Written Answers Nos. 272-291
272. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if postgraduate students who are not in receipt of a SUSI grant can avail of a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48935/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2023 I have secured a significant cost of living package for third level students including a once-off €1,000 state financial support towards the undergraduate student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for my Department’s free fees schemes.
Under my Department’s Free Fees schemes the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate higher education students with students paying the student contribution. Undergraduate students eligible for SUSI supports have this contribution paid, in part of in full, on their behalf under my Departments Student Grant Scheme.
The once off €1,000 support relates specifically to the student contribution payable by student’s eligible for free tuition fees under the Department free fees schemes in academic year 22/23. It will reduce the student contribution payable from €3,000 to €2,000 in 22/23. This additional level of support towards free tuition fees will benefit c.94,000 additional students.
The reduction will be administered with the assistance of the Higher Education Institutions a student is attending. It is anticipated that students paying the student contribution in instalments will have the amount reduced from their next instalment by the HEI. Students who paid their 2022/23 student contribution in full will receive a refund or credit from the HEI attended. Officials are working with the HEA and the sector to finalise the details of this allocation and HEIs will communicate with students directly.
Furthermore I have been clear and consistent in stating that I believe the value of the student contribution share, as paid by students and families compared to the states contribution, is too high.
As part of Budget 2023, I made two changes to student contribution thresholds reduce the cost of education for students and families (for college year 2023/24):
-increased the income limit from €55,240 to €62,000 for students to avail of the 50% Undergraduate Student Contribution;
- new support to the value of €500 for families on qualifying incomes earning between €62,000 and €100,000.
Additionally, for any student experiencing difficulties currently, there is a significant allocation to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The SAF assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis and I would encourage students to contact their access office to avail of these funds.
Overall, the cost of living package, to take effect before the end of 2022, includes:
- A once-off €1,000 state financial support towards the undergraduate student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for the free fees initiative;
- A once-off reduction of up to 33% in the contribution fee for apprentices;
- A once-off extra payment for all student maintenance grant recipients;
- A once-off increase of €1,000 in the support to SUSI qualified Post Graduate students, increasing from €3,500 to €4,500;
- A further €8 million investment in the Student Assistance Fund for the 2022/23 academic year
273. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48998/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has no current or prior contracts (including subcontracted) or procured services with Top Security.
274. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if all his Department’s buildings have recycling arrangements in place; if not, the steps that are being taken to ensure that the recycling of workplace waste is facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49557/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the establishment of my Department in August 2020, my staff have worked across several locations. Several of these buildings are shared and operated by the Department of Education and as such my staff in those buildings adhere to Department of Education initiatives on recycling.
The Property Management Services in the Office of Public Works, acquired new office space for my Department’s Head Quarters at 52 Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 in September 2021. My Department operates many recycling measures in the building including centralised recycling facilities on each floor and organic matter detachment in appropriate areas. To further encourage the recycling of waste, individual desk bins have been removed to promote separation of waste in the centralised areas. Waste disposal is currently separated into general, recyclable and organic materials similar to the black, green and brown bin systems found in many homes across the country. In addition, my staff bring recyclable material that is currently not catered for by waste collection providers, such as glass bottles, to local bring centres. Separate arrangements are in place for collecting and recycling printer toner cartridges and associated materials.
My officials continue to take measures to increase recycling where possible.
275. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice if her Department has any contracts with a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49170/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra276. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she will confirm the contracts that her Department has with top security. [49262/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra285. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the details of any contracts or services procured by her Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49002/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 275, 276 and 285 together.
Security services were provided by the company referenced at what was then known as the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and is now the International Protection Appeals Tribunal which is located at Hanover Street, Dublin 2. Services were provided from 30th May, 2016 to 2nd June, 2017 at a total cost of €60,176.25 (inclusive of 23% VAT).
277. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons within her Department who are working remotely on a part-time or full-time basis in County Clare in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48739/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the nature of blended working and the flexibility it provides to staff it is not possible to provide data to the Deputy on the numbers of those working remotely on a part-time or full-time basis in specific locations including Co. Clare.
For the Deputy's information, my Department’s Blended Working Policy was launched in May 2022 and the application process for blended working has been open to eligible staff since August 5, 2022. The policy indicates a minimum requirement for staff whose role has been deemed suitable for blended working, to attend at the office on 2 days per week, to ensure team connectivity and collaboration.
