Written Answers Nos. 242-261
242. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí and civilians by rank and job title working in the Garda financial intelligence unit in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41609/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions 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 requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the information requested by the Deputy and I will write to the Deputy on receipt of same.
243. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if An Garda Síochána has powers to seize quad bikes or scramblers in both public parks and open spaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41610/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, that for the purposes of the Road Traffic Acts, a “public place” means any public road, and any street, road or other place to which the public have access with vehicles whether as of right or by permission and whether subject to or free of charge. It does not extend to private property, or to public parks which are under the jurisdiction of local authorities and can be subject to by-laws prohibiting the use of scramblers or quads, or to national parks, where the Minister of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has powers to prohibit the unauthorised use of off-road vehicles. Road traffic law does not extend to the use of mechanically propelled vehicles on private property.
I am further informed that, Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 and the Road Traffic Act (Section 41) Regulations 1995 set out the law relating to the detention of vehicles by an Garda Síochána in a public place. Under these there are three grounds for detaining a vehicle:
(i) If the person driving the vehicle refuses or fails to produce there and then a driving licence then having effect and licensing him/her to drive the vehicle and the Garda is of the opinion that the person by reason of his/her age is ineligible to drive the vehicle;
(ii) The vehicle is registered in the State and the Garda reasonably believes that a policy of insurance is not in place for the vehicle; or
(iii) The vehicle is registered in the State and motor tax has not been paid in respect of a continuous period of three months or more immediately prior to use.
Furthermore, An Garda Síochána can also use section 20 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 to perform an examination of roadworthiness of any vehicle being used in a public place.
Despite the road traffic and other relevant legislation available in this area, the Garda authorities have indicated that there are issues of safety involved in enforcement of these laws which are best addressed through a multi-agency approach. I am informed that Gardaí are working with local authorities, including park authorities, to examine other solutions, such as engineering solutions. Enhanced fencing and bike gates are examples of engineering measures taken to restrict access to parks.
I share the concern in relation to the very serious public safety and anti-social issues associated with the misuse of such vehicles and to better facilitate this multi-agency approach, I have written to the relevant parties, including the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, as well as the Garda Commissioner and the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners, in order to ascertain whether there are additional legislative or other solutions which can assist us in dealing with this issue more comprehensively. A number of responses have been received and are being examined at present. As a next step, when all responses have been received, I intend to convene a meeting of all of the interested parties and in order to identify more effective possible solutions and assign responsibility and timeframes for them.
244. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he plans to legislate for the full implementation of the Law Reform Commission report, LR67/2002, and in particular the proposals with regard to leasehold land or property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41656/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I indicated in my response to the Deputy's parliamentary question of 11 September on the same issue, the Law Reform Commission had intended to progress statutory codification in the area of adverse possession taking into account earlier recommendations, including those relating to leasehold land or property, contained in the LRC Report 67-2002.
It appears that the Commission has not been in a position to advance its work on this complex area of land law due to other more pressing law reform priorities. Pending receipt of reform proposals in relation to adverse possession, I have no immediate plans to bring forward proposals for legislative change in this area. However, the operation of existing legislation is kept under general review by my Department.
245. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has satisfied himself with the operation of the Garda compensation scheme; if his attention has been drawn to delays in payment of amounts awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41657/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda Síochána (Compensation) Acts, 1941 and 1945 provide for a scheme of compensation for members of An Garda Síochána who are maliciously injured in the course of their duty or in relation to the performance of their duties as members of An Garda Síochána and for the dependants of members who have died from injuries maliciously inflicted on them.
Under the current scheme awards are made by the High Court. The reliance on an adversarial approach to determine awards is costly and applicants can wait several years before they are awarded compensation.
I wish to advise the Deputy that compensation awards are paid from the Garda Vote. The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for An Garda Síochána and is responsible for the Garda Vote and I, as Minister, have no role in this regard. I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that compensation awards are processed within seven to ten working days.
There has been a shared view for some time that the existing scheme needs to be replaced with a more efficient process. I wish to inform the Deputy that the Government has approved the drafting of the Garda Síochána Compensation Bill 2017 based on the General Scheme of the Bill which is available on my Department's website: www.justice.ie. The Bill is intended to establish a more effective compensation scheme that will deal with compensation claims for malicious injuries in an efficient manner and to the satisfaction of all parties.
246. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the report into the legislation regulating access by GSOC to journalists' phones, which was delivered by a person (details supplied) to the Government on 27 April 2017, will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41685/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing receipt of what is a very detailed and comprehensive analysis of the law in the area of access to communications data, the report to which the Deputy refers was forwarded to the Attorney General for consideration and advice, against the background of recent findings by the Court of Justice of the European Union in this complex area of law.
That advice has been received and considered in the context of the assessment of the need for measures to address the findings of the Court of Justice.
Proposals in respect of legislation in this area and the report to which the Deputy refers were considered by the Government today and subsequently published.
247. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to a report by a person (details supplied) in regard to serious allegations of visa fraud and other exploitation of vulnerable migrants; and the steps he is taking to address the matter. [41714/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that my Department has received an email from the person in question where, among other things, allegations of inappropriate corporate conduct and abuse of the visa system have been made.
