Written Answers Nos. 300-318
300. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the reason Ireland does not have a child support agency that pursues and collects child maintenance for the children and primary parent (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37541/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Child Maintenance Review Group was established in 2020 by the Minister for Social Protection 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 as part of the ongoing implementation of the Family Justice Strategy.
That Review was carried out and published on 8 January 2024. It builds on the report of the Child Maintenance Review Group. It 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. Work has also begun on the development of a pilot scheme of mandatory mediation information sessions for child maintenance cases, to be offered in circumstances where it safe and appropriate for parents to engage in them. It is hoped that these initiatives will encourage voluntary child maintenance agreements and increase compliance with those agreements.
301. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider reducing the fee of €950 for those who are applying for naturalisation through marriage who have been living in the State for ten years or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38002/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra312. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if her Department has considered lowering the €950 fee for the certificate of naturalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37370/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra313. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if her Department will introduce a waiver or a reduction in the €950 fee for certificate of naturalisation, for people who have been granted citizenship and who can show a certain level of PRSI contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37371/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 301, 312 and 313 together.
The fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011). The application fee is €175.
A certification fee of €950 is then required following a positive decision being reached on the naturalisation application.
The standard certification fee is set at €950, while a reduced fee of €200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of recognised refugees and stateless persons, there is no certification fee.
The State has not increased the fees for naturalisation applications since 2011.
There is no provision in the Regulations for a discretionary waiver or reduction of fees, or for differing fees to apply to different nationalities, or based on the length of residency in the State.
All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, are kept under ongoing review by my Department. However, there are no current plans to amend the fees.
302. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice the supports available to install further CCTV cameras on Blessington Street in order to manage the rise in incidents of anti-social behaviour and open drug dealing taking place in the area (details supplied) in view of the safety concerns continuously raised by residents of Sackville Court/Blessington Street, Dublin. [37261/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably, this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy directly when it is to hand.
303. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if all is in order with residency status in order to facilitate an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37263/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
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/
It is open to anyone to make an application for citizenship once they meet the criteria as set out in the 1956 Act, as amended. Only once an application is received, can a determination on whether the applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation be made.
Unfortunately, applications cannot be expedited due to the intended purpose of naturalisation such as travel, or to join family members.
The Citizenship Division of my Department have taken a significant number of steps to speed up the Naturalisation process for applicants. Including introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are significantly reducing processing times. I expect that going forward the vast majority of applicants will receive a decision within one year.
In just over two years the Citizenship Division of my Department has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year to processing over 20,000 applications in 2023. Already in 2024, 16,000 decisions have been made in the first half of the year.
In 2023, Citizenship Division more than doubled the number of ceremonies available to applicants, with 15 held over the course of the year. This was a significant increase on 6 Citizenship Ceremonies held in 2022. To date in 2024, my Department has hosted 17 Citizenship ceremonies, with further planned for later in the year.
304. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if she might consider on compassionate and humanitarian grounds the proposal to deport in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37264/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to is the subject of Deportation Order. A Deportation Order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and remain outside the State. The enforcement of Deportation Orders is a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Representations were received on their behalf requesting that the deportation order be revoked, pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). Following the detailed consideration of the information submitted in support of the request, the Deportation Order was affirmed. The circumstances presented in this case were fully considered both in the original decision to make a Deportation Order and in the decision to affirm the Order on foot of the Section 3(11) request to revoke the Deportation Order. The reasoning behind this decision has been set out in the correspondence that issued to the applicant in this case. 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.
305. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the position in regard to regularisation of residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37266/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned.These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made. These cases are amongst many to be considered at present and, as such, it is not possible to provide a specific indication as to when the cases will be finalised.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.
306. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if and when an application for citizenship/regularisation of residency might be entertained in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37267/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that the persons referred to were granted Temporary Protection on 05 April 2022.I can advise that EU Council Implementing Decision 2022/382 applied the provisions of the Temporary Protection Directive to persons displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including persons recognised as refugees in Ukraine. In June 2024, the Council of the European Union extended the Temporary Protection Directive until March 2026.My Department has begun a project to issue Irish Resident Permit (IRP) cards to beneficiaries of TP in a phased manner.The majority of those who presented for Temporary Protection have had their permission registered and have been issued with IRP cards. This either happened on the day they presented to claim Temporary Protection or they returned to Citywest by appointment to complete the registration process.Any Beneficiary of Temporary Protection who has yet to be registered and yet to receive an IRP Card should contact tpregistration@justice.ie and one of our Team will be in touch to make the necessary arrangements for them to attend Citywest for registration. My Department is taking all necessary steps to ensure that the registration process will be as simple and stress-free as possible.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.
307. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the total budget allocation for the International Protection Office and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal in Budget 2023 and Budget 2024. [37298/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected.
I have significantly increased investment into the international protection system, which has allowed for a major increase in processing capacity and the introduction of accelerated processing.
