Cathal Crowe
Question:76. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused temporary protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21989/24]
View answerImmigration Status
Questions (76)
Written answers
I can advise that officials from my Department have emailed the person referred to regarding this matter on Friday 10 May 2024.
They are awaiting a response before this matter can be considered any further.
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: IMoireachtasmail@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.
Naturalisation Applications
Questions (77)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:77. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice when a person (details supplied) will receive their certificate of naturalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21999/24]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise you that all Certificates of naturalisation for the February Ceremony have been printed and issued via registered post. The delay in issuing certificates is regretted and was the result of unforeseen issues with printing. This issue has been resolved and certs will be issued within a matter of weeks in future. In a little over two years the Citizenship Division of my Department has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year to processing over 20,000 applications. This 66% increase in processing has been achieved through digitising and streamlining processes. Last year Citizenship Division more than doubled the number of Citizenship Ceremonies available to applicants with 15 held over the course of the year. These took place in the RDS, Dublin in March, in the INEC, Killarney in June, and in the Convention Centre in both October and December. This was a significant increase on 6 Citizenship Ceremonies held in 2022. The next Citizenship Ceremonies will take place on 10 and 11 June 2024 at the INEC Killarney and also on 20 and 21 June at the Convention Centre Dublin. Information on Citizenship Ceremonies is available on my Department’s website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/citizenship-ceremonies/
Prison Service
Questions (78, 79, 80, 81)
Mark Ward
Question:78. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the amount spent on anti-psychotic medication for inmates in the Irish Prison Service in 2023, 2022 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22073/24]
View answerMark Ward
Question:79. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the number of prescriptions for anti-psychotic medication for inmates in the Irish Prison Service in 2023, 2022 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22074/24]
View answerMark Ward
Question:80. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the amount spent on anti-depression and anxiety medication for inmates in the Irish Prison Service in 2023, 2022 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22075/24]
View answerMark Ward
Question:81. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the number of prescriptions for anti-depression and anxiety medication for inmates in the Irish Prison Service in 2023, 2022 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22076/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 to 81, inclusive, together.
My officials in the Irish Prison Service have advised that the information requested by the Deputy is not recorded centrally and a manual examination of each individuals record would be required. Such an examination would be voluminous in nature, require a significant amount of staff time and resources and could not be warranted, especially with the current demand on resources to meet the needs of people in custody.
I can assure the Deputy that everyone is medically assessed on committal and as required throughout their time in custody by doctors experienced in providing care in a custodial setting. People in custody receive appropriate medical support including medication on an ongoing basis by the Prison doctors and healthcare team.
Medications are prescribed as clinically indicated and these prescriptions are often tailored to the prison environment.
Those suffering from mild to moderate mental illness can often be catered for by IPS healthcare staff within the prison whereas those who require an increase level of care and specialism can be referred to the in-reach consultant-led psychiatric teams.
The Irish Prison Psychology Service provides an integrated service to people in custody. Specifically, this means the Psychology Service is responsible for both mental health and criminogenic (offence related) assessment and interventions.
The Irish Prison Psychology Service works primarily through a layered care model, providing primary, secondary and tertiary level mental health care to people in custody. A layered care model provides clients with access to a variety of responses, from minimal interventions such as whole population approaches with the Red Cross and primary care mental health interventions, to more specialist mental health and personality disorder treatments.
At any one time approximately 60% of referrals to the Psychology Service are specifically in relation to the mental health of people in custody. These referrals include; mood and anxiety disorders, stress related disorders, disorders of personality and behaviour, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) including Complex PTSD, self-harm and suicidal behaviour, substance use, eating disorders, psychosis and schizophrenia, addiction, dementias, cognitive decline, traumatic brain injuries, impulse disorders, and disorders of sexual preference.
In addition, the Service works to support people who present with various other intellectual, behavioural and emotional challenges for which different treatment approaches, or indeed multiple approaches, may be required.
People in custody can also access a range of Psychological Supports and Addiction Counselling and the Irish Prison Service is exploring options to provide additional supports to people with addiction and mental health issues, including through the 'Recovery College' model which provides education, training and workshops and the introduction of an Addiction Studies course in Prisons.
Question No. 79 answered with Question No. 78.
Question No. 80 answered with Question No. 78.
Question No. 81 answered with Question No. 78.
Asylum Applications
Questions (82)
Bríd Smith
Question:82. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of people refused permission to enter Ireland via inbound flight in the past 12 months who subsequently applied for international protection, by nationality of applicants and month; the number refused permission to enter Ireland who were actually turned back with the airline that brought them in, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22116/24]
View answerWritten answers
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 frontline immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other airports and other ports of entry 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.
Asylum Applications
Questions (83, 84)
Bríd Smith
Question:83. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of international protection applications received in the past 12 months, by nationality of applicants and month, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22117/24]
View answerBríd Smith
Question:84. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice how many people were granted refugee status, subsidiary protection and permission to remain the country in the past twelve months, by month, type of status granted and nationality, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22118/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 84 together.
