Written Answers Nos. 104-126
104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18187/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered on the 13th November 2023. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought.
These papers were received on 6th February 2024 and the case was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 22nd February 2024.
The Appeals Officer issued correspondence to the person concerned on 15th April 2024 giving the opportunity to submit further evidence or comments.
When a response is received from the person concerned, the Appeals Officer will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
105. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the unemployment benefit payments of a school caretaker (details supplied) are not going into their account when they are on annual leave. [18211/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEducational sector workers who wish to avail of income support while temporarily laid-off during school breaks can apply for a Jobseeker’s payment but must satisfy all the qualifying conditions to receive this payment. A Jobseeker’s payment is paid for days of unemployment where the person is not being remunerated for by their employer, including receipt of any holiday pay entitlement during the school break.
According to the records of the department, the person concerned has been awarded a Jobseekers Benefit payment of €290.70 while temporarily laid off during the recent Easter break, which will be paid into their nominated bank account on 24/04/2024. I trust this clarifies the matter.
106. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she will take to expedite an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) which was submitted in December 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18224/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer'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.
I can confirm an application for CA was received from the person concerned on 29 December 2023.
The application was referred to a local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) on 08 January 2024 to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.
The SWI has confirmed that an interview was conducted with the person concerned on 18 April 2024. The SWI has advised they have requested further information form the person concerned and once received they will complete their report.
Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy .
107. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 814 of 9 April 2024, the corresponding number of recipients of carer's benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18233/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's Benefit is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention.
To qualify, the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions, employment conditions, show that they are providing full-time care and attention and must show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.
There were 3,928 persons in receipt of Carer’s Benefit as of 31st March 2024.
I hope this information is of assistance to the Deputy.
108. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 814 of 9 April 2024, if she will provide a breakdown of the numbers and primary payments received by recipients of the half-rate carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18235/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer'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.
Please find below the most recent figures of the number of carers in receipt of half rate CA broken down by their primary payment.
|
Primary payment |
Total number of recipients |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
9,839 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
8,718 |
|
Disability Allowance |
4,877 |
|
Disability Allowance Increase for a Qualified Adult |
3,716 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) |
3,483 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) Increase for a Qualified Adult |
2,471 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
2,325 |
|
Widow's / Widower's (Contributory) Pension |
1,929 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance Increase for a Qualified Adult |
1,847 |
|
Invalidity Pension Increase for a Qualified Adult |
1,465 |
|
Illness Benefit |
1,209 |
|
Unspecified payment |
1,128 |
|
State Pension (Non-Contributory) Increase for a Qualified Adult |
484 |
|
Illness Benefit Increase for a Qualified Adult |
445 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
235 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit Increase for a Qualified Adult |
199 |
|
Farm Assist |
148 |
|
Widow's / Widower's (Non-Contributory) Pension |
146 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
107 |
|
Farm Assist Increase for a Qualified Adult |
94 |
|
State Pension Transition |
61 |
|
Blind Pension Increase for a Qualified Adult |
53 |
|
Blind Pension |
26 |
|
Pre-Retirement Allowance |
19 |
|
Incapacity Supplement Increase for a Qualified Adult |
17 |
|
Injury Benefit Increase for a Qualified Adult |
17 |
|
Back to Work Self Employed Increase for a Qualified Adult |
12 |
|
State Pension Transition Increase for a Qualified Adult |
10 |
|
Back to Work Employee Increase for a Qualified Adult |
9 |
|
Pre-Retirement Allowance Increase for a Qualified Adult Allowance |
9 |
|
Injury Benefit |
8 |
|
Disablement |
3 |
|
Guardians Non-Contributory |
2 |
|
Overall Total number of recipients |
45,111 |
I hope this information is of assistance to the Deputy.
109. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider making changes to the ongoing situation where workers (details supplied) have to sign on for jobseeker's allowance during school holidays, given the time delay and difficulties workers face on this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18252/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe process in respect of all jobseeker's payments including those working in the school sector is kept under review.
