Written Answers Nos. 56 - 81
56. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); when the application is likely to be granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15558/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is under consideration and has not yet reached a conclusion.
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.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most cases are now generally processed within six months, 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.
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.
57. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration will be given to introducing a humanitarian admission programme that would enable refugees, migrants and naturalised citizens apply for their extended family members who are currently displaced to join them here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15564/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBefore the migrant crisis escalated, my predecessor introduced a Syrian Humanitarian Admission Programme (SHAP) subject to certain conditions, including economic dependency on the sponsor, being met. This was superseded by the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) which allows for Syrians and other nationalities to benefit from resettlement and relocation schemes, and offers them protection in Ireland in their own right. This is a much improved programme allowing thousands to benefit from international protection here. There has been a significant challenge at EU level to maximise the functioning of the resettlement and relocation programmes. We will be 100% ahead of target on resettlement when the programme ends in September and following my recent visit to Greece, I am satisfied that the number coming in under relocation will scale up to the agreed levels this year.
I am not of the view that the best solution to this crisis is to increase the number of programmes and all the administrative and legal complexities that go with them. My emphasis is to increase the number of people arriving in Ireland under the programmes currently in place. I am satisfied that we are making progress now and that there is still capacity to ensure more Syrians and other vulnerable nationalities who require protection can come to Ireland under our resettlement and relocation programmes and all our focus needs to be on meeting these targets. In addition, existing avenues remain open as pathways for family reunification.
Significant resources are currently being invested in these humanitarian efforts through the Offices of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration and the International Protection Office. As a result, we have established functioning mechanisms and associated expertise to deal with resettlement and relocation. Our response to the migrant crisis in terms of accepting refugees is through the IRPP and all available resources are being directed to that Programme in order to meet the commitment entered into and I have no plans, at this point, to introduce any additional admission programmes. It is essential that we continue all our efforts to completing the IRPP successfully before we can look to apply that learning and resources to any new programme.
58. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration will be given to enabling Irish citizens and organisations to co-sponsor a family reunification application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15565/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the principles underpinning family reunification decisions is that there must be a clear connection between the person seeking residence in Ireland and some other person living in the State permanently. In such circumstances it is only open to natural persons to act as a sponsor. All of the circumstances in which such a person can seek to sponsor a family member to join them in the State are set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification published on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Family%20Reunification%20Policy%20Document.pdf/Files/Family%20Reunification%20Policy%20Document.pdf). This policy was recently updated and republished, in December 2016, and I have no further plans to update the policy at this time.
59. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will support legislation which would establish hate crime as a specific and punishable crime (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15606/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAny level of hate crime is a matter of concern. The CSO publishes figures for recorded incidents involving discrimination. I expect to receive the final figures for 2016 today, which I will make available to the Deputy, but, in the meantime, I can inform the Deputy that up to the end of quarter 3 of 2016, there were 153 recorded incidents with a discrimination motive.
I would like to assure the Deputy that there are mechanisms in place to deal with hate motivated crime. Where a criminal offence such as assault, criminal damage or a public order offence is committed against a person based on their race, religion, colour, ethnicity or some other ground, the offence is prosecuted through the wider criminal law. It is also accepted that such an offence is more serious on account of the hate or prejudice motivating the crime and Irish courts do consider evidence of a crime being motivated by hate or prejudice as an aggravating factor at sentencing.
With respect to legislation establishing hate crime as a specific and punishable crime, it is important that any legislation which is introduced will allow for effective prosecution of these type of offences. I would also remind the Deputy of the second stage debate in this House in October last year with respect to a Criminal Justice (Aggravation by Prejudice) Bill which is a Private Member's Bill introduced by Deputy O'Loughlin and Deputy Murphy O'Connor. While there was support for the principle of the Bill, there were a number of concerns raised in respect of the approach proposed and the Deputies sponsoring the Bill undertook to further engage in respect of the proposals therein. I recently received further correspondence from Deputy O'Loughlin in respect of that Bill and I intend to further engage with the Deputies in relation to their proposals.
