Written Answers Nos. 493-512
493. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he intends to develop further services to address the needs of students and prospective students with autism; and if the implementation of such services will be informed by feedback from members of the autism community. [36233/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for the question on this matter.
I recently announced new initiatives to support autistic students and those with an intellectual disability access third level education.
The proposals, which will form part of the proposed new National Access Plan, will allocate ring-fenced funding of €3 million a year to 2025 so higher education institutions can implement universal design and inclusive practices on their campuses, and enhance opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities in higher education.
Funding in 2022 will be directed towards universal design and inclusive practices. This includes improving campus accessibility improvements such as supporting autism friendly campuses such as wayfinding apps, signage, small-scale capital works such as autism-friendly spaces such as sensory rooms or quiet zones.
The funding this year may also be used for training and professional development for staff, including training resources and recruitment of specialists, to develop and enhance of inclusive teaching, learning and assessment practices. Funding can be used to make services available at times which suit students’ needs.
Technology-based solutions that support inclusive practices in teaching and learning, and training for students to support learning and utilising assistive technology and upgrading students’ digital skills will also be supported.
Later this year, a competitive funding call will issue to colleges seeking proposals for 3-year pathfinding pilot programmes supporting the creation of on how to assist students with intellectual disabilities. Funding for approved programmes or courses will be rolled out over 3 years, starting in 2023.
The proposals will form part of the National Plan for Equity of Access, Participation and Success in Higher Education.
An open consultation process informed the development of this plan, and a wide range of stakeholders including those representing students with Disabilities and Autism made submissions.
As part of continuing research to support phase 2 of PATH 4 additional engagement with both the learner & their parents will be required. Officials in my Department plan to engage expertise to support my Department and HEA to support the management of a structured engagement process to design an appropriate call for proposals for students with an intellectual disability in ways that facilitate appropriate evaluation.
About PATH
The Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Fund supports innovative approaches to delivering the ambitions, goals and objectives of National Access Plans.
This new measure will support the creation of greater capacity within higher education for embedding inclusive practices using universal design practices which will help all students, including students with autism and other additional needs.
A whole of institution approach to student success for all and the embedding of universal design and inclusive practices will be a key feature in the new plan benefiting all students, while being of particular benefit to students with disabilities including students with autism and students with an intellectual disability.
Inclusion is one of the core strategic goals for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. A key ambition for the department is to ensure that we provide more opportunities in higher education for all reflecting the diversity of our population.
This means recognising the needs of vulnerable learners, people who are most marginalised and people with special and additional needs. This means assisting people in accessing and progressing through further education and training and higher education.
This important development will help to build on the existing but limited provision already available in Higher Education Institutions for students with intellectual disabilities. These measures to be put in place under a new PATH Strand 4: Universal Design for All and improving opportunities for Students with Intellectual Disabilities to engage in Higher Education.
PATH 4 aims to:
Support a more diverse student body in Higher Education that includes students with an intellectual disability
Support capacity building and embed universal design approaches for all, particularly students with autism and an intellectual disability in higher education
Develop policies and subsequent implementation plans to promote participation of students with intellectual disabilities in higher education
Advance a holistic student-centred partnership approach within the tertiary education sector which will enable students with an intellectual disability reach their potential
Phase 1
Phase 1 will be a once off fund of €3 million for universal design which will be allocated to higher education institutions in 2022 to advance universal design and inclusive practices in higher education. This measure will complement existing student success measures in higher education for all students and learners. While benefiting all students, it will be of particular benefit students with disabilities, including students with autism. It will also enable the development of future capacity in HEIs for creating more opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities.
Phase 2
Phase 2 will be a competitive funding call for new 3-year pathfinding pilot programmes/course provision for students with intellectual disabilities with a funding stream of €3 million a year over 3 years, commencing in 2023. The outcomes arising from this investment will inform future policy beyond the pathfinding pilot phase which will take place over a period between 2022 and 2025.
One of my priorities is to support learning for all. I want the tertiary education system to develop and grow its supports for vulnerable learners, autistic students, learners with disabilities, under-represented groups and the most marginalised. I want learners to engage with and complete their education journey while recognising that some learners will need additional supports to help them achieve their full potential.
My Department will continue to keep existing provision and initiatives under review; to develop a better understanding of what works best within the different models, how we can support different providers in working together and learning from each other, and examining what is scalable from institutional-level approaches.
494. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a list of all internal structures within the Department, including units, steering groups and so on, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36245/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy's request to obtain the list of all internal structures within the Department, including units, steering groups, etc. I provide the Organisation Chart of the Department (Appendix A) and a list of other structures:
- Management Board
- Ministerial Management Board
- Audit Committee
- Risk Committee
- Organisation Design Steering Group
- PO Network
- Internal Group coordinating DFHERIS response to the Ukraine invasion.
- Internal Group on Climate Action.
495. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if she will take into account the cost-of-living increase and outgoings for applications. [36281/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 4th May I launched the Funding the Future framework which includes the Government's policy response to the Cassells and DG Reform Reviews on the future of higher education and which sets out my intention to implement a progressive range of measures to address costs as a barrier to education, in the context of overall Budgetary decision-making.
The Government has now made important decisions about the sustainable model for future funding of higher education. Critically, we have definitively taken student loans off the table. We have instead chosen a mixed model of investment, which includes funding from the Exchequer, employers and from students.
The importance of the Student Grant Scheme Review has been underlined by the rise in the costs of living across society which have adversely affected students more than others. To address this and further alleviate the pressures arising from the rise in costs for students and their families I initiated improvements for the academic year 2022/23 by increasing all student grant maintenance payments, including the special rate of grant, by €200 per year as well as increasing the qualifying income thresholds (except special rate) by €1,000. I have also introduced changes to the criteria for the higher non-adjacent rate of grant which means that from September 2022, the qualifying distance for the non-adjacent rate of grant has been reduced from 45km to 30km. In this way the scheme is responsive to eligible students who reside further away from college by providing an increased rate of student maintenance grant. These changes will benefit thousands of students and will build on the improvements that have already been made through this year’s student grant scheme.
I want to see the student contribution in higher education reduced in a meaningful way over the course of future Budgets. I want this done in a way which does not negatively impact on the sustainable core funding for higher education. Higher Education Institutions currently receive c.€434m from student contributions. That breaks down as €248m from students and circa €186m from the Exchequer through SUSI. In addition the Exchequer currently contributes €340m to meeting the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate students in higher education.
In advance of the Estimates process, I intend to publish a paper outlining potential options and impacts, to be considered in the Budgetary process, related to the Student Grant scheme and other programmes related to student supports and costs of higher education, including with respect to those priorities identified in the Student Grant Scheme Review.
My Department also provides funding by way of the Students Assistance Fund to students in eligible Higher Education Institutions who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending third level. The total allocation for the Fund in the 2021/22 academic year, including additional Covid supports, is € 18.5 million.
496. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice the number of former civil servants who are currently serving on State boards under her remit; the number of former county managers and chief executive officers of local authorities who are currently on each of the State boards under her remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33857/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department.
The nomination and appointment processes for boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department are set out in legislation. In line with Government Decision S180/20/10/1617 of 2014 and Guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, my Department, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Justice, have nominating rights under relevant legislation.
I also appoint members on the nomination of various bodies, again in accordance with the relevant legislation. PAS campaigns for board members set out the skills and criteria required for positions on boards and are not solely based on the current or former occupation of applicants, except where certain skills or experience are defined in legislation as requirements.
For the Deputy's information, details of the individuals serving on State Boards under the remit of my Department are published on the Gov.ie website at the following link;
membership.stateboards.per.gov.ie/department/Department%20of%20Justice/.
497. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice the current timeline in relation to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service for the processing of applications in respect of minors; and the number of minor applications that are pending at this time. [35279/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra498. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice the action, if any, that has been taken by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service to improve the application process; and if any action has been taken in recent months to address the delays in processing as a result of Covid-19. [35280/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra516. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the current number of citizenship applications being processed for minors broken down by the length of processing time for the following bands, those aged up to one year, between one and two years, between two and three years and those aged three years or more in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35699/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 497, 498 and 516 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.
There are currently 3,526 applications in the system in respect of a minor who is the child of a naturalised Irish citizen. The balance of minor applications in the system are made up of applications based on Irish Association (226), applications in respect of minors born in the State but not entitled to citizenship at the time of their birth (827) and applications for Declarations under Section 28 and 28A of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act (71). Almost half of these applications have been in the system 12 months or fewer.
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.
Regrettably, the current average processing time for naturalisation applications for minors is approximately 26 months. This average processing time is based on the time from receipt of an application to the date of issuing a decision and reflects the efforts made to clear the oldest applications on hand. As the oldest applications are cleared this average will decrease.
