Written Answers Nos. 473-486
473. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide a breakdown of the number of international protection applicants who have been awarded labour market access permission; the number of international protection applicants who are awaiting a decision on labour market access permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9484/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, International Protection applicants are not required to apply for an employment permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to legally obtain employment in the State.
Since its introduction in June 2018, under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), the labour market access permission issued by my Department has had a very positive impact for international protection applicants and employers alike.
The 2018 Regulations, as amended, provide access to both employment and self-employment for any applicant who has not received a first instance decision within 6 months of making their international protection application, and providing that they have co-operated with the international protection process. Labour market access permission is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application.
From 30 June 2018 – 1 January 2023, a total of 15, 136 applications have been processed by my Department for a first labour market access permission. Of these applications, approximately 80% (12,181) have been granted and 2,731 have been refused. Last year, 4,773 first permits were issued and 1,603 renewals were granted. To date in 2023, some 1,500 first permits have already issued.
Currently 521 applications are pending. Applications that are categorised as pending are where the Labour Market Access Unit (LMAU) have queried something with the applicant and are awaiting a response.
The LMAU is experiencing an unprecedented surge in applications at the moment. This reflects the increase in applications for international protection last year and in particular for the months May – July 2022. The LMAU have increased their processing capacity to 1,000 permits per month and this is reflected in the permits granted in 2023 to date.
The LMAU are working to reduce its current backlog to process all applications within 1 month and expect to accomplish this within the next 8 weeks. The LMAU are also proactively identifying applications for permit renewals so that those already in employment are unaffected.
474. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of unmarked Garda motorcycles in the Garda fleet as of 15 February 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9489/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 such matters.
I can however assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. Budget 2023 provides funding of in excess of an unprecedented €2.14 billion for An Garda Síochána, of which €10 million has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet.
I am also assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that at 31 January 2023 there were 3,350 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet. This represents an increase of almost 8% since end December 2020 when there were 3,112 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet.
I am further informed that at 31 January 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 129 motorcycles attached to the Garda fleet.
I am advised that An Garda Síochána does not provide information on the number of unmarked motorcycles attached to the fleet for operational security reasons.
475. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of stinger training courses held for gardaí within the Wexford division in the years 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9490/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy, however, this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
As you are aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, by law, for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including arrangements for training within the organisation. As you may also be aware, under the new Operating Model the Wexford/Wicklow divisions are being amalgamated. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the allocation of training courses takes place on a divisional basis with Garda members selected by local management. I am also informed that no stinger training courses were held in Wexford division in the years in question.
I am however advised that in Q3 & Q4 2022, 4 Garda members were trained as stinger instructors in Wexford/Wicklow divisions, 2 members per division.
I am also advised that the available stinger trainers across the Wexford/Wicklow divisions will be deployed to provide training, which is being planned for all Roads Policing units and frontline units in Q3 & Q4 2023.
I trust this information is of assistance.
476. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda cars and vans attached to the Wexford division as of 14 February 2023; if he will provide the corresponding figures as of 31 January 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9491/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. Budget 2023 provides funding of €2.14 billion for An Garda Síochána, of which €10m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet.
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 such matters.
I am however assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
The table below, provided by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of vehicles assigned to Wexford Division at 31 January 2021 and at 31 January 2023, the date for which latest figures are available.
|
31/01/2021 |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4 x 4 |
Others |
Total |
|
ENNISCORTHY |
22 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
26 |
|
NEW ROSS |
8 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
WEXFORD |
22 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
29 |
|
Total |
52 |
9 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
65 |
|
31/01/2023 |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4 x 4 |
Others |
Total |
|
ENNISCORTHY |
19 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
23 |
|
NEW ROSS |
8 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
WEXFORD |
25 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
31 |
|
Total |
52 |
8 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
64 |
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that An Garda Síochána publishes information on the Garda fleet on their website at:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html
477. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if he will support lifting the restrictions on the right to work, to allow all asylum seekers to work and implementing all the recommendations of a group (details supplied) in relation to the right to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9509/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince its introduction in June 2018, under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), the labour market access permission issued by my Department has had a very positive impact for international protection applicants and employers alike. Over 12,000 first labour market access permissions have been granted to date.
