Written Answers Nos. 1142-1161
1142. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Justice if legislation is being considered similar to that introduced in the UK to tackle criminal gangs using e-bikes, e-scooters and mopeds to commit crimes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35071/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, by law, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for all operational policing matters, including policies which govern pursuits. As Minister, I have no role in these matters, but I am assured that the Garda authorities keep all such operational policies under review, in light of emerging crime trends.
The Deputy will be aware that the legislation governing our roads rests under my colleague the Minister for Transport. I can also advise the Deputy that there are no plans to introduce pursuit legislation at this time, but all legislation is kept under review.
With regard to the pursuit of vehicles such as e-scooters, e-bikes and mopeds, Gardaí must have due regard for the safety of all individuals in a public place. I am informed by Garda authorities that Gardaí are guided by a managed pursuit policy which deals specifically with drivers who are operating outside of road traffic legislation and who pose a risk to the public and other road users.
Interception poses significant risks, not only to the drivers and passengers of these vehicles, but also to members of the public and local Gardaí in affected communities. As part of their role in keeping us all safe, Gardaí are required to carry out a risk assessment as to how they should respond to each individual case presented before them.
Gardaí must, at all times, operate within the law and have to be mindful of the dangers to themselves, members of the public present, the rider and the issues involved with a pursuit of this type, which could have fatal consequences.
1143. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice the purpose of Stamp 0 visas; the type of visitor that this visa category is appropriate for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35077/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Stamp 0 immigration permission is provided to persons who are:
retiring to or live in Ireland as a person of independent means,
a visiting academic at an Irish university or college,
living in Ireland as the elderly, dependent relative of an Irish National, or of a non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizen.
A Stamp 0 indicates that a person has permission to stay in Ireland for a temporary period, subject to that person being of independent means and fully self-sufficient financially. Alternatively, their sponsor in Ireland must be of independent means and can support them fully.
Stamp 0 holders must not work or engage in any business, trade or profession unless specified in a letter of permission from the Immigration Service of my Department. Stamp 0 is subject to several conditions and limitations; for example, it does not allow a holder to access any public services, such as health services or public hospitals.
1144. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of WTE civilian forensic accountants and analysts currently attached to the Garda national economic crime bureau. [35078/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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.
1145. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of WTE psychologists employed in each prison and the number of vacant positions for psychologists , in tabular form. [35079/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe role of the Psychology Service in the Irish Prison Service (IPS) is to develop, deliver and manage an integrated mental health and criminogenic needs assessment and treatment service for people in custody, in line with service plans and objectives, and within established professional standards, guidelines and policy.
The information requested by the Deputy on the number of psychologist employed in each Prison and the number of vacant posts as of 31 August 2024, is provided in the table below:
|
Location |
Grade |
Filled Posts |
Vacant Posts |
|
Arbour Hill Prison |
Senior Psychologist Staff Grade Psychologist *Assistant Psychologist |
1 1 1 |
0 0 0 |
|
Castlerea Prison |
Senior Psychologist Staff Grade Psychologist *Assistant Psychologist |
0 2 0 |
1 0 1 |
|
Cloverhill Prison |
Senior Psychologist Staff Grade Psychologist *Assistant Psychologist |
1 0 1 |
0 1.4 0 |
|
Cork Prison |
Senior Psychologist Staff Grade Psychologist *Assistant Psychologist |
1 2 1 |
0 0 0 |
|
Irish Prison Service College |
Senior Psychologist |
1 |
0 |
|
Irish Prison Service Headquarters |
Head of Service Principal Psychologist Manager Principal Specialist Psychologist |
0 1 0 |
1 0 1 |
|
Limerick Prison |
Senior Psychologist Staff Grade Psychologist *Assistant Psychologist |
1 1 0 |
0 1 1 |
|
Loughan House |
Staff Grade Psychologist |
0 |
1 |
|
Mountjoy Prison |
Senior Psychologist Staff Grade Psychologist *Assistant Psychologist |
1 2 1 |
0 2 1 |
|
Mountjoy Female Prison/Training Unit |
Senior Psychologist Staff Grade Psychologist *Assistant Psychologist |
1 1 1 |
0 0 0 |
|
Midlands Prison |
Senior Psychologist Senior Psychologist (Sexual Violence) Staff Grade Psychologist Assistant Psychologist |
1 2 0 3 |
0 0 1 0 |
|
National Violence Reduction Unit (NVRU) |
Senior Psychologist |
1 |
0 |
|
Portlaoise Prison |
Senior Psychologist Staff Grade Psychologist *Assistant Psychologist |
1 0 1 |
0 1 0 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
Staff Grade Psychologist |
1 |
0 |
|
Wheatfield Prison |
Senior Psychologist Staff Grade Psychologist *Assistant Psychologist |
1 1 1 |
0 1 1 |
|
Total |
|
35 |
15.4 |
*The Assistant Psychologist is a fixed term contract, unqualified grade which is not included when establishing the psychologist to prisoner ratios.
