Written Answers Nos. 236-258
  Garda Operations
  Private Security Authority Administration
  Road Traffic Offences
  Road Traffic Offences
  Courts Service Data
  Courts Service Data
  Garda Stations
  Refugee Resettlement Programme
  Immigration Controls
  Crime Data
  Garda Deployment
  Garda Station Closures
  Closed-Circuit Television Systems Provision
  Crime Levels
  Naturalisation Eligibility
  Citizenship Applications
  EU Agreements
  Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Data

Tuesday, 22 March 2016

Dáil Éireann Debate
Vol. 906 No. 2

Written Answers Nos. 236-258

Garda Operations

 236. Deputy Clare Daly   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   if it is appropriate for An Garda Síochána to charge fees to issue copies of traffic accident report abstracts, witness statements, photographs and other documents; and if she will immediately instruct An Garda Síochána to stop charging these fees. [4865/16]

 237. Deputy Clare Daly   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   if it is appropriate and humane for An Garda Síochána to charge fees to bereaved families, which can amount to tens of thousands of euro, to receive copies of Garda traffic accident report abstracts, witness statements, photographs and other Garda documents; if she will immediately instruct An Garda Síochána to stop demanding that bereaved families pay such fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4866/16]

 238. Deputy Clare Daly   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   why there has been a large increase in fees charged for copies of Garda Síochána traffic accident report abstracts, witness statements, photographs and other documents since 2010; and if these increases are justified. [4867/16]

 245. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   if she is examining the possibility of abolishing, waiving or reducing the fees for bereaved families of road traffic collisions for the copies of witness statements and Garda Síochána abstracts relating to the road traffic collisions in which their family members and loved ones were killed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4928/16]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):   I propose to take Questions Nos. 236 to 238, inclusive, and 245 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that persons involved in road traffic collisions, their legal advisers or insurers or other interested parties may, on written request, be supplied with an abstract of the Garda report in respect of the collision, copies of statements of witnesses and sketches or maps of the scene. Abstracts are not supplied until any criminal proceedings are concluded and, in the case of fatal traffic collisions, until the inquest concerning the death has been completed by the Coroner.

The fee regime was last revised in October 2011 when the fee for an abstract was increased from €41 to €60 and the fee for a statement was increased from €21 to €40.

I understand that these fees are designed to recoup administrative costs incurred in the preparation and processing of requests for abstracts and statements and that they are kept under ongoing review. I have no role in relation to the setting or collection of these fees.

Private Security Authority Administration

 239. Deputy John McGuinness   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   if she has set down the timeframes within which the Private Security Authority must deal with applications and appeals; if so, the details of this; if she monitors the efficiency and response times of this authority; the number of applications and appeals dealt with by the authority since its inception; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4899/16]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):   The Private Security Authority, established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, as amended, is the regulatory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing the private security industry in the State. The Authority is an independent body under the aegis of the Department of Justice and Equality. My Department has no role in the administration of applications received by the Authority. The timeframe for processing applications is a matter for which the Authority has sole responsibility.

  I am informed by the Authority, that since licensing was introduced in 2006, it has received over 130,000 licence applications from individuals and almost 5,000 contractor applications. The average processing time for an individual application in 2015 was 43 days for a first time applicant and 26 days for an applicant renewing a licence. Contractor applications averaged 40 days for first time applicants and 13 days for renewal applicants. The processing time is calculated from the date on which an application is received to the date on which a determination is made on the application.

  The Authority has advised me that a number of factors can contribute to time needed to process a licence application, including the time it takes to have an applicant vetted by An Garda Síochána. Another factor is whether an applicant has submitted all required supporting documentation or whether the Authority may need to revert to the applicant for further information.

  The Authority has also informed me that it is currently investing in a new on-line application system which should help to reduce the processing times in 2016.

  In relation to the separate issue of appeals, the Private Security Appeal Board was established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, as amended, to hear and determine appeals against decisions of the Authority. The Appeal Board is independent in the performance of its functions and is independent of the Authority.

  Statistics in respect of applications for appeals to the Private Security Appeal Board for the past five years are set out in the following table:

Road Traffic Offences

 240. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   further to Parliamentary Question No. 265 of 15 of December 2015 regarding the number of fixed charge penalty notices and learner drivers, if that information is now available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4923/16]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):   I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following Table 1 details the number of Fixed Charge Notices (FCNs) that were issued to learner drivers in 2014 and in 2015 for driving without being accompanied by a fully qualified driver and for non-display of L plates. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that 2,906 summons have been issued in regard to those FCNs that have not been paid. These figures are correct as of 14 January 2016 and are operational, provisional and liable to change.

