* New agency under consideration to deliver excellent services to victims. * Priority areas for refuge accommodation identified. * Government commits to meeting accommodation recommendations in Istanbul Convention. * Ministers deliver update on third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today welcomed the publication of the Tusla review of accommodation services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
The Ministers also outlined the priority areas for refuge provision, as well as long term structural reforms to improve supports for victims and tackle domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
The Tusla review highlights gaps in geographical coverage and inadequate provision of safe accommodation, including refuges, to meet the country’s needs. It recommends an approach to address these issues with immediate, medium and long-term actions required.
At the end of 2021, Tusla funded 155 DSGBV-related accommodation units, provided by 44 organisations. These consisted of 137 refuge units and 18 safe houses. In addition, Tusla supports 16 rape crisis/sexual violence organisations who provide critical and specialist services to victims.
The Ministers acknowledge the need to dramatically increase the provision of refuges.
While the review says that a minimum of between 50 and 60 new refuge places are needed as a priority, further analysis has identified 10 locations nationwide where the delivery of 82 family refuge spaces would have the most impact if prioritised.
These locations and refuge need have been chosen on the basis of required proximity to a refuge, as well as a need for refuge spaces per population in densely populated areas.
These represent areas where there is the most significant under-provision and represent a starting point to increasing refuge spaces comprehensively and in every county across the country.
They are:
Sligo(8 family places)
Cavan/Monaghan(8 family places)
Cork city(12 family places – 6 new, 6 replacement)
North Cork(5 family places)
West Cork(5 family places)
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown(10 family places)
Westmeath(8 family places – four new, four replacements)
Portlaoise(8 family places)
Balbriggan(10 family places)
Longford(8 family places)
In addition to the locations identified by Tusla, there will now be engagement with local authorities, government departments and State agencies to source refuge provision in Offaly, Carlow, Roscommon, Leitrim and Cavan/Monaghan.
The timelines for delivery of these places, as well as further targets for nationwide delivery of refuge accommodation, will be outlined by Minister McEntee as part of the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender based violence and accompanying action plans, which will be published in April.
Reformed structures for delivering refuge spaces, to accelerate the process and ensure a truly nationwide availability of services, will also be included in the new strategy.
Minister McEntee also asked the many local organisations doing excellent work in this area to come forward to Tusla, working initially with its partners on a new interdepartmental group until new processes are established, if they need assistance in furthering projects to provide refuge places.
The Minister today updated those working in the sector on the third national strategy, which has been co-designed with those working on the frontline with victims. The Minister will also launch a wider public consultation tomorrow (Thursday).
The new structures include consideration of a new statutory agency on domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
This agency, which will require legislation, staffing and funding to succeed, will be tasked with:
Delivering excellent services to victims of DSGBV, which will include delivering on the number of safe and accessible accommodation spaces needed for victims of DSGBV, as well as ensuring that helpline and other supports are available to everyone who requires them;
Ensuring a robust set of national service standards and governance arrangements are in place to ensure adherence to the appropriate standards for such supports;
Answering to the Minister for Justice, following policy direction set by the Minister and the Department of Justice and, working with the Minister, co-ordinating the actions of the third national strategy across government
Reporting to a dedicated Cabinet sub committee
Leading on awareness raising campaigns designed to reduce the incidence of DSGBV in Irish society as well as ensuring that all victims know how to access the supports they require;
Leading on consistent and ongoing research to inform DSGBV policy development, working with others, such as the CSO, who have research and data projects underway.
Publication of the accommodation review follows the recent publication of an independent audit of responsibility for domestic, sexual and gender based violence across Government.
On foot of this audit it has been agreed that the Department of Justice will take over responsibility for service delivery, in addition to its policy responsibility for this important area. The new agency would form a major part of this approach.
Until the new agency is established, Tusla will report to the Minister for Justice for service provision for domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
Minister McEntee said: “It is clear that we have a lot to do to achieve our shared goal of zero tolerance of domestic, sexual and gender based violence. It is also clear that it will undoubtedly be a challenge to meet the needs of our vulnerable women and men who need our help. But it is a challenge I have no doubt that we will meet. To do so, we must put in place structures and policies which will protect and support victims for generations, and bring about the societal shift in attitudes that is so desperately needed. We must also take action in the near term, and I intend to prioritise a significant number of areas for accommodation need and, in the medium term, there will be further service expansion in other areas. The response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a cross departmental and multi-agency issue. I’m leading the development across Government on our new national strategy, which will set an overall goal of zero tolerance for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. It will also make provision for how we deliver refuge spaces, both in the immediate and longer term, to cater for the needs of victims. It is my goal that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and we will work with those working in the sector to achieve that goal. I would urge any local organisations around the country to come forward to Tusla, working initially with its partners on a new interdepartmental group until new processes are established, if they need assistance in furthering projects to provide refuge places.”
The Minister has established a High Level Interdepartmental Group to look at the issue of delivery and how it can be improved.
