Written Answers Nos. 150-169
151. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the position regarding a refusal of mutual assistance request (details supplied); if the decision can be appealed and the process made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11893/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraInternational requests for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters are dealt with on a confidential basis and therefore it would not appropriate to comment in detail on individual cases. Such requests are dealt with in accordance with the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008, as amended.
The incoming request concerned was refused, following legal advices, having regard to section 3(1)(b) of the 2008 Act.
The legal basis for the refusal was communicated to the requesting state and the legal representatives of the individual that was the subject of the mutual assistance request.
There is no provision to appeal a refusal under the Act.
152. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Justice the status of a citizenship application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11907/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application of the person referred is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether they meet the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision when processing is complete.
The Citizenship Division of the Immigration Service of my Department has requested documents from the solicitor acting on behalf of the person referred to by the Deputy. On receipt of this documentation the application will be processed further.
During this time, it is important that the person maintains their immigration permission and takes all appropriate steps to renew their permission to be in the State.
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.
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.
Last year, my Department made 11,512 citizenship decisions, which is the highest level since 2015. 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.
153. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Justice the options open to a person from Brazil who has been living in Ireland since they were three years of age whose parents did not register them when they reached sixteen years of age and who is seeking a stamp 4 to enable them to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11908/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person that the Deputy is referring to should contact their local immigration office who will advise on the necessary steps to regularise their permission to be in the State. The Deputy hasn't provided any specific information in relation to the person so it is not possible to give any substantive guidance.
Once a person has reached the age of 16 years of age, they are required to register with their local immigration office. First time registrations outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network and securing of those appointments with GNIB are a matter for An Garda Síochána. The Registration Office of my Department registers permissions for those residing in the Dublin area.
Minors under the age of 18 are exempt from paying the registration fee.
Information on how register for the first time is available on my Department's website here:
www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-register-your-immigration-permission-for-the-first-time/.
154. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the initiatives that are available for communities to install CCTV to combat antisocial behaviour. [11981/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and ensuring that people both feel safe and are safe in their communities.
The rollout of community CCTV schemes across the country has benefitted many communities, helping people to feel safer in their local areas. It is a priority for my Department to ensure that community groups continue to be supported in their valued contributions to their local CCTV schemes whilst ensuring sufficient, proportionate oversight of data protection statutory considerations.
Since 2017, my Department has administered a grant aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area. Eligible groups, including community groups and local authorities nationwide, can apply for grant aid of up to 60% of the total capital cost of a proposed CCTV system, up to a maximum total of €40,000.
The CCTV grant scheme was extended in 2019 to cover not only new CCTV systems but to also provide funding for the extension or upgrade of existing CCTV systems which are incomplete or obsolete. Applicants may now also seek a once-off grant of up to €5,000 for minor maintenance costs. Support and assistance for those running CCTV schemes is available by contacting: fundsadmin-comm-based-cctv@justice.ie
Community-based CCTV is governed by Section 38(3)(c) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006 (SI 289 of 2006). This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must:
- be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee,
- have the prior support of the relevant local authority, which must also act as data controller, and
- have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner.
This is the legal basis for all community CCTV schemes, regardless of how they are funded. These key legal requirements have not changed since 2006.
The Deputy will be aware, the Data Protection Commission have carried out an in-depth, independent review of community CCTV schemes. My Department is incorporating amendments into the Garda Síochána (Digital Recordings) Bill to address these findings.
The General Scheme of the Garda Síochána (Digital Recording) Bill 2021 was approved by the Government and published on the 29th April 2021. The General Scheme was sent to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for formal drafting, and drafting is continuing. The General Scheme was also submitted to the Oireachtas Committee on Justice for pre-legislative scrutiny. The Committee’s report was received in December 2021 and is currently being examined by my officials. It is my intention to publish the Bill by the end of March 2022 and to complete its passage through the Oireachtas later this year.
This Bill will provide statutory underpinning for Garda overt recording, which will include CCTV authorised in local communities by the Garda Commissioner. It is planned to have a further review of the terms and conditions of the current scheme to bring it into line with the proposals in this new legislation and in keeping with the commitment in the Programme for Government.
Once this review is completed, appropriate guidance will issue to An Garda Síochána on the control and supervision of CCTV systems. It is expected the Bill will be enacted in 2022. The legislation, once enacted, will replace Section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
I am informed that €1m funding has been allocated in the Garda vote for the CCTV Scheme for 2022.
If the Deputy is aware of groups wishing to avail of the grant aid scheme, further details are available to download from the Department's website and support and guidance is available to help interested groups through a dedicated email address.
155. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the average waiting time for persons in emergency accommodation centres for asylum seekers to be issued with an appointment or invitation to the International Protection Office; the number of asylum seekers that are in emergency accommodation and Balseskin, Dublin who have not yet formally applied for protection nor received their temporary residency card; the steps that will be taken to ensure swift access to all material supports in line with Ireland’s international human rights obligations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12031/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overall objective of the Department is to have recommendations made on international protection applications as soon as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of protection from the State can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here with a sense of safety and security.
At all times, people seeking international protection in Ireland can do so without needing an appointment at the office of the International Protection Office (IPO) in Dublin.
People attending the IPO are not required to have a pre-arranged appointment or invitation to do so, and the IPO office can be attended anytime between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday to Friday.
As a result, it is not accurate to suggest that there is any waiting time for such appointments.
Anyone wishing to apply for international protection status is strongly encouraged to attend at the IPO office as early as possible, at which time they are granted temporary residence cards, and the processing of their applications can begin.
Officials of the Department of Justice have also been liaising with their counterparts in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Affairs to ensure that the above information is given to all people availing of the accommodation provided by that Department for those seeking international protection.
Responsibility for the accommodation system and material supports for international protection applicants are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
156. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date regarding an application of citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12147/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy 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 as expeditiously as possible.
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.
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.
Last year, my Department made 11,512 citizenship decisions, which is the highest level since 2015. 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.
157. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if she will put in place humanitarian admission provisions for persons from Ukraine fleeing the current violence. [12159/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Friday 25 February, I announced the immediate lifting of visa requirements between Ukraine and Ireland. This will streamline and support the swift exit of both the Ukrainian family members of Irish citizens, and the family members of people from Ukraine who are resident in Ireland.
It will also apply as an emergency measure to all Ukrainians travelling to Ireland and is a humanitarian response to the rapidly evolving situation in Ukraine.
People who are considering leaving Ukraine and travelling to Ireland may for the coming period do so without a visa if they judge it safe to travel. Those who travel to Ireland without a visa during this period will then have 90 days after arrival to regularise their position.
I will attend a further meeting of the EU JHA Council meeting on Thursday where the proposal for activating the Temporary Directive will be discussed. This is an emergency provision designed to quickly and humanely respond to the mass displacement of Ukrainian people by Russian aggression and this is expected to be a more appropriate mechanism in this instance than a humanitarian programme.
Ireland has acted swiftly and compassionately to demonstrate our support and solidarity with the Ukranian people and my Department continues to work closely with colleagues across Government to ensure a coordinated national response.
Any measures introduced will be kept under review and the Government will continue to work with our EU colleagues on any further EU-wide measures that might assist those fleeing Ukraine.
158. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health his plans in relation to the restoration of services at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11804/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
159. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 134 of 9 February 2022, if he will provide details of the clinical specialities that are represented on the Therapeutics Implementation Working Group; the details of the clinical specialities that are represented on the COVID-19 Therapeutics Implementation Preparedness Programme Clinical Advisory Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11810/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
160. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated with an urgent appointment for a PET scan at St. James’s Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11819/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
161. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the contact details of a new clinic will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11820/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
162. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to retain the option to access termination of pregnancy services by telephone or video conference consultation as recommended as an option by international organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11825/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to protect public health and limit the spread of Covid-19, the Department of Health and the HSE worked together in 2020 to put arrangements in place to allow termination of pregnancy services in early pregnancy to be provided remotely.
For the duration of the Covid-19 public health emergency, where the need for social distancing, reducing personal contacts and reducing the burden on medical practitioners are paramount, it became possible for a woman to access a termination under section 12 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (i.e., before 12 weeks) from her medical practitioner by telephone or video conference consultation.
There is ongoing engagement between the Department of Health and the HSE to monitor service provision, facilitate the smooth-running of the service and resolve any issues that may arise. However, as restrictions are beginning to ease, the Department is currently reviewing whether remote consultation as part of a blended approach to termination of pregnancy care should be continued post the COVID-19 public health emergency period. A decision is expected in the coming weeks.
163. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the status of the scheme for free contraception for 17 to 25 year olds; the timeframe for commencement of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11826/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra164. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if a needs assessment has been carried out in respect of the number of medical professionals who are certified to fit and remove long-acting reversible contraceptives in line with the expected demand when the programme for free contraceptives commences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11827/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 164 together.
The Programme for Government commits to providing free contraception for women, starting with the 17-25 age cohort; roll-out is scheduled to commence in August 2022.
