Written Answers Nos. 540-554
540. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when will a decision be made in relation to a disablement pension for a person (details supplied) that is under review since January 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43258/24]
View answerDisablement Benefit is a compensatory scheme for persons who have suffered a loss of faculty due to injury arising out of and in their insurable employment. To qualify for Disablement a loss of faculty must be assessed at 15% or more.
An application for Disablement Benefit was received on the 20 June 2020. A decision issued on 2 March 2021 stating that he did not qualify for the scheme as his loss of faculty was less than 15%. The decision was reached following a medical assessment of the claim with a loss of faculty assessed at 5%.
On 9 March 2021 the claimant lodged an appeal with the Social Welfare Appeals Office. On 16 June 2021 the Appeal was disallowed, and the decision of Disablement Benefit upheld. In their decision the Appeals Officer allowed the option of a review if further medical evidence became available.
On 18 January 2023 a review with further medical evidence was submitted. This review is now complete and a decision issued to the person concerned on 17 October 2024. It stated that based on the evidence supplied by the applicant, the original decision still stands. He has been offered the right the request an appeal of this decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
541. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Social Protection the grants her Department has provided to social enterprise representative bodies since October 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43274/24]
View answerAs per the definition of a social enterprise in the Department of Rural and Community Development’s publication Trading for Impact, the National Social Enterprise Strategy 2024 - 2027 - 'a social enterprise is defined as an enterprise whose objective is to achieve a social or environmental impact, rather than maximising profit for its owners or shareholders. It pursues its objectives by trading on an ongoing basis through the provision of goods and/or services, and by reinvesting surpluses fully or primarily into achieving social objectives. It is governed in a fully accountable and transparent manner and is independent of the public sector. If dissolved, it should transfer its assets to another organisation with a similar mission.'
Details of payments made by my Department to the following bodies from 2023 to date is outlined in tabular format below:
|
YEAR |
Name Of Organisation |
Amount Allocated in Funding |
|
2023 |
Young Social Innovators Rehab - ( for a Forms Distribution Service) Vincentian MESL Research Centre |
€36,500 €112,710 €170,000 |
|
2024 – To Date |
Young Social Innovators Rehab - ( for a Forms Distribution Service) Vincentian MESL Research Centre |
€32,850 €80,422 €85,000 |
As part of the annual UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17th October), my Department made payments to the following bodies in 2023 and 2024:
|
2023 |
|
|
Irish 17th October Committee |
€3,000.00 |
|
Age Action Ireland |
€2,800.00 |
|
All Together in Dignity (ATD) Ireland |
€2,950.00 |
|
Athlone Family Resource Centre (FRC) |
€3,000.00 |
|
Barnardo's |
€2,975.30 |
|
Blanchardstown Centre for Independent Living |
€1,878.03 |
|
Citywise Education |
€3,000.00 |
|
Connect/Footsteps |
€2,669.80 |
|
Dillon's Cross Project/Cork Educational Training Board |
€1,765.50 |
|
Doras Buí |
€2,969.52 |
|
Kid's Own Publishing |
€3,000.00 |
|
Lus na Gréine Family Resource Centre |
€3,000.00 |
|
Offaly Traveller Movement |
€3,000.00 |
|
South Inner City Community Development Association (SICCDA) |
€1,982.23 |
|
Tullamore FRC |
€2,900.00 |
|
Women's Community Projects Mullingar |
€3,000.00 |
|
2024 |
|
|
Aster Family Support |
€1,237.23 |
|
All Together in Dignity Ireland |
€2,340.00 |
|
Blanchardstown Centre for Independent Living |
€1,422.70 |
|
Citywise Education |
€2,700.00 |
|
Clara Family Resource Centre (FRC) |
€2,700.00 |
|
Foodcloud |
€2,700.00 |
|
Irish 17th October Committee |
€2,700.00 |
|
Lus na Gréine Family Resource Centre |
€2,700.00 |
|
National Women's Council of Ireland |
€2,700.00 |
|
Tullamore FRC |
€1,604.70 |
|
Women's Community Projects Mullingar |
€2,700.00 |
542. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice to expedite an application for an Irish visa for a person (details supplied). [43292/24]
View answerThe visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office in Dublin on 19 December 2023. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicant at that time. An appeal of this decision was launched on 16 February 2024.