This permission gives eligible applicants the opportunity to work and helps them to integrate into Irish society while providing for themselves and their families outside of the State’s directly provided services and supports. It also helps people to plan and prepare for their future in Ireland if they receive a positive decision on their application for international protection.
The Regulations provide access to both employment and self-employment for any applicant who has not received a first instance decision within six months of making their international protection application, provided that this situation cannot be attributed, or attributed in part, to the applicant.
The European Communities (Reception Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 52 of 2021) reduced the waiting period for labour market access for international protection applicants to 6 months and extended the validity of a labour market access permission to 12 months, with effect from 9 February 2021.
Regarding the reduction in the waiting period for access to the labour market to 3 months as recommended by the Catherine Day Report, the reduction of the waiting period to 6 months was guided by the Report of the Inter-Departmental Group on Direct Provision and the Review of Access to the Labour Market for persons seeking international protection.
The review of access to the labour market also recommended that the changes implemented should be reviewed 1 year after implementation and that a qualitative survey be carried out on the effects of the change in policy since 2018.
The Department of Justice has undertaken a qualitative study of the experiences of international protection applicants in accessing the labour market, which will inform the quantitative element of the overall study, with a view to publishing the final report in due course.
As recommended by the Catherine Day Expert Advisory Group, the Department of Justice is currently at an early investigative stage in the process of changing the labour market access permission letter to a card format.
478. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the ratio of psychologists to prisoners, per prison, at the end of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9522/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra479. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners who were on waiting lists to access psychology services at the end of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9523/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 478 and 479 together.
The Irish Prison Service Psychology Service is a national service, made up of a Head of Psychological Services, a Principal Psychologist, Senior Psychologists, Staff Grade Psychologists and Assistant Psychologists.
Psychologists are embedded within a multidisciplinary team in each prison and services provided by Psychologists are organised within a layered care model. The Service works across all levels of clinical intensity from primary care mental health through to severe and enduring mental health difficulties. Clients also present with a range of criminogenic needs. This integrated, layered model of care is bio-psycho-social, strengths-based and recovery focused, and balances this with principles from the Risk, Need and Responsivity (RNR) model used throughout forensic clinical services. Psychological interventions include both individual and group based approaches, using (but not exclusive to) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills, Mentalisation Based Therapy, Schema Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy.
The Irish Prison Service Psychology Service also provides a critical role in support, consultation, education and training to the broader Irish Prison Service organisation. This includes consultation with senior management in relation to very complex psychological and risk-related presentations and Recruit Prison Officer Training. Staff also represent the service at IPS, allied agency and Departmental working and policy development groups to provide a psychological perspective on various critical issues including mental health, sexual and gender based violence, gender-informed approaches, violence, trauma-informed care, deaths in custody and preventing violent extremism.
The Irish Prison Service received additional funding for Psychologists through the 2022 estimates process, specifically for interventions associated with mental health and sexual violence. This has provided for increased psychologist posts across most closed prisons and part time psychologist posts in both Open Centres for the first time. Recruitment in 2022 resulted in seven out of nine psychologists panelled accepting positions in the Irish Prison Service and another recruitment campaign is scheduled for May 2023.
Many people require a variety of interventions to meet their needs and the model used enables clinicians and clients to construct their own individual treatment packages. Integral to a layered care model is greater collaboration between the assessing psychologist and client, integration between various service levels e.g. primary, secondary and tertiary care, as well as integration of various disciplines to support the client with their individualised treatment package.
The Psychology Service is built upon the principles of strengths based and recovery approaches in conjunction with a risk, needs and responsivity framework.
The number of prisoners who were on waiting lists to access psychology services and the ratio of psychologists to prisoners, per prison, as of 4 January 2023, is set out below.
