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Wednesday, 1 Dec 2021

Written Answers Nos. 139-158

Further and Higher Education

Ceisteanna (141)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

141. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of persons that achieved a QQI level 5 qualification, or higher in childcare or early childhood education and care or montessori in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021. [59140/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The table below sets out the number of persons that achieved an award at level 5 or higher on the National Framework Qualifications in childcare, early childhood education and care, or Montessori in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021.  This information was sourced from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI). The HEA has provided data in relation to Universities & Institutes of Technology while QQI provided data on all awards made by QQI.

No. of Persons awarded relevant childcare qualifications at NFQ level 5 or above

Year

Number of Persons

2018

6,307

2019

5,982

2020

5,806

2021*

3,168

 * QQI awards only. Relevant records of awards made by Universities and Institutes of Technology for 2021 are not yet available.

Third Level Fees

Ceisteanna (142)

Mick Barry

Ceist:

142. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the practice of third-level institutions passing on student debt arising from unpaid fees to debt collectors; if he will introduce regulations to prevent the practice and to prevent the selling on of such debt to third-parties;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59213/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am very conscious of the financial challenges faced by students in the current academic year, and I would hope that higher education institutions would show flexibility to any students who are facing financial hardship.

However, higher education institutions are autonomous and therefore entitled to regulate their own financial affairs, including in relation to how outstanding debts are handled. I would not be in favour of debt collectors chasing students for unpaid debts.

Debt collection in Ireland is regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1995, as well as the European Communities (Consumer Credit Agreements) Regulations 2010. The Consumer Credit Act is under the purview of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and any amendments or further regulations in relation to this act would be a matter for the Minister and his Department.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Ceisteanna (143)

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

143. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the efforts being made by his Department to increase the number of apprenticeship places in higher education institutes to allow persons in an apprenticeship to complete their off-the-job college training and development in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59276/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are 62 apprenticeships delivered across the further and higher education sectors.  The number of places available in the majority of programmes is led by an apprenticeship consortia who determine the delivery structure and estimated registration numbers depending on employer demand and available resources in any given period.

Craft apprenticeships account for 25 of the 62 existing available apprenticeship programmes.  They consist of four periods of on-the-job training interspersed with three periods of off-the-job training, two of which are delivered in higher education institutions. Given the practical nature of off-the-job training for craft apprentices, the COVID-related shutdown of on-site learning activity in 2020 and 2021 had a significant impact on the ability of craft apprentices to access off-the-job training.   

At the end of October over 10,300 craft apprentices were waiting for an off-the-job training space.   Almost 70% of these were in one of three apprenticeships:  Electrical, Plumbing and Carpentry & Joinery.  3,200 of these apprentices were waiting for a Phase 4 or 6 space in a higher education institution. 

The following measures have been put in places to increase capacity to address the waiting lists:-

- €20m capital funding has been allocated to SOLAS and the HEA (€10m to each sector) to provide additional structural capacity within Training Centres and IoTs/Technological Universities.   These places began to come on-stream in September 2021 with a 20% growth on pre-COVID phase 4 and 6 spaces.  Availability of training places will continue to grow in the 2022 January, April and September intakes. 

- As from September 2021 classes have returned to full capacity of 14-16 apprentices per class, rather than the 50% capacity which had been in place during 2020 and until Q3, 2021 under COVID-19 distancing requirements.

- The structure of Phase 2 delivery in the three most impacted apprenticeships is being reformed, with the institutions and partners working together to deliver an innovative teaching response to reduce waiting lists.  On-site teaching will be reduced to 18 weeks of practical work, with theory elements of the Phase delivered around the off-the-job training.  This will allow for a third intake of Phase 2 apprentices providing up to a 50% increase in availability of Phase 2 places annually.

- €17m targeted funding has been provided for additional craft apprenticeship classes in 2022 across the further and higher education sectors. €12m has been allocated to higher education provision.

- A significant recruitment campaign is under way to deliver the additional staffing to support the above measures.

