Written Answers Nos. 280-296
280. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of public sector jobs offered as internal competitions or restricted to existing Civil Service or public service staff in his Department in 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31546/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number, grade and salary band of posts filled through internal competitions in my Department in 2017/2018 is set out below in tabular format.
|
Year |
Competition |
No of posts |
Salary Band (Modified scale |
Salary Band (Full PRSI) |
Allowance |
|
2017 |
Competition for the post of Services Officer, Dublin |
1 |
€21,219.52 - €29,307.42 |
€21,724.62 - €30,777.33 |
|
|
2017 |
Competition for the post of Services Officer, Athlone |
3 |
€21,219.52 - €29,307.42 |
€21,724.62 - €30,777.33 |
|
|
2017 |
Private Secretary to the Minister/s of State |
1 |
€27,667 - €47,082 |
€29,026 - €49,466 |
€19,653 (Modified) / €20,685 (Full PRSI) |
|
2017 |
Private Secretary to the Minister/s of State |
1 |
€45,264 - €56,979 |
€47,552 - €59,887 |
€19,653 (Modified) / €20,685 (Full PRSI) |
|
2017 |
Principal Officer |
5 |
€80,852 - €99,408 |
€84,973 - €104,507 |
|
|
2018 |
Senior Inspector |
4 |
€79,127 - €92,567 |
€83,161 - €97,301 |
|
|
2018 |
Divisional Inspector |
2 |
€79,127 - €92,567 |
€83,161 - €97,301 |
|
|
2018 |
Assistant Chief Inspector |
2 |
€90,278 - €104,253 |
€94,897 - €109,606 |
|
|
2018 |
Regional Director |
1 |
€90,278 - €104,253 |
€94,897 - €109,606 |
|
|
2018 |
Private Secretary to Secretary General |
1 |
€27,667 - €47,082 |
€29,026 - €49,466 |
€10,405 (Modified) / €10,951 (Full PRSI) |
281. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the recommendations of the Constitutional Convention regarding Article 41.2 have been considered; the implications the Convention has identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30148/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Convention on the Constitution, in its Second Report which was published on 8 May 2013, recommended the amendment of Article 41.2 by making it gender-neutral to include carers in the home and carers beyond the home and that the State should be required to provide a “reasonable level of support” to ensure that carers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour.
These recommendations were considered by a Task Force of officials from my Department in 2014 in collaboration with representatives of other relevant Government Departments and the Office of the Attorney General.
On 5 July, the Government decided that the question to be put to the people in the forthcoming referendum on Article 41.2 will be simple deletion of the provision. Consideration was given to the Reports of the Convention on the Constitution and the Task Force and to other reports on the subject. The Government's conclusion was that inserting new language into the Constitution could have unpredictable legal consequences, dependent on interpretation by the courts.
However, there is a need for a wider consultation on the issue of care and the next Citizens’ Assembly will be asked to consider the matter.
282. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce reforms to the parental leave regime including changes to the qualifying age of the child and to the length of the leave; if an increase in leave and in the qualifying age will apply in respect of children that have already reached eight years of age and in circumstances in which the parents have already taken current maximum parental leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30324/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Partnership Government includes a commitment to increase paid parental leave during the first year of a child’s life, as research shows that parental care is of particular importance in the first year of life. To further this commitment, the Government established an interdepartmental group to consider the matter. The interdepartmental group has almost completed its work on developing a policy approach to implement the Programme commitments, and is in the process of putting the final touches to its report.
Separately, a Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017, which provides for an expansion in unpaid parental leave from 18 weeks to 26 weeks, completed Report Stage in Dáil Éireann on 13 June. As the Deputy will appreciate, this is a Private Members' Bill. The Government has, however, agreed in this context with the proposal in the legislation to raise the qualifying age of the child in respect of which parental leave can be obtained from 8 years of age to 12 years of age.
283. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the requirements there are by way of cash assets persons must bring with them in the case of a Syrian citizen who is applying for entry to live with an Irish born spouse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30709/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the financial criteria for a Join Family (Irish National Spouse) visa application is outlined in section 17 of the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification available on the INIS website (www.inis.gov.ie).
In order to sponsor an immediate family member, an Irish citizen must not have been totally or predominantly reliant on benefits from the Irish State for a continuous period in excess of 2 years immediately prior to the application. In addition, the sponsor must have earned a cumulative gross income, over and above any State benefits, of not less than €40,000 over the three year period prior to application.
