Written Answers Nos. 226-245
228. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated number of students that will be enrolled in higher education in the 2020/2021 academic year; the number enrolled at further education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23003/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Education's Projections of Demand for Full-Time Third Level Education estimate that 196,609 students will be enrolled in full-time higher education in the 2020/2021 academic year. Further details on these projections can be found on the Department of Education's website at the following link: https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/projections/projections-of-demand-for-full-time-third-level-education-2018-2040.pdf
There are no projections of enrolment available for Further Education.
The actual number of students that will enrol in further and higher education this year will be dependent on a number of factors including:
- The impact of reduced opportunities for employment or foreign travel on student demand for further and higher education
- Whether students will seek to defer or re-apply in subsequent years, given that the student experience this year will be vastly different due to the impact of COVID-19
- Uncertainty around students travelling internationally, both in terms of students hoping to come to Ireland to study, and Irish students hoping to study abroad
With the uncertainty involved in all these factors, it is not possible to make a prediction as to actual enrolment levels this year.
229. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the fact that Dundalk Institute of Technology is the only institute of technology not to have formally linked into a consortium to obtain technological university status; the actions he and the Higher Education Authority will take to advance technological university status for the institute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22857/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development and progression of technological universities is an established policy objective of Government in the context of overarching national strategy on higher education landscape restructuring and this is underscored in the commitment in the current Programme for Government.
The 2019 TU Research Network (TURN) Report entitled ‘Technological Universities: Connectedness & Collaboration enabled by Connectivity’ details the case and requirements for a state change in higher education reform whereby TUs will assist in the delivery of national strategic objectives for regional socio-economic development, higher education access, research and skills progression.
On foot of the TURN report, Government announced in Budget 2020 the provision of €90 million over the next three years under a new TU Transformation Fund to support Institutes of Technology (IoTs) to jointly achieve TU designation and to further the advancement of established TUs through implementation of the appropriate TURN report recommendations. This dedicated funding is additional to the €31 million in Exchequer funding invested in TU development and progression to date.
Under the statutory framework provided in the Technological Universities Act 2018, two or more IoTs may jointly seek TU designation through a prescribed legislative process. Section 29 of the 2018 Act provides for the application jointly by two or more applicant institutes to the Minister of Education and Skills for an order seeking designation as a TU subject to their jointly meeting specified eligibility criteria. Section 38 of the 2018 Act provides that an applicant institute and an established technological university may apply to the Minister for an order.
As autonomous higher education institutes established under statute, it remains a matter for the governing body of an IoT to set the institute’s particular strategic direction within the higher education landscape, including whether or not to seek TU designation through the prescribed legal processes.
In June 2020, Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) launched a new three-year strategic plan which articulates it’s mission to be a leader for higher education and craft apprenticeships, and the engine for growth and social cohesion in North Leinster-South Ulster through the achievement of TU status and strengthened cross-border alliances. In this context the Department understands that DKIT has been in discussions with a number of TU development consortia.
The HEA is currently involved in a process with eligible higher education institutions to ascertain funding requirements under the new TU Transformation Fund towards 2023. In this context the HEA has indicated its willingness to work with and support DKIT to facilitate a process to place the institute on a trajectory in line with their stated ambition to pursue TU status. Formal submissions under the fund were made to the HEA at the end of August 2020. The HEA is currently reviewing these and considering future funding allocations, with a view to making allocations in October.
230. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the discussions that have taken place with the private purpose-built student accommodation providers regarding the provision of flexible arrangements for the 2020-2021 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23022/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am conscious of the pressures challenges faced by students regarding student accommodation this year due to financial pressures and the blended learning format of the 2020/21 academic year. Throughout the last number of months my Department has been engaging with representatives from the higher education sector to address the challenges faced by students in this difficult time. My Department, in consultation with these key stakeholders will continue to monitor the situation relating to student accommodation closely.
My Department chairs an Interdepartmental Working Group on Student Accommodation. This group contains representatives from Higher Education Institutions, the Union of Students in Ireland and a number of government departments. It is intended to convene a meeting of this group shortly to discuss the accommodation issues faced by students due to COVID-19. This meeting with help determine any actions necessary in relation to student accommodation, including in relation to engagement with private accommodation providers.