Last July, I published a report on the international protection modernisation programme for 2023 and 2024. This programme involves unparalleled investment in staff, panel members, reengineered processes, and technology. We have implemented measures to improve efficiencies and throughput as well as enhancing the application, interview and decision-making process for applicants.
This has already demonstrated results. I have more than doubled the staff in the international Protection Office, which has trebled the number of decisions issuing from the IPO, and they are confident of delivering over 14,000 decisions this year.
All aspects of the international protection modernisation programme will continue to be kept under review and improved on an ongoing basis.
In 2024 the total budget for the IPO was €31,817,000 and €9,228,000 for IPAT.
In 2023 the IPO was funded under the Immigration Services Delivery unit, whose overall funding was €79,195,000. Within that, the estimated budget associated with the the IPO was €27,000,000. In 2023 the budget for IPAT was €5,999,000.
This expenditure does not include the costs of a range of support services provided to these functions from the overall Department's funding in 2023 or 2024 or for immigration functions closely associated with the international protection process.
308. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the estimated cost of increasing the number of sworn Garda members to 16,000 by the end of 2025. [37299/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that based on current HR statistics as of 31 July 2024, the current Garda member strength stood at 14,064. To reach 16,000 sworn Garda members by the end of 2025 would require the recruitment of 2,300-2,500 Gardaí when account is taken of retirements and resignations.
This is of a scale that is not currently realistic and any costings of recruitment at this scale other than payroll costs would be misleading. For example, the maximum annual throughput of the Garda College is approximately 1,000 recruits.
To be of assistance to the Deputy, I am informed that the annual estimated payroll and fixed subsistence cost of recruiting 1,000 Gardaí is of the order of €30 million. This estimate assumes that all recruits would commence training on 1 January 2025, which would not be feasible. It also assumes a basic training allowance for 35 weeks along with 17 weeks of post-attestation salary, an estimation of certain fixed allowances and variable unsocial hours’ allowances, employer’s PRSI, and an estimate of subsistence paid during the trainees’ deployment to an operational station. This estimate is provided for illustrative purposes only.
Other potential costs including the cost of expanding the Garda College, recruiting additional staff, equipment and accommodation are not included. These and other significant costs would arise in order to reach the level of recruitment suggested by the Deputy. It should also be noted that the estimated figures do not take account of potential overtime costs in excess of estimated briefing time payments or potential future pension costs.
309. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be made on a citizenship application for a person (details supplied) which has been ongoing for a long time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37301/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
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.
310. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of staff working in a hybrid manner in her Department, and all State agencies under the aegis of her Department; the average remote working time for those who are working in a hybrid manner in these organisations; whether any research has been conducted into the comparable productivity of people working in a hybrid manner and those who work in a remote manner; and if so, the productivity differential between the two groups. [37350/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s Blended Working (BW) Policy was introduced in August 2022 following extensive consultation with staff and management and was developed in line with the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. This policy has recently been reviewed and updated, again in consultation with staff.
The BW policy supports my Department’s objective to be a dynamic, agile and responsive organisation, in terms of where, when and how teams work, while sustaining high standards of service to the public, performance and productivity. It is important to note that many of the services provided by bodies and agencies within the Justice sector are offered by dedicated staff on a national 24/7/365 basis.
The BW policy, which promotes a team-based approach, provides for attendance in the workplace for a minimum of two days a week. However, given the range of services provided by my Department, in the immigration area for example, there can be a requirement for attendance which varies up to and including full-time workplace attendance in many instances.
My Department has introduced a requirement for a minimum of four weeks full time on-site attendance as part of the onboarding process for all staff taking up a new role, to facilitate training, integration with teams, relationship building and familiarisation with the systems, culture and values of the organisation.
I can inform the Deputy that, while no qualitatiive research has been conducted into the comparable productivity of people working from home versus in the office, a general review of the policy undertaken this year found that the Blended Working model is working well overall, with many benefits for the organisation and staff, including staff recruitment, while affording greater flexibility to people within a framework that allows my Department to meet its important business needs and to provide a high quality service to the public.
I am also aware that within the immigration area over the last two years, as some blended working was introduced, productivity has increased, and this is expected to continue as part of the ongoing Modernisation Programme which will improve accessibility and flexibility for service users and reduce the need for in-office attendance.
The table below provides numbers of staff availing of blended working in the Department and relevant agencies as of September 2024. The Deputy should note that it is not possible to provide the detail requested in relation to the average remote working time for those working in a hybrid manner. My Department’s BW Policy is formed on a team-based approach with team charters completed and agreed by each team facilitating a regular review of blended working arrangements to reflect the dynamic and changing demands placed on all teams in the organisation. There is therefore, an ongoing variation in on-site attendance depending on the business needs of each area.