Additionally there are four Staff Grade Psychologist posts which has been re-directed towards four training posts on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme in UCC, all of which are filled. There are currently 3.4 locum Psychologists and one locum Senior Psychologist employed by the Irish Prison Service.
The Irish Prison Psychology Service has the following authorised posts: a Head of Service, a Principal Psychologist Manager, a Principal Specialist Psychologist, 14 Senior Psychologists, 23.4 Staff Grade Psychologists and 14 Assistant Psychologists. A recruitment campaign for Staff Grade Clinical/Counselling Psychologists has recently concluded, resulting in the formation of a panel from which it is expected that all current Staff Grade Psychologist vacancies will be filled.
1146. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of motorcycles attached to the Tipperary roads policing unit as of 31 December 2022 and 26 August 2024, in tabular form. [35080/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 they need to keep people safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion in Budget 2024. 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 below table, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, indicates the number of motorbikes allocated to roads policing duty in Tipperary:
|
Tipperary Roads Policing |
Motorbikes |
|
31 December 2022 |
4 |
|
As of 31 July 2024 |
3 |
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.
I am advised that the Clare/Tipperary Division has a total of 132 vehicles assigned as of 31 August, the latest date figures are available.
|
- |
Cars Marked |
Cars Unmarked |
Cars Total |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Others |
Total |
|
Clare/Tipperary |
58 |
36 |
94 |
28 |
6 |
3 |
1 |
132 |
For the Deputy’s information, detailed statistics relating to the Garda Fleet are publicly available on the Garda website at the following link:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html
1147. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the updating of visa stamps in the case of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35121/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the persons referred to by the Deputy submitted applications for a change of immigration status which were received by the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division of my Department on 28 February 2024.
Applications are dealt with in strict chronological order of receipt. The Division endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible, however, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of applications on hand, individual circumstances, the complexity of an application and whether or not further information is required.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by email using the Oireachtas Mail facility, at IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the email service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
1148. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice the options that are available regarding the reconsideration of an international protection application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35142/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, my Department is unable to publish any information that would identify any person as being an international protection applicant. This is a separate matter to the law dealing with data protection matters more generally.
My officials and I are legally obliged, under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015, to ensure that the identity of any person who applies for international protection is kept confidential. Section 26(1) sets out that:
“the Minister and the Tribunal and their respective officers shall take all practicable steps to ensure that the identity of applicants is kept confidential”.
As I am sure you will appreciate, these confidentiality requirements are especially important for an asylum-seeker, whose claim inherently supposes a fear of persecution by the authorities of their home country and whose situation, or that of their family or friends still living in the country from which they have sought protection, can be jeopardised if the protection of their personal information is not ensured.
An applicant for such protection status, or their legal representative, should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate if they wish to receive an update on the status of their case.
Contact information for The International Protection Office can be found at: Contact Us - International Protection Office (ipo.gov.ie).
Contact information for The International Protection Appeals Tribunal can be found at Contact Us - IPAT (protectionappeals.ie).
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. They are also bound by confidentiality provisions in respect of applicants as set out in the International Protection 2015 Act.
If you need more detailed information on how an application will be processed by the IPO and in relation to the different stages of the process, you can find details on the IPO website at:
www.ipo.gov.ie/en/IPO/Pages/Assessment_of_Application
1149. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined given the person has bee waiting several months to receive an updated certificate of naturalisation after it was originally misprinted; if assistance will be provided in order that the person can commence new employment which has had to be delayed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35155/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the person concerned has been in regular contact with the Citizenship division of my Department regarding changing the name printed on a certificate of naturalisation following a name change by deed poll.
