Patrick Costello
Question:353. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the measures she is taking to combat petty crime and anti-social behaviour in Dublin city; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39784/24]
View answerCrime Prevention
Questions (353)
Written answers
I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to the principle that everyone should be safe, and feel safe, and my Department has taken a number of steps in this regard. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion to An Garda Síochána in Budget 2025, up 27% since 2020, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.
There are a number of Garda Operations taking place in Dublin to provide a high-visibility policing presence and deter anti-social behaviour. These include:
• Operation Citizen which continues to reassure the citizens, visitors and the business community in Dublin City Centre that it is a safe place in which to visit, socialise, conduct business and enjoy its amenities;
• Operation Saul which aims to provide a safe environment for commuters utilising public transport services in the Dublin Metropolitan Region;
• Operation Táirge targeting Retail Theft;
• Operation Tara tackling street level drug-dealing.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Citizen continues to be implemented in Dublin City Centre. Operation Citizen has been in operation since October 2021 and was implemented for the purpose of providing reassurance to citizens, visitors and the business community that Dublin city centre is a safe place in which to visit, conduct business, socialise and enjoy its amenities.
The aim of the operation is to deliver an enhanced, high-visibility policing presence in the city centre on a daily basis. Operation Citizen focuses on a collaborative community and stakeholder engagement approach, recognising that many of the issues that arise in the city centre require a response that reaches beyond An Garda Síochána alone.
As part of this operation, uniform Garda members perform high visibility patrols on foot and bicycle, and respond to reports of crime in Dublin city centre. The members deployed on Operation Citizen are drawn from Store Street and Pearse Street Garda stations, utilising the members that are best placed to provide an effective policing service, bringing with them local knowledge. The personnel from both Store Street and Pearse Street Garda Stations are allocated on a full-time basis to ‘Operation Citizen’.
Additionally, Community Policing units are assigned to designated areas in the city centre and are tasked with maintaining links within their communities and stakeholders, conducting Business Watch and Campus Watch liaison and meetings.
Operation Citizen, Community Policing personnel, and Garda National Public Order Units conduct additional patrols of public transport links as part of Operation SAUL, to deter anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of the Luas, DART or train stations and bus stops.
The Street Crime Units based in the city centre target pickpocketing and conduct specific operations throughout the year focusing on theft from the person activities occurring in the city centre.
An Garda Síochána continues to work with Dublin City Council and other stakeholders including the Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) in the North Inner City, the HSE, residents and business groups through both formal and informal established networks to collectively identify ways to improve the experience in the city centre. The North Inner City LCSP is one of three pilot LCSPs which has developed a Local Community Safety Plan, setting out a number of actions which are in train to improve safety and perception of safety in Dublin's city centre.
Furthermore, the Anti-Social Behaviour Forum, which is chaired by Minister of State James Browne, is developing measures which will address the factors which give rise to such behaviour and its impact on community morale and quality of life.
The Forum has established four sub-groups. These sub-groups consider the specific issues of the misuse of scramblers and quadbikes, knife crime, responses to ASB impacts on housing complexes managed by Local Authorities (LA) or Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), and the powers available to An Garda Síochána in relation to public order offences. Similar sub-groups can be established to examine other issues as required.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (354)
Patrick Costello
Question:354. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice for an update in relation the enhanced powers given to An Garda Síochána to limit the anti-social use of scramblers and quadbikes; the number of scramblers, quadbikes and e-scooters that have been seized in Dublin metropolitan regions south and south central, broken down by station, or district, if station-level data is not available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39785/24]
View answerWritten answers
As you may be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.
I would like to reassure the Deputy that the Government is fully committed to tackling anti-social behaviour, including the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes. That is why legislation was enacted by the Minister for Transport to increase Garda powers to seize scramblers.
An Garda Síochána responds to all reports of anti-social behaviour and conducts operations on an ongoing basis to target the anti-social activities of people using scramblers, mopeds and quads in public parks and green areas.
An Garda Síochána has, through various media and social media platforms, highlighted the inherent dangers associated with the use of these vehicles. In order to combat dangerous behaviour, intelligence is gathered at local level and areas are targeted as appropriate. Garda operations targeting the illegal use of scramblers, mopeds and quad bikes involve all members who are assigned to operational duties.
The Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour established a subgroup in 2021 to examine measures which can be taken when vehicles such as scramblers and quad bikes are misused in communities.The work of the sub-group laid the foundation for a new initiative to support local projects to encourage young people in the safe and legal use of motorbikes. This scheme is based on the model developed by the Moyross Youth Diversion Project (YDP) and is a means of intervention and diversion of young people from this type of anti-social activity, rather than enforcement. This includes providing instruction in vehicle care, maintenance and responsible use.
The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 was signed into law in June 2023. Among its provisions, the Act aims to tackle the antisocial use of scramblers and quadbikes through measures such as granting An Garda Siochana new powers of seizure.
Garda Authorities have provided the below breakdown of the number of incidents in which a scrambler, quadbike or e-scooter was seized by Gardaí in DMR South and DMR South Central since 1 November 2023, the date when the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 came into effect:
• 26 incidents involved the seizure of e-scooters.
• 14 incidents involved the seizure of scramblers/quadbikes.
I am advised that these figures are based on incidents occurring from 1 November 2023 to 30 September 2024, inclusive. I am further advised that the above figures, based upon operational data from the PULSE system, is liable to change. These figures include, but do not exclusively consist of, vehicles seized or detained under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act.
It is hoped that this combined approach of increased Garda powers to tackle the misuse of scramblers, together with the creation of alternative options for those who wish to use such vehicles safely and legally, will have a significant impact in tackling this problem.
International Protection
Questions (355, 356, 357)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:355. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the changes she proposes to the staffing, management and control of the International Protection Office and the site around it in order to ensure that large groups of international protection applicants are not congregating unmanaged on the streets outside and around the building, both during its opening hours, and after it closes at 2.30 pm; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39795/24]
View answerJim O'Callaghan
Question:356. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the changes to international protection processing operations she proposes in order to end the cycle of illegal tent encampments on the streets, parks and canal banks in the vicinity of the Internal Protection Office on Lower Mount Street by international protection applicants that the office is bringing to the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39796/24]
View answerJim O'Callaghan
Question:357. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the changes to international protection processing operations she proposes in order to allow for the safe removal of the barricades on Lower Mount Street and elsewhere in the area that have had to be erected in the wake of the shanty town and subsequent tent encampments being established in the vicinity of the International Protection Office by international protection applicants that the office is bringing to the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39797/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 355, 356 and 357 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, earlier this year, a Government strategy was put in place to address the presence of tents and rough sleeping in the vicinity of the International Protection Office (IPO) in Mount Street.
As part of this strategy, a joint operation involving the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; my Department; An Garda Síochána; Dublin City Council; the Office of Public Works; and the HSE took place on the 1st May 2024.
This exercise successfully ensured the safe movement of international protection applicants from tents on Mount Street to International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS)-designated accommodation.
A similar approach has since been applied to other city centre locations where similar situations have arisen.
As part of the response in May, Dublin City Council and the Office of Public Works secured the area around Mount Street where tents had previously been placed, with street furniture and traffic management measures.
The International Protection Office continues to liaise on an ongoing basis with the Garda authorities and with Dublin City Council in relation to the office in Mount Street and its environs.
More broadly, the situation in relation to accommodation remains extremely challenging, and the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is endeavouring to respond to the increase in the number of persons applying for protection and who are seeking accommodation. My Department liaises with them in this work through exchange of information.
I can also advise the Deputy that I have significantly reduced my Department’s reliance on the IPO office in Mount Street by opening a second processing centre to register families accompanied by children at the Citywest complex. Since this processing site was opened last April, approximately 43% of all new applications for International Protection have been made there. This has significantly reduced the number of applications that may otherwise have been made at the Mount Street location.
My Department has significantly increased investment into the international protection system. Measures have been implemented to improve efficiencies and throughput while also enhancing the application, interview, and decision-making process for applicants.
One of the priority areas of focus has been to recruit both civil servants and panel members to increase case processing. The IPO now has 545 staff, an increase of 157% over 2022. In addition, there are currently 208 Panel Members contracted by the IPO, an increase of 124% over 2022 figures.
Budget 2025 has provided a €25m package for end-to-end investment in the immigration system including Service Delivery, International Protection Office, International Protection Appeals Tribunal and the Legal Aid Board. €2m is provided for ICT capital expenditure.
These significant additional resources will be directed to streamline the end-to end international protection process, with approximately 400 further staff to be recruited for roles across this process. This will support reaching key targets, including making the IPO making 25,000 decisions in 2025 compared to over 14,000 cases in 2024.
Question No. 356 answered with Question No. 355.
