Written Answers Nos. 412-431
412. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of social welfare recipients, by social welfare type in 2023; and the projected number of social welfare recipients by social welfare type in 2024, disaggregated by social welfare type, in tabular form. [22908/24]
View answerThe number of recipients at end 2023 and the estimated number of recipients in 2024 as per the Revised Estimates Volume are shown in the the table below.
|
Recipients by DSP Scheme |
Payment Frequency |
Recipients as at end December 2023 |
2024 Estimate for Average Recipients |
|
PENSIONS |
|||
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
W |
100,201 |
98,131 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
W |
506,724 |
528,556 |
|
Widows', Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners' Pension (Contributory) |
W |
125,943 |
126,395 |
|
Widows', Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners' Pension (Death Benefit) |
W |
697 |
681 |
|
WORKING AGE INCOME SUPPORTS |
|||
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
W |
119,356 |
142,883 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
W |
44,298 |
44,643 |
|
Widows' Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners Pension (Non-Contributory) |
W |
1,050 |
1,010 |
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
W |
35 |
33 |
|
Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments |
W |
12,832 |
12,110 |
|
Farm Assist |
W |
4,030 |
3,802 |
|
Exceptional and Urgent Needs *** |
O |
85,443 |
66,533 |
|
Other Working Age Supports |
|||
|
Daily Expense Allowance |
W |
14,660 |
12,720 |
|
Other Supplements |
W |
2,675 |
1,729 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
W |
38,206 |
36,034 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit Self Employed |
W |
625 |
656 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
W |
4,248 |
4,165 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
W |
19,818 |
18,940 |
|
Adoptive Benefit |
W |
10 |
9 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
W |
342 |
935 |
|
Parents Benefit |
W |
4,256 |
6,409 |
|
Health and Safety Benefit |
W |
26 |
36 |
|
Treatment Benefits |
|||
|
Treatment Benefits - Dental |
O |
1,050,674 |
1,299,255 |
|
Treatment Benefits - Optical Benefit |
O |
635,478 |
712,788 |
|
Treatment Benefits - Medical & Surgical Devices & Wigs |
O |
32,667 |
35,400 |
|
WORKING AGE - EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS |
|||
|
Community Employment Programme |
|||
|
Participants |
W |
18,821 |
18,600 |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
|||
|
Participant |
W |
2,710 |
2,821 |
|
Tús - Community Work Placement |
|||
|
Participant |
W |
4,580 |
4,625 |
|
Job Initiative |
|||
|
Participant |
W |
353 |
376 |
|
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance |
W |
2,011 |
2,449 |
|
Back to Education Allowance |
W |
3,334 |
2,687 |
|
JobsPlus |
M |
650 |
775 |
|
Work Placement Experience Programme |
W |
187 |
319 |
|
Other Employment Supports |
|||
|
Part Time Job Incentive |
W |
90 |
95 |
|
ILLNESS, DISABILITY AND CARERS |
|||
|
Disability Allowance |
W |
162,326 |
159,866 |
|
Blind Pension |
W |
968 |
990 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
W |
95,787 |
96,070 |
|
Domicilliary Care Allowance |
M |
53,656 |
56,077 |
|
Carer's Support Grant |
A |
129,701 |
142,687 |
|
Wage Subsidy Scheme |
W |
2,451 |
1,548 |
|
Illness Benefit |
W |
56,338 |
53,106 |
|
Injury Benefit |
W |
491 |
570 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
W |
56,650 |
54,637 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
W |
2,891 |
3,027 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
14,359 |
13,584 |
|
|
Medical Care |
O |
330 |
14 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
W |
3,904 |
3,757 |
|
CHILDREN |
|||
|
Child Benefit |
M |
656,057 |
661,368 |
|
Working Family Payment |
W |
46,105 |
47,114 |
|
Back to Work Family Dividend |
W |
2,255 |
2,717 |
|
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance |
O |
154,019 |
178,648 |
|
Other Child Supports |
|||
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) |
W |
598 |
575 |
|
Widowed Parent / Surviving Civil Partner Grant (NON-CONTRIBUTORY) |
O |
71 |
72 |
|
SIF Funded Child Related Payments |
|||
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
W |
1,240 |
1,131 |
|
Widowed Parent / Surviving Civil Partner Grant (Contributory) |
O |
1,078 |
1,080 |
|
SUPPLEMENTARY PAYMENTS, AGENCIES AND MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES |
|||
|
Rent Supplement |
W |
7,861 |
7,858 |
|
Household Benefits Package [Vote 37 + SIF] |
|||
|
Electricity Allowance |
M |
455,480 |
475,762 |
|
Gas Allowance |
M |
54,509 |
57,215 |
|
Free Television Licence |
M |
521,753 |
514,369 |
|
Telephone Support Allowance |
W |
155,023 |
154,106 |
|
Free Travel |
1,089,411 |
1,104,230 |
|
|
Fuel Allowance [Vote 37 + SIF] |
W |
411,395 |
412,499 |
|
Miscellaneous Services |
|||
|
Rent allowance (de-control of rents legislation) |
W |
37 |
36 |
|
Ex gratia payments to women from Magdalen Laundries and other Institutions |
W, 4W |
380 |
398 |
|
***figure for whole year |
413. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the maximum weekly rates of social welfare payments, by social welfare type, in 2023 and to date in 2024; and the average payment received, by social welfare type in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [22909/24]
View answerThe 2023 and 2024 maximum personal weekly rate of social welfare payments are shown in Table 1.
The 2023 and 2024 rates for an increase for qualified adult are shown in Table 2.