Declared and verified savings held by an applicant or sponsor may be taken into account in assessing cases which fall short of the income thresholds set out in the Policy Document.
The onus will be on the applicant to satisfy the immigration authorities as to the level of earnings or financial resources and to provide any evidence required in support thereof.
The Irish Refugee Protection Programme Humanitarian Admission Programme 2 (IHAP) also provides an opportunity to Irish citizens and persons with Convention refugee status, subsidiary protection status, and programme refugee status, who have immediate eligible family members from Syria, to propose to the Minister for these family members to join them in Ireland.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to 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 INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail visa queries directly to INIS (visamail@justice.ie).
284. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether the average speed enforcement system as operated in the Dublin Port tunnel has substantially helped to reduce the average speed by vehicles; his plans to roll out this system to other parts of the motorway network (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31040/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that an average speed camera project was initiated at the Dublin Port Tunnel in June 2017 on a pilot basis. This pilot project was funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
According to TII, an analysis of driver behaviour carried out in October 2015 confirmed that 58% of drivers using the Dublin Port Tunnel exceeded the 80 km/h speed limit, and 20% exceeded this limit by more than 10 km/h.
Following the introduction of the average speed camera system at the Dublin Port Tunnel, the percentage of drivers exceeding the limit by more than 10 km/h has fallen to 0.15%. This suggests that the system has had a significant effect on driver behaviour. TII also emphasises that this reduction in excessive speed is particularly notable, occurring, as it does, against the backdrop of increasing weekday traffic volumes, with Monday-Friday traffic volumes rising by 40% over the past five years.
Prior to the introduction of this system, speed checks at the Dublin Port Tunnel were conducted using handheld laser-based technology, and required a Garda presence to identify and intercept speeding vehicles. For safety reasons, these checks could only be conducted outside the tunnel and, therefore, could not influence driver behaviour inside the tunnel itself.
The average speed camera system allows the enforcement of the speed limit within the tunnel itself, with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) used to identify vehicles that have exceeded the speed limit and the relevant fixed charge notices (FCNs) are issued by An Garda Síochána without the vehicle being intercepted.
I understand that TII has recommended the extension of the average speed camera project for an additional four years and has committed to continuing its funding and operation of the system during the extension period.
In terms of speed enforcement on other roads, I would remind the Deputy that this is accomplished by An Garda Síochána through the use of both intercept and non-intercept methods, with safety cameras being used in specific locations, known as speed enforcement zones, around the country in order to provide non-intercept detection of speeding vehicles.
The overall impact of the safety cameras can be seen in the impact on the fatal collisions in the designated speed enforcement zones. The designation of specific sections of road as speed enforcement zones is based on an analysis of collision data by An Garda Síochána. In the years 2004 to 2009 (the 6 years before the introduction of the safety camera network began), approximately 3 out of 10 (30%) fatal collisions occurred in these zones. In 2015, this figure had reduced to 16% (or 24 road deaths) in safety camera zones.
The Deputy will appreciate that the deployment of Garda resources is, of course, a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and I, Minister for Justice and Equality, have no role in such operational matters.
285. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a cut-off point for a person who has had a deportation order for a number of years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30031/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the information requested by the Deputy is as set out below.
The statutory criteria which must be considered in relation to a decision to make a deportation order under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 include national security and public policy, the character and conduct of the person concerned and the common good. In determining whether to make a deportation order, in addition to the factors set out in Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, I must also consider all relevant constitutional and international human rights arising including those enshrined in the Refugee Convention, the UN Convention Against Torture and the European Charter of Human Rights. The question of not returning a person to a place where certain fundamental rights would be breached (or non refoulement as it is referred to) is fully considered in every case when deciding whether or not to make a deportation order. This involves consideration of whether returning the person would result in the life or freedom of that person being threatened on account of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, or whether the person would be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
A deportation order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and it is only where they fail to do so that the State is forced to remove them and enforce the rule of law. A deportation order is of no definite duration but it is open to the subject of such an Order to make an application to have it revoked where there is a change of circumstances since the Order was made.
It is to be noted that the enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
286. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the backlog of Garda vetting applications for volunteers for an event (details supplied) will be addressed; if Garda vetting will be made specific to the person in all cases rather than to various organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30032/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the primary purpose of Garda vetting for employment purposes is to support protection for children and vulnerable adults. It is carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012-2016 and other relevant laws. Neither I nor my Department has any role in the processing of vetting applications.
