Written Answers Nos. 593-614
593. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 199 of 5 May 2022, if an updated residence permit and conditionality letter will be sent to the person (details supplied) given that they have not received any communication directly from INIS to confirm that their stamp changed and they require same for their social protection payment application to proceed. [24365/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that the applicant has recently contacted the Registration Office of my Department and the grant letter was re-issued on 9 May 2022, to the address provided.
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.
594. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice the reason that the Stardust preliminary hearings are being held in Store Street despite the fact that a 12-month contract has been entered into with the Rotunda Hospital for the use of the Pillar Room. [24375/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe conduct and scheduling of the Stardust inquests is entirely a matter for the Senior Dublin Coroner, Dr. Myra Cullinane – her independence in relation to such matters is set out in the Coroners Acts 1962-2020. The role of my Department is to support the Senior Dublin Coroner in carrying out the inquests.
Dr. Cullinane has begun her work on this matter, and 13 pre-inquest hearings have been completed to date. The fourteenth pre-inquest hearing has been scheduled by the Senior Coroner for 15 June 2022.
During 2021, a bespoke courtroom was built in the RDS to facilitate the Stardust inquests. This contract expired in February 2022. The RDS venue was used to hold eight pre-inquest hearings (with the remainder held in the Coroner’s Court in Store Street) and was also used to hold 97 other Dublin Coroner inquests.
My Department was pleased to confirm to the Senior Coroner on 8 February 2022 that it had secured a new venue for the Stardust Inquests; the Pillar Room in the Rotunda Hospital. This followed a period of intensive engagement on my Department’s part with the OPW to secure an appropriate venue in advance of the expiry of the RDS contract at the end of February.
The courtroom has now been installed in the Pillar Room by the OPW and will be ready in advance of the start of the inquests. It is anticipated that the Pillar Room will be used to hold the next pre-inquest hearing in June.
595. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a list of justice youth diversion programmes in Dublin 15; and the name, location, amount of funding and number of young people engaged in each programme in tabular form. [24400/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) operate as a vital support to the statutory Garda Diversion Programme in cooperation with local Gardaí. My Department funds the operation of 105 YDPs across the State at present, which are operated by community-based organisations.
The Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027 identified a wide range of related and complementary measures and programmes which can assist young people in making positive life choices and avoiding repeated involvement with the criminal justice system. The Strategy commits to broadening the YDP service so that every child or young person who would benefit from this service may do so, primarily through the expansion of the geographical coverage of the existing network of 105 YDPs, but also through the establishment of a small number of new projects where a need is identified.
It should be noted that YDPs do not operate within defined Local Authority Area limits and some overlap of the reach of the Projects between local authority areas may occur, therefore YDPs based in particular postal areas of Dublin city may overlap into surrounding local authority areas that are not part of that postal area.
I am advised that the following table provides the details of YDPs in the Dublin 15 area as requested by the Deputy.
|
Project |
Community Based Organisation |
Address |
2022 Funding |
No. of young people engaged as of 31/12/2021* |
|
BEAT |
Foróige |
Corduff Sports Centre, Blackcourt Road, Blanchardstown and Parslikstown House, Mulhuddart Dublin 15 |
€221,434.00 |
57 |
|
ORB |
Foróige |
ORB Project, Huntstown Community Centre, Huntstown Way, D15 and Phibblestown Community Centre, Phibblestown, D15. |
€173,883.00 |
46 |
|
WEB |
Foróige |
Fortlawn community centre, Blanchardstown, D15 and Tyrrelstown community centre, Hollywood Rath, Holbstown Road, Dublin 15. |
€114,990.00 |
42 |
*Latest date for when figures are available. Data is reported annually mid-year to the Department by YDPs for the previous year.
596. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of alleged crimes involving robbery from the person that have been reported to gardaí in the K district in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and the number of persons who were successfully prosecuted for these offences in the period. [24401/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters.
I have been informed by Garda authorities that a search of the PULSE database was conducted on 13 May 2022 for incidents of the type “Robbery from the Person”, which were reported in the ‘K’ District during the period 01/01/2021 – 12/05/2022. A further search was then conducted for Charges/Summons associated with these incidents.