I have asked our higher education institutions, where they have accommodation, to try to show flexibility in terms of its use. Several of them are doing so, while others are constrained by students having already booked accommodation. I would wish for private providers to show the same flexibility, however it is not within my remit to issue instruction in relation to the private rental market.
231. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of reducing apprentice fees by 20%, 50% and 100%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23023/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Annual Student Contribution (ASC) is levied on all students attending Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) including those relevant to apprentices - namely the Institutes of Technology (IoTs) and Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) as well as private providers such as the National College of Ireland. The amount of ASC charged to apprentices is calculated on a pro rata basis of the time spent in the institution during the academic year. In cases where training is delivered in an Education and Training Board there is no contribution made by the apprentice.
For craft apprenticeships, the ASC charged is pro-rated to the €3,000 ASC paid by students attending for the full academic year and so amounts to approximately €1,000 per apprentice per period spent in the IoT/TU Dublin. Craft apprentices typically spend two blocks of time (Phase 4 & 6) in a HEI. In the case of the new consortia led apprenticeships the contribution varies for each programme as their off-the-job training has a more flexible structure.
The removal of the ASC for apprentices in full would result in an estimated cost of €4.8 million per annum to the State. A 50% reduction in the ASC for apprentices would cost an estimated €2.4 million and a 20% reduction in the ASC for apprentices would cost an estimated €960,000.
232. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to decrease the qualifying criteria for the non-adjacent rate of the SUSI grant from 45km to 24km; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23024/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Student Grant Scheme, administered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), provides grant assistance to eligible students attending an approved course at an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
Student maintenance grants are payable at either the adjacent or non-adjacent rate. The distance to be measured is the shortest non-tolled most direct route from the student’s residence to the institution attended. The adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in the case of students whose normal residence is 45km or less from the approved institution which he or she is attending. The non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in all other cases.
The current qualifying distance of 45km for the higher non-adjacent rate of student grant, takes into account a reasonable radius within which students may commute on a daily basis.
The Deputy will appreciate that the funding allocation for the student grant scheme is determined in the context of the overall estimates and budgetary process undertaken by all Government Departments. However, all proposals made in relation to SUSI grant expenditure will be considered in the context of Budget 2021, having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands in the further and higher education sector.
233. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated number of students that will be affected by changing the SUSI adjacency rates from 45km to 25km, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23025/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe data provided in the table attached is the estimated number of students that would be affected by changing the SUSI adjacency rates from 45km to 25km.
|
Maintenance Grant Rate |
Students distance is measured between 25km and 45km |
|
Special Rate |
2,862 |
|
100% Ordinary Rate |
3,928 |
|
75% Ordinary Rate |
225 |
|
50% Ordinary Rate |
405 |
|
25% Ordinary Rate |
399 |
|
Grand Total |
7,819 |
234. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice if she will address concerns raised that persons trying to obtain an appointment with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service online appointment booking system which is saying that there are no appointments currently available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22715/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Burgh Quay Registration Office for the Dublin area reopened on 20 July 2020.
To protect the safety of staff and applicants and comply with social distancing and public health guidelines, it has been necessary to reduce capacity. The Public Office is now accepting applications for first time registrations on an appointment only basis. Priority for appointment allocation was given initially to those who had their application for first time registration cancelled when the Office closed in March. Over 4,500 appointments for first time registrations were cancelled at that time.
A new online system for the renewal of Registrations in the Dublin area was developed and launched as part of my Department’s COVID-19 response and to enable applicants safely engage with the Registration Office.
All registration renewals in the Dublin area are now being processed online and the system is available for all applicants at https://inisonline.jahs.ie. All applicants have to do is complete a form online, upload the supporting documents, pay the fee and then submit their passport and current IRP card via registered post. Since the launch of this system on 20 July 2020, my Department has received over 22,000 applications from people who would otherwise have had to attend in Burgh Quay in person.
First time registrations require the taking of biometric information (fingerprints) so it is not possible to do these registrations online. The online appointment system for new applicants went live again on 28 August 2020, with almost 2,000 appointments offered to date. Further appointments are being continually added. All cancelled appointments were rescheduled and an additional 1,000 appointments issued through July and August. It is planned to significantly increase capacity over the coming months.
