Written Answers Nos. 1058-1077
1058. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice the number of times checkpoints were carried out to check the immigration status of people in 2022; the number of persons that were asked for identification under which legislation these checkpoints were carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12637/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
The State has a duty to protect its borders and following examination, ensure that all persons arriving at the borders of the State are entitled to enter the State. This is a fundamental exercise of State sovereignty, which is necessary to protect the security of the State and to prevent illegal immigration. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual rights. The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for frontline immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other ports of entry, including the land border with Northern Ireland, are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
Garda checkpoints are generally multi-functional, with Gardaí dealing with any legislative breaches or criminality that they encounter, including immigration legislation.
An Garda Síochána does not record the number of times persons are determined to be in compliance with the law. For example, no records are kept of enquiries on establishing someone’s identify for immigration purposes if there is no offence disclosed.
The State has a duty to protect its borders and following examination, ensure that all arriving passengers are entitled to enter the State. This is a fundamental exercise of State sovereignty, which is necessary to protect the security of the State and to prevent illegal immigration. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual rights.
The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for front-line immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other ports of entry, including the land border with Northern Ireland, are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
I have sought the information requested from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
1059. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider an issue (details supplied). [12702/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011). The application fee, stipulated at €175, is payable on application for a certificate of naturalisation and a certification fee is payable on the issue of a certificate of naturalisation.
The standard certification fee is set at €950, while a reduced fee of €200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of recognised refugees and stateless persons, there is no certification fee.
There is no provision in the Regulations for the discretionary waiver or reduction of fees, or for differing fees to apply to different nationalities or classes of applicant. All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, are kept under ongoing review by my Department. However, there are no current plans to amend the fees.
1060. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice if there are any plans to change the status of civil service who work in An Garda Síochána to public servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12730/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill was formally published in January 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 report of the Commission recommended that Garda staff be recruited directly to An Garda Síochána, rather than the Civil Service. A central tenet of the recommendations was that An Garda Síochána should be seen and treated as a single organisation with a single workforce who share a common mission. It found that more integrated workforce structures were required to fully leverage the different skills and perspectives of Garda members and Garda staff and thereby contribute to enhancing the capacity of the organisation to deliver better policing outcomes for the public.
I acknowledge the concerns of current Garda staff regarding the proposals in this Bill. These concerns were also outlined to me in the Dáil recently by a number of Deputies during the second stage debate of the Bill. I want to reassure existing Garda staff that there will be no changes to their terms and conditions, including their status as civil servants of the Government, when the Bill is commenced.
Any such change can only take place on foot of further detailed engagement with the recognised trade unions concerned, namely Fórsa and AHCPS, through the normal industrial relations structures. My Department has already met with both Fórsa and AHCPS in relation to their members’ concerns and I can confirm to the Deputy that these discussions will continue.
1061. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be made on an application for naturalisation by an Indian national (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12745/23]
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. 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.
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 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.
1062. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the steps he has taken in response to the recommendation in the Report of the Advisory Group on the Provision of Support including Accommodation to Persons in the International Protection Process to lift the restrictions on the right to work to allow all asylum seekers to work. [12776/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra1064. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Justice if, following report of the Advisory Group on the Provision of Support including Accommodation to Persons in the International Protection Process, there are plans to lift the restrictions on the right to work on all asylum seekers. [12887/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1062 and 1064 together.
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. Over 13,000 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.
1063. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice the reason a person (details supplied) was granted repatriation to the UK, in view of the fact that other foreign nationals in Ireland's prison system have been refused repatriation requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12882/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to start by again offering my sincere condolences to the victim's family on their loss in such appalling circumstances.
I am acutely aware that my acceding to this request to transfer the individual to the UK to serve the remainder of his life sentence has been very difficult for the family of the victim.
While the feelings of the victim's family were at the forefront of my mind, the Deputy will be aware that I am obliged to act in a manner consistent with our obligations under international law, specifically the Council of Europe Convention on the transfer of sentenced persons and the European Convention on Human Rights. Having considered these obligations, the clear legal advice of the Attorney General, and the particular circumstances of the case, it was necessary to accede to this application for transfer.
