Alan Kelly
Ceist:234. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the cost to the State for maintaining the Garda fleet of vehicles since a company (details supplied) won the contract, by year, in tabular form. [37155/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (234)
Freagraí scríofa
I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, and I will contact him again when this is to hand.
Citizenship Applications
Ceisteanna (235)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:235. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if an application for citizenship, previously refused, can be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37239/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
It is open to any applicant whose application was previously refused, to make a further application for the grant of a certificate of naturalisation.
Furthermore, there is no time limit within which an unsuccessful applicant can make a new application to the Citizenship Division of my Department, nor is there any limit on the number of applications one can make. Applicants are advised that in making any new application, they should bear in mind the reasons for the previous refusal. Each application is examined individually and assessed on their own merits.
To maintain the integrity of the file on record, the Citizenship Division of my Department do not return the documentation submitted in support of an application.
Should an applicant wish to lodge a new application with the prescribed fee of €175, they may request all relevant documents previously submitted to be associated with the new application.
Further detailed information on how to apply for naturalisation is available on my Department's Irish Immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.
Residency Permits
Ceisteanna (236)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:236. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when the necessary extension to residency status might be provided to facilitate employment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37240/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Residency Permits
Ceisteanna (237)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:237. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when the necessary residency update to facilitate ongoing employment might issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37241/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Residency Permits
Ceisteanna (238)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when a residency update/permission to remain/naturalisation might issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37242/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can advise the Deputy that based on the information supplied, it has unfortunately not been possible to locate the application for the person referred to.
If more information can be provided, I would be happy to re-examine your request.
Please supply:
• First / given name of applicant
• Family / surname of applicant
• Date of birth of applicant
• Person ID Number
• Application number
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Residency Permits
Ceisteanna (239)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when a residency update/permission to remain/naturalisation might issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37243/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for a residence card under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015, which was received by the EU Treaty Rights Division of my Department on 1 November 2023. The residence card application relates to the person’s claim to have an entitlement to a residence card based on being the adult daughter of a Union citizen and having been an adult dependent on their Union citizen parent prior to their arrival in Ireland.
While every effort is made to issue a decision on each application as soon as possible, current processing times may vary having regard to the complexity of the application and the possible need for the EU Treaty Rights Division to seek further information. The person concerned can be assured that there will be no avoidable delay in having their case brought to finality.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Citizenship Applications
Ceisteanna (240)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:240. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current position and likely progress in processing the application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37244/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The naturalisation application of 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.
However, 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.
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.
Residency Permits
Ceisteanna (241)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:241. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when stamp 4 might issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37245/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person referred to by the Deputy has no pending application with the Immigration Service of my Department. Their last immigration permission expired on 29 June 2023.
In order to renew their immigration permission, the person concerned must make an appointment to attend the Burgh Quay Registration Office by calling Freephone 1800 800 630.
Operators are available between 9am and 5pm Monday-Friday to take calls and book appointments (excluding Irish Bank and Public Holidays).
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.
Citizenship Applications
Ceisteanna (242)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:242. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if an application for citizenship can be accepted from a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37248/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
Where a child is born to an Irish citizen either in Ireland or abroad then that child is an Irish Citizen from birth and has an entitlement to an Irish passport. Where that child is born abroad they should register the birth on the Foreign Births Register maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
There is no automatic right to Irish Citizenship for the children of Non-EEA national parents resident in the State. However, where a child is born in the State to a Non-EEA national parent who has 3 years reckonable residence in the State prior to the birth, an application for Citizenship can be made in respect of that child.
The only other means by which a minor can obtain Irish citizenship is through naturalisation. As minors cannot apply for naturalisation in their own right, any application must be made by their parent, legal guardian or person acting on the child's behalf "in loco parentis".
Detailed information on how to apply for naturalisation is available on my Department's Irish Immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.
Agriculture Schemes
Ceisteanna (243)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:243. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to confirm the payment date for the fodder transport measure support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37080/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Fodder Transport Support Measure was introduced on 9th April to provide targeted support to farmers, who had to purchase fodder over longer distances.
This support measure was an emergency response to the adverse and prolonged wet weather conditions and the negative impact this was having on fodder stocks on holdings throughout the country.
The measure was operated in conjunction with the Co-operative movement and as outlined in the Terms and Conditions of the measure, a bulk payment will issue to each participating Co-operative in respect of associated and verified individual claims.
A total of 682 applications were received by my department, for which a number of administrative checks are required to be completed before any bulk payments to participating Co-operatives can be considered. Immediately on completion of all checks, bulk payments will commence issuing to Co-operatives and individual claimants will be notified.
Agriculture Schemes
Ceisteanna (244)
Marian Harkin
Ceist:244. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an ACRES payment will issue for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37141/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named submitted an application under the ACRES Co-operation stream, and was approved into Tranche 1 of the scheme. An interim payment issued to the person named on 28th February 2024.
The balancing payment claim associated with this herd has not yet cleared all the necessary validations. Department officials are actively examining the case to allow the payment to be made as quickly as possible.
My Department wrote to all recipients of the interim payment at the end of February/early March 2024 to advise that their final ACRES Year 1 payments would be based on the ACRES actions approved in their contract. Should the ACRES payment due for 2023 to the person named exceed €5,000, they will receive the difference as their 2023 ACRES balancing payment.
If the ACRES balancing payment due is less than the interim payment received, the difference between the interim and balancing payment will be posted on their AgFood account as an ACRES overpayment, and the person named will receive a letter outlining their options for repayment in this regard.
Departmental Offices
Ceisteanna (245)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:245. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for a report on his consolidation plans for his Department's offices in Portlaoise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37168/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Earlier this year, the Office of Public Works (OPW) approached my Department regarding the Department of Justice plans for the refurbishment of the Garda Station in Portlaoise. Officials in my Department were informed that An Garda Síochána (AGS) would require an alternative premises while the refurbishment works were being carried out.
Separately, OPW were aware of my Department’s long held wish to consolidate our footprint in the town and suggested a refurbishment of Government Offices in Old Abbeyleix Road (OAR) to allow staff from the Grattan Business Park complex (124 staff) to be accommodated both in this building and a second building in Portlaoise that contains Department staff (EIR Building). This consolidation will free up Pavilions A and B of the Grattan Business Park complex for use by AGS during the refurbishment.
Local management have consulted extensively with staff, unions, committees and the OPW regarding all aspects of the consolidation. The process of vacating the Grattan Business Park complex Pavilions began in early August. Refurbishment works at Government Offices on Old Abbeyleix Road are being carried out on a phased basis with an expected completion date of February next year.
The move will result in approximately 535 Portlaoise based staff consolidating from five buildings to two. This will both reduce the building footprint and costs for my Department and also enable staff to be able to engage and work together in a more cohesive setting. The business of my Department will remain unaffected during this period.
I welcome the consolidation and the collaboration with OPW to meet cross government needs.