  I am informed by the Courts Service that there is no direct or electronic link between these prosecutions as recorded on the Criminal Case Tracking System (CCTS) and the FCNs originally issued by An Garda Síochána and therefore it is not possible to extract the information sought by the Deputy.

TABLE 1: Fixed Charge Notices (FCN) issued in 2014 and 2015

Road Traffic Offences

 241. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 267 and 268 of 15 December 2015 regarding the replies to earlier parliamentary questions of 3 November 2015, if that information is currently available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4924/16]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):   I wish to advise the Deputy that the information is currently being collated and a response will issue later this week.

Courts Service Data

 242. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   further to Parliamentary Question No. 272 of 15 December 2015 regarding the replies to earlier parliamentary questions of July and November 2015, if that information is now available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4925/16]

 243. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   further to Parliamentary Question No. 273 of 15 December 2015 regarding the replies to earlier parliamentary questions of July and November 2015, if that information is now available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4926/16]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):   The Deputy will be aware that under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of information on the courts system. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have made enquiries with the Courts Service.

  Parliamentary Question No. 272 of 15 December 2015 asked how many of the 20,830 drink driving cases in the District Courts from January 2013 to March 2015 were adjourned, struck out, withdrawn and continuing. Parliamentary Question No. 273 of 15 December 2015 asked whether the figure of 20,830 drink driving cases in the District Courts from January 2013 to March 2015 with 8,391 convictions would be revised and back dated once all outstanding cases were completed. Both questions relate to figures provided by way of response to Parliamentary Question No. 511 of 14 July 2015.

  Based on the most recent report prepared, the figures provided to the Deputy in response to Parliamentary Question No. 511 for answer on 14 July 2015 have been revised to take account of changes in the status of 149 persons as recorded on the Courts Service information system since the original report was prepared e.g. duplicate identities on the original report which have since been resolved. The revised figures for the number of persons listed before the court for drink driving cases for the years 2013, 2014 and January to May 2015 are set out in the following table:

Drink Driving Results per Court Area

Jan – Dec 2013

Drink Driving Results per Court Area

Jan – Dec 2014

Drink Driving Results per Court Area

Jan – May 2015

Courts Service Data

 244. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   further to Parliamentary Question No. 274 of 15 December 2015 regarding the replies to earlier parliamentary questions of November 2015, if that information is now available; and if she will make a statement on the matter.  [4927/16]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):   I wish to refer the Deputy to the following table which details the number of persons convicted under the Road Traffic Acts by District Court Area. The table also provides information on the number of persons convicted where a driving licence number was recorded and the number of persons convicted of a penalty point offence where a driving licence number was recorded. I am informed by the Courts Service that, where a driving licence number is recorded and the accused is convicted, the licence number and details of the conviction are forwarded to the appropriate authority.

  While almost 80% of road traffic infringements are dealt with via Fixed Charge Notices (FCNs) without recourse to court, the application of Court-awarded penalty points to driving licences remains a priority for the Criminal Justice Fixed Charge Processing System (FCPS) Working Group. In this context consideration is now being given by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to the establishment of a ‘master driver licence record’ which will assist by better linking vehicle and driver databases, thereby facilitating the application of penalty points to driving licences.

  Question No. 245 answered with Question No. 236.

Garda Stations

 246. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   to outline the status of the development of the new Garda Síochána divisional headquarters at Murrough, County Galway, including when construction will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4931/16]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):   The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda Authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works, which is primarily responsible for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.

  I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that work commenced on site in October 2015, is progressing in a satisfactory manner and is due to complete in late 2017.

Refugee Resettlement Programme

 247. Deputy Niall Collins   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   to set down the number of Syrian refugees admitted here since the start of the war there five years ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4955/16]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):   Ireland is one of 27 States that participate in a refugee resettlement programme led by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The focus of the Irish resettlement programme in recent years has been on the resettlement of refugees displaced by the Syrian conflict who are living in one of the hosting countries in the region, for example those living in Lebanon, Jordan or Turkey. NGOs working in cooperation with the UNHCR at a local level identify the most vulnerable persons for resettlement, regardless of their race, religion, nationality or ethnicity.

