Wednesday, 17 Jan 2024

Written Answers Nos. 1043-1062

Immigration Policy

Ceisteanna (1043)

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

1043. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice how many person’s fingerprints were checked against the Europol Information System to date in 2023. [56977/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended).  Interactions between An Garda Síochána and EUROPOL are operational matters for the Commissioner. Furthermore, the Deputy will appreciate that EUROPOL is a separate, transnational organisation that rests outside of my remit as Minister.

I am informed that An Garda Síochána does not input fingerprints on the Europol Information System (EIS).

An Garda Síochána directly contacts Member States and third party countries via the Secure Information Exchange Network Application (SIENA) if a search on fingerprints is required. As a result, there are no figures available for fingerprint checks against EIS. 

Deportation Orders

Ceisteanna (1044, 1045)

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

1044. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice how many deportation orders were made to date in 2023. [56978/23]

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

1045. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice how many persons were deported to date in 2023. [56979/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1044 and 1045 together.

I can advise the Deputy that deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. It must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must remove themselves from the State.

I can also advise the Deputy that there were 857 Deportation Orders were signed in 2023. As per the table below, 317 people were removed from the state under various processes in 2023.

Deportation enforced by GNIB	52
Self-deportation confirmed	28
EU Removal	21
DIII Transfer	3
Return Order	0
Voluntary Return	213
	317

The numbers for Deportation Orders effected does not take account of individuals who have left the State without informing my Department. It is the case that many individuals who are subject to Deportation Orders leave the State without notifying the relevant authorities and this particular category of individual is difficult to quantify.

Question No. 1045 answered with Question No. 1044.

Departmental Consultations

Ceisteanna (1046)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

1046. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice if consultation has taken place with disabled persons representative organisations in relation to the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022. [57012/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The Government is fully committed to fighting racism, prejudice and bigotry, and strongly condemns the actions of those who abuse and attack others because of their own prejudices against any part of a person’s inherent identity, including any disability that a person may have. Ireland is a diverse and tolerant country that strives to facilitate full participation in society by all and endeavours to support and protect those who need it.

The Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022 will reinforce the protections that already exist in law in the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 and extends the existing list of protected characteristics to include persons with disabilities.

The protected characteristics that underpin the new legislation are race; colour; nationality; descent; religion; ethnic or national origin; sexual orientation; sex characteristics; gender (including gender expression or gender identity), and disability.

Development of the legislation was informed by an extensive public consultation process that began in 2019. The consultation included an online survey, written submissions and in-depth engagement with civil society and community groups, academics and experts and drew almost 4,000 responses. This ensured that the legislative proposals that followed were informed by the actual needs and lived experiences of those who are most often targeted by hate speech and hate crime.

A number of organisations and groups representing persons with disabilities took part in the public consultation by making formal submissions and taking part in workshops. Since that time, several of these organisations and experts in the area of hate crime and disability have made further contributions through submissions to the Minister and the Department of Justice and at the public hearing for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the Bill before the Oireachtas Justice Committee.

Hate speech and hate crime are particularly damaging because of the way they limit participation and promote the exclusion of those who are targeted. The direct harms caused in the commission of offences are prolonged and magnified by the hatred and targeting of minorities.

It was very welcomed and very much appreciated that representatives of people living with disability and disabled persons themselves ensured that their specific experiences informed development of the Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences Bill 2022. Their testimonies have highlighted their experience of vulnerability to being targeted by hate speech and hate crime and of how this affects their ability to participate in society. Representative organisations also testified to particularly spiteful hate speech occurring online.

The perception of disabled persons as easy targets can result in people avoiding particular places or situations, such as public places and transport. Disabled persons may also have more difficulty than others in responding to hate speech or hate crime targeted at them. The new legislation will provide important protections and has been roundly welcomed by these groups.

Among the organisations that have made contributions in respect of persons with disabilities throughout the process of developing the Bill, are: The Irish Deaf Society, Irish Wheelchair Association, National Council for the Blind of Ireland, National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers, Independent Living Movement Ireland, National Platform of Self Advocates, Voluntary Services at St Micheal’s House, Peamont Community Services, Chime (The National Charity for Deafness and Hearing Loss), The Irish Human Rights and Equality Authority, Inclusion Ireland, The National Council for People with Disabilities, The National Disability Authority and Voice of Vision Impairment.

