Written Answers Nos. 150-169
150. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set out a timeline to legislate for the creation of a new competitive funding research agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32870/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government Our Shared Future includes a commitment to ensure that Ireland is a global leader in research and innovation across the arts, humanities, social sciences and STEM. Consequently, Impact 2030: Ireland's Research and Innovation Strategy, which I launched on the 18th of May, positions research and innovation at the heart of addressing Ireland's societal, economic and environmental challenges.
A key initiative in Impact 2030 is to bring a landmark Research Bill to government to create a new competitive research and innovation funding agency, combining and building on the missions of the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland. The agency will not only support research across all disciplines, but it will enable greater interdisciplinary research activity in Ireland. This amalgamation will also improve coordination of funding activities, administrative efficiencies and it will simplify the suite of supports for researchers, while building on both funders’ respective existing track records and international reputations.
The contribution of this new agency to the national research and innovation system and the alignment with the broader tertiary system and policy developments within my Department must be considered. In addition, the agency will have a role in ensuring a cohesive delivery of Ireland’s international research and innovation strategic engagements.
The first step in this task is to establish a workgroup for the Research Bill which will consider the legislative process, transitional arrangements and establishment of the new agency.
The timeline involved will be informed by this work.
151. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which he intends to increase indigenous productivity by 2.5% per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32871/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraImpact 2030 will intensify our commitment to Ireland’s knowledge-based economy, increasing and deepening enterprise research and innovation activity, which will be central to long-term economic and social sustainability at national and regional level.
My Department works closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which will be leading on Impact 2030's commitment to ensuring that innovation drives enterprise success.
Increasing productivity will all add to the resilience of Irish businesses, preparing them to continue to succeed in an increasingly competitive global market. As such, increasing indigenous productivity by 2.5% per annum is a key target for Enterprise Ireland in its recently published strategy, Leading in a Changing World .
One of the core strategic objectives will be to boost the productivity of established businesses and connect enterprises with innovation opportunities at home and internationally, maximising their growth and job creation potential. Enterprise Ireland will deliver targeted initiatives to boost productivity and scale start-ups and established companies with high growth potential.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment through its agency Enterprise Ireland and working with the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) and others will prioritise the development of a strong pipeline of companies with the potential to internationalise and grow their productivity, providing a clear pathway for progression from the LEOs to Enterprise Ireland for small companies with the potential to export.
Key drivers for productivity growth in indigenous industries will include the creation and exploitation of intangible assets including intellectual property, technology, and managerial and specialist skills. It is also clear that leveraging digital technology to improve productivity and profitability will develop new market opportunities. Increased levels of investment in innovation, digital adoption and transformation are essential to strengthen the productivity and operational effectiveness of Irish enterprise, developing high value products and services and delivering competitiveness on international markets.
Enterprise Ireland will drive a major increase in digital adoption and transformation by Irish enterprise, helping to strengthen competitiveness and productivity across people, processes and technology.
Initiatives include:
- Working with the LEO Centre of Excellence to deliver digitalisation awareness, supports and content across EI and LEO client bases.
- Driving SME awareness of and connectivity to new European Digital Innovation Hubs, Digital Cluster, Tech Centres and wider infrastructure across SME base.
- Formally establish up to 4 European Digital Innovation Hubs to support the digital transformation of Irish SMEs, as part of wider programme of digitalisation support to Irish enterprise.
- Leverage strategic partnerships with key digital platforms, including extending HPSU partnership agreement with MNCs to include an SME digitalisation focus (MoU with Google across SMEs and LEOs).
- Enterprise Ireland will develop and launch new International Selling Programme, with a focus on digital marketing/ transformation, with new products/services.
- Delivery of short flexible Sales & Marketing programmes (virtual selling, Digital Lead Generation, Value Proposition, Market intelligence, channel management, etc) including targeted roll out to LEO clients.
- Adapting Enterprise Ireland leadership programmes (building in Digital transformation, Sustainability and ESG as required).
- Provision of Digital manufacturing course (with Solas).
