Joe Flaherty
Ceist:160. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Justice when an application for citizenship by a person (details supplied) will be finalised. [56803/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCitizenship Applications
Ceisteanna (160)
Freagraí scríofa
The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, 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.
Applications are processed in chronological order by date received. Due to the high volume of applications currently on hand, regrettably, median processing time is 19 months.
However, my Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and 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.
In 2021, my Department issued 11,512 citizenship decisions, which is the highest number of decisions made since 2015, and reflects positively the significant changes undertaken to date.
Visa Applications
Ceisteanna (161)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:161. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider simplifying the visa process for non-EU workers. [56807/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can inform the Deputy that in order to work in Ireland all non-EEA Nationals, unless they are exempted, must hold a valid Employment Permit. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) administers the Employment Permits system.
Visa required nationals must apply for a Type D Employment Visa after they have received an Employment Permit from DETE. Guidance on how to apply for an employment visa and details of the supporting documents required are outlined on my Department's immigration website www.irishimmigration.ie.
Employment visas are processed by the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) area of my Department. There are currently seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated sanction from my Department. The Dublin Visa Office are currently processing Employment Visas received, in Dublin, on the 29 August 2022.
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, the possible need for the ISD area of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
Departmental Programmes
Ceisteanna (162)
Chris Andrews
Ceist:162. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Justice the amount of funding that has been invested into sporting organisations as a result of the Immigrant Investor Programme for each year since 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56820/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest.
The IIP offers four investment options for potential investors.
- Enterprise Investment : A minimum of €1 million invested in an Irish enterprise for a period of at least three years;
- Investment Fund : A minimum of €1 million invested in an approved investment fund for a period of at least three years. Such funds must be approved and regulated by the Central Bank;
- Real Estate Investment Trusts : A minimum investment of €2 million in any Irish REIT that is listed on the Irish Stock Exchange, for a period of at least three years; and
- Endowment : A minimum €500,000 (or €400,000 where five or more applications are received) philanthropic donation to a project which is of public benefit to the arts, sports, health, culture or education in Ireland.
The criteria applied when assessing applications under the IIP is set out in the guidance published on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-live-in-ireland/i-want-to-invest-in-ireland/
My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments, due to commercial sensitivities. However sporting organisations are one of the beneficiaries of Endowment applications received and I am advised that there have been 470 Endowment applications approved for the period 01/2016 to 09/2022 with a total value of investment of €189.1m.
Coroners Service
Ceisteanna (163)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:163. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of staff currently working at the Coroner's Office in Whitehall, Dublin 9. [56840/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, the Coroner Service comprises the network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. Coroners are independent quasi-judicial office holders whose core function is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can be issued.The Department of Justice has direct responsibility for providing financial and administrative support to the Dublin District Coroner’s Office since 1st January 2018.The Dublin District Mortuary is the responsibility of the Dublin Senior Coroner and is located together with the Office of the State Pathologist (OSP) on the site of the former Garda Station in Whitehall in Dublin.The Dublin District Coroner’s Office has 5 staff working in the Dublin District Mortuary, 2 full time, one on a 50% basis, one on a 40% basis and a locum on a 50% basis (3.4 full-time equivalent staff). There are currently vacancies for 2 staff members in the Dublin District Mortuary.
Legal Aid
Ceisteanna (164)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:164. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice when the threshold for free legal aid was last reviewed; if there are any plans to review it in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56867/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As committed to in my Justice Plan 2022, I recently announced a comprehensive review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme, for the first time in its more than 40-year history. The Scheme provides legal aid and advice to people of limited means in civil disputes, including in family law.
As the Deputy is aware, since its establishment, the Civil Legal Aid Scheme has been a hugely significant and beneficial resource for many people. However, within those 40 years, Irish society has changed, and the demands of the Scheme have grown. In order to provide maximum benefit to those it was established to serve, within the finite resources available to fund legal aid, a robust, comprehensive review of the Scheme is now timely.
The financial eligibility threshold was last revised in 2006, more specifically, for income, it was last revised in 2006 (SI 460 of 2006) and for capital assets in 2013 (SI 346 of 2013).The current review will allow for an assessment of how flexible and responsive the Scheme is to the needs of those it is intended to serve. A Review Group has been established which will make recommendations for its future, including in relation to eligibility.
The Review Group held its first meeting on 22 June 2022, and its work is now ongoing. On 14th November I welcomed the opening of a consultation to seek the views of key stakeholders on how the Civil Legal Aid Scheme can be reformed. This call for submissions is the first element of the consultation and will remain open until 6th January 2023. It is an important opportunity for stakeholders to express their views and inform the Group’s thinking on the current scheme and its recommendations for the future.
