Written Answers Nos. 441-462
442. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details of the expenditure with respect to each year of operation of each of the ongoing public-private partnership projects at the Cork Institute of Technology, now Munster Technological University, Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45514/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) and the Cork School of Music (CSM) are part of Munster Technological University (MTU), with projects delivered by way of Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract.
I wish to advise that once a PPP contract has been signed, the cost information is published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER). Details published include the cost of design, construction and finance, as well as the cost of operating, maintaining and conducting lifecycle works to the buildings over the 25-year operational period of the contract. The Deputy can access the information requested in respect of NMCI and CSM at https://ppp.gov.ie/ppp-projects.
As is the case with all higher education PPP projects, the costs are reimbursed by my Department to the PPP Company, as part of the monthly Unitary Charge payments. Once these projects reach service commencement i.e. construction has been completed, the UC payments commence and continue over the 25-year operational period. To note, NMCI reached service commencement in October 2004 and CSM in July 2007.
443. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details of the capital expenditure by Cork Institute of Technology, now Munster Technological University, since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45515/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs requested by the Deputy please find attached details of the capital funding (including Devolved Grant funding), provided to Cork Institute of Technology, now Munster Technological University, since 2011.
444. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a schedule of all funding made available to the Grangegorman Development Agency since its inception by date, value and purpose of all current and capital exchequer funding, and other funding including borrowings, all identified by source. [45516/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA) publishes its Annual Report on its website (www.ggda.ie). In additional to providing details of the GDA’s activity, the Annual Report provides details of all funding received including capital and current funding provided by my Department for the development of the Grangegorman campus and the operational cost of the agency.
In this regard, the GDAs Annual Reports from 2006 through to 2020 are available to view on the GDAs website. The 2021 Annual Report will be published to the website as soon as it is available.
To note, in accordance with section 33(5) of the GDA Act 2005, the GDAs financial accounts are also laid before the House of the Oireachtas annually.
445. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that he is taking to increase the percentage of electric or hybrid vehicles owned by his Department and state agencies and bodies under the Department’s remit. [45581/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Sector Climate Action Mandate is set out in Climate Action Plan 2021. The Mandate requires public sector bodies to show leadership in climate action by purchasing only zero-emission vehicles where available and operationally feasible from end of 2022, enabling Ireland to go beyond the requirements of the Clean Vehicle Directive and act as an international leader in this area.
The Mandate, including the direction above in respect of zero-emission vehicles, applies to my Department and state agencies and bodies under the Department’s remit.
446. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the PhD completion rates over the past 10 years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45629/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is not available.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) is responsible for collecting, analysing and disseminating student and graduate enrolment data from higher education institutions and the HEA does not collect data for PhD completion rates.
Details of HEA student data can be found on their website: https://hea.ie/statistics/.
447. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the parameters under which DARE programme places are allocated in Munster Technological University (details supplied). [45668/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) on behalf of the higher education institutions who set the policy criteria for the scheme. Further information on IUA is available here www.iua.ie.
Admissions under the scheme are regulated by the higher education institutions themselves. Each institution determines its own admissions policy in relation to the scheme, the number of places they reserve and the allocation of those places.
Applications to the scheme are submitted to the Central Applications Office (CAO) who coordinate the scheme for participating institutions.
Therefore it does not come within the remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, myself as Minister or my officials to intervene in individual cases.
However officials in my Department have made contact with the CAO in respect of the Deputy's question and the following information has been provided:
"In the case of this applicant, there could also have been a number of other DARE eligible applicants (who have also therefore evidenced that their disability has impacted their post-primary school experience) who came closer i.e. they were within 11, 10, 9 etc. points of the threshold for that particular course at MTU Cork irrespective of where the applicant was ordinarily resident. As our guidelines state the number of points a particular course is reduced by is dependent on a number of factors, such as;
The overall number of places on the course;
The number of reserved DARE places on the course;
The number of DARE eligible applicants competing for these reserved places."
448. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the Government intends to open up the new PhD programme for PhD researchers that will be valued at €28,000 per annum; If he acknowledges that introducing a new stipend will cause an up-to €21,500 pay-gap between current and new researchers given that the current PhD stipends which are between €6,500 and €18,500 per annum for a full-time PhD, when their work and contribution to the Irish research economy is equal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45713/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new PhD programme to which the Deputy is referring is Innovate for Ireland.
The Taoiseach and I recently launched Innovate for Ireland, which is a new partnership between industry and the Government to recruit and retain research talent to Ireland.
Innovate for Ireland will commence in 2023 and the initial phase will seek to attract up to 400 high calibre PhD students to undertake research in Ireland that tackles national and global grand challenges such as climate change and climate adaptation; global health and pandemics; water poverty; digital society; and cybersecurity.
The programme will embrace all relevant disciplines from Science, Technology and Engineering to Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. It will also support excellent curiosity-driven research.
This programme aligns with my Department's Strategy Statement 2021-2023 and also the strategic goals of the Government’s recently launched R&I strategy, Impact 2030 .
The next step in implementing the programme will be a competitive call for proposals from consortia of Higher Education Institutions, this is being developed and should be initiated later this year. Work has been undertaken by my Department, the Higher Education Authority, Irish Research Council, Science Foundation Ireland, Health Research Board and private sponsors on devising a possible call framework.
In relation to stipends in general, they are frequently a feature of funding globally, providing an income to the awardee in recognition of the need to devote themselves on a full-time basis to their research.
My Department is monitoring the issue of stipends, in the context of the resources available and the competing needs to which they can be allocated. In that regard, I allocated additional funding to the IRC in 2021 to enable it to increase postgraduate scholarship by €2,500 per annum, or 16%. This was made effective from 1 January 2021 and, together with an increase to funding for postdoctoral salaries, benefited close to 1,300 early-career researchers in the system. The move also aligned the stipend level for the Irish Research Council (IRC) and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI).
I am examining a range of options to support students in this year’s Budget, including PhD students.
Impact 2030, Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy prioritises the nurturing and development of talent and excellence to build on Ireland’s reputation as an Island of Talent and a location for research excellence and impact. The strategy recognises that the quality of our researchers is fundamental to the quality of our research system, its collaboration with partners in industry and policymakers, both in Ireland and abroad. The strategy also highlights the need to foster an environment within the research and innovation community that supports our ambition to be an Island of Inclusion and Engagement.
449. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated annual cost of the administration of SUSI. [45801/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe principal support provided by my Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The student grant scheme opens the door for many people to access further and higher education who would not otherwise have been able to avail of these opportunities. The scheme is demand led and as such the numbers applying each year can change for reasons such as demographics, employment rates etc.
City of Dublin ETB, by way of order under the Student Support Act 2011, was designated as the appointed awarding authority for student grants on 22nd May 2012. To deliver this statutory function, CDETB set up a business unit called SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). Provision is made for the pay and non-pay costs associated with SUSI. The estimated annual SUSI administration cost for 2022 is circa €10.5m million out of a total allocation in 2022 of circa €423 million for student supports and related activities.
450. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if funding will be available to Horse Sport Ireland for Skillnet networks (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45832/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunded by the National Training Fund, Skillnet Ireland currently supports 71 Skillnet business support networks. In July 2022, Skillnet Ireland announced its call for new proposals from industry and professional bodies interested in establishing new Skillnet Business Networks to support the talent and skills development of their industry. The deadline date for the 2023 New Skillnet Business Network Proposal Applications is 5pm on Friday, October 14th, 2022.
Horse Sport Ireland and other applicant organisations are currently engaging with Skillnet Ireland. Final decisions on funding awarded for the establishment of new Skillnet Business Networks will be made by the Board of Skillnet Ireland, following an independently verified evaluation process. It is expected that decisions will be available in December 2022 and Skillnet Ireland will notify applicant organisations at that point.
451. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student (details supplied) who attended college in the academic year 2016/2017 and who is now going to attend a different college in academic year 2022/2023 will be approved tuition fees for the four-year duration of this new course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45859/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder my Department’s Free Fees Initiative (FFI), the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate higher education students exclusive of the student contribution (€3,000 per academic year). In order to qualify for funding under the FFI, students must meet the criteria of the scheme including the progression criteria.