I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that at present there are no backlogs or delays in the Garda vetting process for the event to which the Deputy refers.
In addition, I am informed that, in respect of the event referred to, the relevant organisation concerned is registered with the National Vetting Bureau for vetting services and is using the eVetting system. By late June, 1,292 vetting applications had been processed by the Vetting Bureau and returned in respect of this specific event. I have been informed that, as of 5 July, a further 369 applications for this event had been received by the Bureau from the registered organisation in the preceding 5 day period and these are being processed accordingly.
The turnaround times for eVetting applications is 5 working days for 80% of applications received. As the Deputy will appreciate, in some cases it is necessary for the Garda authorities to conduct further enquiries in respect of the requirements of the Acts, for example to verify identity or establish the outcome of an investigation. In such cases processing times may be longer than the general average.
Once the processing of a vetting application has been completed by the National Vetting Bureau the result is returned to the relevant registered organisation. It is a matter for that organisation to complete whatever processes are in place with the individual applicants.
287. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 105 of 21 June 2018, the reason the information requested has not been made available in view of the fact that it is kept by the Irish Prison Service, IPS and can be produced in tabular form. [30079/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by officials in the Irish Prison Service (IPS) that the information requested by the Deputy, which I committed to provide to her when it had been compiled, is now to hand and outlined below.
I am informed that the number of prisoners sleeping on a mattress on the floor in Cloverhill Prison in the 3 months referred to is as follows:
April - 8
May - 21
June - 15
I wish to advise the Deputy that as Cloverhill Prison is the primary remand prison for the Leinster area, it has been affected more significantly in terms of the increased number of committals in the past year.
Prison Governors are, by law, required to admit into custody all prisoners committed to prison by the Courts. The Irish Prison Service therefore has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time.
Finally, I am further advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that for a significant period of the time referenced in the Question, a number of cells in the prison were out of commission for essential renovation and refurbishment works and that these cells are now back in commission and available to the Governor.
288. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality report on the wards of court has not received a response in view of the urgent need for action outlined therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30080/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the High Court has jurisdiction in Wards of Court matters and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998.
The report published on 22 February 2018 by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality on the Wards of Court provided 6 recommendations relating to the Wards of Courts and these recommendations are being addressed by my Department and the Courts Service.
Correspondence from the Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality was received on 5 July 2018 which is receiving attention and a reply will be issued shortly.
289. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) has not received a response; and the further reason a request by it for a meeting has not been agreed to. [30081/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the High Court has jurisdiction in Wards of Court matters and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. Given the High Court jurisdiction, it is not appropriate for me, as the Minister, to intervene in relation to this matter.
I would like to inform the Deputy that the issues raised in the correspondence referred to by the Deputy required thorough examination as well as consultation with the Courts Service. A detailed reply has been prepared to the organisation and will be issued in the next few days.
290. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department has identified laws that are dependent on or in place as a consequence of Article 41.2 of the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30104/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the examination of options for the amendment of Article 41.2 of the Constitution, my Department asked other Departments to check whether or not legislation exists under their responsibility which could be impacted by any change to Article 41.2 and which would have to be amended as a consequence of such a change. Justice and Equality legislation was also examined in this regard. No legislation requiring amendment has been identified.
291. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the location and number of direct provision centres in operation; and the number of persons residing in each centre. [30118/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe location and occupancy of each of the 34 accommodation centres in operation is detailed in the following table:
|
COUNTY |
CENTRE |
ADDRESS |
CURRENT OCCUPANCY |
|
Clare |
Knockalisheen |
Meelick |
240 |
|
King Thomond Hotel |
The Bog Road, Lisdoonvarna |
115 |
|
|
Cork |
Ashbourne Hse |
Glounthaune |
95 |
|
Kinsale Road |
Cork City |
278 |
|
|
Glenvera |
Wellington Road |
127 |
|
|
Millstreet |
Millstreet |
270 |
|
|
Clonakilty Lodge |
Clonakilty, Co. Cork |
101 |
|
|
Dublin |
The Towers |
The Ninth Lock, Clondalkin, D.22 |
230 |
|
Dublin |
Balseskin |
St. Margarets, Finglas, Dublin 11 |
288 |
|
Hatch Hall |
28 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2 |
217 |
|
|
Galway |
Eglinton |
The Proms, Salthill |
193 |
|
Great Western House |
Eyre Square |
160 |
|
|
Kerry |
Atlas House (Killarney) |
Killarney |
86 |
|
Atlas House (Tralee) |
Tralee |
97 |
|
|
Johnston Marina |
Tralee |
79 |
|
|
Linden House |
New Road, Killarney |
54 |
|
|
Park Lodge |
Killarney |
43 |
|
|
Kildare |
Eyrepowell |
Newbridge |
83 |
|
Laois |
Montague |
Emo, Portlaoise |
212 |
|
Limerick |
Hanratty's |
Glentworth Street, Limerick |
113 |
|
Mount Trenchard |
Foynes, Co. Limerick |
81 |
|
|
Longford |
Richmond Court |
Richmond Street, Longford |
76 |
|
Mayo |
The Old Convent |
Ballyhaunis |
242 |
|
Meath |
Mosney |
Mosney |
655 |
|
Monaghan |
St. Patricks |
Monaghan |
165 |
|
Sligo |
Globe House |
Chapel Hill |
212 |
|
Tipperary |
Bridgewater House |
Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary |
120 |
|
Waterford |
Atlantic House |
Tramore, Co. Waterford |
79 |
|
Ocean View |
Tramore, Co. Waterford |
102 |
|
|
Birchwood |
Ballytruckle Road |
148 |
|
|
Viking House |
Coffee House Lane |
80 |
|
|
Westmeath |
Temple Accommodation |
Horseleap,Moate, Westmeath |
70 |
|
Athlone |
Athlone |
280 |
|
|
Louth |
Carroll Village |
Dundalk |
51 |
|
5442 |
|||
|
34 Centres |
17 Counties |
292. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons admitted to each direct provision centre in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; and the length of time these persons have remained within the system. [30119/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought is contained in the following two tables. Table 1 details the admissions by centre for the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018. Table 2 details the duration in months by accommodation centre for those admitted in that timeframe.
Table 1:
|
Accommodation Centre |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
Total |
|
Ashbourne House |
23 |
26 |
13 |
62 |
|
Athlone Accommodation Centre |
49 |
111 |
27 |
187 |
|
Atlantic House |
24 |
24 |
6 |
54 |
|
Atlas House Killarney |
13 |
29 |
22 |
64 |
|
Atlas House Tralee |
33 |
37 |
21 |
91 |
|
Balseskin Centre |
28 |
18 |
227 |
273 |
|
Birchwood House |
46 |
39 |
15 |
100 |
|
Bridgewater House |
0 |
106 |
25 |
131 |
|
Carroll Village |
12 |
2 |
2 |
16 |
|
Clonakilty Lodge |
37 |
20 |
22 |
79 |
|
Clondalkin Towers Centre |
37 |
48 |
24 |
109 |
|
Eglington Hotel |
35 |
58 |
27 |
120 |
|
Eyre Powell Hotel |
22 |
17 |
5 |
44 |
|
Georgian Court |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Glen Vera Hotel |
31 |
47 |
21 |
99 |
|
Globe House |
50 |
76 |
39 |
165 |
|
Great Western House |
33 |
54 |
25 |
112 |
|
Hanratty Hotel |
13 |
27 |
27 |
67 |
|
Hatch Hall |
37 |
59 |
46 |
142 |
|
Johnston Marina Hotel |
12 |
31 |
14 |
57 |
|
Kinsale Road Centre |
91 |
91 |
41 |
223 |
|
Knockalisheen Centre |
38 |
74 |
31 |
143 |
|
Linden House Hotel |
0 |
45 |
20 |
65 |
|
Millstreet Accommodation Centre |
33 |
78 |
57 |
168 |
|
Mosney Accommodation Centre |
162 |
104 |
85 |
351 |
|
Mount Trenchard |
23 |
33 |
13 |
69 |
|
Ocean View House |
12 |
41 |
9 |
62 |
|
Park Lodge |
17 |
18 |
5 |
40 |
|
Richmond Court |
19 |
28 |
12 |
59 |
|
St. Patricks Centre |
39 |
63 |
15 |
117 |
|
The Montague Hotel |
49 |
63 |
30 |
142 |
|
The Old Convent |
85 |
61 |
31 |
177 |
|
The Viking House |
19 |
21 |
10 |
50 |
|
Watergate House |
4 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
|
Total |
1127 |
1549 |
968 |
