Charles Flanagan
Question:87 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his vision for the future of rural Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21151/08]
Other Questions.
Garda Stations.
There are a total of 703 Garda stations throughout the country ranging from large 24-hour divisional and district HQ stations to smaller rural stations. This wide geographical spread of Garda stations is a valuable resource for local communities even in cases where small stations are open to the public for only a number of hours per week. They provide an important link between the gardaí and the public they serve. I know in this context that the question of opening hours is often and perfectly reasonably raised but a point to bear in mind is that an increase in the opening hours of any Garda station or the opening of additional stations necessitates the deployment of additional Garda personnel on indoor administrative duties who could be deployed, in many cases more effectively, on outdoor policing duties.
Rural policing and engagement with the rural community are key priorities of the Garda Síochána and this objective goes much wider than the physical presence of stations, important though that is. The current establishment of joint policing committees will provide a forum for discussion of local policing issues in each local authority area and will further enhance the relationship between the Garda Siochána, local communities and their public representatives.
Returning to the question of Garda stations, a total of €260 million is assigned for stations and other Garda accommodation under the current national development plan. In addition, a budget of €9.5 million is available this year alone for the maintenance of Garda premises. This has enabled a significant ongoing programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda stations and other Garda accommodation around the country.
I should also say that a high-level strategic Garda accommodation board with members drawn from the Garda Síochána, the OPW and my Department has been established to carry out a review of Garda accommodation and, in particular, to prepare a short-term and longer-term strategy for all accommodation. The board is also considering how best to progress the rural Garda station replacement programme. The aim of this programme is to replace older and outdated stations that are expensive to maintain with smaller and more efficient stations to meet modern policing needs. Of course, ultimately the allocation of Garda resources, including accommodation, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to decide in accordance with the operational requirements of the force and I look forward to the report from the Commissioner on the board's deliberations later this year.
I thank the Minister for his reply. Will he meet with the Garda Commissioner at an early date to initiate a review on the matter of rural policing? How many Garda stations have closed and ceased operating since his party came to power in 1997? How many Garda stations are now operating on short time?
In the late 1990s, his Government initiated the "green man" scheme where the operation of some rural Garda stations was put under the auspices of a machine. Has any benefit analysis been done as to the efficiencies, drawbacks and difficulties attached to the green man system?
The population change and social mobility of the past number of years have given rise to a situation where there is a need to review the Garda stations. Does the Minister accept that the vast rural area of the Beara peninsula has no Garda station and has one garda covering an entire expansive area? What does the Minister propose to do in this regard? Does he accept there is a need to rebalance the location of Garda stations in accordance with the growth of population and population structures and that a review is needed at a root and branch level at this stage?
The gardaí are currently reviewing this situation and a number of changes are pending in respect of the divisional boundaries as they impact on rural policing. I have met the Garda Commissioner quite a number of times since I became Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform a few weeks ago. One of the issues that arose concerned rural policing, which is a key priority for the Garda plan.
The Deputy criticised my party but when his party was last in power, not one extra garda set foot in rural Ireland. To my knowledge, there are no proposals in respect of the opening or closing of Garda stations other than one planned merger of stations in Cork city which is proposed under the policing plan, although it is an issue for the Garda Commissioner in the context of the annual policing plan which he is required to bring forward under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and lay before the House. Obviously, the planned merger is to be proposed by the Commissioner.
It is planned to build approximately 80 rural Garda stations to replace existing older stations to change some of the old accommodation in which gardaí must survive. New stations are being built in Ballymun, Trim, Claremorris, Leixlip, Irishtown and Finglas. The new station in Kevin Street in Dublin will the largest station ever built in the State. There will be work on stations in Ballingarry in County Tipperary, Urlingford in County Kilkenny, Donard in County Wicklow, Carberry in County Kildare and a new station in Oranmore in County Galway. The Garda Vote for maintenance is €9.521 million for 2008, which is an increase of more than €1.2 million on last year's budget provision.
I welcome——
Time has elapsed.
I welcome what the Minister has said in respect of the building programme. In the specific context of the reordering of the Garda divisions along county boundaries, that will give rise to a situation where specific Garda stations in parts of the country where the jurisdictional changes will impact will require specific targeted upgrading, which is not included on the list as mentioned by the Minister. This issue must be looked at as a matter of some urgency in the context of the divisional changes.