The free fees criteria sets out that, with limited exceptions (such as ill health), tuition fees will not be paid in respect of students undertaking a repeat year of study at the same year level. In this regard students who have previously pursued a course of third level study which has attracted exchequer funding (e.g. fees, maintenance, tax relief, subsidy towards course cost) and have not secured a qualification and subsequently resume third level studies within 5 years are not eligible for free fees for the equivalent period of time spent on the first course.
However, once an equivalent period of study has been completed on the new course, the student may become eligible for free fees funding for the remainder of the course where they meet all other criteria of the free fees scheme.
Subject to compliance with the other conditions of the Free Fees initiative, tuition fees may be paid in respect of eligible students who, having attended but not completed approved courses, are returning following a break of at least five years in order to pursue approved courses at the same level. Based on the details provided a student that attended for one year in 2016/2017 and was eligible for free fees at that time may be eligible for free fees in 2022/23 due to a break of 5 academic years.
Further information on the criteria of the FFI is available on the studentfinance.ie website at the following location: hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/funding/student-finance/course-fees/.
The assessment of eligibility under the Free Fees Initiative (FFI) in individual cases is a matter for each higher education institution to determine within the terms of the scheme, exceptions to the criteria cannot be made in individual cases by the Department.
Where a student requires guidance on how the FFI criteria may apply to their individual circumstances and their application to an institution I recommend students makes direct contact with the fees office of the relevant institution.
452. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of places in medicine in each institution by undergraduate and graduate entry medicine for students from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Britain, other EU and non-EU internationals for 2021, in tabular form. [45865/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department sources its statistics on student enrolments from the HEA's Student Records System. The information sought by the deputy is outlined in the attached table which details the total number of medicine (undergraduate and graduate entry) enrolments broken down by HEI and Domicile Group.
The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD and I jointly announced an agreement with the Irish medical schools to increase the number of places available for EU students by 200 over the next five years. The agreement reached with the medical schools will begin with an additional 60 EU students in September 2022, climbing to 120 in September 2023, and up to 200 by 2026.
|
Table 1 - All enrolments to Medicine by HEI |
|
|
HEI |
|
|
Undergraduate |
2021/2022 |
|
National University of Ireland, Galway |
1,099 |
|
Royal College of Surgeons |
1,800 |
|
Trinity College Dublin |
922 |
|
University College Cork |
626 |
|
University College Dublin |
1,098 |
|
Undergraduate Total |
5,545 |
|
Graduate entry |
|
|
Royal College of Surgeons |
326 |
|
University College Cork |
320 |
|
University College Dublin |
468 |
|
University of Limerick |
565 |
|
Graduate Entry Total |
1,679 |
|
Grand Total |
7,224 |
|
Table 2 - All enrolments to Medicine by Domicile |
|
|
Domicile Group |
2021/2022 |
|
Undergraduate |
|
|
(Other) EU |
54 |
|
Great Britain |
38 |
|
Ireland |
2,469 |
|
Non-EU |
2,932 |
|
Northern Ireland |
52 |
|
Undergraduate Total |
5,545 |
|
Graduate entry |
|
|
(Other) EU |
21 |
|
Great Britain |
48 |
|
Ireland |
886 |
|
Non-EU |
712 |
|
Northern Ireland |
12 |
|
Graduate Entry Total |
1,679 |
|
Grand Total |
7,224 |
|
Table 3 - Year 1 Enrolments to Medicine by HEI |
|
|
HEI |
|
|
Undergraduate |
2021/2022 |
|
National University of Ireland, Galway |
297 |
|
Royal College of Surgeons |
178 |
|
Trinity College Dublin |
215 |
|
University College Cork |
129 |
|
University College Dublin |
165 |
|
Undergraduate Total |
984 |
|
Graduate Entry |
|
|
Royal College of Surgeons |
65 |
|
University College Cork |
79 |
|
University College Dublin |
119 |
|
University of Limerick |
147 |
|
Graduate Entry Total |
410 |
|
Grand Total |
1,394 |
|
Table 4 - Year 1 Enrolments to Medicine by Domicile |
|
|
Domicile Group |
|
|
Undergraduate |
2021/2022 |
|
(Other) EU |
15 |
|
Great Britain |
8 |
|
Ireland |
441 |
|
Non-EU |
506 |
|
Northern Ireland |
14 |
|
Undergraduate Total |
984 |
|
Graduate Entry |
|
|
(Other) EU |
5 |
|
Great Britain |
14 |
|
Ireland |
220 |
|
Non-EU |
167 |
|
Northern Ireland |
4 |
|
Graduate Entry Total |
410 |
|
Grand Total |
1,394 |
453. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current number of live studies, reviews and research projects undertaken or commissioned by his Department in tabular form; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed. [45956/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy in regard to the number of live studies, reviews and research projects undertaken or commissioned by my Department is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
454. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on the progress of the regularisation of the long-term undocumented migrant scheme. [45879/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra456. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications received under her Department’s scheme for the regularisation of the long-term undocumented migrants scheme; the current situation with respect to processing times for such applications; the number of applications processed to date; the number processed that have been successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45493/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 454 and 456 together.
The scheme for the Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants opened for applications on 31 January 2022 and closed on the 31 July 2022. The scheme was only open to those who did not have a current permission to reside in the State and who met the eligibility criteria. The scheme will enable successful applicants to remain and reside in the State and to regularise their residency status.
My Department received a total of 6,548 applications in respect of 8,311 persons under the scheme. As of 19 September 2022, the number of decisions that have issued to applicants is:
|
Total Decisions |
2,521 |
|
|
Positive |
2,454 |
97.3% |
|
Negative |
31 |
1.3% |
|
Withdrawn |
36 |
1.4% |
The processing of all other applications remains ongoing.
Processing times may vary depending on the complexity of the application, whether it is a single or family application, the supporting documentation, the vetting process with An Garda Síochána etc. Applications where there is an existing deportation order will require additional processing.
Full details regarding the qualifying criteria, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document and guidance for successful applicants remains available on my Department's website at:
https://www.irishimmigration.ie/regularisation-of-long-term-undocumented-migrant-scheme/.
The International Protection (IPO) Strand of the Regularisation Scheme , which closed on the 07 August 2022, has received 3063 applications. As of the 09 September 2022 804 positive decisions have issued and a further 732 applicants granted an equivalent permission by the IPO.
If a person remains resident in the State without an immigration permission I encourage them to contact Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) or their local immigration office and to take all the appropriate steps to regularise their status.
Any application submitted should explain their current circumstances and future intentions in the State and provide any documentation they feel will support their application. In all cases, people must engage with the authorities if they wish to be permitted to remain here legally.
455. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice the number of Irish residency applications under the domestic violence concession for non-European Economic Area spouses and partners of Irish and non-EEA legal residents under various headings (details supplied) received in the past three years in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45450/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has put in place Victims of Domestic Violence Immigration Guidelines. The Guidelines rightly state that no one should have to suffer domestic violence and recognise that migrants may have additional vulnerability in this area, as the perpetrator may threaten a victim with the loss of their status if they report the abuse.
I would urge anyone in this situation to approach my Department for advice and assistance and I can assure any victim of abuse that they will be supported and protected. Anyone who is the victim of domestic abuse and whose permission to be in the State is linked to their partner, will have the issue of their status dealt with sensitively by the immigration authorities and each case will be assessed on an individual basis.
I would also encourage anyone who has been a victim of domestic violence to reach out for help as soon as it is safe to do so. The Still Here Campaign website, has a full list of support services that are available to victims of domestic violence.
Female victims can contact the Women’s Aid Freephone Helpline on 1800 341 900. Their Telephone Interpretation Service facility covers 170 languages for callers needing support in their own language. Interpreters are available on the Language Line from 8am–8pm, 7 days a week. They can provide information on support services throughout Ireland. Further information on that service can be found at:
https://www.womensaid.ie/services/helpline/telephoneinterp.html.
