Written Answers Nos. 403-417
403. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice to clarify what details are taken from asylum applicants at airports and ferryports, including fingerprints, photographs and verification of identification, before a full application for asylum is made at the INIS offices within five working days. [7437/24]
View answerIf a person arriving at a port of entry to the State indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection they are admitted to the international protection process.
The establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process. This is especially important in the context of persons who enter the Irish State for the purposes of making a claim for international protection.
The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for front-line immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
Immigration Officers conduct passport checks, and run operations as required, to ensure passengers arriving in the State are properly documented in accordance with Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004.
In addition to this, and in accordance with Section 7 of the Immigration Act 2004, a non-national and their belongings may be searched by an Immigration Officer to ascertain if they are carrying any documents.
If a person expresses that they wish to seek International Protection at an airport or port, an Immigration Officer will carry out a preliminary interview under Section 13(2) of the International Protection Act 2015. The preliminary interview seeks to establish, among other things:
• whether the person wishes to make an application for international protection and, if he or she does so wish, the general grounds on which the application is based,
• the identity of the person,
• the nationality of the person,
• the country of origin of the person,
• the route travelled by the person to the State, the means of transport used and details of any person who assisted the person in travelling to the State,
• the reason why the person came to the State,
• the legal basis for the entry into or presence in the State of the person, and
• whether any of the circumstances referred to in section 21 (2) of the International Protection Act may apply.
A person seeking protection will then have their photograph and fingerprints taken.
The person is then directed to the International Protection Office (IPO) to complete their application. Standard operating practice is for the person to be directed to attend the IPO by 11:00 am on the next business day. Where necessary, overnight accommodation is organised with IPAS.
404. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the policy decision of An Garda Síochána in respect of prosecuting minor road traffic offences when they are brought to the attention of An Garda Síochána by members of the public who have witnessed and have video evidence of such offences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7447/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate the enforcement of road traffic legislation is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. In addition, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is fully independent in her functions under Section 2 (5) of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended). As the Office of the DPP is not an agency under my remit as Minister for Justice, I have no role in the operations, functions, oversight or governance of that Office.
I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised that all footage being used by An Garda Síochána in criminal proceedings is classed as real evidence and must be proved as such in any prosecution. The person who records and subsequently provides the footage to An Garda Síochána is required to supply a witness statement to a member of An Garda Síochána in person. This is required in order to prove the recording and continuity of the footage, as well as the details of dates, times, places and any other relevant information which they may have witnessed.
Prosecution of such offences are dealt with in the same manner as other offences reported to An Garda Síochána in line with organisational protocols for the reporting, investigating and subsequent prosecution of offences.
405. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice when Bawnboy Garda station in County Cavan will be reopened, as decided in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7478/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes all operational policing decisions regarding the Garda estate. This includes the opening of any individual Garda station. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions which are a matter for the Commissioner.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) manages the maintenance and provision of Garda accommodation in close co-operation with the Garda authorities. Capital works on the Garda Estate are subject to the usual Public Sector procurement and budgetary processes.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Bawnboy Garda Station remains closed at this time.
I understand Bawnboy is being serviced by a 24-hour presence at Ballyconnell Garda Station and also by personnel stationed at Swanlinbar Garda Station. At the end of December 2023 there were 126 Garda members assigned to Cavan District, of which 16 were assigned to Ballyconnell Garda station.
406. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice why documents which were due to be returned to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo since November 2023 have not been returned to date; when these documents will be returned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7551/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that an incomplete travel document application was received, from the person referred to, on 17 November 2023. The application will be returned shortly with instructions on how to complete the application. They should also be aware that the cost of the travel document has decreased to €55 per application.
In recent times the Unit has experienced a very high volume of applications requiring processing. Efforts are being made to process applications as quickly as possible and additional resources have been provided such as the provision of additional staff to the Unit and the roll out of replacement technology.
All non-emergency applications are processed in strict chronological order. The Unit are currently are currently processing applications received in late September 2023.
The processing time of Travel Document applications is currently 22 weeks upon receipt of a fully complete 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: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie 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 Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
407. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the date on which, and by whom, she was first advised that the holster issued to a detective Garda (details supplied) was reported to be unfit for purpose by members of the Garda armoury technical staff, well before an incident in June 2020. [7555/24]
View answer408. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the steps she took following receipt of reports in respect of an incident and relating matters; and if she directed that An Garda Síochána take the steps to immediately rectify issues raised in the same reports. [7556/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 407 and 408 together.