I agree with that.
Are there any other questions?
Deputy Dermot Ahern is the new Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. What we need is a change in direction. I compliment the work of community gardaí and can see their work on the ground. Surely it is time to progress that and open up and re-establish more rural Garda stations, in growth centres and larger areas of population, if needs be. Surely there are premises available that the Garda Síochána can work out of and provide a service to the public.
It has been the policy of the Government in recent years to close down rural Garda stations. If one looks at rural crime, one sees that older people have been particular targets in recent years. In my county of Wexford, which was under the Wexford-Wicklow division but has been brought back——
Please, Deputy.
We have a Garda station in my constituency which has no patrol car. The garda there must patrol the area in his own car. I do not think that any other Government or State would consider that to be appropriate. It is unbelievable that a garda must patrol an area in his own car. I have raised this issue in the House on numerous occasions but the situation has not changed.
We have exceeded the time allowed for supplementary questions.
In the context of Deputy Flanagan's question, I would expect that the Garda Síochána, when considering changes to divisional boundaries, would bear in mind the necessity to review the issue of the refurbishment of existing Garda stations.
On the general issue of policing, particularly rural policing, it is not just a matter of building more Garda stations. Under the policing plan prepared by the Garda Síochána, focus has been placed on intelligence gathering in the context of the targeting of elderly people by criminal gangs and that has been reasonably successful. Indeed, a major criminal gang from the south of the country, which targeted elderly people in the Cork and Limerick areas, has been broken up and is currently before the courts. Good Garda intelligence on the ground dealing with the situation is important, as is ensuring that Garda accommodation is as required.
On the green man issue, I suggest the Deputy tables a separate question on the efficacy of that project.
Garda Reserve Force.
Emmet Stagg
Question:88 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of members of the Garda reserve recruited to date; the stations to which they have been allocated; the number of applicants for the reserve in training; if he is satisfied with the rate of recruitment; when he expects that the full complement of 1,500 will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21105/08]
There are 261 attested reserve gardaí and 46 reserve trainees. The 261 attested members currently operational are assigned as follows: 121 in the Dublin metropolitan region, 29 in Cork and 111 in other stations across the country. Rather than taking up time reading the breakdown of those numbers across more than 70 stations, the details will be appended to the reply and placed on the record of the House.
The establishment of the Garda reserve, a measure supported on all sides in this House, is one of the most important and welcome innovations in policing in Ireland in recent years. The establishment of the reserve has helped the Garda Síochána to strengthen its links with local communities and reserve members are a source of local support and knowledge. The reserve allows committed individuals from a great diversity of professional, social, cultural and ethnic groups to take part in policing. Reserve gardaí are bringing a special commitment and enthusiasm to the Garda organisation through their voluntary service. They are helping to bring a fresh and innovative approach to policing as they undertake their duties in support of their full-time colleagues with the different perspectives and skills developed in their everyday jobs and lives.
An Agreed Programme for Government set a target strength for the reserve at 10% of the full-time strength of the force. In the annual policing plan for 2008, the Garda Commissioner set a target of recruiting 270 reserve members this year. As the Garda reserve depends on volunteers who undertake their training and other duties during their free time, it is difficult to predict how many people will commence training in any particular period. However, I assure the Deputy that the Garda Commissioner is making every effort to reach the recruitment target.