My officials will continue this engagement in relation to the issue that has arisen.
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, atIMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
1150. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider the establishment of a child maintenance service agency similar to the Child Maintenance Service in the UK to process and mediate child maintenance-related matters and provide necessary supports to parents involved as opposed to going directly to the courts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35166/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Child Maintenance Review Group was established in 2020 to consider and make recommendations in relation to the establishment of a State Child Maintenance Agency among other things. Its report was published in November 2022 and on foot of the report it was decided by Government that a State Child Maintenance Agency should not be established. It was agreed that the Department of Justice would undertake a review of the enforcement of child maintenance orders in the context of the wider reforms of family justice underway.
The Family Justice Strategy, published in November 2022, includes nine key goals and over 50 actions. The Review of the Enforcement of Child Maintenance Orders, which was published on 8 January 2024, is one of the actions contained in Goal One of the Strategy, that of ‘supporting children’.
The review was led by my Department and builds on the previous report of the Child Maintenance Review Group.
The Review notes that the vast majority of parents take their financial and other responsibilities towards their children very seriously. It notes that many parents make private child maintenance arrangements, and that this is the best option and the one to be promoted and encouraged.
However, it notes that there will always be circumstances in which private arrangements are not possible or in which private arrangements breakdown and in these circumstances Government and the courts are tasked with safeguarding the financial welfare of children.
The Review puts forward 26 recommendations focused on generating maximum compliance with child maintenance orders, to ensure security and stability for children and to aid poverty prevention. The recommendations, while mainly focused on strengthening provisions for court enforcement of child maintenance orders, also look at ways to encourage voluntary payment and to assist people to make private arrangements. They focus on improving the way in which maintenance is agreed/ordered, the way in which payment is encouraged, the means by which default can be avoided and greater mechanisms for enforcement.
The key recommendations of the review include:
Development of a set of child maintenance guidelines.
Introduction of mandatory mediation information sessions.
Strengthening attachment of earnings orders and exploring the possibility of attaching an order to a PPS number rather than employing entities, so that orders do not lapse when there is a change in employer.
Introduction of a single enforcement procedure when the receiving parent makes an enforcement application, allowing the judge to choose the most appropriate enforcement option based on the circumstances of the case.
Simplification of the bench warrant process.
Placing the onus on paying parents to pay costs associated with enforcement proceedings.
Allowing for deductions from social welfare, the paying parent’s bank accounts, from government grants and subsidies and allowing for the recovery of arrears from tax refunds.
Work has commenced on the development of a set of child maintenance guidelines and the development of a mandatory mediation information sessions pilot for child maintenance cases. It is hoped that these initiatives will encourage voluntary child maintenance agreements and increase compliance with those agreements.
With the cooperation of Minister Humphreys and Minister O’Gorman, I intend to move the other recommendations towards implementation without delay.
A key element of the Family Justice Strategy, the forthcoming Family Court Bill intends to create a new dedicated Family Court within the existing court structure and provide for court procedures that support a faster and less adversarial resolution of disputes in specialised centres.
The Bill is underpinned by a set of guiding principles to help ensure that the Family Court system will make the best interests of the child a primary consideration in all family law proceedings, operate in an efficient and user-friendly manner, and encourage active case management by the courts. These guiding principles encourage the use of alternative dispute resolution where appropriate, promote good case management practice, ensuring that proceedings are conducted as far as possible in a user-friendly manner, and minimising the cost of proceedings where feasible.
The Bill is progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas and it is my aim that it will be enacted as soon as possible.
1151. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of marked and unmarked Garda vans attached to the Kildare division as of 31 December 2021 and 27 August 2024, in tabular form. [35174/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
The unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.
There are 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, sets out the number of marked and unmarked vans attached to the Kildare Division as of 31 December 2021 and 31 July 2024, the latest date of which figures are available.
|
- |
Marked Vans |
Unmarked Vans |
Total |
|
2021 |
9 |
6 |
15 |
|
As of 31 July 2024 |
9 |
6 |
15 |
I am advised by the Garda authorities 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.