However, given the diverse nature of the work undertaken by my Department, the number of days that staff are required to attend the office will be dependent on the business needs of each area.
278. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice the number of prison officers that are fully trained in CPR. [48787/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that healthcare teams are provided in all prisons and have primary responsibility for the provision of a comprehensive healthcare and emergency medical service. Healthcare teams comprise of prison doctors and prison nurses and are supported in most areas by in reach service providers.
Healthcare services in prisons aims to provide prisoners with an equivalence of care and quality of services available under the General Medical Card scheme in the community. The Irish Prison Service provides primary care services for the assessment, treatment, and support of prisoners. It also facilitates a range of commissioned and collaborative in-reach services, including stakeholders such as HSE Community Services and the National Forensic Mental Health Service.
In the event of a medical emergency, the healthcare team forms a critical component of the first response team and all healthcare personnel are fully trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
As the Prison Service employs medical personnel in all locations the Prison Service only trains a small number of prison officers in CPR, primarily gym officers and prison officers undertaking driving duties when escorting prisoners to court. Prison officers working in Open Centres are also trained in CPR, as 24 hour healthcare cover is not provided in Shelton Abbey and Loughan House.
I am further advised that there are 137 Prison Officers trained in CPR across the Irish Prison Service as well as 98 Prison Nurses. These figures reflect staff whose qualification in CPR is current.
The impact of COVID on staff training has been significant. However, the Prison Service has developed a training programme to provide refresher CPR certification to those officers whose certification has lapsed as a result of COVID and to provide initial training to officers who have been newly appointed to gym officer, prison escort or Open Centre roles. This programme is ongoing in order to balance training needs against operational commitments.
279. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice when an application to remain in the State by a person (details supplied) will be processed; the reasons for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48796/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Change of Status application for the person referred to by the Deputy was received by the Domestic Residence division of my Department continues to be processed.
While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications.
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.
280. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice if she will create a separate unit within the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service to ensure that visa applications relating to medical professionals are strategically prioritised and fast-tracked; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48798/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that decisions regarding the grant or refusal of employment visas are made in a number of Immigration Service Delivery Visa Offices and at Embassies of the Department of Foreign Affairs which process certain visa applications under delegated sanction from my Department.
Every effort is made to process applications as quickly as possible. Processing times inevitably vary during the year and from one location to another. The processing times for employment visa decisions are published on the visa pages of each Visa Office and Embassy website. Applicants are advised to allow eight weeks for visa processing.
As of 27th September 2022, the Visa Office in Dublin is processing employment visa applications it received before 10 August 2022.
More generally, the processing time for visas in each location will vary based on a number of factors such as the number of applications, seasonal pressures, the complexity of the applications, whether further information or investigation is required, and the resources available. My Department is currently examining whether there are opportunities to further streamline the overall application process for these and other groups.
The central concern, as with all visa services worldwide, in deciding on visa applications is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime, while at the same time facilitating travel for those who meet the criteria. Each visa application is therefore decided on its own merits taking all factors into account.
281. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice if she has considered introducing a six-month visitor visa, similar to that which is in place in the United States, to allow non-Irish immediate family members of an Irish citizen to visit their family member in Ireland for a maximum of six months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48818/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that non-EEA Nationals, whether visa required or not, may visit the State for up to a maximum of 90 days. The 90 day limit is the typical period for a short stay permission within the European Union.
The 90 day limit is not arbitrary but is linked with the provisions in the Immigration Act 2004, which requires any persons residing in the State for more than 90 days to register their permission to be in the State with the relevant Immigration Office. In effect, such persons who are in the State for longer than 90 days are considered to be residing in Ireland as opposed to merely on a visit.
A person may apply for a long-stay visa such as a "join family" visa, which is appropriate when they wish to reside with a family member for longer than 90 days. Such an application would be processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Department's Policy Document on non-EEA Family Reunification which is available at the following link:
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Family%20Reunification%20Policy%20Document.pdf/Files/Family%20Reunification%20Policy%20Document.pdf
Each visa application is decided on its own merits taking all relevant factors into account.
Having set out the general position above I can also advise that it is open to applicants to apply for a multi entry visa, which may be of benefit to some applicants. Any person applying for a short stay ‘C’ visa may apply for either a single or a multiple entry visa. Multiple entry visas are usually only issued to an applicant who has shown a compliant travel history.
