Written Answers Nos. 229-248
229. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children expected to start school in September 2019; and the estimated proportion of children born in 2015 who are assumed to make use of the second year of early childhood care and education, ECCE. [3098/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the Department's projections of first level enrolments, 65,700 children are expected in Junior Infants in the 2019/2020 academic year. Futher information on these projections can be found on the Department's website at the following link:
https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Statistical-Reports/Other-Statistical-Reports.html.
The ECCE Scheme is the responsiblity of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, and they would be best placed to provide information on the uptake of the scheme.
230. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the expected fall in national school pupils in County Donegal from current levels in years (details supplied), respectively. [3099/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is very aware of the importance of small schools to rural communities and particularly the most dispersed and remote communities. To provide such communities with security about the future of their schools, a commitment is contained in the Programme for a Partnership Government not to close any small school without the consent of parents.
I also wish to advise the Deputy that the decision making authority for a school closure belongs to the Patron of a school, and this is subject to the agreement of the Department. Any proposal to close a school must involve consultation with all of the relevant stakeholders, parents, teachers, students and local communities and follow decisions taken at local level.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not received any correspondence from the patrons of primary schools in County Donegal relating to plans to close schools under their patronage.
231. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times an on-duty Garda vehicle has been involved in an accident while on duty in each of the years 2011 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2450/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table, provided by An Garda Síochána, outlines by incident-type, different incidents involving on-duty Garda vehicles in respect of each year during the period 2011 to 2018. The table includes information on ramming incidents and malicious damage, as well as accidents, and serves to illustrate the dangers facing members of An Garda Síochána while using vehicles to carry out the vital duty of protecting the safety of citizens.
|
Year |
Accidents |
Ramming |
Malicious Damage |
Total |
|
2011 |
543 |
62 |
24 |
629 |
|
2012 |
524 |
51 |
25 |
600 |
|
2013 |
508 |
64 |
20 |
592 |
|
2014 |
515 |
55 |
44 |
614 |
|
2015 |
550 |
70 |
40 |
660 |
|
2016 |
498 |
82 |
31 |
611 |
|
2017 |
568 |
71 |
34 |
673 |
|
2018 |
517 |
71 |
16 |
604 |
|
Total |
4,223 |
526 |
234 |
4,983 |
232. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the planning construction and delivery timeline for the provision of the new Garda station at Caltragh, County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2466/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, there has been unprecedented investment in An Garda Síochána in recent years, in support of the Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement and provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime.
The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion. Very significant capital investment is also being made in An Garda Síochána, including investment of €342 million in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021; and investment of €46 million in the Garda Fleet over the same period.
Considerable capital investment is also being made in the Garda estate.
The Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.
The Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021 is an ambitious 5-year programme based on agreed Garda priorities, which continues to benefit over 30 locations around the country, underpinned by over €60 million Exchequer funding as well as a major Public Private Partnership (PPP). There has been some good progress on the programme in 2018, as well as in other major projects in relation to the Garda estate, including in particular completion and entry into operational use of 3 new Divisional and Regional Headquarters at Wexford, Galway and Kevin Street Dublin, which collectively required funding of over €100 million. The clear goal of this investment is to address deficiencies in the Garda estate and provide fit-for-purpose facilities for Garda members and staff as well as the public interacting with them.
The Public Private Partnership arrangement included in the Building and Refurbishment Programme is intended to deliver new stations at Clonmel, Macroom and Sligo as well as a new custody suite at the Garda Station at Anglesea Street, Cork.
I am informed by the OPW and the Garda authorities that the OPW has acquired sites for the development of the new stations in Macroom and Caltragh, Sligo. I am further informed that the final outstanding difficulty in relation to completion of transfer of the site at Clonmel from Tipperary County Council to the OPW has now also been resolved and the transfer is now being finalised. On completion, ownership of all three sites will be vested in the OPW.
The development of PPP projects is progressed under the auspices of the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA). My Department is engaging with the NDFA with a view to progressing the matter further. My Department is also engaging with the NDFA in relation to delivery via PPP of a Courts Service project at a site in Hammond Lane, Dublin 7.
It is not possible at this point to provide a timeframe for the completion of these projects, including the new Garda station at Caltragh, Sligo. However I can assure the Deputy that delivery of the new Garda stations at Clonmel, Macroom and Sligo through this PPP arrangement is being pursued as a priority.
233. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the extension of parental leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2559/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important to note that the Government has always been, and continues to be, supportive of the principle of Parental Leave. As the Deputy will be aware, as part of Budget 2019, the Government announced the introduction of a new paid parental leave scheme which will commence later this year. This new scheme will, initially, provide for 2 weeks of paid, non-transferable leave per parent, with a view to expanding the scheme in future years.
This new scheme delivers on the commitment in the Programme for Partnership Government to increase paid parental leave during the first year of a child’s life, as research shows that parental care is of particular importance and benefit in the first 12 months. The new scheme is the key recommendation of the report of an interdepartmental committee which was established to develop recommendations as to how the Programme for Partnership Government commitments could be best implemented.
234. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason applicants who were successful for the position of Irish Prison Service, PS, recruit prison officer have been awaiting security clearance since July 2018. [2311/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will understand, prior to making an appointment to the position of recruit prison officer, the Irish Prison Service is obliged to make such inquires as are deemed necessary to determine the suitability of candidates. Until all stages of the recruitment process have been fully completed, a final determination as to the success of any candidate cannot be made, nor can it be deemed or inferred that such a determination has been made.
Given the level of responsibility in prison officer positions, it is necessary for checks to be carried out by An Garda Síochána on persons considered for this employment. These checks can take time to complete for a variety of reasons, some of which may be outside of the control of the Garda Authorities, depending on the circumstances of the individual case. However, I am assured that every effort is made to expedite this process to the greatest extent possible.
235. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a list of members of the advisory group to the Office of the Inspector of Prisons will be provided. [2368/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Inspector of Prisons is currently considering the establishment of an advisory group, but that this has not been finalised.
236. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for a visa in the case of a person (details supplied); when the appeal is likely to be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2387/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that an appeal was received by the Visa Office in Dublin on 12 December 2018. The Appeals Officer has requested additional information and is waiting for a reply. All documentation submitted with the original application and any additional information submitted will be fully considered.
As with all visa application processes, an appeal is dealt with in the order of date received in the Visa Office. While every effort is made to process appeals as quickly as possible, processing times can vary depending on the number of appeals received, whether investigation is required or not, available resources and the complexity of the case.
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.
237. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons convicted of an offence under section 29(1) of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 since 2004; the sentence and-or fine imposed in each case; the number of persons convicted of an offence under section 29(2) of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 since 2004; the sentence and-or fine imposed in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2437/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had inquiries made and the Courts Service has advised that statistics are not currently compiled in such a way as to provide information requested by the Deputy with regard to section 29(1) or 29(2) of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004.
The Deputy may be aware that the Report on the Cost of Employer and Public Liability Insurance, published in January 2018 by the Department of Finance, recognised the data challenges in establishing the number of initial complaints and investigations through to the resultant cases of prosecutions and convictions relating to fraud within the personal injuries area and the Report made recommendations to address this matter.
I am informed that while technical issues arose with the introduction of a new "insurance fraud" category on the PULSE system, these issues have now been resolved and the collection of statistics under the new category has commenced. However, as the category was only introduced on the PULSE system on 2 November 2018, it is too soon to produce meaningful statistics in relations to recorded crimes, prosecutions or convictions under this new category.
238. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the contingency plans in place to replace the large number of gardaí out of work due to suffering an injury on duty in view of the fact that overtime is no longer being sanctioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2442/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the manner in which the resources of the Garda Síochána are deployed is solely a matter for the Garda Commissioner and his management team and I, as Minister, have no direct role in this regard. It is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available taking account of those unavailable due to illness/incapacity and having regard to the profile of the area and its specific needs.
I am informed by the Commissioner that, as at 18/01/2019, the number of Gardaí out of work due to injury received while on duty was 149, comprising 12 Sergeants and 137 Gardaí. This amounts to 1% of the total number of Gardaí.
Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 2,400 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. This accelerated recruitment of Gardaí saw Garda numbers reach just over 14,000 by the end of 2018. The Garda Commissioner has also informed me that it is his intention to recruit a total of 600 trainee Gardaí in 2019 along with a net 600 Garda Staff (civilians). The recruitment of these additional Garda staff will allow the Commissioner to redeploy this year a further 500 fully trained Gardaí from administrative duties to the frontline duties for which they are trained.
I believe that the injection of this large number of experienced officers into the field, along with the new recruits, will not only be really beneficial in terms of protecting communities but will also more than adequately make up for those Garda members who have unfortunately been injured on duty.
