Written Answers Nos. 193-212
193. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the total number of applications under the Afghan admission programme which have been brought forward to the second stage of the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52238/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, my Department remains focused on processing applications for family reunification made under all admission avenues, including the Afghan Admissions Programme for family members of Afghan nationals living in Ireland.
The Afghan Admissions Programme is an additional avenue open to the relatively small number of Afghan nationals living here to bring close family members to live here with them. There are of course a number of other options already in place through existing immigration programmes that have also been availed of by members of the Afghan community in Ireland since the beginning of August 2021 to 19 October 2022, a total of 140 join family visas have been approved for Afghan nationals and 94 family reunification applications have been approved and we continue to also process these applications sympathetically.
I can inform the Deputy that my Department has received 528 applications to the Afghan Admission Programme and while no application has yet been approved under this Programme, a significant number of Afghan people have also been allocated places under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP), which is under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. My Department provides the visas to facilitate their travel to Ireland and almost 600 visa waiver letters have been issued to date.
I understand that this is a difficult situation for our Afghan community and their loved ones. I would also like to assure the Afghan community that applications under this Programme continue to be assessed in a pragmatic and humanitarian manner with a view to issuing decisions as soon as possible.
Considerable information was provided by my Department to assist proposers in Ireland filling out the application form for their family members. This included a detailed guidance document published in conjunction with the application form on 16 December 2021 and a Frequently Asked Questions document, drafted in light of queries received and published on 31 December 2021.
The guidance document also included a detailed checklist to assist proposers in ensuring that all of the requested information was provided.
The original closing date for the Programme was extended in consultation with civil society groups to allow proposers time to gather the required information and my Department continues to engage with these groups.
The information required to apply was to ensure that the Programme benefitted its intended beneficiaries, and that my Department was satisfied as to the identities of both the proposers and their family members coming to Ireland.
Where applicants are missing important information, such as proof of identity and familial relationships, my Department is contacting applicants directly to try to gather the required documents. This will help to ensure as many people as possible can avail of this important programme.
194. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if visa applications for Afghan family members of Irish citizens and Afghan nationals living in Ireland are still being processed “speedily and sympathetically”, as per her statement to Dáil Éireann on 16 June 2022 stating that “visa applications for Afghan family members of Irish citizens and Afghan nationals living in Ireland are being assessed speedily and sympathetically”; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52239/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, my Department remains focused on processing applications for family reunification made under all admission avenues, including the Afghan Admissions Programme for family members of Afghan nationals living in Ireland.
The Afghan Admissions Programme is an additional avenue open to the relatively small number of Afghan nationals living here to bring close family members to live here with them. There are of course a number of other options already in place through existing immigration programmes that have also been availed of by members of the Afghan community in Ireland since the beginning of August 2021 to 19 October 2022, a total of 140 join family visas have been approved for Afghan nationals and 94 family reunification applications have been approved and we continue to also process these applications sympathetically.
I can inform the Deputy that my Department has received 528 applications to the Afghan Admission Programme and while no application has yet been approved under this Programme, a significant number of Afghan people have also been allocated places under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP), which is under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. My Department provides the visas to facilitate their travel to Ireland and almost 600 visa waiver letters have been issued to date.
I understand that this is a difficult situation for our Afghan community and their loved ones. I would also like to assure the Afghan community that applications under this Programme continue to be assessed in a pragmatic and humanitarian manner with a view to issuing decisions as soon as possible.
Considerable information was provided by my Department to assist proposers in Ireland filling out the application form for their family members. This included a detailed guidance document published in conjunction with the application form on 16 December 2021 and a Frequently Asked Questions document, drafted in light of queries received and published on 31 December 2021.
The guidance document also included a detailed checklist to assist proposers in ensuring that all of the requested information was provided.
The original closing date for the Programme was extended in consultation with civil society groups to allow proposers time to gather the required information and my Department continues to engage with these groups.
The information required to apply was to ensure that the Programme benefitted its intended beneficiaries, and that my Department was satisfied as to the identities of both the proposers and their family members coming to Ireland.
Where applicants are missing important information, such as proof of identity and familial relationships, my Department is contacting applicants directly to try to gather the required documents. This will help to ensure as many people as possible can avail of this important programme.
195. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if her Department is developing a fast-track or prioritisation process for applications under the policy document for non-EEA family reunification, following a judgment (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52240/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraLong Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in my Department's Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification, which can be found on my Department's immigration website: www.irishimmigration.ie.
The business targets for the processing of these applications reflect the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification. However, it is important to note that these are business targets and do not suggest that a case not completed within the processing timeframe will result in a default decision in the applicant’s favour.
All Join Family visa applications are processed in chronological order based on date order of receipt in the relevant Embassy or Visa Office. Processing times for each individual Visa Office overseas will vary as a result of the differing volume and complexity of applications and the resources available in that office. It may also be necessary for officials of my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information in relation to particular applications.
The Deputy can be assured that every effort is made to keep processing times to a minimum, and a number of measures have been put in place to deal with the increased demand for visas to come to Ireland. This has included the streamlining of visa processes where possible. The position in this regard is being kept under review and my Department is actively considering an accelerated procedure within the visa system for the cases the subject of the judgment concerned.
Family reunification applications are among the more complex applications in the immigration caseload. Irrespective of whether some form of family reunification pre-clearance is introduced, it is proposed that all cases should be the subject of a standardised application form. The introduction of an application form is required as it puts visa required and non-visa nationals on the same level in terms of fully setting out their circumstances in order to obtain a family Reunification status. It also ensures transparent and consistent information gathering which will assist both the applicant and the official considering the case.
196. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of international protection applicants deemed adult by the International Protection Office under Section 24 of the International Protection Act 2015 to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52241/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA person arriving in the State can seek to apply for international protection at a port of entry or at the offices of the International Protection Office (IPO). Where it appears to an immigration officer at the port of entry or the international protection officer at the IPO that the person seeking to make an application has not reached the age of 18 years and is not accompanied by an adult who is taking responsibility for the care and protection of the person, the officer shall, as soon as practicable, notify Tusla of that fact.
Based on the acceptance by Tusla of the unaccompanied minor into their services, it shall be presumed that the person concerned is a child and the Child Care Acts 1991 to 2013, the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 and other enactments relating to the care and welfare of persons who have not attained the age of 18 years shall apply accordingly.
Section 15(4) (b) of the International Protection Act 2015 provides that where it appears to Tusla on the basis of information, including legal advice available to it, that an application for international protection should be made on behalf of a person who has not attained the age of 18 years, in respect of whom Tusla is providing care and protection, it shall arrange for the appointment of an employee of Tusla or such other person as it may determine to make such an application on behalf of the child and to represent and assist the child with respect to the examination of the application.
Section 24 of the Act allows for an age assessment determination to be carried out on behalf of the Minister for the purposes of the International Protection Act 2015 due to new information or documentation received that has arisen during the assessment process of the application by an International Protection Officer.
Section 24 refers only to unaccompanied minor applicants who have had an application for international protection made on their behalf by Tusla under section 15(4) of the International Protection Act 2015.
To date in 2022 it has not been necessary to send any applicant for examination on behalf of the Minister to determine whether the applicant has not attained the age of 18 years.
197. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 221, 222 and 223 of 28 September 2022, when full replies will be issued. [52284/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraParliamentary Questions No. 221, 222 and 223 of 28 September 2022 refer to the number of public order units operating across each of the six Garda divisions in Dublin from 2017 to 2022 inclusive; the number of public order units operating full-time across each of the six Garda divisions in Dublin from 2017 to 2022; and the number of Gardaí assigned to each of the public order units operating across each of the six Garda divisions in Dublin from 2017 to 2022 inclusive.
As you will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation. This includes the deployment of Garda members throughout the State. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
The Government is determined to tackle anti-social behaviour and I am very conscious of the impact it can have on the quality of life for local communities, including in Dublin.
The Government is making significant investments in making communities safer, diverting young people away from criminal activity, and also in supporting An Garda Síochána in its work to prevent, detect and address crime when it happens.
I understand that Gardaí continue to implement high visibility policing plans to address public disorder related issues and anti-social behaviour, with particular overt and targeted policing of public places at times when public order incidents and anti-social behaviour typically increase, such as bank holiday weekends.