- Capability building in Digitalisation and cybersecurity (with Skillsnet).
- Development of online portal/tools to support 1 to many digitalisation capability, skills building and provide access to information, exemplar case studies, external online training, signposting to supports, and MNC partner content for SME digitalisation.
- Launch awareness building campaign on digitalisation, to meet gaps identified around knowledge & awareness, skills, technology adoption and access to finance.
- Delivery of new Digital Transition Fund (NRRF), in 2022 to support digital adoption across Irish enterprise through one-to-many online supports (for EI and LEO clients) and one-to-one funding supports (including RD&I).
- Enabling clients to avail of EU Digital Funding (European Enterprise Network; EIC).
- Expanding training grants (beyond LEAN) to allow firms engage 3rd party providers to boost management skills across core functional and transformational (digital, sustainability) areas.
- Grad Start and enhanced key manager grants focusing on new areas (Digital, Climate).
- Build out digital sales and marketing hub/expertise to develop new products/services to embed digital marketing capability across the client base (e.g., digitalisation voucher).
- Introduce New Exporter Scorecard and supports to increase number of digital exporters micro/SME.
- Mapping the exporter journey and fully develop the engagement model maximising digital by default delivery.
Additionally, Housing for All is the government’s housing plan to 2030. Under this plan, Enterprise Ireland, along with other agencies, will undertake initiatives to drive an increase in the levels of innovation and productivity in the construction sector. In line with the objectives under Housing for All, Enterprise Ireland will provide targeted advisory and technology assistance to the construction sector to deliver an increase in innovation and productivity.
Enterprise Ireland will support the construction sector to deliver an increase in innovation and productivity through the launch of a new Construction Technology Innovation Centre.
152. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set out a timeline for the undertaking of a comprehensive review of the impact of research and innovation in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32872/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraImpact 2030 includes plans for a comprehensive impact review. Given its relevance and importance to both existing investment and the nature of any future investment in research and innovation, it will be progressed as part of the Strategy's first Work Programme, i.e. during the 2022 to 2024 period.
153. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he intends to establish a new research and innovation policy advisory forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32873/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra154. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the mechanism by which the new research and innovation policy advisory forum will operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32874/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra155. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he intends to establish the Impact 2030 steering group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32875/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 153, 154 and 155 together.
Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy sets out a whole of Government ambition for research and innovation in Ireland out to 2030. The overarching purpose of Impact 2030 is to maximise the impact of research and innovation on multiple national priorities. Grounded in extensive consultation and analysis, it will progress objectives that are shared across the Irish research and innovation system.
Key to ensuring successful implementation of Impact 2030 is the establishment of strong governance and oversight structures. Strong R&I strategy advisory, governance and oversight structures will ensure that R&I plays a central role in delivering on Government policies, articulating the impact of R&I on our economy and society and advocating for increased public and private investment in R&I.
As announced in the strategy, I will be chairing a new national R&I Advisory Forum. The Forum will provide an agreed structure for engagement between members of the research and innovation community and policy decision makers. The composition of the Forum is currently being developed by officials in my department. It is intended that the first meeting will take place in early 2023.
We will strengthen policy direction and collaboration on R&I and ensure implementation of the strategy with the establishment of an Impact 2030 Steering Group and an Impact 2030 Implementation Forum. These structures will underpin the whole-of-Government nature of this strategy. It is planned that the first meeting of each of these two groups will take place in July.
156. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way that he intends to attract the best students globally to participate in research and innovation in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32876/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently, Ireland performs well in attracting international students. Thirty percent (30%) of Irish doctoral students are from other countries, compared to an EU average of 19%.
Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy, which I launched on the 18th of May, places talent at the heart of our research and innovation system. One of its objectives is to attract the best students globally to take part in the Irish experience, learning from the best and gaining cross cutting experience, through existing programmes and through the development of new initiatives, for instance, through partnership between industry and Government.
My Department is exploring how this action can be taken forward, in consultation with research funders.
157. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the fact that non-European Union citizens must apply online for Irish Residence Permit cards and the process takes nine to ten weeks whereas pre-Covid this could be carried out in the Garda National Immigration Bureau Office in a matter of hours; if she will take steps to allow for in-person applications to resume; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32917/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra158. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if she will establish a helpline through which non-EU citizens can receive updates on their Irish Residence Permit card applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32985/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.
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
Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, nine temporary extension of immigration and international protection permissions were provided to 31 May 2022. These extensions were available to all persons required to register and allowed them the opportunity to renew their registration, either online with my Department if residing in Dublin, or nationally with their local immigration office.
Permissions were extended on the same terms and conditions as the permission already held. Any non-EEA national whose Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card had expired was allowed to rely on each of the published notices on my Department's website to prove their immigration permission was renewed in line with them.
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.
At present, there are no plans to introduce a helpline as suggested by the Deputy. However, there is already a Helpdesk system in place where Dublin based customers experiencing difficulties or who have urgent requirements can email my Department at immigrationsupport@justice.ie. This is staffed by the Registration Office customer service team, who are available to support and process their requests.
Customers residing elsewhere should contact their local Garda Immigration office for supports and advice.
My Department has undertaken a number of measures in order to support all applicants through the registration process with detailed guidance notes and videos, in several languages, available on my Department's immigration website (www.irishimmigration.ie).
Since July 2020, Dublin based customers who are seeking to renew their permission and receive a new IRP card can do so fully online at: inisonline.jahs.ie/user/login. Since its introduction, more than 138,000 renewal applications have been completed. Customers can now apply up to 12 weeks in advance of their current permission’s expiration date and I have significantly increased staff capacity to process the applications on hand due to high demand.
As part of my Department’s ongoing work to meet the current unprecedented demand for first-time registration appointments, 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 and applications are currently being processed on a seven days a week basis.
My Department and in particular staff of our frontline immigration services are doing all that we can to continue to provide a quality service to our customers during this period of unprecedented demand. The situation will continue to be monitored, in the weeks and months ahead in order to maintain and further improve on service delivery to our customers.
159. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1348 of June 14 2022, when she expects the appropriate mechanism to facilitate cooperation to be in place; if she will that ensure victims and their families are informed of progress beforehand directly by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33036/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy refers to Operation Denton, which is an ongoing UK independent analytical review into the activities of what was known as the Glenanne Gang in Northern Ireland.
Operation Denton forms part of the work of the Kenova Investigation Team with regard to a series of Northern Ireland legacy cases.
An Garda Síochána is committed to cooperating to the greatest extent possible with Kenova and already has in place a High Level Agreement which supports mutual co-operation and exchange of information with the Operation Kenova Investigation Team in the context of criminal investigations. The Historical Investigation Coordination Unit within An Garda Síochána continues to support this work.
Operation Denton is a distinct strand in the work of Kenova, an analytical review rather than a criminal investigation and, in the circumstances, it was necessary to obtain the advices of the Office of the Attorney General with regard to the available legal measures to facilitate cooperation. The Deputy will appreciate that the necessary information-sharing framework must be in place to facilitate cooperation between An Garda Síochána and Operation Denton in order to protect any sensitive data being transferred.
As I previously advised the Deputy, following receipt of advices from the Attorney General, work is nearing completion in my Department on an appropriate mechanism to facilitate this cooperation and Government approval was received on 21 June in this regard. It is expected that the mechanism will be in place in the very near future.
Officials of this Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs have been engaging with KENOVA and victims groups with regard to this matter.
160. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in County Wicklow, the stations in the county in which they are located in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33150/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra163. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda patrol vehicles in County Wicklow; and the stations in the county in which they are located in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33153/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 163 together.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2022 of over €2 billion.
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, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
The attached spreadsheet, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Gardaí assigned to Wicklow Division at end December 2017 up to end December 2021 and at 31 May 2022, the latest date for which figures are available.
Further detailed information in relation to Garda numbers is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country.