Educational Sector Workers (ESWs) including school bus drivers and school catering staff, who wish to avail of income support while temporarily laid-off during any school break can apply for a jobseeker’s payment but must satisfy all the qualifying conditions to receive a payment. This includes being available for full-time work and genuinely seeking work at each school break.
In general there is no delay in processing jobseeker's claims if the relevant claim application form and supporting documentation are completed by the customer in a timely manner. Applications for a jobseeker's payment can be made online and the online channel can be a more convenient and timely method for many applicants.
Educational sector workers, who are employed on a temporary basis and who have previously been in contact with the Department, are issued with a repeat jobseeker’s application form and holiday form in advance of each school holiday period. This advance process facilitates an efficient service to these customers and allows for speedy processing of their claim when the period of unemployment actually arises.
However, it is important to note that educational sector workers are still required to sign on for each period of unemployment and must satisfy all the qualifying conditions for a jobseeker’s payment. Each claims is assessed on an individual basis.
Seasonal workers including educational workers should apply for a jobseeker’s payment as soon as they become unemployed. A jobseeker’s payment is paid for days of unemployment where the person is not being remunerated for by their employer, including receipt of any holiday pay entitlement during the school break. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
110. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a domiciliary care allowance application (details supplied) which has been in processing for a number of months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18267/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 22nd April 2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
111. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection how students with serious medical conditions, such as those who are coeliac, are accommodated under her Department’s hot school meals programme; if there is a distinction between medical conditions and food intolerances under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18365/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the School Meals Programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The Programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement. Following the expansion of the Programme in recent years, some 2,600 schools and organisations, covering 443,000 children are now eligible for funding.
The Nutritional Standards for School Meals were developed by a working group led by the Health and Wellbeing Programme in the Department of Health, in consultation with Safefood and the Healthy Eating and Active Living Programme in the Health Service Executive.
Each school is required to provide a menu choice of at least two different meals per day and where required, provide a vegetarian/vegan option and an option that caters for students’ religious and cultural dietary requirements and medical conditions. The food provided for those with allergies/ conditions must comply with the Standards. Guidance on allergies such as coeliac disease and gluten intolerance is available from www.Safefood.net/Allergens.
Schools are responsible for choosing their own School Meals supplier on the open market in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with Public Procurement rules. Under tender documentation as stipulated by the Schools Procurement’s Unit, the menu is to accommodate those with food intolerances and allergies, from lactose-free to vegetarian to gluten-free for example. In addition, the supplier is to check with the school upon award of the contract, the details of such to accommodate those potential customers and the supplier must provide clearly visible menu boards with an allergens list.
The Department provides the funding directly to the schools, who are then required to procure the provision of the food in compliance with Government procurement rules and with relevant Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point, Food Safety regulations and the Nutritional Standards for School Meals. It is the responsibility of the school to source a supplier that can meet the dietary requirements of all of their pupils. I trust this clarifies the matter.
112. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection with regard to the proposed automatic enrolment pension scheme, what analysis has been carried out regarding the consequences; if there are fewer participants than the 750,000/800,000 on which the scheme is predicated; what analysis has been carried out regarding the consequences of varying numbers of participants opting out of and/or suspending participation in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18375/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of an automatic enrolment (AE) retirement savings system is a Programme for Government commitment and a key priority for me as Minister for Social Protection. Implementation of the AE system is well underway, with the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024 now having completed Second Stage in the Dáil and a tender process to contract for administration services being well advanced. Enrolment of the first participants is expected to commence in January 2025.
The Deputy will be familiar with the analysis contained within the Regulatory Impact Assessment that accompanied the General Scheme of the Bill when it was approved by Government in July 2022. In line with that document, I should clarify that the AE scheme is not predicated on there being a particular number of workers enrolled; rather, 750,000-800,000 employees is the current estimated number of workers who will meet the eligibility criteria for AE when it launches next year. This estimate is based on data provided by the Revenue Commissioners.