  Resettlement is one of a suite of responses to persons displaced by the Syrian conflict. During 2015, 176 programme refugees were admitted into the State from Jordan and Lebanon of which 163 were part of the Government's pledge to admit 520 refugees as a part of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. A further 88 refugees were admitted from Lebanon in 2016 to date. The balance of the 520 were interviewed during a selection mission to Lebanon earlier this year. Arrangements for the admission of the remainder of this cohort are ongoing.

  In 2014, Ireland introduced a Syrian Humanitarian Admission Programme (SHAP). The SHAP offered naturalised Irish citizens of Syrian birth and Syrian nationals already legally resident in Ireland an opportunity to make an application for vulnerable close family members to join them in Ireland for up to two years under a sponsorship programme. These are persons who are considered by their sponsoring family member present in Ireland to be most at risk. In addition, Syrians legally resident in Ireland, for example, students or persons on work permissions may apply for an extension of their permission to remain in the State while the crisis situation continues. This Programme is an additional initiative in response to the crisis in Syria and is without prejudice to other avenues whereby a Syrian national might lawfully enter the State, such as family reunification for the family members of refugees and persons with subsidiary protection, and UNHCR's resettlement programme. It should be noted that 44 applications in respect of 119 persons were approved under the SHAP.

  The Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was approved by Government Decision on 10 September 2015, in response to the migration crisis in Southern Europe. The Government has confirmed that Ireland would take in up to 4,000 persons by the end of 2017, in respect of relocation and resettlement refugees. This figure of 4,000 includes approximately 2,600 asylum seekers to be taken in from migration hot spots. To date, ten people have arrived in the State under the EU relocation programme. This single Syrian family were relocated from Greece at the end of January.

  Under the national asylum procedure, the vast majority of Syrians who have applied for asylum in Ireland since the outbreak of the conflict in Syria in 2011 and whose applications have since been determined, have been declared to be refugees.  A total of 107 Syrians have been granted refugee status or subsidiary protection in Ireland since the outbreak of the conflict in Syria in 2011. These are applicants who were granted status having made applications for protection either within Ireland or at the frontiers of the State.

  The Deputy will also appreciate that the EU is dealing with a rapidly changing political landscape with regard to the migration crisis in Southern Europe and the situation is likely to remain fluid for a period.

Immigration Controls

 248. Deputy Niall Collins   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   to set out the number of Syrian nationals refused access here in the five years since the start of the war in that country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4956/16]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):   The information sought by the Deputy is being compiled and will be provided to him as soon as possible.

In general a person may be refused leave to land on one, or more, of the eleven grounds set out in Section 4(3) of the Immigration Act, 2004. Every person refused leave to land in the State is served with a notice in which the reason, or reasons, for refusing an application for permission to enter the State is set out.

I would advise the Deputy that persons refused leave to land and who are subsequently removed from the State are returned to their point of embarkation, which in most cases is within the EU. I would also point out that no commercial direct flights to Ireland are available from Syria.

Crime Data

 249. Deputy Niall Collins   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   to set out the number of racist incidents and any percentage increase recorded on the Garda Síochána PULSE system since changes were introduced in December 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4957/16]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):   As the Deputy is aware, the production of official crime statistics is the responsibility of the Central Statistics Office (CSO) as the national statistical agency. The official CSO Recorded Crime Statistics are derived from the data recorded on the Garda PULSE system. However, I am advised that CSO figures are not yet available for the period in question.

I might add that statistics already produced by the CSO on the incidence of racist crime can be accessed on www.integration.ie, the website of the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration (OPMI), an office of my Department which is the focal point for the Government's commitment on anti-racism as a key aspect of integration, diversity management and broader national social policy.

More generally I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána monitors racist and other hate crimes very carefully. The Garda Racial Intercultural and Diversity Office (GRIDO) has responsibility for coordinating, monitoring and advising on all aspects of policing Ireland's diverse communities. I am advised that GRIDO monitors the reporting and recording of hate and racist crime on a continual basis.

I have asked the Garda authorities for a report on the effect of the changes to PULSE referred to by the Deputy with respect to the recording of racist and hate crime. I will contact the Deputy directly when this report is to hand.