Based on a weekly schedule of two days on-site and three days remote, the average weekly hours per employee working remote is 21.
|
Organisation Name |
Number of Staff Availing of Blended Working |
|
Department of Justice |
1345 |
|
The Court Service of Ireland |
255 |
|
Data Protection Commissioner |
235 |
|
Irish Film Classification Office |
2 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
81 |
|
The Judicial Council |
5 |
|
Legal Aid Board |
415 |
|
Legal Services Regulatory Authority |
67 |
|
Property Services Regulatory Authority |
38 |
|
Dublin Coroners |
19 |
|
Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal |
6 |
|
International Protection Appeals Tribunal |
66 |
|
Irish Prison Service (Civil Service Admin Staff) |
122 |
|
Office of the Inspector of Prisons |
7 |
|
Office of the State Pathologist |
5 |
|
Parole Board |
13 |
|
Private Security Authority |
40 |
|
Probation Service |
328 |
|
An Garda Síochána |
An Garda Síochána’s policy on blended working is nearing completion. Garda civilian personnel are currently availing of blended working, but on a smaller scale, due to the nature of the work carried out by the majority of employees. |
|
Criminal Assets Bureau |
33 |
|
Forensic Science Ireland |
65 |
|
Garda Síochána Inspectorate |
11 |
|
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission |
166 |
|
Policing Authority |
36 |
|
Cuan |
12 |
311. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of tachograph readings that have been carried out by An Garda Síochána in each of the past ten years. [37353/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including all operational matters, under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that all personnel attached to Garda Roads Policing Units receive basic training in the reading of analogue tachograph charts and there are a substantial number of offences that may be detected from the examination of same relating to the use of tachographs.
In addition, dedicated personnel within these units have received additional training in respect of the examination and analysis of digital tachographs. Each Divisional Roads Policing Unit has been provided with specialised equipment to allow for the downloading of data from digital tachographs and aid in the identification of tachograph related offences. Any such member may give evidence in relation to driver hours and rest periods; however, if a more detailed analysis of tachograph charts/digital tachographs is required regarding journeys, speed etc, this is carried out by personnel attached to the Forensic Science Laboratory.
I am advised that for operational reasons, An Garda Síochána are not in a position to provide figures for this request. The Garda authorities have informed me that a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources would be required to collate the data requested, relative to the information sought.
314. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the number of people who have been deemed eligible for Templemore but are awaiting admission, by waiting time in four-week intervals, in tabular form. [37374/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably, this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy directly when it is to hand.
315. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice if she will expedite a residency permit renewal for a person (details supplied). [37407/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe immigration residence permission renewal application from the person referred to by the Deputy has been processed and they have been granted a Stamp 2 immigration permission valid until 30 September 2025.
The person's new Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card was printed on 13 September 2024 and will be delivered within 10 - 15 working days of that date.
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.
316. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice the extra training and supports provided to members of An Garda Síochána to action their new powers to tackle the anti-social use of scrambler bikes, quad bikes and similar off-road machines in public spaces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37423/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for operational policing matters such as those raised. I have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested, regrettably this information was not to hand in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is available.
317. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice the number of UK and Northern Irish citizens that have applied for Irish citizenship since Brexit. [37433/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals and people granted International Protection where the requirement is 3 years. In all cases, the final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State with up to 70 days allowed to facilitate foreign travel for business family or holiday purposes.
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/
The number of applications received from citizens from the United Kingdom is outlined in the below table;
|
Year |
Applications received |
|
2020 |
1167 |
|
2021 |
1030 |
|
2022 |
1062 |
|
2023 |
1331 |
318. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider closing the International Protection Office on Mount Street and establishing smaller application centres throughout the country, in order that all applicants are not required to congregate on Mount Street, Dublin 2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37492/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recent years, I have increased investment at every level of the international protection system, including in the International Protection Office, to deal effectively with the increase in applications. As a consequence, there are now more than 500 staff based at the Mount Street premises, involved in all stages of the international protection process, from initial registration, through to interview and issuing of determinations.
The location of the office, which has been in use for this purpose for more than 20 years, is highly accessible for applicants, staff and the multiple other agencies involved in the process. Moreover, it has been configured and equipped to deal with the complex requirements for reception and interviewing of applicants. In fact, further investment is being made this winter to improve the layout and facilities of the reception area, where applicants go through the initial steps of the application process.
I can, however, advise the Deputy that, as a result of the increase in applications, my Department has opened a second processing centre to register families accompanied by children at the Citywest complex. Since this processing site was opened last April, approximately half of all new applications for International Protection have been made there. This has significantly reduced the number of applications that may otherwise have been made at the Mount Street location.
The IPO is also exploring innovative means of expanding interview and registration capacity, including piloting of remote interviews and, in the context of the Migration Pact implementation, co-location with IPAS accommodation centres.
These steps will likely further vary how and where my Department locates our processing, but given the continued high volume of applications, and the considerable investment in the well-established capacity provided at Mount Street, there are no plans to cease to rely on that location.
