Written Answers Nos. 802-821
802. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice if the chairperson of the local community safety partnership for Galway City Council has been appointed; if not, to provide a timeframe for their appointment; the name of the appointee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45130/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity safety is about people being safe and, importantly, feeling safe in their own communities. At the heart of this policy is the principle that every community has the right to be and feel safe in order to thrive and flourish.
Our approach to community safety is a whole-of-government one. We want to bring the relevant social service providers, including the Gardaí, together with the community in a collaborative manner, by focusing on the concerns identified by the local community itself.
Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) will operate at local authority level will replace and build upon the work of Joint Policing Committees (JPCs). The LCSPs will have a wider membership than JPCs and will include residents, local councillors, community representatives (including representatives of young people, older people, new and minority communities), business and education representatives and a range of public services including the HSE, Tusla, An Garda Síochána and the local authority.
Each newly established LCSP will be required to develop and implement its own tailored community safety plan and will take a strategic approach to their work so that issues arising can be dealt with in a coordinated manner; addressed collectively by relevant service providers in partnership with the community.
The role of the chairperson will be to lead the work of the LCSP and find consensus among the partnership's members so that a tailored local community safety plan can be developed. The chairperson will also drive forward the implementation of the community safety plan across the community, in order that it delivers tangible benefits for the relevant community.
The learnings from an independent evaluation of LCSP pilots delivered in three areas - Dublin’s North Inner City, Longford and Waterford - concluded that the role of the chairperson, particularly in terms of leadership competence and experience, is central to the success of the Partnership.
The chairperson will:
• Provide leadership and strategic direction,
• Focus the LCSP on making informed decisions and solutions tailored to the needs of the specific community within which they are working,
• Develop and implement the local community safety plan in conjunction with both the community and public services, and
• Act as an advocate for the LCSP and represent the LCSP to the public, media and other stakeholders as appropriate.
While each LCSP and chairperson will be supported by a paid coordinator and a paid administrator funded by the Department of Justice, the role of the chairperson itself is a high-level volunteering role.
I have recently announced the appointment of chairpersons to the first seven Local Community Safety Partnerships being established across the country. Further local authorities, including Galway City Council, have now finalised their recruitment process and recommendations are being received by my office. I hope to announce the appointment of further chairs in the coming weeks and at that point I expect to be in a position to announce the details of the nominees for Galway City Council and other local authorities.
803. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice if additional funding can be allocated to the Legal Aid Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45131/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent, body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means in the State, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 (“the 1995 Act”) and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996, as amended.
Section 3(3) of the 1995 Act provides that the Board shall, subject to the provisions of the Act, be independent in the exercise of its functions.
I can advise the Deputy that the funding allocation to the Legal Aid Board for 2024 was approximately €59.1m, which was 11.4 % increase from the 2023 budget of €53.060m.
There was a further 8.5% increase in the recent budget allocation for the Legal Aid Board for 2025, with an allocation of €64.122m for the year.
Given the statutory independence of the Board, it is a matter for the Board and its management team to allocate their allotted funding as they deem appropriate. Officials from my Department are in regular contact with the management team in the Legal Aid Board and have ongoing interaction with the Board, including on the question of resourcing, through the mechanisms of biannual governance meetings, an ongoing Oversight Agreement and an annual Performance Delivery Agreement.
804. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Justice the number of reports relating to the suspected import or sale of non-duty paid tobacco products that were referred by An Garda Síochána to the Revenue Commissioners in each of the past five years; and if Gardaí are kept appraised of progress. [45140/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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.
805. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Justice the measures being taken by An Garda Síochána to tackle the importation and sale of illegal tobacco products by organised crime groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45141/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Revenue Commissioners are responsible for tackling the production and sale of illegal tobacco products in the State. Revenue Commissioners are under the responsibility of the Minister of Finance; as Minister for Justice I have no role in this matter.
I can assure the Deputy that targeting the work of organised crime groups who inflict intimidation, violence and misery on families and communities, is a top priority for the Government, my Department and An Garda Síochána.
The Department of Justice has taken a number of steps to support the work of An Garda Síochána in tackling illegal drug use and organised crime. These include:
• Increasing the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life in prison to tackle those who direct gangland and drug related crime;
• Enacting new laws to criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime;
• Drafting new laws which will provide for the use of facial recognition technology in the investigation of certain drug offences
• Rolling out a support programme to break the link between the gangs and the children they try to recruit.