All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on the Immigration Service website. Applicants that meticulously follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision at first instance.
I can advise the Deputy that in 2023, over 166,000 visa applications were submitted and approximately 140,000 people were granted visas to travel to Ireland. These figures are likely to be surpassed in 2024, with over 123,000 visa applications having been received in the first seven months of this year alone. This reflects an increase of 20%, compared to the same period in 2023, with over 21,000 additional applications received.
The vast majority of visa applications are determined in a matter of weeks. However, some applications, in particular those to join family members here, can take considerably longer.
It is important to recall these applications are screening processes, designed to establish that the person has a legitimate reason to come to Ireland prior to travel. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete.
Processing times for these applications are influenced by a number of factors. The time it can take varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; peak application periods; such as holidays or the start of the school year; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the application lodged.
Visa applications and appeals are processed in the order in which they are received, to be fair to all applicants. However, due to the disparity in the complexity of these application, the processing of some applications can take considerably longer than the overall average.
I understand extended wait times can be frustrating. I want to assure anyone who is waiting on a decision that my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible. I am acutely aware join family applications, are very important for the persons impacted and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides. I have assigned additional resources and staff to my Department’s visa division which will I expect will reduce the waiting times for family applications in the coming months.
A decision will be issued to the applicant as soon as full consideration has been given by a Visa Appeals Officer.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (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 Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
543. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice when the application process for the Garda Reserves will be reopened. [42418/24]
View answerThe Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities, and strengthening An Garda Síochána, including the Garda Reserve, is at the core of that. We will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and this is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion to An Garda Síochána, a 27% increase since 2020.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda reserve members, under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended).
The Garda Reserve represents a real opportunity for anyone wishing to make a contribution to their community and, in some cases, learn more about the role of a Garda member prior to seeking to join An Garda Síochána full time. Reserves serve a very valuable role in assisting Gardaí with local patrols, crime reduction initiatives and administration.
A competition to recruit Garda reserves opened in June, the first in many years. Garda reserves play a vital role in their communities, and the revised regulations brought forward will allow them to contribute even more effectively. The Garda Reserve competition closed in early July and received over 1,800 applications.
To further support this competition, I was pleased to bring forward new regulations governing recruitment, training and deployment of the Reserve. I believe this also represents a great opportunity to broaden the recruitment pool for An Garda Síochána particularly among communities which have not traditionally joined the service in large numbers.
To help support the work of Reserves, we have increased the maximum stipend a reserve member who completes over 200 hours of voluntary service in a given year from €1,000 to €3,000.
There are currently around 325 Garda reserves, as of the end of June 2024, and we have set a target of 1,000 Reserves by 2026. Government is committed to working with the Garda Commissioner to achieve this goal.
I am advised that an initial group of applicants were invited to interview across August and September. Candidates deemed suitable are now being invited to complete Garda Vetting and it is my understanding as soon as candidates are cleared through the vetting process, they will be invited to a Garda Reserve intake and begin training under the supervision of the Garda College to ensure they can support Garda Members in their duties on the front line.
544. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice to indicate the progress to date in determination of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42452/24]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
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.
Based on the current application levels, I expect going forward that most straightforward applications based on residency will receive a decision within one year.
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.
545. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 725 of 16 April 2024, the position regarding the approved donors for a facility (details supplied); a timeline for the completion of this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42467/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023.
As Minister, I do not comment on individual IIP applications, however, my Department’s IIP Unit is committed to ensuring that all applications will be examined on their own merits and will endeavour to conclude all decisions in a timely manner.
I can advise the Deputy that updated information in relation to the winding down of the Programme, the processing of applications and an FAQ document can be accessed on my Department's website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/processing-of-iip-applications-on-hand-following-the-closure-of-the-programme/.
