Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
declaration appointing him joint guardian of the child, or the father obtains a court order
appointing him guardian of the child. Guardianship entitles a parent to make important
decisions regarding a child’s upbringing, for example, deciding on the child’s religion, education,
medical treatment and where he/she lives. Both parents are responsible for maintaining
the child, and a father may apply for custody of or access to his child, whether or not he is the
child’s guardian.
Where a child’s parent is in a relationship with another person, whether of the same sex or
of the opposite sex, that other person has no parental responsibility for the child under the law
as it stands. In this regard, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions numbers 390, 397 and
411 of 7 February 2012 in which I said:
“The Programme for Government includes a commitment to amend the Civil Partnership
and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 to address any anomalies or
omissions, including those relating to children. In this regard, the Law Reform Commission has
made detailed recommendations in its Report on the Legal Aspects of Family Relationships. In
particular, the Commission recommends that legislative provisions be introduced to facilitate
the extension of guardianship (parental responsibility) to civil partners and step-parents either
by agreement with the other parties who have parental responsibility for the child or by application
to court. The Commission’s recommendations are under consideration in my Department
with a view to preparing legislative proposals.”
Visa Applications
474. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the conditions for the
granting of visas to investors from abroad who may wish to reside here. [8242/12]
Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): I would refer the Deputy to my
reply below to Parliamentary Question 498 of 31 January 2012. The position remains
unchanged.
I would direct the Deputy to my press release on Government approval for the two immigration
programmes for investors and entrepreneurs. This press release outlines the available
information on the programmes and may be viewed on my Department’s web-pages. The
specific application procedures including application forms, other supporting documentation
and other requirements of the programmes are currently being drafted and will made available
at the formal launch in March.
Prison Committals
475. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons
who were imprisoned here for each year from 2008 to 2011, inclusive; and if he will make a
statement on the matter. [7598/12]
Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): The information requested by the
Deputy is set out in the table. Figures are taken from the Annual Reports for the Irish
Prison Service.
Year
Total Persons committed
2008 7,140
547