Written Answers Nos. 459-472
459. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of applicants to the commis chef apprenticeship level 6 programme in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [9590/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of commis chef apprentices registered for each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 to date are as follows:
|
Total |
|
|
2021 |
75 |
|
2022 |
102 |
|
2023 (end Jan) |
0 |
460. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a schedule of social media influencers and online personalities, television and or radio personalities engaged by his Department and bodies under his aegis in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; if he will include the fees expended, name of personality and campaign they were engaged on; and if he will also provide the key performance indicators in respect of their engagement. [9900/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe department has not engaged the services of any influencers or media personalities over the time period in question.
The information in respect of the state bodies within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by the Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.
461. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the awards made both with and without a tender process to management consultancy firms (details supplied) by his Department and aegis bodies for each of the years 2018 to 2022 inclusive, in tabular form and classed by firm; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [10114/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to awards made both with and without a tender process to management consultancy firms is attached in tabular form.
The information in respect of state bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with her query.
462. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the awards made both with and without a tender process to an organisation (details supplied) by his Department and aegis bodies for each of the years 2018 to 2022 inclusive, in tabular form; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [10132/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIT Services in my Department are covered under a shared service agreement with the Department of Education.
Officials in my Department liaised with colleagues in the Department of Education who provided the below information.
CONTRACTS AWARDED TO MICROSOFT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BETWEEN 2018 -2022
|
NAME |
€ AMOUNT PAID 2018 – 2022 |
PURPOSE/OUTPUT |
|
MICROSOFT IRELAND OPERATIONS LTD |
253,855.02 |
PROVISION OF IT PREMIER SUPPORT AND SERVICES * |
* This is a sole supplier procurement purchase as this service can only be purchased directly from Microsoft, it cannot be purchased through a Microsoft reseller.
The information in respect of state bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with her query.
463. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the disparity for accreditation of similar SNA courses in different third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10279/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of the continuing need to provide appropriate training and development opportunities with a view to supporting the inclusion of students with additional care needs in education.
I believe the Deputy is aware of the current pilot national on-line training programme for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), a major educational initiative, which will enhance the knowledge, skills and expertise of SNAs who are crucial to the inclusion of students with additional care needs in education. This is a high-quality and innovative pilot training programme which will inform ongoing policy considerations relating to future training options for SNAs.
The 2018 Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) includes a recommendation for the provision of a national online training programme. Arising from this recommendation the Department of Education awarded a four-year contract to University College Dublin (UCD) School of Education to design and deliver a new national online training programme for SNAs employed in schools. The programme is fully funded by the Department of Education and delivered at no cost to the SNA.
Higher Education Institutions are autonomous with regard to their academic affairs. Designated awarding bodies, such as UCD, hold their own statutory awarding powers and have established processes and procedures for the validation of the courses and awards that they offer. The validation of these courses and awards is subject to each Institution’s internal quality assurance processes. These processes are established in line with the corresponding standards and criteria for award types and levels on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). UCD has advised the Department of Education that work has commenced to accredit its SNA programme under the University’s programme approval procedures. This programme will result in a Level 6 Special Purpose Award on the NFQ. UCD is also considering how previous graduates from the programme might have their award accredited retrospectively.
Approximately 1,300 SNAs have completed this programme to date and it is intended that the programme will be delivered to up to 3,500 SNAs over the four year scheme. The Department of Education has advised they will review this pilot after the four year term is complete.
464. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if he will, within the international protection system, distinguish victims of trafficking in accommodation in order that they can take trips home to see family, as part of their recovery and integration process. [10092/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHuman trafficking is an exploitive crime that preys on the vulnerable. I have been clear that there is no place for it in our society. We know vulnerable people are trafficked into Ireland for exploitation reasons, including sexual exploitation, forced labour and forced criminality. The Government is fully committed to identifying and supporting victims of this terrible crime.
The General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2022, published last July, will put a revised National Referral Mechanism (NRM) on a statutory footing, making it easier for victims of trafficking to come forward, be identified, and access support.
In addition to An Garda Síochána, it is proposed that a number of agencies will become competent authorities for the identification of victims of human trafficking. These include the Workplace Relations Commission, the Department of Social Protection, the Immigration Service of the Department of Justice, the HSE, Tusla and International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS). Some NGOs will also be designated as ‘trusted partners’ and will be able to make referrals to the competent authorities. This will provide an alternative and trusted pathway to recognition by a competent authority.
A specialised Garda Unit, the Human Trafficking Investigation and Co-ordination Unit (HTICU), has been in place since 2009 to conduct investigations into human trafficking. It also provides advice, support and where necessary, operational assistance to investigations at district level.
