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Tuesday, 6 Nov 2012

Written Answers Nos. 801-826

Citizenship Applications

Questions (801)

Joe McHugh

Question:

801. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will update Dáil Éireann regarding the citizenship application process; if he will advise the nature of systematic correspondence from his Department to applicants; his plans to improve the levels of communication with applicants while applications are being processed; his views on whether the current system in some instances is constrictive for applicants in that lack of information prevents applicants from travelling abroad because of potential summons at short notice to ceremonies for example; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48129/12]

View answer

Written answers

The procedures employed to assess an application for naturalisation are set out on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, www.inis.gov.ie. Upon receipt, an initial examination of each application is carried out to determine if the statutory application is completed fully. Valid applications are examined to determine if the applicant meets the statutory residency criteria. Applicants with any shortfall in their residency are informed of this and will be able to reapply when they have the required residency. Those whose applications successfully pass the initial assessment stage are informed that their application has been initially assessed and has proceeded successfully to the second stage of processing and that their case will be submitted to the Minister for decision as soon as enquiries are complete and all required documentation has been compiled. Applicants are also given a general timescale for processing which currently is that less complex cases which account for more than 70% of all applications will be decided upon within 6 months with a proportion of applications taking longer than this timeframe. If any further information or documentation is required from the applicant then this is requested in writing.

When I came into office in March, 2011, I was determined to tackle the backlog that had built up in the processing of applications for citizenship.To this end, a series of more streamlined measures have resulted in a major increase in the volume of applications processed with some 22,500 cases decided so far in 2012, almost three times the volume in 2010. The Deputy will appreciate that, bearing in mind the volumes involved and the importance of processing cases as quickly as possible, it is not possible to provide specific timeframes to each applicant. In any event this information will not be known until each application is examined in detail.

The Deputy will also be aware that alongside the improvements in processing, in June 2011, I introduced formal citizenship ceremonies for the first time since the foundation of the State. The ceremonies, which are being met with universal approval, are held at regular intervals. They allow candidates for citizenship make their declaration of fidelity to the Irish nation and loyalty to the State and receive their certificate of naturalisation in a meaningful and dignified manner which befits the importance and solemnity of the occasion. As many as 4,000 candidates receive their certificate of naturalisation on each ceremony day. In dealing with such large volumes, it is necessary to structure the process in such a way as to ensure that these large scale ceremony days run smoothly and efficiently. As much notice as possible is provided to candidates and those who cannot attend are facilitated at a future ceremony.

Finally, I think the Deputy will acknowledge that enormous strides have been made with dealing with citizenship applications since March 2011. The situation inherited by me upon being appointed was unacceptable and this has now been turned around to the extent that the new arrangements for granting citizenship have been universally welcomed. In the circumstances, I am somewhat surprised that a person who may have waited for a lengthy period to have his/her application processed would choose to travel outside the jurisdiction and not take up the request to attend a ceremony without good reason. As I indicated earlier, in any event, no person is denied citizenship by not being able to attend a ceremony; they are facilitated on the next available occasion.

Garda Transport Provision

Questions (802)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

802. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of marked and unmarked Garda vehicles that are fitted with automatic number plate recognition service; his plans to increase this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48182/12]

View answer

Written answers

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Mobile Telephone Seizures

Questions (803)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

803. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of mobile phones seized at each prison here for the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48183/12]

View answer

Written answers

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table. Section 36 of the Prisons Act, 2007, which was brought into operation on 1 May, 2007, makes it an offence for prisoners to have unauthorised possession of or use of mobile telecommunication devices. Under the Act it is also an offence to supply such a device to a prisoner. The penalties for such an offence, on summary conviction, include a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, and on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both. It is Irish Prison Service policy to report and hand over seizures of mobile phones to the Gardaí. Cell and area searches for contraband such as mobile phones take place in all prisons on a daily basis. These include random, targeted and intelligence led searches. These searches have been particularly effective and local intelligence indicates that the availability of mobile phones has decreased across the prison system. As the Deputy can see the number of mobile phones seized in prisons has reduced, year on year, from 2009 and given the figure for the year to date it is expected that the final figure for 2012 will show a further decrease . This is as a direct consequence of the security measures introduced, including a airport style scanners and x-ray machines, which are in operation at the entrances of all the relevant closed prisons.