1152. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of WTE civilian staff, by grade, employed by her Department who work at immigration service delivery at Burgh Quay as of 27 August 2024, in tabular form. [35175/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that my Department’s Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function operates from several different locations nationwide, including the Border Management Unit in Dublin airport. The overall staffing involved in the delivery of immigration related services, including those associated with the International Protection system, has increased by approximately 24% during 2024 to almost 1300 by mid July.
The ISD office located at 13/14 Burgh Quay, is responsible for various immigration services including the registration of immigration permissions for customers residing in Dublin, Wicklow, Limerick, Cork and Meath.
In July, the registration of immigration residence permissions for counties Cork and Limerick transferred from An Garda Síochána to my Department. With this transfer, approximately 80% of all national registrations have transferred to my Department.
My Department will shortly assume full responsibility for registrations nationwide. Civilianising registration functions releases valuable Garda resources, allowing them to focus on operational and enforcement matters, such as deportations and investigations.
The Burgh Quay Office is also the location of several ISD units who consider applications for, and renew, a variety of immigration permissions as well as management and administrative staff.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
|
Grade |
Number of Staff |
Whole-Time Equivalent (WTE) |
|
Assistant Secretary |
1 |
1 |
|
Principal Officer |
5 |
5 |
|
Assistant Principal |
17 |
16.2 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
20 |
19.8 |
|
Administrative Officer |
4 |
4 |
|
Executive Officer |
59 |
57.5 |
|
Clerical Officer |
137 |
132.7 |
|
Grand Total |
243 |
236.2 |
1153. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice for an update on a naturalisation application by a person (details supplied) given the processing time for this application has now surpassed 29 months. [35183/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
It is important to note that no two applications are the same and some take longer than others to process.
All applicants must undergo Garda vetting. Unfortunately, it is the case that some international checks can take a considerable amount of time and are largely out of the control of my Department. The previous backlogs in application processing in Citizenship had arisen largely due to the legacy of restrictions imposed on staff attendance in the office during the pandemic.
Since then, Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to speed up the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are dramatically reducing processing times.
Based on the current application levels, I expect going forward that most straightforward applications based on residency will receive a decision within one year.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility, atIMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
1154. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of alcohol test licensing inspections on bars, clubs, supermarkets and so on, that were carried out by gardaí within R district of DMR in 2023 and to-date in 2024 to ensure full compliance of Alcohol Licensing Regulations, in tabular form; and the frequency with which these inspections are carried out within the district. [35200/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that during 2023 and to-date in 2024 there were fewer than ten reported incidents each year of ‘alcohol test licencing inspections' in bars, clubs, supermarkets within the DMR R district.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that inspections of licensed premises, during which no Offence is identified, are recorded on PULSE under incident type 'Liquor Licensing Inspection of Premises No Offence Disclosed'. Where an offence is detected, it is recorded under the appropriate incident type. Data was drawn down for the R District, querying both incident type 'Liquor Licensing Inspection of Premises No Offence Disclosed' and a number of other relevant incident types (e.g. Test Purchasing of Intoxicating Liquor).
As the data set falls below the threshold of 10 incidents in each year, the Garda authorities are not in a position to provide this data for data protection reasons.
I am informed that the above information is based on a search of the PULSE database. Information is operational and subject to change.
1155. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the estimated additional funding her Department requires in 2025 to recruit 1,000 additional Garda trainees; and if her Department has the necessary funding in place for this. [35201/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented provision of more than €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána for 2024, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles.
As the Deputy will be aware, funding for An Garda Síochána is provided through Vote 20, the Garda Vote and is not accounted under my Department's Vote. The Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) and is accountable for the economy and the efficiency of An Garda Síochána in using its resources.
The Garda Commissioner is also 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 direct role in such matters.
I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the estimated 2025 payroll cost associated with the recruitment of 1,000 trainees in 2025 is in the region of €9 million.
For this calculation, it is assumed that the 1,000 trainees are recruited in four tranches spread throughout the year and that the first intake of recruits will be scheduled to attest as Gardaí before the end of 2025.
The estimate includes a basic training allowance and certain fixed allowances payable for the 35 week period. When attested, Garda move to point 1 of the Garda pay scale. An estimation of certain fixed allowances, variable unsocial hours’ allowances and employer’s PRSI is calculated for the recruits that commence training in 2025 and are due to attest by the end of 2025.