Both I and Minister McEntee sincerely regret that the family in this case first heard of the initial decision in 2022 to transfer the individual in question to a prison in the UK after that decision had been made. I can assure the Deputy that the earlier decision was entirely set aside to ensure the victim's mother was given the opportunity to make a submission, and the issue has now been considered from the beginning. In doing so I am satisfied that the applicant can expect to spend many more years in prison, as is just given the horrific nature of the crime he committed and the pain he has caused.
In considering the application for transfer in this case, I was required in law to consider a number of factors, including that the applicant had been on 23 hour lock-down for the three years due to very significant security risks. These risks constituted a threat to the staff and prisoners at Limerick Prison, as well as to the applicant with a wider security assessment indicating that these risks would persist in any Irish Prison. That risk also necessarily formed one of parts of the considerations of this transfer application.
I am also satisfied that the victim’s mother is entitled to engage with the Victim Contact Scheme in the UK and the Irish Prison Service are available to support her in engaging with the UK authorities.
To further strengthen the rights of victims, I received Government approval to change the law to make it a statutory requirement to notify victims registered with the Irish Prison Service that an application for transfer outside the State has been made by a prisoner serving a sentence here, and providing victims with an opportunity to make a submission in relation to the application.
This has recently been approved by the Oireachtas and is expected to become law very shortly.
1065. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice the progress made by his Department in respect of targets and goals set out in sustainable development goals of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development under the policy remit of his Department; and if these targets and goals will be met by their respective deadlines. [12907/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a significant and ambitious framework. A whole-of-Government approach to its implementation has been taken in Ireland. Ireland’s Second National Implementation Plan for the Sustainable Development Goals, 2022 – 2024 was published in October 2022. The Plan was developed by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in collaboration with all Government Departments, key stakeholders, and based on input from two public consultation processes. A key objective of the Plan is to achieve greater Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development (PCSD) with the aim of accelerating achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at all levels of Government. The Plan is supplemented by two supporting documents: an SDG policy map which identifies the lead Departments and relevant national policies for each of the 169 SDG targets; and a Policy Update document which provides policy updates for each of the SDG targets. These documents are available at www.gov.ie/sdgs
The Central Statistics Office, in collaboration with all Government Departments, has prepared as series of statistical publications which monitor and report on how Ireland is progressing towards meeting its targets under the 17 SDGs. Reports are available for SDGs 1 – 16 and can be found on the central statistics website.
Ireland will present its second Voluntary National Review (VNR) to the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in July 2023. The VNR report will comprise a high-level data section and a more detailed appendix reporting on progress in respect of achieving the SDGs and related targets.
I would be pleased to give an update on the progress made towards achieving each of my Department's sustainable development goals and will write directly to the Deputy with a more detailed account.
1066. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the total number of occasions on which prisoners slept on mattresses, by prison during Q4 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12995/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Prison Service must accept all people committed by the Courts. As such the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time, and the prison system is, of course, subject to peaks and troughs.
Where the number of people in custody exceeds the maximum capacity in any prison, Irish Prison Service officials make every effort to deal with this through a combination of inter-prison transfers and structured temporary release. Decisions in relation to temporary release are considered on a case by case basis and the safety of the public is paramount when those decisions are made.
I can further advise the Deputy that my Department has been working closely with the Director General of the Irish Prison Service to ensure a safe working environment for staff and the safety and security of those in our custody and we are taking a number of short and medium term steps to address the issue of increasing prison numbers.
As the Deputy will also be aware, the Government has provided significant capital funding to the Irish Prison Service in order to enhance the existing prison infrastructure. The commissioning of a new male and female prison accommodation in Limerick Prison will provide an additional 90 male spaces and 22 additional female cell spaces. This new male accommodation is now partially open and the female accommodation is expected to become operational soon.
The Programme for Government 2020 contains a broad range of policies and proposals that represent a coherent approach to enhancing and sustaining a more just and safe society, with a specific commitment to review policy options for prison and penal reform. In respect of delivering on this commitment, the Government recently approved the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024.
