Written Answers Nos. 320-339
320. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if and when permission for a short-stay (C) multiple-entry visa in the case of a person (details supplied) will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38481/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer the Visa was issued on 25 September 2024.The applicant should be advised that entry into the State is solely at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. The onus is on the individuals to have all documentation relating to their reasons for entering Ireland for presentation to the Immigration Officer to gain entry. The Immigration Officer may grant leave to enter to a maximum period of three months. They may, depending on the documentation presented refuse entry to the state or grant a lesser period than three months.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.
321. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice the status of a citizenship application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38488/24]
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.
322. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice if she has recently reviewed the designation of South Africa as a safe country for asylum applicants; the number of other EU Member States that have designated South Africa as a safe country; the criteria used in evaluating safe-country status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38501/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the International Protection Act the Minister for Justice may make an order designating a country as a safe country of origin. A country may only be designated as a safe country of origin where satisfied it can be shown that there:
• is generally and consistently no persecution; • no torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and • no threat by reason of indiscriminate violence in situations of international or internal armed conflict.
A country that has been designated under section 72 as a safe country of origin shall, for the purposes of the assessment of an application for international protection, be considered to be a safe country of origin in relation to a particular applicant only where— ?(a) the country is the country of origin of the applicant, and ?(b) the applicant has not submitted any serious grounds for considering the country not to be a safe country of origin in his or her particular circumstances and in terms of his or her eligibility for international protection.
If an applicant for international protection is from a country designated as a safe country of origin, their application will still receive a full consideration on its merits by the International Protection Office.
I can inform to the Deputy that in making the assessment to designate a country as safe, it is considered, among other things, the extent to which protection is provided against persecution or mistreatment by:
• The relevant laws and regulations of the country and the manner in which they are applied. • The observance of the rights and freedoms laid down in specified European and International Conventions. • Respect for the principle of non-refoulement in accordance with the Geneva Convention. • Provision for a system of effective remedies against violation of those rights and freedoms. The assessment is based on a range of sources of information, including from other EU Member States, the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the Council of Europe and other international organisations as? appropriate.
In accordance with the Act I keep the situation in the designated countries under review.
My Department does not comment on immigration matters outside of our jurisdiction, other than to note that there are variations in the patterns of international protection application across Member States and each Member State puts in place arrangements to take account of this, including in its approach to the designation of safe countries.
I would further note that, under the EU Asylum and Migration Pact, there will be a common EU Safe country list that will remove the need for Member States to individually designate countries as safe. However, it will still be open to Member States to designate additional countries outside the common list.
323. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice if, where a family is applying for citizenship, they can all apply under the same certified birth, marriage and death certificates, rather than having a separate one for each of them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38529/24]
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.
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.
Applications must be submitted separately based on each person.
The Citizenship Division of my Department have taken a significant number of steps to speed up the Naturalisation process for applicants, including but not limited to, 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 the using the online digital application form, any supporting documentation may duplicated across different applicants.
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.
Last year, Citizenship Division more than doubled the number of ceremonies available to applicants with 15 held over the course of 2023. This was a significant increase on 6 Citizenship Ceremonies held in 2022. To date in 2024, my Department has hosted 17 ceremonies with over 14,000 attendees, with further ceremonies planned for later in the year.
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/
324. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice to issue a citizenship certificate to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38543/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that all Certificates of Naturalisation for the attendees of the recent citizenship ceremonies held this month are currently in the process of being printed and will be issued via registered post.
I am aware that following some previous ceremonies there were delays in certificates being received and this is very much regretted. My Department has recently implemented new procedures which will reduce the waiting time for our new citizens to receive their certificates and I understand that all Certificates will be issued within the next few weeks.
I want to assure anyone who is waiting for their Certificate of Naturalisation that they do not need to renew their immigration permission whilst they await a Certificate. I am advised that introducing a parallel temporary certification document at this stage would divert resources from the process of issuing the Certificates.
These steps are part of an overall programme of work to speed up the Naturalisation process for applicants. This includes introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting.
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 and has already made more than 16,000 decisions to date in 2024.
