Written Answers Nos. 355-374
356. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will follow through on her previous commitment and implement the recent Labour Court recommendation LCR22987 in order to give citizens information service staff their long awaited pay rises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28902/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you will be aware, the Citizens Information Service (CIS) comprises of eight independent companies that are funded by the Citizens Information Board (CIB). CIB, in turn, is funded by my Department.
As I have stated previously, I deeply value the important and essential work carried out by employees of the CIS, in providing people with free, quality and independent information, advice and advocacy services across the country, and I firmly believe in a fair day's pay for a fair day's work.
It is important to remember that CIS employees are not employees of my Department or of CIB, but are employed by independent companies, that are funded by CIB to carry out important services.
As you will be aware, the Workplace Relations Commission referred a dispute relating to a pay increase for CIS employees to the Labour Court in March 2024 and a hearing took place on 14th June. The Labour Court issued its recommendation on 21st June, which relates to the eight independent companies of the CIS, as well as another company - the Citizens Information Phone Service.
As I stated previously on this matter, my Department will not be found wanting in responding to this matter and this remains the case. At present my Department is carefully and constructively reviewing this recommendation and is discussing its implications with CIB, as the funder of CIS.
Given the expenditure implications, my Department is also engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Delivery Plan and Reform (DPENDR) on the recommendation.
357. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) can access any supports under social protection, including secondary benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28909/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraState pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, legally and habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.
In order for their entitlement to state pension non-contributory to be examined, it is necessary for the person concerned to complete and submit an SPNC1 application form, which has been issued to them by post. On receipt of the completed pension application, the person's eligibility will be examined and they will be notified of the outcome.
The Household Benefits Package helps towards the costs of Electricity or Gas bills. It also includes the Free Television Licence. The package is available to everyone over 70 who resides full time in Ireland. It is not means tested and it is not necessary for the person concerned to be in receipt of a state pension.
The person concerned may apply online at MyWelfare.ie for the Household Benefits Package if they have a verified MyGovID account or they may complete the HB1 application form which has also issued to them. On receipt of their application, the person’s entitlement will be examined and they will be notified directly of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
358. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons under the age of 66 years currently entitled to the benefits of the free travel scheme, by age and category of applicant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28919/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Free Travel scheme is available to people over 66 years and to people under 66 years who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments or satisfy other criteria, as outlined below.
For a person under 66 years of age, they may be entitled to Free Travel if they are living permanently in the State and they:
• are getting Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Carer's Allowance or Invalidity Pension
• are blind or visually impaired and meet the medical conditions for Blind Pension
• are aged over 17 and under 66, and medically certified as unfit to drive for a period of at least 12 months (effective from 29th July 2024)
• have been getting Incapacity Supplement with Disablement Pension for at least 12 months
• are a specified carer for a person getting Constant Attendance Allowance or Prescribed Relative's Allowance
• are getting a social security invalidity payment (or similar payment) from another EU Member State or from a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement for at least 12 months
or
• are a widow, widower or a surviving civil partner in receipt of a qualifying payment and are aged 60 or over (in these cases, the late spouse or civil partner must have held a Free Travel entitlement).
The records of the Department indicate that, at the end of December 2023, there were 1,089,411 recipients of Free Travel, of which 779,424 were aged 66 or over, and 309,987 aged under 66. A breakdown by age of the under 66 cohort is included below.
|
Age Category |
Number of Recipients |
|
Under 20 |
11,377 |
|
20-34 |
50,875 |
|
35-49 |
92,543 |
|
50-65 |
155,192 |
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
359. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that children with acute disabilities are not entitled to free public transport. [28927/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. There are over one million customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2024 is €104 million. The free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme.
While my Department does not provide a free travel pass to children with acute disabilities, my Department does provide additional support in the form of the domiciliary care allowance in respect of children under 16 with severe disabilities. The domiciliary care allowance is a monthly payment of €340 to the carer of a child with a disability. The allowance may be used for the additional costs involved in caring for the child and this may include additional transport costs.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may award a travel supplement in any case where the circumstances of the case so warrant. The supplement is intended to assist with ongoing or recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
360. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she will take to reduce poverty among carers, given the recent report from an organisation (details supplied) showing 69% of carers find it difficult to make ends meet. [28928/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government acknowledges the valuable role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.