This review seeks to find the balance between ensuring that people who commit serious crimes receive a punishment and a period of incarceration proportionate to that crime, while at the same time acknowledging that sometimes community based sanctions are more appropriate in diverting offenders away from future criminal activity.
In addition to delivering the recommendations of the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform, the need to ensure the continued availability of modern prison facilities with adequate capacity will continue to be central to the work of the Irish Prison Service and will be core to the development of the new Irish Prison Service Capital Plan.
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of people in custody sleeping on mattresses on the floor during quarter four of 2022 is contained in the tables below.
|
Number of prisoners sleeping on mattresses on the floor October 2022 |
|||||
|
DATE |
Castlerea |
Cloverhill |
Limerick Male |
Limerick Female |
Mountjoy Male |
|
1st |
0 |
35 |
8 |
2 |
0 |
|
2nd |
0 |
37 |
6 |
2 |
0 |
|
3rd |
0 |
36 |
6 |
2 |
0 |
|
4th |
0 |
40 |
8 |
3 |
0 |
|
5th |
0 |
35 |
7 |
2 |
0 |
|
6th |
0 |
27 |
6 |
2 |
5 |
|
7th |
0 |
31 |
2 |
0 |
7 |
|
8th |
0 |
36 |
5 |
2 |
4 |
|
9th |
0 |
36 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
|
10th |
0 |
37 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
11th |
0 |
35 |
2 |
2 |
9 |
|
12th |
0 |
29 |
3 |
3 |
22 |
|
13th |
0 |
25 |
3 |
3 |
21 |
|
14th |
0 |
29 |
4 |
4 |
25 |
|
15th |
0 |
25 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
|
16th |
2 |
24 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
17th |
7 |
27 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
|
18th |
9 |
34 |
3 |
5 |
7 |
|
19th |
9 |
29 |
3 |
5 |
15 |
|
20th |
8 |
28 |
4 |
3 |
15 |
|
21st |
6 |
29 |
4 |
1 |
15 |
|
22nd |
7 |
29 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
|
23rd |
7 |
31 |
2 |
1 |
13 |
|
24th |
10 |
27 |
2 |
1 |
13 |
|
25th |
11 |
35 |
1 |
1 |
13 |
|
26th |
12 |
37 |
1 |
2 |
11 |
|
27th |
11 |
26 |
0 |
7 |
14 |
|
28th |
10 |
23 |
0 |
7 |
13 |
|
29th |
5 |
18 |
0 |
7 |
13 |
|
30th |
5 |
18 |
0 |
7 |
13 |
|
31st |
10 |
19 |
0 |
5 |
13 |
*The following prisons had no instances of prisoners sleeping on mattresses on the floor in October
Arbour Hill, Cork, Dochas Centre, Midlands, Portlaoise, Shelton Abbey, Loughan House and Wheatfield Prison.