I am pleased to note from the correspondence that this individual is liaising directly with the Office of Director of Corporate Enforcement, ODCE, in relation to a number of their concerns. As the Deputy is aware, the ODCE is the independent statutory body tasked with ensuring that all businesses adhere to the requirements of the Companies Acts, and bring those who disregard the law to account.
With regard to the allegations made in relation to the exploitation of the visa and immigration system, I can assure the Deputy that I take such allegations very seriously. The rules governing visas and other immigration related permissions are there to uphold the integrity of Ireland's immigration system, and to also help prevent any party engaging in human trafficking. As has been stated many times before, this Government recognises that trafficking in human beings undermines the very principles of human rights and dignity of the person. Ireland will not tolerate persons who engage in any part of trafficking.
The Deputy will appreciate that I, as Minister, have no role in the conduct of particular investigations as this is solely a matter for the Garda Commissioner and his management team. In this context, officials from my Department have made arrangements for a copy of the correspondence to be sent directly to the Garda authorities for examination and whatever action is deemed necessary. In this regard, it should be noted that An Garda Síochána continues to target organised abuses of the immigration system through Operation Vantage and officials from my Department work closely with them in this regard.
Notwithstanding the above, I would encourage the person in question to engage directly with An Garda Síochána in relation to these matters. An Garda Síochána will be best placed to advise them on how best to proceed.
248. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of awarding pensions to 20 living gardaí who left the force for any reason before 1 October 1976 having served the required five years service or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41730/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrior to 1 October 1976, where a member of An Garda Síochána resigned or was dismissed before reaching the age and service at which he could retire on pension, that member forfeited all superannuation benefits under the then Garda Síochána Superannuation Scheme. This situation was changed following discussions at the Garda Conciliation Council, the industrial relations machinery for members of An Garda Síochána. It was agreed at that time by both sides, the official side and the Garda representative associations and endorsed by the then Minister for Finance, that the new arrangements should apply to members of An Garda Síochána serving on, or after, 1 October 1976. By extension these new terms did not and cannot apply to members who had left An Garda Síochána prior to that date. Generally speaking, these Agreed Reports provide that a Garda who resigned or was dismissed on or after 1 October 1976 can have superannuation benefits accrued to the date of resignation or dismissal, preserved until the member reached 60 years of age.
The then Department of Finance, and now Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, DPER, which continues to have overall responsibility for public service pension matters, agreed with the proposals for a cut-off date for eligibility for preserved benefits.
Similar arrangements have also been introduced in pension schemes across the public sector with varying, "cut-off" dates depending on the particular organisation involved and the conclusion of negotiations between management and the relevant staff interests.
I must stress that this was an agreed date between all of the parties involved in the discussions and was not imposed. It is an inevitable consequence of the introduction of improvements in pension schemes that members of that scheme who had left it prior to the effective date cannot avail of that benefit.
My Department has consulted the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and has been advised that the position remains that it is not possible to resolve a case individually on an administrative basis and provide an individual with preserved benefits without changing the terms of the scheme retrospectively. Such amendment would, in equity, have to cover all public servants who resigned prior to the effective date applicable to their schemes. That Department has further stated that changing the various schemes to change the cut-off date is not a practicable proposition. As there are no proposals to backdate the existing dates for the introduction of the preservation of superannuation benefits it would require the use of a disproportionate amount of scarce resources on the part of my Department to seek to calculate the cost of awarding pensions to the group of former members referred to by the Deputy.
250. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the proposed timeframe for and the details of the LGBTI inclusion strategy announced by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41747/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWork on the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy has already commenced. While I am not currently in a position to give details of the exact timeframes, the next phase will be to consult with key groups and stakeholders. A comprehensive public consultation process will play a key role in producing a strategy that is fit for purpose and resonates with members of the LGBTI community in Ireland.
My view, at this stage, is that this Strategy will identify specific areas of society and policy (e.g. sports and health) areas in which difficulties are still seen as presenting for LGBTI people. The key question here is not what more we need to do on legislation, but how do we work to change those negative attitudes, that still remain in some sections of society.
The high level objective of the proposed Strategy has been tentatively stated as to bring about the necessary changes in society so that being LGBTI is unremarkable and that LGBTI people are valued throughout society. Discussion will focus on: (a) setting out the overall objective; (b) defining the necessary preconditions for achievement of that objective; and then (c) agreeing detailed actions necessary to achieve those preconditions.
As the Deputy may know, in our current Programme for Government, we included a commitment to produce an LGBT+ Youth Strategy that is being developed separately by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. I am advised that good progress is being made on that Strategy.
251. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the Traveller and Roma inclusion strategy and proposed legislation emanating from same. [41748/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the National Traveller and Roma Strategy was launched in June this year. Subsequent to the launch I chaired a meeting of the NTRIS Steering Group in August at which updates on the NTRIS actions and progress-to-date were discussed. I can report that already progress is being made on a wide number of the actions contained in the Strategy and that the steering group will publish an annual progress report in 2018.