Figures are grouped together on the basis that the senior psychologist in Castlerea, Mountjoy and Dochas oversee the supervision and governance of the psychology service in Loughan House, Shelton Abbey and the Training Unit respectively.
Please note that some people have multiple referrals owing to various mental health and criminogenic need.
|
Prison |
No. of people on Psychology Service wait list |
Ratio* |
|
Castlerea Inc. Loughan Hse |
60 18 |
1:136 |
|
Cork |
61 |
1:197 |
|
Limerick |
102 |
1:476 |
|
Midlands |
312 |
1:365 |
|
Portlaoise |
113 |
1:154 |
|
Wheatfield |
278 |
1:406 |
|
Cloverhill |
38 |
1:287 |
|
Mountjoy Inc. Shelton Abbey |
283 28 |
1:302 |
|
Dochas Inc. Training Unit |
29 22 |
1:97 |
|
Arbour Hill |
54 |
1:55 |
|
Total |
1,398 |
1:257 |
*Ratio calculated using prisoner bed capacity.
480. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice the current timeframe for the processing of citizenship applications, in view that it is 48 months since an application (details supplied) was first lodged, wherein the applicant's wife and three children have all been approved for citizenship within the past 22 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9564/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. The Citizenship Division continues to have engagement with the applicant, most recently in February 2023 and provided an update on the progress of the application. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
The median processing time for applications now currently stands at 19 months. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
However, my Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times.
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.
481. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí, by rank attached to each divisional public service vehicle inspectors as of 20 February 2023. [9586/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am however assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review. I am advised that this is considered in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure the optimum use of these resources.
To be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that the table below outlines the number of Public Service Vehicle Inspectors, by rank in each Garda Division as of 22 February 2023.
|
Division |
No of PSV Inspectors |
Rank |
|
Dublin |
2 |
Garda |
|
Kildare |
1 |
Garda |
|
Laois/Offaly |
2 (1 Part-time) |
Garda |
|
Meath |
1 |
Garda |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
Garda |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
Garda |
|
Carlow/Kilkenny |
1 |
Sergeant |
|
Waterford |
1 |
Garda |
|
Wexford |
1 |
Garda |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
Garda |
|
Cork City |
1 |
Garda |
|
Cork North |
1 |
Garda |
|
Cork West |
1 |
Garda |
|
Kerry |
1 |
Garda |
|
Limerick |
1 |
Garda |
|
Clare |
1 |
Garda |
|
Galway |
1 |
Sergeant |
|
Roscommon/Longford/ Mayo |
2 |
1 x Sergeant 1 x Garda |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
2 (1 Part-time) |
Garda |
|
Donegal |
1 |
Garda |
|
Cavan/ Monaghan |
1 |
Garda |
|
Louth |
1 |
Garda |
482. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 329 of 8 February, 2023, if he will arrange an urgent meeting with traditional circus owners and their representatives, and officials from his Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (details supplied). [9595/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that a review of the immigration arrangements for non-EEA circus performers is nearing completion within my Department.
Following the completion of that review, officials from my Department will engage with relevant stakeholders, including the circus industry and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
The current immigration arrangements will remain in place pending the conclusion of that process of engagement and a final decision on the most appropriate future immigration arrangements for the sector concerned.
483. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if a refusal of a visa will be urgently reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); when a visa is likely to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9620/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer, the visa application referred to was refused. A letter issued to the applicant on the 5 October 2022 outlining the reasons for this refusal. An appeal was lodged in respect of this application, to the relevant Visa Office, on the 3 November 2022. The appeal was received in the Dublin Visa Office on the 17 November 2022, where it is currently awaiting examination.
All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on our website. Applicants that meticulously follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision at first instance.
It should be noted that visa appeals are dealt with in strict chronological order. The Dublin Visa Office are currently processing appeals of this type received, in the Dublin Visa Office, on the 18 August 2022. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday:
www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
A decision will be issued to the applicant as soon as full consideration has been given by a Visa Appeals 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.
484. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda residences currently inhabited, currently habitable but not in use by Garda personnel and currently not habitable; the location of each, by county. [9664/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy, however, this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
485. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice if, in conjunction with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, he will reconsider the business/work permit arrangements as they apply to holders of Critical Skills Employment Permits (CSEP) where such persons are joined by dependent children on Stamp 3 arrangements, whereupon such adult children upon completing second-level education are not entitled to work part-time or progress to third- level on the same basis as their peers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9706/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has responsibility for immigration-related matters, including the entry and residence conditions of dependants of critical skills employment permit holders. My Department consults and engages with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment who are responsible for labour market policy, and for the issuance of employment permits.
As the Deputy will be aware, in March 2019, immigration arrangements for spouses and de facto partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders were revised. Under those new arrangements, spouses and de facto partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders are no longer required to apply for a Dependent Partner/Spouse Employment Permit (DPSEP) to access the labour market. Instead, upon arrival in the State, and on registration, eligible spouses and de facto partners are granted a Stamp 1G immigration permission, and the right to work. This change reflected a whole-of-government approach and any further changes in this area will require a similar approach.
I will keep the matter under review, in close consultation with my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and other relevant stakeholders to inform any future policy changes.
Currently any person legally resident in the State is entitled to request a change of their immigration permission. They should write to the Immigration Service setting out the reasons for the change of permission and provide any supporting documentation. Each case is assessed on its individual merits and it is often the case that such requests are granted. Further information is available on the Immigration Service website at www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/
486. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of projects which IIP applicants proposed to invest in that were deemed not to meet IIP criteria by the independent evaluation committee since the scheme opened and closed. [9747/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra487. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the totality of IIP permits that were granted since the scheme opened; if he will provide a breakdown of applications by country of origin; and if he will provide a schedule of all investments made under the IIP scheme. [9749/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together.
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.
Approximately 100 applicants were refused permission under the IIP in the period from 2012 – 2022. Applications may be refused for many reasons including the application being incomplete, the associated project not being in line with the IIP programme etc. In addition approximately 500 applicants withdrew their application from 2012 – 2022.
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 delivery of the approved project and for compliance with the terms of the Programme. The programme also allows for the review of the approved application at 2 and 5 years and where the programmes criteria are not being met consideration will be given to not renewing the immigration permission granted.
It should also be noted that there are still a significant number of new applications due for processing and the closing of the programme will not impact these applications.
My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments. The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme in 2012 to the end of 2022.
Applications received and approved and the value of investment approved.
|
Year |
Applications received |
Approved applications |
Value of Approved Investment |
|
2012 |
5 |
2 |
1,500,000 |
|
2013 |
18 |
16 |
12,200,000 |
|
2014 |
30 |
5 |
2,950,000 |
|
2015 |
75 |
70 |
38,300,000 |
|
2016 |
334 |
33 |
18,750,000 |
|
2017 |
324 |
369 |
250,700,000 |
|
2018 |
423 |
155 |
138,750,000 |
|
2019 |
443 |
237 |
209,300,000 |
|
2020 |
339 |
270 |
188,000,000 |
|
2021 |
258 |
264 |
185,700,000 |
|
2022 |
1316 |
306 |
205,900,000 |
|
TOTAL |
3565 |
1727 |
1,252,050,000* |
*Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications.
Approved applications by Investment type and value.
|
Investment Type |
Total Applications Approved |
Total Value of Investment |
|
Enterprise |
876 |
740,200,000 |
|
Investment Fund |
243 |
225,000,000 |
|
REIT |
6 |
12,000,000 |
|
Endowment |
546 |
220,900,000 |
|
Bond & Mixed Investment* |
56 |
53,950,000 |
|
TOTAL |
1,727 |
1,252,050,000 |
* Government bond and Mixed investment options were suspended in 2016.
Nationality of approved applicants.
|
Nationality |
Applications approved |
|
China |
1,614 |
|
USA |
33 |
|
Vietnam |
18 |
|
Rest of the World |
62 |
|
TOTAL |
1,727 |
