Written Answers Nos. 762-781
762. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice the number of protected disclosure applications that have been received by the Irish Prison Service since 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44815/24]
View answer763. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice the number of protected disclosure applications received by the Irish Prison Service since 2014 that have been investigated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44816/24]
View answer764. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice the findings or outcomes of those investigations into the protected disclosure applications received by the Irish Prison Service since 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44817/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 762 to 764, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy is aware, the purpose of the Protected Disclosures Act (the “Act”) 2014, as amended by the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 (“the Act”), is to afford important protections to persons making protected disclosures.
A protected disclosure, as set out in section 5 of the Act, is a disclosure of information which, in the reasonable belief of a worker, tends to show one or more relevant wrongdoings; came to the attention of the worker in a work-related context; and is disclosed in the manner prescribed in the Act.
The Act provides that protected disclosures can be made internally to the worker’s employer and also externally to persons other than their employer where certain conditions set out in the Act are met. Section 8 of the Act provides that a worker can report directly to the Minister.
The Department has procedures in place for the receipt of disclosures as an employer and under Section 8 of the Act.
The table below provides details of all correspondence relating to the Irish Prison Service received and managed by the Department from 2015 to 2022.
Since 2023, Section 8 of the Act provides that all disclosures received by the Minister are sent directly to the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner without any consideration by the Minister.
|
Year |
Correspondence assessed |
Correspondence transferred to the IPS for assessment/ investigation |
Protected Disclosures investigated by the Department |
Investigation Status at 31.12.23 |
Correspondence deemed not a Protected Disclosure and dealt with under other process, e.g. HR procedure etc |
|
2015 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Closed |
0 |
|
2016 |
7 |
0 |
4 |
Closed |
3 |
|
2017 |
7 |
0 |
4 |
Closed |
3 |
|
2018 |
11 |
2 |
4 |
1 case ongoing |
5 |
|
2019 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
No Investigation |
4 |
|
2020 |
14 |
5 |
5 |
1 case ongoing |
4 |
|
2021 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
No investigation |
2 |
|
2022 |
10 |
5 |
2 |
Closed |
3 |
I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service introduced their own Protected Disclosures Policy in July 2018. This provided for a mechanism to report wrongdoings to the Irish Prison Service as an employer through a dedicated internal Protected Disclosures manager.
The below table displays all allegations of wrongdoing received and dealt with directly by the Irish Prison Service as employer under its own Protected Disclosures policy between July 2018 and 31st December 2023.
|
Year |
No of Disclosures dealt with by IPS under IPS Policy |
Under Evaluation |
Assessed as not a Protected Disclosure and resolved by the IPS |
Investigated as a Protected Disclosure |
Dealt with under other process, e.g. HR procedure/referred to AGS |
Transferred to the Department of Justice |
|
2018 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
|
2019 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
1 |
|
2020 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
2021 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
2022 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
2023 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
0 |
External consultants have been engaged by both the Department and the Irish Prison Service to assess, investigate and review Protected Disclosures.
The results and recommendations of all finalised investigations were communicated to the Director General, the Head of Internal Audit of the Department of Justice and to the relevant Director in the Irish Prison Service, as appropriate for follow up action on any recommendations made.
The Irish Prison Service Protected Disclosures Annual Reports from 2018 to 2023 can be found at: www.irishprisons.ie/protected-disclosures-policy-2023/
Statistics for 2024 will be published in the 2025 Irish Prison Service Protected Disclosure Annual Report. Since 2023, all statistics are prepared and submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform by 1 March each year in line with the annual reporting requirements of Section 22 of the Protected Disclosures Act.
765. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice the status of applications for a visa by persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44819/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the applications referred to were created on the 08 October 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Riyadh office on the 15 October 2024. The applications were received in the Ankara Visa Office on the 16 October 2024 where they await examination and processing.
It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when these applications will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
The applicants will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.
Processing times and decisions at the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/#decisions
I can also advise the Deputy, my Department has now introduced a Digital Contact Centre (DCC) for our customers. The DCC allows individuals to log in and review the status of their immigration applications.