Station by Station Assignment of Attested Reserve Members:
Dublin Metropolitan Region: Pearse Street (19), Kevin Street (5), Kilmainham (3), Donnybrook (6), Store Street (9), Bridewell (6), Fitzgibbon Street (6), Clondalkin (2), Finglas (4), Lucan (5), Ballyfermot (3), Blanchardstown (11), Ronanstown (1), Santry (2), Raheny (3), Swords (3), Clontarf (2), Coolock (3), Ballymun (2), Balbriggan (3), Malahide (1), Howth (1), Crumlin (2), Sundrive Road (1), Rathmines (2), Terenure (2), Tallaght (2), Rathfarnham (2), Bray (3), Dún Laoghaire (3) and Blackrock (4). Cork: Mayfield (3), Gurranabraher (4), Midleton (4), Mitchelstown (1), Mallow (2), Anglesea Street (12) and Togher (3). Other Regions: Sligo(6), Galway (16), Henry Street, Limerick (10), Ennis (6), Tralee (2), Waterford (8), Tramore (2), Kilkenny (5), Wexford (1), New Ross (1), Gorey (1), Enniscorthy (1), Arklow (1), Wicklow (1), Newbridge (1), Blessington (1), Naas (2), Carlow (4), Clonmel (2), Cahir (1), Carrick on Suir (1), Tipperary town (2), Thurles (1), Cavan town (2), Monaghan town (1), Drogheda (4), Dundalk (4), Kells (1), Navan (1), Castlebar (4), Westport (1), Ballina (3), Mullingar (5), Longford (1), Letterkenny (4), Tullamore (2), Portlaoise (1) and Roscommon (1).
Why did only 271 of the 3,750 applicants for the Garda reserve last year make the grade?
I believe that in 2006 — I am not sure if the Deputy is referring to that year or to 2007 — 330 applicants were successful in gaining places. There is a high level of attrition among those who apply, for a myriad of reasons. Some applicants were not available for interview when called, others were not able to take up training, many have joined the full-time Garda force and quite a number did not meet the selection criteria. The recruitment process is run through the Public Appointments Service. In the first quarter of 2008, 172 applicants were interviewed, 109 of whom were approved, which is a significant figure.
What would be the explanation for that? A total of how many applied, of whom 109 were approved?
A total of 172 were interviewed and 109 were approved.
Why was there such a dramatic change from the position where only one in 14 got through the previous year?
It is a particularly good figure and is something the Deputy should welcome.
That is not the issue. It is none of the Minister's business whether I welcome it — for the record, I do welcome it. Will the Minister answer the question? Why has this change occurred?
I do no know because the recruitment process is dealt with by the Public Appointments Service.
It is very rare that I agree with the GRA or the AGSI, but both organisations stated recently that the experiment with the Garda reserve has been a costly failure to date. Given the lack of impact of the members of the reserve force, how can the Minister stand over the significant spending on this service? Is the Minister aware that the cost to date is in the region of €500,000, almost €135,000 of which was spent on advertising alone? Has the Minister given full consideration to the cost of engaging a chief superintendent, a superintendent, several sergeants and a large number of other gardaí in the training and supervision of this tiny reserve force? Does he agree that the Garda reserve will not and cannot be a substitute for full-time, trained gardaí? The Minister should concentrate on civilianisation to ensure that gardaí are more effective, are on the beat and deal directly with crime.
I put it to the Minister that this has been a most disappointing campaign on the part of the Government. The Garda reserve process has resulted in failure. It was the brainchild of a former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Michael McDowell who is on record as stating that the Government target would see figures in the order of 900 reservists by 2006. The programme for Government is committed to a force of 1,500. The numbers are already in decline. The Minister's response today indicates that there are currently 261 attested members. A parliamentary question answered on 4 March indicated that the figures for January were 277, including 60 in training. These people are falling off the back of the trailer already because there is no commitment on the part of the Government to the Garda reserve operation. I put it to the Minister that it has been a failure.
We are very supportive of the concept of a Garda reserve, notwithstanding the fact that it has not worked out, particularly in view of the fact that a divide has grown up between the community and the gardaí in recent years because people do not know their local gardaí. The concept of a reserve Garda force is welcome, but only if it is operated correctly. I assume reservists train in Templemore. I tabled several parliamentary questions concerning the fact that there is an enormous strain on the training resources, both human and physical, in Templemore. Has the Minister plans to improve the training facilities of the Garda Síochána?
I thank Deputy Timmins for the complimentary remarks on the Garda reserve because it is a good initiative.
My remarks referred to the concept.
I do not accept for one minute that it is a failure, or a costly failure. The current level of funding for the recruiting and training of the Garda reserve force is in the region of €600,000 per year, which is a reasonable figure in the context of an overall sum of €1.6 billion for the Garda Síochána Vote.
Perhaps that is the problem. Does the Minister consider it might be the problem?