Prison/Place of Detention

2009

2010

2011

2012 (23.9.12)

 Arbour Hill

2

1

2

1

 Castlerea

70

43

42

21

 Cloverhill

41

16

20

27

 Cork

27

13

30

9

 Dóchas Centre

40

12

42

10

 Limerick

309

133

100

108

 Loughan House

78

155

104

48

 Midlands

87

92

123

59

 Mountjoy (Male)

904

742

420

226

 Portlaoise

48

18

27

2

 Shelton Abbey

103

88

77

51

St. Patrick's Institution

121

138

220

252

 Training Unit

116

191

113

54

 Wheatfield

228

76

48

17

 Total

2,174

1,718

1,368

885

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Questions (804)

Robert Troy

Question:

804. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason non categorised personnel within his Department are paying a pension levy even though they have no pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48219/12]

View answer

Written answers

I am informed that my Department is not aware of any instance in which the pension related deduction is not properly applied. The provisions for pension related deductions from the remuneration of Public Servants are set out under Section 2 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill, 2009 which states that such deductions apply to existing Public Servants with effect from 1 March 2009 and apply to those joining the Public Service subsequent to this date where they are: 1) a member of a public pension scheme, 2) entitled to a benefit under such a scheme, or 3) in receipt of a payment in lieu of membership of such a scheme. Generally speaking, the majority of employees in Government Departments fall under the above categories.

Proposed Legislation

Questions (805)

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Question:

805. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans, if any, to bring forward legislation dealing with sentencing and post-release supervision issues (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48243/12]

View answer

Written answers

Under section 29 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 a court can impose a post-release supervision order as part of a sentence. Indeed, when considering the sentence to be imposed on a sex offender, the court is obliged by section 28 of the Act to consider whether to include post-release supervision. The court is required to have regard to the need for such supervision, the need to protect the public from serious harm from the offender, the need to prevent the commission of further sexual offences by the offender, and the need to rehabilitate or further rehabilitate the offender. The aggregate of the sentence of imprisonment and the supervision period cannot exceed the duration of the maximum prison term for the particular offence. Also, the period of imprisonment cannot be less than the court would have imposed were it not in a position to order post-release supervision.

For the period of post-release supervision, the offender is required to comply with such conditions as are specified in the sentence for securing supervision by a probation officer. In addition, the court can include a condition prohibiting the offender from doing anything it considers necessary for the purpose of protecting the public. It can also impose a condition requiring the offender to receive psychological counselling or other appropriate treatment.

It is important to view provisions relating to post-release supervision together with other provisions in the Sex Offenders Act 2001. The legislation also introduced the "sex offenders' register" and sex offender orders. Any person sentenced to more than 2 years imprisonment for a scheduled sexual offence is subject to indefinite notification requirements. Upon the application of the Garda Síochána, the Circuit Court can make a sex offender order at any time after an offender's release from prison (or a sentence otherwise ceases to be in force) prohibiting him or her from doing certain things. A sex offender order can remain in force for 5 years or such longer period as the court may provide.

My Department has been conducting a wide-ranging review of the law on sexual offences. An examination of the Sex Offenders Act 2001, including a public consultation process, formed an integral part of that review. Arising from the review, I expect to bring legislative proposals to Government for approval shortly. These will include a number of measures to enhance risk assessment, notification requirements and the application of post-release supervision requirements.

Garda Reserve

Questions (806)

Áine Collins

Question:

806. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Questions No. 213 of 14 February 2012 and No. 154 of 11 October 2012, if he will reconcile the seemingly contradictory answers. [48304/12]

View answer

Written answers

Members of the Garda Reserve receive a net allowance of €1,000 after deductions, to contribute towards expenses incurred, once they complete 208 hours of duty in a twelve month period. The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot comment on the criteria used in the assessment of income for the Department of Education and Skills Student Grants Scheme.

Educational Services for Prisoners

Questions (807)

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

807. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners who undertook third level study in 2008 with the Open University and with the National college of Art and Design; the number of prisoners that have undertaken courses with these institutions in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48307/12]

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Written answers

I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that 151 prisoners undertook courses with the Open University in 2008. The corresponding number for 2012 is 103. In 2008 33 students undertook courses with the National College for Art and Design (NCAD). The arrangement with NCAD, following a value for money audit, was discontinued in 2011 and as such there are no prisoners currently undertaking courses with NCAD.

