Thursday, 16 Feb 2023

Written Answers Nos. 318-330

Departmental Properties

Ceisteanna (318)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

318. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm that the former convent (details supplied) in Kilcormac County Offaly will be used to accommodate Ukrainian citizens who are beneficiaries of temporary protection only; the cost of the contract that was agreed with the owner of the site; the timescale agreed for the duration of the contract; if he or his Department engaged in any discussions with local representatives prior to the decision being made to use the site for accommodation purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7975/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

My Department is now accommodating in excess of 74,000 people, including both those fleeing the war in Ukraine and those seeking International Protection. We have contracted in excess of 43,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 700 settings nationwide including in hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.

The priority is to place those fleeing the war in Ukraine in safe and secure accommodation.

Given the significantly increased numbers of arrivals in the context of accommodation shortages, my Department is considering all offers of accommodation to address the shortfall.

I can confirm that the property referred to by the Deputy is operational in respect of accommodating beneficiaries of temporary protection and providing shelter and security. My Department is not in a position to disclose details of negotiations nor of commercially sensitive information such as accommodation rates and capacities of individual contractors.

My Department will continue to assist those seeking shelter and security as best it can.

Departmental Reviews

Ceisteanna (319)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

319. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the progress of the National Review into PhD conditions; if he will provide a full work plan for the review as laid out by chairs and the meetings the chairs may have had or plan to have with stakeholders; the anticipated date of completion for the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7813/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Impact 2030, Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy which I was pleased to launch in May of 2022 prioritises the nurturing and development of talent and excellence to build on Ireland’s reputation as an Island of Talent and a location for research excellence and impact. The quality of our researchers is fundamental to the quality of our research system and its collaboration with partners in industry and policymakers, both in Ireland and abroad.

Under Pillar 4 of Impact 2030 we will ensure that researchers have the right skills development and career opportunities so that they can make their maximum contribution, whether in academia, industry, the public sector or elsewhere.

As part of this commitment, my Department has begun a national review of State supports for PhD researchers. I was pleased to appoint Dr Andrea Johnson and David Cagney as Co-Chairs for the review.

The scope of the review includes:

- Current PhD researcher supports including financial supports (stipends, SUSI supports and others);

- The adequacy, consistency and equity of current arrangements across research funders and higher education institutions, including equity and welfare considerations;

- The status of PhD researchers (student, employee) including a review of international comparators and models;

- Impact on the funding of research programmes of any adjustments to current supports;

- Graduate outcomes for PhD graduates including return on investment/benefits to the researcher;

- Visa requirements and duration for non-EU students.

The Review, informed by a robust evidence base, will be completed in the first half of 2023.

The Co-Leads for the Review commenced their work in January 2023. As part of detailed preparatory work, they have considered the terms of reference, written stakeholder submissions and the evidence base which has been compiled for the review. Work is underway on reviewing international models. Informed by this preparatory work the Co-Leads are designing the process for stakeholder engagement which will include both stakeholder meetings and written submissions, including meetings with those representing PhD researchers.

The review will conclude by making recommendations to me, which will inform future actions to ensuring a sound framework of PhD supports is in place.

Departmental Reviews

Ceisteanna (320)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

320. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to clarify the process by which chairs of the review into PhD conditions were selected and to provide details of the remuneration awarded to chairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7814/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

The purpose of the review of PhD supports is to contribute to the development of a set of national guidelines for supports for PhD researchers that fosters a consistent standard of experience. This is a key commitment in IMPACT 2030 the National Strategy for Research and Innovation published in May last year. There are circa 11,000 people undertaking PhD studies in Ireland at any time. In the context of the cost of living crises there was an urgent need to bring forward the implementation of the commitment so that PhD supports are fit for purpose. The review will build on the previous work on reforms in the tertiary education and research system, including the national doctoral framework, student supports and the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda.

Officials of my Department identified a shortlist of persons with appropriate high level experience to oversee this review. The experience identified as most appropriate included talent and skills management, researcher careers, high level skills development and human resource management, industrial relations and Public Service management. They were then approached to see if they would be willing to serve in that role, noting the urgency in establishing the review . Mr. David Cagney, recently retired as Assistant Secretary and Head of Civil Service HR in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and Dr. Andrea Johnson, Vice President of WorkHuman and Chairperson of Women in Technology and Science both agreed to serve.

In line with established procedure,my Department obtained sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to pay each co-chair a per diem rate of €200 for up to 10 days for their work on the review.

I am delighted that two such qualified people as Mr Cagney and Dr. Johnson agreed to conduct this review urgently and at modest cost, having regard to the importance of the review

Departmental Reviews

Ceisteanna (321)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

321. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to request the chairs of the review into PhD conditions contact an organisation (details supplied) and to meet with the organisation as the body representing PhD researchers in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7815/23]

Awaiting reply from Department.