You may wish to be aware that there are a number of Garda operations in place in Dublin city centre and the wider Dublin Metropolitan Region, including Operation Citizen, Operation Saul and Operation Soteria.
I am advised that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review to ensure their optimum use in light of identified operational needs and emerging crime trends.
I am also informed by the Garda authorities that members of the Garda National Public Order Unit (GNPOU) in the DMR are deployed on an operational needs basis, drawing on specially trained and equipped Gardaí attached to core, non-core and specialist sections within each of the six geographical Divisions, rather than in the form of full-time units within each Division.
I am advised that recertification GNPOU training is currently underway with plans in place to deliver basic training to interested applicants in the DMR who meet the standard and fitness requirements. I understand this training will increase the GNPOU capacity in the DMR.
The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Gardaí assigned to public order units operating across in Dublin from 2017 to 2022.
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 (up to 5/10/2022) |
|
490 |
549 |
523 |
361 |
361 |
381 |
198. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the status of the development of a statutory agency with a dedicated focus on domestic sexual and gender-based violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52319/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statutorily based DSGBV agency, which is expected to be up-and-running at the start of 2024, will have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the new Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue.
The new agency will work collaboratively with the NGO and DSGBV services sector to ensure that the best possible services are in place to meet the needs of victims and survivors.
It will drive change and reform across Government and society as a whole towards the end goal of the third national strategy – zero tolerance of DSGBV in Irish society.
The core functions of the Agency will be:
- Delivering excellent services to victims of DSGBV, including increasing the number of accommodation spaces;
- Putting in place a robust set of national service standards and governance arrangements to ensure adherence to the appropriate standards for such supports;
- Leading on awareness-raising campaigns designed to reduce the incidence of DSGBV in Irish society as well as ensuring that all victims know how to access the supports they require;
- Developing a data and evaluation strategy to ensure there are shared definitions and agreed methodologies for collecting, analysing, and sharing data on access to and use of services; and
- Taking over the co-ordination of all Government actions set out within the third national strategy, and reporting on same to a designated Cabinet Committee.
Work has begun in my Department on the necessary scoping and planning to prepare for the design, establishment, and resourcing of the agency.
199. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Justice if she will introduce a digital system of appointment of legal aid lawyers for persons in Garda custody; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52341/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Treatment of Persons in Custody in Garda Síochána Stations) Regulations 1987, people arrested and detained in a Garda station must be informed of their right to consult a solicitor. The Garda Station Legal Advice Revised Scheme provides for the payment of fees to solicitors for telephone and in-station consultations with persons detained in custody and who are eligible under the terms of that Scheme. The appointment of a solicitor is a matter for the detainee who is entitled to a solicitor of his or her own choice. Where a detainee does not nominate their own solicitor, Gardaí can provide information to a detainee for the purpose of that individual being able to consult a solicitor.
A wider review of criminal legal aid is ongoing in the context of developing a new statutory basis for criminal legal aid including providing a legislative basis for the existing non-statutory schemes which include the Garda Station Legal Advice Revised Scheme. That review is ongoing.
The Garda Station Legal Advice Revised Scheme is operated by the Legal Aid Board and a guidance document regarding the operation of the Scheme is available on the website of the Legal Aid Board.
200. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice the funding that has been made available to the Garda Youth Division Programme (GYDP) in Limerick for the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52390/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that there are currently 6 Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) operating in Co. Limerick.
In 2019, 3 YDPs in Ballynanty, Irishtown (including Henry Street Outreach) and Kings Island were combined to form Limerick Youth Service YDP.
The attached table sets out the amount of funding allocated to each project for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, and shows the Garda Divisions and Districts within which the YDPs are located.
Figures for 2022 detail additional allocations approved in June in relation to an expansion of services under the Youth Justice Strategy 2021 – 2027.
201. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on a visa application by a person (details supplied). [52469/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to by the Deputy created on-line Employment visa application on 5 July 2022. The supporting documentation and relevant fees were subsequently received on 13 July 2022 in the New Delhi visa office.
The processing times for visa decisions are published on the visa pages of each Visa Office and the relevant Embassy website. Having contacted the Visa office, they have advised this application is currently under consideration with a visa officer and a decision will issue shortly.