Based on numbers returned, the following table shows the count of incidents and Charges/Summons by year. For confidentiality purposes, data is not provided for counts less than 10 per year.
|
Year |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Count of Incidents |
62 |
17 |
|
Count of Charges/Summons |
<10 |
<10 |
597. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank attached to each divisional scenes of crime unit as of 1 May 2020 and 9 May 2022, in tabular form. [24403/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. The Commissioner is also responsible for the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff under the Act and, as Minister, I have no direct role in these independent functions.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with an unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2022 of over €2 billion.
I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. The full complement of resources fluctuates on an ongoing basis and where a deficiency in resources is identified, the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the work of the Divisional scenes of crime units is supported by the Garda National Technical Bureau (GNTB). The functions of the Garda National Technical Bureau (GNTB) are administered through its Management Support Office (MSO) and consists of the following specialist sections:
- Ballistics & Forensic Investigation Section
- Photographic Section
- Mapping Section
- National Forensic Coordination Office (NFCO)
- Controlled Drugs Coordination Office (CDCO)
- Garda National Technical Bureau Stores
- Firearms Stores
Nationally, GNTB provides operational support and assistance with forensic investigations of a serious and complex nature.
The following table, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out in tabular form, the number of Gardaí by rank in each divisional crime scenes unit as of 1 May 2020 and 9 May 2022.
|
Division |
01/05/2020 |
09/05/2022 |
||||
|
Southern Region |
Garda |
Sergeant |
Detective Inspector |
Garda |
Sergeant |
Detective Inspector |
|
Cork City |
6 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
|
Cork North |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork West |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clare |
4 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
Kerry |
5 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
5 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
5 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Division |
01/05/2020 |
09/05/2022 |
||
|
Dublin Metropolitan Region |
Garda |
Sergeant |
Garda |
Sergeant |
|
DMR North |
7 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
|
DMR North Central |
7 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
|
DMR South |
8 |
1 |
8 |
1 |
|
DMR South Central |
9 |
1 |
9 |
1 |
|
DMR West |
11 |
1 |
10 |
1 |
|
DMR East |
6 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
|
Division |
01/05/2020 |
09/05/2022 |
||
|
Eastern Region |
Garda |
Sergeant |
Garda |
Sergeant |
|
Kildare |
3 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
3 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
|
Meath |
4 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
|
Waterford/Kilkenny/Carlow |
8 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
6 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
|
Wexford |
4 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
4 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
North Western Region: |
Garda |
Sergeant |
Garda |
Sergeant |
|
Galway |
5 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Roscommon-Longford |
3 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
|
Louth |
3 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
5 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
|
Cavan Monaghan |
4 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
Sligo Leitrim |
5 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
598. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who took part in method of entry training courses in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and the duration of these courses. [24404/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have contacted the Garda authorities to provide the information sought by the Deputy, unfortunately this was not to hand in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is received.
|
Method of Entry Courses – 4 days duration |
||||
|
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
|
|
No of Courses |
No. of Courses |
Nos. Trained |
Nos. Trained |
|
|
2021 |
8 |
4 |
80 |
38 |
|
2022 |
4 |
Nil |
43 |
Nil |
|
Total |
12 |
4 |
123 |
38 |
|
Overall Total |
16 |
161 |
|
Method of Entry Recertification Courses – 1 day duration |
||||
|
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
|
|
No of Courses |
No. of Courses |
Nos. Trained |
Nos. Trained |
|
|
2021 |
1 |
21 |
4 |
139 |
|
2022 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Total |
1 |
21 |
4 |
139 |
|
Overall Total |
22 |
143 |
599. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of interview rooms in each Garda station within DMR as of 9 May 2022, in tabular form; and if any of those rooms are reserved for suspects, victims or witnesses of crime and that are aged under 18 years of age. [24405/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have contacted the Garda authorities to provide the information sought by the Deputy, unfortunately this was not to hand in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is received.
600. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications for citizenship received by Irish Naturalisation and Immigration service monthly in each of the years from 2017 to 2022, in tabular form; the applications processed by the service monthly in tabular form; the length of time it took to process these applications per year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24414/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra601. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the current target of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service to process citizenship applications; if additional resources will be allocated to reduce processing times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24415/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 600 and 601 together.
I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and during all levels of public health restrictions.
All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
Processing times have been extended due to the combined impact of the 2019 High Court judgment in the Jones case and the necessary health and safety related restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 disruption.