Minister O’Gorman said: “The Government is committed to delivering a strong response to domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence. It is clear that more needs to be done, both for those who are in immediate need of a safe place, but also in tackling the root causes of gender-based violence in Ireland. Through the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-based Violence, we can deliver that transformative change. I would like to place on record my thanks to Tusla for producing this review, which will help guide the Government’s wider response to the provision of services, and for their ongoing work supporting victims of domestic violence.”
Coordination and delivery structures are being finalised but they will include support from the Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Equality, chaired by the Taoiseach, and a high level oversight board co-chaired by the Secretary General to Government and the Secretary General of the Department of Justice.
Minister McEntee added,
“Today we spoke with the NGO sector about the Tusla accommodation review and shared a draft of the third national strategy as part of our ongoing consultation. Tomorrow I will launch a public consultation on the strategy. Following these consultations, the strategy and action plan will be finalised, brought to Government and published as soon as possible.”
A man has been charged following the seizure by Gardaí of suspected cannabis herb in Tipperary, worth an estimated €125,000 .
As part of Operation Tara, Gardaí arrested the man, after having raided a house in a rural area situated between Nenagh and Toomevara on Friday last, February 11th, 2022.
During their search, Gardaí discovered what they describe as a sophisticated grow house in the attic of his home, with the area containing 17 cannabis plants, with an estimated value of €13,600.
Continued searches revealed a further four sealed buckets, containing sealed vacuum packed cannabis herb, with an estimated value of €112,000.
Pending further analysis; in total €125,600 of the suspected herb was seized at the dwelling.
The arrested man, understood to be in his early 60s, was taken from the scene to Nenagh Garda Station and detained under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.
He has since been charged and is expected to appear before a special sitting of Tipperary District Court this morning, Monday, February 14th, 2022.
Minister McEntee opens new recruitment campaign for An Garda Síochána in its centenary year.
Minister urges members of new Irish communities, women and people from minority groups to apply.
Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee, TD, has today urged anyone who wants to join An Garda Síochána to apply for a position in the service as she opens a new recruitment campaign.
The Minister said that, as we celebrate 100 years of service from An Garda Síochána, the Government is increasing the number of Gardaí on our streets.
Budget 2022 has provided for the recruitment of up to 800 Gardaí and 400 Garda staff this year and many of those recruited will be drawn from this competition.
She has also urged members of new Irish communities, women and people from minority groups to consider a career in An Garda Síochána.
Both the Government and the Garda Commissioner are committed to increasing diversity within An Garda Síochána and ensuring that all communities can see themselves reflected in our police service.
Minister McEntee said: “This recruitment campaign is of particular significance as we this year celebrate 100 years of An Garda Síochána. There has never been a better time to join the Gardaí as we work towards a policing service for the future that is valued for the essential public service it provides.
A cornerstone of the vital work of An Garda Síochána is its engagement with communities and my hope is that we can have a policing service that is as diverse as the communities it serves.
I urge anyone who wants to join An Garda Síochána to apply, but I want to particularly encourage women to consider a career with the Gardaí. Significant efforts have been made to increase the proportion of women in the service, and we are ahead of many other countries, but we still have a long way to go.
Equally, I want to encourage people from our new Irish communities and minority groups to consider applying for what is a worthwhile and valued career.
I welcome the fact that the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, is focused on creating a policing service which values equality, diversity and inclusion because it is so important that every person in the country feels that they are reflected in the Garda members they see on the street or in their local station.
Of course, we want a policing service that is diverse not only in gender and ethnicity, but also in socio-economic and geographical background. I would encourage all those with an interest in joining to visit publicjobs.ie and to consider applying.”
The Garda Commissioner has put a welcome focus on equality, diversity and inclusion, as An Garda Síochána seek to embed the principle that human rights are the foundation and the purpose of policing in Ireland.
This has included changes to Garda uniform policy, the establishment of the Garda National Diversity Forum, and representation from diverse and minority communities in the Garda Reserve. An Garda Síochána are working to produce a combined internal and external Equality, Diversity and Integration Strategy in early 2022.
The competition is the first held since new Regulations were introduced, amending the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013, to allow for a broader appeal for service with An Garda Síochána to reflect the increasing diversity of Irish Society.
In addition to technical amendments required to reflect changes in legislation from the Refugee Act 1996 to the International Protections Act 2015, the requirement for applicants to be proficient in two languages, one of which must be English or Irish, has also been changed. Under the amended regulations, proficiency is now only required in one language – which can be English or Irish.
An Garda Síochána remains committed to the Irish language and studies in the Irish language will remain part of the Policing BA delivered to all trainee Gardaí in the Garda College, Templemore, Co. Tipperary.
A new Irish Language Strategy has been developed by An Garda Síochána and will be launched early this year. The Strategy aims to strengthen Irish language services within An Garda Síochána and ensure compliance with statutory language obligations.
* Scheme is open for online applications for those who don’t have a current permission to reside in Ireland. * Applications will be accepted for six months until 31 July 2022. *Primary applicants must have a period of four years undocumented residence in the State, or three years in the case of those with children. * Successful applicants will receive immigration permission, access to the labour market and can begin path to citizenship.
The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee, TD, has today opened the scheme to regularise thousands of undocumented migrants and their families who are living in Ireland.