The 2023 and 2024 rates for an increase in qualified child are shown in Table 3.
The core average payment received in 2023 and 2024 (January - April) are shown in Table 4, which excludes the impact of any once-off measures. The average payments received may include increases for qualified adult and qualified child as well as personal rate.
|
Table 1 - Maximum Personal Rates of Payment 2023 & 2024 |
|||
|
Personal Rates of Payment |
2023 |
2024 |
|
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
66yrs & Over |
€265.30 |
€277.30 |
|
Widow/er's/Surviving Civil Partner (Con) Pension / Deserted Wife's Benefit |
66yrs & Over |
€265.30 |
€277.30 |
|
Death Benefit Pension |
66yrs & Over |
€269.70 |
€281.70 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
66yrs & Over |
€239.30 |
€251.30 |
|
State Pension (Non Contributory) |
66yrs & Over |
€254.00 |
€266.00 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
66yrs & Over |
€274.00 |
€286.00 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
€225.50 |
€237.50 |
|
|
Widow/er's/Surviving Civil Partner (Con) Pension / Deserted Wife's Benefit |
Under 66yrs |
€225.50 |
€237.50 |
|
Death Benefit Pension |
Under 66yrs |
€250.50 |
€262.50 |
|
Carer's Benefit / Constant Attendance Allowance |
€237.00 |
€249.00 |
|
|
Disablement Benefit |
€251.00 |
€263.00 |
|
|
Jobseeker's Benefit/JBSE/Illness Benefit/Incapacity Supplement/H&S/Injury Benefit |
€220.00 |
€232.00 |
|
|
Maternity Benefit/ Adoptive Benefit |
€262.00 |
€274.00 |
|
|
Paternity Benefit/Parent's Benefit |
€262.00 |
€274.00 |
|
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
€203.00 |
€215.00 |
|
|
Jobseeker's Allowance/PRETA |
€220.00 |
€232.00 |
|
|
Widow/er's/Surviving Civil Partner (Non-Con) Pension / Deserted Wife's Allowance |
€220.00 |
€232.00 |
|
|
Disability Allowance/Blind Pension |
€220.00 |
€232.00 |
|
|
Farm Assist |
€220.00 |
€232.00 |
|
|
One Parent Family Payment |
€220.00 |
€232.00 |
|
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
€218.00 |
€230.00 |
|
|
Carer's Allowance |
Under 66yrs |
€236.00 |
€248.00 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non Contributory) |
€203.00 |
€215.00 |
|
|
Jobseeker's Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
|||
|
Rate for recipients aged 18 to 24 years of age (inclusive) |
€129.70 |
€141.70 |
|
|
Activation Schemes |
|||
|
Back to Education Allowance |
€220.00 |
€232.00 |
|
|
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance |
€220.00 |
€232.00 |
|
|
Community Employment Programme * |
€247.50 |
€259.50 |
|
|
TÚS - Community Work Placement * |
€247.50 |
€259.50 |
|
|
Rural Social Scheme * |
€247.50 |
€259.50 |
|
|
Jobs Initiative |
€495.00 |
€519.00 |
|
|
Part Time Job Incentive Scheme |
€139.40 |
€147.00 |
|
|
Work Placement Experience Programme |
€323.00 |
€335.00 |
|
|
* Rate includes Top-Up payment |
|||
|
Table 2 - Increase Qualified Adult (IQA) Rates 2023 & 2024 |
|||
|
2023 IQA Rate |
2024 IQA Rate |
||
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
IQA 66 years & Over |
€237.80 |
€248.60 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
IQA Under 66 years |
€176.70 |
€184.70 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
IQA Under 66 years |
€161.10 |
€169.70 |
|
State Pension (Non Contributory) |
IQA Under 66 years |
€167.80 |
€175.70 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
IQA 66 years & Over |
€158.80 |
€166.80 |
|
Blind Person's Pension |
€146.00 |
€154.00 |
|
|
Jobseeker's Benefit/JBSE/ Illness Benefit / Incapacity Supplement/ H&S / Injury Benefit |
€146.00 |
€154.00 |
|
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
€146.00 |
€154.00 |
|
|
Disability Allowance |
€146.00 |
€154.00 |
|
|
Farm Assist |
€146.00 |
€154.00 |
|
|
SWA |
€146.00 |
€154.00 |
|
|
JA & SWA Under 25 year olds |
|||
|
Rate for QA's aged 18 to 24 years of age (inclusive) |
€129.70 |
€141.70 |
|
|
Activation Schemes - IQA under 66 years |
|||
|
Back to Education Allowance |
€146.00 |
€154.00 |
|
|
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance |
€146.00 |
€154.00 |
|
|
Community Employment Programme * |
€146.00 |
€154.00 |
|
|
TÚS - Community Work Placement * |
€146.00 |
€154.00 |
|
|
Rural Social Scheme * |
€146.00 |
€154.00 |
|
|
Jobs Initiative |
|||
|
Part Time Job Incentive Scheme |
€87.90 |
€92.70 |
|
|
Work Placement Experience Programme |
€146.00 |
€154.00 |
|
|
* Rate includes Top-Up payment |
|||
|
Table 3 - Increase Qualified Child (IQC) Rates 2023 2024 under and Over 12 years |
|||
|
IQCs - 2023 |
|||
|
Rate age under 12 |
Rate age 12 and over |
||
|
€42 |
€50 |
||
|
IQCs - 2024 |
|||
|
Rate age under 12 |
Rate age 12 and over |
||
|
€46 |
€54 |
||
|
Table 4 - Average Payment Value 2023 and 2024 YTD |
2023 |
2024 (Jan - Apr) |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
€247.88 |
€276.65 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
€267.58 |
€296.17 |
|
Widows', Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners' Pension (Contributory) |
€274.52 |
€308.45 |
|
Widows', Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners' Pension (Death Benefit) |
€293.21 |
€313.58 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
€242.10 |