It assists the work of the Garda Síochána, which is welcome.
On the question of training, the members of the Garda Reserve receive substantial training, some 120 hours of initial training spread over four phases.
In response to Deputy Timmins's question on Garda training and Garda Reserve training generally, I acknowledge there is a strain on the existing facilities. That is one of the reasons there are plans to consider revamping the facilities in Templemore. However, that is the result of a successful campaign by the Government to increase the Garda numbers to 15,000 by 2010.
There are fewer than 14,000 gardaí now.
If I remember correctly——
The necessary resources are not provided and trainees have to stay in bed and breakfast accommodation. The Minister does not remember that correctly.
——under Enda's famous contract, Fine Gael promised to increase Garda Síochána numbers to 15,000 by 2012.
There are still fewer than 14,000 now.
We will move on to the next question, No. 89, in the name of Deputy Ó Caoláin.
That is two years later than we promised to deliver that number.
That commitment still has not been fulfilled.
We will deliver on that.
There are fewer than 14,000 gardaí.
There are 14,000 gardaí today——
No, there are fewer.
There are more than 13,900 gardaí——
The Minister's memory is not clear today.
——and 1,100 are in training——
It is not often the Minister is found not to have a good memory.
——so we will reach the target of 15,000 two years earlier than the Deputy's party promised in the run up to the last general election.
I will tell the Minister——
What will the Deputy tell me?
I will lay the Minister a bet of €100——
The Deputy was also part of that contract. He was off in Mullingar having a cup of coffee with them, was he not?
——that he will not deliver on that commitment.
Whatever happened following that cup of coffee?
Did the Minister not talk to his new boss about the money that is available?
That cup of coffee cost the Deputy his job. That is why he is down there now and not leading the Labour Party.
Garda Complaints Procedures.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:89 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will give the go ahead to a Garda Ombudsman Commission request to examine the management of crowd protests and civil disobedience with the object of reducing the number of related complaints against Gardaí in the future. [21068/08]
Section 106 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 enables me, either on my own initiative or on the recommendation of the Garda Ombudsman Commission, to request it to examine a Garda practice, policy or procedure for the purpose of preventing or reducing the incidence of particular types of complaints.
My immediate predecessor received two such recommendations. In one case, relating to certain aspects of the fixed charge processing system, he recommended an examination. In the other, relating to the subject of this question, he was not persuaded of the need for an examination at that time. Clearly I will keep this under review, as my predecessor would have but I, like him, need convincing arguments to persuade me to request an examination under section 106 at this stage.
It is fair to say that an examination under section 106, with its objective of preventing or reducing the incidence of particular types of complaints, would normally arise from significant experience of complaints sufficient to identify patterns or trends. That might not always be necessary, and clearly the particular circumstances of the recommendation on the fixed charge processing system enabled my predecessor to request such an examination, but it certainly was the general expectation behind the section, and understandably so.
The Ombudsman Commission has been in operation for more than one year and its experience of the trends and patterns of complaints is still developing. I am conscious, too, that it has a heavy workload of complaints to deal with, and I am anxious not to overburden it with additional tasks at this time, unless it is clearly necessary.
I will, therefore, keep this matter under review in the light of the developing experience of the Ombudsman Commission, and I will remain in dialogue with it.
It is a pity that the Minister, in his limited wisdom — a phrase used by Mr. Conor Brady, a member of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, in this context to describe the previous Minister — is rejecting the call for such an examination. Is the Minister aware that one of the costliest ongoing Garda operations is that taking place in Bellanaboy? Is he further aware that last year Mr. Joe Gannon, the superintendent in charge there said in response to an interview for an article in the Garda Review that:
There were no arrests. That was part of our strategy: we did not want to facilitate anyone down there with a route to martyrdom. That has been the policy ever since.
Is the Minister aware that policy has resulted in 70 complaints being made to the Garda Ombudsman because the Garda approach has been one of substituting lawful arrest with its own form of brute enforcement in the area and that this included brutal and cowardly assaults on protestors by members of the Garda Síochána? Is he also aware that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is in agreement with Sinn Féin that a review of the Garda approach would help reduce the potential for further abuses, but would also reduce the number of complaints?
