Wednesday, 4 May 2022

Written Answers Nos. 373-385

Visa Applications

Ceisteanna (373)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

373. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice when approval will issue for a short-term visa application by a person (details supplied). [21825/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The person referred to by the Deputy created an on-line Short Stay 'C' Visit visa application on 9 March 2022. The supporting documentation and fee waivers were received on 16 March 2022 in the Ankara Visa Office. Processing of this application is ongoing at present. They will be notified in writing as soon as a decision has been made.

The Ankara Visa Office is experiencing an unprecedented number of applications at present, with a current processing time for visit visa applications of 16 weeks. Applicants can keep up-to-date with processing times by checking the following webpage, which is updated weekly: www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/turkey/visas/visas-for-ireland-weekly-decisions-report/ .

Bench Warrants

Ceisteanna (374)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

374. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice the number of bench warrants currently outstanding in each Garda division as of 26 April 2022, in tabular form. [21838/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will appreciate, difficulties in relation to the execution of warrants, including bench warrants, are a long-standing issue for many police services around the world; notably relating to persons actively seeking to evade detection and where limited identification information might be available to support enforcement.  These difficulties are compounded where the warrant has been outstanding for some years.  However, I am assured that An Garda Síochána execute warrants as expeditiously as possible, giving priority to the execution of warrants relating to serious crimes.

The Deputy will also appreciate that the figure for outstanding bench warrants recorded by PULSE at any given time reflects an accumulation of old bench warrants which has arisen over the years and that therefore the total figure for outstanding bench warrants as shown on PULSE may not be a reliable indicator of the number of 'live' warrants which are actually enforceable.

While it is important to note that an individual can be the subject of multiple bench warrants, I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as of 27 April 2022, there are 34,277 bench warrants outstanding nationally.  The table below provides a breakdown of bench warrants outstanding by Garda Division. 

Garda Division	Outstanding Bench Warrants	Older than 6 Months	Older than 12 Months	Longest Outstanding Issue Date
Cavan/Monaghan	887	661	606	03/12/1999
Clare	267	132	107	02/10/1991
Cork City	1,037	643	560	26/10/1999
Cork North	321	183	152	05/07/2000
Cork West	190	132	117	20/10/2003
D.M.R. East	784	669	638	16/03/1990
D.M.R. North Central	5,515	4,833	4,591	14/02/1968
D.M.R. North	4,565	3,806	3,578	14/12/1995
D.M.R. South Central	2,199	1,784	1,663	02/11/1995
D.M.R. South	3,190	2,687	2,555	20/04/1998
D.M.R. West	6,076	5,129	4,715	29/01/1987
Donegal	652	547	503	28/07/1999
Galway	1,031	721	639	18/01/1999
Kerry	446	351	329	23/01/1997
Kildare	837	571	486	27/01/2000
Kilkenny/Carlow	482	360	328	14/06/1994
Laois/Offaly	332	190	160	23/02/2004
Limerick	1,024	640	539	22/04/1997
Louth	875	506	452	01/06/1999
Mayo	274	176	161	28/01/1999
Meath	592	380	324	09/01/2001
Roscommon/Longford	235	137	117	15/09/1998
Sligo/Leitrim	307	248	222	22/07/1998
Tipperary	561	297	230	18/05/2000
Waterford	374	241	193	04/04/2000
Westmeath	269	175	134	04/10/2001
Wexford	412	265	203	28/08/2001
Wicklow	543	410	316	11/02/2000
Total	34,277	26,874	24,618

Figures were collated based on PULSE data as of 5:30am on the 28 April 2022. They are operational and may be liable to change.

Question No. 375 answered with Question No. 358.

Visa Agreements

Ceisteanna (376)

James O'Connor

Ceist:

376. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice if any work visas are currently available for Ukrainian migrants travelling to Ireland from other European Union countries. [21849/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

On 25 February, I announced the immediate lifting of all visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens travelling to the State. This has streamlined and supported the swift exit of both the Ukrainian family members of Irish citizens, and the family members of people from Ukraine who are resident in Ireland. It applies as an emergency measure to all Ukrainians travelling to Ireland and is a humanitarian response to the rapidly evolving situation in Ukraine.

In addition, the EU Temporary Protection Directive has now been activated in response to the Ukraine crisis. Ireland participates in this measure, which has been given legal effect under Section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015.

Those eligible for Temporary Protection (granted initially for one year, but renewable) will have immediate access to the labour market, social welfare, accommodation and other State supports as necessary. More than 26,000 people have been granted Temporary Protection in Ireland since the Directive was activated on 4 March. 

Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection do not require an employment permit or a employment visa to gain full access to the labour market in Ireland.

