Written Answers Nos. 424-443
425. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 279 of 8 October 2024, in an instance whereby there is no living person to act as "credible persons" that have first-hand knowledge of the facts of birth, as the individual wishing to amend their birth certificate is themself in their late 90s, how they may pursue a birth certificate amendment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41663/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Civil Registration Act 2004 (CRA) sets out the mechanisms to be used by an individual to amend any error of fact in the register of births.
Under section 63 of the CRA, a person can apply directly to the Superintendent Registrar of the Area the birth was registered and provide such evidence as is considered adequate together with a statutory declaration from two credible persons who have knowledge of the facts of the birth.
Where two credible persons who have knowledge of the facts of the birth cannot be found, an tArd-Chláratheoir can conduct an enquiry under section 65 of the CRA into the information recorded in the register of births, and if there is sufficient evidence provided, an tArd-Chláraitheoir can amend the birth record.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
426. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if an invalidity pension application for a person (details supplied) will be urgently expedited, given the circumstances. [41665/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvalidity Pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
My Department received an application for IP from the person concerned on 7 June 2024. Based on the information supplied, the application was refused on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied.
A notification of the decision issued to the person in question on 20 August 2024 along with the reasons why the medical conditions for the scheme were not considered to be satisfied. This letter also advised of their right to seek a review of this decision or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
An appeal request on behalf of the person concerned was received on 23 September 2024 with further medical evidence in support of the appeal. As they submitted additional information, a review of their entitlement to IP was conducted. It was determined that there was still no change to the original decision. Their IP file was sent to the SWAO on 11 October 2024 for determination by an Appeals Officer. The SWAO will be in touch with the individual concerned directly in relation to the outcome of their appeal.
In the meantime, they may apply to the Community Welfare Service for the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance if they are in need of financial assistance while awaiting the outcome of their appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
427. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice if consideration is being given to an amendment to the bankruptcy legislation to allow a person on the bankruptcy register to apply for their name to be removed when their bankruptcy has concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41588/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Bankruptcy Register is held by the Examiner’s Office, an office of the High Court. The Examiner’s Office carries out the administrative functions necessary to enable Bankruptcy applications to be listed before the Court and to carry out certain functions and administrative tasks on foot of Orders made by the Court thereafter.
Pursuant to Court Orders and Rules, a manual register of Bankruptcies has been maintained since 1922, and is now accessible online through the Courts Service website at the following link: www.csol.ie
Under the Bankruptcy Acts, as a general rule where a person is adjudicated bankrupt his or her property will automatically vest on the date of adjudication in the Official Assignee, to be realised for the benefit of creditors.
While the bankrupt person is now, in normal course, discharged from bankruptcy after one year, any such property which has not yet been sold will, as a general rule, remain vested in the Official Assignee to be sold for the benefit of creditors.
The Bankruptcy Amendment Act 2015 introduced an exception to this general rule regarding the family home of the bankrupt person. Under this exception, the bankrupt person’s interest in their home will automatically re-vest in the bankrupt person, if the Official Assignee has not applied to Court for its sale before the third anniversary of the person being adjudicated bankrupt.
As bankruptcy adjudication means that the bankrupt person no longer owns their former property and cannot validly enter into any transactions regarding it, and because that property generally remains vested in the Official Assignee after the person is discharged from bankruptcy, the practice has been that solicitors for a purchaser of property will search on the Bankruptcy Register to verify that the vendor has not been adjudicated bankrupt.
The Courts Service cannot remove any of the entries from the Bankruptcy Register unless directed to do so by way of Court Order. There are no plans at present to amend the current operation of the register of bankruptcies.
428. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice the number of fatal road traffic collisions in each of the years 2016 to 2024; the number of drivers involved per year; the number of drivers whereby the status of their driving licence or learner permit is unknown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40943/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraRoad safety is a shared responsibility, which An Garda Síochána, my Department and the Government as a whole all take very seriously.
After a shocking and tragic first quarter of the year, the Garda Commissioner has responded effectively and directed that all uniformed Gardaí are to undertake 30 minute of high visibility roads policing in each tour of duty. This increase in enforcement is, thankfully, correlated with a slowing down of that upward trend in the number of road fatalities.