An Garda Síochána is committed to supporting all employees for medical or recuperative reasons following injury or a period of illness and will continue, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer, to afford all reasonable accommodations in workplace arrangements following periods of absence and on medical advice. Such accommodations may include adapted patterns of working time and modifications of duties to facilitate reintegration into the workplace.
Furthermore, a total budget of €1.76 billion has been provided to An Garda Síochána in 2019 including up to €95 million available for the provision of overtime, an increase of over €100 million on the 2018 allocation. This substantial investment will provide new and leading edge technology to support our front line Gardaí in carrying out their work and increasing visibility in both rural and urban communities.
This and on-going recruitment will clearly provide the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí to deliver a visible effective and responsive policing service to communities across all Garda Divisions.
239. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are more decisions outstanding from the first round of the Irish refugee protection programme humanitarian admission programme (details supplied); the reason for the high refusal rate for same in view of the fact that there are a total of 530 places available on the programme; and if a second round of applications is open. [2455/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra240. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are decisions outstanding from the first round of applications for the refugee protection programme and humanitarian admission programme; and the reason for the perceived extremely high refusal rate (details supplied) in view of the fact that there are a total of 530 places available on the programme and a second round of applications is currently open. [2477/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra250. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 448 of 15 January 2019, the number of applications received including those deemed incomplete, by nationality. [2775/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 239, 240 and 250 together.
The Irish Refugee Protection Programme Humanitarian Admission Programme (IHAP), which I announced in May 2018, provides a new humanitarian pathway for eligible family members coming from the world’s top ten major source countries of refugees based on the UNHCR Annual Global Trends Report. The IHAP is part of the Government's plan to realise the full commitment of 4,000 persons agreed under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme in September 2015.
The IHAP provides for up to 530 vulnerable family members to be admitted under the programme before the end of 2019. The first IHAP window for proposals closed on 30 June 2018 and I recently announced the second window for proposals from 20 December 2018 until 08 February 2019.
Of the 908 proposals received during the first window a significant number from eligible countries were incomplete (694 proposals in respect of 1672 beneficiaries). I have been advised that INIS officials have provided individualised feedback to those whose proposals were incomplete with a view to a new completed proposal being submitted during the current window. In addition, 94 proposals were refused for not meeting the following IHAP criteria:
- the proposer not having the right status - i.e not a refugee or a citizen,
- beneficiary was from a country not covered under IHAP
- was not living in their country of origin or a neighbouring country, or
- was not a family member.
The tables set out the total number of proposals received from eligible and non eligible countries and the numbers of completed proposals granted.
Finally, it should be noted that processing is nearing completion in respect of all proposals received in the first window, with a total of 28 cases which are undergoing final checks. It is anticipated that decisions will issue shortly in those cases.
Proposals from Eligible Countries
|
Nationality |
Proposers |
Beneficiaries |
|
Democratic Republic of Congo |
368 |
741 |
|
Syria |
197 |
467 |
|
Somalia |
121 |
392 |
|
Afghanistan |
93 |
259 |
|
Sudan |
75 |
212 |
|
Eritrea |
17 |
27 |
|
South Sudan |
8 |
28 |
|
Burundi |
5 |
8 |
|
Myanmar |
3 |
3 |
|
Central African Republic |
0 |
0 |
|
Grand Total |
887 |
2137 |
Proposals from Non-eligible Countries
|
Nationality |
Proposers |
Beneficiaries |
|
Iraq |
6 |
14 |
|
Angola |
2 |
5 |
|
China |
2 |
2 |
|
Ethiopia |
2 |
10 |
|
Palestine |
2 |
4 |
|
Bangladesh |
1 |
1 |
|
Egypt |
1 |
1 |
|
Kenya |
1 |
3 |
|
Lebanon |
1 |
2 |
|
Libya |
1 |
4 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
1 |
2 |
|
Senegal |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
21 |
49 |
Completed proposals and Grants from Eligible Countries
|
|
Completed Proposals Received |
Completed Proposals Received |
Proposals Granted |
Proposals Granted |
|
Nationality |
Proposers |
Beneficiaries |
Proposers |
Beneficiaries |
|
Democratic Republic of Congo |
55 |
95 |
21 |
31 |
|
Syria |
71 |
181 |
28 |
56 |
|
Somalia |
26 |
94 |
5 |
12 |
|
Afghanistan |
33 |
99 |
11 |
22 |
|
Sudan |
21 |
27 |
13 |
15 |
|
Eritrea |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
South Sudan |
3 |
9 |
- |
- |
|
Burundi |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Myanmar |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
|
Total |
214 |
511 |
82 |
141 |
241. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce a legislative cap on general damages that can be sought in personal injury claims (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2517/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised by the Deputy is the subject of a recommendation made by the Cost of Insurance Working Group in its Report on the Cost of Employer and Public Liability Insurance published in January 2018. As the Deputy will be aware, the Cost of Insurance Working Group, chaired by Minister of State Michael D'Arcy TD, brings together the relevant Departments and Offices involved in undertaking a review of the factors which are influencing the increased cost of insurance. Its objective is to identify immediate and longer term measures which address increasing costs, while bearing in mind the need to maintain a stable insurance sector. I am aware, from my own Department's active participation in the ongoing work of the Group, that the adverse impact of insurance costs and claims on voluntary and community projects which has been raised by the Deputy is among the Group's key considerations.