AE has some unique features, but insofar as it is comparable to other quasi-mandatory pension schemes around the world, we can be confident that opt-out rates will be low. When conducting costings and financing estimates, my departmental officials typically assume a 90% adherence rate for AE participants. This is partly due to the UK comparator, which, as I understand it, has a current opt-out rate of 10.4%. Given that the AE scheme is a very attractive offering for participants, I expect that the opt-out rate will be even lower in Ireland.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
113. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in her Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18399/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to ensuring that members of the public are aware of the welfare supports and services that are available to them and that they are notified of any scheme changes, which may affect them. Public information campaigns are targeted carefully, using the best mix of media formats, to ensure that the Department’s messages reach members of the public effectively.
The Department works with an agency to plan and buy advertising. This agency was appointed following a procurement process for Media Strategy, Planning and Buying Services, using a central framework established by the Office of Government Procurement and in accordance with public procurement and EU procurement guidelines.
Our campaigns are developed and targeted carefully in collaboration with the agency, using the best mix of media formats to ensure that the Department's messages reach members of the public effectively.
The total advertising expenditure figures across all channels in the years 2022 and 2023 are outlined below in tabular form. These figures are inclusive of VAT and all media fees.
|
Year |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Total advertising spend |
€1,352,300.85 |
€1,462,679.07 |
Figures for the total spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast) in 2022 and 2023 are outlined below in tabular form. These figures are exclusive of VAT and media fees.
|
Year |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Local press |
€121,784.88 |
€40,125.41 |
|
Local radio |
€307,335.09 |
€246,497.82 |
Expenditure on channels will vary from year to year depending on the range and number of new initiatives or required messaging.
114. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has at any time engaged the services of a company (details supplied) or allocated the company funding or support in any capacity; if she or her officials have engaged with personnel from the company; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18451/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department has not engaged the services, or allocated funding to the Global Disinformation Index. I can also confirm that neither I, nor officials from my Department, have engaged with employees from that company.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
115. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications received under the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme in each respective year since its inception; the number of applications accepted, and the number refused each year, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18140/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Start-Up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) was established by Government in 2012 to stimulate productive investment in Ireland. The Programme enables non-EEA nationals outside of the State, and their families, who commit to establishing a high potential start-up (HPSU) business in Ireland to acquire a secure residency status in the State. The programme is particularly aimed at start-up enterprises in the innovation sector.
Further information is available on my Department's website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-work-in-ireland/what-are-my-options-for-working-in-ireland/coming-to-work-for-more-than-90-days/start-up-entrepreneur-programme-step/
An independent evaluation committee consisting of senior public and civil servants is responsible for evaluating the suitability of applicant proposals. The evaluation committee consider the proposal and may seek further information from the candidate if required. The evaluation committee then make recommendations to the Minister for Justice as to the suitability of each proposal.
The below table outlines the applications.
|
Year |
Applications Received |
Successful Applications |
Unsuccessful Applications |
|
2023 (Up to 30/09/23) |
12 |
0 |
12 |
|
2022 |
23 |
5 |
18 |
|
2021 |
22 |
8 |
14 |
|
2020 |
22 |
8 |
14 |
|
2019 |
36 |
11 |
25 |
|
2018 |
42 |
20 |
22 |
|
2017 |
184 |
34 |
150 |
|
2016 |
138 |
40 |
98 |
|
2015 |
60 |
37 |
23 |
|
2014 |
11 |
3 |
8 |
|
2013 |
10 |
6 |
4 |
|
2012 |
22 |
12 |
10 |
|
Total |
582 |
184 |
398 |
*Decisions issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications.
116. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 824 of 7 November 2023, for an update on the establishment of the Penal Policy Consultative Council. [18188/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the current number of persons on remand, by prison; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18190/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that on 24th April 2024, there were 909 people held in prison custody solely on a remand or trial warrant.