The scheme will provide for:
1. The cost of prescription contraception;
2. The cost of a minimum of two consultations per annum with GPs and other doctors to discuss suitable contraception for individual patients and to enable prescription of same;
3. The cost of fitting and/or removal of various types of long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs) plus any necessary checks, by medical professionals certified to fit/remove same;
4. The cost of training and certifying additional medical professionals to fit and remove LARCs;
5. Provision of contraceptive options currently available to GMS (medical) card holders through this scheme, to include contraceptive injections, implants, IUS and IUDs (coils), the contraceptive patch and ring, and various forms of oral contraceptive pill, including emergency contraception.
For items such as the contraceptive pill, these are typically prescribed at 6 month intervals, so two consultations allows for full provision. For LARCs, (e.g. IUS, IUD, implants, injections, patches and rings), where the fittings/injections are carried out by healthcare professionals, fitting and removal appointments are also provided for separately, in addition to the two consultations.
Work on the legislative framework for the scheme is ongoing. Formal negotiations with medical and other relevant representative bodies with regard to service provision are due to commence in March 2022.
The capacity within the health system to fit and remove LARCs was examined by the Working Group on Contraception; the Report is available on the Department's website. At time of publication in 2019, there were over 1,000 GPs holding LARC certification and that there was scope for enabling practitioners to develop their skills further by promoting further integration between the hospital and community sector and developing local centres of expertise in sexual and reproductive health services.
As part of the Budget 2022 allocation, funds are being made available for additional training capacity with respect to certification of medical professionals to fit and remove LARCs. The HSE is currently working on preparing to roll out these additional training supports.
165. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on his engagements on the whole-of-Government youth mental health pathfinder unit; the governance, legal complexities and issues that have been raised in relation to the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11401/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposal to establish a cross-governmental youth mental health Pathfinder unit, with participation from the Department of Health, the Department of Education and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, received Ministerial approval during the previous Government. Its establishment is a priority in the current Programme for Government.
The proposal is to formalise a new model for collaborative working within Government and place a Pathfinder unit on a statutory footing, through section 12 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. As this section has not been used before, there has been considerable engagement between the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on how this model could be provided for in a statutory instrument. Amongst other things, it involves identifying suitable functions to be delegated from Ministers to an individual, ensuring those functions do not overlap with existing functions of officials in participating Departments, ensuring that reporting and governance arrangements are provided for at an appropriate frequency and ensuring that accounting arrangements for moneys provided from participating Departments to the Head of Unit are robust. These arrangements need to be fully developed and agreed by participating Departments, incorporated into a statutory instrument in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, and submitted to the Department of Public and Expenditure and Reform for further consideration.
The realignment of Departmental functions in the education sector, specifically the establishment of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, has necessitated some further consideration of the initial proposal and makeup of the Pathfinder unit.
The demands on both the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform during the pandemic have presented challenges to progressing the proposals. Nonetheless, the Department of Health has continued to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to develop a robust implementation option.
The implementation of the Pathfinder project is a priority for me and I will continue to keep this matter under close review in the context of progressing Sharing the Vision.
166. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) who was in possession of a full medical card which expired during Covid was only reissued with a general practitioner visit card despite the fact that their medical needs did not change over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11841/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
167. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards that have expired during the Covid-19 restrictions; the number that have been reissued during the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11846/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
168. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons who were in possession of full medical cards during Covid-19 restrictions whose cards had expired during the restrictions were reissued with a general practitioner visit card only; the rationale for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11847/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
169. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the criteria for health and social care professionals registration for physiotherapists who achieve their qualification within the European Union but outside Ireland; the options that are available for such qualified persons in the event that CORU insist upon further Irish hospital placements being carried out before registration is approved specifically when such placements are not available within the Irish hospital system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11856/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCORU is Ireland's multi-profession health and social care regulator. Its role is to protect the public by regulating the health and social care professions designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended).
Applicants seeking to register with the Physiotherapists Registration Board may present qualifications awarded either in or outside the State. Those qualifications awarded outside the State are required to be assessed under the process provided in Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications. The Directive provides for the assessment of an applicant’s formal training and post-qualification professional experience.
This assessment, undertaken on a case by case basis by academic and professional assessors, seeks to determine the alignment between an applicant’s qualification and the standards of proficiency required for the practice of that profession in Ireland. If deficiencies in the qualification are identified, an applicant’s post-qualification training and professional work experience will be considered. If deficits remain, an applicant will be offered a choice between compensation measures: a period of adaptation and an aptitude test. The Physiotherapists Registration Board will provide the applicant with the details of the deficits and determine the form that the period of adaptation or aptitude test should take.
An aptitude test is provided by a university under contract to CORU for the provision of such tailored assessments. In respect of a period of adaptation, CORU does not have any role in requiring any service provider to provide a period of adaptation placements. Detailed guidance is provided to applicants on the form that the period of adaptation is required to take. The choice to pursue a period of adaptation or an aptitude test rests with the applicant.
I hope that this information is of assistance.
