Richard Bruton
Ceist:1022. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the additional supports or secondary benefits allowed to persons on a carer’s allowance, and to persons on a carer’s benefit. [35828/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (1022)
Freagraí scríofa
Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
Carer's Benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention.
The Government acknowledges the important role that 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.
Additional supports or secondary benefits allowable to Carers awarded either CA or CARB are as follows:
• The Carer’s Support Grant (CSG) is an annual single payment of €1850 for each care recipient. The grant is paid automatically to those who have an entitlement to CA, CARB and Domiciliary Care Allowance on the first Thursday in June. Full-time carers that are not in receipt of a social welfare payment can also apply for a standalone CSG.
• A person receiving CA will receive a free travel pass in his/her own right.
• An extra weekly allowance is paid to Carers on CA who may be over the age of 66 and a further increase if over 80. An increase is payable to those aged over 66 and are ordinarily resident on one of a list of specified islands off the coast of Ireland.
• In certain circumstances, a carer aged 66 or over may qualify for the Household Benefits Package.
• Payment of CA may continue for 12 weeks after the death of the person being cared for and 6 weeks for CARB.
• Payment of CA and CARB will be paid for 6 weeks after the death of the carer to the carer’s spouse/partner providing they are in receipt of a social welfare payment in their own right.
• A person in receipt of CA or CARB can be registered for GP Visit Card eligibility which is available from the Health Service Executive.
• From January 2024, access to the State Pension (Contributory) improved for long-term carers. If a customer has spent more than 20 years (1,040 weeks) providing full-time care to an incapacitated person, they may be entitled to enhanced state pension provision.
I hope this information is of assistance to the Deputy.
Social Welfare Schemes
Ceisteanna (1023)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:1023. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of carer’s benefit; the typical duration of their claim; and if she has considered greater flexibility under this scheme to cover intermittent caring periods. [35829/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Carer's Benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention. The payment is available to any resident within the European Union or UK who meets the qualifying conditions.
To qualify, the Carer must satisfy PRSI conditions, employment conditions, show that they are providing full-time care and attention, and must show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.
At the end of August, there were 4,118 persons in receipt of CARB.
CARB can be paid for a period of 104 weeks for each care recipient, and may be claimed over one period or over separate periods to cover intermittent caring periods. Against the total of 104 weeks permissible under the CARB scheme, from 2020 to 2023, the average total number of weeks used by customers was 71 weeks.
Of those persons currently awarded, the average number of weeks used is 51.
I hope this information is of assistance to the Deputy.
Social Welfare Schemes
Ceisteanna (1024)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:1024. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the carer’s support grant; the number of these who already have carer’s payments or domiciliary care allowance; and the numbers who qualify independently of these schemes. [35830/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Carer’s Support Grant (CSG) is an annual payment paid to people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance (CA), Carer’s Benefit (CARB) or Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA). Other people who are not in receipt of a social welfare payment but who are providing full time care and attention may also be eligible and can apply for the grant as a stand-alone payment.
The CSG is currently payable at a rate of €1,850.00
At the end of August, there were 133,684 persons in receipt of the CSG in respect of 151,103 care recipients.
The number of grants awarded on automatic qualification through CA, CARB and DCA, as well as the number of grants awarded on qualification through the Standalone Carer’s Support Grant scheme is outlined below:
|
No. of grants through Carer’s Allowance |
79,463 |
|
No. of grants through Carer’s Benefit |
3,178 |
|
No. of grants through Domiciliary Care Allowance |
63,042 |
|
No. of grants through Standalone Carer’s Support Grant |
5,420 |
|
Total number of grants to 133,684 carers |
151,103 |
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Schemes
Ceisteanna (1025)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:1025. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if the concept of tiered payments based on some measure of disability have been abandoned; whether some element of a cost of care payment is under consideration within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35831/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I published the Green Paper on Disability Reform in September last year. The Green Paper sought to reform my Department's system of disability payments to better target supports and better account for the cost of disability. It did not propose a cost of care payment.