Of course, all loss of life is a tragedy, and it is important that none of us become complacent. That is why earlier this month, I announced that €9 million has been allocated to fund up to 100 new speed cameras, to help ensure compliance at all times.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, compiles and publishes all crime statistics including the number of road deaths (fatalities) and the number of injured casualties on the roads in Ireland each year.
The Road Safety Authority has a statutory remit to report on fatal, serious and minor injury collisions on public roads. The RSA receives collisions data from An Garda Síochána for this purpose and produces official statistics to help develop evidence-based road safety interventions.
The below tables, provided to me by An Garda Síochána, outline the road traffic collision data as requested by the Deputy.
I would note that this data does not tell us anything in relation to the cause of those accidents. We must take care not to indicate that any individual or group of individuals were complicit in causing a collision simply by virtue of the nature of their licence status.
I am further advised that these figures are based on incidents occurring from 1 January 2016 to 9 October 2024, inclusive. This information is based upon operational data from the Pulse system as was available on 10 October 2024 and is liable to change.
1. Below is a yearly breakdown of the number of fatal traffic collisions per year from 2016-2024, year to date.
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024YTD |
|
172 |
140 |
129 |
130 |
133 |
121 |
147 |
172 |
128 |
2. Below is a yearly breakdown of the number of drivers involved in fatal traffic collisions per year from 2016-2024. This figure is for all drivers recorded in fatal traffic collisions and not the number of driver road deaths.
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024YTD |
|
256 |
198 |
181 |
190 |
187 |
193 |
219 |
234 |
175 |
3. Below is a yearly breakdown of the number of drivers involved in fatal traffic collisions per year from 2016-2024 where the status of their driving licence is unknown.
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024YTD |
|
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
* |
10 |
* |
* Denotes numbers below 10
429. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda members assigned to roads policing units; if her Department will update the website with publication of figures for the month of July and August 2024, by Garda division; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40944/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraRoad safety is a shared responsibility, and while the whole of Government response is led by the Department of Transport, it is one which is taken very seriously across Government. We have all been shocked by the loss of life on our roads, and concerned by the worrying increase in road fatalities after many years of progress in making our roads safer.
I continue to engage with colleagues across Government to ensure that every effort is made to increase safety on our roads.
Road traffic laws are enforced by Gardaí assigned to Roads Policing and as part of the day-to-day duties of uniformed Gardaí nationwide. This includes a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies. Following the Commissioner’s direction, uniform Garda members are now deployed on high visibility roads policing operations, of 30 minutes duration, in each tour of duty.
It is significant that up to 25% of all roads enforcement is undertaken by regular units and 75% of drug/drink driving checks are carried out by regular units.
Every frontline Garda member now has a mobility device, which is essentially a mobile phone that allows them to access a number of specialised Garda apps at the roadside. These include the ability to issue a Fixed Charge Notice, to check a vehicle's insurance status and to see if a vehicle is taxed. These tasks can now be done within moments, without the need to return to the station making much better use of their time. The Commissioner also stated his aim is to have an additional 100 static road safety cameras in place by the end of next year.
I am advised that as of 30 June 2024 there were 622 Roads Policing Gardaí assigned across all Divisions. Funding provided by the Government under Budget 2024 allows for the recruitment of new Gardaí, which will increase the number of frontline Gardaí available to the Garda Commissioner to allocate as he deems appropriate. It is expected that it will soon be possible to allocate more members to the Roads Policing units.
In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Roads Policing by Division is publicly available and can be found at the following link. I can also advise the Deputy that I have received the most recent figures for June from An Garda Síochána which have been published on the website www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/.
430. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice the timeline for when citizenship certificates will be sent to all those who attended their ceremony in September; if new citizens who do not receive their certificate in time will be able to vote in any upcoming general election; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40957/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra431. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice the reason citizenship certificates are not printed and given out at citizenship ceremonies to ensure new citizens can access their full rights, such as applying for a passport, immediately; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40958/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 430 and 431 together.
I can advise the Deputy that all Certificates of Naturalisation for the attendees of the recent citizenship ceremonies held last 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 Certificates have begun to be issued this week, with all to 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.
