Written Answers Nos. 507-527
507. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons currently in receipt of carer's allowance in respect of family members and non-family members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25005/23]
View answerCarer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that, as a result, they require that level of care.
Information on the relationships between carers and their care recipients is not centrally recorded by my Department. However, I can confirm that, as of the end of April 2023, there were 93,035 people in receipt of Carer's Allowance caring for 104,176 care recipients.
I hope this information is of assistance.
508. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of applications for exceptional needs payments in the past three years to date; the numbers pending, refused and successful in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25006/23]
View answerUnder the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customer’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary.
Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation, and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
The reporting of this scheme was revised in 2022 to extract more complete information in relation to registrations and refusals and to include reoccurring supplements in the overarching term of an Additional Needs Payment.
Table 1 provides the number of ANPs registered for 2022 and 2023. Statistics are not available on applications received for 2021.
Table 2 provides the number of ANPs awarded for 2022 and 2023. It also includes the number of ANPs excluding reoccurring supplements, awarded for 2021.
During the period 2022 to end of March 2023, 21,970 claims have been disallowed.
At the end of March 2023, there were 6,383 claims pending.
I encourage any person who considers they may have an entitlement to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1: The number of ANPs registered for 2022 and 2023 (to end of March).
|
Year |
Claims Registered |
|
2022 |
146,569 |
|
2023 (to end of March) |
35,260 |
Table 2 : The number of ANPs awarded for 2022 and 2023. The number of ANPs excluding reoccurring supplements awarded for 2021.
|
Year |
Claims Awarded |
|
2021 |
55,552 (excludes supplements) |
|
2022 |
97,224 |
|
2023 (to end of March) |
23,751 |
509. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of deserted wives' benefit payments that have been discontinued for whatever reason in the course of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25007/23]
View answerThe Deserted Wife's Benefit scheme, introduced in 1973, was closed to new applications with effect from 2 January 1997, when One Parent Family Payment was introduced. Deserted Wife's Benefit was payable to a woman deserted by her husband, based on the social insurance contributions paid by the wife or her husband. Currently, the scheme has 4,554 recipients.
As a closed scheme, remaining Deserted Wife’s Benefit claims are stopped for a variety of reasons including: when the woman remarries, commences cohabitation, passes away, or transfers to another social protection payment.
The table below provides the number of claims stopped, per year, for the past 5 years and to date in 2023:
|
Year |
No. claims stopped |
|
2023 (to date) |
92 |
|
2022 |
283 |
|
2021 |
381 |
|
2020 |
347 |
|
2019 |
422 |
|
2018 |
263 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
510. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of widow's pension payments that have been discontinued for whatever reason in the course of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25008/23]
View answerWidow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension is a weekly payment to the husband, wife or civil partner of a deceased person. Either you or your deceased spouse or civil partner must have enough social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
At the end of December 2017, there were 121,091 recipients of this scheme. At the 31st of December 2022, 30,476 of these individuals were no longer recipients on this scheme.
511. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the annual budget for the JobPath scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25014/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, referrals to the JobPath service have ceased and the service is now in a run-off phase, with only clients referred up to June 2022 remaining engaged with the service. The annual JobPath budget for 2023 is €20M.
As part of a restructuring of employment services, my Department has increased its own employment service capacity delivered through Intreo and has expanded employment services in some areas of the State where there were no Local Employment Services with the introduction of the new Intreo Partners model; the Intreo Partners Local Area Employment Service and the Intreo Partners National Employment Service. The annual Intreo Partners budget for 2023 is €78M.
A distinctive client journey has been embedded into the employment services process, whereby jobseekers on the Live Register, after engaging with Intreo in the first twelve months are referred firstly to the Intreo Partner National Employment Service and after 24 months to the Intreo Partner Local Area Employment Service which is designed to engage with those with greater barriers to the labour market. In this way, the client is referred to the most appropriate service at each point in time on their client journey.
Employment is now at among the highest levels in the history of the State, with over 2.55 million people in employment. Notwithstanding this, my Department keeps all employment services and supports under review so that they continue to meet the needs of our clients. A midterm review of the actions and commitments in the Pathways to Work strategy is underway at present, to ensure that they remain relevant and effective in improving the employment prospects and outcomes for people underrepresented in the labour market.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
513. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent on funeral costs under the supplementary welfare allowance for the years 2016 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and the average cost of funerals. [25018/23]
View answerUnder the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customer’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary.
Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation, and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
An application can be made under the scheme for assistance with funeral and burial expenses where there is an inability to pay these costs, in part or in full, by the family of the deceased person without causing hardship.
Table 1 provide details of expenditure under the Additional Needs Payments scheme in relation to assistance for funeral and burial costs for the years 2016 to 2023. The average payment amount in 2022 was approximately €2,500. The payment amount, which can have a wide range value, will depend on a applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed.
I encourage any person who considers they may have an entitlement to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1 -Expenditure under the Additional Needs Payments scheme in relation to assistance for funeral and burial costs for the years 2016 to 2023.
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
2016 |
€5.0m |
|
2017 |
€5.1m |
|
2018 |
€5.5m |
|
2019 |
€5.8m |
|
2020 |
€5.7m |
|
2021 |
€5.1m |
|
2022 |
€6.6m |
|
2023 (to end of March) |
€2.6m |
514. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for a public services card in 2022 and to date in 2023. [25019/23]
View answerSome 696,000 Public Services Cards (PSC) issued in 2022 of which 285,000 were Free Travel cards.
From January to end April this year, some 235,500 PSCs were issued of which almost 95,000 were Free Travel cards.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
515. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of transport used under public services cards by individuals, by county, in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [25021/23]
View answerThe Free Travel Scheme was introduced in 1967 to promote social inclusion and prevent the isolation of elderly and disabled people by taking advantage of free space on public transport services.
The Free Travel Scheme is available to all persons aged over 66 and those under age 66 on certain qualified payments, who are living legally and permanently in the State. The scheme permits those who are eligible to travel for free on most CIE public transport services, Local Link, LUAS and a range of transport services offered by some 80 private operators countrywide. These operators receive payments towards the carriage of Free Travel customers across their services.
The budget allocation for the scheme for 2023 is €95 million.
The information requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department. Summary-only usage data is received by my Department from the National Transport Authority, with survey-only usage data received from private operators when joining the scheme, extending their services, or seeking a payment rate review.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
516. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people incorrectly awarded the spring bonus; and the estimated cost of recouping that. [25022/23]
View answerThe Spring Cost of Living Bonus is one of a range of measures put in place by Government to support people and assist with cost of living increases. It is a €200 lump sum payment which was paid the week commencing 24th April to over 1.253 million people in receipt of long-term social welfare payments at a cost of approximately €250 million.
One lump sum payment of €200 was paid to each eligible person who has an entitlement to a primary payment in their own right. If a person receives more than one qualifying social welfare payment, they received only one €200 lump sum payment. Only people who were deemed eligible were paid the bonus. However if a person received the bonus and considers they are not eligible, they should contact the Department to have the matter examined.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
517. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the process to be followed by a person (details supplied) who wishes to have her children join her in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24556/23]
View answerThe Deputy does not state the nationality of the children referred to. If the person concerned in the Deputy's query is unsure as to whether their children require a visa/preclearance to enter Ireland they can check on the list at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Immigration-Service-Delivery-Visa-and-Non-Visa-Required-Countries.pdf
The person referred to may also find the information at the following link useful:
www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/.
Any visa required national that wishes to reside in the State for longer than 90 days must have a Type D Long Stay Visa. Any person that wishes to make a visa application must do so online at: www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspx.
Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. This policy document may be accessed at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf.
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 (inisoireachtasmail@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.
518. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice if he can outline the rationale as to why persons who are in the State on student visas are allowed to work on a casual or part-time basis, but are not allowed to become self-employed and work on a casual or part-time basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24742/23]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for immigration-related matters, including the entry and residence conditions of non-EEA students. My Department engages with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, among other key sectorial stakeholders, in this area.
A student's primary purpose for being in the State is to study. All applicants for permission to study in Ireland must show that they have sufficient funds to support their stay in Ireland without recourse to public funds, or the reliance on casual employment.
However, since April 2001, non-EEA students with a Stamp 2 immigration permission, and who are enrolled on courses with education providers listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) including English language courses, have been afforded the opportunity to work.
