Emer Higgins
Ceist:578. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda cars that are currently allocated per station in the L and K districts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8638/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (578)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I am however advised by the Garda authorities that the number of Garda cars allocated to the L and K districts at the end of January 2023 are as follows:
|
Garda Cars |
|
|
Clondalkin District- L |
25 |
|
Blanchardstown District- K |
43 |
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (579)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:579. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide a schedule of NGOs that he and bodies under the aegis of his Department suspended funding and or grant aid to due to their failure to file accounts and or concerns in respect of their governance in the years 2019 to 2022, and to date in 2023; and the amount of funding per NGO that was suspended. [8658/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that funding to two organisations was suspended by my Department in the years 2019 to 2022 and to date in 2023 due to concerns around governance.
Funding of €45,021 to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) was suspended between April 2019 and April 2020. This funding was provided from the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund which transferred to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in October 2020, and as such that Department would have made any subsequent payments.
Funding to the Federation for Victim Assistance (FVA) ceased in 2020. The FVA returned €10,000 in unspent funds from 2020 in January 2021 and has not received any further funding from my Department.
Departmental Advertising
Ceisteanna (580)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:580. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the amount expended on advertising and promotion in his Department and all agencies under the remit of his Department in 2022 and in January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8690/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time allowed.
I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is available.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51:
I refer to your Parliamentary Question No. 580 which was for answer on 21 February 2023 and which asked: To ask the Minister for Justice the amount expended on advertising and promotion in his Department and all agencies under the remit of his Department in 2022 and in January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
You will recall that at the time, I undertook to seek the information requested and revert to you. I can now confirm the amount spent on public awareness campaigns in my Department in 2022 was €3,352,787. There was no such expenditure incurred by my Department in January 2023.
The amounts spent by the agencies, bodies and offices under the aegis of my Department are provided in tabular form below.
|
Organisation |
2022 |
January 2023 |
|
An Garda Síochána |
€408,596.02 |
Nil |
|
Courts Service |
€78,250.00 |
€1,043.00 |
|
Garda Síochána Inspectorate |
€842.24 |
Nil |
|
Insolvency Service Ireland |
€296,286.00 |
€7,354.00 |
|
Irish Prison Service |
€15,645.52 |
€719.55.00 |
|
Legal Aid Board |
€45,747.00 |
Nil |
|
Parole Board |
€204,961.69 |
Nil |
|
Private Security Authority |
€377,481.00 |
Nil |
|
Property Regulatory Services Authority |
€224,657.28 |
Nil |
I trust this is of assistance.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (581)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:581. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of communications staff currently employed in his Department; the cost of these staff for 2022; the expected cost for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8708/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Communications and Engagement Unit in my Department is made up of 13 staff who work on Media Relations; Social Media, Digital Creative, and Internal Communications, Events and Stakeholder Engagement.
The current composition of staff in the unit is as outlined in the table below with all staff paid in accordance with civil service salary scales and relevant public service pay agreements.
|
Grade |
Number |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
3 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
3 |
|
Administrative Officer |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
2 |
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
Departmental Reports
Ceisteanna (582)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:582. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice when the Judicial Planning Working Court report will be published. [8732/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Judicial Planning Working Group (JPWG) Report was submitted to the Minister for Justice on 6 January 2023 and will be published shortly.
Question No. 583 answered with Question No. 562.
Departmental Programmes
Ceisteanna (584)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:584. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 407 of 4 May 2022, when the external review of the Immigration Investor Programme will be published; the reason underpinning the decision to discontinue the programme; the status of all applications in respect of which a decision to approve or reject has yet to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8746/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, I obtained approval from the Government to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 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 the Department of Justice to the highest professional standards.
However, it is important that we keep all programmes under review and having taking into account both internal and external reviews including implications for wider public policy, such as the continuing appropriateness and suitability of this programme for cultural, social and economic use, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme.
A number of reports and findings from international bodies such as the EU Commission, Council of Europe and OECD on similar investment schemes have also been taken on board. Consideration will be given to the question of publishing the report referenced by the Deputy in due course.