There has been an unprecedented level of applications to the Programme in recent years and it is hoped in the coming months, that we will be in a better position to understand the impact this will have on the likely timeframes within which final decisions on projects will be made. As the position becomes clearer, my Department will seek to communicate how we anticipate that projects will progress and will make every effort to share that information in a clear and timely manner.
I am advised that the IIP Unit are committed to exploring any new ways of working that could expedite the examination of project applications and reduce the overall timeframe for decisions.
546. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Justice for an update on an application for citizenship for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42477/24]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that the naturalisation application from the person referred to has been approved by my Department.
A request for final documentation and a Certificate fee will issue directly to the person concerned.
Last year, Citizenship Division more than doubled the number of ceremonies available to applicants with 15 held over the course of 2023. This was a significant increase on 6 Citizenship Ceremonies held in 2022. To date in 2024, my Department has hosted 17 ceremonies with over 14,000 attendees, with further ceremonies planned for later in the year.
No date is published for the next Ceremony, however, I can advise the Deputy that it will be in December of this year.
As the Deputy will appreciate, these events require considerable planning and Citizenship Division issues invitations to successful applicants at the earliest possible opportunity. As plans for further ceremonies are confirmed this information will be put into the public domain.
Further information on Citizenship Ceremonies is available on my Department’s website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/citizenship-ceremonies/.
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.
547. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if the incoming Gambling Regulation Act 2004 or the regulator Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann will monitor self-exclusion agreements of betting companies (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42482/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, I have no regulatory or oversight role in relation to the activities of licensed bookmakers in Ireland. These licences are issued by the Revenue Commissioners. The Deputy will also appreciate that I cannot provide legal advice or comment on individual cases.
The landmark Gambling Regulation Bill - having now passed all stages here in the houses - will streamline, strengthen and modernise gambling regulation in Ireland.
It will establish the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland and provides for the establishment and operation of the National Gambling Exclusion Register for all online and remote licensees, as well as introducing tight restrictions on the advertisement of gambling activities.
The Bill also introduces a Social Impact Fund to support educational measures and problem gambling treatment activities.
It has been drafted from a public health perspective and seeks to protect those most vulnerable in our communities, including children and younger people, from the harms presented by problem gambling.
548. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 511 of 18 September 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities in order to answer the question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42484/24]
View answerI refer to your Parliamentary Question No. 511 of 18 September 2024 asking about the number of Gardaí, by rank, attached to the Garda National Protective Services Bureau as of 9 September 2024 and the corresponding figures as of 31 December 2022, in tabular form.
As you will appreciate, the management of Garda resources is an operational matter for the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána but to be of assistance, I committed to responding to this question once the relevant information had been received from An Garda Síochána.
The Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) provides advice, guidance and assistance to gardaí investigating the following: sexual crime, online child exploitation, domestic abuse, human trafficking, organised prostitution, specialist interview, sex offender management, missing persons and support for victims of crime.
The bureau leads the investigation in more complex cases.
I am informed by Garda authorities that there is a current competition to fill Garda Sergeant and Inspector positions in the unit.
In relation to the specific information sought by the Deputy, that information is presented in the tables below.
I am further informed that in line with recent direction, AGS only report numbers at the end of month, the table below has been given to reflect figures as of end of August 2024.
|
CR |
DC |
AC |
CS |
SU |
IN |
SG |
GD |
TOTAL |
|
* |
* |
* |
14 |
39 |
60 |
31 Dec 2022
|
CR |
DC |
AC |
CS |
SU |
IN |
SG |
GD |
TOTAL |
|
* |
* |
* |
17 |
48 |
73 |
Asterix * denotes a figure that is less than 10
• CR – Garda Commissioner
• DC – Deputy Garda Commissioner
• AC - Assistant Garda Commissioner
• CS – Chief Superintendent
• SU - Superintendent
• IN - Inspector
• SG - Sergeant
• GD – Garda
The GNSPB is responsible at strategic and operational levels for how An Garda Síochána responds to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
The nationwide roll out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs), which was an action under both the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and ‘Supporting a Victim's Journey’, has been completed.