Citizenship Applications

Ceisteanna (377)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

377. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for citizenship in the cases of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21886/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The applications for naturalisation from the persons referred to by the Deputy, continue to be processed with a view to establishing whether the applicants meet the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation, and 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. 

In addition, the combined impact of the 2019 High Court judgment in the Jones case and the necessary health restrictions arising from the pandemic, has unfortunately resulted in the processing time for standard applications increasing. 

However, my Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have also 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.

In 2021, my Department issued 11,512 citizenship decisions, which is the highest number of decisions made since 2015, and reflects positively the significant changes undertaken to date.

It is open to the applicants to contact the Citizenship Division of my Department at: [e-mail] at any time for an update on their application.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: [e-mail], which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Residency Permits

Ceisteanna (378)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

378. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for a residency permit in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21887/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The person referred to by the Deputy held a Stamp 4 immigration permission valid to 9 December 2021. This permission has been extended until 31 May 2022, under the automatic extension of immigration permissions I announced on 17 December 2021. All permissions have been extended on the same terms and conditions as the permission already held.

They have also lodged a formal application with my Department for a renewal of their permission to remain. This application will be processed to completion in due course. 

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 [e-mail], which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Human Trafficking

Ceisteanna (379)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

379. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons arrested and charged with human trafficking offences in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21889/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The information sought was requested from An Garda Síochána but was not provided in the timeframe allowed. Once the relevant information is received I will contact the Deputy directly. 

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to your Parliamentary Question No. 379 of 4 May 2022 asking the number of persons arrested and charged with human trafficking offences in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form and if I would make a statement on the matter. You will recall that at the time I had reached out to An Garda Síochána to request information they may have and I undertook to forward any information when received.

Human trafficking is a particularly heinous crime, based on deception and exploitation of vulnerable people.

This Government is serious about preventing and prosecuting for human trafficking. We are confident that the victim-centred policy approach we are taking will encourage more victims to come forward which will, in turn, strengthen prosecutions and convictions.

There are two areas of progress in particular that I wish to highlight.

The first is the approval by Government to revise the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and to place it on a statutory footing.

The NRM provides a way for all agencies, both State and civil society, to co-operate, share information about potential victims, identify those victims and facilitate their access to advice, accommodation and support.

Currently, when suspected victims of human trafficking are encountered by, or referred to, An Garda Síochána they are provided with a wide range of services by both the Government and NGOs through the NRM. It is widely accepted that having the Gardaí as the sole competent authority for the formal recognition of people as victims of human trafficking is not the optimal system.

The new approach acknowledges other state bodies and NGOs have a role in identifying victims of human trafficking and referring them to the NRM.

We want to be sure that every victim of trafficking is identified and helped so we can support them. Doing this is of course the right approach but it will also help us gather more information and evidence in order to bring to justice the traffickers who prey on vulnerable people with no regard for the lives and safety of their victims.

I also want to note the development of a new National Action Plan on human trafficking. A consultant has produced a short and focused analysis of the current position in relation to human trafficking in Ireland. The analysis includes a research review, a synopsis of the extent of trafficking in Ireland and a summary of issues to address.

My Department is now engaged with a working group to draft the new National Action Plan high-level goals and outcomes.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that a search of the PULSE database was conducted on 5 May 2022 to identify:

1. Any charges created since 1 January 2021 whereby an offence contrary to either the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act, 2000 or the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act, 2008 was referenced.

2. Any incident of PULSE category “Human Trafficking” which includes the following types:

- Labour Exploitation - Person Other Than A Child

- Sexual Exploitation - Person Other Than A Child

- Labour Exploitation Of A Child

- Sexual Exploitation Of A Child

- Soliciting or Importuning for Prostitution

- Other Offences

3. Any incident of PULSE category ‘Miscellaneous’ and of type ‘Human Trafficking Offences’

The count of unique incidents and charges for full year 2021 and year to date, 4 May 2022 is as follows:

Type	2021	2022
Incidents	51	11
Charges	27	0

Information provided is taken from PULSE as of 05/05/2022; it is operational and may be liable to change. Crime counting rules have been applied to the incident count.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (380)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

380. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of new Garda cars and vans allocated to the Garda dog unit in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; the number of vehicles withdrawn from this unit during same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21890/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The Deputy will be aware that, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. The allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use. 

Budget 2022 provides in excess of an unprecedented €2 billion, of which I am informed that €12m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet, which will mean more high visibility policing in our towns and cities.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are currently 14 vehicles attached to the Garda Dog unit. 

I am further informed that the tables below set out the number of vehicles allocated to and removed from the Garda Dog unit in 2021 and up to 29 April 2022, the latest date for which figures are available.

