Written Answers Nos. 265-289
265. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of dedicated community gardaí based in each Garda district in County Donegal in each of the years 2002 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [37071/18]
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.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána. It provides a means of recognising that every community – both urban and rural – has its own concerns and expectations. That is why it is important to recognise that the role of a community Garda is not a specialist role in An Garda Síochána; rather it is the case that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. The official categorisation as a Community Garda simply refers to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. It is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her having regard to the profile of the area and its specific needs.
The material is not compiled in such a manner as to allow me to provide you with the number of Community Gardaí in each district, by way of assistance the number of Community Gardaí by Division in each of the years from 2008 to 31 July 2018, the latest date for which figures are currently available as provided by the Garda Commissioner, is available on my Department’s website through the link below.
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/005_Community_Garda_Strength_2008_to_31_July_2018.xlsx/Files/005_Community_Garda_Strength_2008_to_31_July_2018.xlsx
For more general information on Garda Facts and Figures please see the following link: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures.
266. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to a drugs unit in each Garda district in County Donegal in each of the years 2002 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [37072/18]
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.
As the Deputy will be aware all Gardaí have a responsibility in the prevention and detection of criminal activity whether it be in the area of drug offences crime or otherwise. I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to pro-actively and resolutely tackle all forms of drug crime in this jurisdiction.
An Garda Síochána's National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, which was established in 2015, continues to lead out the policing strategy for tackling drugs by demand reduction and supply reduction strategies. In this regard the Bureau continues its policy of working with Garda Divisional Drug Units nationwide in tackling supply reduction at local level.
This work is further supported by other national units, including the Criminal Assets Bureau, in targeting persons involved in the illicit sale and supply of drugs. This approach allows for the co-ordinated use of Garda resources in tackling all forms of organised crime, including illicit drug activity nationwide. Multi-disciplinary approaches are also utilised to ensure that those involved in illicit activity are effectively targeted including through the use of the proceeds of crime legislation, money laundering legislation and the powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau. I am informed that this approach adopts good practice in implementing a co-ordinated use of Garda resources and in utilising available criminal law to its fullest extent in tackling all forms of organised crime, including drug trafficking.
We have also seen unprecedented international cooperation between An Garda Síochána and policing services in other jurisdictions leading to important arrests and drug seizures.
Underpinning all these measures is this Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. I am informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 2,200 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across the organisation including the Divisional Drugs Units. Information in relation to Drugs Unit Personnel at the Divisional level, from 2008 onwards, as provided by the Garda Commissioner, is set out at the following link:
267. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding Carndonagh Garda station. [37073/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that in 2008 a potential site for the development of a new Garda Station in the location referred to by the Deputy had been identified by the OPW. However, I have been informed that the site was not acquired. I am further informed that in the circumstances that no alternative site was then available, An Garda Síochána requested the OPW to carry out alternative works, namely a modular extension and internal refurbishment, rewiring and accessibility works at the existing station. These works were completed in mid-2010 at a cost of approximately €92,000. l am informed that in 2017, a further €11,850 was spent on additional minor works at the station in question.
Regarding the current position, I have been advised by the Garda authorities that a Health and Safety assessment has been carried out on the station in question by the Regional Safety Advisor and that local Garda management are currently examining the issues identified, with a view to prioritising works required at the station.
268. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if reports that overtime has been cancelled for gardaí serving in Garda districts in County Donegal are correct. [37074/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote and as such is responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources at his disposal, in accordance with operational need. Those resources have reached unprecedented levels with a provision for 2018 of more than €1.6 billion, including an allocation of almost €100 million for overtime.
Under the governance and oversight arrangements in place between my Department and An Garda Síochána, the evolution of expenditure is kept under constant review and I have already discussed the financial position with Commissioner Harris. We are agreed that it is essential that value for money is achieved with the resources at his disposal and insofar as the emerging overrun in 2018 is concerned, he will be working with his senior management team to identify any measures that can be taken to ameliorate the situation.