There is no reliable data on the number of undocumented persons in the State, but studies suggest there could be up to 17,000 undocumented persons including up to 3,000 children and that many could be in employment, although likely low paid employment.
Online applications for the scheme will be accepted from 10:00am today for six months until 31st July 2022, when the scheme will close. Applications can be made online at https://inisonline.jahs.ie
The scheme will enable applicants, and their eligible dependentswhere the specific criteria is met, to remain and reside in the State and to regularise their residency status.
Opening the scheme, Minister McEntee stated, “I am delighted to now be able to open the once-in-a-generation scheme for long-term undocumented migrants and their family members living in Ireland. The scheme has been welcomed by those who have been contributing to our society for years but were seeking a way of regularising their status here in Ireland. I firmly believe this scheme will improve the lives of thousands of people across the country who contribute to our society, enrich our culture and work in our economy, but unfortunately still live in the legal shadows. People come to Ireland to make a better life for themselves and their families and they can find themselves undocumented for many reasons. This scheme will provide an opportunity for those who meet its criteria to remain and reside in the State and to become part of mainstream Irish society rather than living on its margins.”
Primary applicants who are eligible under the scheme will:
* Have a period of 4 years residence in the State without an immigration permission, or 3 years in the case of those with minor children, immediately prior to the date on which the scheme opens for applications; *Be permitted to include a spouse, civil partner or defacto partner and eligible children aged 18 – 23 years who must have been living with the principal applicant for 2 years immediately prior to the date on which the Scheme opens for applications; *Be granted a Stamp 4 immigration permission that allows for unrestricted access to the labour market; and * Have years of residence with that permission reckonable for the purposes of pursuing Irish citizenship by way of naturalisation.
Those with an existing Deportation Order can apply, if they meet the minimum undocumented residence requirement. Applicants must meet standards regarding good character and criminal record/behaviour and not pose a threat to the State. Having convictions for minor offences will not, by itself, result in disqualification.
People with expired student permissions will also be able to apply, if they meet the minimum undocumented residence requirement.
Minister McEntee added, “People who are in an undocumented situation are burdened with a great deal of stress and uncertainty regarding their position in society. Unfortunately, they also may be more vulnerable to exploitation due to their precarious legal situation. In an effort to reach those migrant communities most likely to benefit from the scheme, my Department will engage in a targeted communications campaign during the six month application window. The support of key organisations working directly with people and families who find themselves in these circumstances will also be crucial in encouraging people to come forward and participate in the scheme.”
As previously announced by the Minister, international protection applicants who have an outstanding application for international protection and have been in the asylum process for a minimum of 2 years will have a separate application process. The International Protection Office will contact potentially eligible applicants shortly with further details.
Applicants must meet standards regarding good character and criminal record/behaviour and not pose a threat to the State. Having convictions for minor offences will not, of itself, result in disqualification.
* 122 Gardaí attested today with a further 26 to attest in the coming weeks
* Minister encourages all those interested in joining An Garda Síochána, and particularly women and those from minority communities, to consider applying in upcoming recruitment competition
The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, has welcomed the attestations of 122 members of An Garda Síochána at the Garda College, Templemore, today. The newly attested members have now completed their training and will be placed in Garda Divisions throughout the country. A further 26 trainees are currently restricting movements in line with public health guidelines and will be attested in the coming weeks.
Minister McEntee said: “I wish to commend the newly attested members of An Garda Síochána who, in joining the ranks today, have demonstrated their commitment to providing a trusted and effective policing service that is valued for the public service it provides. The continued and determined response by the members of An Garda Síochána to the COVID-19 pandemic has been exemplary and their dedication to providing a safe and dependable policing service for the people of Ireland during these challenging times is greatly appreciated by us all. In particular, Operation Faoiseamh has actively sought to connect with victims of domestic abuse, who are amongst those who are most vulnerable to the circumstances of the pandemic.”
While recruitment has been impacted over the last two years by the COVID-19 pandemic, this month’s attestations will bring the total number of members of An Garda Síochána to approximately 14,411, a substantial increase from 12,943 Garda members in 2016. A further 235 trainees are currently in training.
Budget 2022 reflects the commitment of Government to ensuring that our communities are safe and that An Garda Síochána has the resources required to operate effectively. The budget provided by Government to the Garda Commissioner continues to increase to unprecedented levels, with an allocation of over €2 billion for 2022. This includes provision for the recruitment of 800 new Garda recruits and 400 Garda staff in 2022 – an additional 1,200 personnel. A new recruitment competition is due to be launched shortly.
The Minister further added, “It is vital that everyone in our society sees members of their own communities serving in An Garda Síochána. I know that the Garda Commissioner and all members of An Garda Síochána are dedicated to increasing diversity within the organisation. 27% of those attesting this week are female while 21 of the Gardaí were born outside the State, including from Poland, Brazil, Ukraine and Lithuania amongst other countries. This is very welcome. The new recruitment campaign provides a very valuable opportunity to further increase diversity within the organisation and I would urge anyone with an interest in joining our national police service – and in particular women and members of minority communities – to consider applying when the competition opens.”
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