Garda Deployment

 250. Deputy Thomas Byrne   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   to outline her plans to ensure a full-time Garda Síochána presence in the Duleek and Donore areas of County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4992/16]

 252. Deputy Thomas Byrne   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   to set down the criteria which the Garda Síochána Commissioner uses in allocating gardaí; the reason the number of gardaí in the Ashbourne Garda district of the Meath division is relatively low; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4994/16]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):   I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 252 together.

  As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions, and I as Minister have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí is continually monitored and reviewed so as to ensure optimal use is made of Garda human resources. As with all other Divisions, the deployment of members of An Garda Síochána and of the Garda Reserve in the Meath Division is considered as part of a distribution model that takes into account all relevant factors including crime trends, demographics, and security assessments relating to the Division in question.

  I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Meath Garda Division as of 31 January 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 277. The Division is also supported by 33 Garda Reserves and 25 civilians. The number of Gardaí assigned to Ashbourne and Duleek on the 31 January 2016 was 44 and 4, respectively. I have also been informed by the Garda Commissioner that Donore is patrolled by members attached to the neighbouring Drogheda District, which is approximately 6 km away.

  Ongoing seamless recruitment to renew An Garda Síochána is crucial to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to provide effective and visible policing throughout the country. With this in mind Budget 2016 made provision for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí this year bringing to 1,150 the number of new Gardaí who will have been recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014. To date there have been six intakes of Garda Trainees to the Garda College, giving a total intake of 550 with a further 150 commencing training on 11 April 2016. So far 395 of these new recruits have been fully attested and are undertaking Garda duties in communities nationwide. I am assured by Garda management that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of newly attested Gardaí and in this context 15 Probationer Gardaí have been assigned to the Meath Division.

Garda Station Closures

 251. Deputy Thomas Byrne   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   to outline when the merger of the Ashbourne Garda Síochána district and the east Meath Garda Síochána district of the Meath division will be reversed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4993/16]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):   The formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations is a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in the context of annual policing plans, as provided for in section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

  The Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme was implemented in An Garda Síochána during 2012 and 2013. The objective of the review was to identify opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency and streamline practices within the organisation. The review concluded that a revised district and station network commensurate with the organisation's resource base would best meet public demand.

  This was reflected in An Garda Síochána’s Policing Plans 2012 and 2013 which set out the details of the closure of 39 Garda stations in 2012 and 100 Garda stations in 2013.

  The revised structures continue to provide policing support through the restructuring of the station network. The centralisation of services facilitates the introduction of enhanced patrolling systems that are operational and intelligence led. This patrol system ensures that a high visibility and community-oriented policing service continues to be delivered throughout the country and that yields the following benefits:

- Increased Garda visibility and patrol hours

- Increased mobility and flexibility within an area resulting in an improved policing service to the public

- Enhanced co-ordination of Garda activity resulting in a greater visibility and presence in the communities

- More effective use of limited resources across a wider area

- Continued Garda presence in communities.

  I understand from discussions with the Garda Commissioner that the current consolidation process is largely completed.

  Question No. 252 answered with Question No. 250.

Closed-Circuit Television Systems Provision

 253. Deputy Thomas Byrne   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   to set out the progress of an application made for closed circuit television in the east Meath towns of Duleek and Donore; when funding will be provided for this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4995/16]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):   Section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005 sets out the provisions governing the operation of CCTV schemes in public areas. This includes the need for all such CCTV schemes to be authorised in writing by the Garda Commissioner. In this context, the CCTV Advisory Committee has been established to advise on all aspects of CCTV operated for the purpose of increasing public safety and reducing the risk of anti-social and criminal activity.

This Committee also examines applications for CCTV projects and makes appropriate recommendations having regard to the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act and the Garda Policy for the Operation and use of CCTV schemes. I am informed that the Committee is not currently in receipt of any formal application to introduce a CCTV system in Duleek or Donore.

I am very conscious of the value that communities, especially rural communities, place on CCTV as a means of deterring crime and assisting in the detection of offenders. With this in mind, I have instigated a review of the effectiveness of the Community CCTV Scheme in conjunction with the Garda authorities. The outcome of that review will inform future decisions on the continuation of the Scheme. The Deputy may also be aware that my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, made an announcement in September 2015 in relation the provision of CCTV in rural areas which is to be funded from the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.