The closure of the Programme will not affect existing projects or individuals already approved under the programme. My Department will continue to monitor existing approved projects in relation to the delivery and for compliance with the terms of the Programme. Current applications on hand at the time of closure will continue to be considered.
The IIP Unit has published a FAQ on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/.
Asylum Applications
Ceisteanna (585)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:585. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the reason for the delay in processing an application as part of the undocumented scheme in the case of a person (details supplied); when a decision is expected to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8777/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As previously advised, the application for the person referred to by the Deputy was received by the Undocumented Unit of my Department on 10 February 2022 and continues to be processed. Due to the large number of applications on hand it is not possible to provide a definitive timeframe for a decision to issue.
The processing times of applications will 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 will require additional processing.
Each application received is assessed individually in accordance with the published criteria, available on my Department's immigration website at: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Undocumented-Policy-Scheme-January-2022.pdf.
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.
Question No. 586 answered with Question No. 567.
Ukraine War
Ceisteanna (587)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:587. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the details of the supports that his Department has provided for Ukraine and for Ukrainian people since February 2022, whether in Ukraine or within the State; the number of people supported where relevant; the estimated cost and value of the support where available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8871/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The EU Temporary Protection Directive was activated by the EU Council in March 2022 in response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The Council Decision to activate the Directive places specific obligations on Ireland and on all EU Member States, including the duration of the temporary protection to be awarded and the State supports and services that the beneficiary should be entitled to.
Temporary Protection was granted initially for one year, but this has now been extended to March 2024. Those who are granted temporary protection here in Ireland have immediate access to the labour market, social welfare, accommodation and other State supports as necessary.
Officials from my Department assess applications made under the Temporary Protection Directive and issue a temporary protection certificate to each eligible person. The Ukraine Response Unit is located at four centres throughout the country with support from a back office team.
To date, this unit have processed circa 75,000 applications for Temporary Protection.
From March 2022 to January 2023, the expenditure on salaries (inclusive of overtime and PSRI) relating to the Ukraine response team within my Department has amounted to €2,422,334. Spending in relation to other costs, including humanitarian supplies, external contractors, office costs and IT supports brings the total spend to end January 2023, inclusive of salaries, to €5,233,637.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (588)
Michael Lowry
Ceist:588. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice the level of consultation within his Department with An Garda Síochána staff members on the proposed changes to the terms and conditions of their employment as part of the Police, Security, and Community Safety Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8887/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill was formally published in January of 2023 and is based on the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI) report.
As the Deputy may be aware, the CoFPI report recommended that Garda staff be recruited directly to An Garda Síochána, rather than the Civil Service. A central tenet of the CoFPI report was that An Garda Síochána should be seen and treated as a single organisation with a single workforce who share a common loyalty and mission. It found that more integrated workforce structures were required to leverage the different skills and perspectives of Garda members and Garda staff and thereby to contribute to enhancing the capacity of the organisation to deliver better policing outcomes.
It is important to note that no changes to the terms and conditions of existing staff will take place solely as a result of the commencement of this legislation. Any change in their Civil Service status is subject to the Minister engaging with the trade unions and staff associations concerned and considering any representations made by them prior to making an order altering their status.
With regard to consultation with members of Garda staff on the proposed changes to their terms and conditions under the Bill, the CoFPI report recommendations were informed by extensive consultations including with trade unions and representative bodies representing Garda members and Garda staff. As noted previously, the provisions of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill are based on those very same CoFPI recommendations.
In addition, and in keeping with the obligation that the Bill will place on the Minister to ensure that there is engagement on this matter with those concerned, preliminary dialogue has already taken place between Department officials, Garda management and staff trade unions in relation to proposed change to the status of Garda staff from civil to public servants. This engagement will continue as part of the planning for the implementation of the Bill.