3644 |
[Table cont]
Table 2:
|
Accommodation Centre |
0>3 months |
3>6 months |
6>9 months |
9>12 months |
12>15 months |
15>18 months |
18>21 months |
21>24 months |
24>27 months |
27>30 months |
Total |
|
Ashbourne House |
9 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
9 |
16 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
61 |
|
Athlone Accommodation Centre |
9 |
17 |
22 |
17 |
33 |
31 |
11 |
2 |
22 |
20 |
184 |
|
Atlantic House |
3 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
8 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
2 |
9 |
52 |
|
Atlas House Killarney |
15 |
7 |
10 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
6 |
0 |
58 |
|
Atlas House Tralee |
6 |
13 |
7 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
4 |
7 |
5 |
3 |
67 |
|
Balseskin Centre |
207 |
16 |
11 |
10 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
249 |
|
Birchwood House |
6 |
5 |
18 |
9 |
9 |
6 |
18 |
16 |
4 |
9 |
100 |
|
Bridewater House |
8 |
15 |
59 |
45 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
131 |
|
Carroll Village |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
8 |
16 |
|
Clonakilty Lodge |
12 |
7 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
5 |
10 |
4 |
7 |
13 |
69 |
|
Clondalkin Towers Centre |
3 |
14 |
23 |
9 |
9 |
14 |
7 |
15 |
8 |
7 |
109 |
|
Eglington Hotel |
13 |
13 |
13 |
25 |
12 |
8 |
6 |
15 |
9 |
5 |
119 |
|
Eyre Powell Hotel |
0 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
7 |
5 |
6 |
3 |
41 |
|
Glen Vera Hotel |
2 |
10 |
21 |
12 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
5 |
3 |
11 |
87 |
|
Globe House |
6 |
24 |
26 |
24 |
19 |
8 |
16 |
25 |
3 |
8 |
159 |
|
Great Western House |
4 |
12 |
15 |
13 |
18 |
13 |
17 |
5 |
7 |
5 |
109 |
|
Hanratty Hotel |
8 |
15 |
9 |
13 |
2 |
7 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
66 |
|
Hatch Hall |
29 |
9 |
16 |
14 |
29 |
7 |
8 |
16 |
8 |
5 |
141 |
|
Johnston Marina Hotel |
2 |
12 |
2 |
12 |
6 |
10 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
49 |
|
Kinsale Road Centre |
14 |
19 |
32 |
15 |
26 |
18 |
14 |
36 |
3 |
20 |
197 |
|
Knockalisheen Centre |
10 |
15 |
27 |
13 |
11 |
24 |
4 |
14 |
4 |
19 |
141 |
|
Linden House Hotel |
2 |
16 |
35 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
55 |
|
Millstreet Accommodation Centre |
18 |
34 |
30 |
43 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
9 |
8 |
11 |
160 |
|
Mosney Accommodation Centre |
60 |
25 |
11 |
39 |
30 |
15 |
14 |
35 |
57 |
45 |
331 |
|
Mount Trenchard |
3 |
7 |
12 |
7 |
4 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
4 |
55 |
|
Ocean View House |
4 |
5 |
7 |
10 |
20 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
9 |
62 |
|
Park Lodge |
0 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
2 |
10 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
34 |
|
Richmond Court |
4 |
8 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
7 |
2 |
50 |
|
St. Patricks Centre |
2 |
13 |
8 |
35 |
7 |
2 |
15 |
16 |
14 |
3 |
115 |
|
The Montague Hotel |
2 |
28 |
4 |
17 |
21 |
16 |
19 |
15 |
1 |
11 |
134 |
|
The Old Convent |
4 |
25 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
32 |
39 |
21 |
10 |
17 |
175 |
|
The Viking House |
7 |
2 |
8 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
7 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
47 |
|
Total |
474 |
401 |
458 |
442 |
323 |
286 |
269 |
287 |
210 |
273 |
3423 |
293. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of children, women and men resident in the Mosney direct provision centre. [30120/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMosney Accommodation Centre is currently home to 802 residents. The population comprises people who have applied for international protection and who have requested accommodation services as well as people brought to Ireland under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.
The demographic breakdown of those residents who sought accommodation services while they applied for international protection and are resident in Mosney is 331 children, 208 adult females and 116 adult males.
There are 147 residents in Mosney who were brought to Ireland under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. The demographic breakdown of this cohort is 54 children, 41 adult females and 52 adult males.