My Department has also been unable to hold in-person citizenship ceremonies during this time. However, I'm pleased to say that, subject to public health guidelines, my Department intends to host in-person citizenship ceremonies in June and December of this year in Killarney.
The citizenship application process is reviewed on an ongoing basis to continually improve customer service quality. Feedback from applicants is taken on board and, as a result, a much more simplified, customer-focused and streamlined mechanism for applicants to provide their proofs of residence has recently been introduced.
To further speed up the processing of applications, 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. Additional staff have also been assigned to the citizenship team.
Since the beginning of this year, new applicants for citizenship no longer have to submit their original passport with their application. Instead, they can provide a full certified colour copy of their entire passport, including the front and back covers. This change in practice is welcomed by our customers and is also freeing up valuable staff time that up to now has been engaged in returning passports to applicants.
The average processing time will vary depending on the number of applications being received and the individual complexities of each case. The average processing time in 2022 is 19 months and it is hoped that with the continued introduction of enhanced digital processing measures and the ongoing improvements to service delivery that the trend in the average processing time should fall.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following three tables.
|
Year |
Number of applications received |
Number of Applications decided |
Average Processing Time (Months) |
|
2017 |
11,777 |
9,190 |
7 |
|
2018 |
12,868 |
11,139 |
10 |
|
2019 |
12,307 |
9,319 |
12 |
|
2020 |
10,775 |
5,143 |
13 |
|
2021 |
11,981 |
11,512 |
23 |
|
2022 |
5,034 |
5,510 |
19 |
Applications by Year and month of application received:
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Total |
|
|
2017 |
877 |
1,082 |
1,142 |
963 |
1,184 |
1,026 |
906 |
892 |
872 |
953 |
1,029 |
851 |
11,777 |
|
2018 |
990 |
1,062 |
943 |
1,000 |
1,248 |
1,094 |
988 |
973 |
1,100 |
1,212 |
1,209 |
1,049 |
12,868 |
|
2019 |
1,128 |
1,340 |
1,375 |
1,063 |
1,060 |
864 |
951 |
782 |
959 |
1,044 |
885 |
856 |
12,307 |
|
2020 |
1,143 |
1,224 |
1,326 |
199 |
256 |
571 |
928 |
893 |
1,127 |
1,244 |
956 |
888 |
10,755 |
|
2021 |
725 |
981 |
1,021 |
940 |
1,078 |
1,050 |
1,038 |
957 |
1,235 |
1,361 |
1,286 |
1,034 |
11,981 |
|
2022 |
870 |
1,226 |
1,581 |
1,357 |
5,034 |
Applications by Year and month of application decided:
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Total |
|
|
2017 |
720 |
940 |
2,066 |
78 |
338 |
419 |
492 |
1,132 |
2,296 |
84 |
368 |
257 |
9,190 |
|
2018 |
306 |
1,485 |
2,289 |
1,705 |
410 |
408 |
847 |
1,207 |
782 |
1,147 |
441 |
112 |
11,139 |
|
2019 |
131 |
238 |
2,033 |
393 |
606 |
357 |
383 |
107 |
52 |
25 |
3,845 |
1,149 |
9,319 |
|
2020 |
3,924 |
171 |
43 |
2 |
2 |
66 |
79 |
75 |
152 |
568 |
33 |
28 |
5,143 |
|
2021 |
39 |
628 |
1,201 |
1,344 |
1,046 |
860 |
610 |
574 |
433 |
1,497 |
1,870 |
1,410 |
11,512 |
|
2022 |
357 |
1,073 |
1,590 |
1,824 |
664 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
5,510 |
602. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if applications for naturalisation will be progressed in cases in which the status is essential in order to take up employment as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24417/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to by the Deputy holds a Stamp 4 immigration permission, which has been extended until 31 May 2022, under the automatic extension of immigration permissions I announced on 17 December 2021. All permissions are extended on the same terms and conditions to the permission already held.
It is open to the person concerned to contact their local Immigration Office before 31 May 2022 to apply for a further renewal of their immigration permission. I strongly recommend that they make any efforts to renew their permission as early as possible.
A Stamp 4 permission provides that the holder can reside and work in Ireland for a specified period, subject to conditions. Any period spent on a Stamp 4 permission is considered as reckonable residence when applying for citizenship by way of naturalisation.