Illegal Moneylenders

Questions (808)

Finian McGrath

Question:

808. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No.44503/12 of October 2012, the action he will take regarding the person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48315/12]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will appreciate a number of the matters raised, principally those concerning the allocation of housing and social welfare payments, are not matters which fall under the remit of my Department. These are matters which would fall primarily to be considered by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the Department of Social Protection.

With regard to the issue of illegal money lending it may be helpful if I briefly set out the measures currently in place governing money lending generally. The regulation of licensed money lending is a matter primarily for my colleague, the Minister for Finance and the Central Bank of Ireland is the Competent Authority in this jurisdiction with regard to licensed money lending activity. Legislative provisions relating to the regulation of money lending are contained in the Consumer Credit Act 1995 and unlicensed money lending is an offence under that Act. Persons who engage in money lending and who do not hold the necessary licence granted by the Central Bank are committing an offence under section 98 of the Act. Complaints concerning the operation of illegal money lenders may be made to An Garda Síochána who have power to bring prosecutions against unlicensed operators. A person who is found guilty of an offence under the Act is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €3,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €100,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both.

I have been assured by the Garda authorities that where offences under section 98 of the Consumer Credit Act 1995 are disclosed, and are reported to An Garda Síochána, the matter will be the subject of investigation under the direction of the local District Officer, with relevant expert assistance available from the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation.

I would therefore strongly encourage those who may have information concerning the operation of unlicensed money lenders to notify An Garda Síochána whom I can assure the Deputy will take all measures open to them to enforce the law in this area.

While I do appreciate the concerns expressed by the Deputy in relation to this particular case, insofar as such concerns relate to the operation of illegal money lending this is a matter which can be pursued by the Garda authorities as I have outlined above.

Residency Permits

Questions (809)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

809. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of non-EEA national aged between 16 and 18 years who are currently registered here; and if he will provide a breakdown of the types of residency stamps issued to them. [48328/12]

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Written answers

As of 2 November 2012, a total of 2,192 non-EEA nationals who have stated their age as being between 16 and 18 are on the register of non-nationals who have been granted a permission to be in the State. This register is maintained by an Garda Síochána pursuant to the provisions of section 9 of the Immigration Act, 2004.

The main categories of immigration stamps issued to the non-EEA nationals in question are Stamp 2 (Non-EEA national attending a full time course of study), Stamp 2A (Non-EEA national attending a course of study not recognised by the Department of Education and Skills), Stamp 3 (Non-EEA visitor; and Non-EEA dependant of employment permit holder), Stamp 4 (Non-EEA family member of EEA citizen; Non-EEA spouse of Irish citizen; Refugee; Non-EEA person granted family reunification under the Refugee Act 1996; Programme refugee; Non-EEA parent of Irish citizen child where parent was granted permission to remain in the State), and Stamp 4 (EU Family) which includes non-EEA family members of EU citizens who qualify for residency under EU Free Movement of Persons Regulations.

Cyber Security Policy

Questions (810, 811)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

810. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures that are to be undertaken by the frontline officers of an Gardaí Síochána upon receipt of a complaint about alleged cyber bullying. [48355/12]

View answer

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

811. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm that training has been provided to all of the frontline officers of an Gardaí Síochána on the measures they are to undertake upon receipt of a complaint regarding alleged cyber bullying. [48356/12]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 810 and 811 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that any complaint of alleged cyber-bullying is fully investigated by An Garda Síochána, utilising all relevant legislation including in particular Section 10 of the Non-fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. I have asked the Garda Commissioner for further details in relation to training on this issue and I will write to the Deputy directly with any further information.

Garda Stations Refurbishment

Questions (812)

Billy Timmins

Question:

812. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding improvement works to the cells in a Garda station (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48358/12]

View answer

Written answers

The programme of refurbishment of Garda stations is based on accommodation priorities which are established by An Garda Síochána. The programme is advanced in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. I am advised by the Garda authorities that plans for improvement works to the cells of the Garda station referred to by the Deputy are being developed. This project will be further progressed in the context of An Garda Síochána's identified accommodation priorities and in the light of available resources within the Vote for the Office of Public Works.