|
Number of prisoners sleeping on mattresses on the floor November 2022 |
||||||
|
DATE |
Castlerea |
Cloverhill |
Cork |
Limerick Male |
Limerick Female |
Mountjoy Male |
|
1st |
12 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
12 |
|
2nd |
13 |
23 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
14 |
|
3rd |
12 |
18 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
17 |
|
4th |
17 |
22 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
20 |
|
5th |
15 |
18 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
26 |
|
6th |
23 |
19 |
0 |
8 |
5 |
25 |
|
7th |
20 |
26 |
0 |
8 |
5 |
24 |
|
8th |
16 |
22 |
0 |
6 |
4 |
47 |
|
9th |
6 |
24 |
0 |
9 |
4 |
48 |
|
10th |
9 |
17 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
40 |
|
11th |
4 |
20 |
0 |
5 |
6 |
37 |
|
12th |
5 |
28 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
37 |
|
13th |
5 |
26 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
35 |
|
14th |
5 |
23 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
38 |
|
15th |
6 |
26 |
0 |
9 |
7 |
34 |
|
16th |
4 |
24 |
0 |
8 |
6 |
36 |
|
17th |
6 |
21 |
0 |
8 |
16 |
38 |
|
18th |
7 |
13 |
0 |
15 |
8 |
47 |
|
19th |
10 |
12 |
0 |
13 |
7 |
47 |
|
20th |
10 |
16 |
0 |
12 |
7 |
44 |
|
21st |
10 |
16 |
0 |
14 |
7 |
33 |
|
22nd |
8 |
19 |
1 |
21 |
8 |
42 |
|
23rd |
9 |
11 |
1 |
21 |
9 |
42 |
|
24th |
7 |
14 |
7 |
23 |
10 |
40 |
|
25th |
8 |
14 |
9 |
26 |
14 |
38 |
|
26th |
6 |
16 |
9 |
22 |
15 |
36 |
|
27th |
6 |
16 |
9 |
18 |
16 |
38 |
|
28th |
8 |
16 |
7 |
19 |
15 |
35 |
|
29th |
7 |
15 |
6 |
20 |
9 |
39 |
|
30th |
9 |
17 |
4 |
18 |
12 |
37 |
**The following prisons had no instances of prisoners sleeping on mattresses on the floor in November
Arbour Hill, Dochas Centre, Midlands, Portlaoise, Shelton Abbey, Loughan House and Wheatfield Prison.
|
Number of prisoners sleeping on mattresses on the floor December 2022 |
|||||||
|
DATE |
Castlerea |
Cloverhill |
Cork |
Dóchas |
Limerick Male |
Limerick Female |
Mountjoy Male |
|
1st |
7 |
24 |
7 |
0 |
18 |
10 |
38 |
|
2nd |
11 |
18 |
7 |
0 |
19 |
9 |
35 |
|
3rd |
12 |
15 |
6 |
3 |
21 |
8 |
37 |
|
4th |
15 |
15 |
5 |
1 |
21 |
8 |
38 |
|
5th |
19 |
19 |
4 |
0 |
22 |
10 |
38 |
|
6th |
17 |
18 |
1 |
0 |
21 |
10 |
33 |
|
7th |
18 |
19 |
1 |
0 |
23 |
10 |
35 |
|
8th |
13 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
22 |
9 |
35 |
|
9th |
18 |
17 |
0 |
1 |
22 |
11 |
34 |
|
10th |
12 |
22 |
1 |
0 |
26 |
9 |
33 |
|
11th |
12 |
29 |
1 |
0 |
27 |
10 |
32 |
|
12th |
12 |
39 |
0 |
0 |
29 |
11 |
31 |
|
13th |
11 |
39 |
0 |
0 |
26 |
10 |
27 |
|
14th |
11 |
24 |
0 |
0 |
22 |
10 |
27 |
|
15th |
13 |
22 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
10 |
27 |
|
16th |
14 |
19 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
26 |
|
17th |
12 |
16 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
25 |
|
18th |
14 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
25 |
|
19th |
13 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
24 |
|
20th |
12 |
16 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
22 |
|
21st |
9 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
21 |
|
22nd |
11 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
10 |
19 |
|
23rd |
11 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
11 |
19 |
|
24th |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
11 |
19 |
|
25th |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
12 |
19 |
|
26th |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
12 |
19 |
|
27th |
11 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
10 |
19 |
|
28th |
12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
10 |
18 |
|
29th |
12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
11 |
20 |
|
30th |
12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
12 |
19 |
|
31st |
11 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
12 |
19 |
***The following prisons had no instances of prisoners sleeping on mattresses on the floor in December
Arbour Hill, Dochas Centre, Midlands, Portlaoise, Shelton Abbey, Loughan House and Wheatfield Prison.
1067. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the status of the review of remission and structured temporary release for people in prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12996/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024 there is a commitment to conduct a review of remission and temporary release to improve rehabilitation and reduce reoffending and overcrowding in prisons.
