under the aegis of her Department by square footage, location and local authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6918/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the information sought is set out in the following table. It should be noted that details relating to properties which were formerly used as Garda stations are not included as these properties are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works.
|
Venue / site |
Approximate size |
|
Cork |
|
|
Cork Prison (old), Cork City* |
Not available |
|
Kanturk Courthouse, Greenfield Road, Co. Cork ** |
974sq. feet |
|
Youghal Courthouse, Market Square, Youghal, Co. Cork ** |
850 sq. feet |
|
Donegal |
|
|
Dungloe site ** |
21,780 sq feet |
|
Dublin |
|
|
Thornton Hall, Kilsallaghan, Fingal*** |
156 acres |
|
South Circular Road, Islandbridge Dublin 8 **** |
.29 acres/12634.2 sq. feet |
|
Galway |
|
|
Tuam site ** |
3048 sq. feet |
|
Leitrim |
|
|
Ballinamore Courthouse, Main Street, Co. Leitrim ** |
1410.8 sq. feet. |
|
Manorhamilton Courthouse, Lower Main Street, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim ** |
1804. sq. feet |
|
Mayo |
|
|
Westport Courthouse, Castlebar Street, Westport, Co. Mayo ** |
1161. sq.feet |
|
Offaly |
|
|
Birr Courthouse, Townsend Street, Birr, Co. Offaly ** |
1234 sq. feet. |
|
Tipperary |
|
|
Borrisokane Courthouse, Ballyhaden Road, Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary ** |
810 sq. feet. |
|
Wicklow |
|
|
Bray Courthouse, Boghall Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow ** |
1388 sq. feet. |
|
Wicklow Courthouse, Market Square, Co. Wicklow ** |
3281 sq. feet. |
* The old Cork prison is currently in use as a film set, and will be used in the coming weeks by Cork City Fire Brigade to train staff on fire fighting in custodial institutions.
** These are buildings / sites currently not in use but some are intended for future courthouse development.
*** A Working Group was established in 2015 to examine options for the future use of the Thornton Hall site. The work of that group is nearing completion.
**** A site at South Circular Road, Islandbridge, Dublin 8 is currently a property of the Irish Prison Service. This site is in the process of being transferred to Dublin City Council.
337. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on families using au pairs following a recent ruling by the Workplace Relations Commission; if she will address concerns raised by families who have indicated they will no longer be able to afford to employ au pairs; if she will apply a cultural exchange programme to au pairs operating here as is in place in other European countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6975/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy remit in this area is limited to the immigration status of non-EEA nationals and ultimately this issue is not about immigration but rather the rights of employees. The question of employment rights is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and indeed I understand that the person the subject of the recent ruling referred to by the Deputy was an EU national, who would not need immigration permission to be in Ireland in any event.
In the recent case before the Workplace Relations Commission, the position, as I understand it, an individual working as an au pair was deemed to be an employee, with the entitlements that go with that status, including payment of the minimum wage. While there has traditionally been a social and cultural dimension to work as an au pair, which presumably can continue into the future, this cannot alter the entitlements of individuals deemed to be employees. This applies irrespective of the immigration arrangements under which they are resident in Ireland.
As far as the immigration aspects of this issue are concerned, a non-EEA national would not be granted immigration permission for the primary purpose of being an au pair and I understand that such employment would not be eligible for an employment permit. Persons on student permission with an Immigration Stamp 2 are entitled to engage in casual work for 40 hours per week during the months May to August and for a 4 week period from Mid December to Mid January. Outside that time the limit is 20 hours per week. Working as an au pair during that time is not forbidden but, as stated above, such work is subject to the various entitlements that employees have.
339. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the diplomatic arrangements in place for Somalian refugees who fled conflict some years ago, are residing here and cannot return to Somalia to access their original photographic identification; if there is a vehicle by which they can access verification of their identity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7064/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that INIS is obliged to issue a travel document to all persons granted protection in the State. However a person who has been granted the protection of the State will not be issued with a travel document that permits a return to the country from which they have fled persecution. An Irish travel document will facilitate travel outside of Ireland although it is not a substitute or a replacement for a national passport.