€264.93 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
€284.15 |
€319.17 |
|
Widows' Widowers' / Surviving Civil Partners Pension (Non-Contributory) |
€218.83 |
€236.66 |
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
€218.78 |
€239.11 |
|
Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance Payments |
€231.22 |
€248.10 |
|
Farm Assist |
€231.50 |
€263.68 |
|
Additional Needs Payment |
€662.40 |
€965.29 |
|
Daily Expense Allowance |
€56.91 |
€58.81 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
€231.69 |
€247.19 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit Self Employed |
€290.20 |
€310.73 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
€264.99 |
€273.54 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
€269.33 |
€280.82 |
|
Adoptive Benefit |
€319.50 |
€344.90 |
|
Paternity Benefit |
€279.75 |
€289.09 |
|
Parents Benefit |
€278.10 |
€285.06 |
|
Health and Safety Benefit |
€212.09 |
€237.74 |
|
Community Employment Programme |
€270.29 |
€288.70 |
|
Rural Social Scheme |
€271.84 |
€280.02 |
|
Tús - Community Work Placement |
€269.48 |
€295.00 |
|
Job Initiative |
€461.68 |
€571.91 |
|
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance |
€222.08 |
€258.14 |
|
Back to Education Allowance |
€245.98 |
€255.57 |
|
JobsPlus |
€378.63 |
€444.04 |
|
Work Placement Experience Programme |
€354.34 |
€384.73 |
|
Part Time Job Incentive |
€157.16 |
€166.43 |
|
Disability Allowance |
€242.34 |
€270.45 |
|
Blind Pension |
€236.76 |
€266.63 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
€213.86 |
€235.45 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
€391.52 |
€422.90 |
|
Carer's Support Grant ** |
€2,059.25 |
€1,312.66 |
|
Illness Benefit |
€236.63 |
€249.62 |
|
Injury Benefit |
€283.53 |
€295.85 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
€255.37 |
€281.14 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
€152.21 |
€169.91 |
|
Disablement Benefit |
€268.44 |
€290.17 |
|
Medical Care |
€255.95 |
€220.18 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
€274.08 |
€303.90 |
|
Child Benefit |
€274.31 |
€271.13 |
|
Working Family Payment |
€151.11 |
€171.33 |
|
Back to Work Family Dividend |
€74.30 |
€78.86 |
|
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance ** |
€385.18 |
€462.35 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) |
€297.54 |
€330.88 |
|
Widowed Parent / Surviving Civil Partner Grant (NON-CONTRIBUTORY) ** |
€7,718.31 |
€10,352.94 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
€297.18 |
€328.63 |
|
Widowed Parent / Surviving Civil Partner Grant (Contributory) ** |
€7,920.94 |
€8,193.77 |
|
Rent Supplement |
€253.93 |
€211.01 |
|
** Once a year payment |
414. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE community welfare officers based in counties Cavan and Monaghan in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [22949/24]
View answerThe delivery of locally based Community Welfare Services (CWS) to meet the needs of citizens across the country including in counties Cavan and Monaghan is a priority for me and for my Department. The Community Welfare Service provides a flexible service to meet the different needs of people, who may find themselves in a financially difficult or vulnerable situation. It is important that this service is easily accessible and responsive to people's needs. The number of Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) engaged in the delivery of Community Welfare Services in Counties Cavan and Monaghan from 2022 to date are as follows:
Cavan
|
Year |
Months |
Office |
CWOs |
WTE |
|
2024 |
April 24 to date |
Cavan |
4 |
3.6 |
|
2024 |
Jan 24 to March 24 |
Cavan |
4 |
3.8 |
|
2023 |
Aug 23 to Dec 23 |
Cavan |
4 |
3.8 |
|
2023 |
Jan 23 to July 23 |
Cavan |
3 |
2.8 |
|
2022 |
Jan 22 to Dec 2022 |
Cavan |
3 |
2.8 |
Monaghan
|
Year |
Months |
Office |
HEO’s |
WTE |
|
2024 |
Jan 24 to date |
Monaghan |
3 |
2.8 |
|
2023 |
July 23 to Dec 2023 |
Monaghan |
3 |
2.8 |
|
2023 |
Jan 23 to June 2023 |
Monaghan |
3 |
2.8 |
|
2022 |
Jan 22 to Dec 2022 |
Monaghan |
3 |
2.8 |
In addition to the CWO numbers above, a Locum CWO is also available to assist clients in Cavan and Monaghan as required.
CWOs are physically on site daily in over 50 Intreo Centres across the country where they are available to be seen without an appointment, during business hours, Monday to Friday. In addition to meeting citizens in Intreo Centres and DSP offices, CWOs can facilitate an appointment within a short time of a person requiring such a meeting, at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home or indeed where facilities are in place, at their local Social Welfare Branch Office.
While local face-to-face engagement with people continues to be a cornerstone of the CWS, it is important to mention that a person does not need to meet with a CWO to make an application for assistance and any person, located anywhere across the Country, who needs to access the CWS can call the National CWS freephone number at 0818 60 70 80, to make an appointment or to speak directly to a CWO. A person can speak with a CWO over the phone if they do not wish to travel to meet with a CWO in person.
