Written Answers Nos. 326-345
326. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Justice if he will ensure that there is a designated liaison staff member located at the IPO office on Mount Street who will communicate and engage with the local residents’ group, which has been very patient and understanding over the past 14 months. [23614/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the primary focus and role of the International Protection Office (IPO) is the acceptance and examination of applications for international protection. Any queries in relation to accommodation and related services provided to international protection applicants are the responsibility of the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability and Integration. They can be contacted at ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie.
IPAS staff are present in the IPO reception and engage with applicants at the point of initial application. The Department understands that IPAS record those persons it has not yet been able to accommodate and provide a range of supports to take account of these circumstances.
The IPO liaises on an ongoing basis with local Garda authorities and with Dublin City Council in relation to the immediate vicinity of the IPO premises. If any local residents wish to engage directly with the IPO, they can do so at info@ipo.gov.ie.
327. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of e-bikes and e-scooters seized by gardaí within the Wicklow division in 2022 and 2023 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23578/24]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately the information was not received on time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is available.
328. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications that are currently being processed for the join family (sponsor is a spouse and Irish citizen) visa; the average processing time for a visa of this nature; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23596/24]
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.
329. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of the case of a Palestinian woman (details supplied) who has fled from Gaza to join their family in County Dublin; and if she will take the necessary steps to support their visa application. [23606/24]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy arrived in the State on 02 March 2024 on foot of a Long Stay Join Family Visa and currently holds a Stamp 3 immigration permission valid until 29 April 2025.
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 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 email service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
330. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Justice the measures that are being taken by her Department to modernise and update contempt of court laws; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23632/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, In Ireland, contempt of court is a common law matter.
As part of a suite of measures aimed at improving the operation of the justice system, I am committed to developing proposals to deal with contempt of court sanctions specifically for violations on social media once the Law Reform Commission publishes its report on the issue of contempt.
It is understood that the Law Reform Commission continues to consider the matter, but due to the urgency of other work in hand, its report on contempt is not expected to be published before 2025.
Publication of the Law Reform Commission’s final report is awaited by my Department before any changes to this complex area of law, are considered further.
331. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will issue on a stamp 4 application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23655/24]
View answerThe application by the person referred to by the Deputy was approved on 20 May 2024. A letter of the same date has issued to the person concerned granting them temporary permission to remain in the State on Stamp 4 immigration conditions for a period of 12 months.
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 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 email service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
332. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the status of a visa application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23664/24]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy has no valid immigration permission to remain in the State.
A Change of Status application from the person concerned was received by the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division of my Department on 21 November 2023 and continues to be processed by my Department.
To be fair to all applicants, applications are dealt with in chronological order by date received. My Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible. However, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of applications on hand, individual circumstances, the complexity of applications, whether further information is required, and the resources available.
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 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 email service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
333. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if a change in visa status for a person (details supplied) can be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23676/24]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy has permission to reside in the State on a Stamp 1 basis until March 2025 and has no pending applications with the Immigration Service of my Department.
It is open to any person to apply for a change of immigration status if they meet the criteria for doing so. Detailed information on how to change immigration status is available at: www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/.
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 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 email service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
334. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice to provide figures relating to the number of members of An Garda Síochána serving in the community policing unit and the regular unit in Drogheda Garda station from 2017 to 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23721/24]
View answerThe Government remains committed to improving safety and wellbeing for the community in Drogheda. Since the establishment of the Drogheda Implementation Board, the willingness and commitment of all stakeholders to working together has achieved, what I believe will be, lasting progress for Drogheda.
An Garda Síochána have continued to show immense dedication and diligence in tackling the criminal elements within the town and the surrounding areas, and to working with the community.
As the Deputy is aware, Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána, and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties. Community policing is also fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model which is currently being rolled out across the country and is fully commenced in thirteen Garda divisions.
The new model will provide more front-line Gardaí, increased Garda visibility, and a wider range of policing services for people in their local area. It will divide service delivery within the division into four functional areas, one of the most important areas being Community Engagement. This will allow for a greater, more consistent focus on community policing in all divisions.
The Garda authorities have advised that a member of An Garda Síochána can be deemed to be a ‘Community Garda’ where that person is allocated to a Community Policing Team (CPT) and is responsible and accountable for applying a problem–solving approach to appropriate crime and policing quality of life issues in a specified geographic area through partnership and engagement. Examples of this engagement are working with Neighbourhood Watch, Community Alert, or local business fora.