At that meeting, a request was made for volunteers to establish three Subcommittees, to examine and report back to the Steering Group, on the specific areas of the retention of Traveller and Roma children in the education system, the need for an ethnic identifier for services to Traveller and Roma communities, and mediation to bring feuding in the Traveller Community to an end.
There are currently no plans to introduce any new legislation or to amend existing legislation emanating from actions contained within the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy.
252. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if books are provided to Syrian refugees residing in accommodation centres under the scope of his Department's resettlement programme; if so, if these books are provided by the Reception and Integration Agency, the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration, the relevant accommodation centre or other bodies; the names of those bodies; the number of books in each accommodation centre; the type of books provided, for example, fiction, language skills or personal development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41790/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra253. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if books are provided to those residing in direct provision; if so, if these books are provided by the Reception and Integration Agency, the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration, the relevant accommodation centre or other bodies; the names of those bodies; the number of books in each accommodation centre; the type of books provided, for example, fiction, language skills or personal development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41791/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 252 and 253 together.
All services for protection applicants or refugees residing in State provided accommodation are delivered under the Government policies of direct provision and dispersal.
This system of direct provision is the system whereby State services are delivered directly to protection applicants through the relevant Government Department or Agency – for example the Department of Education and Skills delivers education services through the established school system; the HSE delivers medical services through the established GP and hospital systems.
In the case of the Department of Justice and Equality, full board accommodation and related services are offered to residents while their application for protection is being processed. Not every person who seeks international protection in Ireland chooses to accept the offer of full board accommodation and of course many choose to live with colleagues, family or friends in communities across the country, as they are entitled to do.
Refugees who are resettled to Ireland as part of our resettlement programme are also provided with accommodation and related services in a number of EROCs around the country.
Books - be they novels, educational literature, personal development texts, etc. - are available in all accommodation centres. This may be as a result of the provision of State services (e.g. Reception and Integration Agency, Citizens Information Board, Department of Education and Skills, Department of Social Protection, etc.), interactions with local and national NGOs, charitable organisations, voluntary donations, personal possessions or otherwise. Residents in those centres may also, like any other person living in a community in Ireland, access public libraries.
In addition to this, WiFi facilities are available in all accommodation centres through which residents may access online library and book sources, etc.
254. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department has examined community sponsorship models such as the UN community sponsorship initiative as a format that could be used to expand Ireland's capacity to respond to the current Syrian refugee crisis; the reason he would or would not introduce such a programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41798/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that Community Sponsorship models are being examined by officials in the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, IRPP, as a prospective way of furthering Ireland's resettlement programme and fostering links between host communities and new arrivals. Both I and officials of the IRPP have met with NGOs who are working on proposals in this area and I have made it clear that I am positively disposed to such a model being developed and implemented.
Community Sponsorship programmes allow individuals and communities to engage in refugee resettlement efforts. Typically, sponsors commit to providing financial, emotional and resettlement support to help newly arrived refugees integrate into life in a new country. Such a model could enable willing community groups to become directly involved in supporting the resettlement of refugees fleeing conflict and in need of protection in Ireland. It could potentially encourage innovation in resettlement and promote positive resettlement outcomes, both for the resettled families and local communities. Officials in the IRPP are in active communication with colleagues in Canada with a view to examining how their programme works and drawing on any lessons that can be learned.
IRPP have already had meetings, both in Ireland and overseas, with other States such as Canada and the UK as well as NGO and institutional actors who are undertaking or involved with resettlement and private/community sponsorship initiatives. The IRPP are examining the success of the Canadian Government's Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program and the progress of the recently introduced UK Community Sponsorship scheme; as evidence has shown that such programmes can build powerful bonds between sponsors and refugees, strengthen host communities; and foster positive attitudes toward refugees and resettlement. As the Deputy knows, integration, a core aspect of resettlement, is a whole of society activity and not just one for Government.
However, it must be noted that Community Sponsorship is a significant undertaking for sponsors and the commitment and resilience organisations will need to show to ensure that all the wide range of needs of these very vulnerable persons are met in a timely and effective manner should not be underestimated. Private sponsorship also requires considerable State oversight and related resources to be in place for it to work. Any such model will have to make clear the respective roles of State actors and civil society sponsors and if such a model is to be developed and deployed in Ireland then it must be adjusted to and suitable for the circumstances prevailing in Ireland. So there is quite an amount of work to be done before all of these elements are in place.
It should be borne in mind that community sponsorship is only likely to account for a relatively small proportion of resettlement refugees. However, I believe that private sponsorship can take many forms and active engagement in this area could succeed in activating the community component of resettlement and integration much more powerfully and allow the development of structured pathways to allow people to engage with refugees and migrants - in other words the creation of pathways for the expression of community altruism and solidarity.
I have made it very clear in all my meetings with NGOs who are interested in developing such a model that both I and my officials in the IRPP are willing to work with them toward the development of a viable Community Sponsorship model. It is my belief that such a model will emerge in time and I am very happy to support its development.
255. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to reintroduce the Syrian humanitarian admission programme to expand Ireland's capacity to respond to the Syrian refugee crisis; the reason he would or would not reintroduce such a programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41799/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBefore the migration crisis escalated, the former Minister for Justice and Equality, Mr. Alan Shatter, T.D., introduced a Syrian Humanitarian Admissions Programme, SHAP, which was subject to certain conditions, including economic dependency being met by the sponsor. This was superseded by the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, IRPP, which allows for Syrians and other eligible nationalities to benefit from resettlement and relocation schemes, and offers them protection status in Ireland in their own right including all the rights and privileges that that entails. This is a much improved programme allowing vulnerable people to benefit from protection here.
Ireland committed to accept approximately 1,040 refugees by the end of 2017 under the resettlement strand of the Programme and this commitment is on track with 785 people already in the State and the remaining 270 people due in early 2018 from Lebanon. Furthermore, I announced on 15 September last that Ireland would pledge to accept 600 programme refugees in 2018. This commitment has been made as part of a new European Commission and UNHCR resettlement pledging exercise under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, for the period 9 December 2017 – 31 December 2018. Since the conclusion of this pledging exercise, the Commission issued a Resettlement Recommendation on 27 September, which calls for the resettlement of 50,000 refugees between December of this year and the end of October 2019. Member States, like Ireland, who have already made pledges are being encouraged to consider increasing their pledges for the new two-year timeframe of the scheme.
Under the Relocation Strand of the Programme, we will have admitted our full cohort from Greece (1,089) by early 2018. Relocation from Italy has not been possible within the two-year timeframe of the programme due to a refusal by Italy to allow law enforcement officers from other Member States to conduct security assessments of relocation candidates on its soil. Our efforts to resolve this issue are ongoing.
I fully intend to honour our commitment under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. While the relocation strand has not yielded the expected numbers, together with my Department officials, I have been examining potential new pathways for people in need of protection following the conclusion of the EU programmes. One possibility is through family reunification, for which I intend to bring forward fresh proposals in the near future. Such a programme would concentrate efforts on reunification of immediate family members specifically caught up in conflict zones, and would be in addition to those eligible under the provisions of the International Protection Act 2015.
256. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of extra funding being allocated to local authorities in advance of the Syrian resettlement programme; the areas to which funding is being allocated, for example, housing, English classes, rural development and community development by year and local authority, in tabular form; if this funding is coming from the European integration fund or another body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41800/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra257. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if extra funding is being provided to community groups in areas in which Syrian refugees are being resettled under the Syrian resettlement programme; the number of months in advance of and after the arrival of refugees funding is being allocated; the breakdown of funding by year, name of community group, type of community activity and local authority area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41801/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra260. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department has engaged with community groups on the ground in local authority areas in preparation for the Syrian resettlement programme, refugee protection programme and other departmental programmes dealing with the Syrian refugee crisis; if his Department or local authorities are being encouraged to engage with community groups; if so, the means or resources through which it is engaging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41806/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to takes Questions Nos. 256, 257 and 260 together.
The implementation of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, IRPP, for resettling Syrian refugees requires a high level of coordination among service delivery agencies at the local level, with support from the IRPP. The IRPP is embedded within the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration, OPMI. My Department is mobilising European Union Funding under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, AMIF, in support of these efforts. The Local Authority plays a critical role in ensuring the success of each resettlement through the implementation of a process carried out by an implementing partner with expertise in community integration and relevant supports, supported by funding provided through OPMI.
To date OPMI have committed €2,531,008 in AMIF funding to assist with this vitally important work. Twelve local authorities have received grant funding in this regard, with three local authorities likely to conclude their grant allocation process before the end of the year. Currently, funding is provided for a period of up to 18 months ideally commencing prior to the arrival of refugees. The following table sets out the current position regarding grants to Local Authorities to assist in the resettlement of Syrian Refugees:
|
Local Authority |
Grant Amount |
|
Clare |
€76,500 |
|
Cork |
€100,000 |
|
Galway |
€275,862 |
|
Kerry |
€100,000 |
|
Limerick |
€100,000 |
|
Mayo |
€275,862 |
|
Carlow |
€201,600 |
|
Donegal |
€299,662 |
|
Kilkenny |
€338,385 |
|
Sligo |
€204,117 |
|
Westmeath |
€199,020 |
|
Wexford |
€360,000 |
|
€2,531,008 |
The following Exchequer funding was provided by the OPMI to assist in the resettlement of refugees:
|
County Council |
|
|
Clare County Council |
€147,525.00 |
|
Cork County Council |
€217,374.00 |
|
Kerry County Council |
€162,605.00 |
|
Kildare Volunteer Centre |
€39,300.71 |
|
Limerick Co. Council |
€153,300.00 |
|
Mayo County Council |
€2,500.00 |
|
Total |
€722,604.71 |
English classes for Syrian refugee resettlement programmes are provided by the local Education Training Board. Other mainstream services are provided to resettled Syrian refugees by the relevant bodies who have statutory responsibility such as, for example, in the areas of health and social protection. The OPMI supports the coordination of those activities and works closely with partners in an interagency coordination group chaired by the Local Authority. With respect to housing, the IRPP work closely with the relevant Local Authorities and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. In regard to education, the IRPP similarly work with the Department of Education and local education service providers. The IRPP also work closely with the HSE and local medical practitioners to endure medical cover when refugees are in EROCs or moving to the community.