Specifically, in relation to the international protection process, under Section 16 of the International protection Act 2015 an applicant for international protection is given a permission by the Minister to allow them enter and remain in the State for the sole purpose of the examination of his or her claim, including any appeal to the Tribunal in relation to same. An applicant who is a potential victim of trafficking and who wishes to leave the State during the assessment of their protection claim may seek the Minister’s permission to do so under current protocols.
Responsibility for the accommodation system and material supports for international protection applicants are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
465. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice the breakdown of the regions in Ukraine the 73,000 refugees we have are from, that is, if they are from the areas of conflict or from the western part of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10149/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that Temporary Protection in Ireland applies to the following groups of people who have had to flee Ukraine due to the invasion by Russia:
- Ukrainian nationals who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022;
- Nationals of a third country (other than Ukraine) or a stateless person who would have benefited from international protection (for example: Refugee status) or an equivalent national protection status in Ukraine and were residing there before 24 February 2022;
- Family members of persons covered by a) and b), where their family already existed in Ukraine, prior to 24 February.
Family members include a spouse or partner, unmarried minor children of either of them, and their other close dependent family relatives who have been living with them as part of the family unit before 24 February 2022.
My Department does not hold the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the breakdown of the regions of Ukraine that those arriving to claim Temporary Protection have travelled from.
466. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of disqualified drivers that failed to surrender their licence in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and were summoned to court for the offence; the number of drivers that were convicted of this offence; the value of the fines imposed by the court. [9465/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
To be of assistance I have referred the Deputy's question to the Courts Service for reply.
467. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice if his Department can arrange for the issuance of confirmation regarding non-citizenship to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [9466/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the relevant Division will correspond directly with the person concerned to confirm that they have not applied for Irish citizenship.
468. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí enrolled per annum in the years 2019 to 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9479/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff, under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister I play no role in these independent functions.
I can however assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, which is reflected in an allocation of over €2 billion in Budget 2023.
This level of funding will provide a steady pipeline of new Gardaí in the coming years, supporting the recruitment of up to 1,000 Gardaí and 400 additional Garda staff this year, with new recruits to enter the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks.
In the interest of transparency, Garda workforce figures are published on gov.ie and regularly updated by my Department, from information supplied by the Garda Authorities. The allocation of Probationer Gardaí, who have attested from the Garda College, up to the end of January 2023 can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/7c2e6-probationer-gardai/
469. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons that applied to An Garda Síochána for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022; the number who failed the fitness test; the number who failed the medical test, the interview, and the vetting process, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9480/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to ensuring that Gardaí have the resources necessary to carry out their vital service, demonstrated by the unprecedented €2.14 billion allocated to An Garda Síochána under Budget 2023. This level of funding will provide a steady pipeline of new Gardaí in the coming year.
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 for the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
The Deputy may also be aware that the Public Appointments Service (PAS) administers the initial stages of any recruitment competition for An Garda Síochána on behalf of the Commissioner, including any panels associated with those competitions. PAS is the independent body responsible for public service recruitment under the provisions of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004.
The table below, furnished to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of candidates who were offered a place to commence training in the Garda College, the number who commenced training and the number that did not accept the offer in 2022.
For the Deputy's information, there were no competitions for Garda recruit in 2020 and 2021.
|
Competition |
Offered |
Commenced Training |
Declined offer |
|
2022 |
110 (to date) |
92 (to date) |
18 (to date) |
I am further informed that fewer than 10 candidates failed the medical exam in 2022; and fewer than 10 candidates failed the vetting process. As the Deputy will appreciate, more comprehensive figures cannot be released for data protection reasons.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the table below provides a breakdown of candidates invited to the Physical Competence Test (PCT).
|
Year |
Invited to PCT |
Failed |
Did not attend |
Passed |
|
2022 |
594 |
80 |
19 |
456 |
*Figure correct as of 7 February 2022. As this competition is still in progress, these figures are operational and subject to change. I am advised that a number of candidates have deferred their PCT to a later date.
I understand that candidates can avail of a re-test if they fail the initial Physical Competence Test (PCT). If they fail the re-test they can make an appeal for a third PCT. If the appeal is granted this is their third and final attempt at the PCT.
Therefore, the numbers above include all tests conducted including where an individual failed and had additional opportunities to pass at a re-test or at an appeal.
470. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an update on the current timeframe for asylum applications to be processed; the number of asylum seekers waiting for a decision and length of time waiting for a decision; the number of asylum seekers who have appealed their application decision; the average length of time for an appeal; the steps being taken to speed up the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9481/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOverall, my Department is working to minimise the timeframe for receiving a decision on an international protection application, giving status to those who are entitled to international protection to rebuild their lives here, while also ensuring faster decision making in respect of those who are deemed to be not entitled to international protection.
