Written Answers Nos. 239-258
239. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice the reason that asylum seekers are allowed into Ireland without travel documents given that they clearly had to produce these when boarding at airports and ferries. [6339/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIf a person arriving at a port of entry to the State indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international protection process. My Department examines applications for international protection by anyone who indicates they wish to make an application, this is in accordance with our obligations under international and EU asylum law.
Immigration officials conduct passport checks on arrival to ensure passengers are properly documented in accordance with Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004.
The establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process. This is especially important in the context of persons who enter the Irish State for the purposes of making a claim for international protection.
Immigration Officials are actively engaging with airport authorities and airlines at a senior level to underscore the importance of passengers possessing correct documentation and to provide support in helping them to reduce the number of passengers boarding flights without the correct documentation.
The Border Management Unit and the GNIB are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have such documentation when boarding. Border Management Unit officials are available 24/7 to assist airlines with queries they have in relation to immigration matters.
240. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide assistance on a stamp 4 renewal application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6207/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the person referred to by the Deputy is resident in Dublin, they can apply to renew their immigration permission through the online renewal system for the Registration office of my Department at: inisonline.jahs.ie/. Currently, the Registration office is processing applications made in the week commencing 30 November 2022.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (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.
241. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the reason for delay in regularisation of the long-term undocumented migrants scheme; when the remaining outstanding applications will be finalised; if he will provide a breakdown of nationalities who get approval and who are still waiting for their applications to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6219/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants scheme opened on 31 January 2022 and closed on 31 July 2022. This once in a generation scheme was designed to give long-term undocumented people without a current permission to remain in the State, the chance to regularise their status, access the labour market and begin their path to citizenship. The scheme was only open to those who did not have a current permission to reside in the State and would enable eligible applicants to remain and reside in the State and to regularise their residency status.
In total, 6,548 applications were submitted in respect of 8,311 people under the scheme. Of these 5,654 (86%) were Single Applications and 894 (14%) Family Applications. 5,368 people who applied to the scheme have been issued a decision, of which 5,197 (97 %) are positive decisions, 97 (2%) are negative decisions, and 74 (1%) applications have been withdrawn by the applicants for various reasons.
It is not possible to provide a definitive timeframe for when the outstanding applications will be finalised. Applications continue to be processed and processing times vary depending on the complexity of the application; whether it is a single or family application; the supporting documentation and the vetting process with An Garda Síochána (AGS). Applications where there is an existing deportation order require additional processing. Each application received is assessed individually in accordance with the published criteria, available on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Undocumented-Policy-Scheme-January-2022.pdf.
The table below is a list of nationalities who have applied to the Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants scheme. To date, the majority of these nationalities have had cases approved, however some may still have applications pending.
|
Country |
|
Afghanistan |
|
Albania |
|
Algeria |
|
Angola |
|
Antigua And Barbuda |
|
Argentina |
|
Armenia |
|
Australia |
|
Azerbaijan |
|
Bangladesh |
|
Belarus |
|
Bhutan |
|
Bolivia |
|
Bosnia And Herzegovina |
|
Botswana |
|
Brazil |
|
British Overseas Citizens (etc) |
|
Burundi |
|
Cameroon |
|
Canada |
|
Cape Verde |
|
Chad |
|
China (Including Hong Kong) |
|
Colombia |
|
The Democratic Republic Of The Congo |
|
The Republic Of The Congo |
|
Cuba |
|
Egypt |
|
El Salvador |
|
Estonia |
|
Ethiopia |
|
Gambia |
|
Georgia |
|
Ghana |
|
Grenada |
|
Guinea |
|
Guyana |
|
India |
|
Iran (Islamic Republic Of) |
|
Iraq |
|
Jamaica |
|
Japan |
|
Jordan |
|
Kazakhstan |
|
Kenya |
|
Republic Of (South Korea) Korea |
|
Kosovo / UNSCR 1244 |
|
Kuwait |
|
Latvia |
|
Lebanon |
|
Lesotho |