The following table sets out the total funds invested in community migrant integration programmes, by location and organisation/project, for the past three years 2017, 2016 and 2015, including amounts committed in 2017 that will be disbursed in subsequent years. While the location of each funded organisation/project is provided, it is not possible to break this down further by Local Authority as the relevant data is not held in this way, and numerous funded projects are delivered on a regional or nationwide basis.
There are currently 14 projects approved under the National Funding Programme to promote the integration of migrants. Project objectives include: increasing mutual understanding between the host community and migrants; combatting racism and xenophobia; undertaking research on interculturalism; and promoting the integration of migrants into Irish society, particularly vulnerable or socially-excluded migrants.
The Communities Integration Fund will fund 131 initiatives in 2017 by community organisations to promote integration in their local communities. The aim is to support communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting integration by providing practical support to facilitate social inclusion among the migrant population.
There are a total of 20 projects receiving funding through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, AMIF, and five projects through the ESF Integration and Employment of Migrants, IEM, funding.
In summary, the total funding to be provided by the Integration Unit, OPMI is as follows:
- Communities Integration Fund - 2017 only - €515,234;
- National Funding for the Promotion of Integration of Immigrants 2017 - 2020 is €1,097,890.
The above amounts are broken down each year as follows:
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
Total |
|
€736,067 |
€602,467 |
€492,767 |
€156,589 |
€1,987,890 |
The following is a more detailed breakdown of all funding together with the Key to the various Fund Names:- CIF: Community Integration Fund;- AMIF: Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund;- NFPII: National Funding to Promote Integration of Immigrants;- IEM: Integration and Employment of Migrants, (European Social Fund Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning);- ERF: European Refugee Fund.
Funding Paid in 2017:
|
Fund |
Area |
Organisation/Project |
Amount € |
|
AMIF |
Clare |
Clare Immigrant Support Centre Ltd |
54000 |
|
AMIF |
Cork |
NASC |
60000 |
|
AMIF |
Dublin Area |
Crosscare |
74694.30 |
|
AMIF |
Dublin Area |
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Ltd. |
53986.20 |
|
AMIF |
Dublin Inner City |
National College of Ireland |
45000 |
|
IEM |
Dublin Area |
Business in the Community |
577500 |
|
NFPII |
Dublin Area |
Business in the Community |
66976 |
|
NFPII |
Dublin Area |
Localise Youth & Community Location Services |
10833 |
|
AMIF |
Galway |
Galway City Partnership |
60300 |
|
AMIF |
Kerry, Killarney & Tralee |
KASI |
54000 |
|
IEM |
Kilkenny City and County |
County Kilkenny Leadership Partnership |
107205 |
|
AMIF |
Laois |
Laois Partnership Company |
45000 |
|
AMIF |
Limerick & Clare |
Kilmallock Performing Centre |
50625 |
|
AMIF |
Limerick and mid-west region |
Doras Luimní |
70273.50 |
|
AMIF |
Limerick City |
Mary Immaculate College |
90000 |
|
AMIF |
Mayo |
South West Mayo Development Company |
79744.20 |
|
IEM |
Meath |
Cultúr Celebrating Diversity Ltd |
98131 |
|
NFPII |
Meath |
Meath County Council |
22000 |
|
AMIF |
Nationwide |
Football Association of Ireland |
45021.83 |
|
AMIF |
Nationwide |
Irish Refugee Council |
90000 |
|
AMIF |
Nationwide |
Spirasi |
225000 |
|
AMIF |
Nationwide |
Irish Traveller Movement |
45122.85 |
|
AMIF |
Nationwide |
Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland |
75000 |
|
AMIF |
Nationwide |
Immigrant Council of Ireland |
45000 |
|
IEM |
Nationwide |
New Communities Partnership |
98713.50 |
|
IEM |
Nationwide |
Seetec |
105000 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
Third Age Foundation Ltd. |
21000 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
New Communities Partnership |
22,027.49 |
|
AMIF |
South-East Region |
Edmund Rice |
45000 |
|
Funding Paid in 2016 |
|||
|
NFPII |
Dublin 12 |
The Caterers |
1339.39 |
|
NFPII |
Dublin City |
Dublin City Council |
77000 |
|
NFPII |
Dublin Area |
Business in the Community |
516000 |
|
NFPII |
Dublin Area |
Localise Youth & Community Services |
64886 |
|
NFPII |
Dublin South |
South Dublin County Council |
146130.28 |
|
NFPII |
Meath |
Meath County Council |
76780.98 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
Holocaust Educational Trust |
50000 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
National HSE Community Games |
34998 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
New Communities Partnership |
124932 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
Sports Against Racism Ireland |
10000 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
Third Age Foundation Ltd. |
105000 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
UNHCR |
5000.75 |
|
NFPII |
Wicklow, Arklow |
Polish Irish Educational |
18000 |
|
Funding Paid in 2015 |
|||
|
ERF |
Carlow |
St Catherine's Community Services Centre |
36382 |
|
NFPII |
Cork |
Igbo Union Cork |
3000 |
|
NFPII |
Dublin Area |
New Dubliners and the City Conference |
684 |
|
NFPII |
Dublin City |
Dublin City Council |
89200 |
|
ERF |
Dublin Area |
City of Dublin Education & Training Board (CDETB) |
35860 |
|
ERF |
Dublin Area |
BeLonG To Youth Services Ltd. |
18343 |
|
ERF |
Dublin Area |
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre |
21938 |
|
NFPII |
Dublin Area |
Localise |
32613 |
|
NFPII |
Dublin, Fingal |
Fingal County Council |
40500 |
|
NFPII |
Dublin Area |
Business in the Community |
389230 |
|
NFPII |
Dublin South |
South Dublin Council |