By not issuing Certificates on the day, my Department has been able to simplify the administrative steps required to be completed on the day, and this in turn has made it possible to significantly increase the number of attendees who can attend any one day of Ceremonies.
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 24,000 decisions to date in 2024.
If any applicant has a query on their certificate, they can email: citizenshipinfo@justice.ie.
432. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of reports of International Protection Office staff warning those in receipt of a deportation order or those about to receive a deportation order of Garda activity relating to the enforcement of such orders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40967/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department does not comment on operational procedures regarding the removal of persons from the State. However, I can inform the Deputy that my Department is not aware of any instance where officials working in the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) have been involved in warning residents of impending Garda activities.
There are operational challenges associated with the serving and execution of deportation orders. Individuals are aware that an order has been made and that they should remove themselves from the State and, if they chose not to do so voluntarily, that the deportation order will be enforced.
There is excellent ongoing cooperation between IPAS, my Department and the Garda National Immigration Bureau in relation to the removal of individuals who do not have a right to reside in the jurisdiction.
My Department are taking a number of steps to improve immigration enforcement and to increasing removals. I have announced that my Department has taken over administrative immigration functions to allow Gardaí to concentrate on enforcement and investigations. This has now freed up to 100 Gardaí. My Department are also providing additional resources for the voluntary return programme and completing a procurement process for a new charter flight services for deportations and removals.
Finally, I can inform the Deputy that there has been a significant increase in returns activities in 2024.
• The number of deportation orders signed up to 11 October 2024 (1636) has increased by 129% for the same period in 2023 (715 up to 13 October 2023)
• 734 people have departed from the State under various mechanisms up to 11 October 2024 (i.e. forced return, voluntary return etc.). The overall number of returns has increased by 221% for the same period in 2023 (229 up to 13 October 2023)
• The number of enforced deportations has increased by 147% for the same period in 2023 (89 in 2024 and 36 up to 13 October 2023)
• The number of voluntary returns has increased by 296% for the same period in 2023 (606 in 2024 and 153 up to 13 October 2023)
Ireland has now opted in to the EU Migration Pact which will make the identification and return of those without permission more efficient to operate. The Pact will see the replacement of International Protection Act 2015, and a Programme Board is developing the implementation plan for when the Pact comes into effect in 2026.
The Pact will introduce a more comprehensive, streamlined, and efficient approach to asylum and migration both in Ireland and across the EU.
It will speed up the processing of international protection applications so we have a firm and fair system. It will make it easier to return those who are found not to be entitled to protection. It will introduce greater security checking of applicants. It will reduce the volume of secondary movement and make it easier to transfer applicants to the member states responsible. It will reduce the time people spend in State-provided accommodation and support the return of people found not to be entitled to protection.
433. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if ministerial offices are routinely checked for covert surveillance devices; if any such devices have ever been discovered since 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40991/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate for sound reasons of national security it would not be appropriate for me to detail the operational measures that are taken to protect the security of ministerial offices.
I can assure the Deputy that the Government affords the highest priority to matters of national security and that all necessary and appropriate measures are taken with the support of An Garda Síochána, the body charged with providing both policing and security services in the State. Security services include protecting the State from espionage and unlawful acts that subvert or undermine, or are intended to subvert or undermine, parliamentary democracy or the institutions of the State.
434. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice her response to reports in relation to an Irish parliamentarian allegedly being a Russian asset; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40992/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Justice it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any particular allegation of this nature.
Ireland, like any other democratic state, is not immune from the risk posed by hostile state activity including efforts by such states to exert influence. Our security services are very alive to that risk and keep their response under continuous review in light of ongoing developments.
Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Gardaí are responsible for protecting the security of the State from espionage, sabotage, the subversion of parliamentary democracy, and acts of foreign interference. An Garda Síochána works closely with colleagues across the security apparatus of the State, as well as their international counterparts, in identifying and managing such threats.
It is also important that all public officials, including parliamentarians, exercise due care and vigilance with regard to the possibility of others seeking to exert influence or access to information that may be sensitive information.
435. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the work engaged in by her Department to review the findings and recommendations of the UCD SERP scoping report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41002/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is happy to engage with Tusla and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on the findings of the report but to date, we have not been contacted about this study.
436. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice further to the European Commission infringement case against Ireland (details supplied) for the failure to transpose Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA on combatting Racism and Xenophobia, her plans to address this infringement case; her plans to transpose this framework decision and the timeframe for same; her plans to publish the letter of formal notice from the European Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41033/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, a Letter of Formal Notice was received by the Department of Justice on 4 October 2024, setting out the European Commission’s view that Ireland has not fully transposed Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA of 28 November 2008 on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia. My Department is presently considering the contents of the letter in order to formulate a reply and to make recommendations to me on the appropriate way forward
There are no plans at present to publish the Letter of Formal Notice; however, the Commission has published a summary online which indicates that it considers that Ireland has not fully transposed provisions related to incitement to violence and in respect of condoning, denial or gross trivialisation of international crimes and genocide; and that Irish laws do not, or do not correctly, qualify racist or xenophobic motivation as aggravating factors for criminal offences.
In 2014, the Commission published a report on the implementation of the Framework Decision, which outlined concerns over correct transposition in over a dozen EU member states, including Ireland. Since that time, my Department has worked with the Commission to address outstanding issues.
As the Deputy may be aware, enactment of the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022 would have ensured full transposition of the Framework Decision. Regrettably, it has not been possible to achieve consensus in respect of the incitement to violence or hatred provisions, and Government recently made the decision to amend the Bill to remove these provisions in order to progress the hate crimes elements.
Enactment of this amended Hate Offences Bill will fulfil the State’s obligation with regard to Article 4 of the Framework Decision which requires that Members States take necessary measures to ensure that racist and xenophobic motivation is considered an aggravating circumstance and can be taken into account in sentencing.
Further to careful examination of the Letter of Formal Notice and in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, should it be confirmed that outstanding provisions of the Framework Decision require transposition, I am fully committed to introducing separate legislation to amend the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 and this will be prioritised at the earliest opportunity.
437. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41111/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that the immigration permission of the person concerned expired on 13 September 2024.
In order to work in Ireland a non-EEA national must have an employment permit granted by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) or an immigration permission issued by my Department which allows the holder to engage in employment, such as a Stamp 2, Stamp 1, Stamp 1G or Stamp 4.
It is open to the person concerned to apply to the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division of my Department for an extension of their student conditions in order to acquire an employment permit. Applications can be submitted via the online forms system: ISD Online Forms (jahs.ie)
If the person concerned obtains an extension of their student permission or an employment permit issued by DETE, then they can apply to renew their immigration permission online using the Immigration Service Delivery online renewal portal.
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.
438. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware that community prison link workers did not receive pay increases at a rate of similar roles in the HSE or section 39 workers. [41117/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra449. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice is she aware that the community prison links service is operating on the exact same funding levels from 2002 to present date and that this is unsustainable and has resulted in services propping up this service from their core funding, which has further implications for its core services (details supplied); if she will increase core funding to operate the community prison links service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41304/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 449 together.
In response to the Deputy, my Department acts simply as a conduit for these organisations which are funded by the Department of Health. My Department has no role in monitoring the projects, dealing with funding requests or looking at any of their day-to-day activities.
Therefore, the question of an increase in funding to meet WRC commitments is a matter for the Department of Health.
439. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of staff that worked in her Department’s communications and press office in each of the years 2019 to 2024; and the grade of each staff member. [41166/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Press Office has responsibility for communicating the work of the Ministers and the Department to the media as well as responding to media queries and requests.
The number of staff that have worked in my Department's Press Office for each of the years 2019-2024 is set out in the table below.
|
Grade |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer / Administrative Officer |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
440. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the frequency and duration of the publicity, marketing or advertising campaigns conducted by her Department to date in 2024; the purpose of these campaigns; the cost of these campaigns; and the agencies that conducted these campaigns, in tabular form. [41184/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department carries out public information campaigns, where appropriate, in order to draw public attention to important issues in the Justice sector.
