Written Answers Nos. 478-495
478. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress to date on Ireland becoming a member of CERN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7419/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn November last year, I indicated in Dáil Éireann that my Department will prepare a proposal for Government to consider joining CERN. In order to ensure appropriate due diligence, this proposal for Government can be expected by the third quarter of 2023.
Officials from my Department are now liaising with CERN regarding the total cost of membership, the application process and membership options. Currently, an approach has been agreed, in principle, between the Department and CERN whereby Ireland could join CERN as an associate member for a period of between 3 to 5 years and then assess the appropriateness of further membership options.
Should Government commitment be confirmed, Ireland can request that CERN send a task force to Ireland to carry out a formal assessment of Ireland’s suitability for associate membership. This is the normal process for associate members and the assessment could take up to a year.
479. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to ensure that ETB tutors are given full-time contracts including holiday pay cover. [7431/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra480. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to ensure that the remuneration received by ETB tutors is allotted on an incremental basis comparable with other educational professionals and reflecting experience and years of service. [7432/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 479 and 480 together.
There is ongoing engagement between my Department, the Department of Education, which retains regulatory responsibility for the ETB sector, and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the position of adult tutors in the Education and Training Boards. There has been previous engagement with Unions regarding these staff and while agreement was reached on some issues, the claim to align tutors to a pay scale of an existing grade in ETBs remains unresolved. A proposal in response to the Labour Court recommendation is currently under discussion between the Departments with a view to finalising the offer to the Unions as the earliest opportunity.
481. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if additional third level places will be made available for students wishing to study pharmacy in view of the shortage of community pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7438/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeveloping enhanced capacity within the tertiary education system to deliver on skills needs in areas of strategic importance to public services and the wider economy is a major priority for me. The Programme for Government commits the Department of Health to working with the education sectors, regulators, and professional bodies to improve the availability of health professionals and reform their training to support integrated care across the entire health service, including pharmacists.
My Department does not place a quota on the number of pharmacy places offered by higher education institutions, and as such the number of places provided each year is determined by the institutions themselves in line with their capacity.
The Higher Education Authority has completed the first stage of an expression of interest process for Higher Education Institutions interested in building capacity in Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, and Veterinary .
The second stage of this process has now commenced with the recent announcement by the Higher Education Authority of the appointment of an Expert Advisory Panel to review the opportunities for new programmes covered by the process. The panel is comprised of representatives from Government Departments and regulatory and professional bodies that have direct professional experience and/or academic expertise in the relevant disciplines, or knowledge of the higher education system at a senior level.
As the Expert Panel is currently reviewing the applications, it is not possible to say at this time how many places may be delivered. The Higher Education Authority will consider opportunities for new programme provision alongside options for current programme expansion to determine a final list of options to present to me in the first quarter of this year.
My Department will consider these options having regard to workforce plans and projected demand for graduates from relevant line Departments.
482. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if additional third level places will be made available across different disciplines in health and social care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7439/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSignificant engagement is ongoing between my Department, the Department of Health, and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, to develop a joined-up approach to meet system level demand across the health sector.
The Higher Education Authority is also currently running a process to identify where further additional capacity could be built in the higher education sector in a number of healthcare areas including Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry and Veterinary. It is the intention that another process for other disciplines will be run later in the year. The Higher Education Authority will consider opportunities for new programme provision alongside options for current programme expansion to determine a final list of options to present to me in the first quarter of this year.
Health and social care programmes are by their nature complex in delivery. The availability of appropriate placements and placement supports is a key enabler of expansion. A working group, including representation from the Department of Health, HSE and CORU, as well as the higher education sector, has been established to specifically examine how placements can be secured to facilitate greater numbers of training places.
There are some fundamental issues, which are in the control of the health sector, which are prerequisites to enable expansion. These relate to guarantees of clinical placements, detailed and robust workforce planning projections and engagement with regulators. In addition to qualifying additional health professionals, success in the recruitment and retention of health professionals by the health sector will be key.
Future growth of provision in the higher education sector will be dependent on action in these areas by the appropriate authorities in the health sector.
My Department is committed to working closely with the Department of Health and its agencies to ensure that the conditions are in place to support further growth in educational provision.
483. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice if prison officers who were on duty in Portlaoise Prison during the Troubles and were in receipt of the environmental allowance, known by prison officers as "danger money”, are classified under the Good Friday Agreement as people affected by the Troubles. [6303/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to interpret the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, which I understand does not provide any classification of persons as described by the Deputy in his question.
484. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice the level of funding provided to Frontex, the European Border Guard Agency, in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022; and the proposed funding for 2023. [7018/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra485. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice his views on a report from the European Anti-Fraud Office relating to the operational activities of Frontex and its alleged violations of fundamental rights; his plans to ensure that Frontex, which is part-funded by the State, is not violating human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7058/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 484 and 485 together.
It has not been possible to respond to the Deputy's question within the time available. I will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
486. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice if he will bring forward new legislation in order that, insofar as house sales are concerned, “sale agreed” means that deposits are non-refundable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7372/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, a 'Contract of Sale' for those buying and selling a property specifies exactly what is being sold and the terms and conditions of a sale. A contract, once signed by both parties, binds the parties to the completion of the transaction. Disputes regarding contracts are, as such, a matter for the law and the courts. There are no plans at present to introduce or amend legislation in this area.
The Property Services Regulatory Authority, the statutory regulatory body specifically tasked with responsibility for licensing and regulating property services providers, published a detailed “Guide for Users of Property Services Providers in Ireland" which explains the legal position in relation to the payment of deposits, signing of contracts and other important and relevant matters. That guide is available on the Authority's website at: www.psr.ie.
487. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice when the review submitted to his Department in 2020 regarding the investor visa programme will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7560/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra498. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice if he will publish the review of the immigrant investor programme, submitted in November 2020; the reason for the delay in publishing this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6762/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra499. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice if he is considering curtailing or suspending new applications to the immigrant investor programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6763/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 487, 498 and 499 together.
All immigration related programmes are kept under constant review to ensure their effectiveness and appropriateness, taking into consideration international and EU level developments.
As you may now be aware, today I obtained approval from Government to close the Immigrant Investment Programme (IIP) to further applications with effect from close of business, 5.15pm tomorrow, Wednesday, 15 February, 2023.
The Immigrant Investor Programme was established over a decade ago during a time of unprecedented economic difficulty to stimulate investment in Ireland that would be of strategic and public benefit to the State.
Since its inception, the Programme has brought significant investment to Ireland and has been operated by my Department to the highest professional standards.
However, it is important that we keep all programmes under review including any implications for wider public policy, such as the continuing appropriateness and suitability of this programme for cultural, social and economic use.
I have also taken on board a number of reports and findings from international bodies such as the EU Commission, Council of Europe and OECD on similar investment programmes.
Taking all of this into account, and informed by both internal and external reviews, I have recommended that it is now timely to close this Programme to new applications, and have received Government agreement to do so. I have asked officials to consider the appropriateness of publishing the report referenced by the Deputy at this juncture.
Current applications on hand at the time of closure will continue to be processed and further details will be available on the Immigration Services website www.irishimmigration.ie
488. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice the number and details of compensation or redress schemes put in place by his Department since 1998, in tabular form; the number of claims made; the total cost of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6466/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed.I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
|
Magdalen Fund |
|||||||
|
Year |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
Total |
|
No of recipients |
494 |
156 |
61 |
23 |
33 |
156 |
923 |
|
Total value of Awards |
17,985,079 |
5,054,672 |
2,130,304 |
813,406 |
1,367,310 |
4,016,958 |
31,367,729 |
|
Legal Fees |
184,879 |
39,832 |
26,368 |
67,676 |
237,729 |
667,371 |
1,223,855 |
|
Other Costs* |
352,642 |
360,931 |
243,599 |
69,309 |
439,265 |
227,615 |
1,693,360 |
|
Total cost of Scheme |
18,522,600 |
5,455,435 |
2,400,271 |
950,391 |
2,044,303 |
4,911,943 |
34,284,944 |
489. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the official figures published by the Irish Prison Service which indicate that the combined capacity across Irish prisons has reached 100%; and his Department's plan to deal with this issue. [6498/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Prison Service must accept all prisoners committed by the Courts. As such the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time, and the prison system is, of course, subject to peaks and troughs.
Where the number of prisoners exceeds the maximum capacity in any prison, Irish Prison Service officials make every effort to deal with this through a combination of inter-prison transfers and appropriate use of structured temporary release. Decisions in relation to temporary release are considered on a case by case basis and the safety of the public is paramount when those decisions are made.
The Deputy may be aware that Government has provided significant capital funding to the Irish Prison Service in order to enhance the existing prison infrastructure. The commissioning of a new male and female prison accommodation in Limerick Prison will provide an additional 90 male spaces and 22 additional female cell spaces. This new male accommodation is now partially open and the female accommodation is expected to become operational in the first quarter of 2023.
In addition, the Programme for Government 2020 contains a broad range of policies and proposals that represent a coherent approach to enhancing and sustaining a more just and safe society, with a specific commitment to review policy options for prison and penal reform. In respect of delivering on this commitment, the Government recently approved the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024.