The information can be found at the following link: www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the vehicles assigned to Wicklow Division at end December 2017 up to end December 2021 and at 31 May 2022, the latest date for which figures are available. I am further informed that An Garda Síochána do not provide vehicle allocations by Garda Station for security reasons.
|
Wicklow Division |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
*Others |
Total |
|
31-Dec-17 |
45 |
11 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
62 |
|
31-Dec-18 |
42 |
11 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
61 |
|
31-Dec-19 |
41 |
11 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
60 |
|
31-Dec-20 |
49 |
11 |
2 |
6 |
1 |
69 |
|
31-Dec-21 |
50 |
11 |
2 |
6 |
1 |
70 |
|
31-May-22 |
48 |
10 |
2 |
6 |
1 |
67 |
*The category 'others' refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles
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.
161. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice the number of community gardaí in County Wicklow; the stations in the county in which they are located in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33151/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This includes the deployment of Garda members throughout the State.
The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Community Gardaí assigned to Wicklow Division at end December 2017 to end December 2021, and at 31 May 2022 the latest date for which figures are available.
|
Wicklow 31/12/2017 |
SG |
GD |
Total |
|
Bray |
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
Blessington |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Baltinglass |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Carnew |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Greystones |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Arklow |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
1 |
13 |
14 |
|
Wicklow 31/12/2018 |
SG |
GD |
Total |
|
Bray |
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
Baltinglass |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Greystones |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Arklow |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Roundwood |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
1 |
12 |
13 |
|
Wicklow 31/12/2019 |
SG |
GD |
Total |
|
Arklow |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Baltinglass |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Bray |
1 |
4 |
5 |
|
Greystones |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Total |
1 |
10 |
11 |
|
Wicklow 31/12/2020 |
SG |
GD |
Total |
|
Arklow |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Baltinglass |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Bray |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Greystones |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Total |
1 |
9 |
10 |
|
Wicklow 31/12/2021 |
SG |
GD |
Total |
|
Arklow |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Baltinglass |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Bray |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Greystones |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Total |
1 |
8 |
9 |
|
Wicklow 31/05/2022 |
SG |
GD |
Total |
|
Arklow |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Baltinglass |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Bray |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Greystones |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Total |
1 |
5 |
6 |
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 optimal use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
To date, the official categorisation as a Community Garda has simply referred to those members who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society, including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. It is important to note, however, that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties.
Indeed, this is fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and currently being rolled out under 'A Policing Service for Our Future', the Government's implementation plan for the Commission's recommendations.
In the interests of transparency, detailed information in relation to Garda numbers is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country and Community Policing numbers.
The information can be found at the following link: www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures.
162. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in County Wicklow in a dedicated drug unit; and the stations in the county in which they are located in each of the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33152/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. The allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demands. This includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, shows the number of Gardaí attached to the Wicklow Division Drugs Unit at end December 2017 to end December 2021, and at 31 May 2022, the latest date for which figures are available. For operational reasons, the Garda stations where these members are assigned is unavailable.
|
Wicklow Drugs Unit |
SG |
GD |
Total |
|
31/12/2017 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
31/12/2018 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
31/12/2019 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
31/12/2020 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
31/12/2021 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
31/05/2022 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
In the interest of transparency, a detailed breakdown of Garda numbers is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána. Information on the Garda workforce, Garda staff and other Garda statistics are available from the following link:
www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Workforce.
164. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 581 of 17 May 2022, the way in which the State discharges its European Convention on Human Rights Article 13 obligations to ensure that a timely and effective investigation takes place in all maternal deaths, which includes an obligation to include all relevant evidence in that investigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33155/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Coroners Service comprises of a network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. Coroners are independent quasi-judicial office holders whose core function is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can be issued. My Department does not have a role in directing the work of coroners or in individual death investigation cases. The exercise of statutory powers by a Coroner during an inquest is entirely a matter for the relevant Coroner.