Male victims of domestic violence can contact the male domestic violence advice line on 1800 816 588.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, I recently published, ‘Zero Tolerance - The Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence’ (DSGBV).The Strategy is ambitious and far-reaching and has been developed with those working in the sector, and on the frontline with victims, to ensure it is informed by lived experience. The goal of the Strategy is clear: zero tolerance in Irish society for any form of domestic violence. It is an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which underpin it. It will be backed by €363 million in funding to support its delivery.
Later this year, my Department, with the support of the Dormant Accounts fund, will be rolling out awareness raising measures to reach people within marginalised communities in Ireland to inform them of the rights they have under the Victims of Crime Act 2017 and of the Victims Charter. In order to achieve this, my Department will work with various community organisations to adapt various assets and resources for victims of crime in culturally specific ways.
I have provided in the table below the data requested by the Deputy. However, prior to 2021, data was not held in a manner that would provide the data requested and for reasons of confidentiality the nationality and the current address of victims is not disclosed.
|
Year |
2022 |
2021 |
|
Total Apps |
44 |
38 |
|
Granted |
38 |
28 |
|
Refused |
1 |
8 |
|
Other |
1 |
2 |
|
Still processing |
4 |
|
|
Male/Female |
2/42 |
7/31 |
|
Average Age |
36 |
40 |
|
SOIN/Stamp 4 |
16 |
14 |
|
Stamp 3 |
15 |
8 |
|
Stamp 1G |
8 |
6 |
|
EUTR* |
0 |
8 |
|
De facto |
0 |
1 |
|
Student |
0 |
1 |
|
Visitor |
1 |
0 |
*former EUTR and no longer beneficiaries of the regulations.
The EUTR regulations have their own specific provision for victims of domestic violence and due to the manner of how cases are recorded the data cannot be provided.
Where an application is submitted pursuant to the Victim of Domestic Violence Guidelines, it is ordinarily dealt within one working day; however, if further documentation is required, this will affect the processing time.
Finally, one of the standard conditions of an immigration permission granted in the State, is that the holder must be of good character. Engaging in domestic violence would not be in line with this condition and could lead to the revocation or non-renewal of the perpetrator’s own immigration status.
457. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the steps that she is taking to increase the percentage of electric or hybrid vehicles owned by her Department and state agencies and bodies under the Department’s remit. [45584/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030; ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050. The national car and van (LGV) fleet accounts for almost 60% of all land transport emissions, and so a transition to low emissions vehicles, including EVs, is a necessary step change to effect a substantial reduction in transport emissions.
My Department recently replaced its 15 year old diesel van with a new electric van procured under the Office of Government Procurement framework.
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the agencies and bodies under my Department’s remit and this is provided below.
The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) has a fleet of 42 cars ranging in years from 2012 to 2022. Since 2019 the Bureau has replaced a number of its older cars with hybrid models and currently has 3 hybrid cars in its fleet. It is the intention of the Bureau to continue to replace existing petrol and diesel cars with electric /hybrid models where possible, taking into consideration logistical practicalities and the unique nature of duties undertaken by the Bureau.
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) recently placed an order for two mild hybrid vehicles to replace some of its existing fleet. Over the next few years GSOC will consider the option of replacing more of its fleet with either fully electric or hybrid vehicles.
The Irish Prison Service (IPS) is engaged in a pilot assessment of vehicles in a number of locations to assess the feasibility and suitability of electric vehicles and it is hoped and expected that these will replace 2017 diesel engine cars.
The IPS intend to have 10 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in its fleet by the end of 2022 representing 6.6% of the suitable fleet with further investment in 2023 and 2024.
While the pilot will focus on passenger fleet vehicles and light commercials, the IPS continues to research market capabilities to support electric vehicle use for secure cellular transport of Court and inter-prison transfers. The suitable use of electric vehicles for such purposes is currently unproven, but the Irish Prison Serviced continues to monitor vehicle development and design with further expansion in mind.