Concerning overtime in particular, I understand from the Garda authorities that a comprehensive review of Garda overtime commenced this month. I further understand that it is intended for the review to identify a range of measures to prioritise, target and control overtime to ensure that Garda resources are used in the most efficient and effective way possible and having regard to operational needs.
My Department will, of course, continue to engage with Garda management on the issue over the remainder of the year.
269. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the waiting times for join spouse visas; the measures he will put in place to reduce processing times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37082/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the current processing time for 'Join Family' visa applications by the Visa Office in Dublin is a little over 6 months. Applications processed in the seven Visa Offices abroad generally have a shorter processing time.
The Policy Document on Family Reunification published in December 2013 contains a stated business target that visa applications to join Irish citizens should be dealt with within six months of receipt of application. However, it should be noted that this is a business target and does not constitute a legal obligation. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.
While the Visa Office endeavours to have applications of this nature processed as quickly as possible, processing times for visas can vary based on a number of factors such as the number of applications, seasonal fluctuations - this for example being the busiest time of the year generally for making visa applications, individual circumstances, the complexity of applications, whether further information or investigation is required, and the resources available. Any delays in achieving the business target are primarily related to the processing of more complex cases where the provision of additional documentation is requested or where detailed assessments of family rights under the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights are required.
The central concern, as with all visa services worldwide, in deciding on visa applications is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime, while at the same time facilitating travel for those who meet the criteria. Each visa application is decided on its own merits taking all relevant factors into account.
270. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of EU treaty rights visa applications received, granted and refused, respectively, by country in each of the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37084/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the following tables set out the position in relation to the ten highest number of applications received by nationality and a combined figure for all other nationalities for each of the years requested.
As the Deputy may be aware, there was an exponential increase from the second quarter of 2015 in the number of such applications. That gave rise to a caseload of around 10,500 applications which had to be assessed very carefully to ensure that any fraudulent applications or potential abuses of the Directive are detected and dealt with appropriately. The majority of these have now been processed, and explains the high figures of applications and refusals for certain countries in those years.
Most of the sponsors in these particular cases were United Kingdom nationals who came here claiming to be exercising EU Treaty Rights. INIS had serious concerns about many of these cases, particularly as they appeared to be using the Common Travel Area to circumvent national UK immigration rules for family reunification. However, under the Directive genuine movement must be taking place by the EU national, such as taking up employment, etc. A series of measures were taken by INIS including defending cases in the Courts, working with the Garda National Immigration Bureau to address abuses, and working in close cooperation with UK counterparts who subsequently made changes to their laws.
Since these measures were taken, the numbers of such new applicants dropped off dramatically in 2017 and this year to date. Approximately 97% of those 10,500 applications have now been decided, and over 95% refused/withdrawn with a significant number processed this year and thus not reflected in the processing figures in the following tables.
Legal proceedings in relation to a number of such applications have been before the courts, and a referral was made by the Court of the Appeal to the European Court of Justice.
More generally, the central concern, as with all visa services worldwide, in deciding on visa applications is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime while at the same time facilitating travel for those who meet the criteria. Each visa application is therefore decided on its own merits taking all factors into account.
