Pa Daly
Ceist:722. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice to confirm correspondence has been received from a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44213/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Correspondence
Ceisteanna (722)
Freagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy that correspondence has been received by my Department. As the Deputy will appreciate, due to data protection, I am not in a position to comment on the contents of correspondence from members of the public. I can say that a response from my Department has issued previously to the individual concerned, outlining the reasons as to why I am unable to intervene in the matters they raise.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (723)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:723. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a schedule in respect of the number of instances in which the An Garda Síochána has placed tracking devices on vehicles as part of investigations into smuggling; whether these trackers left the jurisdiction, and on how many occasions per tracker, in the past ten years to date; the jurisdictions in which the tracker visited; whether it returned to the State; and the value of items intercepted and or seized as a result of these surveillance engagements, in tabular form. [44270/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Section 13 of the Surveillance Act 2009 makes provision for the confidentiality of information in connection with the operation of the Act.
In accordance with section 12 of that Act, a designated judge is appointed to review the operation of a number of the sections of the Act including those related to approvals for the deployment of tracking devices. The designated judge reports to the Taoiseach on any matters relating to the operation of those sections. The designated judge delivered his most recent annual report to the Taoiseach in November 2023 and the report was laid before the Oireachtas.
Family Reunification
Ceisteanna (724)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:724. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44277/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
Judicial Appointments
Ceisteanna (725)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:725. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the reasons she has decided not to increase the number of judges on the Supreme Court; whether she believes the size of that court should be allowed to reduce in number over time, as was the original intention upon the establishment of the Court of Appeal in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44294/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is a priority for my Department to ensure that the courts are resourced to administer justice efficiently and effectively. The Government endeavours to fill judicial vacancies at the earliest opportunity.
There is currently one vacancy in the Supreme Court and it has become practice over the past years to maintain that vacancy. In December 2020, the then Chief Justice confirmed that the existing resources in the Supreme Court (i.e., with the one vacancy) were sufficient to manage the workload on hand. That position is being kept under constant review.
The current number of judges on the Supreme Court enable the court to operate efficiently with no backlog of appeals awaiting a hearing, other than the time required by the parties to fulfil the necessary procedural steps prior to the hearing.
As the Deputy may be aware, following the publication in February 2023 of the Report of the Judicial Planning Working Group, the Government committed to a historic increase of the number of judges to facilitate greater access to justice. The final Report recommended that 44 additional judges be appointed in two phases to the Court of Appeal, High, Circuit and District Courts. The Working Group recommended no additional judges for the Supreme Court.
A first phase of 24 additional judges was approved by Government and appointed throughout 2023. This built on other judicial appointments in the lifetime of this government, bringing the total number of additional appointments to 31.
Following the completion of an impact assessment of the first phase on court business over the summer, I have received Cabinet approval for the implementation of the recommended second phase of another 20 extra judges (2 for the Court of Appeal and 6 each for the High, Circuit and District Courts).
I, along with the Attorney General, will work to introduce legislation to increase the number of judges, which is currently capped for each court.
The Working Group further recommended that a formal judicial resource-planning model should be put in place in the medium-term to assess judicial resource requirements across all courts, including the Supreme Court. Work is underway in my Department to establish such a model.
Question No. 726 answered with Question No. 718.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (727)
Steven Matthews
Ceist:727. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Justice to provide the number of Gardaí currently serving the Bray district area in 2024 [44315/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of Garda members throughout the State.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Division.
I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of resources and the best possible policing service is provided to the general public.
The Government is committed to supporting Garda recruitment. In Budget 2025 over €2.48 billion has been allocated to An Garda Síochána. This is a 27% increase since 2020 and will allow for the sustained recruitment of new Garda recruits through to next year.
A number of actions have been taken to support increased recruitment. I have increased the age of entry from 35 to 50 and most recently increased the training allowance to €354, representing an increase of over 92% in the last 12 months.
At the end of June 2024 there were 283 Garda members and 34 Garda staff assigned to Wicklow Division.