I ask the Minister, in his limitless wisdom, in contrast to the phrase used to describe the previous Minister, to give serious consideration to this matter, given the extent of Garda resources dedicated to policing, crowd and protest management in the Bellanaboy area. Will the Minister allow the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to do its job more efficiently by undertaking a general investigation into how the gardaí police protests and crowd control?
The simple answer is no, I will not, not in this instance. The members of the Garda Síochána deployed in Bellanaboy or anywhere else have a duty to ensure that there are no breaches of criminal law. I compliment them on the work they do on a constant basis, not only there but elsewhere throughout the country in preventing crowd disturbance and dealing with public order issues that are not acceptable within the law.
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is a new body that is up and running. It has received a significant number of complaints. I heard what the Deputy said about the number that have been received from people in the Bellanaboy area. The commission has a staff of 101 personnel, a budget of more than €11.5 million and, to a large extent, is dealing with the initial surge of complaints that it has received. I do not believe that I should add to that burden by what I would regard as an unnecessary investigation in this instance under the legislation under which it was set up.
Does the Minister agree with the superintendent, to whom I referred, who said that there should be no arrests and that has been the policy since the protests started? I am referring to an article in an edition of the Garda Review.
I am glad the Garda Review is on the Deputy’s reading list.
I asked specifically for it.
That makes a change. It is not a matter for me to dictate to the local superintendent how he should direct operations within his own district.
I note the question concerns crowd control. It is regrettable that important Garda resources are used for many of these incidents that have occurred throughout the country on a planned basis. I refer to Bellanaboy, as mentioned by Deputy Ó Snodaigh, and protests in Shannon. Policing these incidents involves a considerable cost for the Garda. Has the Minister any plans to bring forward legislation to provide that those who are found guilty of pre-planned public order offences might have to pay for the cost of Garda overtime and the waste of Garda resources?
Why do the gardaí not arrest them?
They are all publicity stunts and the public is paying for it.
I accept that, but at the end of the day the gardaí have to deal with the situation as they find it. It is a matter entirely for the Garda Síochána to prosecute and ultimately for the courts to decide on what judgment they give in that respect.
Recidivism Rate.
Charles Flanagan
Question:90 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of crimes committed every year for the past five years by offenders on bail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21110/08]
I propose to circulate in the Official Report a tabular statement setting out details of persons who were on bail at the time of the recording of a criminal incident in respect of which they were suspected. These figures are readily available only in respect of the years 2004 to 2007. While the commission of every crime is to be deplored, I accept fully that the commission of offences by persons while on bail is an issue of considerable concern.
The law already takes a serious view of such offences. The Criminal Justice Act 1984 provides for mandatory consecutive sentences to apply where a person is convicted of an offence committed while on bail. In addition, the law provides that the fact that an offence was committed while on bail must be treated as an aggravating factor at sentencing and that the court shall impose a sentence that is greater than that which would have been imposed otherwise, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
The granting of bail is a matter for the courts. The Director of Public Prosecutions, who is independent in the performance of his functions, represents the State for the purposes of dealing with such applications. It would obviously not be appropriate for me to comment on the circumstances in which bail may have been granted, or refused, in particular cases.
Prior to the sixteenth amendment of the Constitution, bail could be refused essentially only on the grounds that a person would be likely to abscond or interfere with witnesses. The Bail Act 1997, which gave effect to the terms of the sixteenth amendment of the Constitution, provides for the refusal of bail to a person charged with a serious offence where it is reasonably considered necessary to prevent the commission of a serious offence by that person.
The House will be aware that there have been concerns at how, in practice, our bail laws have been operating and these led to the inclusion in the Criminal Justice Act 2007 of a series of new provisions designed to tighten up on the granting of bail. Those provisions have been in operation for just 12 months and their effectiveness will be reviewed. In addition I intend to keep all aspects of the operation of our bail law under review to see whether further changes are necessary.