53600 |
|
ERF |
Kerry |
KASI Ltd |
41868 |
|
ERF |
Mayo |
Mayo Intercultural Action Limited |
35585 |
|
NFPII |
Meath |
Meath County Council |
32660 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
HSE Community Games |
17499 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
Football Association of Ireland (Polska Éire) |
20000 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
Third Age Foundation |
47000 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
Show Racism the Red Card |
50000 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
Holocaust Education Trust Ireland |
70000 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
New Communities Partnership Citizenship Application Support Service (CASS) |
35572 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
UNHCR |
5000 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
Sports Against Racism Ireland |
10000 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
Yellow Flag Intercultural Schools Programme |
25544 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
Polska Éire |
3355 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
Youth Work Ireland |
1449 |
|
Fund |
Location |
Organisation/Project |
Amount Awarded € |
|
CIF |
Carlow, Askea |
Equal Chances Polish School |
2200 |
|
CIF |
Cavan, Cavan Town |
Cavan Congolese Community Forum |
3840 |
|
CIF |
Clare, Inis Díomháin |
Ballyea Community Group |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Clare, Ennis |
Ennis Street Arts Festival |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Cork, Ballincollig |
Ballincollig Family Resource Centre |
1000 |
|
CIF |
Cork, Bantry |
Bantry YMCA |
2050 |
|
CIF |
Cork, Military Hill |
Brij (with Wallaroo Playschool) |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Cork, Glanmire |
Brooklodge Table Tennis Club |
600 |
|
CIF |
Cork, Carrigtohill |
Carrigtohill Family Resource Centre |
4700 |
|
CIF |
West Cork |
Clonakilty Community Arts Centre |
2930 |
|
CIF |
Cork, Clonakilty |
Clonakilty Friends of Asylum Seekers |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Cork City |
Cork YMCA |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Cork, Kinsale Road |
Kinsale Road Accomodation Centre |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Cork, Rathcoole |
Love and Care for People |
4800 |
|
CIF |
Cork City |
Meitheal Mara |
4370 |
|
CIF |
Cork, Passage West |
Passage West Spraoí for Syria |
4830 |
|
CIF |
Cork, Midleton |
SECAD - Midleton/Macroom |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Cork, University College Cork |
The Glucksman - UCC |
4500 |
|
CIF |
Cork City |
Together - Razem Centre |
500 |
|
NFPII |
Cork & South Region |
NASC |
22500 |
|
CIF |
Donegal Town |
Donegal Bay Rowing Club |
2800 |
|
CIF |
Donegal Town |
Donegal Family Resource Centre |
1400 |
|
CIF |
Donegal, Letterkenny |
Donegal Youth Services |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin, Balbriggan |
Balbriggan Community Council |
3300 |
|
CIF |
Dublin, Balbriggan |
Balbriggan Cricket Club |
3320 |
|
CIF |
Dublin, Balbriggan |
Balbriggan Tourism |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin, Balbriggan |
Foróige-Balbriggan Youth Service |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin, Balbriggan |
Irish Vikings Club |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin, Balbriggan |
Musicantia Ltd |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 1 |
ACET Ireland |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 1 |
Akidwa |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 13 |
Baldoyle United |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 9 |
Belvedere Football Club |
2800 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 1 |
Cairde |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 13 |
Clare Hall Resident's Association |
4500 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 1 |
Discovery Gospel Choir |
4900 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 1 |
Dublin City Inter Faith Forum |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 17 |
Moatview Early Education Centre |
2278 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 1 |
Neighbourhood Youth Project 2 |
3500 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 1 |
O'Connell Secondary School |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 1 |
Outhouse LGBT Community & Resource Centre |
4000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 1 |
Polish Peace Corps |
3340 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 1 |
Praise Tabernacle |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 7 |
SEN Polish Complementary School |
3280 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 1 |
Sport Against Racism Ireland |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 5 |
Artane Coolock Family Resource Centre |
4395 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 7 |
Welcome Café |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 3 |
Young People At Risk (YPAR) |
4800 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 1 |
Blue Fire |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 2 |
AMAL Women's Organisation |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 8 |
Capital Strength Weighlifting Club |
4992 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 2 |
ENAR Ireland |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 2 |
Irish Refugee Council |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 8 |
LIR Anti Racism Training & Education Programme |
3300 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 2 |
Literature Ireland, TCD |
4950 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 8 |
Outlandish Theatre Platform |
4950 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 8 |
Rialto Community Radio |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 8 |