A person can make an application for Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) by completing a SWA1 form which is available in all Intreo Centres and Social Welfare Branch Offices. This form can also be requested by calling freephone 0818 60 70 80 or at this link, www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. The completed application form together with any supporting documentation can be returned directly to my Department where the claim will be processed quickly.
As you may be aware, a person can also now apply online for an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) via www.MyWelfare.ie. This service means that there is no requirement for a person to travel to make a claim if that is their preference.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
415. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address several queries concerning the financial aspects of the community employment scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22958/24]
View answerCommunity Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. It supports projects that provide work experience for long term unemployed persons.
CE is delivered through CE sponsor organisations in the community and voluntary sector. CE sponsor organisations receive annual contracts from the department, which funds the employment of both CE participants and CE supervisors. Funding is also provided towards training and material costs.
The rate of materials grant is determined by individual scheme costs and participant numbers. The materials grant is a contribution towards the running costs of the scheme and covers consumable services and materials necessary for the effective operation of the CE project including such items as employers and public liability insurance, tools, stationery, audit fees, bank charges (excluding bank interest), protective clothing and the hiring of equipment. As operating costs vary from scheme to scheme, depending on the activities undertaken and their overhead costs, the amount paid in materials grants also varies from scheme to scheme.
The overall expenditure on materials grants for CE was just over €12.3 million in 2023 to support those schemes covering eligible CE associated costs. In 2023, an additional grant of €1,000 was made available to Community Employment sponsor organisations for materials costs, as a response to rising costs experienced by CE sponsor companies.
If a CE sponsor organisation is experiencing difficulty with rising costs and is seeking further funding under the materials grant, they should make an application through the department's Community Development Officer assigned to their CE scheme.
I trust this clarifies the various matters for the Deputy.
416. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if a foster carer of more than 20 years, but with less than 520 contributions, can access the new long-term carer's pension route to allow them access to a State pension in their own right and name; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22959/24]
View answerMatters related to foster caring, including any criteria relating to work, are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and for Tusla.
This Government acknowledges the important role that carers, including Foster carers, play and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. Accordingly, the current State Pension (Contributory) system provides measures including PRSI credits, Homemaking Disregards and HomeCaring Periods to recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate. Foster carers are entitled to the benefits of the Homemaker’s Scheme or HomeCaring Periods and will qualify if the carer is in receipt of Child Benefit. If the foster carer is not in receipt of Child Benefit, they can still qualify for Homemaker’s Scheme or HomeCaring Periods provided the caring periods are confirmed by Tusla. Despite these measures, some long-term carers of incapacitated dependents may still face barriers in accessing the State Pension (Contributory). They may for example have difficulty establishing the minimum number of 10 years' paid contributions. I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system in September 2022 in response to the Pensions Commission’s recommendations. An important reform agreed by Government is enhanced State Pension provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years. It will do this by attributing the equivalent of a paid contribution to long-term carers of incapacitated individuals to cover gaps in their contribution record. Therefore, Foster Carers who have cared for an incapacitated dependent or dependents for over 20 years will also benefit from this important change. I was very pleased that the legislation to give effect to these measures was enacted in December and the scheme came into operation on 1st January 2024. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
417. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of mobile phones reported stolen to Gardaí within DMR Region to-date in 2024; and the number and percentage of those reported stolen phones that have been returned to its original owner. [22366/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics.
The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases in relation to various crime statistics. The most recent statistics were released on 25 March 2024, providing statistics for Recorded Crime for Quarter 4 (Q4) 2023.
However, it is worth noting that crime statistics for Q1 of 2024 are not yet available and are due to be published by the CSO towards the end of June.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a search of the PULSE database was conducted for all objects of type 'Mobile Phone' marked as 'stolen' in connection with the below list of incident types reported in the DMR between 1 January 2024 and 31 March 2024.
• Robbery from the Person
• Burglary
• Theft (All types)
I am advised that a total of 1,109 such objects were identified linked to incidents. I am further advised that there were 57 objects of Mobile Phone type linked to Property Recovered incidents, which accounts for 5% of the mobile phones stolen.
I am informed that the Data provided is as was available on the PULSE system on the morning of 17 May 2024, and is operational and liable to change.
It is also worth noting that more than one mobile phone may be stolen/recovered in a single incident. The number of Property Recovered incidents may also increase over time as more investigations are completed.
418. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she has met formally with the CEO of the Private Security Authority to date in 2024. [22367/24]
View answerThere are a total of 28 agencies under the aegis of my Department. The Deputy will appreciate that discussions with agencies take place in a range of settings and my officials engage regularly with the heads of agencies and bodies to discuss topical issues as needs arise. While I have not met with the CEO of the Private Security Authority to date in 2024, I am briefed by my officials on issues relating to the operation of these agencies.
Along with my colleague, Minister of State James Browne T.D., I have hosted an annual roundtable event bringing together delegates from the agencies and bodies in the justice sector. Participants include senior management from the Department, Chief Executive Officers, Chairs of Boards/Authorities and senior staff from the agencies/bodies.
This event provides a valuable opportunity to share experiences and consider together new challenges facing the sector. This annual Roundtable is one of the forums developed to encourage interactions, build relationships and inter-agency co-operation and enhance sharing of experience and learning within the justice sector. The 2024 roundtable event is scheduled for late September.
In addition, my officials meet regularly with the heads of agencies/bodies under my remit including the Private Security Authority. These meetings are in accordance with the formal governance arrangements set out with each body, keeping me abreast of relevant issues and developments.
419. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice to provide a breakdown of the amount of her Department's pre-committed capital expenditure under the National Development Plan that will be dedicated to An Garda Síochána capital building programme in each of the years 2024 to 2026, in tabular form. [22368/24]
View answerFollowing intensive negotiations with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, my Department has secured an additional €93m for capital projects across the Justice Sector bringing the total capital budget to €930m for the years 2024-2026.
