Tuesday, 21 Jun 2022

Written Answers Nos. 672-685

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (672)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

672. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 630 of 10 May 2022, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities. [32219/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I refer to Parliamentary Question 630 for written reply on 10 May 2022 requesting the estimated full year cost if 200 additional prison officers were recruited in tabular form.

The information requested was not readily available at that time and I undertook to respond to you as soon as possible with the relevant information. I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the estimated full year cost of employing 200 new Recruit Prison Officers (RPO’S), as per the most recent PPC pay scales of 1 February 2022, would be:

	Point 1	Point 2	Point 3
Salary	€6,267,400.00	€6,509,000.00	€7,075,800.00
Additional Hours	€1,514,455.20	€1,572,835	€1,709,797
Premium Payments	€1,773,916	€1,839,226	€1,992,532

These costs reflect premium payments and other allowances such as Operational Allowance (8% of annual salary) and the allocation of up to 360 additional hours as provided for in the Haddington Road Agreement.

The recruitment of Recruit Prison Officers by the Irish Prison Service has been ongoing since 2017, and has regard to such factors as service needs and exit levels from the organisation. I can advise the Deputy that 133 Recruit Prison Officers were recruited in 2021, and to date in 2022 50 Recruit Prison Officers have been recruited. It is envisaged that a further 90 will be recruited throughout the remainder of 2022.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (673)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

673. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí within the Tipperary Garda Diversionl that successfully completed the Garda van course in each of the years 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [32220/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the arrangement of training courses for Garda members. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. 

The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Gardaí assigned to Tipperary Division who successfully completed Garda van related driving courses in the years 2020 and 2021, and up to 20 June 2022. I am advised that van personnel training courses are delivered subject to the operational needs of the organisation. 

Tipperary Division	2020	2021	20 June 2022
Class B Van Familiarisation	1	2	0
Competency Based Driving  2 including VAN	2	2	3
Total	3	4	3

Visa Applications

Ceisteanna (674)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

674. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress that has been made to date in the determination of a visa application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32233/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The person referred to by the Deputy created a Join Family (Non-EEA national)(spouse) visa application on 7 December 2021. The supporting documentation and relevant fees were submitted on 21 December 2021 in the Abuja Visa Office. Processing of this application is ongoing at present. The person concerned will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.

Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in my Department's Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. This policy document may be viewed at:

www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf.

As set out in the Policy Document, there is a business target that visa applications for family reunification for immediate family members of Irish citizens and Category A sponsors, such as Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders, should be dealt with within six months of application.

A 12 month target applies for applications to join Category B sponsors, such as Non Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders or Stamp 4 holders not covered by other more favourable arrangements.

The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification. Applicants are advised not to pay for airline or other travel tickets without having first been issued with a visa.

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 ([e-mail]), 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.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (675)

Ivana Bacik

Ceist:

675. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if her Department maintains figures in respect of departures from the State of stamp 2 visa holders whose permissions expired on 31 May 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32272/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

Persons leaving the State are not checked on exit. Therefore it is not possible to give a reliable estimate of persons on particular types of immigration permissions, including Stamp 2 permissions, who have left the State.

A Stamp 2 immigration permission is granted to all international non-EEA students regardless of whether they are undertaking an English language course or a third level programme. There is no differentiation in the permission granted other than its duration. When granting a Stamp 2 immigration permission, the immigration officer must ensure that the course of study is listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).

Furthermore, anyone whose immigration permission is due to expire or has expired can apply to my Department requesting a change of immigration permission or to have their immigration permission extended.

Naturalisation Applications

Ceisteanna (676)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

676. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress that has been made to date in processing an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32275/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The 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.

It is open to the applicant to contact the Citizenship Division of my Department at [e-mail] at any time for an update on their application.

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: [e-mail], 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.

Courts Service

Ceisteanna (677)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

677. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the status of a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32277/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I am informed by Garda authorities that this matter was fully investigated by An Garda Síochána, and the Director of Public Prosecutions directed no prosecution. 

Visa Applications

Ceisteanna (678)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

678. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons to date who have applied for the current undocumented scheme; and the breakdown of those within the international protection strand and the more general scheme. [32287/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As of 20 June 2022, a total of 5,118 applications in respect of 6,484 people have been received under the main scheme for the Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants and 1,128 permissions have been issued to date to successful applicants.