Full information with regard to the issue of travel documents is available at www.inis.gov.ie.
The Deputy will be aware that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has responsibility for diplomatic arrangements with other countries.
340. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of firearms licences that have been revoked or withdrawn in the Garda Síochána district of Longford and Roscommon and the number that have been subsequently returned on appeal or direct application in the same district; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7077/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by An Garda Síochána that since January 2015, three firearms licences have been revoked in the Garda Síochána District of Roscommon. These revocations were not the subject of appeals to the District Court. No firearms licences have been revoked in the Garda Síochána District of Longford.
341. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of restoring the rent allowance to members of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7163/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that following a review of all allowances in the public service during 2011 and 2012, the Government decided on 18 September 2012 that rent allowance for all new public servants including Gardaí, Prison Officers and Fire Officers should be abolished. The rent allowance costs €4,600 per officer per annum (inclusive of Employer's PRSI).
The Garda Commissioner who is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote has informed me that the annual cost to the Garda Vote, of reinstating the rent allowance for all recently attested Garda members would amount to €1.8 million. In addition, the annual costs of granting the rent allowance to existing student Gardaí upon attestation would be a further €1.4 million, giving a total for those recruited since recruitment recommenced in 2014 of €3.2 million. Obviously, that cost would increase by €4,600 for every Garda recruited into the future.
342. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the top 20 nationalities, including the number of persons who have been naturalised, in each of the years 2006 to 2015. [7169/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra343. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the top 20 EU nationalities, including the number of persons who have been naturalised in each of the years 2006 to 2015. [7170/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together.
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the number of persons naturalised each year from 2006 to 2015 inclusive is 1,400, 1,500, 3,100, 4,500, 6,400, 10,800, 25,100, 24,200, 21,100, 13,570 respectively. There was a build up of cases on hand in 2011 and specific measures were put in place to deal with this which explains the significant increase in persons naturalised during the period 2012 to 2014 inclusive. The tables showing the breakdown of (1) the top twenty nationalities and (2) the top European Union nationalities in each of these years follow.
1. Top twenty nationalities granted naturalisation:
|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
|
1 |
Pakistan |
Pakistan |
Nigeria |
Nigeria |
Nigeria |
Philippines |
Nigeria |
Nigeria |
Nigeria |
India |
|
2 |
Nigeria |
Nigeria |
Pakistan |
Philippines |
Philippines |
Nigeria |
Philippines |
India |
India |
Nigeria |
|
3 |
Kosovo |
India |
India |
India |
India |
India |
India |
Philippines |
Philippines |
Philippines |
|
4 |
India |
Russia |
Russia |
South Africa |
South Africa |
Bangladesh |
Pakistan |
Pakistan |
Pakistan |
Poland |
|
5 |
Congo |
Congo |
China |
Russia |
Pakistan |
Ukraine |