My Department is aware that there have been issues in the past around the securing of registration appointments and a set of software fixes were introduced in late 2018, designed to prevent such abuses of the system. The new measures have been successful to date in preventing the block booking of appointments by third party agents. However, there are some third party agents providing appointment booking services in return for payment on the basis that the person provides them with their personal details in advance. The Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department have strongly advised against this practice of providing sensitive and personal data to unregulated and unknown third parties.
235. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if the processing time for a residency extension application and the return of passports will be shortened in order that persons are not without official forms of identification for long periods of time. [22729/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSignificant demand accumulated during the four months that the Registration Office was closed due to COVID-19. To assist in addressing this demand, a new online system for the renewal of Registrations in the Dublin area was developed and launched on 20 July, enabling applicants to safely engage with the Registration Office without the need to attend in person at Burgh Quay.
My Department and I recognise the difficulties that delays may cause for applicants and we are also providing additional resources to the Registration Office to increase its capacity to handle current demand. My intention is to bring processing times down as quickly as possible.
If an applicant urgently needs their passport for travel or other such reasons, they should email the Registration Office at burghquayregoffice@justice.ie and set out the circumstances involved.
236. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice the reason for significant delays to applications for naturalisation; the process generally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22737/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe restrictions attendant to the current COVID-19 pandemic have regrettably resulted in significant challenges to the delivery of normal services within the Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department. Currently there are approximately 21,000 applications on hand, at various stages within the system, ranging from those just received by the Citizenship Division to those where a decision has been made but it is not possible to issue an invitation to a ceremony.
All applicants 18 years and older must attend at a citizenship ceremony in order to make a declaration of fidelity to the State, administered by a Presiding Officer, normally a retired member of the Judiciary. As a result of these restrictions, the Citizenship Division have experienced significant disruption in delivering its core functions. Working within these restrictions, public safety and the wellbeing of staff are of course both urgent priorities.
The pilot virtual Citizenship Ceremony that took place on 10 July 2020, involved 21 applicants. As I indicated at that time, a review was underway and consideration of that review is now in its final stages.
As I have said previously, a critical consideration is the protection of the welfare and safety of the participants and the general public. It is also essential that any arrangements put in place ensure that the event is held with an appropriate degree of dignity and solemnity, as befits an event of such importance in the lives of our newest citizens. At this same time, it is not desirable for extended delays to become a feature of the system, while having regard to the practical aspects of the citizenship process. As a consequence, a critical aspect of the review concerns the ability to provide a scalable solution. The ceremony model will need to be able to meet the requirements of applicants and my Department for an as yet indeterminate period of time. My intention is to make a decision as to how to proceed shortly.
It remains my intention that large scale ceremonies will recommence once circumstances allow.
237. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of licensed premises prosecuted for offences under section 17(3) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [22748/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials have requested information from An Garda Síochána to be of assistance to the Deputy and I will revert with a reply to the Deputy as soon as it is received.
238. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda cars and vans attached to each Garda district in Dublin as of 2 September 2020, in tabular form. [22749/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. In addition, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 31 August 2020, there were 3,015 vehicles attached to the Garda Fleet, including vehicles attached to the national units. For clarity, this figure does not include the additional 210 vehicles which have been hired by An Garda Síochána this year, to provide additional capacity during the Covid-19 pandemic.
For the Deputy's information the table below sets out all vehicles assigned to the DMR as of that date.