Semi-State Bodies

Ceisteanna (322)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

322. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a schedule of the non-commercial and semi-State commercial companies under his aegis; if an explanatory memorandum will be provided in respect of the policy of a dividend payment to the Exchequer from each company; the dividend paid by each company to the Exchequer for each year from 2000 to 2022; if his Department collects the funds and forwards it to the central fund or whether it goes directly; if over that period his Department has requested an increase in respect of the dividend due over it’s percentage shareholding; the number of occasions that it waived the dividend; the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7906/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

There are seven bodies under the aegis of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, six of these are non-commercial state bodies and one is a company limited by guarantee which cannot issue shares or pay a dividend. Accordingly, I can confirm to the Deputy that there is no record of dividends received from any of the bodies under the aegis of this Department.

Departmental Properties

Ceisteanna (323)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

323. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has received a request from the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to identify properties under the control of his Department or under the control of agencies under the remit of his Department for the purposes of providing accommodation to international protection applicants or beneficiaries of temporary protection; if he has identified potential properties and their locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7937/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

I can confirm to the Deputy that I received a request from the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, in relation to the provision suitable buildings to shelter new arrivals of international protection applicants or beneficiaries of temporary protection, in the immediate term.

My Department has reverted to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) with a number of potentially suitable buildings for the purposes of provision of accommodation for international protection applicants or beneficiaries of temporary protection.

Further engagement with the agencies and the relevant institutions will be required to assess whether or not these buildings are suitable for the needs of DCEDIY.

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Ceisteanna (324)

Martin Kenny

Ceist:

324. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if he can provide an update on the establishment of the new statutory body to oversee the State response to domestic- and gender-based violence within his Department. [8002/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As you know, Zero Tolerance, the Government’s Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) was published by Minister McEntee last June.

One of the key actions under the Strategy is the establishment of the statutory based Agency referred to by the Deputy. This new Agency will have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Strategy across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue.

As was the case with the development of the Strategy itself, my Department has been working closely with specialist and community-based support organisations to design the makeup and functions of this new Agency.

An initial high-level meeting was held with a number of national NGOs last December to progress co-design of the functional model. And just last week my Department led a co-design workshop with a wider representation from DSGBV services and NGOs to continue that work, with the overarching question of what are the essential structures and capabilities required to ensure that the new Agency can deliver.

In the coming weeks I will seek the Government's approval for the draft General Scheme of the Bill to establish the Agency.

Following approval, the Bill will be drafted as a matter of priority with the intention that the Agency will be established in January next year.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (325)

Martin Kenny

Ceist:

325. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if he can provide an update on the roster discussions taking place within An Garda Síochána. [8003/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes the deployment and rostering of staff. As Minister, I have no role in the management of these functions.

The Deputy will know that the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland concluded that Garda rostering arrangements should be replaced by tailored rosters that work better for both police and the communities they serve.

I am regularly informed by the Commissioner on matters impacting Garda members, including matters related to rostering. The current Garda roster was introduced by the Commissioner to deal with the specific policing requirements that arose during the Covid pandemic. It was always intended by the Commissioner to be a temporary roster, to be replaced in due course.

There has been engagement over a prolonged period of time on the matter of roster reform. To assist this process an independent facilitator was appointed in July 2021. He published his recommendations on roster reform in August 2022 following intensive discussions with Garda Management and Garda Associations.

The Commissioner, the Association of Garda Chief Superintendents, and the Association of Garda Superintendents have accepted these new proposals. The Associations of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors rejected the proposals following a ballot of their members and the Garda Representative Association rejected them without a ballot. Garda Management continues to engage on the matter in line with An Garda Síochána dispute resolutions procedures.

In the meantime, the Commissioner has confirmed that the current roster will remain in place until 16 April 2023. The Commissioner has also confirmed that any new roster will be notified to all members three months of it coming into operation.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (326)

Martin Kenny

Ceist:

326. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if he can provide an update on the current Garda recruitment processes. [8004/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Commissioner is responsible for the recruitment and training of Garda members. I am advised that the initial stages of the Garda recruitment campaign are managed on the Commissioner's behalf by the independent Public Appointments Service.

PAS is responsible for accepting and processing applications as well as the first three stages of the process, namely:

Stage 1 online aptitude tests,

Stage 2 report writing exercise and

Stage 3 interview.

PAS will also check eligibility and qualification of applicants against the competition criteria prior to any successful candidate's name being provided to An Garda Síochána.

Stage 4 of the process is managed by An Garda Síochána and includes a Physical Competency Test (PCT), medical evaluation, vetting and substance misuse (controlled drug) testing.