Under the international protection stand of the scheme, 2,004 applications have been received to 17 June 2022 and 339 permissions have been granted to successful applicants. A further 393 people have been granted an equivalent permission by the International Protection Office (IPO) of my Department, under either the Permission to Remain (first instance) or Permission to Remain Review processes, before their applications under the scheme had been finalised.

My Department opened the once-in-a generation scheme for the Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants in the State on 31 January 2022 for a six month period to the 31 July 2022. The scheme is designed, following detailed engagement with the people affected, to give long-term undocumented people without a current immigration permission the chance to regularise their status, access the labour market and begin their path to citizenship.The scheme genuinely is a once-off, life-changing opportunity to obtain status in the State. I encourage everyone eligible for the scheme, who has not yet made an application, to do so before the closing date. I can assure people that we are examining applications pragmatically and humanely and we are considering all viable proofs of residence.If the Deputy is aware of someone who might be eligible for the scheme please encourage them to come forward. Applicants will be supported in a positive way and if they are not eligible for the scheme, other immigration options can be explored. To publicise the scheme, my Department commenced a targeted social media ad campaign across all of the main social media platforms directed at the top ten nationalities eligible under the scheme in their own native languages. This campaign will run until the scheme closes at the end of July. Further targeted communications are also being rolled out in physical locations, such as supermarkets and on bus shelters in locations around the country.

Full details regarding the qualifying criteria, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document and the required documentation for the scheme is available on my Department's immigration services website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/regularisation-of-long-term-undocumented-migrant-scheme/.

The international protection strand is open for applications until 7 August 2022, and full details of the scheme is available at: www.ipo.gov.ie.

Visa Applications

Ceisteanna (679)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

679. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if there is any progress in shortening the delays in renewal of visas; if she has any system for fast-tracking applications where an important family event requires travel arrangements to be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32291/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I understand that the Deputy is referring to the registration and renewal process for immigration permissions.

Since the onset of the pandemic, immigration permissions were extended nine times, which meant that people who held a valid permission to be in the State in March 2020 were legally permitted to remain until 31 May 2022.

These extensions were made in the context of an uncertain health and international travel situation to provide assistance and assurance to people who use our immigration services.Now that those circumstances are returning to normal, it is important that we also return to a more normal way of doing business. This includes in relation to first-time registrations and renewals, and processes and procedures are in place to allow customers to do so.

As part of my Department’s ongoing work to meet the current unprecedented demand for first-time registration appointments, at the Registration Office Burgh Quay, on 10 January 2022, a Freephone service (1800 741 741) was introduced for customers. The current operating hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and all appointments for Dublin based customers to register their immigration permission for the first time are now issued through this service. Operators offer one appointment per call, unless it is for an identifiable family group.

To date, the service has provided 27,428 appointments with a further 7,499 appointments booked to early August. Applications are currently being processed on a seven days a week basis.

Dublin based customers who are seeking to renew their permission can continue to do so online at: inisonline.jahs.ie/user/login. Since its introduction in July 2020, the online renewal process has completed approximately 138,000 applications.

Customers wishing to renew an immigration permission may apply online up to 12 weeks in advance of their current permission’s expiration date. Current processing times are longer than usual because of extremely high demand. The Registration Office is working to process renewals as quickly as possible. I have significantly increased staff capacity to process the applications on hand. Staff are supporting customers who have travel plans in place through the customer service helpdesk. Customers are asked to email my Department at [e-mail] putting ‘Flights booked for Travel’ in the subject box. Customers should also include proof of paid flights in their name so that these applications can be prioritised.

My Department's Registration Office customer service team is also available to support customers who may have language difficulties or who may need assistance with translation. A number of multi-lingual videos describing the registration process and what to expect are available on my Department's website www.irishimmigration.ie.

My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for customers residing in the Dublin area only. First time registrations and renewals for customers outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network. The allocation of appointments with GNIB is a matter for An Garda Síochána.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (680)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

680. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of fixed penalty notices that gardaí issued for parking in a bus lane in the years 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32336/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, regrettably this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy again once the report is to hand. 