|
DMR Division/ District |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
*Others |
Total |
|
BLACKROCK-W |
26 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
29 |
|
DUNLAOGHAIRE-F |
32 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
42 |
|
DMR EAST |
58 |
11 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
71 |
|
BALBRIGGAN-Y |
11 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
|
BALLYMUN |
31 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
39 |
|
COOLOCK-R |
25 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
28 |
|
RAHENY-J |
21 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
|
DMR NORTH |
88 |
13 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
103 |
|
BRIDEWELL |
8 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
FITZGIBBON STREET |
17 |
5 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
24 |
|
STORE STREET |
31 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
38 |
|
DMR NORTH CENTRAL |
56 |
12 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
72 |
|
CRUMLIN-G |
19 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
27 |
|
TALLAGHT-M |
35 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
43 |
|
TERENURE-P |
15 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
18 |
|
DMR SOUTH |
69 |
16 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
88 |
|
DONNYBROOK-E |
15 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
21 |
|
KEVIN STREET-A |
29 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
34 |
|
PEARSE STREET-B |
13 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
18 |
|
DMR SOUTH CENTRAL |
57 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
73 |
|
DMR TRAFFIC-DUBLIN CASTLE |
21 |
2 |
40 |
2 |
0 |
65 |
|
DMR TRAFFIC |
21 |
2 |
40 |
2 |
0 |
65 |
|
BLANCHARDSTOWN-K |
39 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
47 |
|
CLONDALKIN-L |
22 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
26 |
|
LUCAN-Q |
18 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
26 |
|
DMR WEST |
79 |
14 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
99 |
*The category 'others' refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles
Significant capital investment is being made in An Garda Síochána, including a total of €46 million specifically for the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021. This continuing investment is intended to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet and that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.
Of this investment, a total of €9 million was made available for purchase and fit-out of additional Garda vehicles in 2020. I am also informed that in order to protect the ongoing availability of vehicles and in anticipation of the impact of public health restrictions on motor factory or fit-out workplaces, 94 additional vehicles were purchased by the Garda authorities in March 2020 at a cost of €2.4m and fit-out costs of €600,000. The allocation of these and all other vehicles in the fleet is entirely a matter for the Commissioner and his management team.
239. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of unmarked Garda cars that came into the fleet in 2019 and to date in 2020; and the number of unmarked Garda cars withdrawn from the fleet during the same period. [22761/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles among the various Garda divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
Significant capital investment is being made in An Garda Síochána, including a total of €46 million specifically for the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021. This continuing investment is intended to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet and that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.
Of this investment, a total of €9 million was made available for purchase and fit-out of additional Garda vehicles in 2020. I am also informed that in order to protect the ongoing availability of vehicles and in anticipation of the impact of public health restrictions on motor factory or fit-out workplaces, 94 additional vehicles were purchased by the Garda authorities in March 2020 at a cost of €2.4m and fit-out costs of €600,000. The allocation of these and all other vehicles in the fleet is entirely a matter for the Commissioner and his management team.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 31 August 2020, there were 3,015 vehicles attached to the Garda Fleet including 2,261 cars. I understand that this compares to a total of 2,794 vehicles as of end December 2019.
The following table, furnished to me by the Garda authorities, set out the number of unmarked cars allocated to and removed from the fleet in 2019 and 2020.
|
2019 |
Total |
|
Allocations |
180 |
|
Removals |
130 |
|
2020 (to 31 August 2020) |
Total |
|
Allocations |
150 |
|
Removals |
52 |
As is standard, the Garda authorities indicate that allocations to the fleet may include vehicles which were purchased in the previous year, but in relation to which the technical fit-out process was not completed until the following year.
Finally and for clarity, it may be noted that these figures do not include the additional 210 vehicles which have been hired by An Garda Síochána this year, to provide additional capacity during the Covid-19 pandemic.
240. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of single rooms provided within the direct provision system; the criteria for allocation of single rooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22813/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra241. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons in direct provision housed in single, double, twin and triple rooms, in four-bed, five-bed and in rooms with more than five beds respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22814/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 241 together.
The State is obliged under domestic and international law to examine the application of anyone who arrives at the State to claim international protection. While we are examining their application, all applicants are offered accommodation and other supports such as healthcare, education for children and a weekly payment for personal expenditure. The provision of accommodation is demand-led, based on the number of applicants arriving to claim international protection and requiring accommodation.
My Department maintains statistics of the number of residents housed in each centre on a weekly basis. However, the configuration of each centre and the room makeup is constantly changing as new applicants are placed in accommodation; people with a status or permission to remain move to accommodation in the community; and transfers take place between accommodation centres.