The main income supports to carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending on these payments is expected to amount to over €1.7 billion this year.
Since my appointment as Minister, I have made a number of improvements to the payments for carers.
In 2021, I increased the annual Carer’s Support Grant to €1,850, the highest rate since its introduction. The Carer's Support Grant is automatically paid to people in receipt of Carer's Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care allowance. Other carers not in receipt of a carer’s payment may also be eligible for the Grant. On Thursday 6 June some 132,523 carers received the grant in respect of 149,361 care recipients, at an estimated cost of €275 million.
I have delivered on the Programme Government commitment to provide a pension solution for carers. From January 2024, a new Long-Term Carers Contribution scheme was introduced. Under the scheme, a person who has been a full-time carer for an incapacitated dependent for at least 20 years (1,040 weeks), can get Long-Term Carers Contributions to cover gaps in their contribution record which can help them qualify for the State Pension (Contributory). We know this reform is a great comfort and relief to the many carers across the country who have spent their lives caring for loved ones. As of June, over 3,400 people have been awarded long-term carers contributions since the scheme was opened. Of these, almost 600 are over the age of 66 and have been awarded over 20 years’ long-term caring contributions, resulting in an increased rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC) or qualification for the SPC for the first time.
The Carer’s Allowance scheme is the main scheme by which the Department provides income support to carers in the community. In 2024 the expenditure on the Carer’s Allowance scheme is estimated to be over €1.1 billion and there are currently 97,127 people receiving this payment.
• In June 2022 the income disregards were increased from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner. The capital and savings disregard for the Carer’s Allowance means assessment was also increased from €20,000 to €50,000.
• Since then, in June 2024, the weekly income disregard was further increased from €350 to €450 for a single person, and from €750 to €900 for carers with a spouse/partner.
Since 2022, this amounts to cumulative increases to the income disregards of €117.50 for a single carer and €235.00 for a carer who is part of couple. These are the highest disregards in the Social Welfare system.
These changes mean that carers on a reduced rate move to a higher payment. In addition, many carers who previously did not qualify for a payment due to their means are brought into the Carers Allowance system for the first time.
In acknowledgement of the particular challenges faced in light of the current cost of living crisis, I also announced a number of measures as part of Budget 2024, which directly benefit family carers:
• In November, a €400 a lump sum was paid to people receiving the Carers Support Grant.
• A Christmas Bonus Double Payment was paid to people in receipt of Carers Allowance and Carer’s Benefit.
• January saw an increase of €12 in maximum personal rate of weekly carers payments, with proportionate increases for qualified adults and those on reduced rates.
• In late January/early February, a once-off double Cost of Living Support Payment was paid to qualifying Social Protection recipients, including carers.
Notwithstanding these improvements, as part of Budget 2024, I announced my intention to establish an Interdepartmental Working Group with the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to examine and review the system of means test for carers payments. This work is ongoing, and I have asked this Group to report to me on the matter by Quarter 3 of this year.
I can assure the Deputy that I am keenly aware of the key role that family carers play in Irish society and the challenges they face, and I will continue to keep the range of income supports provided to family carers by my department under review as part of the annual budgetary process.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
361. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a supplementary welfare payment can be made in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29045/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. An ANP application can be made for assistance with funeral and burial expenses where there is an inability to pay these costs, in part or in full, by the family of the deceased person without causing hardship.
According to the records of the Department, the person concerned applied for an ANP on 30/08/2023 to assist with funeral costs in respect of her late mother. A letter subsequently issued to the person in which she was asked to provide further documentation in support of her claim. As this information was not received, the person’s application could not be progressed. The person concerned submitted a further ANP application to assist with funeral costs in respect of her late mother on 08/03/2024 as well as a new application in respect of her father’s death. A request for further information issued to the person on the same day. As the requested documentation was not received, the applications could not be progressed and were closed.