Community Policing Teams strategically manage and lead the development, delivery and evaluation of the Garda Community Policing Framework. Like most Garda members, those assigned to CPTs have dual functions. In addition to their strategic roles in their Community Policing Teams, part of which requires them to regularly update their Community Engagement Superintendent on the policing needs of their community, they are also front-line members. It is also important to note that CPTs draw on all front-line Gardaí to carry out community policing.
I very much welcome the interactive map launched late last year on the Garda website which is designed to allow the public to identify the local CPT in their area. This map will continue to develop in line with the continued roll-out of the new Garda Operating Model.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there were 15 Community Gardaí assigned to Louth Division on 31 March 2024, the latest date for when figures are available. This represents an increase of 25% since the end of December 2017, which is higher than the percentage increase for the total amount of Community guards nationwide over the same period.
The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Community Gardaí assigned to Drogheda Garda station at end December 2017 up to end December 2023 and at 31 March 2024.
|
Community Gardaí - Drogheda Garda station |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Mar-24 |
|
Total |
6 |
6 |
6 |
9 |
7 |
16 |
9 |
9 |
As the Deputy is aware Louth Division has merged with Cavan/Monaghan Division under the new Operating Model. At the end of February 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, there were 711 Garda members assigned to Louth/Cavan/Monaghan Division, of which 365 Garda members were assigned to Co. Louth, an increase of over 14% since the end of 2017.
The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Gardaí assigned to Drogheda Garda station at the end of December 2017 up to the end of December 2023, and on 29 February 2024, the latest figures available.
|
Drogheda Garda station |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Feb-24 |
|
Total Gardaí |
105 |
124 |
132 |
137 |
138 |
137 |
129 |
127 |
Please be advised that this information is operational and may be subject to change.
335. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of the negative impact that not being able to work or engage in any business, trade or profession is having on stamp 3 holders; if she will request her Department to review a document (details supplied); her views on whether it would help to provide to people on general employment permits the same rights as those on critical skills permits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23752/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the policy governing family reunification applications for non-EEA family members, which was last amended in 2016, is currently under review.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that on 15 May last, I announced the first outcome of this review process. On foot of this, spouses and partners of General Employment Permit and Intra-Corporate Transferee Irish Employment Permit holders, who have applied for, and have been granted family reunification, in accordance with the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy, will now be registered on a Stamp 1G immigration permission, rather than a Stamp 3. This will allow the holder to take up employment without the need to obtain a separate employment permit of their own.
Eligible spouses and partners who are currently residing in the State on Stamp 3 permission do not need to attend their local immigration office and do not need to apply online to obtain a permission to reside on Stamp 1G conditions without the need for an employment permit.
A new Irish Residence Permit (IRP) on Stamp 1G conditions will issue to eligible persons when they seek to renew their current Stamp 3 permissions upon its expiry.
Further information regarding these arrangement is available on the Immigration Service website at www.irishimmigration.ie/attention-eligible-spouses-and-partners-of-general-employment-permit-and-intra-corporate-transferee-irish-employment-permit-holders/.
This change does not apply to spouses and de facto partners who are residing in the State on other permissions such as visitors or for study, or Stamp 3 holders, who have been issued Stamp 3 permission for other reasons and, are not spouses or partners of an Employment Permit holders.
The review of the family reunification policy prioritised this issue due to its importance for several thousand people currently in the State with their families but unable to work and make a contribution to the economy in the key sectors that we need, such as healthcare or construction.
The Review is also examining a much wider range of complex matters relating to a family reunification, including the arrangements for other family members who are currently granted Stamp 3 permission. It is intended to conclude the review as soon as possible.
336. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Justice the details of the number of fines issued by the courts for offences relating to the sale of illicit tobacco and tobacco smuggling in 2022 and 2023 that have been paid; and the number that remain unpaid. [23787/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that management of the courts, including operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998, and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie. To be of assistance, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the Courts Service for direct reply.
337. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice when an application for naturalisation/citizenship for an individual (details supplied) will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23831/24]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy has been approved.
A request for final documentation and a Certificate fee will issue directly to the person concerned. Once submitted and accepted the person concerned will be added to the queue for an upcoming Citizenship Ceremony.
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.
I am advised this service has already updated the Deputy regarding this person last week.
338. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice if she would consider allowing the spouses of non-EU PhD students the right to work where they hold a stamp 2A permission. [23847/24]
View answer342. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if the recent extension of stamp 1G permissions can be extended to spouses of non-EU PhD students, given the contribution such students make to the Irish economy and education sector. [23985/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 342 together.