Pay increases scheduled for 2025 are taken into consideration for newly attested Garda.
Other potential costs including the cost of equipment, subsistence and accommodation are not included. It is assumed that the Garda College has the capacity for this level of trainees. It should also be noted that the estimated figures do not take account of any overtime costs or potential future pension costs.
1157. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners who have been given early and temporary release in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35228/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available.
I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
1158. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice to outline her concerns about capacity constraints within the prison system. [35229/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service is working closely with officials in my Department to take steps to ensure a safe working environment for staff, and the safety and security of people in custody. They are also working to identify short-, medium- and long-term proposals to manage capacity issues in our prisons.
In July 2023, I established a Prison Overcrowding Response Group, composed of officials from the Department of Justice and representatives from relevant agencies, to identify measures to address capacity issues in the prison estate.
Government has made significant capital funding available to the Irish Prison Service to enhance the existing prison infrastructure and provide additional capacity. Total capital funding allocation of €159m for the years 2024 to 2026, which includes an increase of €49.5m in the most recent NDP allocations has been provided and will assist towards bringing on stream accommodation for over 1,100 people between 2024 and 2030.
Short term projects are being progressed which are expected to deliver accommodation for 150 people in 2024. The Prison Service are also currently assessing the feasibility of bringing the Curragh Military Prison into use.
In addition, and to further consider future prison capacity needs, I have established a new Working Group which will make recommendations on the numbers and types of prison capacity needed out to 2035. This Group will also make recommendations on the future use of the site at Thornton Hall.
1159. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice to provide details on an international residence permit (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35261/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAny person wishing to travel to Ireland can do so through a number of legal pathways.
Details of the various pathways can be found on the Immigration Service website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/
It is important to say that all immigration avenues remain open for Afghan nationals, including visa and family reunification applications.
Afghan nationals are visa required and must have a valid Irish visa before they seek to enter the State. Any visa required national that wishes to enter the State, and remain, for up to 90 days must have a Type C Short Stay Visa. A visa required national that wishes to reside in the State for longer than 90 days must have a Type D Long Stay Visa.
1160. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice for an update in on Operation Saul; the number of gardaí involved in this operation; the amount of funding it has received; the number of arrests and prosecutions arising from the operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35279/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all operational and investigative policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters and cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to them.
I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to combatting anti-social behaviour and ensuring people in communities are safe and feel safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion in Budget 2024 to An Garda Síochána, which is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment and technology.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that in January 2022, Operation Saul was initiated for the purpose of coordinating operational activity across the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) to provide a safe environment for commuters utilising all public transport services across the city.
Operation Saul involves the effective management and planned deployment of resources in the DMR to ensure the delivery of both an overt and covert policing response on board Bus, Luas, Dart and Train services to effectively tackle anti-social behaviour, public order and criminal activity, on a daily basis. It is not possible to provide the number of Garda members assigned to the Operation as all frontline members carry out activities under the auspices of Operation Saul on a daily basis and as required.
As part of Operation Saul, each Chief Superintendent, DMR ensures continued collaboration with key transport stakeholders and providers along with Local Authorities to ensure an integrated approach at key high risk periods. Personnel are deployed to perform overt and covert patrols on board all public transport services, (Public Buses, Dart & Luas services, etc.), on a daily basis throughout Dublin. Members performing patrols on Public Transport services take effective action where offences are detected, and initiate charges where appropriate.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, from 1 January 2024 to 31 July 2024, there were 394 arrests made under Operation Saul. Arising out of theses arrests, 647 charges were preferred against suspects and a further 97 summonses were issued. 57 referrals were made to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme and a further 30 persons were dealt with by way of Adult Caution.
I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that An Garda Síochána is committed to continuing its efforts to dealing with anti-social behaviour on public transport and bringing those responsible for such criminal acts before the Courts. Members in the DMR will continue to proactively police public transport under Operation Saul as part of our overall response to preventing such anti-social behaviour.
1161. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice for an update on Operation Citizen; the number of gardaí involved in this operation; the amount of funding it has received; the number of arrests and prosecutions arising from the operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35280/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available.
I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