In its first phase, the DCC can be used to check the status of and raise queries in relation to Citizenship Applications, Visa Applications, Domestic Residence Permission Applications, EU Treaty Rights Applications and Travel Documents Applications.
My Department’s new platform can be accessed at the following link: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
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 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.
766. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application for family reunification visas (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44820/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the applications referred to were created on 03 August 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 27 August 2024 where they await examination and processing.
It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when these appeal applications will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
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 carefully 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.
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. Recently, 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.
Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
I can advise the Deputy, my Department has now introduced a Digital Contact Centre (DCC) for our customers. The DCC allows individuals to log in and review the status of their immigration applications.
In its first phase, the DCC can be used to check the status of and raise queries in relation to Citizenship Applications, Visa Applications, Domestic Residence Permission Applications, EU Treaty Rights Applications and Travel Documents Applications.
My Department’s new platform can be accessed at the following link: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
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 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.
767. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications for citizenship granted on foot of Section 16 – Irish associations, in each of the past four years to date, with particular reference to spouses of Irish nationals unable to avail of the conventional pathways to citizenship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44823/24]
View answerSection 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, sets out the statutory conditions that must be fulfilled for a certificate of naturalisation to be granted. Section 16 of the Act gives discretion to waive the statutory conditions in certain circumstances, including where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations (related through blood, affinity or adoption to a person who is or is entitled to be an Irish citizen).
Any application under Section 16 that relies on Irish associations and affinity should be supported by substantive documentation that renders the application exceptional and one where the normal pathways to citizenship provided for under the legislation are not appropriate.
The Deputy should be aware that there is no automatic right or entitlement to have any of the statutory conditions waived, even where the applicant comes within the certain circumstances defined.
Officials in my Department are in the process of finalising guidelines, which will provide clarity to both applicants and decision-makers on what factors may be considered when deciding whether to waive such naturalisation conditions under section 16(1)(a) of the Act. These new guidelines are being developed in the interests of fair and transparent procedures and comprehensive decision making. Details of the new guidelines will be made publicly available once they have been finalised. While statistics are not currently recorded in a manner that allows for the number of applications granted under section 16 to be extracted, arrangements for recording of such applications and associated decisions will be revised in parallel with the application of the new guidelines.
Detailed information on how to apply for naturalisation is available on my Department's Irish Immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/
Additionally, any person born outside of Ireland who has an Irish national grandparent born in Ireland may obtain Irish citizenship through registration in the Foreign Births Register which is maintained by Department of Foreign Affairs, for more information please see: www.dfa.ie/citizenship/born-abroad/registering-a-foreign-birth/
768. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of appeals for visas in the case of a family (details supplied); when the appeals can expect to be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44824/24]
View answerThe visa applications referred to by the Deputy were refused by the Visa Office in Dublin on 16 January 2023. The reasons for these decisions were set out in the refusal letters sent to the applicants at that time. Appeals of these decisions were launched on 08 March 2023.
It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when these appeal applications will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
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 carefully 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.
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. Recently, 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.
Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
I can advise the Deputy, my Department has now introduced a Digital Contact Centre (DCC) for our customers. The DCC allows individuals to log in and review the status of their immigration applications.
In its first phase, the DCC can be used to check the status of and raise queries in relation to Citizenship Applications, Visa Applications, Domestic Residence Permission Applications, EU Treaty Rights Applications and Travel Documents Applications.
My Department’s new platform can be accessed at the following link: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
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 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.
769. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if a new recruitment campaign for persons to apply to join An Garda Síochána will be launched before the end of this year. [44840/24]
View answerAs 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 members and staff, under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister I have no role in the Garda recruitment process and decisions related to the timing of Garda recruitment campaigns fall under the Commissioner's remit.
The Commissioner has indicated that annual recruitment campaigns for Garda members will be held and the next campaign is due to be launched in Q1, 2025.