- Waiting lists are continually monitored and additional targeted measures will be introduced to ensure that craft apprentices impacted by these delays are enabled to qualify from their apprenticeship as quickly as possible.

Subject to continued access to workshops and training facilities in addition to the rollout of additional places, it is expected that the majority of craft apprentices waiting for off-the-job training for phases 4 and 6 will be cleared by Easter 2022, with phase 2 waiting lists cleared by year-end 2022.

Further and Higher Education

Ceisteanna (144)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

144. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 135 of 24 November 2021, the time duration of the each Nearly Zero Energy Building Standard (NZEB) course (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59334/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Growth in education and training provision in green skills and sustainability is ongoing across the Tertiary Education sector. A range of options are available from short courses targeted at awareness building, upskilling and reskilling programmes to full and part-time academic and vocational programmes. The curricula of many other programmes will also include elements and modules targeted to green skills and sustainability components. 

In 2018, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage engaged with Waterford Wexford ETB to establish a series of National Skills Specifications and associated delivery of education and training for NZEB. This was to support the delivery of the skills required to support the move towards nearly zero energy buildings for 2020 and beyond.  These short courses, accredited by City & Guilds, are offered in the below areas:

- NZEB Fundamental Awareness

- NZEB for Bricklaying

- NZEB for Plastering

- NZEB for Electrical

- NZEB for Plumbing

- NZEB for Electrical

- NZEB Site Supervisor

- NZEB Retrofit

- NZEB for Construction Workers

- Ventilation measurement Proficiency Test

- NZEB for Site Supervisor

- NZEB Ventilation Systems  

The time duration of each of the above NZEB courses are contained in the attachment.

No.

NZEB Training Courses

Duration (Days)

1

NZEB Fundamentals

1

2

Carpentry

3

3

Bricklaying

3

4

Plastering

3

5

Electrical

3

6

Retrofit

1

7

Plumbing

3

8

Vent. Meas. Prof. Test

4.5

9

Site Supervisor

4

10

Ventilation

3

Institutes of Technology

Ceisteanna (145)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

145. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 297, 298, 299 of 25 November 2021, the overall cost of the extension to the central campus EO1 project at Sligo IT; and if it is contained in the Investment Programme Tracker October 2021 which was released as part of the NDP launch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59335/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The EO1 project is a co-funded project funded under the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund.  My Department is contributing €6.6m in exchequer funding towards the overall cost of this project (€18.6m).   

The Investment Programme Tracker October 2021 focuses mainly on major projects and programmes with costs greater than €20 million.  The EO1 project at Sligo IT does not fall into the greater than €20m category and therefore is not contained in the tracker. 

Further and Higher Education

Ceisteanna (146)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

146. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund has concluded or if additional calls will be made in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59336/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy may be aware,  five projects were approved under the Higher Education strategic infrastructure Fund (HESIF). The five projects in question are at various stages, from planning and design to construction (see table below). Delivery of projects in the higher education sector is devolved to the higher education institutions.  Responsibility for the planning and procurement processes, as well as project delivery timelines, all fall within the remit of the HEIs. 

Project reporting by the HEIs to the HEA is in line with agreed Devolved Control Procedures. 

HEI

Location/Name

DFHERIS Funding

Stage

Maynooth University

Technology Society & Innovation Building

€25m

On site

IT Sligo

Extension to Central Campus (EO1) Project

€6.6m

On Site 

UCC

Cork University Business School (CUBS) Project  

€25m

Design

NUIG

Learning Commons Project

€15m

Design

UCD

Future Campus Project

€25m

Pre-tender

My Department is currently reviewing the parameters of the next phase of Exchequer capital investment in the further and higher education sectors in the context of NDP ceilings published last month.  It is intended that new funding programmes will be rolled out in the near future.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (147)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

147. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding allocated and spent under the Infrastructure Upgrade and Refurbishment Programme; the details of each project in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59337/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Funding of at least €112m is being provided for infrastructure refurbishment and upgrades across the HEI sector under the Higher Education Upgrade and Refurbishment Fund.  This figure includes a number of large scale infrastructure refurbishment and replacement projects. 