The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Garda members assigned to Bray District by rank at the end of June 2024, the latest date for when figures broken down by Division, District and Station are available. The Bray district consists of the Garda stations in Bray, Enniskerry, Greystones and Newtownmountkennedy.
|
Bray District |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
Jun-24 |
98 |
16 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
119 |
Please be advised that these figures are operational and may be subject to change.
In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and Station breakdown 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 the attestation on 20 September 2024 from An Garda Síochána which has been published on the website:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
Visa Applications
Ceisteanna (728)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:728. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice how many joint family visa applications have been finalised in each week to date in 2024 in the Dublin visa office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44330/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can advise the Deputy that 173,363 visa applications were received in 2024 to 29 October 2024. In the same period in 2023, my Department received 142,789 applications. This reflects an increase of 21%, compared to the same period in 2023, with 30,574 additional applications received.
The vast majority of visa applications are determined in a matter of weeks. However, some applications, in particular those to join family members here, can take considerably longer.
I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for a join family visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
It is important to recall these applications are screening processes, designed to establish that the person has a legitimate reason to come to Ireland prior to travel. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete.
Processing times for these applications are influenced by a number of factors. The time it can take varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the application lodged.
I am acutely aware join family applications, are very important for the persons impacted and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides. In recent weeks, I have assigned additional resources and staff to my Department’s visa division which will I expect will reduce the waiting times for family applications in the coming months.
The below table shows the number of first instance decisions made in respect of Join Family visas by the Dublin Office between 1 January 2024 and 1 November 2024, by week.
|
Week Beginning |
Weekly Total |
|
01-Jan-24 |
30 |
|
08-Jan-24 |
114 |
|
15-Jan-24 |
106 |
|
22-Jan-24 |
63 |
|
29-Jan-24 |
97 |
|
05-Feb-24 |
68 |
|
12-Feb-24 |
138 |
|
19-Feb-24 |
114 |
|
26-Feb-24 |
95 |
|
04-Mar-24 |
89 |
|
11-Mar-24 |
93 |
|
18-Mar-24 |
80 |
|
25-Mar-24 |
57 |
|
01-Apr-24 |
96 |
|
08-Apr-24 |
88 |
|
15-Apr-24 |
139 |
|
22-Apr-24 |
100 |
|
29-Apr-24 |
67 |
|
06-May-24 |
77 |
|
13-May-24 |
122 |
|
20-May-24 |
73 |
|
27-May-24 |
105 |
|
03-Jun-24 |
69 |
|
10-Jun-24 |
124 |
|
17-Jun-24 |
131 |
|
24-Jun-24 |
105 |
|
01-Jul-24 |
102 |
|
08-Jul-24 |
70 |
|
15-Jul-24 |
120 |
|
22-Jul-24 |
87 |
|
29-Jul-24 |
107 |
|
05-Aug-24 |
71 |
|
12-Aug-24 |
133 |
|
19-Aug-24 |
102 |
|
26-Aug-24 |
81 |
|
02-Sep-24 |
68 |
|
09-Sep-24 |
134 |
|
16-Sep-24 |
55 |
|
23-Sep-24 |
59 |
|
30-Sep-24 |
78 |
|
07-Oct-24 |
43 |
|
14-Oct-24 |
51 |
|
21-Oct-24 |
57 |
|
28-Oct-24 |
56 |
*Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
** These figures include applications for Join Family visas for the following categories: Join Family (de facto partner of a CSEP/HA holder ); Join Family (Irish nationals.)(de facto partner); Join Family (Irish nationals.)(other); Join Family (Irish nationals.)(spouse); Join Family (Non-EEA nationals.)(de facto partner); Join Family (Non-EEA nationals.)(other); Join Family (Non-EEA nationals.)(spouse); and Join Family (UK nationals.).
Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday:
www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
The date published on the above page is the oldest date of application currently being processed under a given category. However, it should be noted that the Visa Team continue to process and make decisions on applications received after the published processing date. If a particular application takes longer to consider this may prevent the published processing date from advancing. I can assure the Deputy that if the published processing dates for applications remain unchanged this does not indicate the processing of these applications has halted overall.