In the first six months of this year, 1,005 minor applications have been issued with a decision on their application. Over the last two months, the Citizenship Division of my Department has been specifically focusing on the processing of naturalisation applications for minors, which has resulted in over 1,100 applicants having been contacted directly regarding the further processing of their applications.
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 no longer have to submit their original passport with their application. Instead, they can provide a full 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 Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that an application may be submitted for a minor if the minor's parents have already been naturalised or if the minor is of Irish descent or has Irish associations or, at the time of their birth, was not entitled to Irish citizenship but has since accumulated five years reckonable residency in the State.
It is my intention that the forthcoming Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill will reduce the residency requirements for naturalisation for children born in the State from five years to three years and will also set out clear procedures that will apply to citizenship applications relating to children.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and the naturalisation process, along with the relevant application forms and guidance notes, is available on my Department's immigration website at: irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.
My Department successfully hosted the first in-person citizenship ceremony since the pandemic on 20 June 2022, with further ceremonies now planned for December 2022, in Killarney.
The number of minor applications pending is set out in the below table:
|
Time since application received |
Number of applications |
|
Under 12 months |
2,164 |
|
1 - 2 years |
1,246 |
|
2 – 3 years |
776 |
|
Over 3 years |
464 |
|
Total |
4,650 |
499. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the steps that can be taken by a person (details supplied) who has attempted to update their status but same was not provided at Bray Garda station, who has been requested by the station to provide a letter from the Department of Justice confirming entitlement to extend permission and who has been living and studying in Ireland since 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35293/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for a Extension of Student Conditions (ESTC) permission was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 17 June 2022.
To be fair to all applicants, applications are dealt with in chronological order by date received. My Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible. However, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of applications on hands, individual circumstances, the complexity of applications, whether further information is required, and the resources available.
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, 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.
500. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Justice the number of PhD positions funded by her Department or bodies under the aegis of her Department; the average stipend or salary paid to full-time PhD candidates through these funding streams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35435/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is currently funding one member of staff to undertake a Doctorate in Governance (DGov) with the Institute of Public Administration. The individual is currently in their second year of a five year programme. The total cost of this is €32,000, of which the Department is funding 60% i.e. €19,200.
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the agencies, bodies and offices under the remit of my Department in relation to the number of PhD positions funded.
I am informed that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has no full-time PhD candidates. However, I understand that GSOC is supporting 3 students studying for DGov in and PhD qualifications in their own time under the Refund of Fees Scheme.
I am advised that the Irish Prison Service (IPS) has one full time PhD student who receives a payment from the IPS of €8,000 per Annum, and that the remainder is covered by the University.
I am also advised that the Legal Aid Board is supporting 3 members of its staff who are undertaking PhDs, via the Refund of Fees Scheme.
A number of organisations have not been able to respond in the time available but I can assure the Deputy that the information will be obtained as soon as possible and I will write to the Deputy once this is to hand.
501. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the garda.ie web page for drug-related intimidation provides only one telephone number for assistance and that this number is for the National Family Support Network, a group which no longer exists. [35446/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is acutely aware of the substantial and ongoing damage that drug dealing has on communities across the country. Organised criminal activity, including drug dealing, represents a serious threat to community safety.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Health leads on Government policy in the area of drugs, and this policy is guided by the national drugs and alcohol strategy, 'Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025'. This strategy represents a whole-of-government response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland.
Drug-related intimidation is a very serious issue and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) previously worked with the National Family Support Network to develop ‘the Drug Related Intimidation Reporting Programme’ to respond to the needs of drug users and family members experiencing drug-related intimidation, which met the obligations of An Garda Síochána under action 4.1.42 of the national drugs and alcohol strategy.
I am informed by Garda authorities that the Commissioner tasked an Inspector in every Garda Division to respond to the issue of drug related intimidation. There are currently thirty nominated Garda Inspectors appointed to act as liaison officers for the Drug Related Intimidation Reporting Programme, covering each Garda Division.
Additionally, the Drug Related Intimidation Reporting Programme annual conferences, which are coordinated via the National Drug Strategy Project Office at the GNDOCB, plays a very important role in creating awareness of the programme among Garda members and the general public via the nominated Inspectors and Local / Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force representatives in attendance. The next conference is scheduled to take place during August 2022.
People seeking assistance may contact their local Inspector confidentially who will provide practical personal security and safety information and advice in relation to particular threats or instances of intimidation. Information in relation to the Drug Related Intimidation Reporting Programme and a list of the nominated Inspectors countrywide, including their contact details, is available on the Garda Website, garda.ie. Furthermore, people may seek assistance or report a crime by contacting the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111 or Crimestoppers on 1800 250025. The management and upkeep of the Garda website is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána.