The Green Paper was a consultation document. Feedback from the public consultation raised concerns about its proposals. In particular, people questioned whether it was appropriate to reform the system of disability payments and employment supports separate to a wider consultation of other challenges faced by people with disabilities, including housing, transport, health and education.
I listened to these concerns, and in April I announced that I would not proceed any further with the Green Paper proposals.
The Taoiseach has placed a major emphasis on improving supports and services for people with disabilities in all aspect of their lives. He has established a Cabinet Committee on Children, Education and Disability. Any reform of disability payments will now be considered as part of this broader review of disability matters on a whole-of-Government basis. Officials in my Department are currently analysing the feedback collated during the Green Paper process. This feedback will be shared with the Committee.
It should also be noted that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is coordinating the development of a new National Disability Strategy with a whole-of-Government approach. The costs of disability will be addressed within this strategy. My Department has been actively involved in the development of this new strategy.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Schemes
Ceisteanna (1026)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:1026. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of participants in the most recent period for which data is available on the back to education allowance, on the Work Placement Programme, on JobsPlus, on the Jobs Initiative, on the back to work enterprise allowance, and on the training support grant; and if there are any evaluations conducted which might lead to revisions in the terms of these schemes. [35832/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The participant numbers requested by the Deputy for the different schemes are set out below.
The Back to Education Allowance provides income support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments who pursue full-time courses of education at further or higher level. The focus of the scheme is to assist people improve their qualifications and as a result improve their access to sustainable employment. Scheme activity is aligned with the academic year with applications currently being processed for the new academic year. Some 3,500 people claimed the Back to Education Allowance during the 2023/2024 academic year.
The Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) is a 6-month, 30 hour per week voluntary work and training experience programme. As of 31st August 2024, there were 153 participants active on WPEP placements. Since the inception of the Programme on 12th July 2021, 713 participants have completed a placement. Following an internal review of the programme in 2023, a number of positive changes have been made to widen the eligibility criteria for participants, thus increasing the opportunities for jobseekers who are most distant to the labour market to gain valuable work experience in a supportive workplace.
The Job Initiative scheme is a programme providing full-time employment for people who are 35 years of age or over, unemployed for 5 years or more, and in receipt of social welfare payments over that period. The scheme was closed in late 2004, there is currently no recruitment onto the scheme while existing participants will have their contracts renewed. As of 31st August 2024, there were 308 participants and 20 supervisors on the Job Initiative scheme.
JobsPlus is an employer incentive which provides payments to employers who offer employment opportunities to the long term unemployed, young unemployed and other identified groups. It provides a direct monthly financial incentive to employers over two years, with two levels of grant payable - €7,500 or €10,000 provided that the employment is maintained. The level of payment depends on the age of the person and the period of unemployed. In the year to 31st August 2024, there have been payments made to 758 employers to support 906 JobsPlus employments.
Changes to JobsPlus were implemented from January 2023 to expand eligibility for the scheme and to meet commitments in the Pathways to Work strategy. From October 2024, JobsPlus will be amended to make it more attractive to employers. The timeline for the payment of the subsidy is reduced from 24 months to 18 months. The €10,000 subsidy rate will be payable in respect of people who are 24 months unemployed, down from 36 months.
The Training Support Grant provides quick access to short-term training to support jobseekers access work opportunities. The grant is used to meet a skills gap or training need where this cannot be provided by a state provider within a reasonable time, and in cases where an intervention is needed to access a work opportunity. In the year to 31st August 2024, there have been 3,442 Training Support Grants completed.
The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme offers support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments who are interested in self-employment as a route to re-entering the labour market. The allowance is payable at 100% of the primary payment for year 1, reducing to 75% for year 2. As of 31st August 2024, there are 1,929 participants on the BTWEA scheme.
Pathways to Work (2021-2025) is the Government's national employment services strategy. An updated Pathways strategy of 65 commitments and 28 KPIs was published in May 2024, following approval by Government. It was informed by a mid-term review which was undertaken last year, in line with strategy commitments and with the support of the Labour Market Advisory Council. The updated strategy includes a new commitment (number 55) to undertake a review of the eligibility criteria for employment support schemes in order to facilitate an accessible pathway to employment for priority groups. Further changes to these schemes will be considered following the completion of this review.