Full details of the submission process can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/consultation/a7aa6-stakeholder-consultation-on-the-review-of-the-civil-legal-aid-scheme/
The Review Group is being chaired by a former Chief Justice, with expert membership drawn from those who work with marginalised groups, legal practitioners, academics, Department officials and representatives from the Legal Aid Board, which administers the statutory Scheme.
This work is expected to take 12 months. The Review Group will report periodically to me on progress before submitting its final report once its work is completed.Ultimately the review should map out a future for the Civil Legal Aid Scheme, one which will provide for a flexible service that has, as far as possible, the capacity and resources to respond to the priority legal assistance needs of those of insufficient means.
Citizenship Applications
Ceisteanna (165)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:165. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on an application for citizenship by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56872/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As committed to in my Justice Plan 2022, I recently announced a comprehensive review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme, for the first time in its more than 40-year history. The Scheme provides legal aid and advice to people of limited means in civil disputes, including in family law.
As the Deputy is aware, since its establishment, the Civil Legal Aid Scheme has been a hugely significant and beneficial resource for many people. However, within those 40 years, Irish society has changed, and the demands of the Scheme have grown. In order to provide maximum benefit to those it was established to serve, within the finite resources available to fund legal aid, a robust, comprehensive review of the Scheme is now timely.
The financial eligibility threshold was last revised in 2006, more specifically, for income, it was last revised in 2006 (SI 460 of 2006) and for capital assets in 2013 (SI 346 of 2013).The current review will allow for an assessment of how flexible and responsive the Scheme is to the needs of those it is intended to serve. A Review Group has been established which will make recommendations for its future, including in relation to eligibility.
The Review Group held its first meeting on 22 June 2022, and its work is now ongoing. On 14th November I welcomed the opening of a consultation to seek the views of key stakeholders on how the Civil Legal Aid Scheme can be reformed. This call for submissions is the first element of the consultation and will remain open until 6th January 2023. It is an important opportunity for stakeholders to express their views and inform the Group’s thinking on the current scheme and its recommendations for the future.
Full details of the submission process can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/consultation/a7aa6-stakeholder-consultation-on-the-review-of-the-civil-legal-aid-scheme/
The Review Group is being chaired by a former Chief Justice, with expert membership drawn from those who work with marginalised groups, legal practitioners, academics, Department officials and representatives from the Legal Aid Board, which administers the statutory Scheme.
This work is expected to take 12 months. The Review Group will report periodically to me on progress before submitting its final report once its work is completed.Ultimately the review should map out a future for the Civil Legal Aid Scheme, one which will provide for a flexible service that has, as far as possible, the capacity and resources to respond to the priority legal assistance needs of those of insufficient means.
Domestic Violence
Ceisteanna (166)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:166. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice if there are currently any plans to fund a new domestic violence refuge in the area of County Louth and east County Meath to help deal with the significant pressures on the current services provided in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56910/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
One of the overarching goals of the Zero Tolerance policy to address Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence is to ensure that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and I am committed to working with my Government colleagues and those working in the sector to achieve this.
In line with the priority which this government is attaching to tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence, we will double the number of refuge spaces over the lifetime of the strategy, bringing it to 280.
The Tusla review of accommodation services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence identified priority locations where between 50 and 60 new refuge places are needed.
Further analysis undertaken identified 12 locations nationwide where the delivery of 98 family refuge spaces would have the most impact if prioritised.
In the initial phase of this work, we expect to have delivered 24 places in Wexford, Dundalk and Navan by 2024. The delivery of additional safe homes is also a key part of the response and it is expected to increase the number of safe homes by 15 this year.
In addition, by putting in place the correct structures to deliver additional refuge accommodation now, including the development of a new statutory agency, we will accelerate the number of additional spaces that can be opened each year.
Already, work undertaken implementing the Strategy has prepared the way for this, including a very significant increase in funding under Budget 2023.
I have secured funding of €9m in budget 2023 to address the response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, of which €6.8m will be allocated through Tusla to maintain and develop frontline services for victims. Funding for measures to bring domestic violence refuges and associated support services into operation at the earliest possible date has been identified as a priority within these resources, with a particular focus on the developments in Louth, Meath and Wexford.
An interdepartmental group is developing and progressing agreed processes and approaches to ensure we have the highest standard of refuge accommodation, delivered in the most efficient way.
This has already resulted in a streamlined process for capital funding applications for new refuges.