I would also like to draw the attention of the Deputy to the 2016 Annual Report of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency which found that to address racism and xenophobia, EU Member States should ensure that any case of alleged hate crime or hate speech is effectively investigatied, prosecuted and tried. The Garda Racial Intercultural and Diversity Office (GRIDO) has responsibility for co-ordinating, monitoring and advising on all aspects of policing Ireland's diverse communities. GRIDO monitors the reporting and recording of hate and racist crime on a continual basis. Garda Ethnic Liaison Officers (ELOs) are appointed to work with minority communities at local level throughout the country. These officers combined with GRIDO play a fundamental role in liaising with minority groups and work in partnership to encourage tolerance, respect and understanding within communities in the pursuit of preventing the commission of hate and racist crime. GRIDO and ELOs provide advice and assistance to victims of hate or racist crime where required or deemed necessary.
In addition, the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration, an Office of my Department, is the focal point for the Government's commitment on anti-racism as a key aspect of integration, diversity management and broader national social policy. The Office continues to work with all the relevant sectors to further progress the integration and diversity management agenda.
Following the completion of a review of our approach to the integration of migrants the Migrant Integration Strategy was published on the 7th of February, 2017. The Integration Strategy includes an anti-racism component and is available at www.integration.ie.
60. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total spend on translation services used to translate the new application form for international protection, IPO2. [15610/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra61. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if free online translation services were used to translate the new application form for international protection, IPO2, into any language; and if so, the languages for which a programme (details supplied) was used. [15611/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra62. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if persons who submitted completed application forms for international protection in the midst of confusion in February 2017 over the deadline for submission of the form, and did not, consequently, receive legal advice before submission, will be permitted to resubmit those application forms, not just submit supplementary information following receipt of legal advice. [15612/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 60 to 62, inclusive, together.
I am advised by the Chief International Protection Officer (CIPO) who, under the International Protection Act 2015, is independent in the performance of his functions, that translation services for the International Protection Office (IPO) of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) are provided on the basis of a public procurement process and subsequent contractual arrangements entered into between a service provider and INIS.
The current service provider, Word Perfect Translation Services Ltd, is contractually obliged to provide such services in a professional manner and in accordance with industry standards. Free online translation services are not used by the International Protection Office.
I am also advised by the CIPO that there is no strict deadline for the return of the Application for International Protection Questionnaire (IPO 2) with the timeframe mentioned being purely administrative in nature. Flexibility has been provided by the IPO to applicants in relation to the filling out of the form and its return. Clarification in this regard has been included on the IPO website and in communications between that Office and non-governmental organisations.
As has been pointed out in information issued to applicants by the IPO, supplementary information of any type relevant to a person's application can be provided to that Office up to two weeks prior to the date of an applicant's scheduled interview. This timescale will facilitate the translation of documents if required and ensure that the IPO interviewer has all of their papers available and considered in advance of the interview date. A Customer Service Centre established by the International Protection Office may be contacted by individuals with any queries.
The cost structure in the contract is based on per word charges but the final cost for the services has not yet been furnished by the supplier and accordingly no expenditure has been incurred on the translation of the Application for International Protection Questionnaire (IPO 2).
63. Deputy John Brassil asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to provide funding to community CCTV schemes around the country, in particular the Killorglin community CCTV committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15621/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the value that communities, especially rural communities, place on CCTV as a means of deterring crime and assisting in the detection of offenders.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to providing investment in CCTV systems and that I have secured €1 million in Budget 2017 to begin a new round of community CCTV schemes in line with the Programme. I expect to make an announcement in this context shortly.
64. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a total breakdown by Garda division and District Court area regarding the discrepancies disclosed on 23 March 2017 between actual alcohol tests administered and the numbers recorded by gardaí for each of the years in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15640/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that I have discussed the issue of breath test discrepancies in detail with the Garda Commissioner and the Chairperson of the Policing Authority and have outlined my very serious concerns in relation to the matter. In particular, my concerns stem from the fact that sizeable numbers of the general public have interacted and will interact with An Garda Síochána in the context of road traffic enforcement, including at a Mandatory Alcohol Testing checkpoint. As such, it is critical that there is public confidence in the operation and oversight of these vital enforcement systems.
