Niall Collins
Question:181. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide the breakdown of overtime hours and payment per rank of An Garda Síochána. [15743/13]
View answerGarda Overtime
Questions (181)
Written answers
I have sought the relevant information from the Garda authorities and I will contact the Deputy further in relation to this matter as soon as possible.
Garda Remuneration
Questions (182)
Niall Collins
Question:182. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of money on average the projected cuts to Garda wages will affect Garda ranks from superintendent to Commissioner. [15744/13]
View answerWritten answers
I assume the Deputy has in mind the relevant salary adjustments that would arise in the context of the application of the proposals published by the Labour Relations Commission for a draft Public Service Agreement to run from 2013 to 2016. The basic salary scales of those officers referred to by the Deputy are in excess of €65,000 and the levels of pay adjustments for these officers are set out in paragraph 2.28 of the proposal. The precise level of adjustment will depend on each individual's salary at the time of implementation.
Garda Stations Refurbishment
Questions (183)
Niall Collins
Question:183. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the refurbishment of Tipperary, Newport and Clonmel Garda stations which were at the top of the Office of Public Works list for extension or refurbishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15745/13]
View answerWritten answers
The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is based on priorities which are established by An Garda Síochána. This programme is progressed in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for capital expenditure in the area. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Office of Public Works is taking forward plans for the refurbishment of Clonmel station. In addition, I understand that while a brief of requirements in relation to Newport has been agreed there are no specific proposals to undertake work at Tipperary station. The Deputy will appreciate that progress in relation to Garda accommodation matters depends upon overall policing requirements and the availability of resources.
Visa Applications
Questions (184)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:184. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of students that have applied for the MEI Chinese adult pilot programme; and the number who have been refused. [15748/13]
View answerWritten answers
In 2012, INIS established a pilot programme in partnership with Marketing English in Ireland (MEI). This pilot programme has been extended for a further phase covering 2013 and 2014. To date, the Visa Office in Beijing has received around 100 applications under the adult MEI Pilot Programme with a refusal rate of 29%. These refusals by and large arise from concerns about the validity of documentation submitted with applications as well as the stated intentions of some applicants. My Department continues to work in co-operation with MEI on resolving these issues.