The Commissioner and his team have assured me that the target to recruit 1,000 new Gardaí in 2023 will be achieved. A new Garda recruitment competition will be commenced in the coming months.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (327)

Martin Kenny

Ceist:

327. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if he can provide an outline of the internal services available to gardaí who encounter a mental health difficulty in the course of their work. [8006/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will appreciate the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for personnel and human resources matters. 

Garda management have introduced a suite of measures in recent times to support members including the Employee Assistance Service (available to all Garda members, staff, retired members and their families); a 24/7/365 telephone helpline and counselling service provided by Inspire Wellbeing; and a Peer Support Network.

The Employee Assistance Service (EAS), through Employee Assistance Officers, is available to provide a confidential, professional, support and assistance service to members to help resolve work or personal issues that are causing stress, worry or disruption to an individual’s life. In conjunction with EAS, the Peer Supporter Programme was established within An Garda Síochána. Peer Supporters are colleagues who have received appropriate training to help fellow Garda members.

In 2021 An Garda Síochána launched 'Keeping Our People Supported', the Health and Wellbeing Strategy Statement and Action Plan 2021-2023. This plan identified three key goals to improve the health and welfare of members of An Garda Síochána.

The goals were to identify, communicate and enhance existing resources to promote health, wellbeing and work ability across the organisation, to develop partnerships with key stakeholders inside and outside An Garda Síochána in order to to build capacity, and to provide support and advice.

A new wellbeing app called Keeping Our People Supported was launched as part of the strategy. The app makes support available to members of An Garda Síochána 24/7 and can be accessed on any mobile device. It was created to ensure members who may be distressed and in need or urgent assistance can access the supports available to them at any time.

Arising from the findings of the Garda Cultural Audit 2022, the Commissioner has acknowledged that while there are many positives within the service, it is clear that the organisation has more work to do to ensure that people are being supported in their very challenging work.

Coroners Service

Ceisteanna (328)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

328. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice if there are plans in relation to reform of the system of coroners. [1790/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, the coroner is an independent quasi-judicial office holder whose core function is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can be issued. This is an important public service to the living and in particular to the next-of-kin and friends of the deceased. Coroners not only provide closure for those bereaved, but also perform a wider public service by identifying matters of public health and safety concerns.

Significant modernisation of the law has taken place in the Coroners (Amendment) Act 2019, including:

- Clarifying that the purpose of the inquest goes beyond establishing the medical cause of death, to establishing the circumstances in which death took place (without any finding of civil or criminal liability);

- Express requirements for mandatory reporting and inquest in a range of circumstances including late maternal deaths; stillbirths where there is cause for concern and; deaths in State custody or detention;

- Mandatory reporting to a coroner of all stillbirths, intrapartum deaths and infant deaths

- Specific provisions on notice of an inquest to be provided to family members of the deceased person.

Due to the major challenges then confronting public finances, the administrative restructuring proposed in the Coroners 2007 Bill was not progressed. My Department is, however, committed to bringing forward nationwide coroner review proposals to address identified issues and drive innovative change. I can assure the Deputy that work is well underway in my Department in that regard.

International Protection

Ceisteanna (329)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

329. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the engagements he has had with European partners in relation to the Afghan refugee crisis, and future plans in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6892/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

There is extensive and ongoing discussion at Ministerial and official level amongst Members Sates in relation to the migration matters, in part due to the increase in the numbers of persons seeking protection in the EU following the lifting of Covid-19 travel restrictions, as well of course as the continuing Russian aggression in Ukraine.

An important component in these discussions, and one which featured at the most recent meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers, which I participated in, is an increased focus at EU level on the external dimension of migration. This involves engaging with third countries in order to prevent irregular departures and loss of life associated with dangerous routes, to increase cooperation with third countries on returns and to develop legal pathways for migrants.

The EU has prepared action plans for strengthening comprehensive migration partnerships with priority countries of origin and transit, including Afghanistan. The aim of the action plan, is to reinforce actions to be taken in support of the Afghan people and with countries in bordering Afghanistan that are also under pressure due to the movement of displaced people.

Prison Service

Ceisteanna (330)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

330. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the recommendations issued as a result of the inquest into the death of a person (details supplied) in Cork prison; if he will agree to implement these recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7768/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I can advise the Deputy that while I am aware of this inquest, I have not as yet received any formal recommendations from the Coroner. Following receipt of any such recommendations, my officials will consider how they might be best addressed.

As the Deputy will be aware the Office of the Inspector of Prisons, who is independent in how it carries out its work, completed an investigation in to this Death in Custody. In the associated report the Inspector of Prisons made four recommendations for system improvements to information recording and sharing, and self-harm risk reduction.

The Prison Service has accepted all of these recommendations in full or in part and has prepared an action plan to address these. This Action Plan has been published alongside the relevant Death in Custody Report.