I trust this clarifies the position.
Business Supports
Ceisteanna (1027)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:1027. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the conditions under which support for the commencement of a new business can be made available to persons now on a social welfare payment. [35833/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department offers a range of employment supports to jobseekers including back to work schemes which support the commencement of self-employment.
The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme offers support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments who are interested in self-employment as a route to re-entering the labour market. The allowance is payable at 100% of the primary payment for year 1, reducing to 75% for year 2.
To qualify for BTWEA a person is required to have received an eligible income support payment continuously for 9 months. An applicant who is a part time or casual worker is required to be in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment for 12 months immediately prior to the BTWEA application and can have a maximum of 30 days of insurable employment during that period.
The proposed business must be a new enterprise and based in Ireland. As part of the application process, there is an assessment of suitability of the proposed business. The applicant is referred to the Enterprise Officer in the Local Development Company who works with the applicant to complete the business plan. The enterprise must be recommended by both the Enterprise officer and the Employment Personal Advisor before a final decision is made to award the allowance.
The Short Term Enterprise Allowance scheme provides support to customers of Jobseeker's Benefit and Jobseeker's Benefit Self-Employed payment to avail of self-employment opportunities by allowing them to retain their Jobseekers payment rate for the remaining duration of their claim. The proposed business must be a new enterprise and based in Ireland. As part of the application process, there is an assessment of suitability of the proposed business and a recommendation by the Employment Personal Advisor before the claim is awarded.
In addition, those interested in commencing self-employment may have entitlement to support under the Jobseeker's Allowance scheme. Means derived from their self-employment would be assessed and a weekly Jobseeker's Allowance rate may be payable.
I trust this clarifies the position.
Pension Provisions
Ceisteanna (1028)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:1028. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if the option to work beyond the age of 66 years is now available; the level of take-up that has been recorded to date; if she has evaluated whether the incentive in terms of pension uplift and additional contributions earned is actuarially fair to the person deferring pension payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35834/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 2023, I introduced legislation for a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system in response to the recommendations from the Pensions Commission. This set of measures represented the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State Pension system.
One of the key measures under these reforms, which came into operation from the 1st January 2024, is the introduction of a flexible pension system in Ireland where a person can access the State Pension (Contributory) at any point between age 66 and 70. It is important to note that there has never been a mandatory retirement age in Ireland. Individuals have always been able to work past their 66th birthday, if in agreement with their employer.
A claimant can now on applying for State Pension (contributory) select a date in the future for drawing it down. However, if circumstances change for that claimant after they submit their application, then they can change this date and drawdown immediately once they are over 66 years of age.
It is important to note that those entitled to claim SPC do not need to notify the Department of their intention to defer. Not applying for SPC will automatically mean the person is in deferment. As a consequence, my Department does not have a record of all those who choose to defer. As the legislation to provide for deferment took effect in January 2024, the picture in terms of the number of people choosing to defer will become clearer in 2025 and subsequent years as people choose to apply at later ages as they reach 67, 68, etc.
Where a person defers drawing down their State Pension (Contributory) they can choose whether to continue working or not. They may have already reached the maximum number of contributions required for a maximum rate pension and therefore decide not to work. If they continue to work, they will continue to pay PRSI contributions. If they have not already reached the number of contributions for a maximum rate pension, they can continue to increase their contribution record.
A person may also continue to work in order to meet the 520 contributions qualifying criteria for State Pension (Contributory) or to increase the total number of contributions for calculation of an enhanced rate of State Pension (Contributory).
The levels of uplift applicable for those deferring drawdown of State Pension (Contributory) were actuarially set so as to be cost-neutral to the Social Insurance Fund. Under these uplifts, the long-term value of pension payments from the Social Insurance Fund earned at State Pension Age should be equivalent regardless of the age at which entitlements are accessed.