This allows them to take up casual employment to supplement their income while studying in Ireland. During term time, non-EEA students can work up to 20 hours per week and during normal college holiday periods they can work on a full time basis up to 40 hours per week.
The conditions attached to all immigration permissions are kept under ongoing review by my Department with all relevant stakeholders. Any changes to the work entitlements of non-EEA students would be a policy decision for the wider stakeholder group.
519. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice for an update on an application for Irish citizenship (details supplied); and if he will expedite same. [24762/23]
View answerThe application referred to by the Deputy has been received by my Department.
When an application for a certificate of naturalisation is received by the Citizenship Division of my Department, they are subject to an initial check and examination.
On completion of the initial checks, my Department will assign an application number and issue an acknowledgment to the address given at the time of making the application. I am assured that this application will undergo this initial check and examination process shortly.
I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department has continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and during all levels of public health restrictions.
My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be the freeing up of more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, improving service to our customers and reduction of waiting times.
In early 2023, a registration unit was established within Citizenship Division to ensure applications are registered and acknowledged promptly. In 2022 it took on average seven months for this part of the process to be completed. Under the new system it has been reduced to a matter of weeks.
These measures are designed to give certainty to customers that their applications have been received and have begun to be processed.
520. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the steps he is taking to support forcibly displaced Sudanese citizens with family members in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24964/23]
View answerI understand that this is a difficult situation for our Sudanese community and their loved ones. My Department has assisted the Department of Foreign Affairs in their work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families from Sudan. Where necessary, we are continuing to work closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs on a case by case basis assisting any remaining Irish citizens who are evacuating Sudan with their family.
It is open to the persons affected who have family members here to apply for a visa. The Family Reunification Unit which process applications made under the International Protection Act 2015 is prioritising Sudanese applications where possible.
Due to the unrest in Khartoum the office of Ireland’s Honorary Consul is currently inaccessible. Where possible visa applicants should engage with the nearest available Irish Embassy who can give further information on specific cases. Emergency visa applications will be dealt with on a case by case basis but will, wherever possible, be processed speedily and sympathetically.
Any person that wishes to make a visa application can do so online at: www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspx.
521. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 436 of 9 May 2023, if Ukrainian applicants for temporary protection are requested to provide their last address in Ukraine to his Department or to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service as part of their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24026/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that Temporary Protection in Ireland applies to the following groups of people who have had to flee Ukraine due to the invasion by Russia:
1. Ukrainian nationals who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022;
2. Nationals of a third country (other than Ukraine) or a stateless person who would have benefited from international protection (for example: Refugee status) or an equivalent national protection status in Ukraine and were residing there before 24 February 2022;
3. Family members of persons covered by a) and b), where their family already existed in Ukraine, prior to 24 February.
Family members include a spouse or partner, unmarried minor children of either of them, and their other close dependent family relatives who have been living with them as part of the family unit before 24 February 2022.
Temporary protection also applies to nationals of a third country (other than Ukraine) and stateless people who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 with a permanent Ukrainian residence permit, who cannot safely return to their country of origin.
Applicants must provide their identity documents and proof of residency in Ukraine prior to 24 February 2022 in order to meet the criteria. Applicants must provide proof that they had been living in Ukraine. This proof can take many forms including evidence of address.
522. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1061 of 21 March 2023 and 163 of 9 March 2022, when a decision will be made in the application for naturalisation for an Indian national (details supplied), married to an Irish citizen since 14 February 2010, who submitted a naturalisation application in 2020 and has, to date, not received a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24049/23]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times.
523. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Justice if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24054/23]
View answerThe Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, requires applications for naturalisation on behalf of minors to be made by a parent or guardian of the minor.
When a minor is the subject of a care order, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, takes on the role and responsibility of providing for that child. However, Tusla does not become the child's parent or guardian within the meaning of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964, as amended, and it is for this reason that applications for naturalisation made by Tusla on behalf of minors are not accepted as valid applications. This issue is currently being examined by my Department, in consultation with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Please also note that once a minor reaches the age of 18 years it is open to them to submit an application for naturalisation in their own right.