While I accept that in the operation of our bail laws due regard must be had to the presumption of innocence, regard must also be had to the need to protect the community.
|
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
|
15,531 |
18,362 |
22,772 |
24,189 |
What exactly is the problem here? We have had a difficulty with our bail laws for many years and the House has attempted on a number of occasions to address this matter as it gives rise to significant public concern. We had the 1984 Act and 12 years later we had a bail referendum, following which we had the Bail Act. In 2006 and 2007 we had further criminal justice Acts. I have not seen the table the Minister circulated with his reply, but we are dealing with a situation where thousands of crimes are being committed each year by people who, on the occasion of the commission of the crime, are out on bail in respect of other charges. This cannot be allowed to continue.
With reference to the 2007 Act, why has the section dealing with electronic tagging not been brought into force and why is it not being used? Another section of that Act facilitated the right of the Garda Síochána, on the part of the State, to appeal to the High Court in cases where bail has been granted. Why has that section not been put into operation? There are, therefore, three issues with regard to the delay involved in proceeding to criminal trials, namely, the failure to operate the two sections of the 2007 Act which were designed to alleviate the bail problem and the matter of the delay. Bail is an important issue that we have been grappling with for decades, yet thousands of crimes are being committed each year by people who are out on bail and who, dare I say it, have an incentive to commit another crime given that they are already facing charges, some of which are of a very serious nature.
I share the concern of the Deputy with regard to crimes being committed by people on bail. The Deputy is correct in saying the Oireachtas has grappled with the issue and put it to the people on at least one occasion in a referendum. We will, possibly, have to return to a referendum on the issue in the future. I intend to keep the situation under review and will not hesitate to bring forward further legislative change if necessary.
On the issue of tagging, there is a body of opinion that this may not be the most cost effective way of dealing with the matter and that introducing tagging may allow a situation where even more people would be allowed out on bail, on the basis that it is an alternative to incarcerating people who, under the eyes of the law, are innocent until proven guilty. It is the effort to achieve the right balance with regard to the taking away of a person's liberty that causes the issue with which the Judiciary must grapple. On one hand it must consider the right of people who are innocent until proven guilty and on the other the common good to ensure suspects are held in custody rather than given bail.
Over the years, the Oireachtas has given a strong signal that the issue must be dealt with firmly and that is the reason we enacted the legislation in 2007. It has only been in place less than 12 months and must be given the opportunity to bed down. If we feel that other issues need to be dealt with then, we will deal with them.
The Minister appears to agree with this side of the House that crimes committed by persons on bail are especially reprehensible. Will he tell the House what measures he proposes to introduce to deal with this phenomenon?
Does the Minister agree that the reduction in the length of time spent on bail would help minimise opportunities to offend while on bail? From that point of view, proper resourcing of the justice system, the courts, the DPP, the forensic lab and the free legal aid service, in particular, would go a long way. With that in mind, will the Minister give us an update on the new State forensic lab? Currently, delays with results from the forensic lab cause huge problems with court cases and on occasion it can take up to 18 months before a case can come to trial. If someone was denied bail in such a case, the time in custody would be the equivalent of a three-year sentence.
I intend to keep the issue of bail under review. There are issues that could be examined, but in view of the fact that the recent changes brought in by the Oireachtas in 2007 have not had the opportunity to have an effect, it is not necessary to introduce new legislation. It is only when that legislation has had the opportunity to take effect that we should consider other changes.
On the issues raised by Deputy Ó Snodaigh, I suggest he submit a separate question on those issues.
Crime Prevention.
Dinny McGinley
Question:91 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it is desirable for each Garda division to have a canine unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21127/08]
I understand that the Garda dog unit is a national unit based in Kilmainham Garda station in the Dublin metropolitan region, under the direction and control of the Assistant Commissioner in charge of the national support services and that it currently has a total of 28 dogs.
In 2007, the Garda dog unit attended 543 drug-related incidents nationwide and was available for general patrol duties and covert operations and assisting as a deterrent with public disorder incidents. The Garda dog unit also carried out checkpoint duties involving searches of vehicles and other security-related duties.
Following the successful evaluation of a pilot scheme to establish a Garda dog unit in the southern region, the Garda Commissioner, on 4 April 2008, approved the permanent establishment of a Garda dog unit in the southern region and thereafter in the other Garda regions. The preparation of a fully costed business plan in respect of each region is being addressed and, on receipt of financial approval, it is anticipated that a Garda dog unit will be established in the remaining four regions by mid-2009 and will have a selection of drug, explosive and general purpose dogs.