Private Security Authority Membership

Questions (813)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

813. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to reduce the cost of a PSA licence to make it more affordable for small business owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48364/12]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to inform the Deputy that the Private Security Authority, an independent agency under the remit of my Department, is the regulatory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing the private security industry in the State. As the Deputy will appreciate, the provision of a regulatory environment understandably has cost implications for the industry but the public and the industry itself both benefit from regulation. I am informed by the Authority that the current fee, which is for a two year licence, was set by the Authority in 2005 and has not been increased since that time. I am advised that the Board of the Authority is, in fact, currently reviewing the licence fee structure and will consider the matter at its next meeting. The Deputy may wish to note that an instalment payment option to assist contractors with paying for their licence has already been introduced by the Authority.

Private Security Authority Membership

Questions (814)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

814. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who paid for a PSA licence in the years 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48365/12]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to inform the Deputy that the Private Security Authority, an independent agency under the remit of my Department, is the regulatory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing the private security industry in the State. I am informed that the Authority issues two types of licence, both of which are valid for a period of two years. Details are as follows: Contractor Licences which are required by companies, partnerships and sole traders and Individual Licences which are required by all those working in the security sector within the State whether employed by a licensed contractor or directly by a business as in house security personnel.

The table sets out the number of valid applications received by the Authority for the years 2010, 2011 and to the end of October 2012.

Year

Contractor

Applications

Individual

Applications

2010

477

13,715

2011

316

12,179

2012 (to 31st Oct)

397

13,603

Registration of Title

Questions (815)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

815. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on a situation relating to the charging of fees under right-of-way registration regulations as laid down by the new Land and Conveyancing Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48366/12]

View answer

Written answers

I have been informed by the Property Registration Authority that at present applications for registration of an easement (which is claimed to have been acquired by prescription that is appurtenant to registered lands) attract a fee of €25 under the “other registrations for which no fee is prescribed” category of the current Fees Order. Under the new Fees Order (Land Registration (Fees) Order 2012) which comes into operation on 1 December 2012, the fee will be €130.

Where the title to the “dominant tenement” (that is the applicant’s lands benefitting from the right) is unregistered, an application for first registration of the title to those lands must be made. The first registration fees are currently €85, rising to €500 under the new Fees Order. However, in appropriate cases, the title may be certified by a solicitor in Form 3 of the Schedule of Forms to the Land Registration Rules. If title can be and is certified in Form 3, the fee will be €130 under the new Fees Order. The first registration fee, where payable, would be additional to the fee for registration of the appurtenant right mentioned above.

The Property Registration Authority can only process cases where the right is uncontested. In contested cases, or any other case, applicants may apply to the Court to have the right established. If successful, the Court Order is then lodged for registration of the right. The fee for registration of the right established pursuant to an order of the Court is currently €25, rising to €40 in the new Fees Order.

What is set out above relates only to fees payable to the Property Registration Authority. The Authority cannot comment on fees and costs that would be charged by a solicitor.

Crime Prevention

Questions (816)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

816. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps the Gardaí are taking in an area (details supplied) in County Meath to reduce crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48372/12]

View answer

Written answers

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is in the Ashbourne Garda District. I am further informed that the area is subject to regular patrols by local uniformed personnel, augmented by uniformed and plain clothes units from the District headquarters in Ashbourne, together with the Divisional Traffic Unit and the Regional Support Unit as required.

Local Garda management closely monitors such patrols, and other operational strategies in place, in conjunction with crime trends and policing needs of the communities in these areas to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources to provide the best possible Garda service to the public. While the situation is being kept under review, Garda management is satisfied that a full and comprehensive policing service is being delivered to the communities in the areas concerned and that the current structures in place deliver an effective and efficient policing service.

The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner has put Operation Fiacla in place in order to address incidents of burglary, aggravated burglaries and related offences throughout the country. Operation Fiacla is intelligence driven and specific burglary initiatives have been implemented in each Garda Region to target suspect offenders. I am informed that as of 19 October, 2493 persons have been arrested and 1404 persons have been charged with burglary offences under Operation Fiacla.