Following your previous representation, two SWA application packs were issued to the person concerned and she submitted a further ANP application to assist with funeral costs for her late parents on 13/06/2024. This application included part of the outstanding information previously requested. A request for information necessary to finalise her claim was sent to her on 17/06/2024.
On 02/07/2024, an officer of my Department spoke with the person concerned by phone to advise her on what is required to progress her application. When the necessary documentation has been received, the claims will be progressed promptly, and the applicant will be advised of the outcome in writing.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
362. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which habitual residency is determined on the basis of time living in this jurisdiction where the applicant has no other option and has no other ties to any other country, as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29055/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraState pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. In order to satisfy the habitual residence condition, as a first step, it must be established that the person has an unconditional right of residence in the State, that does not preclude them from receipt of relevant social assistance payments, for example, state pension non-contributory.
The person concerned has not provided documentary evidence confirming that she has been resident in the state for a period of 5 years. It is not possible to apply discretion in relation to the application of the Habitual Residence Condition.
The Deputy’s previous representations requesting an appeal of the person's entitlement, have been forwarded to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
363. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an exceptional needs payment might be made in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29056/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. ANPs are awarded by the Designated Persons (DPs) administering the scheme considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for an ANP on 01/07/2024 to assist with the cost of a rent deposit, rental payments, transportation and clothing. A letter issued to the person concerned on 02/07/2024 requesting additional information in support of her application.
Upon receipt of all the necessary documentation, the person’s claim will be assessed promptly, and they will be advised of the outcome in writing.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
364. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the social welfare decision in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29057/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and habitual residency conditions.
I can confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 25 October 2023.
Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, this application for DA was refused on failing to supply sufficient information, as requested on 3 November 2023, to determine the person's means. The missing information was in relation to bank accounts held by the person.
In addition, their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was refused on medical grounds as it was not found that they were substantially restricted in taking up employment.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision 15 January 2024 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). To date no request for a review or an appeal has been received.
Assessments of medical eligibility for DA are based on medical reports and other evidence furnished by the applicant and an applicant’s treating physician. The Person concerned can request a review of the decision 15 January 2024 and provide additional evidence to support their initial application.
Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. Eligibility for IP can only be established on receipt of a completed application form.
Based on the information provided, the Department has not received a completed IP application from the person in question. My officials have sent an IP application form to the person concerned, to complete and return if they wish to apply for this payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
365. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether an exceptional needs payment, or similar, can be made in the case of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29058/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rent Supplement (RS) scheme administered by my Department, provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.
The responsibility for the provision of rent support to those with a long-term housing need has transferred from the Department of Social Protection to the local authorities. Persons with a long-term housing need should contact their local authority where information is available regarding suitable housing supports, including the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).
Among other qualifying conditions for RS, a person must on commencement of the tenancy, have been able to reasonably afford the rent and have since experienced a substantial change in his or her circumstances where they are now unable to pay the rent.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for RS and their claim was disallowed as it was deemed that they were unable to afford the rent at the commencement of tenancy. It was also noted that the rent for their property is significantly above comparable rents in their area and is substantially above the maximum rent limit for the person’s family circumstances. The person concerned was advised of this outcome in writing on 12/06/2024.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. SWA payments are means tested and are administered by Community Welfare Officers in the Community Welfare Service (CWS) considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.
Departmental records show that the person concerned has not made an application for assistance under the SWA scheme. If the person concerned is experiencing financial difficulties with household/cost-of-living expenses, it is open to them to make an application for assistance by completing a SWA1 form. This form is available in all Intreo Centres and can also be requested by calling the National CWS freephone line at 0818 60 70 80 or at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. Alternatively, if the person concerned has a verified MyGovID account they can apply for an ANP, at www.MyWelfare.ie.
366. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a recent grant of arrears was not backdated to the date of application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29063/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and habitual residency conditions.
I can confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 10 August 2022. The person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 10 August 2022. The first payment was made by her chosen payment method on 05 October 2022. A letter notifying the person concerned of this decision issued on 13 September 2022.