The policy considerations underpinning decisions on applications for multiple entry visas are available at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/single-multiple-visas/
The central concern, as with all visa services worldwide, in deciding on visa applications, is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime, while at the same time facilitating travel for those who meet the criteria. While all immigration schemes are kept under review, currently, there are no plans to revise the existing duration of short stay visas.
282. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Justice the estimated cost to the State of providing security at the Russian embassy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48864/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which is given the force of law in the State by the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967, places on the receiving State a special duty to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of a diplomatic mission against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity.
An Garda Síochána keep under review the situation with regard to the protection of diplomatic missions in the State and provide an appropriate policing response. The Deputy will understand that it is not the practice for sound reasons of security, to comment on specific security measures in place in respect of diplomatic missions in the State, nor their costs.
283. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 21 of 10 September 2020. if she will provide an update on the progress on the matter to date; the timeline for the eProbate project to go live in each office; the status of the implementation of each recommendation in the report of the probate services review group and its timeline for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48948/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraManagement of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
Probate is an operational matter for the Courts Service. Therefore, I have referred your question to the Courts Service for their direct reply.
284. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 813 of 28 July 2020, the average waiting time in each Probate Office for applications by solicitors and personal applicants, respectively; the number of applications on hand in each office; the timeline for the eProbate project to go live in each office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48949/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraManagement of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
Probate is an operational matter for the Courts Service. Therefore, I have referred your question to the Courts Service for their direct reply.
286. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice the reason that Chinese overseas stations are opening in Ireland (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49053/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the reported presence of the so-called ‘Fuzhou Police Oversees Station’ in this jurisdiction.
I understand that the matter has been raised with the Embassy of China by officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and inquiries are ongoing in this regard. Officials in my Department will continue to liaise with the Department of Foreign Affairs in addressing the matter.
There is no question of an overseas police station providing a policing service in the State.
287. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice the number of instances of ramming of Garda vehicles in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49056/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra291. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice the number of instances of ramming of Garda vehicles per Garda district in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49062/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra293. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice the number of minors and the percentage this number represents in the context of total cases identified as drivers in instances of ramming of Garda vehicles in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49064/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra294. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice the number of stolen vehicles involved in instances of ramming of Garda vehicles in 2019 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49065/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 287, 291, 293 and 294 together.
I have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested, regrettably this was not available on time. I will write to the Deputy again once the information is to hand.
|
Year |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
5 |
6 |
9 |
4 |
|
Clare |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork City |
2 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
|
Cork West |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork North |
2 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
|
DMR East |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
DMR North Central |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
DMR North |
1 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
|
DMR West |
5 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
|
DMR South |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
|
DMR South Central |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
DMR Traffic |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Donegal |
7 |
11 |
8 |
3 |
|
Galway |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
2 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
8 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Louth |
5 |
9 |
5 |
5 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Meath |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Special Tactics & Operations Command |
8 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
|
Wexford |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
65 |
68 |
47 |
31 |
288. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice the number of instances of ramming of Garda vehicles resulting in injury to Garda personnel in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49057/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra290. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda days lost due to injury/illness/leave following instances of ramming of Garda vehicles in 2019. 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49060/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra295. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice the number of instances of ramming of Garda vehicles in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022 which resulted in serious injury of gardaí; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49066/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 288, 290 and 295 together.
I have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested, regrettably this was not available on time. I will write to the Deputy again once the information is to hand.
|
Year |
Total |
|
2019 |
8 |
|
2020 |
3 |
|
2021 |
5 |
|
2022 to date |
9 |
289. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice the estimated monetary cost due to damaged Garda property due to instances of ramming of Garda vehicles in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49059/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that I strongly condemn any assault on, or action that causes harm to, serving members of An Garda Síochána or any action that causes damage to Garda resources or public property.
An Garda Síochána perform a vital function in providing safety and security to our communities and should be applauded and supported for their service, not subject to assault or harm in the execution of their duties.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the below table represents the estimated monetary cost due to damaged Garda property due to instances of 'ramming' of Garda vehicles.
|
Year |
Cost |
|
2019 |
€252,496 |
|
2020 |
€187,417 |
|
2021 |
€121,648 |
|
*2022 |
€70,863 |
* Figures up to and including 3 of October 2022.