An Garda Síochána has purchased a small number of hybrid vehicles as part of ongoing consideration around the feasibility of including a larger number of hybrid and fully electric vehicles within the Government fleet. Of the 17 cars currently in the Government fleet, two are plug-in electric and one is hybrid. A further allocation of one fully electric vehicle is planned for the near future.
There are currently 3,290 vehicles on the An Garda Síochána Fleet, of which 168 vehicles or 5% are electric or hybrid. See breakdown below:
|
As at 14th September 2022 |
Number of vehicles |
% of vehicles |
|
Electric |
37 |
1.1 |
|
Plug In Electric Hybrid |
8 |
0.2 |
|
Hybrid Unleaded |
31 |
0.9 |
|
Mild Hybrid Diesel |
92 |
2.8 |
|
Total |
168 |
5 |
458. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45663/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the person referred to by the Deputy was granted a Stamp 0 permission on 07 February 2022 by my Department for a period of one year. This permission may be renewed on receipt of an application to my Department prior to the expiry of the current permission.
The person concerned is required to register the permission granted at their local immigration office.
As the Deputy will be aware appointments to register or the renewal of permissions outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network.
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.
459. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice if she is considering changes to champerty and maintenance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45798/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, third-party funding of litigation is currently illegal in this jurisdiction. The concept of "Maintenance" is where a party without an interest in an action funds the litigation of another. The concept of "Champerty" is where a party without an interest in an action funds the litigation of another but also with a view to sharing the profits of the action.
Aspects of litigation funding are also considered to be contrary to public policy. In particular, litigation funding may drive a market in legal claims and promote litigation for the benefit of the promoter rather than the litigant. This, in turn, may create a substantial injustice to a defendant in an action. The cost of litigation and its impact on access to justice has, however, been a matter of concern for some time.
Chapter 9 of the Review of the Administration of Civil Justice (Kelly) Report recommends a policy review of third-party funding of litigation costs. Implementation of the review's recommendations will take place on a phased basis over a number of years. I am advised that the Law Reform Commission, arising from its June 2016 Issues Paper on "Contempt of Court and Other Offences and Torts Involving the Administration of Justice", is working on a discussion paper on the matter, which will be available in the coming months. The outcome of that consultation process will be considered as part of a policy review and proposals developed if required.
As an interim step however, I am considering recommending to Government that third party funding be permitted in a limited way, specifically in relation to commercial arbitration. This should assist the broader Government policy of promoting Ireland as a destination of choice for international commercial legal business under the Ireland for Law initiative.
Separately, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is working on a draft Bill to transpose EU Directive 2020/1828 into Irish Law. The General Scheme of the Representative Actions for the Protection of the Collective Interests of Consumers Bill 2022 was published earlier this year. Part 2 of the Bill will prescribe the manner in which representative actions are brought before the High Court and will transpose Article 10 of the Directive, which relates to the matter of third-party funding of litigation. The Directive does not impose any requirements on Member States to make changes to domestic law regarding third-party funding for litigation. The Bill will require the High Court judge hearing the case to undertake a mandatory assessment of compliance of the qualified entity with the law in Ireland regarding third-party funding "in so far as allowed" when the representative action is brought. Subject to Government approval, it is expected that the Bill will be published later this year.
460. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the reason for the delay in issuing a visa in the case of a person (details supplied) who has received a full-time contract with the HSE and who may now possibly be rescinded on foot of a delay in receiving an appropriate visa, who applied in April last; if a visa can issue forthwith; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45807/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that an application for a Stamp 4 permission from the person referred to by the Deputy has been approved. They can expect to receive their new Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card within the next 10 working days.
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.
461. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of vehicles assigned to each Garda divisional armed support unit as of 1 January 2021 and 13 September 2022, in tabular form. [45869/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), 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.
I am advised by the Garda Authorities that their Fleet Management Section do not, for security and operational reasons, supply figures in relation to allocation of resources to the Armed Support Unit and that there are currently sufficient resources available to Armed Support Units nationally.
The purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochána is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.
462. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the average hourly and daily number of uninsured vehicles that are identified by An Garda Síochána through the use of the automatic number plate recognition system [45870/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