The person does not need to be granted naturalisation in order to work in the State while they hold a stamp 4 immigration permission. The conditions attaching to any employment such as relevant qualifications or professional accreditation or membership is a matter for the employer and the employee and is not a condition of a Stamp 4 permission.
As the person referred to is also a Ukrainian national, if they chose not to renew their current permission at their local immigration office and their permission expires, they may be eligible to seek Temporary Protection in accordance with the EU Directive. They should visit a Ukraine Support Centre (in Cork Street in Dublin or in Limerick City) to apply for a Temporary Protection permission letter. More information is available at www.gov.ie/ukraine.
More broadly, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed in line with the eligibility criteria as set out under the Irish Naturalisation and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Each application is assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received. Applications are processed in strict chronological order by date received.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and the naturalisation process is available on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.
603. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the appeal of the visa application by a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that the required documentation has been submitted to the Department twice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24434/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the visa application for the person referred to was granted on appeal on 4 May 2022, and the visa sticker was issued on 10 May 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 (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.
604. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice when two persons (details supplied) who are living in Pakistan but who are Afghanistan citizens can expect a decision on their application for visas to stay with their siblings in Ireland; and the other schemes or mechanisms by which they can seek admission to the State. [24445/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra611. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice when two persons (details supplied) can expect a decision on an application for visas to come to stay with their siblings in Ireland and if there are any other scheme or mechanism which the two individuals could use to seek admission to this State. [24488/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 604 and 611 together.
The visa applications for the persons referred to by the Deputy were refused by the Visa Office in Abu Dhabi on 15 February 2020. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicants at that time. An appeal of this decision was made on 24 February 2022. The appeals were examined in detail and a decision was made uphold the original decision to refuse the applications. The applicants were informed of this decision by letter on 22 April 2022.
The persons concerned have also submitted applications under the Afghan Admission Programme. These applications were received by my Department on 1 March 2022. My Department has received 528 applications to the Afghan Admission Programme in total. My officials are currently processing all applications and decisions are expected to issue in the coming months.
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.
605. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the way that the incidence of sentence miscalculation arose in Castlerea Prison which was highlighted in the Castlerea Prison Covid-19 Thematic Inspection, published by her Department on 28 April 2022, which reported that 30 prisoners had their sentences extended while in custody; the steps that were taken to ensure that all prisoners in Castlerea now have accurate release dates; the protocols that were put in place to ensure that this miscalculation of sentences will not recur; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24447/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra606. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice further to the Castlerea Prison Covid-19 Thematic Inspection, published by her Department on 28 April 2022, if any other prisons had incidences in which the miscalculation of sentences occurred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24448/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 605 and 606 together.
A review of sentence calculations and procedures was undertaken throughout the prison estate at the end of January 2021 following the early release of a prisoner from Midlands Prison in December 2020. The purpose of the review was to provide assurance on the accuracy of sentence calculation for those in custody. In tandem with the review, an overarching sentence calculation policy was developed by the Prison Service and has been circulated to staff throughout the prison estate.
Between February and July 2021, a dedicated project team carried out audits of prison files and sentence calculations of approximately 4,000 prisoners. This review identified 48 sentence errors across the prison estate. These were re-calculated and resulted in the sentences of 25 prisoners being decreased in length, while a further 23 individuals had their sentence length increased.
The reasons for inaccurate sentence calculations included; erroneous start dates where a prisoner had multiple warrants, incorrect linking of consecutive and concurrent warrants, warrants not recorded after appeals and misinterpretation of warrants.
In July 2021, a further review took place of all prisoners who had credit days applied to their sentence in respect of time spent on remand and this resulted in a further 77 prisoners having their sentence increased and 6 having their sentence length decreased.
On foot of one such instance, in October 2021, a prisoner lodged a legal challenge in the High Court, under Article 40 of the Constitution to his continued detention. While the application was unsuccessful, the High Court decision was overturned in the Court of Appeal and the individual was released from custody.
Following this, all files impacted by the judgment were re-examined and where necessary sentences were re-calculated and the Prison Service Sentence Calculation policy was also amended to give effect to the judgment.