Based on the January 2024 rate of State Pension (contributory) of €277.30, the maximum rates for each year of deferral in 2024 are:
• €290.30 at age 67
• €304.80 at age 68
• €320.30 at age 69 and
• €337.20 at age 70.
The rates will be set out in the Budget annually. The level of uplift will be reviewed subsequent to future actuarial reviews of the Social Insurance Fund.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Pension Provisions
Ceisteanna (1029)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:1029. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the start date for the phased introduction of the total contributions regime for pensions; and if it is envisaged that there will be any winners or any losers during the transition. [35836/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
At present the State Pension (Contributory) can be calculated under two different methods known as the Total Contributions Approach (TCA) and the Yearly Average (YA) approach.
Following on from the Pensions Commission's recommendations, a number of State pension reforms were enacted in the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 on the 14th December 2023, which represent the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State pension system.
Among these reforms, the 2023 Act introduced a ten-year phased transition from the YA method of calculation of State Pension (Contributory) to TCA as the sole method of calculation. TCA is a fairer and more transparent method for calculating the contributory pension and will remove the existing anomalies that exist in the YA calculation method. The ten-year transitional arrangements are to avoid a ‘cliff edge’ effect. The first year of phasing-out will begin in January 2025. From 2034 the YA method of calculation will no longer be used, and all State Pension (Contributory) calculations will be done using the TCA method.
Last year, the Department commissioned the ESRI to do an analysis, considering the impact of the move to TCA for State Pension (Contributory) and its report was published on the 12th of June. The ESRI report shows that 87% of future claimants will see their rate of payment improve or stay the same. In addition, more women will qualify for the maximum pension rate under the TCA (rising from 54% to 75%) due to the removal of anomalies associated with the Yearly Average Method.
Pension Provisions
Ceisteanna (1030)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:1030. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the start date for auto enrolment for persons not already in a pension scheme, and the initial rate of contribution for workers, for employers, and for the State when the scheme commences. [35837/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The introduction of an automatic enrolment (AE) retirement savings system is a Programme for Government commitment and a key priority for me as the Minister for Social Protection.
Implementation of the AE system is now well underway, with the recent enactment of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act 2024 and the announcement of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as the preferred bidder to administer the AE system on behalf of the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA). The achievement of these two major milestones is significant and allows for Automatic Enrolment to become a reality in Ireland in 2025.
My Department is now focused on implementation, including putting in place ICT infrastructure, staffing and resourcing NAERSA, and conducting a procurement exercise for investment services providers. A communications strategy is being rolled out on an ongoing basis and will intensify as go-live approaches.
In terms of contribution rates, AE will be very gradually phased in over the course of a decade. When the scheme commences in 2025, employers and employees will make contributions at a rate of 1.5% each of the employee’s gross earnings, with the State topping up these contributions with an additional 0.5%. These rates will gradually increase every three years until they reach a maximum of 6% each from the employer and the employee and 2% from the State from Year 10 onwards.
Question No. 1031 answered with Question No. 920.
Social Welfare Schemes
Ceisteanna (1032)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:1032. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the take-up to date of the concession of free travel to those medically unfit to drive. [35839/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Free Travel Scheme is available to all persons aged over 66 and those under age 66 on certain qualified payments, who are living legally and permanently in the State. The scheme permits those who are eligible to travel for free on most CIE public transport services, Local Link, LUAS and a range of transport services offered by private transport operators countrywide.
In Budget 2024, entitlement to Free Travel was extended to those who are aged over 17 and under 66, and are medically certified as unfit to drive for a period of at least 12 months. This extension to the scheme is effective from 29th July 2024.
Applications opened for this new scheme extension from 9th May 2024. To date, the Department has received 1,689 applications, of which 1,666 have been processed. 1,566 have been approved.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Payments
Ceisteanna (1033)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:1033. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of children on child benefit payments; and the way that number has been affected by the extension of payments to those in full-time education up to their 19th birthday. [35840/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Child Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16, 17 and 18 if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.