As the Deputy will be aware, prisoners sentenced to a definite term generally qualify for one quarter remission on the basis of good behaviour. In the current system, in certain cases of particularly good behaviour, prisoners may apply to the Minister for Justice for enhanced remission, the current rate of which is up to 33% of a determinate sentence. Where a prisoner is found to have committed a breach of prison discipline, such as assaults, intentionally or recklessly damaging property, the detention of any person against their will, escape or absconding, a loss of remission (up to 14 days) can be imposed by the Governor.
The review commenced in Q3 2022 and work is ongoing.
1068. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice if he will report on progress on the review of the Prison Rules 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12997/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Irish Prison Service commenced a review of Prison Rules in 2020 following the publication of the revised European Prison Rules by the Council of Europe. Progress on the Review was delayed due to challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, work on the Review restarted in 2022 and significant progress has been achieved on the development of a working document.
This includes the development of draft amendments to give effect to the provisions of the European Prison Rules 2020, amendments suggested from within the Irish Prison Service and amendments arising from the public consultation phase.
The working document is currently being considered by the Irish Prison Service, and once this is completed, the Irish Prison Service will be engaging with officials in my Department on the next steps.
1069. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the status of plans to place the Irish Prison Service on a statutory footing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12998/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 28 June 2022 the Government gave approval to draft the General Scheme of a Bill to place the Irish Prison Service (IPS) on a full statutory footing with a non-executive Board and other structures that align with best practice in the governance of State bodies. Drafting of the Scheme is well advanced with a view to its submission to Government in the coming months.
The IPS is currently a non-statutory executive agency of the Department of Justice responsible for the secure custody, care and rehabilitation of offenders in each of Ireland’s 12 prisons. It has approximately 3,500 staff and a budget of over €420 million in 2023.
The Programme for Government commits to a range of penal reform measures that require substantial and ongoing modernisation of prison services and practices. This includes an enhanced focus on rehabilitation and reducing recidivism, assisting prisoners with mental health, addiction and other personal difficulties, and upgrading the prison estate. At the same time, like other State agencies, the IPS must meet a growing and demanding variety of governance and performance obligations.
A full statutory footing for the IPS, with oversight and support from an expert non-executive board and committees, will cement its status as a key criminal justice body and strengthen its capacity to implement penal reform and maintain the highest standards of governance and performance. The planned legislation will define the functions of the IPS in law, with these functions to include providing safe and secure custody, upholding human rights, and supporting the well-being and rehabilitation of prisoners with a focus on reducing post-release recidivism. Other statutory functions will include managing the prison estate and co-operating with other State actors in the interests of prisoner welfare and an efficient criminal justice system.
The proposed legislation will also place the role of IPS Director General on a statutory footing with overall responsibility and accountability for managing the prison system and its staff within a policy framework set by the Government and the Minister.
1070. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when the prison chaplain reports for 2021 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13016/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Prison Service Chaplaincy Service has a significant contribution to make as part of the multi-disciplinary team in a prison, addressing the physical, social and spiritual needs of prisoners in a holistic way. Each Chaplain is required under Rule 119(1) of the Prison Rules to submit a report to the Director General and to the Governor on matters relating to the provision of chaplaincy services in the preceding year.
Separately, the Deputy may wish to be aware that the suite of 2021 Chaplains reports, including the one from the Dóchas Centre, have now been finalised and submitted to my Department for information. I understand that the Irish Prison Service expects to publish them as a group to the Irish Prison Service website shortly.
1071. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of antisocial behaviour in and around a flat complex (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if she is aware of any steps being taken to address this. [13044/23]
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 operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I would like to assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have the resources and facilities it needs to combat anti social behaviour and criminality.
A new Garda station at 13A O'Connell Street was officially opened earlier this month in the heart of our capital city. This new premises will help support a higher visibility police presence for O'Connell Street and surrounding areas, including Parnell St and Dominick St.
As the Deputy will be aware, Operation Citizen is a Garda Operation currently in place with the aim of assuring people that Dublin city centre is a safe place to visit, socialise and do business in. The new Garda station will provide an operational base for Garda members assigned to Operation Citizen.
I have been informed by Garda authorities that a recent targeted operation undertaken by personnel assigned to Operation Citizen supported by local Divisional Drug Units on Dominick Street resulted in fourteen (14) persons being arrested for a variety of offences.
