Barry Cowen
Question:144. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the future of a Garda station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48857/12]
View answerGarda Stations Closures
Questions (144, 145)
Barry Cowen
Question:145. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the future of Garda stations in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48858/12]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together.
Any proposals for the closure of Garda stations must be contained in the annual policing plan prepared by the Commissioner and submitted to the Minister for Justice and Equality. While the policing plan for 2013 has not yet been finalised, it will be laid before the House in due course. Until then it would be premature to speculate on what it might contain. In preparing the policing plan, the Garda Commissioner reviews all aspects of the Garda Síochána's policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the operation of Garda districts and stations, in terms of resource allocation, the opening hours and possible closures. In addition, all divisional officers are asked to assess the level of activity in each Garda station in their area, including the ones referred to by the Deputy. It must be stressed that the key objective of the review is to promote the more efficient and effective deployment of resources rather than secure modest cash savings so that as many gardaí as possible are deployed on front line operational duty rather than based in Garda stations.
Civil Marriages Numbers
Questions (146)
Finian McGrath
Question:146. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding full civil marriages for gay and lesbian couples; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48860/12]
View answerWritten answers
Legislation providing for same-sex marriage cannot be enacted without an amendment to the Constitution following a decision of the people in a referendum on the matter in accordance with Article 46 of the Constitution. In this regard the programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a Constitutional Convention to consider constitutional reform on a number of issues including provision for same-sex marriage. I understand that the first official meeting of the Constitutional Convention, which will be chaired by Mr. Tom Arnold, is to take place in Dublin Castle on 1 December.
Closed Circuit Television Systems
Questions (147)
Tom Hayes
Question:147. Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding funding under the community CCTV programme in respect of Tipperary town RAPID programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48866/12]
View answerWritten answers
The community-based CCTV Scheme was launched in 2005 to provide financial assistance towards the capital costs of establishing a Community CCTV system. To date, two major rounds of the scheme have been advertised, in 2005/2006 and 2007. The scheme provided for a substantive grant of up to €100,000 towards the capital cost of establishing a system. In addition it provided pre-development grants of up to €5,000 to assist local communities to develop proposals for CCTV systems. In the context of the Scheme, matching funding was also made available for RAPID areas.
I have been advised by Pobal, who administer the scheme on behalf of my Department, that the Tipperary Rapid Anti-Social Behaviour Working Group received a pre-development grant under Round 2 of the scheme. The current position is that funding provided under the previous two rounds has been fully allocated and no decision has been made in relation to the possible further extension of the scheme. However, any future plans for such an extension will depend on a number of factors, including the availability of funding, the progression of the projects already grant aided and overall policy considerations.
Garda Training
Questions (148)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:148. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the dates on which the intoxilysers training course were held in 2012; the number of Gardaí who attended each of the courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48876/12]
View answerWritten answers
I am informed by the Garda authorities that no intoxilyser training courses have been delivered to date in 2012.
Closed Circuit Television Systems
Questions (149)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:149. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will increase the number of Garda CCTV cameras in Dublin city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48877/12]
View answerWritten answers
Garda CCTV systems are planned and implemented on the basis of An Garda Síochána's identified operational requirements. Accordingly, decisions in relation to the introduction or extension of such systems are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. In that context, I am advised by the Garda authorities that while there are currently no plans to increase the number of Garda cameras in operation in Dublin city centre the position is being kept under on-going review.
Prisoner Releases
Questions (150)
Paschal Donohoe
Question:150. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has provided funding for works to redevelop a residence (details supplied) in Dublin 7 as a residence for transition housing for released prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48888/12]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that funding has not been provided by my Department to develop the residence referred to for transition housing for released prisoners.