In Budget 2024, Child Benefit was extended to include payment in respect of 18-year-olds. Over 58,000 children benefitted from this measure with payments issuing on 7 May 2024.
As of September 2024, there are 671,890 families receiving Child Benefit in respect of 1,266,461 children.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Application Forms
Ceisteanna (1034)
Robert Troy
Ceist:1034. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the review of a contributory pension claim and a claim for home care period contributions by a person (details supplied). [35958/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned reached pension age 66 on the 4 August 2024. They applied for a State Pension (contributory) in January 2024. An award letter issued to them in April 2024 advising that they qualified for a reduced rate of pension from 4 August 2024.
Based on their social insurance record at that time the person concerned had yearly average was 20 which gave entitlement to €236.10 per week. This is equivalent to 85% of the maximum rate of state pension (contributory).
Following the award of HomeMakers and HomeCaring Periods, a review of the persons State Pension (contributory) entitlement was completed. The yearly average increased to 29, however the rate of payment remains unchanged. In order to qualify for an increase in rate a yearly average of 30 is required. In order to receive the maximum rate of payment €277.30, a yearly average of 48 is required.
It is open to the person concerned to apply for the means-tested State Pension (non-contributory), the maximum rate of which equates to 95% of the maximum rate of State Pension (contributory).
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Ceisteanna (1035)
Robert Troy
Ceist:1035. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on a social welfare appeal by a person (details supplied). [35971/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that there is no record of any appeal by the person concerned having been received by that office. I understand that the Department's Disability Allowance section is currently carrying out a control review of this claim and as soon as this is completed the above named will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Application Forms
Ceisteanna (1036)
Robert Troy
Ceist:1036. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied). [35972/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Disability 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 the DA payment of person concerned was reviewed following the return of a weekly payment by their bank, for the payment dated 24 July 2024. As a result their payment was suspended until their new payment details could be clarified.
My Department wrote to the person concerned on the 26 July 2024, requesting up to date bank details to update their payment method. The bank details of the person concerned were received on the 02 August 2024, however the information provided was incomplete. Further correspondence issued to the person concerned on the 07 August 2024 requesting a copy of their bank statement as a digit was missing from the account number provided.
The correct bank details were received on the 27 August 2024. Their payment was reinstated with effect from the 24 July 2024. Arrears of the DA payment from 24 July 2024 to 03 September 2024 have issued via bank transfer to the person concerned.
The person concerned was notified of this in writing on 28 August 2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Application Forms
Ceisteanna (1037)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:1037. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the procedure to be followed to reinstate a weekly payment in the case of a person (details supplied); if applications for disability allowance have been received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35973/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Disability 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 my Department received an application for DA from one the people detailed on 28 June 2024. As their initial application did not contain all the information required to make a decision on entitlement, an information request letter was sent to the person concerned on 17 July 2024, requesting that they sign part 11A of the medical form and get their doctor to complete the part 11B medical report.
A new DA application was received by the Department on 16 August 2024. As the person concerned did not supply all the required information, it was necessary for the Deciding Officer to send a further information request on 20 August 2024, requesting details of all bank accounts held, 3 recent payslips and a copy of the medical report from their doctor.
On receipt of this information, a decision will be made on their DA application and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
To date no application for DA has been received for the other person concerned. A completed application form for DA must be submitted to the Department in order to have eligibility checked and a formal decision made on entitlement. An application form has been posted to them.
In the meantime, they may apply to the Community Welfare Service for the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance if they are in need of financial assistance while awaiting the outcome of their application.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Application Forms
Ceisteanna (1038)
Robert Troy
Ceist:1038. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer’s allowance for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [35981/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
I confirm that my Department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 19 July 2024.
The application was referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) on 29 July 2024 to confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied. The SWI has confirmed that the application will be prioritised. Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made, and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Visa Agreements
Ceisteanna (1039)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:1039. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice regarding new visa rules around arrivals from South Africa, if consideration will be given to an exemption period to give South African nationals who booked flights to Ireland before 10 July, but arrive after 10 August, the ability to travel without a visa (details supplied). [33776/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, with effect from 10 July 2024 Irish visa requirements were applied to nationals of South Africa.