Question No. 357 answered with Question No. 355.
Citizenship Applications
Questions (358)
Niamh Smyth
Question:358. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice whether the 70 days for a person who is applying for Irish citizenship are consecutive days after the submission or 70 days over a period of the 19 months during the processing of the application; how is the application affected and if it becomes void or will the application continue to be processed. [39879/24]
View answerWritten answers
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals and people granted International Protection where the requirement is 3 years. In all cases, the final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State with up to 70 days allowed to facilitate foreign travel for business family or holiday purposes.
For any person who has already submitted their naturalisation application, the 70 days absence rule no longer applies. However, if an applicant intends to travel outside the State for an extended period of time then they should contact the Citizenship division of my Department with the details to ‘citizenshipinfo@justice.ie ’. Applicants should quote their application number on all correspondence.
When making an application for citizenship by naturalisation, applicants must have the required reckonable residency to qualify for naturalisation and must intend in good faith, to continue to reside in the State after they are naturalised Irish Citizens.
Court Procedures
Questions (359, 360)
Holly Cairns
Question:359. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if she intends removing the in camera rule; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39935/24]
View answerHolly Cairns
Question:360. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice whether she intends introducing requirements for expert witnesses in court; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39936/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 360 together.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department is leading an ambitious programme of family justice reform set out in the first Family Justice Strategy, which I published in November 2022.The Strategy sets out a vision for a family justice system of the future - a system that will focus on the needs and rights of children and which will assist their parents in making decisions that affect all of the family. The Plan outlines the steps needed to create a more efficient and user-friendly family court system that puts the family and children at the centre of its work. This will be achieved through the implementation of over 50 actions across nine goals, with timelines for delivery up to the end of 2025.
As the strategy was developed, my Department listened to and acknowledged the many issues and concerns about how the current system operates. The actions stress the centrality of children to many family justice matters, and the need to ensure their best interests are considered in conjunction with their constitutional rights.Goal six of the strategy relates to Data and Information Management. The aim of this goal is to develop better ways to manage, collect and share information within the family justice system, maintaining privacy and dignity of users but allowing for better case management, statistical reporting and evidence based decision making. There are a number of actions under this goal, many relating to research.
A key action under this goal is to review the operation of the in-camera rule in family law proceedings. My Department issued a request for tender for this research and a contract has been signed with a research team led by UCC who have commenced the research which will be published upon completion.
The primary aims of the research are to:
• review the current operation of the in-camera rule in its entirety;
• analyse issues with the current operation, including but not limited to identifying the challenges and benefits of the law, and the statutory exceptions which permit research and reporting on cases; and
• make recommendations relating to reform of the law which can enhance clarity and transparency and offer the necessary protections for those involved in proceedings.
An important part of this new research will also be to examine any learnings from other jurisdictions which could be applied in the Irish context.
On 13 June 2024 I published a wide-ranging review of the role of expert reports in the family law process. This comprehensive review undertaken by my Department sets out 20 recommendations for reform.The recommendations in the Review are ambitious and seek to address all of the issues raised in the Policy Paper on Parental Alienation and in the wide-ranging consultation carried out with stakeholders as part of the Review. When implemented, these recommendations will improve the quality of expert reports in family law proceedings and will standardise practises relating to how they are commissioned and by whom. Their implementation will ensure that our constitutional obligation to hear children’s views and that their best interests be the paramount consideration are truly fulfilled. They will contribute to a reformed family justice system which is user-focused, consistent and – most importantly – places children at its core. Following on from the Review of the Role of Expert Reports in the Family Law Process, my Department is in the process of establishing a Voice of the Child Working Group to ensure children’s constitutional right to be heard in family law proceedings continues to be upheld. In addition to examining other ways in which the voice of children may be heard in family law proceedings and in alternative dispute resolution processes, the Group will also develop a Voice of the Child Report Template and work on establishing the Children’s Court Advocate Pilot Project – key recommendations in the Review.
Officials in my Department are also supporting a Judicial committee chaired by the Honourable Ms Justice Nuala Jackson. The Committee intends to develop a set of guidelines for the Judiciary in relation to the use of welfare reports in the private family law process.
Question No. 360 answered with Question No. 359.
Residency Permits
Questions (361)
Paul Murphy
Question:361. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she will request an investigation into the reason a person (details supplied) was only given a one-year residence permit; and if she will instruct her Department to ensure the extension of this permit to three years. [39968/24]
View answerWritten answers
The applicant referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for a permanent residence card with the EU Treaty Rights (EUTR) Division of my Department on 06 October 2023.