Currently 17 projects across the sector have been approved for funding under this stream.  Projects range from small emergency works to large scale refurbishment works and there are other projects in the pipeline.   

The Department commitment to the 17 projects approved is approximately c.€79m with c€22.5m of that drawn down to date. Five of the projects are complete, one phased project is partially complete and the remaining ten projects are at various stages of design, planning and construction as set out in the attached table below. 

HEI

Location/Name

Stage

DFHERIS Funding

AIT

MV Upgrade

Complete 2019

€0.99m

AIT

Roof Upgrade

Complete 2019

€1.32m

GMIT

Castlebar - Roof upgrade

Complete 2020

€2.08m

LYIT

Killybegs - Campus Upgrade

On Site

€1.80m

IT Sligo

Block K & L Upgrade

On Site

€13.57m

DkIT

North & South Block Project

Procurement Stage

€18.47m

LIT

Engineering Campus -Coonagh

Procurement Stage

€11.5m

MIC Limerick

Health & Safety Works

Complete 2020

€1.83m

MTU Cork Campus

1974 Building Upgrade

On Site

€18.75m

NCAD

Health & Safety Works

On Site

€2.25m

St Angela's H&S2020

Phased Project:

1. Water Treatment

2. Disability Access

1. Water Treatment Complete 2020

2. Disability Access on-going

€0.4m

RIA

Health and Safety Works

Complete 2021

€0.07m

IT Carlow

Medium Voltage Upgrade

Procurement Stage

€0.44m

DIAS

IT Infrastructure Upgrade & Security Upgrade

Procurement Stage

€0.22

AIT

AIT STEM Quadrangle (Auburn 2)

Procurement Stage

€4m

AIT

AIT East Car Park

On Site

€0.8m

MTU TRALEE

Main North Campus Entrance Upgrade

Procurement Stage

€0.39m

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (148)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

148. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding allocated and spent under the Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme; the details of each project in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59338/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Eight higher education institutions were approved for total funding of €6 million in 2020 to progress projects under the Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme (EEDPP) 2020. The programme is being co-funded on a 50/50 basis by my Department and SEAI.  The selected projects will test and demonstrate energy retrofit approaches, build scale, and inform key stakeholders. A table is attached with the current status and expected completion dates for the projects in question.

Under a further round of the EEDPP in 2021, a further eight projects have been successful at 'Expression of Interest' stage and have been approved to progress to design stage. This round has an indicative funding envelope of €12 million, again co-funded on a 50/50 basis by my Department and SEAI.  Following the development of designs, an Assessment Team will be convened to evaluate the projects and identify those which will proceed to implementation, cognisant of the funding envelope available.

EEDPP 2020

HEI

Project Description

Expected Completion

TCD

Moyne Institute – Part Window Replacement, Roof

Installation, LED Lighting and Base Load Heat Pump

Q2 2022

NUIG

Áras De Brún – Energy and Carbon Efficient Upgrade

Q4 2021

IADT

Energy Efficiency Upgrades - Atrium Building

Q3 2021

UCC

Decarbonisation of the O’Rahilly Building Heating System as a pathway to B2 Certification

Q4 2021

MU

John Paul II Library – solar panels, heat decarbonisation and insulation

Q4 2021

UCD

Belfield Campus DHS Heat Pump

Q3 2021

DCU

Marconi Building Deep Retrofit and BER Upgrade

Q2 2022

LYIT

Phase 1 Extension Retrofit

Q3 2022

EEDPP 2021 (Approved for design stage)

HEI

Project Name

UL

IBC 2 - EEDPP Project 2021

UCC

Enterprise Deep Retrofit.