I wish to advise that the people concerned may wish to make an application for a travel document. A travel document is an official document which assists qualifying non Irish Nationals who are resident in Ireland to travel abroad. More information and the relevant application form is available on the Irish Immigration website at www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/applying-for-a-travel-document/.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
524. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of refugee and international protection applications that have been made for each of the past five years; the number of refugee and international protection applications still awaiting a first decision currently; the number of refugee and international protection applications awaiting an appeal decision; and the average and longest time for the initial decision to made and the appeal decision to be made. [24087/23]
View answerThe State is required to examine the application of anyone who presents at the borders of the State, or is in the State, and indicates that they wish to make an application for international protection. This is in accordance with our obligations under international and EU asylum law and the Government takes those commitments very seriously.
The total number of international protection applications last year was 13,651.
Between 1 January and 12 May 2023, a total of 4,008 applications for international protection have been made. As at 12 May 2023 there were 15,260 cases on hand with the IPO.
As at 1 May 2023 there were 1,289 appeals pending at the International Protection Appeals Tribunal.
The table below sets out the number of international protection applications received by the IPO for the years 2018 to date.
|
Year of Application |
No. of Applications |
|
2018 |
3,674 |
|
2019 |
4,781 |
|
2020 |
1,566 |
|
2021 |
2,649 |
|
2022 |
13,651 |
|
2023 |
4,008* |
*Week ending 12 May 2023
Notwithstanding the very large increase in the number of applications during 2022 and to date in 2023, there has been a significant reduction in median processing times for first instance decisions in 2022, down to 10 months in quarter 4 from a norm of 22-26 months earlier last year. The median processing time for cases processed to completion for all of 2022 was 18 months. The median processing time for all cases processed to completion in quarter 1 of 2023 was 10 months.
Median processing times for Q1 2023 for all appeals decided was 5.1 months.
Median figures are collated rather than an average, as cases with unusually long or short processing times can skew the data. The median figure is more representative of the ‘normal’ processing time.
I can confirm for the Deputy that the longest pending case time currently in the IPO is 139 months. I can further assure the Deputy that this type of situation will only arise in the most exceptional of circumstances. These can include cases before the courts, or where an applicant disengages with the process for an extended period of time, or cannot be contacted. Typically, where an application remains in processing for a longer period this is due to reasons outside the control of my Department.
The International Protection Act 2015, places a duty on applicants to cooperate with the process. The International Protection Office (IPO) will write to applicants who are not cooperating with the process at their last known address giving them the opportunity to cooperate. The IPO copies this letter to their legal representative where known. In the event an applicant does not respond, i.e., continues not cooperating with the process, the IPO will proceed to make a recommendation, up to and including a Deportation Order, on their application based on the information available to it.
Regarding cases at appeal stage, the longest open case has been with the IPAT for 60 months. This case, which has been an outlier in relation to processing times, has been recently reassigned to a new tribunal member with a view to progressing the matter to conclusion as a matter of priority. The Tribunal continues to review all outstanding appeals and in particular, a small number of appeals that have been outstanding over longer than 12 months.
Overall, my Department is working to minimise the timeframe for receiving a decision on an international protection application, allowing those eligible to remain the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Those who are not entitled to the protection of the State will also be advised of that fact as quickly as possible.
525. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of deportation orders that have been made to date for each of the past five years; the number of people who have actually left the country as a result of a deportation order being issued in their name for each of the past five years; the number of people who have entered the country on false documents for the same timeframe; the number of people who have entered the country without any documents; the average success or failure rate of those who enter the country on false or no documents; and the average application processing time for these types of applicants. [24088/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. It must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must remove themselves from the State. A person subject to a Deportation Order has no legal basis to remain in the State. Their case to remain in the State has been considered in detail and all available appeals processes have been exhausted.
The number of Deportation Orders issued and effected is listed in the table below.
|
Year |
DO Signed |
DO Effected* |
|
2023 (YTD 17/05/23) |
448 |
22 |
|
2022 |
528 |
119 |
|
2021 |
33 |
38 |
|
2020 |
596 |
141 |
|
2019 |
2,295 |
298 |
|
2018 |
1,191 |
163 |
*DOs effected are confirmed deportations.
The numbers for DOs effected does not take account of individuals who have left the State without informing my Department. It is the case that many individuals who are subject to Deportation Orders leave the State without notifying the relevant authorities and this particular category of individual is difficult to quantify.