Residency Permits

Ceisteanna (1047)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Ceist:

1047. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice whether she is aware of the situation whereby bus and lorry drivers coming from South Africa to take up employment with transport companies are experiencing significant delays in making appointments for IRP in Dublin, a three week processing time for receipt of IRP cards, and the delay this is causing for NDLS appointments, and consequently employees being unable to take up their position as drivers to alleviate pressure in public and private transport services, as outlined in (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57052/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for applicants residing in the Dublin area only. First time registrations for applicants outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network. The allocation of appointments with the GNIB is a matter for An Garda Síochána.

The Registration Office operates an appointments booking service for first-time registration appointments via a Freephone service (1800 800 630).  All appointments for Dublin based applicants to register their immigration permission are issued through this service.

Appointment slots in Dublin are released up to 3 months ahead, while the earliest appointment currently available is typically within 1 week. Once registered, an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card will issue within 10–15 working days.

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Ceisteanna (1048)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

1048. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice what measures she has undertaken to comply with the Istanbul Convention; the cost of these measures; and the breakdown of the spend related to the Convention for the budget year 2024, in tabular form . [57086/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland formally ratified the Istanbul Convention on 8 March 2019 (International Women’s Day), having given full effect to all obligations required of it.

This was achieved through the completion of an extensive action plan incorporated into the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV).

This work included the enactment of a number of significant pieces of legislation required to give effect to the Convention in Irish law, including -

• The Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017

• The Criminal Justice (Sexual Offences) Act 2017

• The Domestic Violence Act 2018

• This Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Act 2019.

Other necessary actions for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention incorporated into the Second National Strategy were:

• The development and delivery of education and training modules to specific target groups in the public sector including An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, Tusla (Child and Family Agency) and the Health Service Executive (HSE);

• The development and implementation of a Risk Assessment Matrix by An Garda Síochána for all victims of domestic violence and sexual crime;

• The implementation by Tusla of two integrated national 24 hour helplines to respond to the issues of domestic violence and sexual violence; and

• The provision of support for child witnesses of domestic and sexual violence

The Third National Strategy published in June 2022 is structured around the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention – Protection, Prevention, Prosecution and Policy Co-ordination and builds on what has been achieved under the Second National Strategy. 

The first accompanying implementation plan contained 144 detailed actions assigned to my department and other departments and agencies across Government and subsequent implementation plans will be published annually during the lifetime of the Strategy. 

In line with the priority which this Government is attaching to tackling DSGBV, we have committed to doubling the number of refuge spaces over the lifetime of the strategy, bringing it to 280 by the end of 2026.

The Deputy will be aware of the recent establishment of Cuan, the new DSGBV Agency.

The new agency will work collaboratively with the NGO and DSGBV sector to ensure that the best possible services are in place to meet the needs of victims and survivors.

It will be tasked with supporting and overseeing the delivery of safe and accessible refuge accommodation and ensuring the delivery of excellent services to victims of DSGBV (including helpline and other supports).

I have also strengthened our legislation in a number of areas including by: 

• Doubling the maximum sentence for assault causing harm to 10 years;

• Increasing the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life;

• Increasing the maximum sentence for assaulting a Garda or emergency worker from 7 to 12 years.

• Providing new and stronger measures to improve the post release supervision of sex offenders and provide for electronic tagging

• Making stalking a standalone criminal offence, with a sentence of up to 10 years;

• Introducing a new offence of non-fatal strangulation or non-fatal suffocation with a maximum sentence of up to ten years.

• Providing for civil orders restraining stalking type behaviour.

I can assure the Deputy that we will continue to review progress on the development of refuge accommodation and will continue to build on what has been achieved by setting goals to bring us closer to the targets set for refuge accommodation under the Istanbul Convention.

Regarding the spend related to the Convention, Ireland has fully incorporated the Istanbul obligations into the current and previous DSGBV Strategy and other DSGBV initiatives.

As such, it is not possible to extrapolate such figures from general DSGBV and Victims of Crime funding.