If any applicant has a query on their certificate, they can email citizenshipinfo@justice.ie
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.
325. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice the reason a decision has not been reached to date on a family reunification visa appeal (details supplied) in view of the inordinate amount of time it is taking, and the detrimental impact to the family involved; when a decision will issue on this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38551/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office on 05 April 2023. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicant at that time. An appeal of this decision was launched on 30 May 2023.All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on the Immigration Service website. Applicants that meticulously follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision at first instance.It should be noted that visa appeals are dealt with in strict chronological order.A decision will be issued to the applicant as soon as full consideration has been given by a Visa Appeals Officer.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 (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.
326. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice the number of Palestinian citizens given advance clearance to relocate to Ireland while still in the Palestinian regions under Israeli attack, Gaza and the West Bank in particular, as programme refugees, family reunification, medical emergency or some such other status, in the past year; and the number that have been able to avail of these offers and have located here, in tabular form. [38566/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraImmigrations permissions for persons to travel to Ireland are granted through a number of different pathways.
There were approximately 450 visas granted in the last 12 months to Palestinians. These include people who applied for visas to come to Ireland to join family, to study or to engage in employment. The visa granted figure above may include applications from Palestinian nationals that are legally resident outside Gaza or the West Bank.
I can further advise the Deputy that responsibility for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) and the subsequent responsibility for recognition and registration of Programme Refugees transferred from my Department to the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth on 14 October 2020.
327. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice the number of Ukrainian citizens given advance clearance to relocate to Ireland while still in Ukraine under Russian attack, as programme refugees, family reunification, medical or some such other status, in the past year; and the number that have been able to avail of these offers and have located here, in tabular form. [38567/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that Ukrainian nationals fleeing the conflict in Ukraine do not require a visa or other advanced clearance to take up temporary protection in Ireland.
In March 2022, the EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC) was activated by the EU Council in response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The Directive establishes the minimum standards of protection to be provided by Member States in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons from third countries who are unable to return to their country of origin. At a meeting of EU Home Affairs Ministers on 13 June 2024, political agreement was reached to extend the Temporary Protection Directive until March 2026.Those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine and who meet the criteria set out in the Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382) are eligible for this temporary protection, initially for one year and on a renewable basis, as long as the Temporary Protection Directive remains activated. To date, 107,746 people have registered for temporary protection in Ireland.
Additionally, 47 individuals have relocated to Ireland under the Moldovan Transfer Programme. The Moldovan Transfer Programme is coordinated by the EU Commission and supports the relocation of Ukrainian nationals who have fled the war in Ukraine to Moldova. The programme is administered by UNHCR and IOM.
328. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice the number of refugees that have been given advance clearance to relocate to Ireland, as programme refugees, under the family reunification, emergency medical aid offer or other such immigration criteria, in the past five years; and the countries whence they came, in tabular form. [38568/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) and the subsequent responsibility for recognition and registration of Programme Refugees transferred from my Department to the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth on 14 October 2020.
The Irish Humanitarian Admission Programme (IHAP) was administered through my Department and ran from May 2018 until March 2019. This programme allowed holders of an international protection status in Ireland, (i.e. Persons with Refugee status or those awarded Subsidiary Protection), and Irish citizens to make a proposal to bring to the State their family members who are nationals of one of the top ten major source countries of refugees as identified by the UNHCR Annual Global Trends Report. Those were Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Myanmar, Eritrea and Burundi.
I can advise the Deputy in total, 823 persons were given permission to reside in the State under the IHAP.
In 2021, my Department opened the Afghan Admission Programme in response to the humanitarian situation in that country. This programme allowed anyone already resident in Ireland to apply to bring their close family members whose freedom or safety was at risk, whether they were resident in Afghanistan or in certain neighbouring countries having fled from Afghanistan.
To date approx. 900 people have been granted under the Programme.
Family reunification as provided for in Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015, allows people granted International Protection to apply for certain family members to join them in the State. An application for family reunification must be made by the sponsor within 12 months of them being granted an International Protection permission and is subject to the provisions of the International Protection Act 2015. Any family member granted permission to join their family in Ireland under Section 56 is not granted Refugee Status. They are granted a long term residency immigration permission allowing them to legally reside in the State with their sponsor.
