Written Answers Nos. 198-210
199. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if any taxi driver has ever been prosecuted or sanctioned for failing to inform An Garda Síochána about a criminal conviction that should have been notified to An Garda Síochána. [30263/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, management of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and through the separation of powers in the Constitution.
It should be noted that the Department does not record data relating to prosecutions or sanctions, as this is a function of the courts.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
To be of assistance I have referred the Deputy's question to the Courts Service for direct reply.
200. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of people who have received a conviction for drink driving, by county or Garda district, in each of the past 15 years. [30264/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, management of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and through the separation of powers in the Constitution.
It should be noted that the Department does not record data relating to convictions, as this is a function of the courts.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
To be of assistance I have referred the Deputy's question to the Courts Service for direct reply.
201. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of people who have received a conviction for speeding, by county or Garda district, in each of the past 15 years. [30265/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, management of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and through the separation of powers in the Constitution.
It should be noted that the Department does not record data relating to convictions, as this is a function of the courts.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
To be of assistance I have referred the Deputy's question to the Courts Service for direct reply.
202. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of people who have received a conviction for drug driving, by county or Garda district, in each of the past 15 years. [30266/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, management of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and through the separation of powers in the Constitution.
It should be noted that the Department does not record data relating to convictions, as this is a function of the courts.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
To be of assistance, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Courts Service for direct reply.
203. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of people who have received a conviction for dangerous driving, by county or Garda district, in each of the past 15 years. [30267/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, management of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and through the separation of powers in the Constitution.
It should be noted that the Department does not record data relating to convictions, as this is a function of the courts.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
To be of assistance, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Courts Service for direct reply.
204. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of people who have received a conviction for no insurance, by county or Garda district, in each of the past 15 years. [30268/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, management of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and through the separation of powers in the Constitution.
It should be noted that the Department does not record data relating to convictions, as this is a function of the courts.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
To be of assistance, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Courts Service for direct reply.
205. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of people who have received a conviction for no tax, by county or Garda district, in each of the past 15 years. [30269/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, management of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and through the separation of powers in the Constitution.
It should be noted that the Department does not record data relating to convictions, as this is a function of the courts.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
To be of assistance, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Courts Service for direct reply.
206. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice if she will engage with an organisation (details supplied) with regard to the firearms consultative panel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30433/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Firearms Consultative Panel (FCP) was a non-statutory forum comprising various firearms interest groups. I understand that it last met in 2019 and I am informed that a breakdown in relations between some of the major firearms interest groups represented on the panel meant that it was not possible for meetings to take place with all groups represented, in effect putting the FCP into abeyance.
The Deputy may be aware that since 2019, my Department has held meetings with individual firearms organisations on request and engaged with various firearms stakeholders in other ways. An Garda Síochána also meets with stakeholder organisations in respect of relevant matters.
As part of the consultation process around the work of the Firearms Expert Committee, I met with a number of firearms organisations. One issue that was raised was the need for more regular and structured engagement between policymakers and firearms users and, notwithstanding the difficulties that arose in respect of the FCP, that is something that will be explored.
I have asked officials to contact the organisation mentioned in the details supplied with a view to arranging a meeting.
208. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice the projected costs of doubling funding to the International Protection Office and the International Protection Appeal Tribunal. [30444/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected.The expenditure for the International Protection Office as well as the International Protection Appeals Tribunal amounted to approximately €27 million in 2023. This expenditure does not include the costs of a range of support services provided to these functions from the overall Department's funding in 2023, or for immigration functions closely associated with the international protection process.
I have significantly increased investment into the international protection system, which has allowed for a major increase in processing capacity and the introduction of accelerated processing.
Last July, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme involved unparalleled investment in staff, panel members, re-engineered processes, and technology. We have implemented measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants. This has already demonstrated results with the IPO confident of delivering over 14,000 decisions this year.
One of the priority areas of focus has been to recruit both civil servants and panel members, to increase case processing. A total of 449 staff were assigned to the IPO by 30th June 2024, this represents an increase of 237 from 212 at the end of December 2022, and represents 91.6% of the target of 490 staff by the end of 2024.
The IPO made 2,482 first instance determinations in 2021, 4323 in 2022, 9,000 in 2023 and are confident of delivering over 14,000 decisions this year. I intend to continue to ramp up investment at every stage in the international protection system.
Staff numbers at the International Protection Appeals Tribunal have also been increasing year on year to meet the current challenges. In 2021, the agreed administrative staff of the Tribunal was 41, currently there are 71 administrative staff with an aim to increase this to 78 by the end of 2024.
The number of tribunal members is also increasing. There are currently 51 Part-Time Members. In January, sanction was given to increase the number of part time members to 160. Sanction was also received in January to increase Whole-Time Members from 3 to 8.
All aspects of the international protection modernisation programme will continue to be kept under review and improved on a continuous ongoing basis.
209. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the number of domestic abuse refuge beds in Cork in each of the past 5 years, in tabular form. [30455/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key action of the Third National Strategy is the doubling of refuge space numbers available during the lifetime of the Strategy to 280 refuge spaces.
As the Deputy is aware, prior to the establishment of Cuan, an Inter-Departmental Group was set up to manage and oversee progress on the delivery of additional refuge units. This Committee was initially chaired by the Department of Justice, with representation from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Tusla and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth. This Committee is now chaired by Cuan.
Through this Committee, Cuan and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will continue to assist the development of local structures operating in the priority areas identified in the Third National Strategy and will support their advancement of the new refuges, with capital funding support continuing via the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The Agency also has a dedicated team in place to support the development of domestic violence refuges.
As accommodation for victims of DSGBV falls under the remit of Cuan, I am referring this question to them for direct answer.