The revised capital allocations for the Garda Vote are set out in the table below.
|
Year |
An Garda Síochána Total Capital (Indicative Figures) |
Garda Capital Building Programme (Indicative figures) |
|
2024 |
€171.6m |
€57.4m* |
|
2025 |
€173.1m |
€62.4m |
|
2026 |
€172.3m |
€65.8m |
* As published in Revised Estimates Volume 2024
420. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the ages currently of each of the Garda prisoner transport carriers currently in the Garda fleet. [22369/24]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate and examine all the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
|
Age Profile |
Number of Vehicles |
|
1-2 years |
0 |
|
2-4 years |
1 |
|
4-6 years |
4 |
|
6+ years |
8 |
|
Total |
13 |
421. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 348 of 7 February 2024, the number of applicants for international protection who have been called for their personal interview under section 35 of the International Protection Act 2015 while awaiting accommodation from IPAS, by month, since the Government announced that it would no longer be able to guarantee accommodation for single male applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22411/24]
View answerMy Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained.
When applicants complete their initial application at International Protection Office (IPO) they are referred to the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), in order to discuss accommodation requirements.
All applicants who are part of an accelerated procedure, including either those from Designated Safe Countries of Origin, or their country of origin constitutes a large share of applications, receive their interview notification on the day of their application. In addition, since 31st January 2024, applicants who have received international protection elsewhere in Europe and are being invited to an interview under Section 21 to consider their admissibility to the application process also receive their interview notification on the day of application.
All other applicants receive their interview notification by letter. The invitation letters are issued to the postal address submitted by the applicant or made known to the IPO. In such cases where an address has not been provided by the applicant since their date of application for international protection, contact is made via email, phone and where applicable via their legal representative to inform them of their interview date.
In rare cases where contact is made and the applicant does not provide an address, the IPO can arrange for applicants to pick up their letter of invitation in person. Invitations to interview are scheduled on the basis of oldest cases first.
From the date of the Government announcement (4 December 2023), up until 14 May:
- 9,494 applications for International Protection have been made.
- Of those, 1,144 have been invited to Interview.
- Of those 141 single men have not yet received an offer of accommodation from IPAS.
- Of those who have not yet received an offer of accommodation from IPAS, 20 applicants have been interviewed, as of end of April 2024. This figure is broken down per month in the table following.
|
Month (2024) |
No. of interviews |
|
February |
7 |
|
March |
5 |
|
April |
8 |
|
Grand Total |
20 |
422. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice the number of new recruits to An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2018 to 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of retirements from An Garda Síochána in the corresponding timeframe; and the number of resignations from An Garda Síochána. [22425/24]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate and examine all the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
423. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice the total number of peace commissioners registered on the most recent roll maintained by her Department. [22457/24]
View answerIn line with the provisions of section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act 1924, Peace Commissioners are appointed, and may be removed from that appointment, by me in my capacity as Minister for Justice. My Department maintains the Roll of Peace Commissioners and, while efforts are made to keep the Roll up to date, it is acknowledged that the records do not always reflect the actual situation on the ground. This is because my Department currently relies on Peace Commissioners themselves, and other interested parties (including, for example, family members of Peace Commissioners), to update the Department with regard to changes in circumstances of individual Peace Commissioners since their appointment. It is, therefore, difficult to provide precise information on the total number currently serving as Peace Commissioners.
I can confirm that at present there are in the region of 4,500 individuals named on the Roll in addition to approximately 300 individuals who were appointed to the office of Peace Commissioner in an ex officio capacity.
The legislation underpinning the office of Peace Commissioner dates back a century. My Department is currently undertaking a review of the role, functions and appointment process related to the office of Peace Commissioner. Recommendations regarding any legislative amendments deemed appropriate will be brought forward in the context of a report on this review, which will be submitted to me in due course. Consideration is also being given to making the Roll of Peace Commissioners available online.
424. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on additional funding sources to enable the office of the Ombudsman for Children to contribute to the working of the new strategy combatting domestic and gender-based violence; the reason for the delay in providing the funding despite assurances that it would be given; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22460/24]
View answerCombatting 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 I have introduced, as well as increases secured in successive Budget allocations.
As the Deputy will be aware, in June 2022 I published an ambitious €363 million, Zero Tolerance Strategy to be delivered from 2022 to 2026.
The Strategy rightly recognises children as victims / survivors of domestic violence in their own right and includes priority actions on making our systems work better for children who have suffered as a result of sexual and domestic violence.
Zero Tolerance is a whole of Government Plan and as the Deputy will be aware, it is the responsibility of each Department or body to prioritise the implementation of those actions which have been agreed to, either from within existing resources or through funding they secure in the annual estimates process.
Resourcing of the Office of the Ombudsman for Children is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and my Department does not have a role. While the previous implementation plan for the Strategy, which ran to the end of 2023, envisaged that the Office of the Ombudsman for Children would use their expertise to ensure the child-centred actions are implemented in a way that best meets the needs of children, I have been informed that it was not possible to reach agreement on the precise parameters of this policy advice role and the resources that would be required.
At the request of the Office of the Ombudsman for Children, I agreed to remove the reference to his Office from the 2024 implementation plan for the Strategy. If in the future, the Office of the Ombudsman for Children is in a position to secure the resources required and commit to undertake this role, I would be very happy to re-engage on this.
425. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons that applied for asylum in each of the past ten years who gained entry to the country by way of a holiday visa, a working visa or a student visa or any other visa. [22463/24]
View answer426. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons that applied for a holiday visa, a working visa or a student visa or any other visa for each of the past ten years; and the breakdown of the top 15 countries in each cohort. [22464/24]
View answer427. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the method her Department uses to confirm that a person visiting Ireland on a holiday visa, a working visa or a student visa or any other visa has left the country. [22465/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 425 to 427, inclusive, together.
I can advise the Deputy that Ireland supports the entry of migrants through legal pathways, to facilitate legal migration into the State. These include arrangements for various categories of persons, including; workers and international students.
Any visa required national that wishes to enter the State, and remain, for up to 90 days must have a Type C Short Stay Visa. A visa required national that wishes to reside in the State for longer than 90 days must have a Type D Long Stay Visa. Details of these legal pathways and the application process for visa required nationals can be found on the Immigration Service website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/
I can inform the Deputy that there are no routine exit checks on each individual leaving the State to verify if a every person has left following the expiry of their immigration permission. To introduce exit checks would require the introduction of border controls on the Island of Ireland.
All non-EEA nationals are expected to leave Ireland upon the expiry of their immigration permission. If a person wishes to remain in the State they must seek a change or extension of their immigration permission, from my Department. If an application to change or extend a permission is refused, the person can be required to submit documentary evidence that they have left the State. Failure to do so, may result in the issuing of a Deportation Order.
A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State and fails to do so is committing a criminal offence, and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda Síochána. Such an order remains on the person’s record permanently – it means they cannot enter Ireland again in future, and it will likely also have an impact on their ability to travel to the UK and the EU. The GNIB carries out inquiries to confirm that people have removed themselves from the State, and works closely with my Department to enforce deportations where this is not the case.
The table below details the number of employment visa applications received from 1 January 2014 to 30 April 2024 together with the top 15 nationalities. It should be noted that these figures are applications only and not every application is successful.
|
Nationality |
Employment |
Percent |
|
India |
39609 |
48.6% |
|
Philippines |
9746 |
11.9% |
|
Pakistan |
5104 |
6.3% |
|
People's Republic of China |
4408 |
5.4% |
|
Russian Federation |
1880 |
2.3% |
|
Zimbabwe |
1800 |
2.2% |
|
Turkiye |
1756 |
2.2% |
|
Nigeria |
1614 |
2% |
|
Egypt |
1585 |
1.9% |
|
Sudan |
1470 |
1.8% |
|
Ukraine |
1350 |
1.7% |
|
Sri Lanka |
1050 |
1.3% |
|
Thailand |
908 |
1.1% |
|
Viet Nam |
906 |
1.1% |
|
Ghana |
777 |
1% |
|
Other |
7599 |
9.3% |
|
Total |
81,562 |
100% |
The table below details the number of study visa applications received from 1 January 2014 to 30 April 2024, together with the top 15 nationalities. It should be noted that these figures are applications only and not every application is successful.
|
Nationality |
Study |
Percent |
|
India |
44686 |
27.6% |
|
People's Republic of China |
24344 |
15% |
|
Russian Federation |
19362 |
12% |
|
Turkiye |
17431 |
10.8% |
|
Saudi Arabia |
8606 |
5.3% |
|
Nigeria |
6872 |
4.2% |
|
Pakistan |
6591 |
4.1% |
|
Mongolia |
4872 |
3% |
|
Kuwait |
3380 |
2.1% |
|
Oman |
1855 |
1.1% |
|
Viet Nam |
1837 |
1.1% |
|
Colombia |
1597 |
1% |
|
Ukraine |
1311 |
0.8% |
|
Nepal |
1081 |
0.7% |
|
Morocco |
1026 |
0.6% |
|
Other |
17116 |
10.6% |
|
Total |
161967 |
100% |
The table below details the number of visit visa applications received from 1 January 2014 to 30 April 2024, together with the top 15 nationalities. It should be noted that these figures are applications only as not every application is successful.
|
Nationality |
Visit |
Percent |
|
India |
122303 |
23.2% |
|
People's Republic of China |
63475 |
12% |
|
Russian Federation |
45727 |
8.7% |
|
Nigeria |
37232 |
7% |
|
Pakistan |
26344 |
5% |
|
Philippines |
23004 |
4.4% |
|
Turkiye |
17953 |
3.4% |
|
Saudi Arabia |
15821 |
3% |
|
Indonesia |
13418 |
2.5% |
|
Ukraine |
12075 |
2.3% |
|
Kuwait |
8670 |
1.6% |
|
Thailand |
8062 |
1.5% |
|
Sudan |
7648 |
1.4% |
|
Egypt |
6698 |
1.3% |
|
Colombia |
6607 |
1.3% |
|
Other |
113113 |
21.4% |
|
Total |
528,150 |
100% |
The table below details the number of other visa applications received from 1 January 2014 to 30 April 2024, together with the top 15 nationalities. It should be noted that these figures are applications only and not every application is successful.
|
Nationality |
Other * |
Percent |
|
India |
120726 |
26.9% |
|
People's Republic of China |
49111 |
10.9% |
|
Russian Federation |
33001 |
7.3% |
|
Pakistan |
27983 |
6.2% |
|
Turkiye |
20713 |
4.6% |
|
Nigeria |
19159 |
4.3% |
|
Philippines |
12554 |
2.8% |
|
Ukraine |
11012 |
2.4% |
|
Egypt |
10940 |
2.4% |
|
Afghanistan |
7810 |
1.7% |
|
Saudi Arabia |
6707 |
1.5% |
|
Serbia |
6523 |
1.5% |
|
Belarus |
5693 |
1.3% |
|
Zimbabwe |
4738 |
1.1% |
|
Bangladesh |
4638 |
1% |
|
Other |
108317 |
24.1% |
|
Total |
449,625 |
100% |
* The other category includes such visa types as join family (Irish national sponsor), join family (non-EEA sponsor), business, conference etc.