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 680 of 21 June 2022 where you asked:

‘the number of fixed penalty notices that Gardaí issued for parking in a bus lane in the years 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form’

As you will recall, I sought the information you requested and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.

As you will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the management and administration of Garda business, including all operational policing matters related to road traffic enforcement. As Minister I have no direct role in the prevention, detection or prosecution of criminal offences.

I am advised that the table below is a yearly breakdown of the number of Fixed Charge Penalty Notices issued for the offences of parking at a bus stop, bus parking space or in a bus lane.

2021	2022	Total
1253	753	2006

Figures are based on incidents which occurred from 01/01/2021 to 22/06/2022, inclusive. All information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the Fixed Charge Penalty System as was available on 23/06/2022 and is liable to change.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (681)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

681. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of cases of unauthorised taking of a vehicle reported to gardaí in the J district in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32337/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, regrettably this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy again once the report is to hand.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 681 of 21 June 2022 where you asked: ‘the number of cases of unauthorised taking of a vehicle reported to Gardaí in the J district in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form’

As you will recall, I sought the information you requested and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.

As you will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the management and administration of Garda business, including all operational policing matters. As Minister I have no direct role in the prevention, detection or prosecution of criminal offences.

I am advised that the table below shows the number of reported incidents of the PULSE incidents type ‘Unauthorised Taking (Vehicle)’ reported in the Raheny (J) District during the years specified.

Incident Type	2020	2021	2022	Total
Unauthorised Taking (Vehicle)	112	112	85	309

Figures were collated based on data from PULSE as of 1:30am on the 30th June, 2022. They are operational and may be liable to change. Crime counting rules are not applied to reflect all recorded incidents.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (682)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

682. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the Garda divisions currently without a crime prevention officer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32338/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, regrettably this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy again once the report is to hand.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (683)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

683. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if funding will be provided for the replacement of the patrol boats within Garda water unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32339/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As 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, including the allocation of resources. In addition, the Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for An Garda Síochána and is responsible for the decisions on future allocations and spending. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps these matters under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.

The Deputy may be aware that the Garda Water Unit (GWU) is a national resource based at Santry Garda Station, Dublin Metropolitan Region, and Garycastle, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, and falls under the remit of Assistant Commissioner, Organised & Serious Crime. The operational control of the GWU is overseen by Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services. The GWU provide a full dive and marine capability throughout the State and respond to requests for assistance from within An Garda Síochána and other relevant agencies.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the GWU presently has two patrol boats, four rigid inflatable boats and nine inflatable boats. I am informed that the boats allocated to the unit have met the present requirements of the Garda Water Unit to date, and the equipment fitted on the boats is regularly serviced and upgraded when necessary. I am further informed that both of the GWU patrol boats are dated from 2000 and 2006 respectively, the rigid inflatable boats were allocated to the Garda Water Unit in 2007 and the nine inflatable boats are dated from 2009 to 2012, which are replaced when no longer serviceable for GWU needs.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (684)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

684. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if funding will be provided for the purchase of additional Garda Public order unit vans later in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32340/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

Budget 2022 provides in excess of an unprecedented €2 billion to An Garda Síochána, of which I am informed that €12m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet, which will mean more high visibility policing in our towns and cities.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the purchase and allocation of Garda vehicles is determined on the basis of identified operational demands and the availability of resources, and decisions regarding the purchase and allocation of Garda vehicles are reviewed on a continual basis. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are no plans to purchase additional public order vans this year.

I understand that public order vans are issued as a regional resource and can be moved throughout Divisions as required.

Finally, the Deputy may also wish to be aware that An Garda Síochána publish information on Garda fleet, including a Divisional/District monthly breakdown, on their website at: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (685)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

685. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of new marked and unmarked roads policing unit vehicles that came into the fleet to-date in 2022; the number of RPU vehicles withdrawn to-date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32342/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The Deputy will be aware that, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. The allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently 329 vehicles attached to Garda Roads Policing, including both marked and unmarked vehicles.

The table below, furnished me by the Garda authorities, shows the number of roads policing vehicles allocated and withdrawn to date in 2022.

2022 to date	Marked	Unmarked
Allocated	0	0
Removed	3	3

Budget 2022 provides in excess of an unprecedented €2 billion, of which I am informed that €12m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet, which will mean more high visibility policing in our towns and cities.