This review seeks to find the balance between ensuring that people who commit serious crimes receive a punishment and a period of incarceration proportionate to that crime, while at the same time acknowledging that sometimes community based sanctions are more appropriate in diverting offenders away from future criminal activity.
In addition to delivering the recommendations of the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform, the need to ensure the continued availability of modern prison facilities with adequate capacity will continue to be central to the work of the Irish Prison Service and will be core to the development of the new Irish Prison Service Capital Plan.
490. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice the average processing time for atypical working scheme applications during the period 1 July 2022 to 31 January 2023, by month, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6503/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra491. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider providing additional resources to prioritise the processing of atypical work permits, as well as the other work permits, stamps, NMBI registration, and so on, that overseas nurses and doctors require to take up employment in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6504/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 490 and 491 together.
The Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) was established in 2014 to facilitate the recruitment of locum doctors operating via agency for short term periods (6 months) who could not be facilitated by the Employment Permit system as agency work is not supported by that route.
The Department of Justice, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive (HSE) agreed that the AWS would include nurses and/or midwives who come to the State to undertake the Clinical Adaptation and Assessment programme or a Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) examination.
The Department of Justice remains in regular contact with stakeholders in both the Department of Health and the Health Services Executive regarding the requirements of the health sector in the State as facilitated by the Atypical Working Scheme, however workforce planning in this regard remains a matter for those entities.
It remains open for any individual intending to work as a doctor in the State to secure a longer term permission on that basis via the Employment Permit system operated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, rather than the shorter term Locum services provided by the Atypical Working Scheme.
Further information relating to employment permits can be found on that Department's website, www.enterprise.gov.ie.
It should be noted that the stated minimum processing time required under the terms of the Atypical Working Scheme is 20 working days. The average processing times for AWS permission, for the period requested is available in the below table:
|
Month |
Working Days |
|
July 2022 |
7 |
|
August 2022 |
5 |
|
September 2022 |
5 |
|
October 2022 |
7 |
|
November 2022 |
9 |
|
December 2022 |
10 |
*Statistical information for the month of January 2023 is not yet available.
The staffing levels in the Atypical Working Scheme Unit of my Department are kept under constant review and additional staff have been assigned to the team, as required.
492. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice when a decision on a visa application by a person (details supplied) will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6631/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to by the Deputy created on-line Employment visa application on 23 June 2022. Supporting documentation and relevant fees were received on 12 July 2022 in the Abu Dhabi visa office. Further documentation was received in the Abu Dhabi Visa office on 15 December 2022.
Processing of this application is ongoing at present. As each application is examined under it's own merits, we are unable to give an exact time-frame for completion. However, the applicant can be assured that there will be no avoidable delay in finalising their application.
The person 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.
493. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons arrested and charged with dangerous driving within the Tipperary Garda division in the years 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [6670/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), for the management and administration of Garda business, including all operational policing matters related to road traffic enforcement.
To assist the Deputy, I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the number of persons arrested and charged with the offence of ‘Dangerous Driving’, ‘Dangerous Driving Causing Death’ or ‘Dangerous Driving Causing Serious Harm’.
Note that the figures are based on operational data originating in the Tipperary Garda division recorded on PULSE for each of the years 2021, 2022, and up to 8 February 2023.
|
Charge Created |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Charge Count |
111 |
66 |
* |
* I have been advised by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to provide a statistical breakdown for 2023 as the low number may present a data protection concern.
494. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if all members of the Garda armed support units are fully trained in emergency lifesaving first aid. [6671/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including any matters relating to the training of Garda members.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that pre-hospital care has been a skill-set in the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) since 2000, where the basics of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) were developed to allow for a greater level of competence through the delivery of Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) to a core group of members. I am advised that this situation has evolved over time, with members acquiring certification in the greater skill-set of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). I am further advised that all Garda members attached to the ERU and Armed Support Unit (ASU) nationally are qualified to Emergency First Responder (EFR) level.
Additionally, there are a number of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) attached to the ERU, and these members are registered with Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) which is an independent statutory organisation responsible for implementing, monitoring and further developing the standards of care provided by all statutory, private and voluntary ambulance services in Ireland.
495. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Justice if any capital funding that was allocated to An Garda Síochána but was underspent is automatically transferred to the next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6707/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). The Commissioner is also the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote and responsible for the economy and the efficiency of the Garda Síochána in using its resources.Funding is provided to the Garda Vote through the usual budgetary processes, which includes all capital funding. I am advised that any unspent capital funding in the Garda Vote is not automatically rolled over; however, An Garda Síochána can of course seek to roll over funding in accordance with the normal budgetary process.