As the deputy will be aware, there is now a DPSU in every Garda division across the country.
This is to ensure that when vulnerable victims of crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence present to Gardaí, they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance.
There are currently 352 gardaí working in DPSUs.
|
Garda |
Sergeant |
Inspector |
Total |
|
283 |
57 |
12 |
352 |
The GNSPB has responsibility for training requirements in the DPSUs, and the policy for investigations into domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The day-to-day work of the DPSUs is under each Divisional Chief Superintendent.
549. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the estimated full year costs if a defibrillator was provided to each Garda station that has opened on a 24-7 basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42485/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the provision of equipment and facilities, under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister, I have no direct role in these processes.
I am informed by Garda Authorities that they are not in a position at this time to accurately estimate the full year costs if a defibrillator was provided to each Garda station that has opened on a 24-7 basis. This would require the estimation of the number of devices required, a specification for the actual devices to be agreed and then would require a tender for supply, installation, maintenance and training of Garda staff and Garda members.
It is expected that this would take some time, with expert medical support required in the evaluation of different devices, as there are a number of suppliers and devices in the market with a huge variety in prices.
550. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she has met with the chief superintendent of Dublin Metropolitan Region West to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42486/24]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that I last met with Chief Superintendent McNulty in August 2023 during a visit to Blanchardstown Garda Station.
I can assure the Deputy that I meet with the Garda Commissioner on a regular basis. I meet him formally on a quarterly basis and I also meet him to discuss matters as the need arises or on specific issues. In addition, given the nature of our respective roles, I meet the Commissioner at events, ceremonies, etc., throughout the year, such as when new members of An Garda Síochána are attested in Templemore.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, at the end of June 2024, the latest date for which figures are available, there were a total of 714 Garda members assigned to Dublin Metropolitan Region West, representing an increase of around 4% since 2015.
335 Gardaí are assigned to the Blanchardstown District, 197 are assigned to the Clondalkin District, and 182 are assigned to the Lucan District. In 2024 to date, 66 probationer Gardaí have been assigned to DMR West.
There are also 117 vehicles from the garda fleet assigned to DMR West.
Budget 2025 provides the highest ever allocation to An Garda Síochána. Over €2.48 billion has been allocated, which is a 27% increase 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.
551. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of kennels currently vacant within the Garda dog unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42487/24]
View answer553. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of stables that are currently vacant within Garda mounted unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42491/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 551 and 553 together.
I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources needed to Keep People Safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of €2.48 billion in Budget 2025. This represents a 27% increase in funding since 2020.
The Garda Mounted Unit is based at Áras an Úachtaráin, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 and has a national remit.
I am advised that there are no vacant stables at the Garda Mounted Unit. There are 15 stables attached to the unit, all of which are in use for the stabling of current mounts, mounts on trial and future mounts.
The Garda Dog Unit is based at Kilmainham Garda Station, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and has a national remit.
I am advised that kennelling facilities are provided to Garda members assigned to the Dog Unit to accommodate the dogs assigned to them. I am further advised that some kennels may at times be temporarily unoccupied for a period of time while an animal is being sourced for training purposes.
552. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of new Garda roads policing unit vehicles that came into the fleet during 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of Garda roads policing unit vehicles withdrawn from the fleet during same period, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42490/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters, nor can I direct the Commissioner with regard to them.
I can, however, assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion to An Garda Síochána, a 27% increase since 2020.
There are now over 3,500 Garda vehicles. This is the largest fleet ever available to An Garda Síochána and represents a 34% increase since 2015.
I am assured that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under continued review, in line with crime and population trends, to ensure their optimum use.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the below table shows vehicles allocated to and removed from Roads Policing Duty in 2023 and in 2024 as of 30 September 2024.
|
Allocated |
Removed |
|
|
2023 |
26 |
19 |
|
2024 to 30.09.24 |
20 |
28 |
The purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochána is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.
554. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of Gardaí, by rank, attached to Garda national economic crime bureau as of 14 October 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42492/24]
View answerI have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, and will contact him when this is to hand.