To assist with recruitment, I have taken a number of actions with colleagues in Government over the past number of months including an increase to the training allowance for Garda recruits to €354. This represents an increase of over 92% in the last 12 months. I have also increased the age of entry from 35 to 50.
The most recent Garda recruitment campaign, which ran during January and February this year, received a very strong response with over 6,300 people applying to become a Garda. This is a significant increase on the 5,000 people who applied last year. It is good to see that so many people want to join An Garda Síochána with a strong response from people aged between 35 and 50. Over a third of the applications were in that age group.
An Garda Síochána continues to work on the mitigation of various resourcing challenges and I have established a Garda Recruitment Training Capacity Group to consider further measures to assist in reaching our current target of 15,000 sworn members.
I can also assure the Deputy that I am committed to building stronger, safer communities – and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that. The Government is determined that An Garda Síochána grows to 15,000 members and beyond. We are also committed to increasing the number of Garda staff to 4,000 and the Garda Reserve to 1,000 by the end of 2026 and to 2,000 thereafter.
I have provided record levels of funding to the Garda Vote, including €2.48 billion under Budget 2025 which is an increase of over half a billion euro compared to 2020. This funding is supporting ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff.
770. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of van/personnel carrier courses that were held for Gardaí within the Kildare division in 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024; and the number of Gardaí that participated in each of those courses, in tabular form. [44841/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the training of its members and civilian staff. As Minister, I have no role in the matter.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that since 2022, 14 Garda members in the Kildare Division have completed van training courses. I am further advised that fewer than 10 Garda members have completed Personnel Carrier courses. As the Deputy may be aware, further data is not released by An Garda Síochána for counts of fewer than 10 for data protection and security reasons.
I am further informed that the Kildare Division was amalgamated with and then subsequently separated from the Laois / Offaly Division during the timeframe referred to by the Deputy. I am advised that the figures are based on members located within the Kildare Division as it exists in its current iteration and do not reflect any subsequent transfers, retirements or other.
771. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the amount still due to An Garda Síochána as of 29 October 2024 in respect of non-public duty events that occurred in 2023 and where policed by An Garda Síochána. [44842/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under Section 30 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner may provide and charge for police services, including for events on private property or in areas open to the public.
Examples of the types of events for which police services may be provided under this section include:
(a) sports fixtures;
(b) concerts;
(c) festivals and exhibitions;
(d) meetings and conferences;
(e) the making of films, videos, television programmes and advertisements;
(f) appearances by individuals or groups of individuals likely to attract large numbers of people.
To be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that the current amount still due to An Garda Síochána as of 29 October 2024 in respect of non-public duty events that occurred in 2023 is €506,729.
I am also advised that invoices and reminders are issued on a regular basis for all outstanding sums, however, this is a matter for the Commissioner who is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the 2005 Act.
772. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of mobile phones issued to staff in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the total costs expended by her Department on handsets and phones bills over the same timeframe. [44865/24]
View answerThe availability of mobile devices is a critical enabler which supports the work carried out across my Department. These devices are subject to the IT Acceptable Use Policy and specific policies with respect to mobile device use and security.
As the Deputy will appreciate my Department has increased provision of mobile handsets to support the move to an effective long term blended working model in line with Government policy. I am informed that in 2024, there has also been a greater need to replace older handsets as part of ongoing programme of technology upgrades, and this is reflected in the expenditure in the year to date.
My Department ensures that procurement of goods and services is carried out in compliance with Directive 2014/24/EU and in line with National Procurement Guidelines published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). All areas of expenditure are monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure that value for money is being achieved.
The number of mobile phones issued to staff, the VAT-inclusive cost of handsets and the VAT-inclusive cost of mobile phone billing for my Department is shown in the following table for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 to-date.
|
Year |
Number of Mobiles Issued |
Cost of Handsets |
Cost of Mobile Billing |
|
2022 |
298 |
€139,336.93 |
€126,679.35 |
|
2023 |
153 |
€93,473.85 |
€104,717.35 |
|
2024 paid to-date |
359 |
€200,977.28 |
€ 77,005.50 |
|
Total for period |
810 |
€433,788.06 |
€ 308,402.20 |
773. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the latest intake into the Garda reserve. [44875/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). The Commissioner is also responsible for the Garda Reserve under the Garda Síochána (Reserve Members) Regulations 2024. As Minister, I have no role in the recruitment or training process for the Reserve.