In the interim, the Garda dog unit based in the Dublin metropolitan region will continue to perform its national brief and respond to requests for operational assistance throughout the country.
I put it to the Minister that he should not underestimate the importance of a canine unit for each Garda division. He should ensure that sufficient resources are made available to allow not only for the training of the dogs for each Garda division but for the location of a dog unit in the headquarters of every Garda division throughout the country. The case for this is overwhelming and must be undertaken.
As I said, the Garda Commissioner has approved the permanent establishment of a Garda dog unit in the southern region and the remaining regions, the south-eastern, the western, the eastern and the northern regions. That will be implemented by 2009. I agree it is necessary for every region to have a dog unit.
Youth Diversion Projects.
Joe Carey
Question:92 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made in establishing additional youth diversion projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21180/08]
The Garda youth diversion projects are funded by my Department through the Irish youth justice service and administered through the community relations section of the Garda Síochána. These projects are community based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people from becoming involved, or further involved, in anti-social or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development and promote civic responsibility.
The Garda Commissioner regularly brings forward proposals for the establishment of new Garda youth diversion projects. The locations for new projects are selected on the basis of factors such as the level of juvenile crime in the area and the number of young people referred to the local juvenile diversion programme.
The target envisaged under An Agreed Programme for Government for the number of Garda youth diversion projects is 168 by 2012. The interim target of 100 projects by the end of 2007 was achieved, with 29 new projects established that year. The Garda Commissioner indicated that it is anticipated that between 15 and 16 projects will be recommended for establishment each year over the next four years and that applications for 2008 will be forwarded to me later in the year.
Additional resources have been allocated to fund the expansion of these projects with funding set at €11.909 million for 2008 out of a total of €120 million allocated under the National Development Plan 2007-2013.
Parents, community leaders, the Garda and project co-ordinators believe these projects are beneficial. The Garda is strongly committed to the principle and practice of youth diversion projects and believes they provide a diversion from criminal activity. The scheme has been 17 years in operation with approximately 100 existing projects and 68 more promised in the programme for Government. Will the Minister agree it is time for a national evaluation of the projects to decide their future direction? Such an evaluation would allow an assessment of how the projects contribute to improving the quality of life in communities and enhance Garda-community relations.
I concur with the Deputy on the success of these projects. I know from my experience in the Louth constituency that they are beneficial and get gardaí into areas in which perhaps heretofore they were not able to operate. It also allows them to gain the confidence of some young people, but not all unfortunately.
The national youth justice strategy 2008 to 2010 details the plans for the development of complementary programmes to existing ones. The first step is to audit the existing programmes to identify gaps in the system. This will be completed by the end of 2008 when the development of new initiatives will be considered. I expect the review will examine the overall value of existing projects. On an anecdotal basis, it is accepted these have been very beneficial. That the Government has increased the funding is significant. It is accepted this is a good scheme.
How many gardaí are operating as juvenile liaison officers? Is the decision for new juvenile diversion schemes that of the Minister or the Garda Commissioner? Whereas I concur with the Minister on the value of these schemes, I am aware of areas seeking approval for such schemes but that have been rejected or have not been selected. Is it not a better use of resources than spending €100,000 per annum to incarcerate a young person in St. Patrick's Institution or elsewhere? Is it not an area that we might well put investment into in the hope of restricting prison to people who have committed crimes with violence? Juvenile offenders would be better off kept in the community doing beneficial work for it.
Will the audit on the schemes apply to all projects or just focus on one sample?
I understand it will be a national audit on the existing projects. If Deputy Rabbitte has any specific issues regarding rejected projects, perhaps he could give me the specific details. I am not sure if the projects have to be ultimately approved by the Minister. The allocation of resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner but I would expect this is done in conjunction with the Department. The ultimate decision would be made by the Garda on the basis of the needs for each division. I do not have the figures for the numbers of gardaí involved in the scheme but I will pass them on to the Deputy.
The Minister probably has it in his file for the reply to Question No. 95.
I do not have that answer in my file.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.