MTU

Melbourn Building

WIT

Deep fabric Retrofit to Business School at WIT

ITC

Burrin Building

GMIT

Energy Upgrade/ CO2 reduction of Central

Block (CCAM)

LYIT

BIC Biomass and

Medium Fabric Upgrade

UCD

Quinn School of Business BER B Retrofit

Table

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (149)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

149. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the anticipated capital expenditure for higher education and the capital project expenditure to date; the anticipated capital project investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59341/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Higher education sector capital expenditure to date in 2021 is c.€75m with a further c.€8.5m envisaged to be drawn down by year end.

The key Exchequer programmes funded in 2021 include the following:

- Higher Education PPPs 

- Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund

- Higher Education Infrastructure Upgrade and Refurbishment Fund

- Devolved Capital Grant

- Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme

Project Ireland 2040

Ceisteanna (150)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

150. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he remains committed to the Project Ireland 2040 commitment of Exchequer investment of €2.2 billion in Ireland's higher education infrastructure over the period to 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59342/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A revised National Development Plan (NDP) was published on 4 October 2021.  This confirms the capital ceilings for all Government Departments for the five year period 2021 - 2025.  The capital ceilings for my Department are as follows: 

 

2021 - €m

2022 - €m

2023 - €m

2024 - €m

2025 - €m

Total - €m

TOTAL

500

537

578

619

651

2885

In addition to higher education infrastructure, the funding available to my Department will support both research and innovation and further education infrastructure.  

My Department is in the process of developing new infrastructure programmes based on the ceilings available.  I expect to be in a position to confirm the indicative envelope to 2025 for higher education infrastructure as part of the finalisation of the next phase of programmes.  Departmental capital ceilings beyond 2025 have not yet been decided by Government under the new NDP.

Asylum Seekers

Ceisteanna (151)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

151. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of overall asylum spaces that have been granted to refugees in Ireland in each of the years from 2015 to date; the average length of time the asylum application takes; and the breakdown of country of origin for successful applications on a yearly basis for the time period specified. [59170/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The statistics sought by the Deputy are set out in the document attached to this response.  

My Department's overall objective is to have decisions made on applications from people seeking international protection as quickly as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of protection in Ireland can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here with a sense of safety and security. 

My Department is fully committed to implementing the key recommendations in the Expert Advisory Group Report to reduce processing times of both first instance decisions and appeals to 6 months respectively, as outlined in the White Paper to End Direct Provision and Establish a New International Protection Support Service. 

The White Paper proposes that the new system should be operational by 2024 and that the intervening period should provide an opportunity to progress improvements in the overall processing times for international protection. 

An end-to-end review of relevant international protection processes by a multi-disciplinary team from my Department, has now been completed and published. A series of measures are being put in place to address the recommendations of the review and improve efficiencies and throughput.

The International Protection Office (IPO) in my Department is also implementing measures with a view to speeding up processing times and reducing the overall number of applicants in the process. Over the last number of months there has also been a restructuring of the IPO.

The new  measures have included a new case management function, restructuring of the processing division, an increase in the number of staff trained to make recommendations /decisions and removing a number of steps from the process to speed it up. The IPO have trained additional staff to increase interviewing capacity. A revised, shorter questionnaire for applicants is in place since 28 June, and is now available online. 

My Department will, by October 2022 at the latest, commence a review of progress made in reducing and improving processing times. Based on the outcome of that review, we will decide by the end of 2022 whether additional measures are required in order to ensure that the new system can come into operation without the overhang of any significant number of legacy cases. 

Asylum Spaces

Departmental Reviews

Ceisteanna (152)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

152. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice when she will review the actions committed to within her Department’s implementation plan for the Review of Protections for Vulnerable Witnesses in the Investigation and Prosecution of Sexual Offences; and if she plans to publish a bi-annual progress report of the plan. [59144/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Supporting a Victim's Journey is an ambitious plan which is introducing important reforms to support and protect vulnerable victims and ensure our criminal justice system is more victim-centred.