The table below gives the number of family members granted family reunification under Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015 between 2019 to September 2024.
|
Year |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024* |
|
Total |
264 |
196 |
484 |
474 |
407 |
653 |
* to 25/09/2024
**Figures are correct at time of issue however all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
Since 2019, the top five nationalities granted permission to remain in the State under Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015 are nationals of Somalia, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Syrian Arab Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
329. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will issue in respect of a family reunification application (details supplied), in view of the serious safety concerns for the family involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38578/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Family Reunification application for the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by my Department and continues to be processed at this time. All applications are processed in chronological order.
The speed in which a decision can be made largely depends on the quality of the application received. My Department will continue to engage with the applicant for any further information that may be required to assist with the processing of the application.
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.
330. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on Garda operation Saul; the number of persons arrested and charged under this operation; and if this operation is still active at present. [38609/24]
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 antisocial 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), 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 behavior 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 antisocial behavior.
331. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of sergeants, inspectors and superintendents within the Dublin metropolitan region that have qualified as bronze commanders, silver commanders and gold commanders to date in 2024 for dealing with major public order incidents, in tabular form. [38611/24]
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.
332. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Justice the recent developments arising from the establishment, a number of years ago, of an office on Capel Street in Dublin which was staffed by police officers of the People's Republic of China with the apparent aim of monitoring Chinese citizens in Ireland; and if the Government is monitoring any attempts to establish other such offices in the State. [38661/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that it is not the practice of my Department to comment on the detail of specific security matters, nor would it be in the public interest to do so.
I am aware of the reports in 2022 relating to the presence of the so-called ‘Fuzhou Police Overseas Station’ in this jurisdiction.
As the Deputy may recall, the Department for Foreign Affairs raised the presence of this office with the Embassy of China in Ireland at that time, and also consulted with other relevant stakeholders in Government on this matter, following which the activities of the office in question ceased. I understand that the Department of Foreign Affairs continues to liaise with the Chinese Embassy to facilitate the provision of all relevant consular and citizen services to Chinese citizens in Ireland.
There is of course no question of an overseas police station providing a policing service in the State. An Garda Síochána is the national policing and security service and dedicates resources to protecting and vindicating the human rights of all individuals in the State. An Garda Síochána cooperates with established international policing networks on a human rights focussed basis, with all such policing activity and engagement subject to oversight and human rights compliance.
I can reassure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána would regard with the utmost seriousness any attempt by foreign governments to exercise control or carry out extra-judicial activities, including monitoring against individuals on Irish soil and the Gardaí work with partners on an ongoing basis to prevent any such attempts.
333. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Justice the number of unhindered full-time addiction nurse posts within the prison service. [38670/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service employs nurses across the prison estate to provide primary care to those in custody and work as part of the prison healthcare team.
I can further advise that the Irish Prison Service does not currently employ full-time Addiction Nurses. There are, however, a number of primary care nurses who are assigned the function of carrying out specialist addiction assessments, taking account of the operational demands of the prison.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Irish Prison Service engages Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) to provide a prison-based addiction counselling service across the entire Irish Prison Service estate (with the exception of Arbour Hill Prison and the Training Unit where the clinical need is currently under review).
The MQI service provides a range of counselling and intervention skills related to substance misuse and dependency. These skills include motivational interviewing and enhancement therapy, a twelve step facilitation programme, cognitive behavioural therapy and harm reduction approaches and people in custody are offered one to one counselling and group work interventions.
Furthermore, the Deputy may also wish to be informed that the Irish Prison Service has recently employed a national lead to oversee the provision of Mental Heath and Addition in Irish prisons.
334. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice if she will advise on the situation of a person (details supplied). [38766/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer the Visa was granted on 25 September 2024.The applicant should be advised that entry into the State is solely at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. The onus is on the individuals to have all documentation relating to their reasons for entering Ireland for presentation to the Immigration Officer to gain entry. The Immigration Officer may grant leave to enter to a maximum period of three months. They may, depending on the documentation presented refuse entry to the state or grant a lesser period than three months.Any non-EU/EEA nationals who wish to remain for longer than 90 days must register with their local immigration office and apply for further permission to remain before their initial permission to remain expires. Full details of the Registration process can be found at the link below:www.irishimmigration.ie/registering-your-immigration-permission/how-to-register-your-immigration-permission-for-the-first-time/requirements-and-documents-needed/.I can also advise that the next citizenship ceremony is due to be held in December 2024.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.
335. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of an asylum case for persons (details supplied); if the Minister will instruct her Department to grant asylum, ensuring protection for these LGBTQ+ people; if not, to provide the reason why; if she will address the reports of “inhumane treatment” for those seeking asylum; and if she will address the fact that this case warrants a review of the system in relation to how a country is classified as a “safe country of origin”. [38769/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe health and wellbeing of all people who apply for international protection is of the highest priority to me and my Department.
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.
I can inform to the Deputy that in making the assessment to designate a country as safe, it is considered, among other things, the extent to which protection is provided against persecution or mistreatment by:
• The relevant laws and regulations of the country and the manner in which they are applied. • The observance of the rights and freedoms laid down in specified European and International Conventions. • Respect for the principle of non-refoulement in accordance with the Geneva Convention. • Provision for a system of effective remedies against violation of those rights and freedoms. The assessment is based on a range of sources of information, including from other EU Member States, the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the Council of Europe and other international organisations as? appropriate.
I would also like to advise the Deputy that I keep the list of safe countries under review.
More generally, if an applicant for international protection is from a country designated as a safe country of origin, their application will still receive a full consideration on its merits by the International Protection Office.
Any queries in relation to reception conditions for international protection applicants are the responsibility of the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability and Integration. They can be contacted at ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie.
336. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if she has received correspondence of behalf of the families of those killed in an explosion in Creeslough, County Donegal on 7 October 2022 requesting the establishment of a public inquiry or commission of inquiry; if she intends to establish such an inquiry; if she will meet with the families and their representatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38798/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the second anniversary of this tragedy approaches, my thoughts are with the victims, their families and loved ones, and the wider community of Creeslough and I hope to meet the families in the near future. The community of Creeslough and the people of Donegal pulled together and supported each other in the toughest circumstances.
I am also conscious of the work in very traumatic circumstances by the emergency services and first responders who attended the scene in October 2022, and by the Gardaí for their work in investigating all of the circumstances of this tragedy.
Naturally, the families want answers and information about what caused the deaths of their loved ones. The public also want to know how something like this could have happened and along with the families they want reassurance that something like this will not be allowed to happen again.
As there is an ongoing criminal investigation, I cannot comment on any specifics. I am however aware that there is multi-agency engagement and that the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities and the Health and Safety Authority are supporting An Garda Síochána in their criminal investigation. These bodies are responsible for investigating the understandable concerns of the families and the public; be it public safety, regulatory compliance, or any potential criminal responsibility.
As the Deputy will be aware, following a criminal investigation a file would be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a decision on whether any charges should be preferred. To protect the integrity and independence of that process, it is appropriate to wait the outcome of these investigations before considering whether further action is required.
337. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice her views on the Zero Tolerance Strategy implementation plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38804/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I have prioritised combatting domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and supporting victims of these heinous crimes since my appointment to this role.
In 2022, I published the Government’s Zero Tolerance Strategy to tackle DSGBV.
This ambitious, five-year plan was accompanied by a detailed implementation plan which covered the first 18 months, with annual plans thereafter. This ensures the Strategy is a living document and emerging issues can be incorporated.
Earlier this year, I established Cuan, the new DSGBV Agency, which is key to delivering on the ambition of the Strategy. Responsibility for coordinating the implementation of the Strategy moved to the Agency in the second quarter of this year, following the publication of the second implementation plan in early April.
In both the 2023 Plan and the 2024, each action has been assigned to a particular body within a specific timeline.