I can confirm that my Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times.
Making sure that applications are processed quickly means those who need our protection are given the opportunity to re-build their life in Ireland in a timely manner. It also means that those who do not qualify, return to their country of origin.
My Department have taken a significant number of measures to increase the capacity of the international protection system.
In July 2023, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme involved unparalleled investment in staff, panel members, reengineered processes, and technology. We have implemented measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants.
The information sought by the Deputy is set out at the following link:
Question No. 84 answered with Question No. 83.
Assisted Animal Reproduction
Questions (85)
Paul Murphy
Question:85. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a ban on the surgical artificial insemination of all dog breeds, including greyhounds, in light of the Veterinary Council of Ireland's updated code of professional conduct (details supplied). [21973/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware of the Veterinary Council of Ireland's (VCI) updated code of professional conduct as regards canine surgical artificial insemination and I note the report of the Working Group on Control of Dogs, approved by Cabinet in March 2023, which includes a recommendation that surgical artificial insemination in canines ought to be prohibited, where the word canine encompasses all breeds of dogs, including greyhounds.
Officials from my Department are closely examining this issue and will be providing me with advice on an appropriate course of action in due course.
Horse Racing Industry
Questions (86)
Paul Murphy
Question:86. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 510 of 5 March 2024, if he will provide a breakdown, by name of hunt and amount, in relation to the 2023 Horse Racing Ireland grants to hunts. [21974/24]
View answerWritten answers
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (87)
Michael Creed
Question:87. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has yet to receive their full basic payment. [22129/24]
View answerWritten answers
An application for participation in the Basic Income Support of Sustainability (BISS) scheme was received from the above named applicant on May 24th 2023.
A new requirement under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) effective from January 1st 2023 requires that applicants receiving payments under any CAP scheme must meet an “active farmer check”. This is to ensure the person receiving the payments is the person farming the land being claimed.
The active farmer claim selected by the applicant at the time of application was "plan to purchase livestock in 2023". Where this claim is selected applicants are advised that payment may be delayed to 2024. This is to allow verification of stocking rate calculations in relation to this active farmer claim.
Applicants are required to fulfil both of the following stocking rate criteria.
• Annual Stocking Rate: Applicants must meet their annual stocking rate requirement (minimum 0.10LU/ha per month)
• Retention period: Applicants must maintain a stocking density equal to or greater than 0.10 LU/ha for a minimum of 28 consecutive weeks in the calendar year 2023
In January 2024 an administration review of the applicant's stocking profile showed ovine movements into the herd on July 18th 2023, which would indicate the applicant held animals for only 24 of the required 28 consecutive weeks.
On foot of this administrative review, a letter in relation to the active farmer claim was issued to the applicant on February 7th 2024, outlining the options available to meet the active farmer check.
No correspondence has been received from the applicant in relation to this to date. If the applicant can submit supporting documentation as outlined in the February 7th correspondence, then DAFM can process this.
The documentation should be submitted online via activefarmer@agriculture.gov.ie. Please ensure the applicant's Herd number and scheme year is clearly marked on all supporting documentation submitted.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (88)
Brendan Griffin
Question:88. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his advice regarding an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22130/24]
View answerWritten answers
The National Dairy Beef Welfare scheme to which the Deputy refers was a national scheme which operated in 2023. This scheme paid farmers (dairy farmers or non-dairy farmers who bought in dairy beef calves) who reared dairy beef calves, €20 per calf to weigh them and upload the weights to ICBF.
This scheme is now replaced by the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) Dairy Beef Welfare scheme (DBWS). The objective of the CSP Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme (DBWS) is to incentivise the use of genetic tools to improve the beef merit of progeny from dairy herds. Breeding with high Dairy Beef Index (DBI) sires has established progeny performance benefits as measured by their Commercial Beef Value (CBV). The scheme supports the use of the DBI to produce calves with a higher CBV.
The DBWS is a breeding measure which supports farmers using genotyped and genetically superior beef sires for breeding dairy beef calves. Participants will be required to have calves born on their holding in the scheme year which must be sired by a 3 or 4 or 5-star stock bull or from 3 or 4 or 5-star AI straws, or a mixture of both, to be eligible for payment in each scheme year for which an application has been submitted.
The scheme runs from 2024 to 2027 inclusive. Scheme year one is in respect of calves born between 01 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, and each succeeding scheme year is from 01 January to 31 December for calves born in that calendar year.
Applicants can apply for this scheme on agfood.ie from 21 March 2024 until 23:59 on 15 May 2024, followed by a further 25 days albeit with late penalties.
The payment rate is €20 per eligible calf up to a maximum of 50 caves for each of the scheme years. Payments for scheme year 1 (2024) will be made in March 2025 to farmers who satisfy the scheme requirements. Payments will issue each year in March following the scheme year end.