I am informed by AGS that applications for the Garda Reserve are current being processed and the first intake of Reserve Trainees is expected to enter Templemore before the end of the year.
774. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application for a family reunification visa (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44878/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 09 December 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 24 January 2024 where it awaits examination and processing.
It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
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 carefully 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.
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. Recently, 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.
The applicant will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.
Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
I can advise the Deputy, my Department has now introduced a Digital Contact Centre (DCC) for our customers. The DCC allows individuals to log in and review the status of their immigration applications.
In its first phase, the DCC can be used to check the status of and raise queries in relation to Citizenship Applications, Visa Applications, Domestic Residence Permission Applications, EU Treaty Rights Applications and Travel Documents Applications.
My Department’s new platform can be accessed at the following link: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
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 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.
775. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice for an update on her plans to bring forward legislation ensuring that a parent convicted of the murder of the other parent does not retain guardianship of the surviving child or children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44943/24]
View answerThe independent review of familicide, published in May 2023, was commissioned by my Department in order to effectively respond to this difficult but important subject.
As part of the review, there was extensive engagement with non-governmental organisations, with State agencies and most importantly with family members of victims.
Most of us cannot begin to understand the impact of something like this and I would like to express my gratitude to the families who selflessly engaged with the review for giving of themselves and their time. Indeed, family members are continuing to contribute to our work in this field and their input is vital.
A significant number of the recommendations made in the familicide review are being progressed as part of our work to tackle domestic abuse and protect victims.
A team has been established in my Department to review and progress other recommendations made in the review, including a recommendation on restricting parental rights in cases of domestic homicide.
Examination of how to progress this recommendation includes consideration of the role and power of Tusla to take appropriate child protection action in emergency situations, the importance of putting the rights and voice of the child at the centre of our responses and ensuring that nothing is done that could prejudice a trial.
The team working on this have been consulting with stakeholder groups comprising relevant officials, civil society partners and, most importantly, the families of victims, including those who contributed to the review.
As new data and research emerges, such as the Research Paper on Femicide in Ireland 2012–2023, published by the Office of the State Pathologist in September 2024, it is being included in the consideration of how to progress this and other recommendations.
A discussion paper examining the guardianship rights if a parent is in custody, accused of, or serving a sentence for, the murder or manslaughter of the other parent was presented to the consultation groups during meetings that took place in October. Further consultation on this is scheduled to take place when the groups re-convene in November, where it is anticipated that a consensus will be reached on how to move forward.
I expect these recommendations to be with me by the end of the year and, along with the other recommendations, they will be considered as a priority.
776. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of return decisions her Department has issued in the past five years, broken down by the nationality of the recipient and month; the number of those return decisions recipients that were also issued an entry ban; the number of those recipients that have had their period of voluntary departure shortened; the number of those recipients that have had their return decision postponed under the principle of non-refoulement; the number of total migrants that have been deemed unreturnable in the same period, broken down by the country they were returned to, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44955/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that Ireland does not participate in Council Directive 2008/115/EC Directive on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally staying third-country nationals - “the Returns Directive”; accordingly, some of the information sought by the Deputy is in respect of measures and provisions which do not apply in Ireland.
In Irish law a deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State and fails to do so is committing a criminal offence, and can be arrested without warrant by An Garda Síochána. Such an order remains in place unless revoked by the Minister for Justice. While a deportation order remains in place the person is prohibited from entering Ireland.
The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) carries out inquiries to confirm that people have removed themselves from the State and works closely with my Department to enforce deportations where this is not the case.
In addition to the enforced deportations and those that are otherwise confirmed to have left, we know that a much larger number of people will have left the State without being escorted. However, as there are no routine exit checks at Irish borders, it is not possible to accurately quantify this number.