In total, there are 385 children, 249 adult females and 168 adult males currently resident in Mosney.
294. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of referrals from the Mosney direct provision centre received by Tusla in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018. [30121/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2016 there were 15 referrals to TUSLA from Mosney Accommodation Centre via the Reception and Integration Agency of my Department in relation to persons seeking International Protection.
In 2017 there were 11 such referrals to TUSLA and to date in 2018 there have been 7 such referrals.
The referrals listed above are those recorded by the Reception and Integration Agency Children and Family Services Unit. The referrals are those made by the Designated Liaison Person(s) (DLP) at the Mosney Accommodation Centre.
The number of referrals received by TUSLA regarding persons living in Mosney Accommodation Centre may differ from the numbers recorded by RIA. This may arise where a referral is made by:
1. Professionals not employed by and/or not working in Mosney (and therefore not subject to the procedures of RIA's Child Protection Policy and with no obligation to inform Mosney's DLP or RIA that a referral has been made in respect of a person living in Mosney).
or
2. Family members and friends of a child or family about whom the referral is made and who are acting in a private capacity and under no obligation to inform the Mosney DLP or RIA that a referral has been made in respect of a person living in Mosney.
Accurate information about the total number of referrals received by TUSLA about children and families living in Mosney Accommodation Centre is only available from TUSLA.
295. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress of the integration services set up in 2016 to provide supports for families living in the Mosney direct provision centre. [30122/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMosney Accommodation Centre is home to 802 residents. The population comprises people who have applied for international protection and who have requested accommodation services as well as people brought to Ireland under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.
My Department is responsible for the administration of funding to a number of schemes designed to assist integration of migrants to the state. Schemes who have received funding and are available to the residents of Mosney are as follows:
European Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund:
Spirasi: Provision of Holistic Rehabilitation and Educational Support for Torture Victims in Ireland. The project is focused on the provision of initial assessments and Medical Legal Reports and building the capacity of Spirasi to deliver, expand and sustain the programme.
Migrant Rights Centre Project: Project to advance rights and build capacity of low waged Third Country Nationals and will target those most risk of poverty, exclusion and discrimination in low-waged and unregulated sectors.
New Communities Partnership: This is a Migrants Access Programme to the Labour Marketplace which aims to empower migrants by assessing their needs and providing 6 week intensive training courses to create and upskill their capabilities to efficiently access the labour market.
Irish Refugee Council of Ireland: Project focused on quality, protection and empowerment in the asylum procedure and to assist in transitioning from Direct Provision. The project uses a continuum of care approach to ensure applicants are assisted at each stage of the asylum procedure.
These projects are national projects that benefit residents of Mosney.
European Social Fund:
JUMP Project: The JUMP Project, which is based in County Meath, delivers courses, workshops, one-to-one training and coaching and mentoring to assist people to progress career progression routes. The project is focused on migrants.
National Integration Funding Programme:
RISE : Refugee Integration, Skills and Employability is a training programme run by Business in the Community that includes Syrian refugees based in Mosney among its participants.
Third Age: Fáilte Isteach is a Meath based project that trains local volunteers to become language tutors to migrant groups, with a particular emphasis on older volunteers.
Cultúr Migrant Integration and Anti-Racism project is based in County Meath.
Employment Supports for Refugee Women (Dormant Accounts Funded):
The Net-WORK project: Project is run by Cultúr Celebrating Diversity and the Meath Partnership and is specifically targeted at women moving out of Mosney.
In addition to these state funded projects, there are also a number of initiatives that have taken place at a local level to encourage integration for residents of Mosney with the wider community. These include the recent Learning for Life Training initiative in partnership with Diageo Ireland and the Mosney Foróige Group for the younger residents.
296. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of the outstanding recommendations of the McMahon report implemented further to the final progress report published in June 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30123/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe final report on the implementation of the McMahon recommendations was published by my Department last July and is available along with the two other item by item progress reports on my Department's website.
The final Report noted that 98% of the recommendations had been fully implemented or were in progress. The remaining 2% have been surpassed by events such as the progressive reforms arising from our recent opting in to the recast Receptions Conditions Directive and the commencement of the International Protection Act 2015.
No further reports will be issued by my Department in its informal role as monitor, as a result of the excellent rate of implementation reported last year and the roll out of the subsequent programme of reform being pursued by the Government. Individual recommendations remain the responsibility of the individual Departments or agencies as set out in the Report.