The Deputy will be aware that An Garda Síochána has confirmed that it has put solutions in place to deal with the procedural and practice issues that have been detected to ensure that such errors do not recur. Specifically, in the case of breath tests/Mandatory Alcohol Testing, I am informed that An Garda Síochána initially put in place new paper based recording and verification processes, and, in November 2016, a new specific data recording IT upgrade was installed on the Garda PULSE system. The net effect of the new IT upgrade was that personnel now have to record the serial number of the device used for each breath test plus the meter reading before and after the checkpoint was concluded. Data from the device is now used to verify the total number of breath tests conducted at each checkpoint.
The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner has announced the creation of a dedicated team under newly-appointed Assistant Commissioner Michael O’Sullivan to investigate in detail the MATs issue, including with a view to identifying and holding responsible for their actions any Garda members, whether at junior, supervisory or management level, who acted improperly; and committed to forwarding the report of this investigation to the Policing Authority and Department of Justice and Equality when completed.
Notwithstanding any internal review, the Government believes that an external investigation into these two specific matters needs be carried out. The Government believes the level of public concern is now so profound that it may now be time to conduct a thorough, comprehensive and independent root-and-branch review of An Garda Síochána. That is clearly a proposal that will require further detailed consideration by the Government. The Government also believes that any such proposal should command widespread support in the Oireachtas and accordingly be the subject of consultation with the Opposition, and ultimately approval by the Oireachtas.
Assistant Commissioner Finn outlined new arrangements agreed this week with the Medical Bureau on Roads Safety to the effect that that body would supply An Garda Síochána with its data on breath-testing devices on a quarterly basis, in order to ensure an independent benchmark against which Garda data can be measured. The MBRS will shortly be tendering for new breath testing equipment. New equipment which is available in the market place has the capacity to record the time, GPS location and number of persons breath-tested, and has the capacity to download the information automatically reducing the chances of errors occurring in the data.
The Garda Commissioner has been in direct contact with the Policing Authority in relation to the matters referred to in the Deputy's question and the Chairperson of the Policing Authority, Josephine Feehily, has confirmed that the Authority will have an independent professional audit undertaken of the steps taken to resolve the issues and oversee the investigation being undertaken by Assistant Commissioner O’Sullivan.
I welcome the fact that the focus of the Authority's next public meeting with the Garda Commissioner will be on road traffic enforcement. This public meeting will be held on 27 April 2017 and will provide a most timely opportunity for An Garda Síochána to engage with the Authority and the general public on these key procedural and practice issues that are now before us. The reason that I prioritised and set up the Authority was to shine a light on and examine issues such as these.
I will continue to maintain close contact with the Garda Commissioner and the Chairperson of the Policing Authority in relation to these matters.
I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the statistics requested by the Deputy and I will contact the Deputy directly upon receipt of a Garda report.
65. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of young foreign national persons who have been in full-time education for at least three years. [15644/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are several circumstances in which young foreign national persons may be in the State in full time education. The most obvious would be as an international student. The Immigration and Naturalisation Service has comprehensive guidelines on student migration (http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Students) which clearly set out the circumstances in which a person may take up residence in the State as a student.
Young persons might also be in full time primary or secondary education in the State as the family member of certain classes of persons who have permission to reside in the State. It does not follow, however, that such non-nationals residing in the State have an automatic right to access State-supported education, particularly at tertiary level. For example, the children of a person working in the State on an employment permit may not be able to avail of State-supported university education for his or her children, and will be required to pay international fees. This is the policy position relating to access to state-supported education by non-EEA nationals generally (young persons recognised as refugees excepted).
I should add, of course, that policy generally in relation to access to full time education in the State is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills.
66. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the establishment of an independent complaints mechanism for those living in direct provision. [15645/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have agreed that the remit of the Offices of the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Children should be extended to allow them to receive complaints from persons residing in State provided accommodation. The necessary logistical and administrative steps have been put in place to allow this to be introduced and it is expected to be operational in the coming weeks. Briefings and training are currently underway by both offices to residents and managers alike. I am delighted that this now gives effect to one of the key recommendations of the Report of the Working Group on Improvements to the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and other supports for Asylum Seekers.
The type of complaints that will be accepted will be those relating to the services provided to protection applicants in their State provided accommodation centre. Complaints relating to the international protection process itself will not fall within this arrangement.
67. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount allocated to voluntary and community organisations in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017 by her Department, including a breakdown of all funding schemes and-or streams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15686/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the following amounts were allocated by my Department and by Agencies under my remit to Voluntary and Community organisations in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and in the two months to the end of February 2017.
|
Funding Scheme |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 (end Feb) |
|
Promotion of Equality |
€3.3m |
€1.9m |
€.1.5m |
€1.3m |
€0.6m |
€3.5m |
€1.1m |
|
COSC - Domestic Violence |
€1.1m |
€1m |
€0.6m |
€0.8m |
€1m |
€0.7m |
€0.15m |
|
Migrant Integration |
€2m |
€2.2m |
€2.3m |
€1.7m |
€1.7m |
€0.9m |
€0.19m |
|
Victims of Crime |
€1.2m |
€1.2m |
€1.3m |
€1.2m |
€1.4m |
€1.4m |
€0.7m |
|
Probation Projects |
€9m |
€9.8m |
€9.2m |
€9.7m |
€9.4m |
€10m |
€2.2m |
|
Youth Diversion |
€16.7m |
€16.6m |
€16.7m |
€16.8m |
€17.4m |
€18.7m |
€3.5m |
|
Total |
€33.3m |
€32.7m |
€31.6m |
€31.5m |
€31.5m |
€35.2m |
€7.64m |
68. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on progress in implementing the recommendation of the report of the interdepartmental working group on fuller working lives to provide guidance material to employers on the use of fixed term contracts beyond normal retirement age; if she has raised the matter with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission; the response she has received from it; if work has commenced on the production of these materials; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15719/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Interdepartmental Working Group on Fuller Working Lives was chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; an official from the Equality Division of my Department participated in that Group along with representatives of other relevant Departments. The Interdepartmental Working Group issued its report in August 2016 and, in that report, made a number of recommendations.
The Interdepartmental Working Group's report recommended that the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) issue guidance in relation to the use of fixed term contracts beyond normal retirement age. The Interdepartmental Working Group also recommended that the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) prepare a code of practice under section 42 of the Industrial Relations Act 1990 in the context of longer working.
Following discussions between my Department and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) which arose as a result of the above recommendations, it was agreed that the most appropriate way to offer guidance in this matter to employees and employers would be for IHREC to develop a Code of Practice under section 31 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 in relation to possible age discrimination in the context of retirement.
As the Deputy can appreciate, it is important that the IHREC and WRC issues set out above be treated in a manner that reflects their complementarity and that there be no duplication of efforts in this regard. I am advised that the IHREC has engaged with the WRC with a view to ensuring that there is no unnecessary overlap between their respective work in this area. I am informed that it is anticipated that these discussions and the WRC's consultations with stakeholders on the approach to the recommendations for which it is responsible are nearing completion and I look forward to receiving the IHREC's proposals for a Code of Practice as soon as the IHREC has considered the best approach and completed its own subsequent consultations with stakeholders.
69. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the rules or protocols regarding the search of children in Garda custody, including strip searches. [15721/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra70. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to introduce an appropriate adult system, whether through legislation or regulation, for children and other vulnerable persons in Garda custody. [15722/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra71. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the rules or protocols regarding the treatment of children in Garda custody, including interview protocol, provision of information and so on. [15723/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 69 to 71, inclusive, together.
The Deputy will be aware that the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 (Treatment of Persons in Custody in Garda Síochána Stations) Regulations 1987, as amended, provide a detailed statutory framework governing the treatment of persons in Garda custody. A key element of this framework is the requirement on members of An Garda Síochána, in carrying out their functions in relation to persons in custody, to act with due respect for the personal rights of those persons and their dignity as human persons, and to have regard for the special needs of any of them who may be under a physical or mental disability.