International Protection

Ceisteanna (1049, 1050, 1051, 1059)

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

1049. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice if her Department notifies IPAS when an applicant is no longer in the international protection application process, having been refused protection by the IPO and not appealed to the IPAT, having had their appeal disallowed by the IPAT and not sought a judicial review, or having been withdrawn or deemed withdrawn. [57088/23]

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

1050. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice if her Department notifies IPAS when an applicant is no longer in the international protection application process before, or only after the applicant's permission to remain application has been determined pursuant to Section 49 of the International Protection Act 2014 or at all. [57089/23]

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

1051. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice if it is a matter for her Department how many persons are in IPAS accommodation who once were, but are no longer, in the international protection application process; and if she will provide the figure. [57090/23]

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

1059. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who have been granted international protection or a leave to remain less than 6, 6-12, 12-18, 18-24, 24-30, 30-36, 36-42 and 42-48 months ago, and note than 48 months ago, respectively, reside in accommodation provided by IPAS; and how many have reached the age where they have the same social welfare entitlements as Irish and EU citizens in the State. [57126/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1049, 1050, 1051 and 1059 together.

I can advise the Deputy that my Department notifies IPAS when an application for international protection made by an IPAS resident has been finalised.

Such cases can be finalised by the making of a deportation order at the end of the substantive process, or a return order where an application for international protection has been found to be inadmissible.

Officials in my department also notify IPAS when a decision has been taken to grant a protection applicant either an international protection status, encompassing refugee status or subsidiary protection, or permission to remain in the State. This notification may be issued following a first-instance decision and before any appeal or post-appeal where the decision to grant permission to remain arose from the permission to remain review process.

I can further also advise the Deputy that once an international protection applicant has been granted an international protection or permission to remain status, they are no longer applicants for the purposes of the International Protection Act 2015. At that point, they are no longer required to provide my Department with an up to date address.

The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth may hold more detailed information sought by the Deputy regarding persons who remain in IPAS accommodation.

Question No. 1050 answered with Question No. 1049.

Question No. 1051 answered with Question No. 1049.

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (1052)

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

1052. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide the average and median length of time between the tribunal affirmation of a recommendation referred to in section 39 (3)(c) made in respect of an application, and the conclusion of the subsequent Minister's review of decision made under subsection (4)(b) in respect of the applicant concerned reviews concluded since February 2020; and if she will provide that figure per month over that period. [57091/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The information requested is currently being compiled and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

 

Residency Permits

Ceisteanna (1053)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

1053. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice how many Irish residence permit cards were issued in 2023. [57099/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering and renewing immigration permissions for customers residing in the Dublin area only. Registrations and renewals for persons resident outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network.

I can inform the Deputy that in 2023, 300,775 Irish immigration residence permissions were issued nationally. Of these, 103,772 were to first time applicants and 197,003 were renewals.

An Irish Residence Permit card (IRP card) is normally issued following the successful registration or renewal of an applicant's immigration permission.However, it should be noted that not all registrations result in the issuing of an IRP card, and some cards are issued more than once for various reasons, such as lost or stolen cards and an additional small number will issue for testing/sampling purposes.

International Protection

Ceisteanna (1054)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

1054. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice if she will expedite an application for international protection (details supplied). [57102/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

Where a person has made an application for international protection, there is a legal requirement under the International Protection Act 2015 to maintain full confidentiality at all times. Therefore the Department is unable to publish any information that would identify an international protection applicant.

If an application for international protection has been made in the State, the applicant or their designated legal advisor should contact the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate. This will enable a full and comprehensive reply to be provided.

Both the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) are fully independent in deciding whether or not to grant international protection. Each application is examined individually on its own merits, in line with national and international asylum law.

The International Protection Office may be contacted: by email to [e-mail]; by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028000 or in writing to Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.

The International Protection Appeals Tribunal may be contacted either: by email to [e-mail]; by telephone at 01-4748400 (or Lo-Call 1890 201 458), or in writing to Corporate Services Division, The International Protection Appeals Tribunal, 6-7 Hanover Street East, Dublin D02 W320.

Information and an overview of the application process for international protection applicants can be found on the IPO website here: www.ipo.gov.ie/en/IPO/Pages/Assessment_of_Application.

Information on how to make an appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal, as well as how to access legal advice can be found here: www.protectionappeals.ie/how-to-appeal/.

The Department's website also provides a detailed overview of the International Protection process in Ireland which can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/304ba-international-protection/.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases (excepting those relating to an international protection applicant) may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas mail facility 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.

Legislative Reviews

Ceisteanna (1055)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

1055. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice to give an update on the operation of the Sex Offenders (Amendment) Act 2023 and what impact she believes it is having on deterring or controlling sex offenders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57114/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

On 13 November last, I commenced the Sex Offenders (Amendment) Act 2023 which, as the Deputy will be aware, provides for stricter oversight and management of convicted sex offenders within the community.  