I am advised that a number of fixed charge notices and ASBO’s were issued in respect of anti-social behaviour to persons in the Dominick Street area. I am also advised that a number of individuals residing in the Dominick Street area have been charged with criminal offences and are subject to District Court bail conditions. Those conditions are subject of strict Garda monitoring and inspection to ensure they are being complied with.I am also assured by the Garda authorities that members employed on high visibility and covert duties, continue to ensure appropriate attention is paid to the Dominick street area, on a daily basis, in conjunction with their other assigned duties and tasks.
In addition, the new approach being taken to community safety through Local Community Safety Partnerships is being piloted in three locations; one of which is North Inner City Dublin. This approach brings together the local community and local service providers under an independent chair to develop a community safety plan for their local area. The North Inner City Dublin community safety plan is at an advanced stage of development and is expected to be finalised in Q2 of this year.
1072. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Dlí agus Cirt cé na comhráití a bhí aige le Coimisinéir an Gharda Síochána maidir leis an dualgas atá air a chinntiú go bhfuil comhaltaí den Gharda a bhfuil Gaeilge acu lonnaithe i ngach staisiún Gaeltachta. [13139/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
Mar is eol duit, i gcomhréir le hAcht an Gharda Síochána, 2005 (arna leasú), is é Coimisinéir an Gharda Síochána atá freagrach as riaradh agus gnó an Gharda Síochána a bhainistiú agus a rialú i gcoitinne, lena n-áirítear sannadh acmhainní do limistéir Ghaeltachta. Mar Aire, níl aon ról agam sna hábhair sin. Tá údaráis an Gharda Síochána tiomanta dá chinntiú go gcuirtear seirbhís póilíneachta ar fáil trí mheán na Gaeilge i stáisiúin Ghaeltachta agus i Rannáin le stáisiún Gaeltachta a mhéid is féidir i gcomhthéacs foriomlán seirbhís póilíneachta shábháilte éifeachtach a chur ar fáil ar fud an náisiúin. Le blianta beaga anuas, tá bearta tábhachtacha tugtha isteach ag an nGarda Síochána chun a gcuid oibleagáidí teanga a chomhlíonadh, lena n-áirítear:
• Sruth Gaeilge a thabhairt isteach sa phróiseas earcaíochta, trína gcuirtear 10% de spásanna i ngach comórtas in áirithe do chainteoirí líofa Gaeilge.
• Próiseas leithdháiltí a thabhairt isteach le haghaidh stáisiún Gaeltachta, lenar áiríodh córas athbhreithnithe measúnaithe, arna mholadh ag an gCoimisinéir Teanga, agus, freisin, Painéal Inniúlachta sa Ghaeilge ina n-áirítear comhaltaí a labhraíonn Gaeilge agus ar mian leo fónamh i limistéir Ghaeltachta.
• Deiseanna a chur ar fáil don phearsanra go léir chun a n-inniúlacht sa teanga a fheabhsú.
• Seirbhís ateangaireachta Gaeilge a thabhairt isteach, atá ar fáil don phearsanra go léir agus lenar féidir seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge a éascú mura bhfuil pearsanra le Gaeilge ar fáil chun cuidiú.
Tá dearbhaithe dom go bhfuil líon na gcomhaltaí a labhraíonn Gaeilge á mhéadú go seasta ag an nGarda Síochána i stáisiúin Ghaeltachta ar fud na tíre. Tá an próiseas leithdháilte acmhainní ar fud an náisiúin bunaithe ar dháileadh acmhainní atá ar fáil chun freastal ar riachtanais Rannán ar fud na hÉireann agus aird á tabhairt freisin ar ghealltanais reachtúla i leith na Gaeilge agus ar na gealltanais sin do chomhaltaí den Gharda Síochána a chuaigh isteach san eagraíocht tríd an sruth Gaeilge.
Ina theannta sin, tá an Garda Síochána tiomanta d’úsáid na Gaeilge laistigh den eagraíocht agus sa phobal i gcoitinne a chur chun cinn agus a éascú.