Supports for applicant groups from the Housing Agency in relation to public procurement processes and direct engagement between Department of Housing Architectural Advisors and the Design Teams recruited by the applicant groups are also in place.
Over the past two years I have had the privilege to visit a number of refuges around the country to see first-hand the fantastic work that is being done.
I am determined that the implementation of the Strategy will bring us significantly closer to reaching our targets as set out in the Istanbul Convention, and ensure that organisations providing these vital services to victims are supported in doing so.
Since launching Zero Tolerance in June, the tendering process for the new refuge in Wexford has moved to the final stage of completion.
Developments in Navan and Dundalk are continuing to make progress at design and planning stages, while developments in the other priority locations are mainly focused on establishing local stakeholders and lead organisations and on site selection.
Departmental Meetings
Ceisteanna (167)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:167. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice the number of times that she has visited County Clare since the Government took office; and the locations that she visited in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57030/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can inform the Deputy that I have not yet visited County Clare as Minister for Justice since the Government took office.
EU Data
Ceisteanna (168)
Richard O'Donoghue
Ceist:168. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the total financial amount on both a daily and yearly basis, of EU fines being paid by his Department in 2022; if he will provide the corresponding figures for 2020 and 2021, including the specifics of each case in his Department. [56781/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has not been subject to any EU fines to date.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (169)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:169. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarity on a matter (details supplied) in relation to minor injury unit opening times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56764/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (170)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:170. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1556 of 14 June 2022, if he will ensure that a facility (details supplied) receives funding to extend its property in the 2023 HSE estimates process; when a decision is likely on projects included in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56765/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (171)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:171. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the systems that are in place for financial protection and assistance for frontline healthcare workers who, having contracted Covid-19 in the course of their hospital duties, subsequently developed long-Covid, and having exceeded their sick leave, are now to face their continued absence from work without any pay; his views on whether a particular duty on the part of the State pertains to those workers who developed long-Covid from infection contracted in the line of fulfilling their own work duties for the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56767/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have provided for Special Leave with Pay (SLWP) for civil and public servants nationally who contract Covid, for the recommended isolation period. SLWP provides for paid leave, including full pay, any fixed allowances payable as well as premium payments.
For certain employees who remain unfit to attend the workplace and are suffering from long-Covid, a scheme, specific to the public health service has been introduced to provide for Paid Leave for Public Health Service Employees Unfit for Work Post Covid Infection.
The HSE have issued the full details of the Scheme to all public health service employers by circular, and employees who meet the criteria for eligibility for the Scheme will have transferred to the new Scheme retrospectively from 1st July 2022.
For those who do not meet the criteria of the Scheme, the provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme can be utilised, which provides for access to paid sick leave (3 months at the full rate and 3 months at the half rate), followed by access to paid sick leave at a rate of temporary rehabilitative remuneration (TRR) for a further 545 days.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (172)
Marian Harkin
Ceist:172. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health the basis for a recent decision in regard to home births (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56798/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the National Women and Infants Health Programme leads on the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (173)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:173. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children with disabilities in south Tipperary who are receiving shared residential services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56799/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this relates to a service matter, I am referring it to the HSE for a direct reply to the Deputy. Please cc SocialCare_IntegrationUnit@health.gov.ie in the reply.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (174)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:174. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children with disabilities in south Tipperary who are classed as being in need of shared residential services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56800/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this relates to a service matter, I am referring it to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (175)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:175. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of new shared residential services that have been developed in the past five years in south Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56801/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this relates to a service matter, I am referring it to the HSE for a direct reply to the Deputy.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (176)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:176. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the full list of respite services that are available to children with disabilities in south Tipperary; if they are operational on a full-time or part-time basis; the number of children who are in receipt of these respite services; the timeframe between a respite session; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56802/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (177)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:177. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if public health nurses will no longer be carrying out developmental routine baby and child checks unless the child is recommended by a medical practitioner as priority or considered priority by a public health nurse (details supplied); and if so, the reason that developmental routine checks for all children are no longer available. [56805/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (178)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:178. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to Section 38 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56808/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Legislative Programme
Ceisteanna (179)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:179. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a date for the pending human tissue Bill (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56825/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The enactment of the Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill is a priority for the Government.
The Bill is a complex piece of legislation that will include provisions on organ donation and transplantation, post-mortem practice and procedures in hospital settings, anatomical examination, and public display of bodies after death.
It will embed in legislation the idea that consent is the defining principle across all these sensitive areas and will establish a regulatory framework for the conduct of these activities.
Drafting of the Bill is in its final stages, and it is intended that Government approval for publication will be sought before the end of November.