Therefore, my Department does not maintain statistics on the room configuration of the accommodation centres. It has not been possible in the time available to compile the data requested and to do so would require significant diversion of resources. However, I can provide the following information in respect of occupancy of our accommodation centres, including emergency accommodation as of 12 August 2020. At that time, there were 709 rooms containing two unrelated people sharing and 131 rooms containing 3 unrelated people sharing in our accommodation centres.
We have ensured at this time that no more than three unrelated people are sharing a room in any of our centres and that will remain our policy when the COVID-19 crisis is over.
In general, the criteria for the allocation of single occupancy rooms would be a medical requirement and/or a disability or a particular vulnerability. In addition, during the current pandemic, persons self-isolating or cocooning would be allocated single occupancy rooms if they are not part of a family group.
242. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if the waiting period for labour market access for those in the international protection process will be shortened from nine months to three months, as recommended by the advisory group on direct provision in June 2020; if the validity for permission to work will be extended to one year at a time renewable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22815/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, transposing the EU (Recast) Reception Conditions Directive, came into effect from 30 June 2018. The Regulations include a provision on access to the labour market for eligible international protection applicants. Any applicant who has not received a first instance decision within 9 months can make an application for a labour market access permission.
If the application is successful, a labour market access permission, once granted, is valid for 6 months from the date of issue and can be renewed until a final decision is made on an applicant’s international protection application. There is no time limit or obligation for a person to seek employment while holding such a permission.
The permission expires immediately if the applicant gets a final negative decision. If the applicant is still awaiting a first instance decision after the expiry of the six month period, the permission may be renewable.
The Advisory Group chaired by Dr Catherine Day, established in late 2019, to advise on the development of a long-term approach to the provision of supports including accommodation to persons in the international protection process, is expected to report before the end of this month.
The intention, as stated in the Programme for Government, is that my colleague, the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration, will publish a White Paper by the end of this year, informed by the recommendations of the Advisory Group, which will set out how a replacement to the Direct Provision system will be structured and the steps to achieving it.
243. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice if an application for citizenship by a person (details supplied) will be progressed to decision stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22843/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for naturalisation in relation to the person referred to is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision in due course.
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. 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 Immigration Service 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 is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
244. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to a person (details supplied) having links to anti-migrant groups; her views on whether this is compatible with their role as a member of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal; if she will authorise a review of all IPAT decisions made by the person particularly in relation to deportation orders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22861/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe International Protection Appeals Tribunal is a statutorily independent body and exercises a quasi-judicial function under the International Protection Act 2015.
I have asked for and received a report from the Tribunal’s chairperson on the matter. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further pending full consideration of the report.
245. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice the status of the scoping exercise for Drogheda, County Louth announced on 21 August 2020; the date of commencement and other relevant details on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22882/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, on Friday 21 August 2020, I appointed former Director of the Probation Service, Vivian Geiran, to carry out a scoping exercise to assess the impact that criminal activity in Drogheda is having on the community and make recommendations for action going forward.
I am delighted to have appointed Mr Geiran to carry out this scoping exercise which will make recommendations on what action we need to take in Drogheda in light of the impact of criminal activity there. The scoping exercise will gather and assess information relating to the ongoing challenges and needs experienced by communities in Drogheda, and identify opportunities to connect, support and strengthen services, including those for young people, in the area.
Mr Geiran will look at the areas of community safety, policing, the impact of substance abuse, and drug-debt intimidation, but also at community development needs, the existing service landscape, including facilities for families and children’s services, the physical environment, and education and employment opportunities.
I met with Mr Geiran last week to discuss his work and to assure him of my absolute support and commitment to this project. Mr Geiran has now commenced work which will take between six and ten weeks to complete, during which time Mr Geiran will be gathering information and assessing the scale and nature of the problem there in order to map the services available and identify any gaps.
Mr Geiran will engage with residents, service providers including An Garda Síochána, businesses and other members of the community and draw on their local knowledge and understanding of the problems to identify key opportunities for action.
The issues in Drogheda have on occasion spilled over into neighbouring areas and where relevant to the scoping exercise, they will be taken into account.
I can assure you that this scoping exercise will be the foundation for a comprehensive response to the issues in Drogheda, and I will await its results with interest.