Under Recommendation 5 of the Working Groups January 2018 Report, the Law Reform Commission was requested to undertake a detailed analysis of the possibility of developing constitutionally sound legislation to delimit or cap the amounts of damages which a court may award in respect of some or all categories of personal injuries. As tasked by the Working Group, my Department wrote to the Law Reform Commission to that effect on 9 February 2018.
The Law Reform Commission has now, I understand, included this proposal for consideration as part of its draft Fifth Programme of Law Reform. As part of the process for its adoption, the Government has referred the draft Fifth Programme to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality which is expected to report back shortly. On that basis, it would be anticipated that the Fifth Programme will be finalised soon at which point the timeline for the delivery of its various outputs by the Law Reform Commission, including in relation to the capping of damages, will be determined.
242. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will issue to release moneys for works at Limerick Prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2535/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that as a result of a tender competition for a substantial development at Limerick prison a preferred bidder has been identified.
It is anticipated that the Irish Prison Service will be in a position to issue a Letter of Acceptance in the very near future. Capital payments will be released following certification of the work by technical consultants.
243. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in County Tipperary as at 30 December 2018; the number of new recruits assigned to the division since recruitment resumed in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2553/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the manner in which the resources of the Garda Síochána are deployed is solely a matter for the Garda Commissioner and his management team and I, as Minister, have no direct role in this regard. I am informed by the Commissioner that 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 resources.
Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, just under 2,400 recruits have attested as members and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide including 800 trainees who passed out from the college during 2018. The Government has increased the budget for An Garda Síochána to €1.76 billion for 2019, which includes provision for the recruitment of up to 800 Gardaí this year. The Commissioner has now informed me that he plans to recruit a total of 600 trainee Gardaí in 2019 and, in addition, it is his intention to recruit a net 600 Garda Civilian Staff. This Garda Staff recruitment will allow the Commissioner to redeploy a further 500 fully trained Gardaí from administrative duties to frontline policing in 2019.
The Garda Commissioner has confirmed that the Government’s commitment to increase the overall strength of An Garda Síochána to 15,000 Garda members will be achieved by the target date of 2021. The Government fully supports the Commissioner’s management decision which will ensure that increasing numbers of Gardaí are available for frontline duties in the prevention and detection of criminal activity whether it be in the area of drug offences crime or otherwise in 2019 and beyond.
The Garda strength of the Tipperary Division as of 31 December 2018 as provided by the Garda Commissioner is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
Garda strength of the Tipperary Division
The information requested by the Deputy regarding new recruits as provided by the Garda Commissioner, is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
New Recruits as provided by the Garda Commissioner
244. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for family reunification made in 2018 by recognised refugees or persons granted subsidiary protection under the policy document on non-EEA family reunification published on 31 December 2013; the number of applications by recognised refugees or persons granted subsidiary protection which were processed in accordance with the policy document in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2600/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe principal manner by which those who have been granted refugee status by the State can seek family reunification is provided for in the International Protection Act 2015. Specifically, sections 56 and 57 provides for reunification where the family member is as defined in section 56(9) of that Act.
In addition, earlier this year I announced a new scheme for family reunification – the Irish Humanitarian Admissions Programme 2 (IHAP). The IHAP is a humanitarian admissions programme which gives persons granted international protection status in the State, and Irish citizens, the opportunity to apply to bring family members who are nationals of one of the top ten major countries of refugees, as listed in the UNHCR Annual Global Trends report, to this State. The first IHAP call for proposals closed on 30th June 2018 and I recently announced a second window for receipt of proposals from 20th December, 2018 until 8th February.