The number of prisoners on remand/trial by Prison as of 24th April 2024 is set out in the table below.
|
Prison |
Number in Custody |
Number on Remand/Trial |
|
Mountjoy |
870 |
27 |
|
Dochas Centre |
174 |
50 |
|
Training Unit |
98 |
0 |
|
Cloverhill |
471 |
373 |
|
Wheatfield |
622 |
111 |
|
Midlands |
952 |
89 |
|
Portlaoise |
232 |
16 |
|
Cork |
336 |
96 |
|
Limerick male |
327 |
57 |
|
Limerick female |
69 |
15 |
|
Castlerea |
383 |
74 |
|
Arbour Hill |
133 |
1 |
|
Loughan House |
130 |
0 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
107 |
0 |
|
Total |
4,904 |
909 |
*A Remand warrant is a warrant to hold a prisoner or accused person in custody with instructions to return him to a District court on a particular day
**A Trial warrant is a warrant to hold a prisoner or accused person in custody to await trial or continuation/conclusion of his trial.
118. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the reports that have been submitted to her office by the Office of the Inspector of Prisons that are awaiting publication; the date of submission of each of these reports; when these reports will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18191/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Office of the Inspector of Prisons (OIP) was established under the Prisons Act 2007 and is independent in how it carries out its functions. The Inspector's role is to carry out regular inspections of prisons. As part of this work the Office of the Inspector of Prisons carry out inspections comprising General Inspections and Thematic Inspection (i.e. inspection of a specific operational area across the whole prison estate.) In addition, all deaths in custody and deaths that occur within one month of temporary release, are also subject to an independent investigation by the Inspector of Prisons.
The Inspector's three day monitoring report of the Dóchas Centre was received in my office in August 2020, and it was deemed possible following legal advice to publish this report in January of this year. I requested the Inspector to carry out an investigation into matters arising in the Dóchas Centre, under section 31(2) of the Prisons Act and this investigation report was submitted in February 2022. In addition, a supplementary report which I requested in relation to matters arising from the section 31(2) investigation was received in July 2022.
It was always intended that these reports would be reviewed for publication together but, based on legal advice received by the Department from the Office of the Attorney General, it is not yet possible to publish these reports at this time.
Consideration of these reports is ongoing and I am therefore not in a position to publish them or comment further on their content.
In addition, the Inspector of Prisons has submitted six Death in Custody reports to my Department, 2 on 14 February 2024 and 4 on the 23 February 2024. These are currently being reviewed so they can be published at the earliest opportunity.
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that as part of the Office of the Inspector of Prisons’ regular inspections of prisons six general inspections have been carried out in 2022 and 2023, the reports for which are still awaited. In addition, the Office of the Inspector of Prisons is currently carrying out a Thematic Inspection: Review of Death in Custody Investigations. I look forward to receiving these reports.
119. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice when she will bring forward reform of community sanctions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18192/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the recommendations made in the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform, published in August 2022, are very much focused on the appropriate use of alternatives to detention, which in some instances, are more effective in diverting offenders away from future criminal activity.
As part of the work of implementing the recommendations of this review, my Department has undertaken a policy review of the previously published General Scheme of the Community Sanctions Bill. Following on from this, a revised General Scheme will be brought to Government in due course.
My Department has also commissioned researchers to engage with the District Court on the operation of the Community Service Act and produce a report on judicial insights and perspectives on that Act. The outcomes of this report will be considered in detail.
The Probation Service has statutory responsibility for the management of Community Service. The basic principle underpinning Community Service is that it is a community based sanction, which is a direct alternative to imprisonment. A Community Service Order requires people who have been convicted of offences to perform unpaid work for the benefit of the community. This is a form of payback to the community. It is an opportunity for offenders to acknowledge and repair, indirectly in most instances, some of the hurt, injury and harm caused to the community and their fellow citizens by their offending behaviour. Through this engagement in a workplace environment, Community Service sites support crime free life styles, build a personal skill base and develop a work ethic – all of which promote and support rehabilitation and help prevent reoffending.
In 2023, 1,595 Community Service Orders were managed, totalling more than 206,000 hours of work in lieu of 759 years in prison. This resulted in over €2.3m worth of unpaid work for the benefit of communities nationwide.