In December 2023 I launched the ‘Always Here’ campaign to raise awareness on pathways to safety and supports available for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). The campaign seeks to highlight and signpost victims and wider society to the available support services and encourage them to reach out for help and to report what has happened or is happening to them. More information is available at www.alwayshere.ie. The Deputy should note that since its establishment in January 2024, responsibility for the management of new and ongoing campaigns in the area of DSGBV has transferred to Cuan, the new DSGBV Agency.
The Victims of Crime – Know Your Rights campaign was launched in April of 2023. When victims of crime begin to engage with the judicial system, they should know both what to expect, what their legally enforceable rights are and the supports available at every step in the process. The campaign directs people to the VictimsCharter.ie website. Victimscharter.ie sets out your rights in an easily accessible manner and helps victims of crime to locate services and supports available.
Every year, as we approach Halloween, my Department runs an awareness raising initiative aimed at ensuring the public is aware of the dangers of illegal fireworks and bonfires. The 2024 campaign launched on September 26 across radio and social media and runs for approximately five weeks, up to 31 October 2024.
Last week, I announced the appointment of chairpersons to the first seven Local Community Safety Partnerships being established across the country. These appointments follow a recruitment campaign by my Department and expressions of interest conducted by each Local Authority. The newly appointed Chairs will work to develop and manage Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) within their respective areas.
The appointment of new chairs is the first step in the development of a Community Safety Plan in every Local Authority Area. Each partnership will develop a plan which meets the needs of their community. It will set out the actions to be taken to improve community safety and allow communities to hold local services accountable for implementation of the plan.
Finally, Department has implemented an ongoing public information campaign relating to voluntary returns during 2024. This campaign aims to draw awareness to the return assistance available for migrants without permission in the State who wish to return to their country of origin. The costs involved in this campaign relate to the printing of the materials which include posters and information leaflets to be distributed through the Embassies and relevant stakeholders providing frontline services to migrants in the State.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
|
Campaign |
Duration/Frequency |
Cost (€) (Inc. VAT) |
Agency * |
|
Always Here |
Christmas/New Year 2023/2024 |
312,236.10 |
PHD Media |
|
Victims of Crime |
Burst One - February 2024 |
105,802.51 |
PHD Media |
|
Victims of Crime |
Burst Two - October 1, Ongoing |
366,012.73 |
PHD Media |
|
Fireworks 2024 |
September 26, Ongoing |
64,735.31 |
PHD Media |
|
LCSP Chairperson Recruitment |
June – July 2024 |
9,608.03 |
PHD Media |
|
Voluntary Returns Awareness |
January 2024, Ongoing |
1,815 |
n/a |
* Its important to note that the Agency, who were involved in these campaigns, were contracted through an Office of Government Procurement (OGP) framework.
441. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the status of a citizenship application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41204/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe naturalisation application of the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
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.
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.
442. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of beneficiaries of temporary protection who have applied for international protection status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41231/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC) establishes the minimum standards for giving temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons from third countries who are unable to return to their country of origin. It was activated by an EU Council Decision in March 2022 in response to the war in Ukraine and earlier this year was extended until March 2026. The Council Decision defines those who are eligible for Temporary Protection.
116 people have made applications for international protection that were previously granted Temporary Protection since the Temporary Protection Directive was activated in March 2022.
443. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in each Garda station in Cork. [41235/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEveryone deserves to be safe and feel safe in their own communities, and of course having a visible Garda presence in the community is an important part of that.
Garda funding has increased by over €500m, up 27% since 2020, bringing the total budget to €2.48 billion for 2025, building on the unprecedented allocations of over €2 billion for 2023 and €2.35 billion for 2024. This consistent funding demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision to recruit the personnel it needs to carry out its vital policing work.
While the Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of Garda members throughout the State, I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends.
There are currently over 14,000 Garda members across the country compared to 12,816 in 2015. This is an increase of around 9%.
The attached table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of Gardaí assigned to each Garda Station in Cork as of the end of June 2024.
I am informed that there are 46 dedicated Community Gardaí across Cork City, Cork North and Cork West Divisions as of the end of June 2024.
These Gardaí are also supported by 217 Garda Staff members as of the end of June 2024. Garda staff provide vital administrative support and help free up Garda members to focus on front line duties.
The Deputy should be advised that all figures provided to me by the Garda authorities are operational and subject to change.