While this application was being processed by my Department, the person cited by the Deputy was granted temporary permission to remain in the State up to 26 July 2024.
Having contacted the EUTR division of my Department, the applicant was informed that as their spouse is now an Irish Citizen, it was open to them to seek permission to remain in the State as the spouse of an Irish national should they wish to do so, and that this permission could be obtained directly from their local registration office.
It is noted that the applicant was subsequently granted a Stamp 4 permission for one year at their local registration office, which expired in September 2024.
With regard to the person’s complaint, if they are not satisfied with the service they have received from their local Garda station, it is open to them to contact the local Superintendent of the District. Contact details may be found here: www.garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory/.
If they are not satisfied with how their concerns are dealt with by An Garda Síochána, it is open to them to contact the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). GSOC is the independent body responsible for receiving complaints from the public concerning members of An Garda Síochána.
Contact details are available on GSOC’s “Get in Touch” page at the following link: www.gardaombudsman.ie/site-pages/get-in-touch/.
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.
Dissident Republican Activity
Questions (362)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:362. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice the reason a request submitted in 2021 for a commission of investigation (details supplied) was recently refused; if she intends to meet the family at the centre of the request to discuss their experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39973/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy refers to the brutal murder of Mr Denis Donaldson in April 2006 in Glenties, County Donegal.
A number of inquiries related to the death of Mr. Donaldson have been undertaken both in this jurisdiction and in Northern Ireland.
Garda authorities are conducting an ongoing investigation into the killing of Mr. Donaldson and extensive enquiries have been carried out in this regard. I am informed by An Garda Síochána that the investigation remains open and active and that a Family Liaison Officer is assigned.
I am further informed that the inquest into the death currently stands adjourned to a date later this year in light of the ongoing criminal investigation. I can understand fully that the adjournments of the Coroners’ Inquest are a cause of concern for the family and that is to be regretted. However, these adjournments are in circumstances where the criminal investigation into the death is ongoing in order to ensure that the criminal proceedings are not compromised by the conduct of an inquest.
There have also been developments in Northern Ireland with the publication in 2022 of the Report of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland into certain matters relating to the handling of the case by the Police Service of Northern Ireland. I would hope that this report served to provide further information to the family.
In the circumstances, and particularly in the light of an active ongoing criminal investigation by An Garda Síochána in this jurisdiction, I do not believe that it would be prudent to consider the establishment of a commission of investigation in this jurisdiction.
As Minister for Justice I will of course continue to ensure that I am kept appraised of developments with regard to the Garda investigation and the inquest.
The Government has always sought to acknowledge and address the needs of all those affected by Troubles-related violence. In my role as Minister for Justice I have met with victims' families and of course remain open to future meetings.
The priority must be to bring those involved in this killing to justice.
Visa Agreements
Questions (363)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:363. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if she would consider allowing all individuals who have had a stamp 3 visa for over two years, and are in a dependent relationship with an individual who has a Stamp 4 visa, to apply for a Stamp 4 visa even if this relationship is not a relationship that is ‘similar to marriage’; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39978/24]
View answerWritten answers
Stamp 3 permission may be granted in a range of scenarios where a non-EEA/Swiss/UK citizen has permission to reside in the State but is not permitted to work or engage in any business, trade or profession. Stamp 4 permits the holder to work without an employment permit, or to establish and operate a business. Stamp 4 also allows the holder to access state funds and services as determined by Government departments or agencies.
Persons granted stamp 3 can include volunteers with charities, ministers of religion, or certain dependants joining family members under the non-EEA Family Reunification policy. As set out in that policy, people who are in a dependent family relationship that is not based on marriage, civil partnership, or a de facto relationship (i.e., a relationship “akin to marriage”) can include persons aged under 18; under the age of 23 and in full-time education; or over the age of 18 and dependent on the care of their sponsor in Ireland due to a serious medical or psychological condition that makes independent life in the home country impossible.
In each case, the sponsor must be an Irish citizen or qualifying resident in the State for the applicable period of time to permit family reunification under the policy. The applicants must have normally lived together as a family unit and not live separately or apart on a permanent basis. Given that the status of family members in this category is based on their dependence on their sponsor, stamp 3 rather than stamp 4 is the appropriate residence permission to maintain the important principle that sponsors bringing dependents into Ireland should not have recourse to public funds for those dependents.