The number of deportation orders signed up to 1 November 2024 (1931) has increased by 159% for the same period in 2023. The number of enforced deportations has increased by 158% for the same period in 2023 and overall number of returns has increased by 222% for the same period in 2023.
In the current year, 830 people have departed from the State under various mechanisms up to 1 November 2024. This includes individuals removed under the Free Movement Regulations (17) and those transferred under the Dublin III mechanism (7).
Enforced deportation operations are complex and costly. They can involve investigations, detentions in custody, legal challenges, and the costs of flights. Alternatives to forced removals are therefore typically preferential and my Department provides assistance through a voluntary return programme to some who will benefit from some assistance to reintegrate in their home country. The number of voluntary returns facilitated by my Department has increased by 270% for the same period in 2023. Voluntary returns are a fast and efficient way to remove individuals from the jurisdiction and to confirm that removal has taken place.
My Department is working closely with the Office of Government Procurement in respect of identifying a commercial partner for the supply of charter flight services for deportation. The procurement process for these services is well advanced. Charter flights provide an alternative to commercial flights and can be more appropriate in circumstances when a group of individuals are being removed to the same destination. The intention is for these services to be available in the near future and to operate alongside the current use of commercial flights for removals. Meanwhile, enforced deportations are continuing on commercial flights and deportations conducted on commercial flights are at a 10 year high.
Table one, below sets out the total number of deportations and voluntary returns for the period 2019 to 1 November 2024.
The term ‘Deportation Enforced by GNIB refers to individuals removed from the State on foot of deportation orders in the custody of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
The term ‘Deportation Otherwise Confirmed’ relates to individuals who are verified as having left the State following the issuing of a Deportation Order.
The term ‘Voluntary Return’ refers to individuals who depart the State an alternative to receiving a Deportation Order. All departures under the Voluntary Return Programme are verified and confirmed. Persons who depart the State under Voluntary Return are separate to those who have their “Deportation Otherwise Confirmed” detailed in Table One.
Table one:
|
Year |
Deportation Enforced by GNIB |
Deportation Otherwise Confirmed |
Voluntary Returns |
Total |
|
2019 |
154 |
143 |
261 |
558 |
|
2020 |
42 |
97 |
201 |
340 |
|
2021 |
5 |
33 |
132 |
170 |
|
2022 |
24 |
92 |
91 |
207 |
|
2023 |
51 |
28 |
213 |
292 |
|
2024 (1 November ) |
103 |
17 |
686 |
806 |
* Figure includes non commercial flights
Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing. During the COVID- 19 Pandemic there was a moratorium on deportations. This was effective during the latter part of 2020, 2021 and for the first 8 months of 2022. During the moratorium only persons whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest were deported. This moratorium was lifted in July 2022.
Table two, below sets out the top five nationalities which had Deportation Orders signed against them from 2019 to 3 November 2024.
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Pakistan |
Pakistan |
Others* |
Pakistan |
Georgia |
Georgia |
|
Brazil |
Albania |
Morocco |
Albania |
Albania |
Algeria |
|
Albania |
Georgia |
Nigeria |
Georgia |
Pakistan |
Nigeria |
|
Georgia |
Brazil |
|
Algeria |
Brazil |
Brazil |
|
Bangladesh |
China (including Hong Kong) |
|
Bangladesh |
Algeria |
Albania |
*where the number is low (less than 5), a breakdown by nationality is not provided. This is for reasons of confidentiality.
Table three below, sets out the top five nationalities of persons who have departed the State using the Voluntary Return Programme from 2019 to 3 November 2024.