EU Treaty Rights visa applications received 2013 to 2017
|
Nationality |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
Total |
|
Afghanistan |
16 |
228 |
3420 |
790 |
44 |
4498 |
|
Bangladesh |
15 |
45 |
247 |
236 |
47 |
590 |
|
India |
41 |
98 |
270 |
266 |
200 |
875 |
|
Iraq |
6 |
51 |
1239 |
373 |
23 |
1692 |
|
Nigeria |
30 |
113 |
229 |
305 |
314 |
991 |
|
Pakistan |
95 |
369 |
2735 |
3561 |
524 |
7284 |
|
People's Republic of China |
26 |
55 |
122 |
103 |
134 |
440 |
|
Philippines |
42 |
68 |
134 |
109 |
114 |
467 |
|
Russian Federation |
53 |
77 |
165 |
154 |
190 |
639 |
|
Ukraine |
29 |
49 |
104 |
100 |
105 |
387 |
|
Rest of World |
313 |
610 |
1300 |
1130 |
1109 |
4462 |
|
Total |
666 |
1763 |
9965 |
7127 |
2804 |
22325 |
EU Treaty Rights visa applications decided in 2013
|
Nationality |
Granted |
Refused |
Total |
|
India |
41 |
6 |
47 |
|
Moldova |
28 |
0 |
28 |
|
Morocco |
19 |
0 |
19 |
|
Nigeria |
28 |
12 |
40 |
|
Pakistan |
88 |
9 |
97 |
|
People’s Republic of China |
17 |
4 |
21 |
|
Philippines |
35 |
2 |
37 |
|
Russian Federation |
51 |
0 |
51 |
|
Tunisia |
17 |
1 |
18 |
|
Ukraine |
29 |
2 |
31 |
|
Rest of World |
232 |
19 |
251 |
|
Total |
585 |
55 |
640 |
EU Treaty Rights visa applications decided in 2014
|
Nationality |
Granted |
Refused |
Total |
|
Afghanistan |
143 |
10 |
153 |
|
Egypt |
37 |
1 |
38 |
|
India |
74 |
6 |
80 |
|
Nigeria |
82 |
27 |
109 |
|
Pakistan |
254 |
12 |
266 |
|
People's Republic of China |
46 |
7 |
53 |
|
Philippines |
56 |
3 |
59 |
|
Russian Federation |
75 |
0 |
75 |
|
Tunisia |
77 |
2 |
79 |
|
Ukraine |
43 |
3 |
46 |
|
Rest of World |
492 |
38 |
530 |
|
Total |
1379 |
109 |
1488 |
EU Treaty Rights visa applications decided in 2015
|
Nationality |
Granted |
Refused |
Total |
|
Afghanistan |
901 |
33 |
934 |
|
Bangladesh |
41 |
41 |
82 |
|
India |
157 |
37 |
194 |
|
Iraq |
151 |
36 |
187 |
|
Nigeria |
137 |
72 |
209 |
|
Pakistan |
560 |
125 |
685 |
|
People's Republic of China |
97 |
13 |
110 |
|
Philippines |
94 |
16 |
110 |
|
Russian Federation |
162 |
1 |
163 |
|
Ukraine |
81 |
13 |
94 |
|
Rest of World |
885 |
101 |
986 |
|
Total |
3266 |
488 |
3754 |
EU Treaty Rights visa applications decided in 2016
|
Nationality |
Granted |
Refused |
Total |
|
Ghana |
32 |
31 |
63 |
|
India |
101 |
33 |
134 |
|
Moldova |
67 |
0 |
67 |
|
Nigeria |
176 |
107 |
283 |
|
Pakistan |
77 |
135 |
212 |
|
People's Republic of China |
99 |
6 |
105 |
|
Philippines |
82 |
9 |
91 |
|
Russian Federation |
142 |
2 |
144 |
|
Turkey |
53 |
4 |
57 |
|
Ukraine |
95 |
8 |
103 |
|
Rest of World |
623 |
63 |
686 |
|
Total |
1547 |
398 |
1945 |
EU Treaty Rights visa applications decided in 2017
|
Nationality |
Granted |
Refused |
Total |
|
Afghanistan |
4 |
449 |
453 |
|
India |
113 |
17 |
130 |
|
Iraq |
7 |
202 |
209 |
|
Moldova |
115 |
1 |
116 |
|
Nigeria |
176 |
92 |
268 |
|
Pakistan |
118 |
1300 |
1418 |
|
People's Republic of China |
124 |
4 |
128 |
|
Philippines |
79 |
24 |
103 |
|
Russian Federation |
187 |
4 |
191 |
|
Ukraine |
90 |
11 |
101 |
|
Rest of World |
718 |
203 |
921 |
|
Total |
1731 |
2307 |
4038 |
271. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and types of road traffic offences recorded in Cork city in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018. [37142/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested a report from An Garda Síochána in relation to the statistics sought by the Deputy and I will be in contact with the Deputy directly on receipt of this report.
272. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37161/18]
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.
Following consideration of these representations, it was decided, as an exceptional measure, to grant permission to remain in the State based on the applicant’s original stated identity, and this position applied from 10 December 2013, until 10 December 2019. The applicant subsequently advised the INIS that this was not his true identity or date of birth, but that his true identity and date of birth was different.
Given that the applicant's immigration history in his true identity was effective from Monday 18 June 2018, the rights of residency accumulated between 10 December 2013 and 18 June 2018 will not be regarded as 'reckonable residency' for citizenship or other purposes. This is quite simply because it was based on a false identity, and a false date of birth. However, any rights of residency accumulated from Monday 18 June 2018, onwards will be accepted as being 'reckonable'.
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.
273. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and expected residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37193/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it wrote to the person concerned on 21 May 2018 seeking further information and documentary evidence in respect of a request for permission to reside in this State. I understand that it remains open to the person concerned to reply to INIS. The request will be given detailed consideration by INIS upon receipt of the relevant response from the individual concerned.
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 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
274. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37195/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned requested permission to reside in the State on 14 May 2018.
The Deputy will appreciate that applications are dealt with in chronological order. In that regard, I am informed that INIS wrote to the person concerned 10 September 2018 seeking further information. The request will be given detailed consideration by INIS upon receipt of the relevant response from the individual concerned.
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 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 was of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
275. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when various entitlements will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37200/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that there is no record of a request for permission to reside in the State from the person concerned.
I am further informed that it is open to the person concerned to write to Unit 5, Domestic Residence and Permissions Division, INIS, P.O. Box 12695, Dublin 2, setting out their current circumstances. Alternatively the person may email INISdefacto@justice.ie for further information on how to proceed.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by email 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 email service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if stamp 4 will be restored in the interim until his Department has had the opportunity to complete a review of the case of a person (details supplied) or to allow for the processing of a work permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37203/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned applied on 12 October 2010 for a residence card as a family member of an EU citizen under the provisions of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2006 and 2008 and Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. They stated at that time that they were the spouse of a citizen of Portugal.
This application was refused on 19 April 2011 as the person concerned failed to submit the documentation requested of them. The applicant sought a review of that decision and, on 16 August 2011, they were informed that the initial decision had been set aside and that they were to be provided with a residence card as a family member of an EU citizen – a Stamp 4EUFam - for a period of five years.
On 06 September 2016, the person concerned submitted an application to retain their residence card on an individual and personal basis. However, they were advised on 15 July 2017 that their application had been refused. Based on information available to INIS, it was clear that the EU citizen had departed the State in 2013. They had ceased to exercise EU Treaty rights in the State in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations and Directive at that time. As the Union citizen had not been exercising EU Treaty Rights in the State in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 6(3) of the Regulations since 2013, the applicant’s derived right of residence under the Regulations ceased from that time also. Moreover, the applicant did not retain any entitlement to a residence card under Regulation 10(2) of the Regulations or Regulation 9(3) of the Regulations.
The person concerned requested a review of that decision on 16 August 2017, this application is currently under consideration. The applicant was provided with temporary permission to remain in the State while their application was under consideration, and this temporary permission will be renewed in the coming days.
INIS will correspond with the person concerned should further documentation, information, or clarification be required. Applications are dealt with in strict chronological order, and a decision will issue to the person concerned in due course. Although it is not possible at the present time to provide a definitive date by which a decision will be reached in this case, there will be no avoidable delay in completing same.
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 INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the basis on which it has been determined that the renewed passport submitted by a person (details supplied) was a false passport; if this has been verified by the Angolan authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37206/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned presented a new passport on 5 April 2018 at the Burgh Quay Registration Office. The passport was referred to An Garda Síochána technical bureau for examination and the matter is now being dealt with by An Garda Síochána.
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.
278. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the capital allocation committed to within his Department for 2019 under the National Development Plan 2018-2027; and the projects for which the funding is allocated. [37228/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe capital allocation committed for the Justice Votes Group for 2019, as published in the recent National Development Plan, is as follows:
|
Year |
Allocation - € million |
|
2019 |
241 |
A number of the projects earmarked for expenditure in 2019 are currently at design/procurement stage of the project lifecycle. The precise breakdown of the budget across various projects or programmes will be dependent on final design and the outcome of associated procurement competitions. As such, a precise breakdown of the €241 million allocation is not yet complete and may be subject to minor adjustment, due to timing factors on individual projects.
Pending final design and procurement the following major areas are earmarked for funding:
- Construction of the new Forensic Science Laboratory;
- Garda Síochána Building and Refurbishment Programme including replacement of the Harcourt Street Complex;
- Garda ICT Programme including completion of the implementation of Schengen Information system;
- Continuing Investment in the Garda Fleet;
- Prisons, Courts and Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service ICT investment;
- Prison Building Programme including the redevelopment of Limerick Prison;
- New or refurbished courthouses in a number of regional cities and county towns.
279. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeline for the works at Fitzgibbon Street Garda station, Dublin 1; and the possible opening date. [37247/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that there has in recent years been very significant investment in improving the condition of the Garda estate. Over €60 of million exchequer funding underpins the Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme, which is a 5-year programme based on agreed Garda priorities benefitting over 30 locations around the country. This is additional to the investment of approximately €100 million in development of 3 major new Divisional and Regional Headquarters at Galway, Wexford and Kevin Street Dublin, each of which has been completed and entered into operational use.
This programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the OPW has advised that the refurbishment works at Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station will be carried out in two phases.
The Garda and OPW authorities confirm that the first phase, consisting of enabling works, is commencing this month, September 2018. It is expected that these enabling works will be completed in or around April 2019. The second phase of works will commence as soon as possible after completion of the enabling works. Although at this stage a rough estimate only, it is currently anticipated that the second phase of works should take approximately 12 months to complete.
The Deputy will appreciate that, in light of the many factors involved, it is not possible at this point to give a final completion date for the works at Fitzgibbon Street station.
280. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the community courts initiative. [37248/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, my Department led a Working Group of Justice Sector officials to consider options for moving forward on the proposal to establish a Community Court. Building on the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, the Working Group considered proposals to enhance the approach to tackling low level offenders and effectively addressing their offending behaviour through a Community Justice Intervention type programme. This would be a diversion from the courts system in a way that has the potential to respond more effectively to one-off and repeat, low level offending with the emphasis on speedy processing aimed at reducing the risk of re-offending and would also offer quick referral to the necessary services.
My Department wishes to build on this work and continues to examine a number of possibilities, including the creation of a conditional cautioning system of which there are a number of models, which continue to remain under careful consideration.
281. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons waiting on a decision on visa applications; the implications of the Luximon Supreme Court judgment; and the impact this will have on those waiting on decisions. [37249/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department are currently finalising a response to the Judgement referred to by the Deputy. It is difficult to accurately determine in advance how many persons are impacted by the Judgement as it depends on a number of factors including how many have remained in the State since the new students scheme was introduced in 2011, whether they have obtained a different immigration permission in the meantime, etc.
I expect to be announcing details of the response in the next few weeks.
282. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of arrests, charges and cautions under the new offences of purchasing sexual services from February 2017 to date (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37255/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought from the Garda authorities and I will revert to the Deputy in due course as soon as the information is to hand.
283. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if and when stamp 4 will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37257/18]
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 currently at an advanced stage. The above named has permission to reside in the State until 6 July 2020 and on completion of the necessary processing the application will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
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 straightforward cases are now 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.
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.
284. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda personnel working in the National Economic Crime Bureau; the number of personnel specifically dedicated to tackling insurance fraud; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37298/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested a report from An Garda Síochána in relation to the information sought by the Deputy and I will be in contact with the Deputy directly on receipt of this report.
285. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of commencing a specific unit within the National Economic Crime Bureau for tackling insurance fraud; if he has received the costed proposal from an organisation (details supplied); the estimated cost if the proposed unit was funded entirely by the State rather than industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37299/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that An Garda Síochána has undertaken preliminary scoping work in relation to a recommendation of the Cost of Insurance Working Group that a specific unit within the National Economic Crime Bureau to tackle fraud should be funded by the industry. I understand that, at this stage, the Garda Commissioner has yet to form a view on the proposal. I would expect that an evaluation might include the costs of alternative options but to date no proposal or recommendation has been submitted to me as Minister.
286. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 280 of 23 January 2018 and 292 of 15 May 2018, the number of persons who have been killed in road traffic collisions involving a learner driver who was driving unaccompanied by a qualified driver in which the learner driver did not die; the number of persons who have sustained a serious injury in road traffic collisions in which a learner driver was driving unaccompanied by a qualified driver and the learner driver did not die; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37305/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by An Garda Síochána that the following tables set out the numbers of persons who have been killed or seriously injured, respectively, in road traffic collisions involving a learner driver who was driving unaccompanied by a qualified driver in which the learner driver did not die in each of the years 2014 to 2017, and from January to June 2018.
|
Year |
Total No. Fatalities in Fatal Collisions Involving Learner Unaccompanied Drivers in which the learner driver did not die |
|
Jan – June 2018 |
0 |
|
2017 |
8 |
|
2016 |
6 |
|
2015 |
12 |
|
2014 |
3 |
|
Year |
Total No. sustained a serious injury in Serious Injury Collisions Involving Learner Unaccompanied Drivers in which the learner driver did not die |
|
Jan – June 2018 |
10 |
|
2017 |
17 |
|
2016 |
19 |
|
2015 |
11 |
|
2014 |
22 |
I am further advised by An Garda Síochána that the above statistics are provisional, operational, and subject to change. I hope that these statistics will be of assistance to the Deputy.
287. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delay in processing a Garda vetting security clearance application by a person (details supplied); the expected timeline for this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37308/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person to whom the Deputy refers in his question is seeking employment in the Irish Prison Service. Given the nature of the functions of the Irish Prison Service, checks secondary to and in addition to vetting are required to be carried out. While these checks can take some time to be completed for a variety of reasons depending on the individual case, every effort is made to ensure there is no undue delay.
I am advised that the vetting process in respect of the individual referred to by the Deputy was completed on 10 September 2018 and returned to the Irish Prison Service. The person concerned is accordingly advised to liaise directly with the Irish Prison Service to ascertain the current position.
288. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners sleeping on the floor in all prisons during the months of April, May, June and July 2018. [37331/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that it has not been possible in the timeframe available to collate the information sought, as this entails a manual check of the individual records for each month. I will revert to the Deputy as soon as this information has been compiled.
289. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the most recent available figures for prisoners on protection in each prison; and the daily average for 2017. [37332/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statistics concerning prisoners on restricted regimes are collated by the Irish Prison Service Statistics Unit.
The quarterly reports are available on the website of the Irish Prison Service (www.irishprisons.ie), in the Information Centre – under Statistics & Information – Census Reports. As the information is compiled on a quarterly basis, data in relation to daily averages is not available.
By way of background, the restriction of a prisoner's regime can occur due to a number of factors, including the protection of vulnerable prisoners, which is provided for under Rule 63 of the Prison Rules 2007. A prisoner may, either at his/her own request or when the Governor considers it necessary, in so far as is practicable and subject to the maintenance and good order and safe and secure custody, be kept separate from other prisoners who are reasonably likely to cause significant harm to him/her.
Under Rule 62 of the Prison Rules 2007 a Governor may decide, for the maintenance of good order in the prison, to remove a prisoner from general association or structured activity to reduce the negative effect that a prisoner or prisoners may have on the general population. In addition a smaller number of prisoners may have their regimes restricted for medical (Rule 64) or discipline reasons (Rule 67).
The Prison Rules 2007 provide that the imposition of a restricted regime is closely monitored by the Irish Prison Service and the status of each prisoner on restricted regime within the prison system is regularly reviewed.