An Garda Síochána also places great emphasis on the importance of the partnership between An Garda Síochána and the community in preventing and detecting crime, and maintaining a safe environment for everyone. An Garda Síochána continues to invest time and energy in these partnerships and relationships to the benefit of all.

In this regard, during September the Garda Commissioner launched the second national public awareness week this year under the 'Garda Supporting Safer Communities Campaign’. This important campaign highlights a range of key issues, in particular burglary prevention. The primary objective of this Garda Community Safety Campaign is to engage with, and raise awareness within communities of initiatives aimed at preventing crime, reducing the fear of crime and promoting community safety.

Naturalisation Applications

Questions (817)

Peter Mathews

Question:

817. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason an application for naturalisation has not yet been decided in respect of a person (details supplied) ion Dublin 18; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48425/12]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy.

The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. As the processing requirements and time taken to complete necessary checks vary from case to case, it is not possible to provide a specific date for determination of an individual application.

As well as being a significant event in the life of its recipient, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation as provided for in law is also a major step for the State which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process. It is a statutory requirement that, inter alia, applicants for naturalisation be of good character. In some instances that can be established relatively quickly and in other cases completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time. I can, however, inform the Deputy that enormous progress has been made in dealing with the backlog and steps are being taken to process all outstanding applications as quickly as possible.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility 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 from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Questions (818)

Billy Timmins

Question:

818. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a vetting application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48429/12]

View answer

Written answers

I am informed by the Garda authorities that a vetting application on behalf of the person concerned was received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit. The application is currently being processed and it is anticipated that a response will issue to the registered organisation involved in the coming week.

Garda Deployment

Questions (819)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

819. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are any plans for an increase in Garda foot patrols in an area (details supplied) in County Meath due to the lack of a Garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48525/12]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy should be aware that the Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation and I have no direct function in the matter. This allocation of resources is constantly monitored in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

However, the Commissioner informs me that in relation to Meath Garda Division, there are approximately 295 Gardaí assigned to the Division of which 46 are assigned to the Ashbourne Garda Station which patrols the Ratoath area. The Division is also supported by 33 Garda Reserves and 26 civilians. These resources are augmented, when appropriate, by Gardaí from national units such as the Garda National Drug Unit and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Northern Ireland Issues

Questions (820, 821)

Gerry Adams

Question:

820. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of the type and frequency of North South engagement his Department undertakes; the current priorities in this area; the number of whole time equivalent staff assigned to these matters; the grades involved and the amount of time each grade spends on North South activities as a proportion of their WTE employment; the co-ordination arrangements that have been put in place; if there are any current vacancies in North South Co-operation unites; the duration of this vacancy and the steps being taken to fill the vacancy. [48549/12]

View answer

Gerry Adams

Question:

821. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 186 of 24 October 2012, if he will detail further the form of the north south cooperation under the auspices of his Department; and the way his Departmenthis Department is in contact with its northern counterpart. [48555/12]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 820 and 821 together.

As I stated to the Deputy in my reply to Question No. 186 of 24 October 2012, the work in my Department in relation to North-South co-operation, which arises primarily in the context of criminal justice co-operation, is carried out across a range of Divisions in my Department depending on the nature of the work involved. I am and my officials are frequently and closely engaged with our counterparts in Northern Ireland in respect of a wide range of matters relating to North-South criminal justice co-operation.

The Deputy will be aware that under the Intergovernmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters I meet regularly with David Ford to discuss criminal justice matters of mutual interest or concern in the two jurisdictions; to consider the scope for and develop plans to achieve more effective co-operation and co-ordination on criminal justice matters between the two jurisdictions; to oversee and give direction to the work of the Working Group; to exchange information on other criminal justice initiatives taking place in both jurisdictions, and to approve and review progress against the annual work programmes on criminal justice co-operation.

The Agreement established a Working Group of senior officials comprising representatives of my Department, the Northern Ireland Department of Justice and the various criminal justice agencies from both jurisdictions. Its remit is to take forward current co-operation and to identify other areas in which co-operation on criminal justice matters could be enhanced or initiated. A number of project groups are taking forward co-operation initiatives in relation to forensic science, registered offenders, probation and rehabilitation, victim support, youth justice matters and social diversity.