Crime Levels

 254. Deputy Michael Lowry   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   if she is aware of the continued concern of the local community at the increased crime levels in County Tipperary; her views on providing additional resources to deal with this situation, including the urgency of installing closed circuit television monitoring in the areas that have high levels of criminal activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4998/16]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):   As the Deputy will recall from my meeting with community representatives from Tipperary in December 2015, I am very much aware of the impact of crime on communities in Tipperary and in other areas of the country. The Deputy will also appreciate that the allocation of Garda resources to particular areas is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the first instance.

  The Government has developed a carefully considered strategy to tackle crime, in particular domestic burglary, which has strengthened the law and provided very significant investments to augment the capacity of An Garda Síochána to enforce the law effectively.

  I made it a particular priority to strengthen our legislative provisions through the enactment of the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Act 2015 which is targeted at repeat burglars who have previous convictions and who are charged with multiple offences of residential burglary. I am very pleased that this new legislation is now available to support the concerted drive against crime which is being carried out by An Garda Síochána under Operation Thor.

  While it will take some time to properly assess its impact on crime, the Garda authorities have reported very positive operational feedback since the launch of Operation Thor on 2 November 2015. This is underlined by a significant series of arrests in various locations around the country and charges being brought against numerous individuals. Operation Thor has led to the arrest of particular target suspects in relation to burglary, as well as handling stolen property, possession of firearms and drugs offences, and including arrests connected to crimes committed by mobile criminal groups. There has been concentrated nationwide Garda activity under Operation Thor, including 16,339 anti-crime patrols, 19,851 targeted checkpoints and 1,069 burglary related arrests. The early indications from the Garda authorities are that, in the period from 2 November 2015 to 5 March 2016 Operation Thor has led to an estimated decrease in burglary of in the order of 35% when compared to the same period the previous year. The Garda crime figures will of course be subject to further analysis and verification by the Central Statistics Office in due course.

  Operation Thor delivers on increased investment in policing by this Government and marks a significant step-up in the Garda response to burglaries and related crime. In excess of €5 million is being specifically committed to support Operation Thor and includes funding for Garda overtime which will support a combination of additional patrols, checkpoints, rapid armed response and public awareness measures. Furthermore, since 2012, an overall amount of €34 million has been invested in the Garda fleet, with over 640 new vehicles coming on stream in 2015. This significant investment provides the Gardaí with additional high-powered vehicles, marked and unmarked patrol cars, and motorcycles for high-visibility road policing which will support important anti-crime strategies such as Operation Thor. Investment in a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose Garda fleet will continue under the Government’s Capital Plan 2016-2021 which provides €46 million for new Garda vehicles, ensuring that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive, on the roads and in the community. The Government is also investing in Garda airborne surveillance and enhanced technology and ICT systems. In fact, the Capital Plan 2016-2021 provides an additional €205 million for Garda ICT over the lifetime of the Plan.

  The Government has also ended the moratorium on Garda recruitment and there is provision for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí this year, bringing to 1,150 the number of new Gardaí who will have been recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014.

  Garda CCTV systems are installed to support crime prevention and as aids to policing. Decisions in relation to the introduction or extension of these Garda systems are a matter for the Commissioner. The Garda authorities inform me that they keep the current Garda CCTV arrangements under ongoing review in the context of changing operational requirements.

  I am conscious, however, of the value that communities place on CCTV and with this in mind, I have instigated a review of the effectiveness of the Community CCTV Scheme in conjunction with the Garda authorities. The outcome of that review will inform future decisions on the continuation of the Scheme. The Deputy may also be aware that my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, has announced funding from the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 in relation the provision of CCTV in rural areas.

  In conclusion, I can assure the Deputy that I remain in close contact with the Garda Commissioner with a view to ensuring that we continue to build on the early successes of Operation Thor and that communities in Tipperary and all other areas of the country benefit from the improved legislation and increased investments in policing which the Government has put in place.