A Limited Transitional Arrangement was put in place for South African nationals who had booked travel to Ireland before 10 July 2024 and were travelling to Ireland before 10 August 2024. This arrangement allowed these individuals to travel to Ireland without a visa provided they were in possession of the following documentation:
• A valid passport; and
• Documentary proof from their carrier (and not a Travel Agent) showing the date of purchase of their ticket(s), their name as the passenger, the flight(s) number and date of travel.
As this transitional arrangement has ceased nationals of South African citizens are now required to obtain an Irish visa before travelling to Ireland.
Any visa required national that wishes to travel to the State, and remain, for up to 90 days must have a Type C Short Stay Visa. If they wish to reside in the State for longer than 90 days, they must have a Type D Long Stay Visa.
Any person that wishes to make a visa application must do so online at: www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspx
Applicants will find full details of the application process together with the supporting documentation required for each visa type on our website which may be accessed at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/
To facilitate pre-existing travel arrangements, as a temporary measure, my Department is currently prioritising applications from South African nationals based on the date of travel. The dedicated South Africa Visa team are working to ensure all travellers have a decision on their application prior to their date of travel.
Individuals with pre-existing travel arrangements who are concerned that they will not receive a decision on their visa application before their intended date of travel may contact the dedicated South Africa Visa Desk directly, quoting the application number, highlighting the reasons why their application should be expedited. The dedicated South Africa Visa Desk can be contacted at: SouthAfricaViSouthAfricaVisaOffice@justice.iesaOffice@justice.ie.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (1040)
Verona Murphy
Ceist:1040. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda members assigned to roads policing units; if her Department will update the website with publication of figures for the month of June 2024, by Garda division; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33777/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Road safety is a shared responsibility, and while the whole of Government response is led by the Department of Transport, it is one which is taken very seriously across Government. We have all been shocked by the loss of life on our roads, and concerned by the worrying increase in road fatalities after many years of progress in making our roads safer.
I continue to engage with colleagues across Government to ensure that every effort is made to increase safety on our roads.
Road traffic laws are enforced by Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing and as part of the day-to-day duties of uniformed Gardaí nationwide. This includes a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies. Following the Commissioner’s direction, uniform Garda members are now deployed on high visibility roads policing operations, of 30 minutes duration, in each tour of duty.
It is significant that up to 25% of all roads enforcement is undertaken by regular units and 75% of drug/drink driving checks are carried out by regular units.
Every frontline Garda member now has a mobility device, which is essentially a mobile phone that allows them to access a number of specialised Garda apps at the roadside. These include the ability to issue a Fixed Charge Notice, to check a vehicle's insurance status, if a vehicle is taxed and whether a driver is disqualified. These tasks can now be done within moments, without the need to return to the station making much better use of their time. The Commissioner also stated his aim is to have an additional 100 static road safety cameras in place by the end of next year.
I am advised that as of 30 June 2024 there were 622 Roads Policing Gardaí assigned across all Divisions. Funding provided by the Government under Budget 2024 allows for the recruitment of new Gardaí, which will increase the number of frontline Gardaí available to the Garda Commissioner to allocate as he deems appropriate. It is expected that it will soon be possible to allocate more members to the Roads Policing units.
In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Roads Policing by Division is publicly available and can be found at the following link. I can also advise the Deputy that I have received the most recent figures for June from An Garda Síochána which have been published on the website:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
Citizenship Applications
Ceisteanna (1041)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:1041. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33786/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
It is important to note that no two applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. All applicants must undergo Garda vetting. Unfortunately, it is the case that some international checks can take a considerable amount of time and are largely out of the control of my Department. The previous backlogs in application processing in Citizenship had arisen largely due to the legacy of restrictions imposed on staff attendance in the office during the pandemic.
Since then, Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to speed up the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are dramatically reducing processing times.
Based on the current application levels, I expect going forward that most straightforward applications based on residency will receive a decision within one year.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility, at IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.