Tá an Garda Síochána ag leanúint orthu ag cur lena ngealltanais tríd an Straitéis Gaeilge, 2022-25. Is féidir rochtain a fháil ar an straitéis ar shuíomh gréasáin an Gharda Síochána: straiteis-gaeilge-an-gharda-siochana-2022-2025.pdf (garda.ie)
Le foilsiú na Straitéise Gaeilge leagtar amach an tiomantas chun tógáil ar an dul chun cinn a rinneadh ó d’fhorbair an Garda Síochána an chéad phlean gníomhaíochta don Ghaeilge sa bhliain 1988 agus chun plé go hiomlán le lucht labhartha na Gaeilge i bpobail agus oibleagáidí reachtúla uile teanga a chomhlíonadh.
Tá súil agam go gcuideoidh an fhaisnéis seo leat.
Táim tar éis dul i dteagmháil le húdaráis an Gharda Síochána le haghaidh na faisnéise a lorg an tAire ach, ar an drochuair, ní raibh an fhaisnéis sin ar fáil in am. Scríobhfaidh mé chuig an Teachta arís a luaithe a bheidh an fhaisnéis ar fáil
1073. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when it is intended to publish all outstanding reports on the Dóchas centre for women prisoners; the reason for the delay with this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13141/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of the Inspector of Prisons (OIP) was established under the Prisons Act 2007 and is independent in how it carries out its functions. The Inspector's role is to carry out regular inspections of prisons. The OIP has submitted a number of reports relating to Mountjoy Women’s Prison (Dóchas Centre) which have not yet been published.The Inspector of Prisons' three day monitoring report of the Dóchas Centre was received in my office in August 2020. The Inspector was requested to carry out an investigation into matters arising in the Dóchas Centre, under section 31(2) of the Prisons Act and this investigation report was submitted in February 2022. It was always intended that these reports would be reviewed for publication together but, based on legal advice received by the Department from the Office of the Attorney General, it is not proposed to publish either of those reports at this time.
In addition, a supplementary report requested by the Minister in relation to matters arising from the section 31(2) investigation was received in July 2022.
Consideration of these reports is ongoing and I am therefore not in a position to publish them or comment further on their contents at this time.
In addition, the Deputy may be aware that in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to monitor the situation within prisons for prisoners and staff, the then Inspector of Prisons suspended her 2021 general inspection programme and undertook a COVID-19 focused inspection schedule, designed to provide a human rights-based assessment of the response of the Irish Prison Service to the pandemic. Eight of these reports were published during 2021 with the final set of the thematic reports dealing with: Loughan House Open Centre; Midlands; Castlerea; and Mountjoy Women’s (Dóchas Centre), submitted to my Department and subsequently published in 2022.
Separately, the Deputy may wish to note that under Rule 119(1) of the Prison Rules, each Chaplain is required to submit a report to the Director General and to the Governor on matters relating to the provision of chaplaincy services in the preceding year. The suite of 2021 Chaplains reports, including the one from the Dóchas Centre, have now been finalised and submitted to my Department for information. I understand that the Irish Prison Service expects to publish them as a group to the Irish Prison Service website shortly.
1074. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress that has been made to date in the determination of an application as part of recent undocumented scheme in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13146/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for the person referred to by the Deputy was received by the Undocumented Unit of my Department on 09 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: 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 email 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 email service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
1075. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of long stay join family visa applications processed each week in the past twelve months; if additional staff are being allocated to this unit to avoid any delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13161/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraLong Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. This policy document may be accessed at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf
This Policy Document contains a stated business target that visa applications for family reunification for immediate family members of Irish citizens and Category A sponsors, such as Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders, should be dealt with within 6 months of application.
A 12 month target will apply for applications to join Category B sponsors, such as Non Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders or Stamp 4 holders not covered by other more favourable arrangements.
However, it must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.
While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
The staffing levels in the Visa Division of my Department are kept under review in line with the business needs of the Division.