Naturalisation Eligibility

 255. Deputy Michael McGrath   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   to set out the legal avenues whereby a citizen of the United States of America can legally reside here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5084/16]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):   All of the varied migration avenues available to non-EEA nationals are equally open to citizens of the United States. The details of the different categories of migration and the terms and conditions applicable can be found on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) at http://www.inis.gov.ie. Two further elements that are relevant to US nationals are, firstly, that they do not need a visa to come to Ireland and, secondly, that the United States is one of a small number of countries with which Ireland has a working holiday agreement. Details of the working Holiday Agreement with the United States can be found on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Citizenship Applications

 256. Deputy Michael McGrath   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   to set out the cost of becoming an Irish citizen; the process in place for reviewing the cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5091/16]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):   The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. 569 of 2011) sets out the fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation. An application fee of €175 is payable on application for a certificate of naturalisation and a certification fee is payable by applicants on the issue of a certificate of naturalisation. The standard certification fee is set at €950, while a reduced fee of €200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of recognised refugees and stateless persons the certification fee is nil.

  The standard fees payable by an applicant are designed to reflect the effort and cost involved in processing applications for a certificate of naturalisation.

  The Deputy will be aware that formal citizenship ceremonies have been introduced at no extra cost to applicants. These have been universally well received by participants as the ceremonies provide a sense of dignity and occasion that serves to underscore the importance to both the State and the applicant of the granting of Irish citizenship.

  Where an applicant for naturalisation notifies the Citizenship Division that they require more time to obtain the required fee a deferral of the granting of the certificate can, of course, be facilitated.  All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 are kept under ongoing review by my Department. However, there are no plans to reduce or abolish these fees.

EU Agreements

 257. Deputy Thomas Pringle   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   if she will ensure that Ireland does not sign up to a new agreement with Turkey at the meeting of the European Council this week which, if successfully passed, will be in contravention of our international obligations to protect refugees in accordance with the United Nations; if Ireland will contribute any further payments to Turkey or accept any more refugees other than those agreed to in September 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5115/16]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):   At the European Council meeting on 17 and 18 March, attended by the Taoiseach, the Heads of State or Government of the 28 EU Member States agreed additional action points with Turkey, as set out in the Joint EU-Turkey Statement. This includes an agreement that all new irregular migrants crossing from Turkey into the Greek islands as and from 20 March will be returned to Turkey. It was also agreed that the return of irregular migrants to Turkey will take place in full accordance with EU and international law. Furthermore, all migrants will be protected in accordance with the relevant international standards and in respect of the principle of non-refoulement. For each Syrian returned to Turkey under this agreement, the EU will resettle one Syrian in need of international protection directly from Turkey to the EU. As the Statement notes, this will be a temporary and extraordinary measure which is necessary to end human suffering and to restore public order.

The Statement does not establish any new commitments on Member States as far as the EU Relocation and Resettlement programmes are concerned under which the Government has already agreed to accept up to 4,000 persons overall under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.

Ireland will contribute €22.9 million to the Facility for Refugees in Turkey out of the total funding of €3 billion agreed under the Joint EU-Turkey Action Plan, which was activated on 29 November last. It is important to note that this funding is to support refugees in Turkey and will focus on meeting their immediate needs by providing food, health services and education. The first projects under the Facility announced by the Commission at the beginning of this month will provide access to formal education for Syrian children in Turkey and humanitarian aid through the World Food Programme which will help to reach 735,000 Syrian refugees with food aid.

The EU-Turkey Statement commits additional funding of up to €3 billion to the Facility for Refugees only if the original €3 billion is fully spent and if all commitments under the agreement with Turkey are met. A decision on a contribution to be made by Ireland to this additional funding will be a matter for the incoming administration, if required.

Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Data

 258. Deputy Denis Naughten   asked the Minister for Justice and Equality   to set out the number of representations received by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, INIS, from the dissolution of the Thirty-First Dáil to date; the number returned to public representatives within the period in question; the number of representations received via the Minister's office; the number responded to in detail; the number returned to the public representative concerned; her views on whether it is appropriate that the only public office of the State which rejected representations during the period of the general election was INIS; the person by whom the decision was taken to reject such representations; the steps she is taking to ensure that this is not repeated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5140/16]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):   The email enquiry service provided by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service which is in place for the exclusive use of Oireachtas members was put on hold for the duration of the general election. As the Deputy is aware following dissolution of the Dáil, TDs cease to be members of the Oireachtas. This decision was taken at operational level by the INIS authorities. During the period in question queries continued to be accepted and processed and replies were released to Members on their return to the Dáil. Thus all requests received from Dáil members returned to the new Dáil on 10 March 2016 were responded to on that date or very shortly afterwards.

Written representations submitted directly to my Office relating to INIS were processed as normal following the dissolution of the 31st Dáil.