|
Liberia |
|
Malawi |
|
Malaysia |
|
Mali |
|
Mauritania |
|
Mauritius |
|
Mexico |
|
Republic Of Moldova |
|
Mongolia |
|
Morocco |
|
Myanmar |
|
Nepal |
|
New Zealand |
|
Niger |
|
Nigeria |
|
Pakistan |
|
Palestine |
|
Panama |
|
Paraguay |
|
Peru |
|
Philippines |
|
Recognised Non-Citizen |
|
Romania |
|
Russian Federation |
|
Saudi Arabia |
|
Senegal |
|
Serbia |
|
Sierra Leone |
|
Somalia |
|
South Africa |
|
Sri Lanka |
|
Stateless |
|
Sudan |
|
Swaziland |
|
Switzerland |
|
Taiwan |
|
Tajikistan |
|
United Republic Of Tanzania |
|
Thailand |
|
The Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia |
|
Togo |
|
Tonga |
|
Trinidad And Tobago |
|
Tunisia |
|
Türkiye |
|
Uganda |
|
Ukraine |
|
United Kingdom |
|
United States Of America |
|
Uruguay |
|
Uzbekistan |
|
Venezuela |
|
Viet Nam |
|
Western Sahara |
|
Zambia |
|
Zimbabwe |
242. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the options open to a person who has been granted refugee status and has now been granted under the family reunification unit (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6226/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise the importance of international protection recipients having their family members reunited with them as soon as possible. To this end my Department engages, where necessary, with applicants for family reunification to ensure that they have every opportunity to meet the requirements of the International Protection Act 2015 in this regard.
Family reunification under Section 56 of the international Protection Act 2015 is open to any individual for whom a refugee or subsidiary protection declaration is in force.
Successful applicants have a period of 12 months from receipt of the permission letter arising from their family reunification application to make arrangements for their family members to come to Ireland. Accordingly, the person concerned is required to enter and reside in the State by the date specified on their permission letter.
243. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Justice if an assessment will be carried out on the need for a new Garda station in Citywest, Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6230/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy again once the information is to hand.
244. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice the percentage of gardaí adequately trained to engage in the high-speed pursuit of a vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6234/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy again once the information is to hand.
|
CBD 2 and CBD 3 Driving |
Eastern Region |
North Western Region |
Southern Region |
DMR & DMR Traffic |
Specialist Units |
|
2020 |
18 |
32 |
21 |
21 |
* |
|
2021 |
12 |
22 |
11 |
12 |
* |
|
2022 |
98 |
77 |
92 |
129 |
* |
|
Total |
128 |
131 |
124 |
162 |
13 |
245. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice when a refund of a registration fee will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6298/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering and renewing immigration permissions for customers residing in the Dublin area only. Registrations and renewals for customers resident outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network.
A refund request from the person referred to by the Deputy has now been actioned, however it may take a number of days before it appears in the person’s account.
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.
246. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if he will review the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6316/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI note the person, details supplied, has experienced difficultly in attaining an immigration permission and I am advised that the relevant Unit will correspond directly with the person concerned to deal with the matter.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, and all applications are processed in line with the eligibility criteria as set out under the Act. Each application is assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals where the requirement is 3 years. In both cases, the final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State with up to 6 weeks allowed to facilitate foreign travel for business family or holiday purposes.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and the naturalisation process, along with the relevant application forms and guidance notes, is available on my Department's Irish Immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/ .
247. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice when the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 will be enacted and commenced. [6386/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 was published on 13 September 2022 and introduces a number of important reforms in the law across a broad range of areas. It is part of a suite of measures my Department continues to introduce which will improve access to justice and modernise the Courts system.
The Bill passed committee stage in Dáil Éireann on 20 October 2022. Report Stage in the Dáil will take place in the coming weeks and it is expected to continue through the legislative process in the Seanad shortly thereafter.
248. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the strategies being examined to fill the vacancies to support the workload of the staff of an organisation (details supplied) and speed up waiting lists. [6399/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
249. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the total number of private and voluntary homes to which the HSE offered crisis support during the Covid outbreak crisis; the number that received and the number that rejected such support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6193/23]
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.
250. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of concerns or complaints HIQA has received in the last year regarding restricted visiting in care homes. [6194/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the last 12 months, HIQA received 39 pieces of feedback about residential centres under the remit of the Chief Inspector that raised restricted visiting as a theme. Of these, 37 related to nursing homes and two related to a designated centre for people with a disability.
251. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of concerns or complaints that were received by the HSE adult safeguarding teams in regards to nursing homes since March 2020, in tabular form; the number relating to public nursing homes, private nursing homes and people living in the community, and also a breakdown by county; and the number of private nursing homes that allowed or denied entrance to fully investigate the concerns or complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6195/23]
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.
252. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of concerns or complaints received by the office of the confidential recipient since March 2020, with a full breakdown by concern type, that is, safeguarding, standards of care or medical errors; and the number of concerns or complaints that were referred to safeguarding or An Garda Síochána. [6196/23]
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.
253. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health to outline the process involved in HIQA deciding whether to refer safeguarding concerns to safeguarding teams or to An Garda Síochána, including the length of time it takes to decide if a matter should be referred to safeguarding teams or to An Garda Síochána; and the expertise in safeguarding possessed by the decision makers. [6197/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government takes the safeguarding of vulnerable adults, including vulnerable older people, very seriously. Within the health and social care sector there are various structures and processes available to protect against abuse, including elder abuse, and ensure prompt action. All safeguarding issues are reviewed as a matter of priority to determine the most appropriate regulatory action. In situations where substantiated safeguarding issues are identified, providers are required to take action to ensure the safety of residents. If immediate risks to the safety of residents are identified, providers must take immediate action to address these issues and to prevent a recurrence and this can also include where required referral to An Garda Síochána. The Chief Inspector within the Regulation Directorate of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has overall responsibility to register and inspect designated centres for older people, people with a disability and special care units for young people in Ireland. The functions and powers of the Chief Inspector are set out in Parts 7, 8 and 9 of the Health Act 2007 (as amended). In cases where the provider has not made the appropriate referral even after engagement with the Chief Inspector, the Chief Inspector will make the referral to An Garda Síochána. Registered providers are also encouraged to engage the expertise of the local safeguarding teams. The timeframe for making such referral may vary depending on the individual case, such as the level of detail provided, or if follow-up information is required. By way of information, all statutory notifications of abuse are reviewed, risk rated by an inspector of social services, and a decision taken as to the regulatory action required as soon as possible and no later than five days following receipt of the information. In all situations, the Chief Inspector continues to monitor the actions of the provider to ensure they are effective in addressing the safeguarding concerns, and ensuring that residents are supported and safeguarded. The Chief Inspector can, and has, taken further action, up to and including the cancelation of registration, where providers fail to sustain improvements to residents’ safety. An Garda Síochána does not provide updates to the Chief Inspector on any actions they may take. All inspectors of social services receive training as part of their role, which includes how to assess compliance with safeguarding regulations. In December 2019, HIQA and the Mental Health Commission published the National Standards for Adult Safeguarding as approved by the Minister for Health. In addition, HIQA together with the Mental Health Commission have developed online resources to support staff working in services. Since it was launched, 27,976 people have completed the online Adult Safeguarding course. HIQA, along with a number of other organisations, supports the work of the Department of Health in developing a national policy on adult safeguarding that will apply to all public, voluntary and private healthcare and social care settings, as well as agencies under the Department’s remit. However, the safeguarding of adults at risk of harm is not solely a matter for the health sector. The Law Reform Commission is preparing a major report on A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding across all sectors, which is expected to inform future policy.
254. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason only ten concerns relating to nursing homes were reported to safeguarding teams from the period from 2020 to the end of November 2022, out of more than 3,000 concerns recorded by HIQA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6198/23]
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
255. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the mistreatment of a patient in a nursing home (details supplied) was reported to safeguarding, HIQA and-or An Garda Síochána; if any investigation took place into who was responsible for locking the door of the room in question; if any disciplinary procedures were instituted in relation to the locking of the door; if the patient and-or their family were involved in any investigation; if they were offered supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6199/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdult safeguarding is an important matter for all of society, agencies, and Government Departments. My Department takes all allegations of abuse/mistreatment of vulnerable adults very seriously.
There are various structures and processes available to protect against abuse within the health sector and ensure prompt action including legislative and policy measures.
Significant work is ongoing to further strengthen health sector adult safeguarding policy and legislation, building on the robust structures already in place.
The Question relates to Disabiliy centre, registered by the Chief Inspector for people with disabilities operated by the HSE .
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is the independent Authority established to drive continuous improvement in Ireland's health and personal social care services, monitor the safety and quality of these services, and promote person-centred care for the benefit of the public.
HIQA's disability inspection team is legally responsible for the monitoring, inspection and registration of designated centres for adults and children with a disability
HIQA has confirmed that in line with the service providers obligations under the regulations, the provider notified the Chief Inspector about an incident. An inspector engaged with the provider and found that they had taken appropriate action in response to the situation.
The centre was inspected on a number of separate occasions and on the most recent inspection there were no non-compliances found in the centre and inspectors found that residents had a good quality of life and safe place to live, including good practices in relation to safeguarding.
256. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the reason the medical laboratory in Mayo University Hospital is unable to diagnose vitamin D blood tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6209/23]
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.
257. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the approximate cost of a vitamin D blood test through a GP; if he intends to streamline doctor fees charged to patients nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6210/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the current GMS contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with ''all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner and not requiring special skill or experience of a degree or kind which general practitioners cannot reasonably be expected to possess". Persons who hold a medical card or a GP visit card are not subject to any co-payments or other charges in respect of such services including GP consultations.
The issue of GPs charging GMS patients for phlebotomy services (blood tests) is complex given the numerous reasons and circumstances under which blood tests are taken. There is no provision under the GMS GP contract for persons who hold a medical card or GP visit card to be charged for blood tests required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or for the treatment of a condition. Clinical determinations as to whether a blood test should be taken for these reasons are made by the GP concerned. In addition, blood tests undertaken in the context of services provided under the GP Chronic Disease Management programme are covered by the fees paid to GPs by the HSE for this care.
Where a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he or she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his or her GP, or has been charged for a blood test provided under the Chronic Disease Management programme, then that patient should report the matter to their HSE Local Health Office. The local management, upon being notified of potential inappropriate charging of GMS patients, carry out an investigation into each complaint and will, where appropriate, arrange for a refund of charges incorrectly applied by the GP.
Fees charged by GPs outside the terms of the GMS contracts are a matter of private contract between the clinicians and their patients. Neither the Minister for Health nor the HSE have any role in relation to such fees.
258. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health to provide a list in tabular form of details of meetings between his Department and the National Women's Council of Ireland, which included reference to abortion/termination of pregnancy issues in their minutes between May 2018 to date. [6213/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the information requested by the Deputy an examination of the Department’s available records indicates that the following meetings took place with the National Woman’s Council of Ireland for the specified time period.
|
Date |
Organisation |
Attending from Department |
|
31st October 2019 |
National Woman’s Council of Ireland |
Officials (Woman’s Health Taskforce) |
|
1st June 2021 |
National Woman’s Council of Ireland |
Minister Donnelly and Officials |
|
1st October 2021 |
National Woman’s Council of Ireland |
Officials (Woman’s Health Taskforce) |
|
5th November 2021 |
National Woman’s Council of Ireland |
Officials (Woman’s Health Taskforce) |
|
26th October 2022 |
National Woman’s Council of Ireland |
Officials-informal meeting |