In addition, the officials of my Department maintain close and ongoing contact with their counterparts in the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Department of Justice in regard to the security situation and the ongoing threat posed by republican paramilitarism.

Given that North-South co-operation is an integral and ongoing part of the work of a range of Divisions of my Department, it is not readily possible to disaggregate the relevant proportion of the working time of the officials involved.

Proposed Legislation

Questions (822)

Denis Naughten

Question:

822. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the plans, if any, he has to outlaw the practice of cyber bullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48566/12]

View answer

Written answers

"Cyberbullying" is the term used to describe bullying where it is carried out using the internet, mobile phones or other technological devices. The Deputy will appreciate that, in view of the volume of transactions using such devices as well as the global nature of communication by these means, the authorities would find it impossible to enforce a prohibition on the use of equipment for such purposes (assuming, of course, that a prohibition of such a kind was legally or constitutionally permissible). Nevertheless, bullying in any form may amount to an assault or harassment and may therefore be an offence under the Non Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997, as amended, or under the Post Office (Amendment) Act 1951, as amended. I therefore urge any one subjected to bullying of whatever variety to contact the Gardaí.

Assistance is available from a number of sources to help those affected by cyberbullying. The Safer Internet Ireland project is coordinated by the Office for Internet Safety in my Department. The body now called Technology in Education under the remit of the Professional Development service for Teachers (formerly known as the National Centre for Technology in Education) participates in the project. It operates www.webwise.ie which provides advice and information to parents and teachers.

The ISPCC and the National Parents Council (Primary) also participate. Both organisations offer assistance through their confidential telephone helplines on how to deal with cyberbullying. the Office for Internet Safety itself supplies very useful guides, including "A Parents Guide to Social Networking Sites" and "A Guide to Cyberbullying".

Commercial Leases Database

Questions (823)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

823. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which the commercial leases database will be made available to the public by the Property Services Regulatory Authority. [48660/12]

View answer

Written answers

The Property Services Regulatory Authority has statutory responsibility for the establishment and maintenance of a Commercial Leases Database. The Authority is currently working on the development of the database and it is anticipated that it will be launched by the end of the first quarter of 2013.

State Pathology Laboratory

Questions (824)

Seán Fleming

Question:

824. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the State Pathology Laboratory announced under the stimulus package; the various stages involved in this project; the timelines involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48711/12]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to inform the Deputy that this project, together with a range of other projects, is still under consideration. While I wish to proceed as quickly as possible with the projects that were previously announced, the process involved in public-private partnerships requires the detailed consideration of a complex range of factors including which projects might best be linked together for the purposes of tendering. Of necessity, this process takes time. I expect the precise position to become clearer in the coming months.

Court Accommodation Provision

Questions (825, 826)

Seán Fleming

Question:

825. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of the refurbishment and extension works to be carried out on courthouses as announced under the stimulus package; the various stages of these project; the expected timelines for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48712/12]

View answer

Seán Fleming

Question:

826. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of the various new courthouses to be built as announced under the stimulus package; the various stages of this project; the expected timelines for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48713/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 825 and 826 together.

In July, the Government announced an infrastructure stimulus package which includes seven courthouse projects. As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that since July they have been in discussions with the Office of Public Works, the National Development Finance Agency and my Department in order to progress these projects.

I understand that a process is currently underway to determine the approach to the various projects planned and the time scales for the projects will be dependent on that. The Courts Service has indicated that the time line for the delivery of the projects is under discussion and it is currently anticipated that projects could be delivered by 2016. Details of the projects planned are as follows:

Project

Current status

Wexford

A new courthouse is to be constructed on a Courts Service owned site.

Mullingar

There is to be a refurbishment and extension of the existing courthouse.

Waterford

There is to be a refurbishment and extension of the existing courthouse.

Limerick

A new criminal courthouse is to be constructed on a site adjacent to Limerick prison.

Cork

There is to be a refurbishment and extension of Anglesea Street Courthouse (Cork District Court) onto an adjacent OPW owned site.

Letterkenny

A new courthouse is to be built on a site acquired by the Courts Service.

Drogheda

A new courthouse is to be built on a Courts Service owned site.

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