The murder of Detective Colm Horkan is a stark reminder of the considerable risks that every Garda member places themselves in their daily work on our behalf. I would like to, again, extend my thoughts to the family and loved ones of Detective Colm Horkan. In carrying out his duties he displayed the courage and commitment to duty which is in the best traditions of An Garda Síochána.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of Garda business, including procurement of equipment. However, the Commissioner has publically confirmed that a safety holster was introduced following the murder of Det. Colm Horkan. The introduction of a safety holster has made it more difficult for a firearm to be removed.
While it is a source of pride that An Garda Síochána remains a mainly unarmed policing service, the safety of Garda members, and the public, is paramount and Garda equipment is subject to safety/risk assessment. It is imperative that Garda members are issued with appropriate equipment for their duties.
I am informed that members attached to regular units and Detective units are trained in handling handguns. Specialist Units such as the Emergency Response Unit and the Armed Support Unit are trained in handling appropriate firearms and less lethal options.
The Deputy will be interested to know, in order to further support front-line Gardaí, the Garda Senior Management Team has agreed on a range of measures to further support front-line Gardaí, including equipping all Gardaí with:
• stronger incapacitant spray,
• expansion of the dog unit,
• increasing public order training,
• more tasers for public order policing, and
• provision of hand-held video cameras for public order units, among other measures.
Finally, I would like to assure the Deputy that I am committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources needed. This is reflected in the unprecedented budget allocation of over €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána, a 25% increase since 2020.
409. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of members of An Garda Síochána that are due to retire in each of the following years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7596/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, retirement of members of An Garda Síochána is governed by law, which sets the mandatory retirement age for all members at 60 years of age.
Members of An Garda Síochána who joined prior to 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension at 50 years of age once they have served at least 30 years. Those who joined on or after 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension at 55 years of age with 30 years of service.
Gardaí have the option of continuing to serve until they reach 60, subject to the Garda Commissioner being satisfied that they are fully competent and available to undertake their duties.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that projected departures are kept under continuous review and that the level of recruitment is adjusted as necessary in order to maintain the desired strength.
At the end of December 2023, there were just under 14,000 Gardaí, which represents an increase of around 9% since 2015 when there were 12,816 Gardaí throughout the country.
The number of recruits in the Garda training college continue to increase with a total of 746 trainees having entered Templemore in 2023, the highest intake in any year since 2018.
As the Deputy is aware, for the third year running, a new Garda recruitment competition was run from 15 January to 8 February of this year. I am delighted to note that a total of 6,400 applications were received.
The table below, as provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets the number of Garda members who are eligible to retire in the years 2024 up to 2028.
|
Year |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
|
Eligible |
722 |
1008 |
1237 |
1546 |
1904 |
|
Of which are Compulsory |
112 |
79 |
85 |
95 |
137 |
Additional information on Garda staff, the Garda Workforce and other facts and figures are available at the following link: www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
410. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of public order offences reported to gardaí within Y district within the Dublin Metropolitan Region, DMR, in 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7601/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics.
The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases in relation to various crime statistics. The most recent statistics were released on 20 December 2023, providing statistics for Recorded Crime for Quarter 3 (Q3) 2023.
I understand that the "Y District" referred to by the Deputy relates to Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North Division, Balbriggan District. Balbriggan District comprises of the following Garda stations: Balbriggan, Garristown, Lusk, Rush and Skerries. Figures in respect of the number of Public Order Offences reported to Gardaí in the DMR North Division can be found on the CSO website at the following link: data.cso.ie/table/CJQ06
However, it is worth noting that crime statistics for Q4 of 2023 are not yet available and are due to be published by the CSO in the coming weeks.
411. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the estimated full-year cost of providing an additional detective sergeant and detective inspector to each Garda divisional drugs unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7602/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including all human resource matters and recruitment. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in such matters.
I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised that the estimated annual payroll cost of one detective inspector and one detective sergeant is approximately €166,000. This includes the estimated cost of salary, fixed allowances and employer’s PRSI.
Salaries are estimated using the midpoint of the current relevant Garda salary scales. There may be additional costs for unsocial hours and any potential overtime payments in excess of standard briefing time are not included.
Future pension costs and non-pay related costs are not included in the estimated figures.
Following a review of the Garda Operating Model undertaken by the Garda Commissioner, there will be 21 Divisions going forward. Therefore the total estimated cost would be approximately €3,486,000 to provide an additional Detective Sergeant and Detective Inspector to each of these 21 Division's Drugs Unit.
I am further advised by the Garda authorities that at the end of December 2023, the latest date for when figures are available, there were 326 Garda members assigned to Divisional Drugs Units nationwide, this includes 278 Gardaí, 42 Sergeants and 6 Inspectors. This represents an increase of 41% since the end of December 2019 when there were 231 Garda members assigned to these units.
For the Deputy's information, detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers are published on my Department's website and can be accessed using the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
Please note that this information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.
412. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of vehicles seized by gardai for having no insurance within Q district of the Dublin Metropolitan Region, DMR, in 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7603/24]
View answerAs you will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the enforcement of road traffic legislation. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters.
I understand that the "Q District" referred to by the Deputy relates to Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) West Division, Lucan District. Lucan District comprises of Lucan and Ronanstown Garda stations.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below provides a yearly breakdown of the number of vehicles seized by Gardaí in the Q District for having no insurance in 2023, and to date in 2024.
Vehicles Seized for having no insurance in the Q District
|
2023 |
2024* |
|
318 |
31 |
It is worth highlighting that the figures quoted are based on incidents occurring from 1 January 2023 to 13 February 2024, inclusive. The data provided is operational and liable to change.
413. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of competitions held for sworn gardaí to apply to join the national support services unit in 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7604/24]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
414. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of robbery from the person offences reported to gardaí within R district of the Dublin Metropolitan Region, DMR, in 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7605/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics.
The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases in relation to various crime statistics. The most recent statistics were released on 20 December 2023, providing statistics for Recorded Crime for Quarter 3 (Q3) 2023.
I understand that the "R District" referred to by the Deputy relates to Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North Division, Coolock District and comprises of the following Garda stations: Coolock, Swords, and Malahide. Figures in respect of the number of Robbery from the Person Offences reported to Gardaí in the DMR North Division, can be found on the CSO website at the following link: data.cso.ie/table/CJQ06
However, it is worth noting that crime statistics for Q4 of 2023 are not yet available and are due to be published by the CSO in the coming weeks.
415. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda mountain bikes attached to each Garda district within the Dublin Metropolitan Region, DMR, as of 12 February 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7606/24]
View answerAs the Deputy 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, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
The unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.
To be of assistance, I sought the information requested by the Deputy, from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that, as of 16 February 2024, there are currently 234 official Garda mountain bikes within the DMR Districts, broken down as follows:
|
Division |
District |
District Total |
|
DMR West |
Blanchardstown |
21 |
|
Lucan |
13 |
|
|
Clondalkin |
12 |
|
|
DMR West Total |
46 |
|
|
DMR East |
Blackrock |
11 |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
9 |
|
|
DMR East Total |
20 |
|
|
DMR South |
Tallaght |
18 |
|
Crumlin |
7 |
|
|
Terenure |
11 |
|
|
DMR South Total |
36 |
|
|
DMR North |
Coolock |
16 |
|
Ballymun |
15 |
|
|
Raheny |
20 |
|
|
Balbriggan |
9 |
|
|
DMR North Total |
60 |
|
|
DMR South Central |
Kevin St |
15 |
|
Donnybrook |
9 |
|
|
Pearse St |
20 |
|
|
DMR South Central Total |
44 |
|
|
DMR North Central |
Mountjoy |
7 |
|
Fitzgibbon Street |
0 |
|
|
Bridewell |
9 |
|
|
Store St |
12 |
|
|
DMR North Central Total |
28 |
|
|
DMR Total |
234 |
It is worth noting that, between December 2023 and January 2024, the DMR were allocated fourteen new bikes which are included in the total figure of 234 mountain bikes.
I am informed that the number and types of vehicles or bikes procured is based on identified operational needs, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis. Information supplied is operational and subject to change.
416. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the budget allocation for the Office of State Pathologist in the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7607/24]
View answerThe Office of the State Pathologist (OSP) provides the State with a national forensic pathology service and a forensic pathologist is on duty, twenty-four hours a day, each day of the year.
In response to the Deputy, the budget allocation for the OSP from 2022 to 2024 is set out below:
Budget allocation for OSP 2022 -2024
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
|
Pay |
€888,000 |
€1,314,000 |
€1,339,000 |
|
Non-Pay |
€239,000 |
€239,000 |
€333,000 |
|
Total |
€1,127,000 |
€1,553,000 |
€1,672,000 |
Note: in 2023 a supplementary budget of €100,000 was required on Pay, increasing the OSP’s total budget to €1,653,000
For further information, the 2022 Annual Report of the Office of the State Pathologist has been published on gov.ie - Office of the State Pathologist (www.gov.ie). It is expected that the 2023 report will be published there in the second half of this year.
417. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the amount An Garda Síochána spent on vehicle recovery services within the Dublin Metropolitan Region, DMR, north division in 2023 and to-date in 2024; when this contract to provide this service is due to expire; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7608/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the procurement of services required by An Garda Síochána to perform its function of keeping people safe. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
However, to be of assistance, I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been informed that €761,150.10 was spent on vehicle recovery services within the DMR North Division in 2023. I am further advised that €115,597.25 was spent to date in 2024.
I am informed that the contract to provide this service is due to expire on 30 June 2024.