Finally, I can advise the Deputy, my Department has now introduced a Digital Contact Centre (DCC) for our customers. The DCC allows individuals to log in and review the status of their immigration applications.
In its first phase, the DCC can be used to check the status of and raise queries in relation to Citizenship Applications, Visa Applications, Domestic Residence Permission Applications, EU Treaty Rights Applications and Travel Documents Applications.
My Department’s new platform can be accessed at the following link: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (729, 730, 731)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:729. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of armed raids of houses carried out by An Garda Síochána in Dublin in the each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44335/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCian O'Callaghan
Ceist:730. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of armed raids of houses carried out nationally by An Garda Síochána in the each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44336/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCian O'Callaghan
Ceist:731. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of armed raids of houses by An Garda Síochána that resulted in property being seized which was later used in court proceedings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44337/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 729 to 731, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is operationally 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 am informed by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to provide the information in the format requested by the Deputy.
I am further advised that searches are part of the investigative process, and not all cases involving searches will have progressed to Court.
Question No. 730 answered with Question No. 729.
Question No. 731 answered with Question No. 729.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (732)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:732. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice what procedure is in place after a Garda raid to provide an inventory of the seized property to the occupiers of the house; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44339/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (733)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:733. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice what support is given to occupants after an armed Garda raid where there was no illegal activity found; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44341/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (734)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:734. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice whether occupants are given financial compensation for property damage caused by a Garda raid where no illegal activity was found; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44342/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The State Claims Agency (SCA) manages personal injury and third-party property damage claims against the State and State authorities, including An Garda Síochána. The SCA also manages claims for legal costs against the State and State authorities.
Each claim is assessed on its own merits by the State Claims Agency. As the Deputy will appreciate, I have no remit over the agency as Minister for Justice, and any queries regarding claims should be directed to the Agency.
Question No. 735 answered with Question No. 718.
International Agreements
Ceisteanna (736)
Joan Collins
Ceist:736. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Justice what each of the four remaining articles of the Budapest Convention that Ireland is still unable to achieve entail (details supplied). [44415/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
For the information of the Deputy, the four remaining articles of the Budapest Convention to be addressed are Articles 20, 21, 33 and 34. These concern the real-time collection of traffic data, interception of content data and the mutual legal assistance provisions around both. It is my intention to address these four articles via forthcoming legislation which will overhaul the legislative framework in this area.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department has been working on proposals to update the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications (Regulation) Act 1993 to ensure that a modern legislative framework is put in place. Legislative proposals emerging from this work will be brought to Government for consideration when that work concludes.
This is a complex and sensitive area of the law requiring careful consideration with all stakeholders and in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General.
It will be essential to ensure that any legislation in this area is not only robust and effective in supporting the needs of the authorities charged with combating serious crime and terrorism, and protecting the security of the State, but that it is also proportionate in securing that objective and that it takes full account of the impact on fundamental rights.
I can assure the Deputy that it is my intention to ratify the Convention at the earliest possible opportunity.
Legislative Measures
Ceisteanna (737)
Joan Collins
Ceist:737. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Justice if it is in her power or the power of this Government to repeal article 19a whereby a victim of sex abuse, which also includes a child victim of sex abuse, can have their private counselling records made available to the accused abuser without further delay (details supplied). [44418/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
For the information of the Deputy, the four remaining articles of the Budapest Convention to be addressed are Articles 20, 21, 33 and 34. These concern the real-time collection of traffic data, interception of content data and the mutual legal assistance provisions around both. It is my intention to address these four articles via forthcoming legislation which will overhaul the legislative framework in this area.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department has been working on proposals to update the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications (Regulation) Act 1993 to ensure that a modern legislative framework is put in place. Legislative proposals emerging from this work will be brought to Government for consideration when that work concludes.
This is a complex and sensitive area of the law requiring careful consideration with all stakeholders and in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General.
It will be essential to ensure that any legislation in this area is not only robust and effective in supporting the needs of the authorities charged with combating serious crime and terrorism, and protecting the security of the State, but that it is also proportionate in securing that objective and that it takes full account of the impact on fundamental rights.
I can assure the Deputy that it is my intention to ratify the Convention at the earliest possible opportunity.