An Garda Síochána continues to work closely with international partners to combat transnational crime. Given the global nature of organised crime, international law enforcement co-operation remains a key element in the overall response.
An Garda Síochána has strong and strategic partnerships in place at international level, including working closely with relevant law enforcement agencies such as INTERPOL and Europol and participating in the Maritime Analysis Operations Centre for Narcotics (MAOC-N) based in Lisbon.
The deployment of Garda Liaison Officers has also proven to be an effective and practical form of interagency cooperation between police services. It has supported the exchange of information and the coordination of operations across borders.
In 2022, the Government approved the expansion of the Garda Liaison Officer Network, following a request from the Garda Commissioner. This expansion created two new posts for Garda Liaison Officers in Abu Dhabi and Bangkok. These posts are in addition to existing positions situated in Madrid, Paris, London, The Hague, Washington DC and Bogota.
I can assure the Deputy that there is ongoing, close cooperation between An Garda Síochána and their colleagues in the Police Service of Northern Ireland to tackle cross-border criminality, including through the mechanism of the Joint Agency Task Force (JATF), which was established under the 2015 Northern Ireland Fresh Start Agreement.
The Task Force is producing results and helping keep people safe in really practical, visible ways through customs seizures, identifying victims of human trafficking and joint days of action against organised crime groups.
North-South cooperation in policing and criminal justice continues to be a priority for the Irish Government. Minister Naomi Long and I meet under the Intergovernmental Agreement on Criminal Justice Co-operation. This provides a formal structure where we can discuss criminal justice matters of mutual interest in the two jurisdictions, and consider opportunities to develop even more effective co-operation.
806. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of over 70-year-olds within the prison population. [45170/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that a snapshot analysis of the prison population is conducted on the last day of each month. The most recent analysis was conducted on 31 October 2024.
I can advise the Deputy that on 31 October 2024, there were 97 individuals over the age of 70 in custody across the prison estate.
807. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank attached to Meath divisional protective service bureau. [45171/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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.
809. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice if she has ever sought a review of the Garda resource allocation model, to ensure a fair distribution of gardaí across the State; if so, the date on which this was requested, the terms of the review and the date on which it was or will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45202/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda resources. This includes the allocation of Garda members to a given Division, District or Station across the State. As Minister, I have no role in this process and cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to same.
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.
While the Commissioner is responsible for the management of Garda resources, I am in regular contact with him to ensure he has the resources needed to keep people safe. This commitment to supporting An Garda Síochána is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of €2.48 billion in Budget 2024, a 27% increase since 2020. This level of funding is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment and technology.
810. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice for an update on a visa application for an individual; if her Department will address matters in the correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45259/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that a foreign marriage certificate may be submitted to my Department for consideration in support of applications for visas to join family members in Ireland. If the certificate is in a foreign language, an official translation or a translation from a recognised translation agency should be provided.
The visa application referred to by the Deputy was created on 26 July 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Santiago office on 16 August 2024. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 11 September 2024 where it awaits examination and processing.
It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
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 carefully follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision at first instance.
I can advise the Deputy that in 2023, over 166,000 visa applications were submitted and approximately 140,000 people were granted visas to travel to Ireland. These figures are likely to be surpassed in 2024, with over 123,000 visa applications having been received in the first seven months of this year alone. This reflects an increase of 20%, compared to the same period in 2023, with over 21,000 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 extended wait times can be frustrating. I want to assure anyone who is waiting on a decision that my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible. 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. Recently, 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.
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/
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/
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.
811. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice if some form of replacement of the IIP is being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45284/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023.
The Immigrant Investor Programme was established over a decade ago during a time of unprecedented economic difficulty to stimulate investment in Ireland that would be of strategic and public benefit to the State. Since its inception, the Programme has brought significant investment to Ireland and has been operated by the Department of Justice to the highest professional standards.
However, it is important that we keep all programmes under review and having taking into account both internal and external reviews including implications for wider public policy, such as the continuing appropriateness and suitability of this programme for cultural, social and economic use, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme.
My Department has no plans to replace the IIP with a similar scheme.
The closure of the Programme will not affect existing projects or individuals already approved under the programme. My Department will continue to monitor existing approved projects in relation to the delivery and for compliance with the terms of the Programme.
812. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice if he will report on computer-aided dispatch; the training dispatchers receive regarding the geography of areas they are covering, the vacancy rate across the four control rooms, 2020 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45300/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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.
813. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice if more gardaí have been recruited in each of the past four years than retired in the same years; if recruitment does not outstrip retirement, the discrepancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45301/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including Human Resourcing matters. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I can, however, assure you that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented provision of more than €2.48 in Budget 2025. This funding will support the recruitment of new Garda members, Garda staff and Garda Reserves, and reflects the Government’s commitment to supporting all parts of the organisation.
The Government are taking a number of steps to accelerate recruitment into An Garda Síochána, including almost doubling the Garda training allowance to €354, increasing the age of entry from 35 to 50, and launching a new Garda Reserve Competition.
You may also be aware, at the beginning of September, the Government increased the age of retirement from 60 to 62. This means that Gardaí who wish to work on to 62 may do so. Government took this decision on foot of a request from the Garda Commissioner and the Garda Associations. It is clear that there is a real appetite for this in An Garda Síochána. Since 2020 my department has processed almost 180 requests for retirement extensions.
Increasing the mandatory retirement age reflects the reality that people can and want to work in their chosen careers for longer. It is also important that An Garda Síochána, as an organisation, retain the knowledge and expertise of experienced people where possible.
There are currently over 14,100 Garda members across the country compared to 12,816 in 2015.
Recruitment into An Garda Síochána has accelerated following the forced closure of the Garda College during the pandemic. 746 trainees entered Templemore last year , which represents the highest intake since 2018, and a six fold increase on the total for 2022. 186 trainees entered the College in April, 159 in July, 125 in September and a further intake is planned for December of this year.
A Garda recruitment competition was launched on 15 January 2024 and closed for applications on 8 February. The response to this year’s Garda recruitment campaign was very strong. I am advised by the Garda authorities that 6,381 people applied.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the below table outlines how many Gardaí have entered the Garda College in the past 4 years, and how many Gardaí have retired in the same years, and the difference between these:
|
- |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Total |
|
Gardaí Recruited |
275 |
380 |
116 |
746 |
1517 |
|
Gardaí Retired |
250 |
293 |
340 |
319 |
1202 |
|
Difference |
+25 |
+87 |
-224 |
+427 |
315 |
814. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice the number of those in overcrowded conditions in the Irish Prison Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45302/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Prison Service must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the Courts. As such, the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time. On 1st November 2024, there were 5,064 people in custody with 257 people sleeping on mattress on the floor.
815. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on an application for an equine licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43825/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Equine application for `the stated individual has been processed, and a letter issued on the 29th of October.
The delay was caused due to certain required information being missing from the application form.
816. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the case of a person can be examined (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44028/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe BISS application for the herd owner referred to by the Deputy was submitted by his FAS Advisor on 10 May 2024. During BISS Preliminary checks, a dual claim was identified and notified to the herd owner on 4 June 2024. A response was received on 17 June 2024 stating the applicant had the right to claim the land parcels concerned.
As a result, my Department issued a dual claim letter on 3 July 2024 requesting evidence of the right to claim the parcels in question. On the 8 August 2024, the herd owner subsequently responded stating that he did not have the right to claim the parcels. As a result, the relevant penalty was applied.
On the 21 October 2024, an appeal was received from the herd owner with supporting documentation. That appeal is currently being considered and the finding of that appeal will be notified directly to the herd owner shortly.
817. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the results of the public consultation on a review of trawling inside the six nautical mile zone, and the baselines, will be published. [44032/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2018, a transition period to a ban on vessels over 18 metres trawling in inshore waters, inside the six nautical mile zone was announced. A significant part of the objective of this measure was to manage the fishing effort on sprat stocks which are primarily targeted within inshore waters. This measure, however, was the subject of extended legal proceedings the outcome of which, received last year, is that the ban has been overturned.
In February 2024, I held a new public consultation on a review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines. The consultation took place over a period of eight weeks and closed on Friday 12th April. This consultation took place without prejudice.
The purpose of this consultation was to invite stakeholders and interested parties to advise me of their views on any changes to policy within the scope of this review. A large volume of submissions - over 5,000 - were received. These submissions will be used to inform my review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines. My Department is in the process of analysing the submissions and these will be publish as soon as is feasible. All relevant issues must be carefully considered before a decision can be made.
818. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider action against large offshore vessels fishing in special areas of conservation. [44033/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe majority of the marine Natura 2000 sites in Ireland (Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas) are inshore, within six nautical miles. I can inform the Deputy that a series of appropriate assessments and risk assessments have been undertaken by my Department in conjunction with the Marine Institute over the years with regard to sea-fishing activities in or near Natura 2000 sites. Mitigation measures have been introduced where required to manage the risks posed to these sites.
It is important to note that Natura 2000 sites can include a variety of habitats and species, each with varying sensitivities and in respect of introducing measures to manage sea-fisheries, regard must be had to the specific conservation objectives set out for each habitat and species within those sites. I remain very aware of the importance of the Irish fishing industry operating in a sustainable manner so as to protect and maintain such habitats in Special Areas of Conservation and for the quality of our marine environment generally which is vital to the sustainability of the fishing sector.
The Deputy may be aware that in December 2018, a transition period to a ban on vessels over 18 metres trawling in inshore waters, inside the six nautical mile zone was announced. A significant part of the objective of this measure was to manage the fishing effort on sprat stocks which are primarily targeted within inshore waters. This measure, however, was the subject of extended legal proceedings the outcome of which, received last year, is that the ban has been overturned.
In February 2024, I held a new public consultation on a review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines. The consultation took place over a period of eight weeks and closed on Friday 12th April. This consultation took place without prejudice.
The purpose of this consultation was to invite stakeholders and interested parties to advise me of their views on any changes to policy within the scope of this review. A large volume of submissions - over 5,000 - were received. These submissions will be used to inform my review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines. My Department is in the process of analysing the submissions. All relevant issues must be carefully considered before a decision can be made.
819. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he and or his officials have met with the SEAI and RECI; the dates of any such meetings; the agenda for such meetings; the officials present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44064/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department met with the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) on two occasions in early 2019 prior to the inclusion, on 6 April 2019, of grant aid for solar panel investment in the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II). These meetings were attended by TAMS Agricultural Inspectors.
The meetings focused on the proposed TAMS Solar PV Scheme and the Solar electricity grant scheme, administered by SEAI, which is in place for residential households and, in particular, the documentation and certification required by the SEAI under this scheme.
A further two virtual meetings were held on 25 September and 30 September 2024 to discuss data sharing between my Department and the SEAI. The meetings were attended by senior department officials and inspectors dealing with the TAMS scheme.
My Department also met with the Registered Electrical Contractors Ireland (RECI) on 29 March 2023 and 3 October 2024. The meetings focused on electrical standards and certification, and were attended by Agricultural Inspectors in TAMS.
820. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he has confidence in a person as a non-executive director of a body (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44092/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte is established by law to operate independently of my department. Its Board comprises a chair and seven members, with a collective responsibility to lead and direct the organisation as appropriate, and an individual fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the company.
I am satisfied that Coillte is performing its commercial functions effectively and it has returned a dividend to the State in recent years. The members of the Board have been selected in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Code of Governance for State Bodies, on the basis that they have an appropriate range of skills and knowledge to serve the organisation.
My attention has not been drawn to failures by any members of the Board to meet their obligations to Coillte under the Code or the Companies Acts.
821. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the case of a person can be examined (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44102/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sheep Improvement Scheme is funded under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan. It provides support to sheep farmers for carrying out actions that improve animal health and welfare in the sheep sector. It builds on the progress made by the Sheep Welfare Scheme (SWS), which ended in 2022.
As per the Terms and Conditions of the Sheep Improvement Scheme, participants classed as a lowland flock who selected Parasite Control (Faecal Egg Count) as one of their chosen actions must take and submit to the laboratory for testing, a minimum of two Faecal Egg Counts per annum between 1st of June and 30th September on lambs. In the case of hill flocks, participants in the Sheep Improvement Scheme must carry out one Faecal Egg Count on lambs for the presence of worms within four weeks post weaning.
The person referred to by the Deputy was initially determined to be a lowland flock type at the time of their Sheep Improvement Scheme application, however following a request for a review of their application their flock type has now been determined as Hill Flock based on their most recent sheep census return. Correspondence has issued to the person concerned and the payment correction will be processed soon by my Department.