Part 6 of the Children Act 2001 is specifically concerned with the treatment of child suspects in Garda Síochána stations. It deals with issues including the detention of a child in a Garda station, notification of parents and guardians, contacting a solicitor and where necessary the HSE, and interviewing a child. The 1987 Regulations also contain provisions governing the treatment of children in Garda custody and these are consistent with the requirements of the 2001 Act.
A key protection for children is the requirement on the member in charge of the station where the child is in custody to inform an appropriate adult that the child is in custody and to request that adult to attend at the station. In circumstances where the member in charge is unable to communicate with a parent or guardian, or where the parent or guardian indicates that he or she cannot or will not attend at the station, the child is entitled to have an adult relative or other adult reasonably named by him or her informed that he or she is in custody and be requested to attend at the Garda station. Failing this, the member in charge must ensure that an appropriate adult, other than a member of An Garda Síochána, attends.
A child may not be questioned or requested to make a written statement unless he or she is in the presence of a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult.
There are also specific rules governing searches. For example, a person in custody cannot be searched by a person, other than a doctor, of the opposite sex. Where a search involves removal of clothing, other than outer garments, no person of the opposite sex can be present unless either that person is a doctor or the member in charge considers that the presence of that person is necessary by reason of the violent conduct of the person to be searched. Where a search involves the removal of underclothing, it will normally be carried out by a doctor.
Every person in custody is provided at the outset with a document explaining the custody processes and setting out the rights of the persons including in relation to:
- legal advice;
- medical treatment;
- telephone calls and personal visits;
- searches; provision of meals;
- the taking of photographs, fingerprints and other bodily samples.
72. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the documentation and other requirements a Syrian national would be required to provide in order to obtain a category C visitor's visa for 90 days to visit family here, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15728/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that visa application procedures for a short-stay visa (category C) for Syrian nationals are the same as applies to all other visa required nationalities. The applicant must submit an application through the on-line visa application system which can be found on the INIS website and the websites of all Irish consular missions abroad.
Applicants must then pay the visa application fee and forward to the relevant processing office their passport, a signed copy of a summary sheet of the on-line application, proof of payment of the fee, and all other required documents. Instructions about where to pay, documents required, and where to send all documentation are provided on the summary sheet which is generated from the on-line process. Comprehensive information on the application process is available on the INIS website at http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Visit%20(Family%20Friends).
As with any visa application, each application is assessed individually based on its own merits and having regard to all the information put forward for consideration.
73. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of private investigation firms hired by her Department in the past five years and to date in 2017; the names of the firms; the amount they were paid; if they supplied her Department with a report on completion of their work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15741/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that there were no private investigation firms hired by my Department during the period referred to by the Deputy.
74. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Finance the supports available through his Department to persons with disabilities or limited mobility who wish to buy a car or adapt an existing car to hoist and transport a wheelchair or mobility scooter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15545/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides repayment or remission of VAT and Vehicle Registration Tax (up to a certain limit) on the purchase of an adapted car or vehicle for the transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, exemption from motor tax in respect of that vehicle, and a fuel grant (up to a certain limit). To qualify for the scheme, the individual must be in receipt of a Primary Medical Certificate.
The general amount of VRT and VAT relief available for drivers and passengers with disabilities is: Drivers up to a maximum of €10,000; Passengers up to a maximum of €16,000.
In addition a category of specifically adapted vehicle is provided for drivers with disabilities who have made significant adaptions to their vehicles. This category provides VRT and VAT relief of up to €16,000 for the purchase of such vehicles. The vehicle must be held for 3 years before resale.
Finally, a category of 'extensively adapted vehicles' is provided for individuals with disabilities that require extensive modifications to their vehicles, so that the cost of modifications exceeds the cost of the vehicle itself. The VAT and VRT relief in respect of such vehicles is €22,000. The vehicle must be held for 6 years before resale.
The fuel grant available is 59c per litre of petrol and 48c per litre of diesel up to a maximum of 2730 litres per annum.