Data on the number of persons that applied for asylum in each of the past ten years who gained entry to the country by way of a holiday visa, a working visa or a student visa or any other visa is not available at this time. While this information is recorded as part of an application for protection, statistics in relation to the number of people that previously were granted a visa are not readily available.
428. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice when a State pathologist will be appointed to Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22493/24]
View answerThe Office of the State Pathologist (OSP) is an independent body under the aegis of the Department of Justice. The OSP provides the State with a national forensic pathology service where a forensic pathologist is on duty, twenty-four hours a day, each day of the year. Their primary remit is to perform post mortem examinations in suspicious deaths as directed by the respective coroner. Four forensic pathologists are based in Dublin with assistance on a rota basis from a forensic pathologist in Cork.
Post mortem examinations in non-suspicious deaths under the remit of the coroner, are directed to be performed by hospital-based histopathology consultants. The recruitment of hospital histopathology consultants is a matter for the Department of Health and the HSE.
429. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice the breakdown of funding provided to Garda youth diversion projects across Dublin areas in each of the past five years and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22508/24]
View answerEvery young person deserves the opportunity to improve their quality of life and our commitment to expanding Youth Justice services and increasing funding similarly reflects our commitment to these young people. This commitment is a central point of our Youth Justice Strategy, launched in 2021, which provides a developmental framework to address key challenges and emerging issues in the youth justice area.
A top priority is the expansion and deepening of the services offered to young people by the Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs), which are fully funded by the Department of Justice. YDPs are community based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives which primarily seek to divert young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour. On average, the YDPs engage with between 3,500 and 4,000 young people across the State in any one year. These projects provide an invaluable support to complement the work of An Garda Síochána in addressing youth crime and protect local communities.
In Budget 2024, the funding allocated to overall Youth Justice Services increased by 10% to €33 million. This will facilitate an increase in the availability of YDP services in the evenings and at the weekends when many young people need them the most, as well as an increase in supports for families, interventions for typically hard-to-reach young people and early interventions for 8-11 year olds who may be at increased risk of becoming engaged in criminal activity.
This increase in funding will also allow us to achieve our goal of full nationwide coverage for YDPs for the first time. This funding will be deployed with the assistance of the best available research and expert evidence to keep young people away from crime.
We know from international research that a number of factors place young adults in this age group at a higher risk of becoming involved in criminal behaviour. It is important to reach out to this age group and ensure they recognise they will not be abandoned and left to fend for themselves when they become young adults.
All of this work in the area of Youth Justice is central to this Government’s commitment to building stronger, safer communities. The Government’s commitment to helping the young people who need it has been reflected in our allocations of funding and resources to expand this network.
The below table outlines the YDPs operating in the Dublin geographical area and the funding allocations provided, including Once Off Capital Grants, from 2019 up to date in 2024.
|
Area |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Balbriggan, Co. Dublin |
€162,368 |
€170,162 |
€325,943 |
€270,993 |
€481,295 |
€495,692 |
|
Ballyboden, Dublin 16 |
€129,861 |
€134,650 |
€131,153 |
€304,722 |
€324,908 |
€339,729 |
|
Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 |
€270,653 |
€303,332 |
€278,963 |
€492,091 |
€811,401 |
€804,078 |
|
Ballymun, Dublin 11 |
€230,169 |
€250,866 |
€274,314 |
€422,166 |
€433,328 |
€433,328 |
|
Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 |
€460,091 |
€433,901 |
€509,395 |
€608,677 |
€734,339 |
€917,206 |
|
Cabra, Dublin 7 |
€146,045 |
€209,952 |
€224,291 |
€291,581 |
€285,792 |
€275,350 |
|
Carrickmines, Dublin 18 |
€110,766 |
€119,442 |
€123,998 |
€161,376 |
€170,644 |
€175,942 |
|
Clondalkin, Dublin 22 |
€341,647 |
€360,154 |
€389,563 |
€508,019 |
€755,130 |
€661,616 |
|
Crumlin, Dublin 12 |
€293,661 |
€324,438 |
€305,569 |
€405,545 |
€480,946 |
€493,209 |
|
Darndale, Dublin 17 |
€140,459 |
€177,099 |
€183,268 |
€266,036 |
€250,125 |
€247,214 |
|
Donaghmede, Dublin 5 |
€114,713 |
€125,743 |
€119,721 |
€148,977 |
€342,065 |
€355,656 |
|
Donnycarney, Dublin 5 |
€121,520 |
€125,000 |
€125,000 |
€159,564 |
€232,408 |
€191,335 |
|
Dublin 8 |
€457,708 |
€549,166 |
€559,224 |
€1,324,165 |
€1,508,404 |
€1,494,538 |
|
Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin |
€171,461 |
€175,678 |
€186,544 |
€212,100 |
€224,599 |
€235,829 |
|
Dunne Street, Dublin 1 |
€136,053 |
€270,987 |
€445,421 |
€442,993 |
€506,029 |
€526,081 |
|
Finglas South, Dublin 11 |
€378,365 |
€392,627 |
€406,647 |
€695,783 |
€877,487 |
€838,727 |
|
Kilmore West, Dublin 5 |
€210,487 |
€227,230 |
€243,358 |
€691,799 |
€674,537 |
€767,214 |
|
Lucan, Co. Dublin |
€143,832 |
€158,869 |
€164,021 |
€343,540 |
€362,736 |
€380,873 |
|
Rotunda, Dublin 1 |
€188,743 |
€331,867 |
€409,464 |
€433,681 |
€505,165 |
€469,038 |
|
Sandyford, Dublin 18 |
€123,546 |
€126,454 |
€137,634 |
€176,192 |
€189,805 |
€196,947 |
|
Summerhill, Dublin 1 |
€116,531 |
€278,653 |
€331,839 |
€432,682 |
€617,223 |
€638,801 |
|
Swords, Co. Dublin |
€115,254 |
€125,004 |
€120,381 |
€344,581 |
€435,635 |
€499,966 |
|
Tallaght, Dublin 24 |
€618,380 |
€653,156 |
€627,344 |
€1,239,249 |
€1,405,814 |
€1,424,538 |
|
Total |
€5,182,313 |
€6,024,430 |
€6,623,055 |
€10,376,513 |
€12,609,814 |
€12,862,907 |
*Actual drawdown may differ due to project budgetary requirements
430. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice for a breakdown of the number of young people participating in Garda youth diversion projects across Dublin areas in each of the past five years and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22509/24]
View answerEvery young person deserves the opportunity to improve their quality of life and our commitment to expanding Youth Justice services and increasing funding similarly reflects our commitment to these young people.