The policy document referred to by the Deputy is a general policy to cover the broad range of persons legally in the State who wishes to apply for their family members to join them. I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, as the criteria for qualification under the policy does not consider the original basis by which the sponsor came to have permission to be in the State, statistics in the manner requested by the Deputy are not collected in such a way that enables the data requested to be provided.
245. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the capital funding allocated between January 2019 and 2024 for the refurbishment of existing courthouses or the construction of new courthouses; the amount of this money which has already been allocated; the process by which courthouses are assessed for investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2622/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had inquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that, at present, the Courts Service has a capital buildings allocation of €4.88m per annum with an extra €10m in funding being provided in 2020. The annual unitary charge payments will also continue in respect of the recently completed Courts Public Private Partnership Bundle, which delivered newly constructed or extended/refurbished courthouses at Drogheda, Letterkenny, Wexford, Limerick, Waterford, Cork and Mullingar (€14.7m per annum) and the Criminal Courts of Justice building (€22.9m per annum).
The Deputy will also be aware that the Government's National Development Plan 2018 -2027 includes a number of courthouse projects to be completed during the period of the plan. These projects include:
- A major Family Law and Children's Court Complex on a site adjacent to the Four Courts at Hammond Lane in Dublin;
- Further new or refurbished courthouses in regional cities and county towns where facilities remain substandard (including Galway City, Wicklow Town, Portlaoise, Tralee and Roscommon) and further provincial locations such as Dungloe and Tuam;
- Construction of standard county town type court facilities at a number of locations in County Dublin and also in North Kildare, Bray and Navan;
- A nationwide condition survey of all court buildings in the estate will be undertaken to determine their condition and identify works required in relation to any issues identified and meet ongoing maintenance requirements.
With regard to the Hammond Lane project there continues to be on-going discussions with the Courts Service in regard to a number of issues including aspects of the funding proposal. The project will also require sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform before it can proceed.
The precise allocation and timing of additional funding for the remaining projects to be completed over the entire ten year period of the plan remains to be fully determined. It will be dependent on the outcome of further detailed planning and analysis of costs which will determine prioritisation of projects from a timing and budgetary perspective.
The Courts Service has also informed me that the Courts Service Building Committee, which is a subcommittee of the Courts Service Board, determines which projects are prioritised for capital investment. At present, the Courts Service is prioritising the provision of modern facilities in those remaining regional city and county town locations where new or extended/refurbished courthouses have not been provided in recent times and the current priority locations are Galway City, Wicklow Town, Portlaoise, Tralee and Roscommon.
246. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the arrangements he anticipates for the holders of stamp 4 EUFAM permission to remain here under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015 in the event of a no-deal Brexit when the family member of a stamp holder is a British citizen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2669/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department are preparing for a variety of scenarios, including the possibility of a no-deal Brexit.
As part of those deliberations, arrangements for current holders of EUFAM permissions already granted under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015 are currently being examined by my officials. While not wishing to pre-empt the outcome, I would anticipate that current holders will generally continue to enjoy residence conditions in the State equivalent to those previously held.
Under Common Travel Area arrangements, which predates Ireland and the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Union, British and Irish nationals will continue to enjoy rights, including the right to residency and the right to work in each other’s territories.
247. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will publish the airline costs for his Department for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2696/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Justice and Equality uses the central government air travel contract for commercial air travel. This contract was awarded to Club Travel, following a public procurement exercise carried out by the Office of Government Procurement, and came into effect on 1 August 2017. Costs are kept to a minimum through seeking the most competitive rate available at the time of request and by booking tickets as far in advance as possible.
In 2018, the Department spent €1,257,863 on airline costs.
This included €906,504 by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, the vast majority of which related to air travel for those subject to deportation or removal orders and transfers under the Dublin III Regulation and for accompanying Garda escorts. A further €36,255 was incurred by the Reception and Integration Agency, who have a role in assisting with the return of destitute citizens of certain EU States.
The remaining €315,104 was incurred in respect of employee business-related travel.
248. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will publish the cost of newspapers in his Department in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2713/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total spend on newspapers by my Department in 2018 was €53,067. A sustained effort has been made to reduce the spend on newspapers over recent years, this has brought the spend down to the current figure from a total of €80,818 in 2010.