It is my intention to publish a mid-year progress report on implementation of the Zero Tolerance Strategy in the coming weeks.
I believe this implementation plan is a vital mechanism for realising the actions outlined in our Zero Tolerance Strategy. Not only does it focus on specific deliverables, but it also takes a comprehensive survivor-centred approach, offering both immediate support and long-term care for survivors. Its focus on prevention, education and research is crucial in addressing the root causes of DSGBV. By design, its inclusive and collaborative approach, engaging various sectors, ensures that the needs of all communities are acknowledged.
The Deputy will also be aware that one of the overarching goals of Zero Tolerance is to ensure that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one.
As part of our work to double the number of refuge units, I was delighted to launch a new women’s refuge in Wexford in September - the first of 18 priority locations to complete construction.
Including the new family units in Wexford, a total of 16 new refuge units will be completed and opened before the end of the year. This will bring the number of domestic violence units across the country to 166.
Alongside colleagues in Cuan, we are working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Housing Agency to put in place the necessary structures and supports to accelerate the delivery of additional refuge accommodation year on year.
I can inform the Deputy that construction work will begin on a further 12 refuge units by the end of the year.
Recent legislative reform I have introduced under Zero Tolerance includes a focus on making the criminal justice system more victim-focused. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024, which was signed into law in July, strengthens the law on sexual offences and improves protections for victims of sexual offences and of human trafficking.
I also enacted the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act which has a particular focus on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence;
• increasing the maximum penalty for assault causing harm – one of the most commonly prosecuted violent offences – from 5 years to 10 years.
• introducing a new standalone offence of non-fatal strangulation, which can be a precursor to murder in domestic abuse situations.
• introducing a standalone offence of stalking and strengthening the law around harassment.
• the Act also provides for the making of civil orders restraining stalking conduct, and covers anonymity of witnesses in criminal proceedings.
As per the 2024 Implementation Plan, Cuan will set out a work programme shortly for the phased delivery of the National Services Development Plan (NDSP) in 2025 and 2026.
The first phase of the plan will focus on strategic accommodation responses covering staying safe at home, emergency accommodation and pathways out of emergency accommodation.
The Cuan Service Delivery and Development team, in partnership with all other teams in Cuan, are working at the preliminary stage to establish the framework for the development of the NSDP.
Programmatic themes for the NSDP are being explored and informed by the Third National Strategy, Implementation Plan 2024, and engagement with services. There is a strong focus on inclusion for ethnic minorities, supporting data collection and supports to services on corporate governance.
338. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if her Department is on track to engage with relevant Government fora and departments to inform the development of public policy and practice on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence issues on a quarterly basis by Q4 of 2024 under the Zero Tolerance Strategy; and if she will report on her engagement with Cuan and the Department of Social Protection in respect of same. [38805/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA central element of delivering on the Zero Tolerance goal of the Third National Strategy was the establishment of Cuan, the statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) agency, at the start of this year.
Cuan has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the strategy across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue.
Under Budget 2024, in excess of €7.9m in additional funding for combatting DSGBV has been allocated to my Department.
This represents a significant increase and will support the implementation of the Zero Tolerance plan - including through the new agency, which has an overall budget of €59m for 2024.
As the deputy's question relates to an action overseen by Cuan, I have referred it to the agency for direct response.
339. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice the steps she is taking to extend the eligibility criteria of citizenship by naturalisation to include time spent in Northern Ireland as reckonable residence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38833/24]
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.
Section 15 of the Act sets out the statutory conditions that must be fulfilled for a certificate of naturalisation to be granted. The conditions include that the applicant must have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application.
Residency in Northern Ireland is not reckonable under the Act. There are no plans to amend the legislation in this regard.
However, any person legally resident on the island of Ireland, including Northern Ireland, who is married or a civil partner to an Irish citizen and living in Northern Ireland may apply for naturalisation under section 15A of the 1956 Act; the requirements are:
• That the couple have been married to or civil partners of each other for a period of at least three years and are living together; and
• that the applicant has 3 years’ reckonable residence on the island of Ireland prior to making an application, with the final 12 months being continuous residence.
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/