As the Deputy may be aware, in November 2021, Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and the National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan TD, launched A Data Driven Intervention Model to Respond Effectively to Drug Related Intimidation and Violence in Communities in Ireland, which is a report and model developed under the Drug Related Intimidation & Violence (DRIVE) project. The DRIVE Project is a multi-agency national initiative to build the capacity of communities to respond more effectively to drug related intimidation and violence with an outline of systems and structures that could be replicated in any community.
502. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of applicants residing here who are still waiting to receive a first instance decision from the International Protection Office; the number of such applicants that have been waiting between nought to six months, six to 12 months, 12 months to two years and two to five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35449/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overall objective of my Department is to have recommendations made on international protection applications as soon as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of protection from the State can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here with a sense of safety and security.
In total, there were 9,048 international protection applications on hand at the International Protection Office (IPO) of my Department at the end of June 2022.
The table below sets out the figures requested by the Deputy.
|
Less than 6 months |
6,209 |
|
Between 6 and 12 months |
1,308 |
|
Between 12 and 24 months |
605 |
|
Between 24 and 60 months |
813 |
The Deputy may be aware that in recent months, the number of people claiming international protection has increased significantly, with 6,498 applications made so far this year to the end of June 2022. This is a 191% increase on the same period in 2019, the last year in which application numbers were not impacted by COVID-19.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department continues to work to improve the international protection process and to reduce processing times, in line with the recommendations made by the Expert Advisory Group, led by Dr. Catherine Day, and the commitments in the Government's White Paper, published by my colleague, Minister Roderic O’Gorman.
However, the substantially higher number of applications currently being received, as outlined, will present a significant challenge in achieving this.
The restrictions on international travel for much of the last two years will naturally have created a higher demand for protection now that travel opportunities have resumed. Similar increases in application numbers are being experienced across our fellow EU Member States. The war in Ukraine is also having an impact. Some Member States are currently hosting hundreds of thousands or even millions of people displaced from Ukraine, leaving them with reduced capacity to support asylum seekers from other countries.
My Department is taking all possible steps to ensure we can process applications as quickly as possible. An end-to-end review of relevant international protection processes by a multi-disciplinary team from my Department has been completed and published. New measures and procedures will continue to be put in place to improve efficiencies across all aspects of the protection process.
Since the introduction of new efficiency measures, in the first five months of this year we have been able to increase the number of first instance recommendations and permission to remain decisions being made by the IPO by almost 50%, when compared with the same period pre-Covid in 2019. We will continue to look further at how we increase the processing capacity of the IPO to match the very significant number of international protection applications being received, including through the recruitment of an external panel of barristers, solicitors and legal graduates, which is underway.
My Department will, by October 2022 at the latest, commence a review of progress made in reducing and improving processing times.
503. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of deportation orders issued from 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35451/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2011, a total of 12,240 deportation orders have been made by my Department.
When issued with a deportation order, the person concerned is required to remove themselves from the State. Many people comply with this and leave the country, without notifying the immigration authorities that they have done so.
There are currently 3,692 people in the section 3 process under the Immigration Act 1999, subject to a notification of intention to deport. This figure includes people who have applied to have their deportation order revoked.
My Department and the Garda National Immigration Bureau adopted a very humane approach to the enforcement of deportation orders during the pandemic. During this time, no orders were enforced except in cases where an individual would be considered a threat to national security or whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest.
With the lifting of public health restrictions and a return to more normal travel, it must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must return to their own country, following fair procedure and having gone through all available avenues for appeal. Many people already do this voluntarily and are assisted by the Department and other organisations, such as the International Organization for Migration, where appropriate.
However where a person does not voluntarily return to their own country, Ireland like all other EU Member States, puts in place arrangements to return persons to their home country. It is expected that those arrangements will resume in 2022.
504. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if a visa extension will be granted for persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35454/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe persons referred to by the Deputy had their Extensions of Visitor Conditions (EVIC) applications refused on 8 June 2022 on the basis that they wished to spend additional time with their family.
Based on the information provided by the Deputy it appears that their circumstances have now changed. As outlined in their refusal letter, it remains open to the persons concerned to make a new EVIC application. Any application should clearly outline the new information upon which they wish to base the application and provide evidence to substantiate the claim.
Once new applications have been received by the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division of my Department, they will be processed as soon as possible.