Health Strategies
Ceisteanna (589)
John Lahart
Ceist:589. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to initiate an approach to the challenge of drugs in parts of Dublin south west, such as the Jobstown, Killinarden and parts of Tallaght, and Clondalkin, similar to that adopted by the previous Government to Dublin's north inner city; if he will specifically commit to the appointment of a coordinator and taskforce to examine and identify, with the assistance of local stakeholders, the steps and finances necessary to assist local organisations; if he will identify whether other supports are needed; and if he will provide serious consideration to the appointment of a respected and capable individual to drive this process with the financial backing of the Government. [8716/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Drug and Alcohol Task Forces (DATF) play a key role in responding to drug and alcohol issues at the local level, within the framework of the national drug strategy. Their remit is to coordinate and integrate the response to drug use in local communities. They assess the extent and nature of the drug problem in areas and develop and monitor the implementation of action plans to respond to the problem as identified. Actions are underpinned by an evidence-based approach, including an overview on the nature and extent of drug use and the range and effectiveness of services available. .
In 2022 Clondalkin Drug and Alcohol Task Force was allocated €388,114 and €1,007,948.00 from the Dept of Health and HSE respectively to support community-based drug and alcohol services. Similarly, Tallaght Drug and Alcohol Taskforce was allocated €336,022 and €898,930.00.
The Department of Health also provided €850,000 in 2022 for an HSE-led initiative to reduce the health-related harms from cocaine and ‘crack’ cocaine. Two additional cocaine projects were funded under this initiative in the areas mentioned.
gov.ie - Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy announces €850,000 for HSE-led initiative to reduce the health-related harms from cocaine and ‘crack’ cocaine (www.gov.ie) ; https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/12fa3-minister-for-public-health-wellbeing-and-the-national-drugs-strategy-announces-850000-for-hse-led-initiative-to-reduce-the-health-related-harms-from-cocaine-and-crack-cocaine/ .
In addition, the Department created a €2 million fund to enhance community-based drug and alcohol services. In CHO 7, four services were awarded a total of €660,000 over a period of three years from this fund. gov.ie - Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy announces €2 million Community Services Enhancement Fund for drug and alcohol services (www.gov.ie).; https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/ca088-minister-for-public-health-wellbeing-and-the-national-drugs-strategy-announces-2-million-community-services-enhancement-fund-for-drug-and-alcohol-services/ .
The Government has recognised that disadvantaged areas require new forms of assistance to help them prosper. In line with the Programme for Government, it has examined how the model of intervention in the North East Inner City could be extended to other comparative areas experiencing disadvantage. In particular the added value in consolidating and integrating the various state-funded and sponsored interventions already underway in these areas and making sure that they are responsive to the real needs of local communities.
A programme board of relevant departments and public bodies, including the Department of Health, has been established under the auspices of the Department of the Taoiseach to explore, in a small number of areas, how a consortia of organisations can be incentivised to work better together. It is important that all relevant data for these areas is mined and analysed to ensure that these organisations are focused on the genuine issues facing the communities concerned.
As Minister of State for the national drugs strategy, I welcome the whole-of-government approach to building stronger and more integrated responses to local area challenges, including drug use. I expect that DATFs will play an important role in the roll-out of the new local area programme.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (590)
John Brady
Ceist:590. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if the Government plans to open the mobility allowance grant for people with disabilities to new applicants in the near future; if he will provide an update on the research and findings carried out by the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, Transport Working Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8053/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government decided to close the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant administrative Schemes in 2013, on foot of the Ombudsman reports in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts. Both schemes remain closed.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy , the Action 104 Transport Working Group was established in 2020 to make progress on an important cross-Government action to review transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities and to advance proposals for the enhancement of these supports going forward. As Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, I chaired meetings of the Transport Working Group from January 2022 up to its conclusion in December 2022.
The Group's work has now concluded and the final report which sets out the contributions made by members for the enhancement of transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities is presently being finalised. It will be published on the website of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Departmental Correspondence
Ceisteanna (591)
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:591. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if he has made representations to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in respect of the health outcomes of persons living in housing with mould; and, if so, if he will report on those representations. [8060/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Various aspects of housing quality fall under the remit of a number of Government Departments, principally the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) and the Department of the Environment Climate and Communications (DECC). In addition, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a number of schemes to assist homeowners with retrofits that improve energy efficiency and ventilation to tackle dampness and mould issues.