I am fully committed to implementing in full all of the actions set out in Supporting a Victim's Journey. To monitor progress, I chair an Implementation Oversight Group comprising all relevant departments and agencies responsible for driving the implementation of the agreed actions, which meets at least quarterly and on occasion, more frequently as required. This ensures the work to implement all of the actions is kept under regular review. In addition, progress reports are submitted to me and the Deputy may wish to note that to date no Department or agency has flagged any significant issues of delay or concern.

A number of key actions have been delivered to date as part of implementing Supporting a Victim’s Journey including:

- Legislating for the introduction of preliminary trial hearings;

- The nationwide rollout of Divisional Protective Services Units (DPSU);

- The first cohort of staff at a new sexual offences unit in the Director of Public Prosecutions office formally took up their roles in April;

- Work to advance the training for all personnel who come into contact with vulnerable victims is underway;

- The University of Limerick has been commissioned by my Department to develop the framework for the operation and training of intermediaries.

In addition to the above, a review of the supports and funding of civil society organisations providing frontline services has been conducted to identify where gaps may exist and how to bridge them. Specific geographical areas and categories of victims that are not adequately covered by NGO supports have been identified and I recently announced that €445,000 is being provided to a number of organisations to allow them to provide further services and to increase the geographical spread of support to victims of crime.

To promote more sustainable service delivery and planning, we are offering multi-annual funding commitments to key NGOs we work with and where funding covers staff salaries. These funding grants cover accompaniment to court, to Garda interviews and to sexual assault treatment units and emotional support and counselling.

In partnership with D/FHERIS we have also agreed with NUIG  Active* Consent to fund the creation of an e-learning hub, which will – for the first time – provide an integrated, publicly available resource on consent awareness and learning bringing together a variety of related educational and promotional material in one place. The information hub will go live shortly, with further elements being rolled out early in 2022.

In relation to the updates on sexual offences legislation that have been recommended in the O’Malley Report, the scoping exercise has been completed and work has started on drafting the heads of a General Scheme of a Sexual Offences Bill.

 

 

 

Courts Service

Ceisteanna (153)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

153. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice her plans to introduce legislation that will provide for an enhanced and more transparent process in respect of the way in which criminal defence solicitors are selected. [59263/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Criminal Legal Aid is a vital element of the criminal justice system. The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 gives expression to the Constitutional right that free legal aid must be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under the 1962 Act, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid on application by the defence in court. My Department has no influence in the granting of legal aid or in the appointment of solicitors to a case.

Defence solicitors are either engaged privately by their client or appointed as part of Court proceedings. In relation to the latter, legal services are provided by private solicitors who have notified the relevant Court of their availability to undertake legal aid work.  As per Regulation 4 of the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Regulations 1965 (S. I. No. 12 of 1965) each County Registrar is required to maintain a list of solicitors who are willing to act in that county for persons to whom certificates for free legal aid are granted.

The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) (Tax Clearance Certificate) Regulations 1999 (S. I. No 135 of 1999) provide that a solicitor who wishes to have their name added to or retained on the panel which is maintained by the County Registrar, must furnish a printed copy of their electronic Tax Clearance Certificate to the County Registrar(s) annually dated after 30 November of the year prior to which inclusion on the panel(s) is sought to be retained. My Department is responsible for the payment of fees and expenses to the legal practitioners.

A General Scheme of a Criminal Legal Aid Bill is being prepared the key purpose of which will be to transfer the administration of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme to the Legal Aid Board and to otherwise update the administration of criminal legal aid.  

The agreed Programme for Government also includes a commitment to "independently examine the option of a dedicated system of public defenders". 

Terms of Reference for this review, taking into account international best practice and equality of arms between prosecution and defence, are being finalised.  This work aims to ensure that the tender for the independent examination envisaged in the Programme for Government results in an evidence based analysis of the costs and benefits associated with the policy choices for introducing a Public Defender System, not only in terms of the direct and indirect financial costs of establishment, but also taking account of the possible economic and other impacts of such a model on the wider system.  This examination will help to inform, identify and develop the objectives of any potential changes to the existing system. It is intended that a tender for the independent examination will be issued in early 2022.