Vehicles allocated to the Garda Dog Unit 

Allocations	Cars	Vans	4x4	Total
2021	0	2	2	4
2022 (at 29 April 2022)	0	0	0	0

Vehicles removed from the Garda Dog Unit 

Removals	Cars	Vans	4x4	Total
2021	0	2	0	2
2022 (at 29 April 2022)	0	0	0	0

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (381)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

381. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of full-time Garda civilian staff by job title working in the Garda mounted unit as of 31 December 2019, 31 December 2020 and 25 April 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21891/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment, training and appointment of its members and civilian staff. As Minister, I have no direct role in these independent functions. 

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I sought the following information from the Garda authorities that shows the Garda staff attached to the Operational Support Unit, which the Mounted Unit is part of. 

	31/12/2019	31/12/2020	25/04/2022
Clerical Officer	2	2	1
Groom	2	2	2

I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. The full complement of resources fluctuates on an ongoing basis and where a deficiency in resources is identified, the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly.

Drug Dealing

Ceisteanna (382)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

382. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons arrested and charged with possession of drugs for sale or supply within the Donegal Garda Division in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21892/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda operations aimed at preventing and countering criminal activity, and the enforcement of legislation pertaining to illegal drugs. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I sought the following information from the Garda authorities that shows the count of unique charges created by year for Donegal Division for the offence of ‘Possession of Drugs for Sale or Supply’. The count for 2022 is to 01 May 2022.

Year	Count of Charges
2020	70
2021	78
2022	15

Figures were collated based on PULSE data as of 02 May 2022. They are operational and may be liable to change.

Visa Applications

Ceisteanna (383)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

383. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of visa applications processed in each overseas visa office in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21893/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

There are currently seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin.  These are located in Abuja; Beijing; London; Moscow; Ankara; Abu Dhabi; and New Delhi. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs processes certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated sanction from my Department.

The visa process has a crucial role to play in supporting economic activity in the State through the facilitation of tourism from emerging markets, the promotion of Ireland as a destination for international education and facilitating those coming here for business and work, etc.  As with all visa services worldwide, the central concern in deciding on visa applications is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime while at the same time not placing unnecessary or unreasonable obstacles in the way of intending visitors.

The tables below set out the figures for Type C Short Stay and Type D Long Stay visas processed in 2021 and in 2022 to end April.

2021

Office	Number processed
Abu Dhabi	4,646
Abuja	2,004
Ankara	2,412
Beijing	3,777
London	1,563
Moscow	2,281
New Delhi	16,549
Total	33,232

2022

Office	Number processed to 30 April 2022
Abu Dhabi	3,089
Abuja	1,320
Ankara	1,459
Beijing	1,589
London	1,833
Moscow	1,060
New Delhi	10,353
Total	20,703

Departmental Data

Ceisteanna (384)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

384. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of external experts consultants on retainer or engaged by the Garda national cybercrime unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau; the number of cases that units secured a conviction in 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21894/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau, unfortunately this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy when the information is to hand. 

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (385)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

385. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number and location of Garda forensic collision investigators; when the last competition for new forensic collision investigators was held; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21895/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, however, the information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 385 of 4 May 2022 where you sought:

“The number and location of Garda forensic collision investigators; and when the last competition for new forensic collision investigators was held”.

As you will recall, I sought the information you requested from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.

As you will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. The Commissioner is also responsible for the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff under the Act and, as Minister, I have no direct role in these independent functions.

The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with an unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2022 of over €2 billion. This includes funding for the recruitment of up to an additional 800 Garda members and up to 400 Garda staff. In this regard I welcome the strong interest shown in the latest Garda recruitment competition, with over 11,000 applications received.

Additionally, over 800 Garda members have also been redeployed in recent years from administrative duties to frontline policing roles where their expertise can be utilised fully. The continual commitment to this policy of redeployment has impacted and will continue to impact positively on local communities across the country, contributing to a more visible police presence.

I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. The full complement of resources fluctuates on an ongoing basis and where a deficiency in resources is identified, the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly.

I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the division and its specific needs.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the last competition for Forensic Collision Investigators (FCI) was held in 2018.

I am further advised that the current FCI model is under review, with a view to introducing a tasking and co-ordination process to ensure a timely and professional service. On completion of the review, numbers that require training will be determined to ensure an efficient and effective model that also considers the wellbeing of Forensic Collision Investigators.

The table appended below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Forensic Collision Investigators (FCI) per Region at 6 May 2022

I hope that this information is of assistance.

Appendix

	Current Number of Forensic Collision Investigators By Region
DMR	5
North Western Region	6
Southern Region	9
Eastern Region	10
Total	30