Written Answers Nos. 396-408
396. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); when the application will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5784/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy, continues to be 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. However, 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.
In addition, the combined impact of the 2019 High Court judgment in the Jones case and the necessary health restrictions arising from the pandemic, has unfortunately resulted in the processing time for standard applications increasing.
However, my Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times.
In 2021, my Department issued 11,512 citizenship decisions, which is the highest number of decisions made since 2015, and reflects positively the significant changes undertaken to date. Additional staff have also been assigned to the citizenship team. Based on these measures, my Department's objective is to achieve an improved timeframe of 6-9 months for decisions on a majority of applications during 2022.
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 at: 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
397. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of a citizenship application in the case of a person (details supplied); when the application will be concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5785/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe citizenship application of the person referred to by the Deputy was approved and their Certificate of Naturalisation issued on 19 July 2021.
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 at 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
398. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if the deportation order against a person (details supplied) will be revoked in order to facilitate an application for citizenship; the best way the person can proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5786/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe immigration case of the person concerned was finalised by my Department on 29 October 2019. Leave to remain in the State was refused and a Deportation Order was made. That Order was served on the person concerned by registered post dated 10 January 2020, which was sent to their last notified address. This communication was also copied to their legal representative on the same date.
The Deportation Order remains valid and in place and, as such, the person concerned remains legally obliged to comply with any reporting requirements placed on them by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). The enforcement of a Deportation Order is an operational matter for GNIB.
It is open to any person subject of a Deportation Order to make a request, under section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to have that Order revoked. The request would need to be founded on some material change in the person’s circumstances which has arisen since the original decision to deport was made. Where such a request is made, the outcome of that request will be that the existing Deportation Order will either be 'affirmed' or 'revoked'.
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.
399. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); when the application will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5787/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe citizenship application of the person referred to by the Deputy was approved and their Certificate of Naturalisation was issued on 26 June 2021.
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 at 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
400. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the options available to regularise residency in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5788/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing an application to the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division of my Department, the person referred to by the Deputy was granted a Stamp 4 immigration permission, which is valid until 17 December 2022.
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 at 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
401. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5789/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Citizenship Division of my Department have on a number of occasions attempted to contact the person referred to by the Deputy, regarding their application. The correspondence has been returned by An Post.
So their application for naturalisation can continue to be processed, they must notify my Department of their current address via the required form, which is available on my Department's website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/citizenship/change-of-address/
When completed, the form can be submitted by post to the address below or by email to: citizenshipinfo@justice.ie .
Citizenship DivisionImmigration Service DeliveryDepartment of JusticeRosanna RoadTipperary Town E34 N566Ireland
402. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the role of An Garda Síochána when an unaccompanied minor migrant is identified in an Irish sea or airport when an unaccompanied minor migrant is seeking to be reunited with a family member; if trafficking assessments are carried out as part of this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5807/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHuman trafficking is a heinous crime based on deception and exploitation of vulnerable people. Combatting it is, and will continue to be, a priority for this Government.
An Garda Síochána has committed significant resources to the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking in Ireland. A specialised Garda Unit, the Human Trafficking Investigation and Co-ordination Unit (HTICU), has been in place since 2009 to conduct investigations into human trafficking. It also provides advice, support and where necessary, operational assistance to investigations at district level. An Garda Síochána is also active in relation to trafficking gangs through work targeting organised crime - targeting their finances, their use of the internet and by working closely with other jurisdictions.
When separated children seeking international protection arrive at an Irish port the International Protection Office, An Garda Síochána or the Border Management Unit contact Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to assess the child’s circumstances.
I have been informed that Tusla’s assessment of the child’s circumstances includes an assessment of how the child arrived in Ireland, and includes any concerns in relation to child trafficking.
Separated children may present for reunification, sometimes with an agent, to be reunified with a family member in Ireland or the UK.
I am further informed that under Tusla’s obligations under the Child Care Act, 1991, and Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, 2015, Tusla considers the risk of harm that a young person(s) may be in, including working with other state agencies on the possibility that the child may have been trafficked.
If required, the child is received into care until a more extensive child protection and welfare assessment can be undertaken and interagency working continues as required. If the outcome of the Social Work assessment is that the child is at risk of harm and should not be reunified with the alleged guardian/parent, then in accordance with the Tusla/An Garda Síochána joint protocol, Tusla forwards notifications of child abuse (indicating suspected trafficking) to An Garda Síochána, who determine if a crime has been committed and any criminal investigations into trafficking.
403. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which services for persons with disabilities are in line with best international practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5757/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
404. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Health the reason pay parity for staff working in residential homes caring for children has not been addressed (details supplied). [5719/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE provides financial assistance to organisations by means of a grant. Section 39 legally underpins the provision of services similar or supplementary to a service that the HSE may provide. Staff in these section 39 organisations were not subject to the provisions of FEMPI legislation and therefore did not receive those cuts that were applied to the pay of public servants. They were not and are not party to the Public Service Agreements and are therefore not covered by the pay restoration provided for in these Agreements. While it is understood that pay savings were made by the organisations, the precise mix of pay cuts or other savings measures will have varied.
In October 2018, an agreement was reached by the parties at the Workplace Relations Commission in relation to a process of pay restoration for staff employed in Section 39 organisations who met certain criteria, rather than types of individual workers that are employed in them. Only organisations who received in excess of an agreed, specified amount from the HSE by way of the Service Level Agreement process were included.
It must be acknowledged that Section 39 organisations are privately owned and run and that their terms and conditions of employment, once in line with employment legislation, are strictly between the employer and the employee.
Consequently, it would not be appropriate for the Department of Health or the Minister of Health to comment on terms and conditions of employment within the private sector.
Pay restoration is absolutely limited and only applicable to those included in the initial WRC agreement. I can also confirm that there is no scope to revisit the eligibility criteria for the process and that from a Departmental point of view, the process has reached a final resolution.
405. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the mental health supports that are in place for vulnerable children in society (details supplied). [5510/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
406. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the biggest contractors providing care for vulnerable children; and the amount each contractor receives from the State each year. [5511/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
407. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if a company (details supplied) has disbanded its clinical department; and the effect this will have on patients. [5512/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE confirms that it is not providing funding to the company (details provided). The services provided by the company relate to the care of young people and appear to be relevant to TUSLA and The Department of for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
I advise that the Deputy resubmit this request for information to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
408. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of young persons that have been referred to CAMHS by county in each of the past five years; the length of the average waiting list; the longest waiting time in each county in the same period; the number of young persons that have been diagnosed with ADHD by county in each of the past five years; the number that have been advised to engage in psychotherapy in each county in the same period; and the average wait time and the longest wait time for psychotherapy in each county for each of the past five years. [5513/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