Such a system would be a major change and it is important that the implications be carefully considered before any policy decision is reached.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (154)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

154. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of liquor licences for pubs and restaurants revoked or not renewed for breach of Covid-19 guidelines in 2020 and to date in 2021. [59300/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Unfortunately, it was not possible to compile the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand. 

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (155)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

155. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí currently employed by the State by county in tabular form. [59301/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under Section 33 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), for the deployment of An Garda Síochána throughout the State.

I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I understand that 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 each area within the Division and its specific needs.

I further understand that the situation remains closely monitored by the Garda Senior Leadership Team, particularly in view of commitments to the continued roll-out of the Operating Model of policing at Divisional level to ensure optimum use of all Garda Resources in providing the best possible Garda service to the community. 

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below shows the number of Gardaí broken down by county as at 31 October 2021, the most recent date for which the information is available. 

Breakdown by county 31.10.2021

 Total

CAVAN

206

MONAGHAN

179

CLARE

314

CORK

1359

DUBLIN

3971

DONEGAL

448

GALWAY

613

KERRY

352

KILDARE

426

KILKENNY

219

CARLOW

114

LAOIS

220

OFFALY

156

LIMERICK

598

LOUTH

394

MAYO

329

MEATH

322

ROSCOMMON

161

LONGFORD

139

SLIGO

194

LEITRIM

103

TIPPERARY

402

WATERFORD

372

WESTMEATH

262

WEXFORD

335

WICKLOW

309

HQ & College

1801

Total

14298

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (156)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

156. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 274 of 23 November 2021, if the report has been completed; and if so, if it will be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59319/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Parliamentary Question referred to by the Deputy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, further to Parliamentary Question No. 46 of 6 October 2021, the result of his Department’s engagement with the Garda National Vetting Bureau and the Department of Justice in relation to Garda vetting under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016. 

The Garda Vetting Review Group will complete its work in the coming weeks and will present its report to me at that stage.

Legislative Measures

Ceisteanna (157)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

157. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when she plans to sign the commencement order in relation to the extension of the time period to three years for clinical negligence actions which is provided for in the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59386/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991 provides for a special time limit for actions in respect of personal injuries and the period of limitation in cases of fatal injuries. Originally set at 3 years, the limitation period in respect of personal injuries and fatal injuries was reduced to 2 years by an amendment to the 1991 Act by the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004.

Part 15 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 deals with clinical negligence actions and includes a further amendment of the 1991 Act in relation to the limitation periods applicable in the case of a clinical negligence action. Part 15 includes an amendment of the 2004 Act dealing with clinical negligence actions where a person has suffered personal injury or death.

Principally, the amendment of the 2004 Act provides for the introduction of a pre-action protocol relating to clinical negligence actions, the terms of which shall be specified in regulations to be made by the Minister for Justice. Part 15 also includes an amendment of the 1991 Act to increase from 2 years to 3 years the limitation period in respect of personal injuries and fatal injuries in the case of a clinical negligence action.

It is intended that this change in the limitation periods would be effective on the date to be fixed by order for the coming into operation of Part 15 of the 2015 Act. This date has not yet been fixed, primarily for the reason that amendments to the primary legislation to allow for regulations to be made dealing with the pre-action protocol is being developed in consultation between my Department and the Office of the Attorney General.

Immigration Status

Ceisteanna (158)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

158. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice the status of stamp 4 in the case of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59399/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

For reasons of maintaining full confidentiality, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for asylum or subsidiary protection has been made in the State. An applicant for such protection status, or their legal representative, should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate. 

The IPO may be contacted: by email to info@ipo.gov.ie ; by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028008 or in writing to Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.

The IPAT may be contacted either: by email to info@protectionappeals.ie ; by telephone at 01-4748400 (or Lo-Call 1890 201 458), or in writing to Corporate Services Division, The International Protection Appeals Tribunal, 6-7 Hanover Street East, Dublin D02 W320.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas mail facility (INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie ) 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.

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