The below table shows the number of long stay join family visa applications processed in each week of the year 2022 up to 28 February 2023.
|
Year |
Week |
Granted on Appeal |
Granted |
Refused |
|
2022 |
1 |
11 |
834 |
45 |
|
2022 |
2 |
24 |
795 |
92 |
|
2022 |
3 |
25 |
988 |
94 |
|
2022 |
4 |
27 |
766 |
113 |
|
2022 |
5 |
18 |
681 |
84 |
|
2022 |
6 |
22 |
623 |
141 |
|
2022 |
7 |
32 |
704 |
79 |
|
2022 |
8 |
16 |
626 |
128 |
|
2022 |
9 |
25 |
644 |
94 |
|
2022 |
10 |
45 |
564 |
57 |
|
2022 |
11 |
8 |
371 |
39 |
|
2022 |
12 |
25 |
668 |
72 |
|
2022 |
13 |
23 |
836 |
69 |
|
2022 |
14 |
24 |
772 |
74 |
|
2022 |
15 |
19 |
736 |
88 |
|
2022 |
16 |
9 |
403 |
70 |
|
2022 |
17 |
27 |
753 |
78 |
|
2022 |
18 |
40 |
381 |
68 |
|
2022 |
19 |
16 |
622 |
66 |
|
2022 |
20 |
16 |
688 |
56 |
|
2022 |
21 |
13 |
1117 |
82 |
|
2022 |
22 |
13 |
884 |
88 |
|
2022 |
23 |
13 |
862 |
92 |
|
2022 |
24 |
20 |
1157 |
82 |
|
2022 |
25 |
17 |
1000 |
131 |
|
2022 |
26 |
8 |
935 |
87 |
|
2022 |
27 |
14 |
1405 |
90 |
|
2022 |
28 |
13 |
1079 |
59 |
|
2022 |
29 |
9 |
2011 |
100 |
|
2022 |
30 |
34 |
1656 |
159 |
|
2022 |
31 |
27 |
1864 |
139 |
|
2022 |
32 |
41 |
1631 |
155 |
|
2022 |
33 |
26 |
1368 |
123 |
|
2022 |
34 |
36 |
1751 |
146 |
|
2022 |
35 |
41 |
1561 |
194 |
|
2022 |
36 |
32 |
1337 |
127 |
|
2022 |
37 |
41 |
1338 |
122 |
|
2022 |
38 |
20 |
1268 |
124 |
|
2022 |
39 |
15 |
1124 |
146 |
|
2022 |
40 |
28 |
779 |
115 |
|
2022 |
41 |
27 |
1008 |
136 |
|
2022 |
42 |
34 |
1112 |
126 |
|
2022 |
43 |
21 |
612 |
87 |
|
2022 |
44 |
12 |
959 |
67 |
|
2022 |
45 |
27 |
1059 |
83 |
|
2022 |
46 |
22 |
1181 |
149 |
|
2022 |
47 |
49 |
1053 |
108 |
|
2022 |
48 |
14 |
891 |
107 |
|
2022 |
49 |
21 |
858 |
101 |
|
2022 |
50 |
37 |
904 |
169 |
|
2022 |
51 |
26 |
990 |
169 |
|
2022 |
52 |
10 |
351 |
64 |
|
2023 |
1 |
45 |
712 |
132 |
|
2023 |
2 |
26 |
1002 |
199 |
|
2023 |
3 |
28 |
870 |
216 |
|
2023 |
4 |
31 |
807 |
196 |
|
2023 |
5 |
21 |
1127 |
211 |
|
2023 |
6 |
44 |
886 |
179 |
|
2023 |
7 |
60 |
853 |
146 |
|
2023 |
8 |
28 |
785 |
121 |
|
2023 |
9 |
11 |
370 |
63 |
1077. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice when the short-stay visa appeal by a person (details supplied) will be decided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13186/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office on the 15 November 2022. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicant at that time. An appeal of this decision was received in the Dublin Visa Office on the 20 December 2022.
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 the Department's 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. 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/
Processing times can change during the year, for example before holiday periods or for study applications prior to a new college year.
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.