The eligibility criteria for an Extensions of Visitor Conditions (EVIC) application is available on my Department’s immigration website at: irishimmigration.ie/extension-of-visitor-permission/.
505. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of a visa application in the case of a person (details supplied) who is due to travel from Dubai on 12 July 2022 and who has travelled to Ireland on a number of occasions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35459/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to by the Deputy created an online family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen (spouse) visa application on 10 June 2022. The supporting documentation was received on 14 June 2022 in the Abu Dhabi visa office.
Processing of this application is ongoing at present and they will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer. As each application is examined on it's own merits, it is not possible to give an exact timeframe for its completion. However, the applicant can be assured that there will be no avoidable delay in finalising their application. 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 (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.
506. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35463/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that a decision issued to the person concerned by registered post on 1 July 2022.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
507. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice if a statutory instrument will be enacted before the 2022 summer recess enabling An Garda Síochána to share its material with the Kenova and Denton Operations. [35485/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am absolutely committed to the pursuit of justice for crimes committed during the Troubles. This commitment is shared by my colleagues in Government and by An Garda Síochána.
As the Deputy will be aware, Kenova is a series of ongoing independent UK police investigations or reviews into Northern Ireland legacy cases. The legal distinction between investigations and reviews is important in this context. 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 an ongoing independent analytical review by the Kenova Investigation Team into the activities of what was known as the Glenanne Gang in Northern Ireland. As Operation Denton is an analytical review being carried out in another jurisdiction rather than a formal criminal investigation, in order to achieve the strong desire of myself, An Garda Síochána and the Government to co-operate with Operation Denton to the maximum extent possible, it was necessary to obtain the advices of the Office of the Attorney General to confirm the available legal measures to facilitate Garda cooperation and the sharing of information.
Following receipt of advices from the Attorney General, I sought and received Government approval on 21 June to create a dedicated cooperation mechanism, following which on 23 June I signed a directive under section 25(1) of the Garda Síochána Act directing the identification and preparation for release of relevant records to Operation Denton. My Department in consultation with the Attorney General is now preparing a regulation for my signature under the Data Protection Acts to facilitate the transfer of information to Operation Denton. It is expected that this statutory instrument will be finalised in advance of the 2022 summer recess. The directive under section 25 was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in accordance with the law.
508. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice the estimated number of children who have arrived from Ukraine since the war began; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35514/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 27 June 2022, a total of 38,288 people have been recorded as arriving in the State from Ukraine. The vast majority of those arriving to date are women and children, with children under the age of 18 years accounting for approximately 28% (10,573) of all arrivals.
There is a coordinated whole-of-Government response to support people arriving in Ireland who have fled the violence in Ukraine. Government Departments and services are working together to implement Ireland's commitments under the EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC), which has been activated for the first time to grant temporary protection to displaced persons from Ukraine.
My Department is primarily responsible for issuing temporary protection documents to those who are eligible. Those granted Temporary Protection have immediate access to the labour market, social welfare, accommodation and other State supports as needed. My Department has issued approximately 40,302 temporary protection permission letters to date.
My Border Management Unit at Dublin Airport began manually recording the large numbers of people entering the State from Ukraine though the airport when the visa requirement for Ukrainian nationals was removed on 25 February.
Arrangements for data collection at other ports of entry were introduced shortly afterwards, as the State quickly scaled up its national response to the Ukraine crisis.
The figures for the number of people arriving in the State through those various points of entry having fled Ukraine since the invasion, especially in the earliest days, may, therefore, be subject to some revision, leading to a higher number of people being granted temporary permission than would appear to have entered the State.
Eligible people coming forward to apply for and receive their temporary protection permission letters is assisting the State to reconcile these figures and ensure that everyone is fully captured in the data collection and are receiving all of the State supports that they need.
I can assure the Deputy that my Government colleagues and I will continue to work with our EU counterparts on any further EU-wide measures that might be needed to assist those fleeing Ukraine.
509. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for regularisation scheme in the case of a person (details supplied); when the applicant is likely to receive a result on their application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35541/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for the person referred to by the Deputy was received by the Undocumented Unit of my Department on 14 February 2022. A decision letter was sent to them on 29 June 2022.
When attending the immigration registration office to register their permission, they must bring with them the original letter granting the permission under the scheme and a valid passport. Anyone over the age of 18 years will have to pay the registration fee of €300 and their registration will be valid for two years.
My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for customers residing in the Dublin area only.