I can advise the Deputy that, in order to provide further assurance and to support and validate the internal review carried out by the Prison Service, it is proposed to commence an external review of the policies, processes and procedures in operation for the calculation of prisoner sentences by a suitably qualified person with detailed knowledge of sentence calculation.
607. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners under sentence in the Dóchas Centre and in Limerick Female Prison who received methadone maintenance treatment over the past two years by prison and by month in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24449/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra608. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners under sentence in the Dóchas Centre and in Limerick Female Prison who received medically assisted symptomatic detoxification over the past two years by prison and by month in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24450/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 607 and 608 together.
The information sought by the Deputy is currently being collated and verified and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
|
2020 |
Dóchas Centre Detoxification |
Dóchas Centre Maintenance Treatment |
Limerick (female) Detoxification |
Limerick (female) Maintenance Treatment |
|
JANUARY |
9 |
38 |
5 |
19 |
|
FEBRUARY |
13 |
40 |
5 |
20 |
|
MARCH |
12 |
38 |
5 |
19 |
|
APRIL |
9 |
24 |
2 |
13 |
|
MAY |
8 |
26 |
2 |
12 |
|
JUNE |
10 |
23 |
2 |
12 |
|
JULY |
9 |
22 |
2 |
12 |
|
AUGUST |
8 |
19 |
3 |
15 |
|
SEPTEMBER |
8 |
21 |
3 |
19 |
|
OCTOBER |
8 |
21 |
3 |
17 |
|
NOVEMBER |
9 |
21 |
3 |
15 |
|
DECEMBER |
8 |
16 |
2 |
14 |
|
2021 |
Dóchas Centre Detoxification |
Dóchas Centre Maintenance Treatment |
Limerick (female) Detoxification |
Limerick (female) Maintenance Treatment |
|
January |
8 |
16 |
2 |
15 |
|
February |
6 |
19 |
1 |
13 |
|
March |
7 |
18 |
2 |
14 |
|
April |
5 |
17 |
2 |
13 |
|
May |
5 |
15 |
2 |
13 |
|
June |
5 |
16 |
2 |
13 |
|
July |
6 |
16 |
3 |
13 |
|
August |
6 |
16 |
2 |
12 |
|
September |
6 |
16 |
2 |
12 |
|
October |
5 |
17 |
1 |
14 |
|
November |
5 |
16 |
1 |
13 |
|
December |
6 |
19 |
1 |
13 |
609. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice the number of non-EEA citizen family members of United Kingdom citizens expected to apply for new registration documents to benefit under the withdrawal agreement between the European Union and the UK in 2020; the number of non-EEA citizen family members of UK citizens who have applied; the number of those who applied who have successfully obtained either permanent or non-permanent residence and the number of applications that were refused, withdrawn or incomplete. [24479/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraNon-EEA family members or dependents of UK nationals continue to hold the same residence rights to live, work or study in Ireland, if they resided here at the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020. It is estimated that approximately 6,000 non-EEA nationals resident in Ireland may apply for a new residence document under the Withdrawal Agreement as family members of UK nationals.
Non-EEA family members or dependents of UK nationals are required to exchange their current valid Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card for a new one stating that they benefit from the Withdrawal Agreement. This card exchange programme has applied from 1 January 2021, and is administered by my Department for applicants nationwide. Applications are made through an online renewal system.
Those who have not yet applied to exchange their card can do so until 30 June 2022.
As of February 2022 (the latest date for which statistics are available), some 2,023 card exchange applications have been received, of which 2,001 have been completed. The ten most common nationalities of those applying for Withdrawal Agreement cards are set out in the following table.
|
Nationality |
Count |
|
South African |
879 |
|
Pakistan |
369 |
|
Nigeria |
122 |
|
Afghanistan |
113 |
|
India |
59 |
|
United States of America |
56 |
|
Philippines |
51 |
|
Brazil |
40 |
|
China |
36 |
|
Thailand |
24 |
610. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application (details supplied) for permanent residence based on the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) (Citizen Rights) Regulations 2020. [24480/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to by the Deputy has made an application for permanent residence in the State. This application was received by the EU Treaty Rights Division of my Department on 25 January 2022.
The entitlements under Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move freely and reside within the European Union ceased to apply to family members of United Kingdom nationals at the end of the Withdrawal Agreement transition period on 31 December 2020.