As the Deputy may be aware, Part 4 of the Children Act 2001 (as amended) provides the statutory basis for the Garda Youth Diversion Programme (GYDP). The intention of the programme is to divert children and young people who have engaged in criminal or anti-social behaviour away from the criminal justice system and towards more positive life choices. Children who commit criminal offences are considered for admission to the Programme. Each case is assessed individually and the Director of the GYDP, who is a Garda Superintendent, decides if the case is suitable for inclusion.
Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) are a fundamental support to the operation of the statutory Garda Diversion Programme. The current network of 99 YDPs is extensive, but we will continue to develop it further to ensure every child who needs it is reached and have selected an additional four projects to commence this year. Youth Diversion Projects are co-funded by the Irish Government and European Social Fund as part of the ESF+ Programme 2021-2027.
The Deputy may wish to note that I launched an evaluation of the YDPs last year, which demonstrates that the YDPs have proved very successful.
An Garda Síochána is a referring agent to Youth Diversion Projects as well as a partner supporting the ongoing diversion of young people from criminal and anti-social behaviour.
While Youth Diversion Projects primarily receive referrals from An Garda Síochána, they may receive referrals from other sources including schools, parents or self-referrals, including in some cases working with young people who are not under Garda supervision. Individual YDPs also undertake early intervention preventative work and support for families.
The below table outlines the number of participants for the YDPs operating in the Dublin geographical area over the last five years. The participant numbers for 2024 will not be available until mid-2025.
|
Area |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Balbriggan, Co. Dublin |
31 |
36 |
40 |
64 |
84 |
|
Ballyboden, Dublin 16 |
36 |
26 |
21 |
26 |
36 |
|
Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 |
59 |
47 |
39 |
40 |
56 |
|
Ballymun, Dublin 11 |
35 |
16 |
12 |
25 |
41 |
|
Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 |
118 |
168 |
177 |
199 |
171 |
|
Cabra, Dublin 7 |
24 |
22 |
27 |
30 |
34 |
|
Carrickmines, Dublin 18 |
15 |
8 |
17 |
25 |
24 |
|
Clondalkin, Dublin 22 |
98 |
86 |
56 |
61 |
84 |
|
Crumlin, Dublin 12 |
69 |
69 |
78 |
71 |
74 |
|
Darndale, Dublin 17 |
34 |
26 |
44 |
45 |
37 |
|
Donaghmede, Dublin 5 |
20 |
20 |
19 |
20 |
24 |
|
Donnycarney, Dublin 5 |
18 |
20 |
19 |
19 |
19 |
|
Dublin 8 |
93 |
94 |
88 |
106 |
133 |
|
Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin |
23 |
23 |
17 |
26 |
29 |
|
Dunne Street, Dublin 1 |
19 |
22 |
23 |
25 |
28 |
|
Finglas South, Dublin 11 |
42 |
36 |
45 |
58 |
53 |
|
Kilmore West, Dublin 5 |
41 |
38 |
37 |
42 |
59 |
|
Lucan, Co. Dublin |
22 |
22 |
20 |
10 |
19 |
|
Rotunda, Dublin 1 |
37 |
29 |
28 |
43 |
39 |
|
Sandyford, Dublin 18 |
22 |
27 |
23 |
19 |
18 |
|
Summerhill, Dublin 1 |
31 |
52 |
77 |
76 |
67 |
|
Swords, Co. Dublin |
21 |
24 |
37 |
38 |
26 |
|
Tallaght, Dublin 24 |
184 |
161 |
146 |
144 |
162 |
|
Total |
1,092 |
1,072 |
1,090 |
1,212 |
1,317 |
* The participant numbers are taken from the ESF+ Participant returns, and are always subject to change.
431. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the current family accompaniment waiting times, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22522/24]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available.
I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
|
Mission |
Average time for JF D Visa between January 2023 and April 2024 |
|
Abu Dhabi |
11-12 weeks |
|
Abuja |
19 - 20 weeks |
|
Ankara |
5 - 6 weeks |
|
Beijing |
8 - 9 weeks |
|
DFA |
3 weeks |
|
ISD Dublin |
19 - 20 weeks |
|
London |
4 - 5 weeks |
|
Moscow |
5 - 6 weeks |
|
New Delhi |
4 weeks |