The Department of Health and HSE have assisted on a number of occasions in this regard - in particular by providing significant input into the Warmth and Wellbeing pilot retrofit scheme, a major initiative under the Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty, led by DECC. This Department is also currently represented on the Energy Poverty Action Plan Steering Group, led by DECC.
The Warmth and Wellbeing scheme, delivered between 2016 and 2022 by DECC, the HSE and SEAI, under the aegis of Healthy Ireland, targeted deep energy efficiency interventions at people in energy poverty who were suffering from acute health conditions and living in poorly insulated homes (many of which would also have suffered from mould). The pilot scheme aimed to objectively measure the health and wellbeing impacts of improving the living conditions of vulnerable people living in energy poverty with chronic respiratory conditions. Under the scheme, over 1,300 homes received free upgrades, including attic and wall insulation, window and door replacement and heating system upgrades where needed.
A health impact evaluation of the scheme was conducted by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, in collaboration with the Health Service Executive. The final analysis is due to be published shortly; however initial reports have indicated that the upgrades are delivering benefits to the health and wellbeing of participants, including reports of needing fewer GP and hospital visits, fewer prescriptions for antibiotics as well as increased engagement with other support services in the community. Evidence, including findings from the Warmth and Wellbeing scheme, shows that retrofitting can combat the health-related consequences of living in a cold, damp home, which has been shown to be linked to excess winter mortality, to increased rates of respiratory diseases and to poorer states of mental health and wellbeing.
The findings of the health impact evaluation of the Warmth and Wellbeing scheme will inform Government’s approaches to retrofitting. In addition, the Government has committed under the Climate Action Plan to greatly expand schemes supporting the retrofitting of housing across the country, and this pilot scheme evaluation will assist Government in targeting those who are more vulnerable and for whom retrofits will have the most impact in terms of better health and lower healthcare costs. Upgrading the energy performance of energy poor homes is ultimately the most sustainable path to tackling energy poverty, improving health and wellbeing outcomes and reducing residential emissions.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (592)
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:592. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend financial cover for stem cell therapy to patients with multiple sclerosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8061/23]
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.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (593)
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:593. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for an outpatient appointment for gynaecology services and treatment. [8064/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular waiting list query raised by the Deputy, adult and child waiting list information by hospital and specialty is published monthly and is available on the NTPF website at: https://www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm.
Nursing Homes
Ceisteanna (594)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:594. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the support offered by the HSE to a nursing home (details supplied); the dates on which the support was first and subsequently offered by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8066/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (595)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:595. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health when the tendering process will next open for the transport of patients for dialysis and other treatments to hospitals in the HSE mid-west region, particularly north Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8078/23]
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.
Nursing Homes
Ceisteanna (596)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:596. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that private nursing homes continue to refuse next-of-kin access to deceased persons records; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8079/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under Section 21(3) of the Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People Regulations 2013, all Nursing Homes and care providers are obliged to retain Health Information for 7 years.
Granting access to a deceased persons records is a matter between the private nursing home and the next-of-kin of the deceased person. However, the family may wish to make the Health Information and Quality Authority aware if they are concerned about this matter.
As a regulator, HIQA has no formal legal role in examining individual complaints. However, HIQA does take into account all information it receives, including complaints from the public, when carrying out inspections. If a concern is raised about a nursing home, HIQA reviews all information received to inform its on-going risk-based regulation activities. HIQA welcomes information in relation to designated centres that come within its regulatory remit.
The Office of the Ombudsman can also examine complaints relating to the administrative actions of nursing homes. The Office of the Ombudsman normally only deals with a complaint once the individual has already gone through the complaints procedure of the nursing home concerned. Contact details are available at www.ombudsman.ie .
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (597)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:597. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8086/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.