The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for frontline immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Immigration officials conduct passport checks, and run operations as required, to ensure passengers arriving in the State are properly documented in accordance with Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004. Valid travel documentation is required by carriers for boarding a flight to Ireland. However, some passengers are arriving at passport control without documents.
The Border Management Unit and the GNIB are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have such documentation when boarding. Border Management Unit officials are available 24/7 to assist airlines with queries they have in relation to immigration matters. If a person cannot produce a valid passport, or other equivalent document, then the Immigration Officer will arrange for the person to be referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
The table below sets out the numbers who were refused leave to land having arrived undocumented, or with false documents (or documents that were not their own) between 2018 – 30 April 2023.
|
Year |
Total Refusals |
Undocumented |
False Documents |
|
2018 |
3,999 |
891 |
|
|
2019 |
6,151 |
1,849 |
|
|
2020 |
2,077 |
*712 |
169 |
|
2021 |
3,210 |
2,082 |
279 |
|
2022 |
7,662 |
4,968 |
832 |
|
2023 (to 30/04/2023) |
1,781 |
1,010 |
281 |
*Data for previous years is not available. Data recording was modified during 2020 to distinguish the cohort of arrivals arriving undocumented from the total number refused leave to land.
The State is required to examine the application of anyone who presents at the borders of the State, or is in the State, and indicates that they wish to make an application for international protection. This is in accordance with our obligations under international and EU asylum law and the Government takes those commitments very seriously. My Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. The International Protection Office (IPO) of my Department is responsible for examining all international protection applications received. The staff of the IPO are independent by law in the exercise of their international protection functions. The establishment of an applicant’s identity and nationality is an important feature of every immigration process and this is especially so in the context of persons who enter the Irish State for the purposes of making a claim for international protection. Each application for international protection is examined in detail on its individual merits, taking all factors into account.
The International Protection Office (IPO) does not collate statistics relating to applications for international protection based on whether such applicants were refused leave to land, or whether a person had valid documentation upon arrival at a port of entry.
526. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice if he has met with the representatives of gun clubs and hunters regarding their concerns over the expert firearms committee which was established to review the legislation regarding firearms licensing; and if he will be taking any action to ensure the voices of gun clubs are represented on the committee. [24090/23]
View answer527. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice if the data which the expert firearms committee uses to make its decisions will be made publicly available to ensure transparency. [24091/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 526 and 527 together.
I established the Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) on a non-statutory basis with representation from stakeholders, my Department and An Garda Síochána.
The purpose of the FEC was to serve in an advisory capacity to me as Minister. In line with its comprehensive terms of reference, which were made publicly available, the FEC was tasked with making recommendations on a range of firearms matters for my subsequent consideration, including carrying out an assessment of all types of firearms to determine their current use under the existing licensing system and their suitability for future licensing.
The FEC held nine in-person committee meetings, in addition to one videoconference with representatives of the PSNI firearms licensing branch and one final videoconference committee meeting concerning the finalisation of the reports, over a period of nine months.
The final meeting of the FEC took place on 3 March 2023 and I published the final reports on Friday, 31 March 2023 on Gov.ie alongside the minutes and a summary of each in-person meeting.
As I have emphasised throughout the process, any proposed changes to policy or legislation arising from any of the recommendations of the FEC will be subject to prior consultation with firearms stakeholders.
On the, 3 May 2023, I launched the FEC consultation online on Gov.ie. The online consultation can be accessed at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/consultation/411f7-consultation-on-the-recommendations-of-the-reports-of-the-firearms-expert-committee/.
I would encourage as many people and organisations as possible to engage with this survey in order to make their views known.
In addition to this, I have also sought written submissions on the recommendations of the FEC from a range of stakeholder organisations and intend to meet with such groups, having received their written submissions and following the conclusion of the wider public consultation, which runs until 2 June.
This will ensure that stakeholder organisations, and their members, can engage fully in this consultation process.
I would encourage all individual firearms users to complete the online survey and if they wish to provide additional observations on the FEC final reports, they should inform their firearm stakeholder organisations who will be able to consider and include these observations in the organisation's written submissions to me.