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
South Africa |
Brazil |
Brazil |
Brazil |
Brazil |
Georgia |
|
Brazil |
South Africa |
USA |
Israel |
Georgia |
Brazil |
|
Pakistan |
Malaysia |
South Africa |
Malaysia |
South Africa |
Jordan |
|
Georgia |
Pakistan |
Georgia |
South Africa |
Philippines |
South Africa |
|
Malaysia |
Georgia |
Mauritius |
Philippines |
El Salvador |
El Salvador |
777. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the number of mountain bikes attached to each Garda district within Cavan-Monaghan division as of 29 October 2024, in tabular form. [45008/24]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
778. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the estimated cost in 2025 if 220 new recruit prison officers were recruited into Irish Prison Service. [45009/24]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the estimated full year cost of employing 220 new Recruit Prison Officers, as per the most recent PPC pay scales of 1st October 2024, is approximately €13 million.
These pay costs reflect salary and other allowances such as Operational Allowance (8% of annual salary). They also reflect other premium payments and the allocation of up to 360 additional hours as provided for in the Proposal for Organisational Change. Employers PRSI of 11.15% on total earnings is factored into the overall pay cost of the 220 posts.
As is the case with the recruitment of new staff members to an organisation, in addition to the above salary costings, there are a number of ancillary non pay costs associated with the recruitment of a single Recruit Prison Officer, such as training, accommodation and uniform. The total current cost for such non pay costs per Recruit Prison Officer is approximately €7,000.
779. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the number of new Garda cars and vans allocated to the Cavan-Monaghan division to date in 2024; and the number of those vehicles withdrawn from this division to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45010/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the distribution of resources, including the Garda fleet, across the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in this matter.
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 over €2.48 billion in Budget 2025. This is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment, technology and vehicles.
There are now 3,530 vehicles in the Garda fleet, the highest total of vehicles ever in use by An Garda Síochána and an increase of over 35% since 2015. The fleet includes 2,657 cars, 589 vans, 132 motorcycles, 100 4x4 and 52 others (refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles).
The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, indicates the number of cars and vans allocated and removed from the Louth-Cavan-Monaghan Division in 2024 to 31 October.
|
|
Cars |
Vans |
Total |
|
Allocations |
9 |
9 |
18 |
|
Removals |
12 |
2 |
14 |
Louth-Cavan-Monaghan are one division and the responsibility for the efficient deployment of all official Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer who may allocate vehicles between Stations as required by operational circumstances.
I have been advised that 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.
780. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the estimated cost of increasing the size of the Garda Reserve to 900 before the end of 2026. [45011/24]
View answerI 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.
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.
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. The Government is committed to working with the Garda Commissioner to achieve this goal.
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 receives for voluntary service in a given year from €1,000 to €3,000.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that to increase the Garda Reserve to a strength of 900 by the end of 2026 would require an additional 577 Garda Reserves. The Garda Authorities advise hat the estimated additional annual cost attached to such an increase would range between €288,500 to €1,731,000 depending on many factors including the amount of hours of service per Reserve.
Other potential costs such as expenses incurred by Garda Reserves are not included in the above estimate.
781. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 374 of 8 October 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to answer the question. [45033/24]
View answerParliamentary Question No. 374 of 8 October 2024 refers to Operation Cartwheel; the number of persons arrested and charged under this operation; and if this operation is still ongoing at present.
As 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, which includes responsibility for the organisation's approaches to preventing and investigating criminal activity. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
Operation Cartwheel refers to investigations into people who benefited by falsely obtaining learner permits and the individuals who organised and facilitated this fraud. Allegations were made in relation to people paying others to sit their test to obtain learner permits.
I am informed that the Garda authorities referred this matter to the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) for investigation and a decision was made that the GNECB would retain the investigations into the people who organised and facilitated this fraud.
Investigations into the people who benefited by falsely obtaining learner permits would be referred to local Garda Districts for investigation.
GNECB identified and arrested five main suspects. The DPP has directed that these be charged with a number of offences each. Thus far, two persons have been charged.
I am informed that 114 people were identified by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) as having obtained their first learner permit by fraud.
I am advised that the RSA have invalidated these 114 learners permits and any licences that were obtained from these learner permits. As learner permits are only valid for a two year period, no driver from this pool of 114 people currently holds an in-date learner permit or valid licence obtained by these means.
Arising from these investigations, I am informed that GNECB prepared 113 investigation packs and sent them to external districts for investigation.