The Government has also committed additional funding of nearly €18m in 2023 that will also go towards increasing efficiency in processing applications, including by increasing staff numbers at the International Protection Office. Further reforms are being examined with a view to speeding up the processing of applications.
Notwithstanding the very large increase in the number of applications during 2022, the median processing time for all international protection cases (which includes decisions on permission to remain) processed to completion by the IPO in Quarter 4 of 2022 was 10 months. The median processing time for cases processed to completion for all of 2022 was 18 months. This represents a reduction of 8 months in processing time over the course of the year.
The median processing times for all of 2022 for all appeals determined was 10.2 months, a 24% decrease compared to the previous year. Median processing times for appeals completed in Quarter 4 2022 stand at 4.1 months. The Tribunal’s resource plan for 2023 provides for additional staff to account for increased international protection appeals this year.
The number of applications pending at the IPO at 31st January 2023 was 14,896, the majority of which were made in 2022. The table below sets out the figures requested by the Deputy with regard to applications on hand with the IPO.
|
Length of Time waiting for IPO decision |
No. of applications pending |
|
Less than 3 months |
3,735 |
|
Between 3 and 6 months |
3,301 |
|
Between 6 and 12 months |
6,409 |
|
Between 12 and 24 months |
1,006 |
|
More than 24 months |
445 |
|
Total |
14,896 |
Since the introduction of new efficiency measures in the IPO during 2022 the number of first instance recommendations and permission to remain decisions have increased by 44 % when compared with the same period pre-Covid in 2019. 92% of cases decided in 2022 were processed in 3 years or less and 62% of cases decided in 2022 were processed in 2 years or less.
The number of appeals on hand with the International Protection Appeals Tribunal as of 31st January 2023 was 806 appeals. There were a total of 839 appeals pending with the IPAT (International Protection Appeals Tribunal) as at 31st December 2022. The number of appeals received by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal during 2022 was 1180 appeals and a further 107 appeals were received in January 2023.
At the end of January 2023, 941 cases were pending in the IPO’s Ministerial Decisions Unit with a further 798 cases in the Permission to Remain Review (PTRR) Unit in the International Protection Office of my Department.
471. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide a breakdown of the current staffing numbers of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal; the number of full-time and part-time staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9482/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe International Protection Appeals Tribunal was established on 31 December 2016 in accordance with Section 61 of the International Protection Act 2015. The Tribunal is a statutorily independent body and exercises a quasi-judicial function under the Act.
The Tribunal consists of a Chairperson, two Deputy Chairpersons, and such number of ordinary members appointed on either a whole-time or part-time capacity as the Minister for Justice, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, considers necessary for the expeditious dispatch of the business of the Tribunal. Administrative staff are assigned to the Tribunal from the Department of Justice.
The current breakdown of staffing is outlined in the below table;
|
IPAT STAFF LEVELS 28/02/2023 |
Persons |
|
Chairperson |
1 |
|
Deputy Chairperson |
2 |
|
W/t Tribunal Member |
2 |
|
Administrative Staff |
38 |
|
Total Staff members |
43 |
|
Part time Tribunal Members |
40 |
As outlined in the above table there are 43 staff members (41.5 FTE) in IPAT. There is currently one whole-time Tribunal Member vacancy and three Clerical Officer vacancies which are in the process of being filled.
The work of the administrative staff does not involve hearing or making decisions on cases. This work is carried out by the Tribunal members – the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson’s, and the whole and part time Tribunal members. All Tribunal members are either barristers or solicitors with a minimum of five years’ professional experience, and are appointed by the Minister for Justice following selection by the Public Appointments Service.
In 2022, IPAT had capacity to handle 2,300 appeals, with a budget and staffing levels to match. In 2022, IPAT issued 1,305 decisions, and disposed of 1,571 appeals in total. As such, IPAT currently has capacity both in Tribunal member numbers and administrative staffing numbers to deal with the cases currently on hand.
472. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide a breakdown of the current staffing numbers of the Legal Aid Board; the number of full-time and part-time staff. [9483/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means in the State, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996, as amended.
Given their independence, the matter of resource allocation is an operational matter entirely for the Legal Aid Board. As part of ongoing governance arrangements, officials in my Department engage regularly with the Board in relation to resourcing matters.
My officials have made enquiries and I can advise that, as of 21 February 2023, the Legal Aid Board staff headcount was 541. Of these, 421 staff members work full time and 120 staff members work part time.