Street Feast, Rialto |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 2 |
The Ark Children's Cultural Centre |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 4 |
Railway Union Cricket Club |
4840 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 24 |
An Cosán, Tallaght |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 24 |
Tallaght Community Arts |
4850 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 15 |
Failte Isteach, Tyrellstown |
3000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 15 |
Hartstown Hunstown FC |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 15 |
i-Smile International, Mulhuddart |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 15 |
Mulhuddart Community Centre |
2000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 15 |
Rekindle Talent, Ladyswell |
4670 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 22 |
South Dublin County Partnership, Clondalkin |
2280 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 15 |
Scoil Bhríde (Cailíní), Blanchardstown |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 15 |
Tyrellstown Cricket Club |
1500 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 15 |
Tyrellstown Resident's Association |
3240 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 15 |
Tyrellstown Social Club (Women's Group) |
3150 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 15 |
Verona Sports & Leisure Club, Clonsilla |
4220 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 15 |
West Dublin Rhinos American Football, Lucan |
4760 |
|
CIF |
Dublin 15 |
Pinoy Badminton Association Ireland |
5000 |
|
AMIF |
Dublin South |
South Dublin County Partnership |
45000 |
|
NFPII |
Dublin Area |
The Lantern Intercultural Centre |
12000 |
|
NFPII |
Dublin Area |
Business in the Community |
45000 |
|
NFPII |
Dublin Area |
Mendicity Institution |
67500 |
|
NFPII |
Dublin Area |
Localise Youth & Community Service |
90000 |
|
NFPII |
Dublin, Fingal |
Fingal County Council |
25000 |
|
CIF |
Galway, Doughiska Rd |
Ard Family Resource Centre |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Galway, Athenry |
Bia Lover |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Galway, Athenry |
Foróige Athenry Adolescent Project |
4520 |
|
CIF |
Galway, Athenry |
Monivea Fair Committee |
1350 |
|
CIF |
Galway, Mill Street |
Croí na Gaillimhe Resource Centre |
3900 |
|
CIF |
Galway, Rahoon |
Pernet Company Ltd |
4950 |
|
CIF |
Galway, Rahoon |
Rahoon Family Centre |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Galway, Newcastle Rd |
Scoil Chroí Íosa |
2590 |
|
CIF |
Galway, Claddagh |
St Nicholas National School |
4800 |
|
CIF |
Galway City |
The Irish Workhouse Centre |
1000 |
|
CIF |
Galway City |
Youth Work Ireland Galway |
2805 |
|
CIF |
West Kerry |
Kerry Diocesan Youth Services |
1990 |
|
CIF |
Kerry, Tralee |
Kerry Youth Dance Theatre |
5000 |
|
NFPII |
Kerry, Tralee |
Tralee International Resource Centre |
30000 |
|
CIF |
Kildare, Kilcock |
Kilcock GAA Club |
1500 |
|
CIF |
Kildare, Leixlip |
Le Chéile Athletic Club |
4800 |
|
CIF |
Kildare, Monasterevin |
Monasterevin Youth Action |
2850 |
|
CIF |
Kilkenny |
Kilkenny Integration Forum |
2000 |
|
CIF |
Kilkenny, Higginstown |
Polska/Éire Kilkenny Integration |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Laois, Portlaois |
Laois Sports Partnership |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Laois, Portlaois |
Portlaoise Family Resource Centre |
4750 |
|
CIF |
Leitrim, Carrick-on-Shannon |
The Leitrim Design House |
4950 |
|
CIF |
Limerick |
Limerick Youth Service |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Limerick City |
Northstar Family Support Project |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Longford, Farneyhoogan |
Backstage Theatre |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Louth, Drogheda |
Culture Connect |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Louth, Ardee |
Dee Hub |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Louth, Drogheda |
Drogheda Homeless Aid |
2310 |
|
CIF |
Mayo, Ballaghaderreen |
Ballaghaderreen GAA Club |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Mayo, Ballyhaunis |
Ballyhaunis GAA Club |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Mayo, Ballyhaunis |
Ballyhaunis Parent and Toddler Group |
300 |
|
CIF |
Mayo, Castlebar |
Green Campus GMIT |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Meath, Navan |
African Women's Development Initiative |
4365 |
|
CIF |
Monaghan, Drumbarnet |
Border Bounce Gymnastics Club |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Monaghan |
Teach Na nDanine Family Resource Centre |
3000 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
Marino Institute of Education |
30000 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
Sports Against Racism Ireland |
27000 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
Show Racism the Red Card |
100000 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
Third Age Foundation Ltd. |
90000 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
Dublin City University |
39000 |
|
NFPII |
Nationwide |
New Communities Partnership |
35100 |
|
CIF |
Offaly, Tullamore |
Offaly Sports Partnership |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Offaly, Tullamore |
Youthwork Ireland, Midlands |
2775 |
|
CIF |
Roscommon, Castlemore |
Ballaghaderreen Community Games |
2000 |
|
CIF |
Roscommon, Ballaghaderreen |
Ballaghaderreen Golf Club |
4883 |
|
CIF |
Roscommon, Ballaghaderreen |
Fáilte Isteach |
1200 |
|
CIF |
Roscommon, Ballaghaderreen |
Friends of Fairgreen |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Roscommon, Castlerea |
Roscommon Women's Network |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Sligo |
Sligo Family Resource Centre |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Sligo, Strand Hill Rd |