I can advise the Deputy that the policy governing family reunification applications for non-EEA family members, which was last amended in 2016, is currently under review. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that on 15 May last, I announced the first outcome of this review process. On foot of this, the spouses and partners of General Employment Permit and Intra-Corporate Transferee Irish Employment Permit holders, who have applied for, and have been granted family reunification, in accordance with the Non-EEA Family Reunification Policy, will now be registered on a Stamp 1G immigration permission, rather than a Stamp 3. This will allow the holder, who would currently have permission to live in the country but not to work, to take up employment without the need to obtain a separate employment permit of their own.
This change does not apply to spouses and de-facto partners who are residing in the State on other permissions such as visitors or for study, or Stamp 3 holders who have been issued Stamp 3 permission for other reasons.
The Review is also examining a much wider range of complex matters relating to a family reunification, including the arrangements for other family members who are currently granted Stamp 3 permission. It is intended to conclude the review as soon as possible.
In June 2023 the then Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, published the first report of the Independent National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers. That Review includes considerations of a range of issues relating to PhD students in Ireland. The forthcoming final report of that independent review exercise, which is a matter in the first instance for my colleague the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, will inform my Department's ongoing review of the Non-EEA Family Re-unification Policy.
339. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice for an update in relation to efforts to regularise the migration situation between Ireland and Georgia, particularly through the provision of visa waivers or work-related visas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23954/24]
View answerGeorgian nationals, like all non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals, require permission in order to travel to and reside in Ireland on a long term basis i.e. over 90 days. There are a wide range of immigration schemes that are available to Georgian nationals including to reside for the purposes of study or employment. In the latter regard, a number of different employment permit options existing including Critical Skills Permits and General Employment Permits. As the Deputy is aware, the administration of work permit schemes, and policy with respect to their parameters, are matters for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
In addition, Georgian may also apply for visas for shorter terms stays, such as for visiting family members, holidays or to pursue legitimate short term (less than 90 day) business interests or conference/events.
The typical processing time for visa decisions from Georgia is 4 to 6 weeks which is in line with processing times for other visa required nationals.
The central concern in deciding on visa applications, as with all visa services worldwide, is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime while at the same time facilitating travel for those who meet the criteria. Each visa application is therefore decided on its own merits taking all factors into account.
340. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the steps she and her Department are taking to prevent further attacks on politicians, political candidates and campaigners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23955/24]
View answerWhile the vast majority of interactions that those in political life experience in the course of going about their work or campaigning are fair, friendly and productive, it is clear that they are facing increasing levels of personal intrusion and abuse, not just in Ireland, but internationally. Any threat to the safety of those in political life, electoral candidates or campaigners is a danger to our democracy and completely unacceptable.
I welcome the Report of the Task Force on Safe Participation in Political Life and the UCD Report on the findings of the Survey on the Abuse and Harassment of Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas and Political Staff which was published this month.
Nobody should have to endure behaviour that goes well beyond legitimate protest and which deliberately seeks to threaten and intimidate those individuals who participate in political life.
In that regard, there is a wide range of legislation under which attacks, threats and intimidation can be prosecuted, including the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act and Public Order legislation. If more is required, I have made it clear to the Garda Commissioner that every support, legislative or otherwise, will be provided to An Garda Síochána.
An Garda Síochána through proactive policing is working to identify, target and disrupt threats and is continuously enhancing its capacity through coordination, collaboration and information-led approaches. The Garda authorities have put in place a coordinated policing operation to collate any incidents reported to An Garda Síochána affecting persons in political life. This includes the identification of named Liaison Inspectors in each Garda Division along with the assistance of Divisional Crime Prevention Officers to support people in political life.
In addition, An Garda Síochána is actively engaging in outreach measures to provide information to those in political life and electoral candidates on crime prevention. On 9th May, An Garda Síochána launched a new guide for candidates running in the Local and European Elections, in partnership with 'Women for Election' and 'See Her Elected', with a focus on safety to give candidates the tools to recognise and respond to intimidatory or criminal behaviour. The guide is available on the Garda.ie website.
As the Deputy is aware, it would not be appropriate for me to detail the operational measures that the Garda authorities have taken or would take generally in situations where individual politicians are subject to threats or intimidation. I would encourage anyone with concerns to make contact with their local Liaison Inspector and they will be supported. I can assure the Deputy that whatever protective and detection measures are deemed appropriate by the Garda authorities have been and will certainly be taken.
341. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the steps her Department is taking to monitor and combat the increasingly violent far right in Ireland and to prevent further violent actions by these individuals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23957/24]
View answerThere is no place in our society for violent extremist behaviour and I strongly condemn those engaged in such actions. Ireland has become a more diverse and welcoming country in recent decades, but regrettably there is a small minority who subject others to abuse or attack resulting from their own prejudice, whether under the guise of protesting or in other contexts. I also condemn those who would spread hate online with a view to stoking up tensions.