Departmental Correspondence
Ceisteanna (738)
Seán Fleming
Ceist:738. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice to reply to correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44452/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department is unable to publish any information that would identify any person as being an international protection applicant. This is a separate matter to the law dealing with data protection matters more generally.
My officials and I are legally obliged, under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015, to ensure that the identity of any person who applies for international protection is kept confidential. Section 26(1) sets out that:
“the Minister and the Tribunal and their respective officers shall take all practicable steps to ensure that the identity of applicants is kept confidential”.
As I am sure you will appreciate, these confidentiality requirements are especially important for an asylum-seeker, whose claim inherently supposes a fear of persecution by the authorities of their home country and whose situation, or that of their family or friends still living in the country from which they have sought protection, can be jeopardised if the protection of their personal information is not ensured.
An applicant for such protection status, or their legal representative, should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate if they wish to receive an update on the status of their case.
Contact information for The International Protection Office can be found at www.ipo.gov.ie/en/ipo/pages/contactus.
Contact information for The International Protection Appeals Tribunal can be found at www.protectionappeals.ie/contact-us/.
Both the International Protection Office (IPO) and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) are fully independent in deciding whether or not to grant international protection. Each application is examined individually on its own merits, in line with national and international asylum law. They are also bound by confidentiality provisions in respect of applicants as set out in the International Protection 2015 Act.
Naturalisation Applications
Ceisteanna (739)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:739. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the status of an application for naturalisation for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44467/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
It is important to note that no two applications are the same and some take longer than others to process.
All applicants must undergo Garda vetting. Unfortunately, it is the case that some international checks can take a considerable amount of time and are largely out of the control of my Department. The previous backlogs in application processing in Citizenship had arisen largely due to the legacy of restrictions imposed on staff attendance in the office during the pandemic.
Since then, Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to speed up the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are dramatically reducing processing times.
Based on the current application levels, I expect going forward that most straightforward applications based on residency will receive a decision within one year.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (740)
Pa Daly
Ceist:740. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the cost of running the Garda Training College for one year; and for a breakdown of this cost, by Garda recruits and members, staff employed in the college and non-pay operational costs, in tabular form. [44481/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is the accounting officer for the Garda Vote and is responsible for the economy and the efficiency of the Garda Síochána in using its resources. The Commissioner is also responsible, under Section 26 of the Act, for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.
To be of assistance I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised that a cost per year for the operation of the Garda College can only be provided for a fixed year, as the costs will vary from year to year dependant on staffing levels, the types of training being delivered and innumerable other variances.
The table below, provided by An Garda Síochána, outlines the costs for the operation of the College in 2023.
|
Garda Members Wages & Allowances |
€16,804,681 |
|
Garda Staff Wages & Allowances |
€7,516,564 |
|
Trainee Garda – Training Allowance |
€4,227,679 |
|
Non Pay Costs |
€6,549,886 |
|
Total |
€35,098,810 |
Immigration Support Services
Ceisteanna (741)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:741. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice if consideration can be given to waiving the €300 fee for the immigration residence permit for two Gazan scholars currently studying at SETU (details supplied), who, while not officially recognised as refugees, were evacuated from Gaza and are on student visas; and if steps can be taken to support institutions like SETU, which are covering all accommodation, fees, meals, stipends, and health insurance for these students without Government support. [44502/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I would like to inform the Deputy that waiving the registration fee is not possible in the situation outlined.
It is only under certain circumstances that an applicant is exempt from the registration fee, which I have listed below:
• Under 18 at the time of registration
• A spouse, widow or widower of an Irish citizen
• A civil partner or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen
• A spouse or dependent of an EU national who has a residence permit
• A Programme Refugee or a person granted Refugee Status under Section 47(1) of the International Protection Act 2015
• A person granted Subsidiary Protection under Section 47(4) of the International Protection Act 2015
• A person granted Permission to Remain under Section 49(4)(a) of the International Protection Act 2015
• A family member reunited with a recognised refugee in Ireland under Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015.
The issue of supports to individual students and third level institutions is best addressed by my colleague, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.