In all cases where an individual has spent two years on a stamp 3 permission, this does not in itself constitute grounds to apply for a stamp 4 permission. Stamp 3 holders may apply to change their immigration status if their circumstances, or those of their sponsor, change. Information on how a person can change their status and the criteria is available on the website of the Immigration Service of my Department at: www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/changing-your-immigration-permission/
The Policy Document for Non-EEA Family Reunification, which was last amended in 2016, is currently under review. The review is examining a wide range of matters relating to applications for family reunification. My expectation is that the review will be brought to conclusion in the coming months.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (364)
Imelda Munster
Question:364. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Justice the number of Gardaí in each district in the Louth and east Meath constituency, including a breakdown of the number of community Gardaí within each district; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39987/24]
View answerWritten answers
Everyone deserves to be safe and feel safe in their own communities, and of course having a visible Garda presence in the community is an important part of that.
Garda funding has increased by over €500m, up 27% since 2020, bringing the total budget to €2.48 billion for 2025, building on the unprecedented allocations of over €2 billion for 2023 and €2.35 billion for 2024. This consistent funding demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision to recruit the personnel it needs to carry out its vital policing work.
While the Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of Garda members throughout the State, I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends.
It is worth noting that Constituency boundaries do match Garda Divisions, therefore figures can be provided for Meath/Westmeath Division.
I am informed that, as of the end of June 2024, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 546 Gardaí assigned to Meath/Westmeath Division. Of this figure, 154 members were assigned to Ashbourne and Kells, covered under the Meath East constituency area.
I am further informed there were 707 Gardaí assigned to Louth/Cavan/Monaghan Division. Of this figure, 362 were assigned to Ardee, Drogheda and Dundalk.
I am also informed that there are 26 dedicated Community Gardaí across these Divisions as of the end of June 2024, with 12 in Meath and 14 in Louth.
These Divisions were also supported by 199 Garda Staff members as of the end of June 2024. 87 are allocated to Meath/Westmeath Division and 112 are allocated to Louth/Cavan/Monaghan Division. Garda staff provide vital administrative support and help free up Garda members to focus on front line duties.
The Deputy should be advised that all figures provided are operational and subject to change.
Sex Offenders Notification Requirements
Questions (365)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:365. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons convicted of sexual offences have changed their name by deed poll since 2020. [40012/24]
View answerWritten answers
There is a robust framework of legislation in place to monitor and manage the risk posed by convicted sex offenders to the community.
An offender who is subject to part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 is obliged to notify An Garda Síochána of their personal details, and of any changes to them, including their name, any other names they use, and address, for a period of time after conviction, which of course can be up to life in the case of more serious offenders.
Under the terms of a Part 2 order it would be an offence for an offender to change their name - or use another name - and not notify the Gardaí of this. If an offender fails to comply with the requirements then they are in breach of the Act and subject to investigation by An Garda Síochána.
While this was always the case, last year I enacted the Sex Offenders (Amendment) Act to strengthen what was already a robust system for monitoring sex offenders.
This piece of legislation has significantly reduced the period for sex offenders to inform Gardaí of any change in their circumstances and has provided additional powers to An Garda Síochána to take photographs, fingerprints and palm prints from a convicted sex offender.
It has given Gardaí the power to disclose information regarding a convicted sex offender to a third party in certain circumstances and it provides for the court to prohibit a sex offender from working with children.
The 2023 Act also places the current multi-agency Sex Offenders Risk Assessment and Management (SORAM) monitoring process on a statutory footing and has broadened the eligibility criteria to allow more convicted sex offenders to be considered for inclusion in this process.
This new legislation gives An Garda Síochána, the Probation Service and the Courts increased tools and powers to ensure sex offenders are managed effectively in the community.
Citizenship Applications
Questions (366)
Frankie Feighan
Question:366. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application by a person living in the UK (details supplied) seeking Irish citizenship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40052/24]
View answerWritten answers
The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
This application is based on Section 16 'Irish Association', which can take longer to process than applications based upon residency.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
It is important to note that no two applications are the same and some take longer than others to process.
All applicants must undergo Garda vetting. Unfortunately, it is the case that some international checks can take a considerable amount of time and are largely out of the control of my Department. The previous backlogs in application processing in Citizenship had arisen largely due to the legacy of restrictions imposed on staff attendance in the office during the pandemic.