This new legislation strengthens the notification requirements for sex offenders and provides for the court to prohibit a sex offender from working with children. It also provides additional powers to An Garda Síochána to take photographs, fingerprints and palm prints from a convicted sex offender and has given Gardaí the power to disclose information regarding a convicted sex offender to a third party in certain circumstances.

An Garda Síochána has responsibility for monitoring those convicted of sexual offences who are subject to Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001. The Garda National Protective Services Bureau have a dedicated unit, the Sex Offender Management and Intelligence Unit (SOMIU) who ensure national governance of the management of convicted sex offenders subject to the requirements of the Sex Offenders Act 2001, as amended. In doing so they liaise on a daily basis with Nominated Divisional Inspectors and their teams nationwide with regard to maintaining records and monitoring those sex offenders within the community.

The  Sex Offenders (Amendment) Act 2023 also places the current Sex Offenders Risk Assessment and Management (SORAM) monitoring process for sex offenders on a statutory footing. SORAM is a multi-agency approach to the management of convicted sex offenders within the community who are subject to Part 2 of the 2001 Act, as amended. SORAM includes representatives of the Probation Service, An Garda Síochána, Local Authority Sex Offender Liaison Officer, and Tusla Child Protection Social Work team, and supports robust information sharing and effective risk management strategies reviewed regularly, relative to the risk posed by the offender.

In addition, the Sex Offender Act 2023 has broadened the eligibility criteria to allow more convicted sex offenders to be considered for inclusion in this process, based on their assessed level of risk of reoffending and the risk of harm they pose in the community. These changes will ensure that those who are considered as posing the most risk will be subject to robust co-ordinated multi-agency risk management with accountability and oversight. Furthermore the Act allows for the duration of inclusion in the SORAM process to be extended beyond the period of Probation supervision for as long as the offender is subject to notification requirements under the Sex Offenders Act 2001, which may be for life. 

This new legislation gives An Garda Síochána and the Probation Service increased tools to ensure sex offenders are managed effectively, striking an appropriate balance between monitoring and restricting offenders while also supporting them in their rehabilitation.

The new laws will also help alleviate understandable concerns which communities can have about sex offenders and the protection of public safety and our citizens.

While I am confident that this legislation will make an important contribution to the management of sex offenders into the future, it is too early to make an informed assessment of its impact.

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Ceisteanna (1056)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

1056. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the breakdown of the costs of the new Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Agency; the spend it will be responsible for allocating; and how much of this spend has been transferred to her Department from the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, in tabular form. [57115/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) is a priority for me and my Department and this is reflected in a range of policies and legislation, as well as unprecedented increases in Budget allocations.

Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Agency has a total budget of just over €59 million in 2024, some €40.115 million of which transferred from the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The majority of this funding will be allocated to the provision of DSGBV services.

	Pay  €	Non-Pay €	Total €
Corporate Budget for Agency	2,147,000	2,692,000	4,839,000
DSGBV Services and Grant Funding		47,360,850	47,360,850
Prevention and Awareness Raising		6,849,000	6,849,000
Total Budget			59,048,850

 *Amounts are indicative and may be subject to change

Cuan will be funded from Vote 24, the Department of Justice. The Deputy may wish to see the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, which is available at this link:

11c793e0-5e54-40af-9468-70d42b445e50.pdf (www.gov.ie)

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Ceisteanna (1057)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

1057. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice for an update with regard to her plans for funding domestic violence refuges; and the new refuges that will be established to cover current counties with no provision. [57116/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) is a priority for me and my Department and this is reflected in a range of policies and legislation, as well as unprecedented increases in Budget allocations.

As the Deputy will be aware, in June 2022 I published an ambitious €363 million, five-year, Zero Tolerance Strategy.

One of the overarching goals of the Strategy is ensuring that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one and Government has committed to working with the sector to double the number of refuge spaces over the lifetime of the strategy, bringing it to 280 by the end of 2026.

In terms of the location for these additional places, the Tusla review of accommodation services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence identified priority locations where between 50 and 60 new refuge places are needed. Further analysis undertaken identified 12 locations nationwide where the delivery of 98 family refuge spaces would have the most impact if prioritised.

In the initial phase of this work it is expected that 36 places will have been delivered in Wexford, Dundalk and Navan by the end of 2024. The developments in the other priority locations are currently mainly focused on establishing local stakeholders and lead organisations and on site selection.