Ukraine |
Ukraine |
Romania |
Romania |
|
6 |
Russia |
USA |
South Africa |
Pakistan |
Russia |
Pakistan |
China |
China |
Poland |
Pakistan |
|
7 |
Romania |
Kosovo |
Ukraine |
USA |
Bangladesh |
South Africa |
South Africa |
Romania |
China |
China |
|
8 |
USA |
Romania |
USA |
Ukraine |
China |
China |
Moldova |
Moldova |
South Africa |
Brazil |
|
9 |
Vietnam |
South Africa |
Zimbabwe |
Bangladesh |
Ukraine |
Russia |
Bangladesh |
Poland |
Ukraine |
South Africa |
|
10 |
Somalia |
Sudan |
Philippines |
China |
Sudan |
Moldova |
Russia |
South Africa |
Brazil |
Latvia |
|
11 |
China |
China |
Sudan |
Sudan |
Zimbabwe |
Sudan |
Romania |
Iraq |
Congo |
Ukraine |
|
12 |
Sudan |
Ukraine |
Congo |
Romania |
Romania |
Zimbabwe |
Sudan |
Bangladesh |
Moldova |
USA |
|
13 |
Bosnia |
Iraq |
Iraq |
Zimbabwe |
USA |
Belarus |
Poland |
Russia |
Russia |
Congo |
|
14 |
South Africa |
Bosnia & Herzegovina |
Romania |
Congo |
Congo |
USA |
Ghana |
Congo |
USA |
Thailand |
|
15 |
Hong Kong |
Egypt |
Moldova |
Belarus |
Moldova |
Thailand |
USA |
Sudan |
Thailand |
Sudan |
|
16 |
Angola |
Somalia |
Angola |
Moldova |
Belarus |
Romania |
Zimbabwe |
Ghana |
Sudan |
Hungary |
|
17 |
UK |
Angola |
Croatia |
UK |
UK |
Congo |
Iraq |
Somalia |
Latvia |
Russia |
|
18 |
Egypt |
Philippines |
UK |
Malaysia |
Egypt |
Egypt |
Egypt |
Iran |
Bangladesh |
Malaysia |
|
19 |
Libya |
Vietnam |
Kosovo |
Croatia |
Somalia |
Turkey |
Belarus |
Algeria |
Algeria |
Bangladesh |
|
20 |
Croatia |
Hong Kong |
Algeria |
Australia |
Malaysia |
Malaysia |
Thailand |
Brazil |
Ghana |
Zimbabwe |
2. Top European Union nationalities granted naturalisation :
|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
|
1 |
Romania |
Romania |
Romania |
Romania |
Romania |
Romania |
Romania |
Romania |
Romania |
Poland |
|
2 |
UK |
UK |
Croatia |
UK |
UK |
UK |
Poland |
Poland |
Poland |
Romania |
|
3 |
Croatia |
Bulgaria |
UK |
Bulgaria |
Croatia |
Croatia |
Croatia |
Latvia |
Latvia |
Latvia |
|
4 |
Poland |
Croatia |
Bulgaria |
Latvia |
Bulgaria |
Bulgaria |
Latvia |
Bulgaria |
Hungary |
Hungary |
|
5 |
Germany |
Italy |
Poland |
Poland |
Poland |
Latvia |
Bulgaria |
Lithuania |
Lithuania |
Lithuania |
|
6 |
Latvia |
Latvia |
Latvia |
Germany |
Latvia |
Poland |
UK |
Hungary |
Bulgaria |
Bulgaria |
|
7 |
Portugal |
Poland |
Germany |
Lithuania |
Germany |
Germany |
Lithuania |
Croatia |
Croatia |
UK |
|
8 |
Czech Republic |
Czech Republic |
France |
Hungary |
Lithuania |
Lithuania |
Hungary |
UK |
UK |
Italy |
|
9 |
France |
Germany |
Slovak Republic |
Slovak Republic |
France |
Estonia |
Germany |
Estonia |
Estonia |
Slovak Republic |
|
10 |
Hungary |
Czech Republic |
Finland |
The Netherlands |
Italy |
Slovak Republic |
Slovak Republic |
Slovak Republic |
Germany |
|
|
11 |
Cyprus |
The Netherlands |
The Netherlands |
Slovak Republic |
Czech Republic |
Estonia |
Italy |
Italy |
Croatia |
|
|
12 |
Portugal |
Denmark |
Czech Republic |
Estonia |
France |
France |
Czech Republic |
Czech Republic |
Czech Republic |
|
|
13 |
Greece |
Estonia |
Czech Republic |
Spain |
Czech Republic |
Portugal |
Germany |
Estonia |
||
|
14 |
Italy |
Greece |
Italy |
Slovak Republic |
Italy |
Germany |
France |
France |
||
|
15 |
Lithuania |
Italy |
Spain |
Cyprus |
The Netherlands |
France |
Spain |
Spain |
||
|
16 |
Spain |
Malta |
Greece |
Finland |
Portugal |
Spain |
Greece |
Portugal |
||
|
17 |
Portugal |
Portugal |
Sweden |
Greece |
Greece |
Sweden |
Greece |
|||
|
18 |
Spain |
Austria |
Austria |
Spain |
The Netherlands |
The Netherlands |
The Netherlands |
|||
|
19 |
Belgium |
Hungary |
Hungary |
Slovenia |
Finland |
Cyprus |
Belgium |
|||
|
20 |
The Netherlands |
Sweden |
Belgium |
Portugal |
Slovenia |