Arrears of payment due from 10 August 2022 to 11 July 2023 issued to the person concerned on 05 July 2023. A letter notifying the person concerned of this decision issued on 5 July 2023.
Following a review of the person concerned DA, based on the information provided to my Department, the maximum personal rate of DA has been applied to their payment with effect from 15 May 2024. In addition, the maximum rate in respect of Qualified Children has been applied to their payment with effect from 11 January 2023. A letter notifying the person concerned of this decision issued on 14 June 2024.
Arrears of payment due from 11 January 2023 to 18 June 2024 issued to the person concerned nominated Bank Account on 19 June 2024 . A letter notifying the person concerned of this decision issued on 14 June 2024.
Between 10 August 2022 and 11 October2022, the spouse of the person concerned was claiming for the whole family on his Jobseekers Benefit payment. Between 12 November 2022 and 10 January 2023, both the person concerned and her spouse were claiming a half rate Increase for Qualified Child (IQC) for each child on their respective payments.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
367. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice the number of applicants who applied to be members of An Garda Síochána in its latest recruitment phase. [28652/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion for 2023 and €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána 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. This funding allows for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
As 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), including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff.
A Garda recruitment competition was launched on 15 January and closed for applications on 8 February. The response to the latest Garda recruitment campaign has been very strong. I am advised by the Garda authorities that 6,360 applicants were brought forward to stage 1 of the 2024 recruitment campaign which is a significant increase on the 5,000 people who applied last year.
I am delighted to see that so many people want to join An Garda Síochána, particularly with the strong response from people aged between 35 and 50. Well over a third of the applications were in that age group following the increase of the maximum entry age from 35 to 50.
The number of recruits in the Garda training college continue to increase; a total of 746 trainees entered the training college in 2023. This is the highest intake in any year since 2018.
An intake of 157 trainees entered the Garda College on 1st July. This is the second of four intakes planned for April, July, September and December of this year.
Recruitment into An Garda Síochána has accelerated following the closure of the Garda College to new intakes under Public Health restrictions, and the Government is determined that An Garda Síochána grows to 15,000 members and beyond.
368. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice the average time from first interview to completion of training for An Garda Síochána recruits. [28653/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
369. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice the current number of candidates on a waiting list to be recruited to An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28654/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
370. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí, by rank, attached to juvenile liaison services within the Cavan-Monaghan division in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [28663/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, by law, for the deployment of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this deployment under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of available resources.
I am advised by the Commissioner that Garda Juvenile Liaison Officers (JLOs) are specially trained to fulfil a key role in implementing the Garda Diversion Programme. Their role includes the administration of formal and informal cautions as well as appropriate supervision of children who have been admitted to the Diversion Programme, as provided in Part 4 of the Children Act 2001.
The intention of the programme is to divert children and young people who have engaged in criminal or anti-social behaviour away from the criminal justice system and towards more positive life choices. Children who commit criminal offences are considered for admission to the Programme.
Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) are a fundamental support to the operation of the statutory Garda Diversion Programme and provide a vital ingredient in enhancing community policing partnerships. These projects are community based multi-agency crime prevention initiatives, which are funded directly by my Department. YDPs seek to divert young people who have become involved, or are at risk of becoming involved, in crime/anti-social behaviour away from future involvement with the Criminal Justice System.
In Budget 2024, the funding allocated to Youth Justice Services increased by 10% to €33 million. This will facilitate an increase in the availability of YDP services in the evenings and at weekends when many young people need them the most, as well as an increase in supports for families, interventions for typically hard-to-reach young people and early interventions for 8–11 year olds who may be at increased risk of becoming engaged in criminal activity. Programmes run by individual YDPs are outcomes-focused, taking account of the needs, issues and circumstances surrounding referred young people, including their offending behaviour as identified through the assessment process.