The priority locations identified are:  

• Sligo (8 family places)

• Cavan/Monaghan (8 family places)

• Cork city (12 family places – 6 new, 6 replacement)

• North Cork (5 family places)

• West Cork (5 family places)

• Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown (10 family places)

• Westmeath (8 family places – four new, four replacements)

• Portlaoise (8 family places)

• Balbriggan (10 family places)

• Longford (8 family places)

• Carlow (8 family places)

• Offaly (8 family places)

The Deputy will be aware of the recent establishment of Cuan, the new Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) Agency.

This new agency will work collaboratively with the NGO and DSGBV sector to ensure that the best possible services are in place to meet the needs of victims and survivors.

The tasks of the agency include:

• Coordinating and reporting on the delivery of Government strategies relating to DSGBV (including the current National Strategy)

• Supporting and overseeing the doubling of safe and accessible refuge accommodation, and ensuring the delivery of excellent services to victims of DSGBV (including helpline and other supports)

• Developing robust standards for funded DSGBV services in collaboration with the sector, and monitoring adherence to these standards by funded service providers

International Protection

Ceisteanna (1058)

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

1058. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who have been granted labour market access permission who reside in accommodation provided by IPAS. [57125/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

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.

Since January 2021 nearly 23,800 first-time applications and renewal applications have been received by the Labour Market Access Unit of my Department and nearly 21,400 have been granted.

Applicants are eligible to apply if:

• They are an international protection applicant; and

• They have waited at least 5 months from their “Application Received” date for their first instance recommendation; and

• They are cooperating with the international protection process – delays in receiving a recommendation must not be attributable to the applicant.

Following that, a person will be issued a permission for labour market access if, at 6 months, they have not yet received a first instance recommendation. This permission is valid for 12 months and may be renewed until a final decision is made on the person's international protection application.

At the time of processing an application for Labour Market Access, the Unit notes whether an applicant is resident in IPAS accommodation. However, if the individual subsequently moves elsewhere, this information is not recorded. Therefore it should be noted that the figures in the table below represent a snapshot in time rather than current numbers in IPAS accommodation.

Applicants living in IPAS accommodation at time of LMA permission granted in Year 2023*:

First Permit	7,505
Renewal	2,175
Total	9,680

* These figures are correct at time of issue, however, statistics may change due to data cleansing.

Question No. 1059 answered with Question No. 1049.

Family Reunification

Ceisteanna (1060)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

1060. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when a family reunification application will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57150/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The persons referred to by the Deputy created on-line Join Family visa applications on 16 May 2023 and 25 May 2023. The supporting documentation and relevant fees were applied on 29 May 2023 in the Manila visa office. These visa applications were received in the Dublin Visa Office on 15 June 2023 where they await comprehensive examination.

As each application is examined under it's own merits, we are unable to give an exact time-frame for completion. However, the applicants can be assured that there will be no avoidable delay in finalising their applications.

The Visa office Dublin are currently processing applications of this type received on the 21 February 2023. Applicants can keep up-to-date with the dates the Visa Office in Dublin are processing by checking the following page; which is updated weekly;

www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/

Applicants are advised not to pay for airline or other travel tickets without having first been issued with a visa.

The persons referred to by the Deputy will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa 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 ([e-mail]), 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.  

Residency Permits

Ceisteanna (1061)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

1061. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57180/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The application by the person referred to by the Deputy was received by the Undocumented Unit of my Department on 23 February 2022 and continues to be processed. Unfortunately, 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, the vetting process with An Garda Síochána, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of my Department to seek further information, and the resources available. Applications where there is an existing deportation order will also 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 [e-mail], 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 cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Ceisteanna (1062)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

1062. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice to clarify what role, if any, the new Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Agency will have in the allocation of capital spend for the construction of refuges; and how the agency will interact with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the matter. [57189/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

Prior to the establishment of Cuan, the new Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Agency, an Interdepartmental Steering Committee was established to manage and oversee progress on the delivery of additional refuge units.

This Committee was chaired by the Department of Justice, with representation from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Tusla and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth.

This Committee has worked with domestic violence support groups in the priority locations to support their advancement of new refuge developments with funding support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. 

In 2023 the Committee also agreed a design approach for the development of future refuges and provided project management resources to local groups. Since establishment on the 1st of January, Cuan has taken the Chair of this Committee.  

Through this Committee, Cuan and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will continue to assist the development of local structures operating in the priority areas identified in the Third National Strategy, and will support their advancement of the new refuges with capital funding support continuing to be provided via the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.