The processing time in each location is determined by a number of factors such as the volumes and complexity of applications, individual circumstances, peak application periods, seasonal factors, and the resources available. While every effort is made to process applications as quickly as possible, processing times inevitably vary as a result.
The granting of an employment permit by DETE is not the sole determining factor as to whether a visa will subsequently be granted by my Department. These are two very distinct application processes with different checks and procedures in place in each respective Department.
The central concern in deciding on visa applications, as with all visa services worldwide, 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.
Applicants are advised not to pay for airline or other travel tickets without having first been issued with a visa. The persons referred to by the Deputy will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.
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.
202. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 690 of 4 October 2022, if he will provide rates provided to each CHO; if procedures can be outlined that qualify for access to the fund; and if there are an operational guidelines/protocol in place for the PCERS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52063/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
203. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health in his Department's active pursuit of recruitment to vacant posts across the healthcare services, how many of the 123 occupational therapy graduates of 2021 have been added to the national panel for recruitment within the healthcare services; the number that have been extended a letter of offer to a vacant post within the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52070/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
204. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health in his Department's active pursuit of recruitment to vacant posts across the healthcare services, how many of the 228 physiotherapy graduates of 2021 have been added to the national panel for recruitment within the healthcare services; the number that have been extended a letter of offer to a vacant post within the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52071/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
205. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health in his Department's active pursuit of recruitment to vacant posts across the healthcare services, how many of the 119 speech and language therapy graduates of 2021 have been added to the national panel for recruitment within the healthcare services; the number that have been extended a letter of offer to a vacant post within the health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52072/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
206. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health in his Department's active pursuit of recruitment to vacant posts across the healthcare services, how many of the 1,451 graduates in psychology disciplines in 2021 have been added to the national panel for recruitment within the healthcare services; the number that have been extended a letter of offer to a vacant post within the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52073/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
207. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if there is a memorandum of understanding agreement to provide access to private mental health beds in the absence of public beds for children attending CAMHS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52075/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
208. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a contract is now in place for processing payment of the pandemic recognition payment to non-HSE/non Section 38 healthcare employees covered by the Government decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52076/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE and the Department are currently examining progressing the rollout to the list of 6 non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisation types covered by the Government Decision. This measure will be ring fenced to staff working ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments.
It is hoped that information will be published shortly for those certain non-HSE/Section 38 healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision and the process available to their employers to implement this measure for their eligible staff. This shall cover eligible staff in:
1. Private Sector Nursing Homes and Hospices (e.g. Private, Voluntary, Section 39 etc.);
2. Eligible staff working on-site in Section 39 long-term residential care facilities for people with disabilities;
3. Agency roles working in the HSE;
4. Health Care Support Assistants (also known as home help / home care / home support) contracted to the HSE;
5. Members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in frontline Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE;
6. Paramedics employed by Dublin Fire Brigade to deliver services on behalf of the HSE.
The above 6 areas only are covered by this Government Decision and all eligible workers will be paid in accordance with the overarching eligibility criteria in place.
The HSE has tendered for an external contractor to assist with rolling out the payment, particularly with data collection from the large number of organisations involved, checking of data, and corresponding with the organisations, for cohorts 1-4 listed above.
The Department is aware that the deadline for the HSE's tender process on this matter was extended to 23 September. In accordance with public procurement guidelines, from the time a preferred tenderer is selected by the HSE, a standstill period of 14 days must be observed before any contract can come into effect.
209. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health when a hoist will be available for use in the x-ray department at St. Joseph’s care campus in Longford town (details supplied). [52094/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
210. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the status of the Freestyle Libre 2 application for reimbursement on the HSEs long-term illness scheme through the Community Funded AIDS and Appliances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52095/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for pricing and reimbursement decisions under the community schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
211. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the status of the 2021 application to HSE to have the NovoPen 6 and the NovoPen Echo Plus Smart Insulin Pens included for reimbursement on the long-term Illness scheme; the reason this particular application still has not concluded over 12 months after the application was submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52096/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for pricing and reimbursement decisions under the community schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
212. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if the HSE plans to include the Omnipod tubeless, wireless insulin patch pump on the list of approved Insulin pumps that have been added to the Insulin Pump and Transmitter Pricing Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52097/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for pricing and reimbursement decisions under the community schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