Full details of the Scheme, including the legislative criteria which must be met, are set out in Information Leaflet VRT 7. The Informational Leaflet can be found at http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/leaflets/drivers-passengers-with-disabilities-tax-relief-scheme.pdf.
75. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the delay in an appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) with the National Rehabilitation Hospital. [15656/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Medical Board of Appeal that as of March 2017, there are 278 appeals active at the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal. There has been a recent upsurge in the number of appeals to the DDBMA. The DDBMA, within its functions, has the facility to deal with waiting lists by holding extra hearings. I am aware that extra hearings were held in 2016 and already in 2017 in this regard.
I am confident that the Board has the matter in hand but I will keep the matter under review. I would point out that Regulation 6(1)(e) of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994 (S.I. 353 of 1994) provides that the Medical Board of Appeal is independent in the exercise of its functions.
76. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the total amount received through the levy introduced on private pension funds on a yearly basis; the amount he had originally planned to raise through this tax; his plans to return the excess amount collected or the total amount collected to the private pension funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15548/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by Revenue that the yield and the Budget estimates from the Stamp Duty levy on pension schemes for all relevant years is as set in the following table.
|
Year |
Yield €m |
Budget Estimate €m |
|
2011 |
463 |
470 |
|
2012 |
483 |
463 |
|
2013 |
535 |
482 |
|
2014 |
743 |
670 |
|
2015 |
169 |
148 |
|
Total |
2,393 |
2,233 |
The Stamp Duty levy on pension schemes was introduced in 2011 to pay for the Jobs Initiative, the chargeable persons for which are the trustees of pension schemes and others responsible for the management of pension fund assets. While the Stamp Duty levy on pension schemes has ceased, I have no plans to repay the pension fund levies collected as suggested in the question. The value of the funds raised by way of the levy have been used to protect and create jobs and this has helped to create the improving financial and economic position of the State. Taxpayers to whom the impact of the levy may have been passed on by the chargeable persons responsible for the payment of the levy (the pension scheme trustees etc.) will benefit from the changes which I began in Budget 2015 and have continued in Budget 2016 and Budget 2017 to reduce the tax burden on low and middle income earners.
77. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if he will prevent the closures of banks (details supplied); if he has met with officials regarding the latest announcement of closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15615/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra78. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concerns in many rural communities due to the decision of a bank (details supplied) to close branches in Arva and Cootehill, County Cavan, and Carrickmacross, County Monaghan; if he will raise with the bank the need to review these decisions in view of the serious losses to local towns resulting from the closure of such banking facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15632/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra79. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Finance the contact he had with a bank (details supplied) regarding the announcement of branch closures and jobs losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15646/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra80. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Finance his views on the impact of branch closures of a bank (details supplied) on the availability of banking services to persons here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15647/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra81. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Finance if he will meet with the Financial Services Union regarding the branch closures and job losses announced in a bank (details suppled). [15648/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 77 to 81, inclusive, together.
I note with regret that Ulster Bank is closing a significant number of branches with considerable negative impacts on both staff and customers alike. That said, the bank's continued commitment to the Irish market is to be welcomed. Officals of the bank briefed my officials on this issue last week.
I understand that employee representatives have been kept informed and that it is hoped that the staff reductions can be achieved on a voluntary basis by agreement.
The Irish Government has no formal role in the commercial decisions of Ulster Bank, these are a matter for the Board and Management of the Bank and its parent company, RBS.
That said, I expect that Ulster Bank will do everything that it can to mitigate the impacts of these branch closures on local communities. I also expect that the bank will ensure that customers are kept informed about developments and provided with the appropriate assistance to move branches, switch to other banks and avail of alternative means of accessing financial services. I am not aware of any request from the Financial Services Union to meet with me or my officials at this point in time.
The continued presence of a viable and active Ulster Bank in the Irish market will be important in fostering competition for banking services. It is vital that businesses and consumers have a range of banking options available when using financial services and accessing credit and that they continually assess their options to ensure that they are getting the best value and service possible.