Since then, Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to speed up the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are dramatically reducing processing times.
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.
Departmental Investigations
Questions (367)
Mark Ward
Question:367. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice to investigate an issue (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40074/24]
View answerWritten answers
I have passed this matter to the relevant officials in my Department who are liaising with colleagues in the Department of Social Protection. My officials will respond directly to the individual as a matter of priority.
Immigration Support Services
Questions (368)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:368. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the reason for the delays in appointments in the GNIB office in Galway; the steps being taken to deal with this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40101/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for non-EU/EEA nationals residing in the Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, Cork and Limerick areas only.
An Garda Síochána has oversight of the first registration and renewal of immigration residence permissions for non-EU/EEA nationals residing outside of the Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, Cork and Limerick areas. I have no role in regard to the scheduling of these appointments.
The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (COFPI) recommended that immigration administrative functions should transfer from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) to the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of my Department.
Since 8 July 2024, the first registration and renewal of Irish residence permissions for applicants residing in counties Cork and Limerick have been carried out at the Registration Office, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2. With this transfer, approximately 80% of all national registrations and renewals have now transferred from An Garda Síochána to my Department.
It is anticipated that the nationwide transfer of registration functions to my Department can be substantively completed by early 2025.
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department has established a modernisation programme to transform its immigration operations to provide a modern, transparent and accessible Immigration system that is faster, easier to access and more efficient for all its users. This ambitious programme of modernisation is aimed at improving the service we provide and is receiving significant ongoing financial investment. The modernisation programme will replace legacy immigration management systems, introducing a single view, on a single platform, of an individual’s engagement with all aspects of immigration services. When delivered, this platform will significantly improve customer service capacity with comprehensive self-service functionality, and enhanced border security capability and capacity.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (369)
Mark Ward
Question:369. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the cost to An Garda Síochána for providing dog kennels in Garda dog handlers' homes, per kennel, in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40111/24]
View answerWritten answers
I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, and will contact him again when this is to hand.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (370)
Mark Ward
Question:370. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the cost to An Garda Síochána for providing electrical vehicle charging points in Garda stations in the Dublin metropolitan region, per station, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40112/24]
View answerWritten answers
I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, and will contact him again when this is to hand.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (371)
Alan Kelly
Question:371. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the amount of funding provided towards Garda airport liaison officers in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [40124/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Border Management Unit (BMU) in my Department and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have the required documentation when boarding. This includes delivering in-person training to relevant airline ground-handling staff on immigration requirements and false travel documentation. BMU officials are also available 24/7 to assist airlines with any immigration queries.
Up to the end of September, BMU and GNIB have carried out over 6,000 doorstop operations at aircraft to detect passengers who destroyed documents inflight and to identify the point of embarkation of undocumented passengers. My Department has recorded a 34% reduction in 2023 in the number of persons arriving in the State without the correct documentation. 2024 has seen a further reduction in the numbers arriving without documentation.
My Department has committed to provide specific funding to An Garda Síochána (AGS) for a programme to assign Garda Airline Liaison Officers (ALO) to European Transport Hubs to prevent irregular migration. GNIB deployed in one high-risk airport with effect from 1 March 2023. The deployment of this ALO has resulted in a significant decrease in individuals who do not meet travel requirements from entering the State from the designated airport. GNIB continue to explore option to extend these operations into other European airport hubs.
The funding to date provided to AGS for this programme is as follows (this funding is provided by my Department; this does not include wages and other costs which are borne from the Garda Budget and are not included here):
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2023 |
€46,360.42 |
|
2024 (year to date) |
€31,781.40 |
Note: As the programme commenced in 2023, there is no expenditure for 2022.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (372)
Alan Kelly
Question:372. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1144 of 9 September 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities in order for this PQ to be answered. [40125/24]
View answerWritten answers
I understand that Parliamentary Question No. 1144 of 9 September 2024 asked for the number of whole-time equivalent Civilian Forensic Accountants and Analysts currently attached to Garda National Economic Crime Bureau.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the allocation of resources. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently fewer than ten Forensic Accountants attached to the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau. Furthermore, there is currently a competition underway to fill two vacancies that exist within the Bureau.
I am further advised that there are less than ten analysts, who are attached to the Garda Síochána Analysis Service, but are tasked with work associated with the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau.
I am also advised that data is not released by An Garda Síochána for counts of fewer than 10 for data protection reasons, and to prevent identification of individuals.