The current network of 99 YDPs is extensive, but we will continue to develop it further through both the expansion of the catchment areas of existing projects, where appropriate, and also through the creation of additional projects, to ensure every child who needs it is reached. Four new Youth Diversion Projects were launched last year to become operational later this year, with a further two additional projects planned for later this year.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that at the end of 2022 and 2023, and as of 31 May 2024, there were fewer than ten JLO's assigned to the Cavan-Monaghan Division. I am also advised that data is not released by An Garda Síochána for counts of fewer than 10 for data protection reasons.
371. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the number of incidents the Garda air support unit was requested to attend to date in 2024, in tabular form. [28664/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
372. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons enrolled on community return schemes, by area, to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28681/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Return Scheme is an incentivised early release scheme, co-managed by the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service, whereby people can be approved for reviewable temporary release coupled with a requirement to complete community service work in a supervised group setting under the supervision of the Probation Service.
Decisions regarding temporary release to take part in the Community Return Scheme are delegated to designated senior officials in the Irish Prison Service. In assessment of suitability, a number of factors are taken into account, including:
• The nature and gravity of the offence to which the sentence relates
• The sentence concerned and any recommendation made by the Court in relation to the sentence imposed
• The person's previous criminal record
• The potential threat to the safety and security of the public should the person be released
• The risk that the person might commit an offence during any period of temporary release
• The risk of the person failing to comply with any of the conditions of temporary release
The following information, provided in tabular form as requested, contains figures obtained from the Irish Prison Service detailing the number of people released onto Community Return to date in 2024 by geographical region.
|
Dublin |
43 |
|
Rest of Leinster |
23 |
|
Munster |
40 |
|
Connaught/Ulster |
6 |
|
Total |
112 |
373. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice if he will expedite an application for a work permit for a person (details supplied). [28691/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for international protection has been made in the State. If a person is in the international protection process, there is a legal requirement under the International Protection Act 2015 to maintain full confidentiality at all times. Therefore the Department is unable to publish any information that would identify an international protection applicant.
If an application for international protection has been made in the State, the applicant or their designated legal advisor should contact the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate. This will enable a full and comprehensive reply to be provided.
Both the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) are fully independent in deciding whether or not to grant international protection. Each application is examined individually on its own merits, in line with national and international asylum law.
In order to be helpful I have detailed information on labour market access permission that may be useful below:
From February 2024 the process of applying for Labour Market Access for International Protection applicants has moved to the International Protection Office (IPO) with a new online application process. The new system has provided a more streamlined process and shorter processing times for all new applications. The current processing time for these applications is 10 weeks.
A significant increase in the number of applications was experienced during 2023, reflecting the increase of overall applications for international protection received since 2022. There has also been an increase in renewal applications.
The immigration services of the Department utilise the resources available in order to ensure that applications are processed in the shortest time frame possible. The Labour Market Access Unit is working to finalise applications as quickly as possible and appreciate customers’ patience as they deal with the very high levels of applications. The Department is also reviewing the processing arrangements generally to establish if they can be further streamlined.
Any queries in relation to a person's eligibility or otherwise for a labour market permission can be directed to: Lmauqueries@justice.ie, or by post to the Labour Market Access Unit, PO Box 12931, Freepost FDN5264, Dublin 2.
More information and further details on labour market access permission is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/labour-market-access-permission/
374. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the current station strength, as of 29 June 2024, of each station in the Cork city and county divisions, in tabular form. [28908/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime, and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. I was pleased to secure unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for this year, a 25% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, I engage regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need. I am informed that when consideration is given to the allocation and transfer of Garda members to and from any Division, account is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan and priorities as determined in delivering ‘A Policing Service for The Future’.
I understand that the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are also taken into account, which include:
• Local and national crime trends and workloads;
• Policing arrangements and operational strategies;
• Minimum establishment statistics;
• Local population and trends, geographical area and size;
• Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 28 June 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, there was a total of 14,100 Garda members nationwide. This represents an increase of 9% since the end of December 2015.
Coupled with the continued roll-out of the new Operating Model, I am confident that the Commissioner will have the resources and plans in place to continue to deliver on An Garda Síochána's mission of Keeping People Safe.
In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division and Station is publicly available and can be found at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