As the application for a permanent residence card was received after the end of the transition period, this application is deemed to be an application for a permanent residence document made under Regulation 12 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) (Citizens’ Rights) Regulations 2020. As such, this application will be assessed in accordance with the Regulations and the provisions of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015, where applicable.
The person concerned can be assured that there will be no avoidable delay in having their case brought to finality. In the meantime, they currently have a Stamp 4C immigration permission, which is valid until 23 August 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 (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.
612. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if there is a protocol operated by the gardaí in relation to when to intervene with persons who are joyriding on stolen motorbikes. [24623/22]
Amharc ar fhreagrathe Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the development of operational protocols. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
As the Deputy will appreciate, every member of An Garda Síochána is committed to reducing the number and severity of road collisions, educating all road users in their attitudes and behaviour and, when necessary, detecting and intercepting dangerous drivers and those who refuse to comply with road traffic laws.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Decision Making Model, which places constitutional and human rights and the Code of Ethics at its core, applies to all decisions made by members of An Garda Síochána and Garda staff from spontaneous incidents to planned operations, daily duties and strategic planning. Decisions regarding interventions, such as with regard to joyriding on stolen motorbikes, requires Garda members to consider community and stakeholders, legal powers and policy, procedures and practice.
The Garda decision making process includes assessment of threats and risks, in addition to consideration of the operational environment and identification of options and contingencies. In addition to the Garda Decision Making Model, there are existing Garda policies and training programmes that support individual Garda members in joyriding situations.
613. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the status of Irish information retrieval legislation which was included in the 2021 autumn legislative programme and subsequently the spring legislative programme for 2022, given the UK Government’s commitment in the Queen’s speech to legislate for the independent commission on information retrieval. [24747/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Stormont House Agreement, concluded by the two Governments and the Northern Ireland Parties in December 2014, provides for a framework of measures to address the legacy of troubles-related violence in Northern Ireland.
The framework of measures agreed include the establishment of the Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR). The ICIR is to be an independent international body with the objective of enabling families to seek and privately receive information about the troubles-related deaths of their next of kin.
Given the cross-border nature of the ICIR, in September 2015, the Government signed an International Agreement with the British Government on the establishment of the Independent Commission for Information Retrieval (ICIR). The development of proposals for legislation to establish the ICIR in this jurisdiction have been progressed, in close cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, and Heads of Bill are well advanced. However, ICIR will require legislation to be enacted in both jurisdictions with parallel provisions in order for it to come into effect, which is presenting a particular difficulty at the current time.
As the Deputy will be aware, the UK Government recently announced their intention to introduce a Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill which was published this afternoon. The Bill runs to almost 100 pages and is being examined but it would appear to be a significant departure from the framework of measures that were agreed at Stormont House. It does not provide for an Independent Commission for Information Retrieval as set out in the Stormont House agreement and therefore our legislation cannot be progressed based on our current understanding of today's UK legislative proposal.
This Government remains committed to the Stormont House framework as the way forward on legacy issues, and where the British Government are proposing significant changes to the framework, we have made clear that these must be discussed and agreed by both Governments and the parties to the Northern Ireland Executive. Only through a collective approach can we hope to deal with these issues comprehensively and fairly, and in a way that listens and responds to the needs of victims and survivors, and society as a whole.
The Government will continue to engage and work with the British Government and the parties in Northern Ireland on this very important issue.
614. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice the advice that can be provided in relation to the case of a person (details supplied). [24757/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, registrations for people living outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network.
On the 2 December 2021, I announced that customers renewing their immigration permission were no longer required to submit their passport to have an immigration permission attached. While having an in-date passport is not a requirement in itself to renew an immigration permission, it is strongly advised that a person maintains same for other purposes while resident in the State.
The person concerned should attend their local immigration office and, in applying to renew their permission, should provide evidence of attempts to secure a new passport from their Embassy or Consulate. Each application for renewal of an immigration permission is decided on its individual merits.
My Department is not in a position to provide assistance with obtaining a new or replacement national passport. This is a matter for the relevant national government. The person concerned may apply for a Travel Document from my Department if they need to travel in order to receive their passport. A Travel Document is an official document which assists qualifying non-Irish nationals who are resident in Ireland to travel. Further information is available on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/applying-for-a-travel-document/.