The Coroners (Amendment) Act 2019 clarified, strengthened and modernised coroner’s powers in the reporting, investigation and inquest of deaths. The scope of enquiries at inquest was expanded beyond being limited to establishing the medical cause of death, to seeking to establish, to the extent the coroner considers necessary, the circumstances in which the death occurred. The Act also broadened the coroner’s powers relating to mandatory reporting and inquest of maternal deaths, deaths in custody or childcare situations and significant new powers to compel witnesses and evidence at inquest.
Section 10 of the Coroners (Amendment) Act 2019 amended section 17 of the Coroners Act 1962 to require a coroner to hold an inquest in cases where a death of a person is a maternal or late maternal death. The definitions used regarding maternal death or late maternal death accord with those used by the World Health Organisation. The Act further provides for mandatory reporting to a coroner of a stillbirth, death intrapartum, or infant death.
Furthermore, Section 24 of the Coroners (Amendment) Act 2019 amended section 38 of the Coroners Act 1962 to provide for increased powers for a coroner in relation to the taking of evidence at an inquest, including a power to direct any person to produce documents or things necessary for the proper conduct of the inquest, and to direct a witness to answer questions. It is important to note that inquest hearings are subject to the requirement for fair procedure and natural justice.
165. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice the steps that can be taken to help a person (details supplied) with an application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33156/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred by the Deputy to is the subject of a Deportation Order. Any person that is the subject of a Deportation Order can make an application under section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to have their Deportation Order revoked.
To be successful, any request would need to be founded on new information or changed circumstances which were not put forward or were not capable of being put forward when the decision to make a Deportation Order was taken. The outcome of the request will be that the existing Deportation Order will either be ‘affirmed’ or ‘revoked’.
The person can also contact the Repatriation Division of my Department directly at: arrangements@justice.ie.
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.
166. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to a judgment (details supplied); her plans to develop legislation and or consult with the Law Reform Commission in respect of an aspect of the judgement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33197/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, I want to record my sympathy for all those affected by issues arising from CervicalCheck. I have previously met with the 221+ Patient Support Groups and they explained their concerns to me in relation to a number of matters, including issues raised by the Morrissey v HSE case relating to the Civil Liability Act 1961.
In the Morrissey v HSE case, the Supreme Court held that the dependents of a plaintiff who has brought an action for personal injury cannot, while the plaintiff is still alive, claim for the future loss of services which the plaintiff might have been expected to provide for his or her family. The Court stated that if the law in this area is to be changed, it would have to be done by way of legislation, rather than by an evolution in the case-law.
A personal injury action may be brought by an injured person, or a wrongful death action may be brought under section 48 of the Civil Liability Act 1961 by his or her dependents after his or her death, but it is not possible for both of these actions to be brought arising from the same wrongful act.
These issues are under ongoing examination within my Department.
167. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter in relation to the redeployment of community swabbers (details supplied) [32828/22]
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 Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health when the pandemic special recognition payment €1,000 per person will be made to non-HSE frontline healthcare workers; when staff in private nursing homes will receive the payment; the reason for the delay; the number of payments of €1,000 made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32830/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website:
www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html
Payment is currently receiving priority across all Hospital Groups and Community Services in the HSE. As of Friday, 17 June, 33,431 eligible HSE staff have received payment around the country. This number excludes applications payments made in Section 38 organisations, many of whom have also completed payment.
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. Rolling out the payment to eligible non-HSE and non-Section 38 employees is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered.
Officials in the Department and the HSE are prioritising the work needed to progress this. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/S38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
169. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to delays in the payment of the pandemic recognition payment to eligible staff of private nursing homes; when the payments will be made; the reasons for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32844/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, on 19th April the HSE published eligibility guidelines and FAQs, as apply to the HSE and Section 38 agencies, which are available on its website:
www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-012-2022-pandemic-special-recognition-payment.html
The HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. Rolling out the payment to eligible non-HSE and non-Section 38 employees is a complex task, particularly as these employees are not normally paid by the public health service, duplicate payments need to be avoided, and there are many organisations to be covered.
Officials in the Department and the HSE are prioritising the work needed to progress this. It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/S38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Redeployed members of Department of Defence to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments for the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Heritage.