The Registration Office’s customer service team is 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 immigration website irishimmigration.ie.
Registrations 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. Information on the contact details for all registration offices located outside Dublin is available at: garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory.
510. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider additional investment in the Heron youth diversion project in Carrigaline; and if she will consider the project for a building of its own, given the large number of young people in Carrigaline. [35636/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) are community based projects that offer vital support to the statutory Garda Youth Diversion Programme. There are currently 105 YDPs across the State.
The Projects are funded through my Department, however as the Deputy may appreciate, the funding needs of individual YDPs differ based on a range of criteria, such as the geographical area in which the Project operates, the number of referrals to the YDP and the number of the 'hard to reach' cohort of these referrals, amongst others.
My Department offers funding appropriate to the needs of each YDP and as determined by a standard budgetary process. Funding fluctuates based upon the YDPs' determination of their needs against the available budget for Youth Justice services annually.
Budget 2022 provides an additional €6.7 million in funding for Youth Justice services. I announced on 22 June that over 50 YDPs will benefit from this additional funding to:
- extend the boundaries of some YDPs to increase coverage, as provided for in the Youth Justice Strategy,
- increase funding to engage with the harder to reach cohort of referrals,
- provide additional early intervention supports,
- provide family supports to the relatives of those young people engaged with the YDPs,
- further develop the Solas initiative in Dublin.
Of this €6.7million, approximately €780,000 has also been set aside to establish a limited number of additional YDPs this year in georgaphical areas not already covered, to ensure that the service is available to every child or young person in the State who would benefit from it.
The successful projects, and the reasons for allocations, are available on my Department's website at the following link: justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/minister-of-state-browne-announces-funding-allocations-for-youth-diversion-projects-for-2022.
I should also point out that those projects whose applications were not successful in this round have been informed that their applications are on file and will be kept under review in the context of overall Youth Justice expenditure trends.
511. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice if she has plans to change the legislation regarding admissibility of clothing evidence in sexual offences trials. [35637/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraReforming our criminal justice system to make it more victim-centred has been a priority since taking up my role as Minister for Justice.
Last week I published the Third National Strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV).
The goal is clear: zero tolerance of domestic, sexual and gender based violence in our society. It is an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which underpin it.
This follows on from the work I have been doing to implement 'Supporting a Victim's Journey', our plan to give effect to all of the recommendations of the O'Malley Review.
I know from engagement with victims and victims groups, that the issue raised by the Deputy has the potential to cause distress and can lead to feelings of re-victimisation. There are a number of actions in Supporting a Victim's Journey designed to lessen such a possibility.
One is the need for every professional person involved in a sexual offence case to have proper specialist training in this area. This action will cover the Gardaí, the lawyers for the prosecution and the defence, as well as the judges in these cases.
Also, the right to separate legal representation for victims - when an application is made to question them about sensitive areas such as their sexual experience - will be extended to include trials for sexual assault. Previous to this, victims only had this right in trials for the more serious offence of rape.
Defence lawyers' ability to cross-examine victims about their sexual history and experience, or what clothing they were wearing, is potentially a re-traumatising event. It may also be a contributing factor why rape and other sexual offences are underreported.
I am confident that the legislation I recently introduced, which provides for preliminary trial hearings, will have a significant positive impact in this area. Preliminary trial hearings will be used to examine defence applications to question a victim on such matters and if this is to happen, the legal aid board will be notified accordingly. Other issues - such as the use of an intermediary and any other special measures required - can also be addressed at the preliminary trial hearing.
The implementation of both Supporting a Victims Journey and the Third National DSGBV strategy will create a more supportive criminal justice system where every victim of a sexual offence feels that they can come forward confident in the knowledge that they will be supported throughout the entire process, treated fairly and have their dignity respected at all stages.
512. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who died in road traffic collisions in 2021; the number of persons who were injured in road traffic collisions in 2021 and who later died within 30 days of the road traffic collision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35659/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy 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.
Road safety remains a high priority for An Garda Síochána and for my Department, working closely in cooperation with the Department of Transport. Any serious injury or fatality is of great concern.
I am advised that An Garda Síochána’s Pulse system has 137 persons recorded as deceased as a result of Fatal Road Traffic Collisions in 2021.
For a death to be recorded as such, and following international best practice in respect of the recording of road deaths, the death must have occurred within 30 days of the collision.
As a number of these incidents may still be under investigation and the coronial examination has not been completed, the classification of such incidents is subject to review and change and is therefore provisional.