Sligo Global Kitchen |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Tipperary, Thurles |
Old School Community Centre |
1800 |
|
CIF |
Tipperary, Roscrea |
Roscrea Heritage Centre |
3700 |
|
CIF |
Tipperary, Thurles |
Slieveardagh United F.C |
500 |
|
CIF |
Tipperary, Thurles |
The Commons Community Playschool |
1000 |
|
CIF |
Tipperary, Clogheen |
Vee Rovers Club |
1720 |
|
CIF |
Tipperary, Thurles |
Youth Work Ireland Tipperary |
3531 |
|
CIF |
Waterford, Dungarvan |
Déise Refugee Response |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Waterford, Poleberry |
Erin's Own/ Sacred Heart GAA |
2000 |
|
CIF |
Waterford, Dungarvan |
Fáilte Isteach |
2080 |
|
CIF |
Waterford, The Folly |
Sacred Heart Parish |
500 |
|
CIF |
Westmeath, Athlone |
Athlone Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support Group |
2180 |
|
CIF |
Westmeath, Mullingar |
Westmeath Sports Partnership |
5000 |
|
CIF |
Wexford |
Faythe Harriers Hurling and Camogie Club |
5000 |
|
NFPII |
Wexford |
South East Community Training & Education Centre |
15000 |
|
CIF |
Wicklow, Port Road |
Children & Young People's Services Committee |
5000 |
258. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department has discussed refugee integration as an aspect of rural development policy with the Departments of Housing, Planning and Local Government and Rural and Community Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41804/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of integration policy at the local community level is the focus of Action 52 of the Migrant Integration Strategy - A Blueprint for the future which was published by Government on 7 February 2017. This action requires local authorities to update the integration strategies for their respective local authority areas - including rural areas - over the lifetime of the National Strategy i.e. from 2017 to 2020.
The most recent report from the Local Authority Management Agency to the Integration Strategy Monitoring and Co-ordination Committee in respect of this action indicates that 14 local authorities already have an integration strategy in place and three local authorities have a new strategy in development. Another two authorities have indicated they will commence the development of their integration strategy toward the end of 2017. The Immigrant Council of Ireland is also engaging with local authorities on this work.
A Monitoring and Co-ordination Committee has been established to support the process of implementing the Migrant Integration Strategy. The Committee, which I chair, comprises representatives of relevant Government Departments, State Agencies and the NGO sector and met for the first time on 27 June 2017. The Committee is due to meet again this week (4 October). Progress on the implementation of the actions in the Strategy will be reviewed at the end of 2018 and a report prepared for Government. Integration, including in rural areas, is a priority for me in terms of the work programme for that Committee.
259. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of extra funding and resources being allocated to his Department in preparation for the Syrian resettlement programme and other programmes dealing with the Syrian refugee crisis; the areas to which funding is being allocated by year, section of his Department and type of resource, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41805/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Refugee Protection Programme, IRPP, was established by Government Decision on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the migration crisis that had developed on the southern shores of the European Union. Under this decision, a programme office was established in my Department to oversee the operational aspects of the programme, which aims to bring in 4,000 vulnerable migrants to Ireland under two different mechanisms, refugee resettlement and asylum seeker relocation.
The IRPP deals with people from the moment they are selected for relocation or resettlement, to their transportation to Ireland and eventual settlement in the communities around the state. Services made available to this cohort are mainstreamed and are provided by the responsible Government Departments and agencies. The IRPP has since been merged into the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration, OPMI, which traditionally managed the resettlement of programme refugees, so that all resettlement activities now come under the one area irrespective of the origin of the client group.
Within my own Department, the specific funding made available to OPMI/IRPP covers: (a) accommodation in Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres, EROCs, and (b) general programme funding to cover items such as grants to local authorities to assist resettlement in communities, interpretation, overseas missions, etc. Overall, the total funding for those aspects of the Programme being operated within my Department in 2017 is in the region of €15.2 million. This is in line with funding levels in 2016. An estimated breakdown of funding is laid out in Table 1.
Table 1: IRPP Funding by Area
|
Funding 2017 |
Estimated Value |
|
EROCs |
€8,000,000.00 |
|
OPMI/IRPP General Funding |
€7,200,000.00 |
|
Total |
€15,200,000.00 |
I am satisfied that sufficient funding has been allocated to my Department to allow the OPMI to discharge their responsibilities under the IRPP.
261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application pursuant to section 3(6) of the Immigration Act by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41808/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, INIS, of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned.
These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.
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.