Directly supporting the recommendations of the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024, the Probation Service has also commissioned and completed a comprehensive review of Community Service. The resulting implementation plan, ‘Community Service New Directions’, is a three year project from 2024 -2026 with a goal of delivering Community Service as a robust sanction which supports a reduction in reoffending while promoting community payback and community integration. Some of the key objectives of the plan are: to increase the use of the community service order by the Courts to reduce short term imprisonment, to strengthen compliance and enforcement of the sanction consistently nationwide and to foster improvement in victim satisfaction levels.
120. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice her views on the Inspection of the Places of Detention Bill 2022. [18193/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra121. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice her current plans to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture. [18194/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together.
As the Deputy is aware, Ireland does not ratify a convention until the necessary legislation is in place to give full effect to it. The enactment of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill will enable Ireland to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).
The Bill will provide for two principal objectives:
• To strengthen and update the limited statutory basis in place for the Inspector of Prisons in the Prisons Act 2007; and
• To provide for the Inspectorate to become a National Preventive Mechanism, or NPM, with the power to carry out inspections of all Justice Sector places of detention. The Inspectorate will be part of a system of inspections by NPMs and international bodies to be established in the State. This will allow for the ratification of the OPCAT.
The General Scheme of the Inspection of Place of Detention Bill was subject to Pre-Legislative Scrutiny by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and their report was published on 8th March 2023. The recommendations contained in that report have informed the development of the Bill.
Since the General Scheme was published, the Department has consulted with the Inspector of Prisons, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, the Irish Penal Reform Trust and international experts on OPCAT to inform any changes necessary to further reinforce the functional independence of the NPM and overall compliance with the OPCAT.
Officials within my Department are working with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to draft the Bill with a view to publishing it as soon as possible. Once the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill is enacted, the State will then be in a position to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture.
122. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons currently engaged with the bail supervision scheme in the youth justice system; her plans to extend this scheme to the adult population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18195/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Bail Supervision Scheme offers courts an alternative option to detaining a young person who comes before them by providing them the possibility of granting bail with intensive supervision.
By reducing the need for remand places, this also provides an opportunity to focus on developing successful community resources designed to prevent young people being detained in a youth justice facility and preventing them from going further down the path of criminality.
The Bail Supervision Scheme currently serves the Children Courts in Dublin, Limerick and Cork. The scheme uses Multisystemic Therapy (MST) to support families of young people, who appear before the court and receive bail with conditions, to adhere to these conditions prior to subsequent court appearances.
Therapists meet with families and the young person in their homes and communities and empower parents/ guardians to ensure their children adhere to their conditions while at the same time assisting them to engage in education or other courses.
Across the three sites, therapists are currently working with 26 young people and their families, with a further three cases referred. These three cases are being assessed for suitability to participate.
There are currently no plans to extend this scheme; however consideration of a similar scheme for adult female offenders is at a very early stage.
123. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the number of former prisoners who have been referred to the housing first scheme since its establishment in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18196/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing First Service is a model of homeless provision which centres on the provision of permanent housing as the first step in tackling homelessness for individuals with complex needs. The Housing First Service is administered by the Housing Agency who are an agency under the aegis of the Department Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The provision of a tenancy is accompanied by intensive wrap around housing and health supports delivered by a multidisciplinary team to help the individual sustain their tenancy.
The Criminal Justice Housing First Project commenced with effect from 1st October 2020 to deliver a commitment contained in the Housing First National Implementation Plan 2018-2021. The Criminal Justice Housing First project provides help to people with a criminal background (those leaving prison and/or subject to Probation Service Supervision) to obtain and sustain a tenancy upon release from prison. Funding for the Criminal Justice Housing First Project which is an Irish Prison Service/Probation Service joint initiative is administered by the Probation Service. It represents a positive and effective model of cross-agency co-operation.
The Irish Prison Service identifies suitable candidates and assists candidates in completing an expression of interest and confirmation of social housing eligibility. The service is delivered by Peter McVerry Trust on behalf of the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, the Irish Prison Service and The Probation Service, the Health Service Executive and the four Dublin local authorities. The Criminal Justice Housing First Project has completed the pilot phase and is being extended to 31st May 2024 at which point it will be streamlined into the mainstream Housing First Service.