While people have the right to protest, and of course that right must be respected, people do not have the right to do this in a way that causes others to fear for their safety or to do so in a way that threatens public order. I have spoken to the Garda Commissioner and have been very clear that every support will be provided to An Garda Síochána to ensure appropriate action in respect of violent political extremism, whether by individuals or groups. If the line between protesting and threatening or intimidating behaviour is crossed there are a number of provisions in our laws that apply.
The Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána by law. This includes the monitoring of protest activity where there is potential for serious policing and security implications to arise. The rule of law, human rights and the principle of proportionality are respected at all times.
When people go beyond what is acceptable, and put others in danger, members of An Garda Síochána will protect all members of the public and uphold the law. I am satisfied that there is a wide range of legislation under which threats and intimidation can be prosecuted, including the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act and Public Order legislation.
The law is kept under review in this area.
The manifestation of on-line disinformation and incitement as violent action in the physical world is of particular concern to my Department and An Garda Síochána and part of the Garda Síochána response to such incidents is to investigate the role of relevant online activity. As the Deputy will of course be aware, the online environment can also be a key enabler of harmful content, including disinformation.
It is clear that social media companies have an important responsibility to resource and operate robust systems of detection including the timely removal of harmful content.
In respect of online content, An Garda Síochána can coordinate where necessary with Europol and online service providers to request the removal of terrorist or extremist material. The EU Regulation on addressing the dissemination of terrorist content online provides for the removal of illegal content and a legal framework to ensure that hosting service providers address the misuse of their services for the dissemination of such content.
Additionally, as the Deputy will be aware, my colleague the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media has introduced the Online Services and Media Regulation Act and established Coimisiún na Meán, to regulate online media, including enforcing rules about how online services or platforms should deal with harmful and illegal content on their services. Minister Martin is also overseeing the process to develop a National Counter Disinformation Strategy which is expected to be published later this year.
Ireland is not unique in terms of dealing with issues of extremism. The Government and relevant state bodies also engage regularly with the EU and other partners on the evolving nature of extremism in various ideologies. For example, my Department is fully engaged with EU partners through the Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN). This is to develop our understanding of the evolution of the threat posed by extremist actors in order to take appropriate measures to counter such threats.
343. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the initial and ongoing training provided to members of An Garda Síochána and any civil support staff in communicating and interacting with individuals with ADHD and ASD. [24009/24]
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.
344. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of different cell or room types of accommodation for prisoners, by metric size, not including the sanitary annex, for all prisons and open centres in the prison estate, by individual prison (details supplied). [24074/24]
View answerI am informed that the Irish Prison Service completed a comprehensive audit of cellular accommodation in March 2021 across the prison estate which gathered data on the size of prison cells.
The prison estate in Ireland includes a mix of accommodation types including basic prison cells, en-suite rooms, dormitory style accommodation, wheelchair accessible cells, and special observation cells. Prison accommodation blocks range in age of construction from accommodation built in the mid-19th Century to the most recent high standard accommodation opened in Limerick Prison last year.
Prison accommodation has evolved significantly in terms of size and facilities in recent years with all new cells now built to 12 meters square with a full sanitary suite including toilet, wash hand basin and shower area.
The information requested by the Deputy relating to the number of different cell or room types of accommodation for prisoners, by metric size, for all prisons and open centres in the prison estate is set out in the attached tables.
The information provided in the tables includes the total floor space of each prison cell/room including the sanitary facilities. Information on the size of cells/rooms excluding sanitary facilities is not readily available and would require a manual examination/survey of all prison cells. In the context of limited resources, such an examination would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and resources which could not be justified.
345. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she will amend the misleading figures supplied to the CPT in 2019 regarding capacity and inform the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of the amendment. [24075/24]
View answer346. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the capacity for the total prison estate, having exact regard to the minimum recommendations of the European Prison Rules, not the IPS's calculation based on 'the bed capacity refers to the maximum number of beds which can be present/operational in a prison at any one time'. [24076/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 346 together.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the figures provided to the CPT in 2019 were correct at that time. As explained in the published response to the CPT’s 2019 visit, the operational bed capacity of prisoners is calculated on the basis of the number of beds which can be utilised in a prison at any time. The actual capacity can fluctuate from time to time arising from cells being out of commission due to areas of prisons being renovated or refurbished. It should be noted that over the 12 month period to July 2023 more than 200 spaces were added to the prison estate.
It is the case that certain prisons may not be in a position to accommodate prisoners despite operating at less than 100% capacity due to operational restrictions and considerations in relation to specific categories of prisoners.
As of 24 May 2024, prison bed capacity stands at 4,515 across the estate.