Based on figures provided by the Peter McVerry Trust, I can advise as of 29 January 2024, the Criminal Justice Housing First Project has received 117 expressions of interest from former prisoners, of these 69 have been accepted onto the project while 48 applicants did not meet the criteria for participation. Further 40 tenancies have been created under this project, 21 of these remain active.
124. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice her views on the Programme for Government commitment to introduce legislation to address the issue of spent convictions; and her plans for reform in the area. [18197/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016, provides for certain convictions to become spent once 7 years have passed since the date of conviction. In general, and in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the following convictions may become spent:
All convictions in the District Court for motoring offences which are more than 7 years old, subject to the proviso that spent convictions for dangerous driving are limited to a single conviction.
All convictions in the District Court for minor public order offences which are more than 7 years old.
In addition, where a person has one, and only one, conviction (other than a motoring or public order offence) which resulted in a term of imprisonment of less than 12 months or a fine, that conviction is spent after 7 years. This provision applies to either a District Court or Circuit Court conviction.
A conviction resulting in a non-custodial sentence can also become spent after 7 years. This means such a sentence imposed by a court of imprisonment for a term of 2 years or less, the execution of the whole of which is suspended for a period specified by the court and that suspension is not subsequently revoked in whole or in part by the Court, and is not in addition to a custodial sentence.
We committed as part of the Programme for Government to review the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016. The intention was to broaden the range of convictions that could be considered spent.
As part of this review process, a public consultation on spent convictions was launched by my Department in October 2020. Bespoke research was also commissioned into how spent convictions are handled internationally.
Based on the outcome of that consultation and other submissions received as well as the international research, my Department has compiled a report aimed at identifying and assessing the possible implications of amending the 2016 Act, so that the fairest possible outcomes can be achieved for the public.
This issue remains under review, as consideration is also being given to the Justice Plan 2023 objective to support the work of the Oireachtas in order to progress the Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018. This Private Member’s Bill proposes to amend and considerably expand the above-mentioned 2016 Act.
125. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 169 of 20 March 2024, the number of Garda vetting appeals heard by appeals officers for the years 2019 to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18206/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably, this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy directly once it is to hand.
126. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of marked Garda vans attached to each Garda district within DMR as of 18 April 2024, in tabular form. [18231/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
The unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.
On 31 March 2024 there were 3,513 vehicles in the Garda fleet, the highest ever and a 34% increase since 2015.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently 73 marked vans attached to the DMR. I am further advised that the table below sets out these vans by Division and District.
|
D.M.R. EAST |
Total |
|
BLACKROCK DISTRICT |
3 |
|
DUN LAOGHAIRE DISTRICT |
6 |
|
D.M.R. EAST Total |
9 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH |
Total |
|
BALBRIGGAN DISTRICT |
2 |
|
BALLYMUN DISTRICT |
4 |
|
COOLOCK DISTRICT |
2 |
|
RAHENY DISTRICT |
3 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH Total |
11 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL |
Total |
|
BRIDEWELL DISTRICT |
2 |
|
FITZGIBBON STREET DISTRICT |
1 |
|
STORE STREET DISTRICT |
4 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL Total |
7 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH |
Total |
|
CRUMLIN DISTRICT |
2 |
|
TALLAGHT DISTRICT |
5 |
|
TERENURE DISTRICT |
2 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH Total |
9 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL |
Total |
|
DONNYBROOK DISTRICT |
2 |
|
KEVIN STREET DISTRICT |
3 |
|
PEARSE STREET DISTRICT |
7 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL Total |
12 |
|
D.M.R. WEST |
Total |
|
BLANCHARDSTOWN DISTRICT |
4 |
|
CLONDALKIN DISTRICT |
2 |
|
LUCAN DISTRICT |
3 |
|
D.M.R. WEST Total |
9 |
|
DMR Traffic Dublin Castle District |
1 |
|
A/Comm-Office District (NPOU) |
15 |
