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Wednesday, 26 Jun 2013

Written Answers Nos. 194-201

Prisoner Transfers

Questions (194, 195)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

194. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a prisoner (details supplied) was refused a transfer to an open prison on the premise that they could not be interviewed by the Parole Commissioners for parole there in view of the fact that the Parole Commissioners have stated that they cannot interview them until October or November; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30862/13]

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Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

195. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will be made on an application by a person (details supplied) for remission based on good behaviour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30863/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.

I wish to inform the Deputy that the person referred to is serving a sentence of eight years imprisonment for a very serious offence and no decision in relation to his transfer to an Open Centre will be made until I have sight of the recommendations of the Parole Board.

Issues concerning risk to the community and preparation for re-integration are much more complex in relation to offenders serving long sentences. The Deputy will be aware that the Parole Board was established in October 2001 to advise in relation to the sentence management of those serving eight years or more.

The Parole Board will receive a detailed dossier in respect of the prisoner's progress in custody with input from the therapeutic and other services with which the prisoner has engaged. The board will also receive recommendations as to the future management of the case and assessment as to the risks of re-offending.

Having reviewed cases, the board usually recommend one or more of the following:

- transfer to another prison/open centre;

- programme of short term releases;

- structured programme advising that the prisoner should participate in therapy, education, work/training or resocialisation.

Once the board make their recommendations, I will make a decision which will be conveyed to the prisoner in writing giving general reasons leading to the decision. The board has an advisory role and I may or may not accept a recommendation made by them.

The prisoner in question has also submitted an application for one third remission, which is provided for under Section 59(2) of the Prison Rules, 2007. The discretionary granting of additional remission, as opposed to the standard rate of one quarter, will be considered where a prisoner has shown the following:

(i) to have displayed good industry in prison and continue to be of good conduct;

(ii) to display willingness to seek employment through education/course work whilst in prison to enhance their chances of gaining employment upon release;

(iii) through engagement in authorised structured activity and where, as a result, the prisoner is less likely to re-offend and will be better able to reintegrate into the community.

An essential part of the criteria for rewarding one third remission is that applicants engage in offence focused work which in turn should lead to a reduced risk of re-offending.

While an application for enhanced remission has been received from the prisoner in question, he will be informed that as his application does not contain evidence of offence focused work (to be supported with the proper documentation), it will not be considered at the present time. He is welcome to resubmit another application at any time with the supporting documentation.

EU Conventions

Questions (196)

Joan Collins

Question:

196. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will sign the European Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence before the end of Ireland's presidency (details supplied). [30873/13]

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Written answers

Ireland supports, in principle, the aims and terms of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

It is a detailed Convention with a very broad scope across a number of policy areas with potential policy and legislative implications. The provisions of the Convention and the legislative and administrative arrangements that would be necessary to allow signature and ratification of the Convention by Ireland are being examined in my Department in conjunction with the government commitment to introduce consolidated and reformed domestic violence legislation to address all aspects of domestic violence, threatened violence and intimidation, in a way that provides protection to victims.

The development of the consolidated and reformed legislation, including consideration of the Convention provisions, will be progressed as soon as possible having regard to the need for consultations and other legislative priorities in my Department. Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, is undertaking the preliminary work in developing proposals for consideration. Cosc has met with relevant groups from the NGO sector and received some proposals for consideration. Further material is also awaited from the sector.

The convention has not yet entered into force as this requires at least ten ratifications, including 8 Council of Europe member states.

Garda Deployment

Questions (197)

Robert Troy

Question:

197. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason Longford and Granard Garda area has no Inspector appointed to its ranks and Granard Garda area which covers Edgeworthstown station has no plain clothes sergeants or detectives (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30897/13]

View answer

Written answers

The allocation of all resources, including personnel, within the Force rests with the Garda Commissioner, in consultation with his senior management team. Resource levels are constantly monitored, in conjunction with crime trends and other demands made on An Garda Síochána. The situation is kept under continuing review to ensure optimum use is made of these resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

However, I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the strength of the stations mentioned by the Deputy, by rank, on the 31 May 2013, was as set out in the following table:

Station

Garda

Sergeant

Inspector

Superintendent

Total

Edgeworthstown

8

1

0

0

9

Granard

20

5

0

1

26

Longford

53

9

0

1

63

These Garda Stations are in the Roscommon/Longford Garda Division and the personnel strength of that Division on that date was 285. There are also 20 Garda Reserves and 24 Civilians attached to the Roscommon/Longford Garda Division. Divisional resources are further augmented, where necessary, by a number of Garda National Units such as the Garda National Drugs Unit (GNDU), the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI), the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and other specialised units.

Questions Nos. 198 to 200, inclusive, answered with Question No. 192.

EU Conventions

Questions (201)

Seán Fleming

Question:

201. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will sign the European convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30998/13]

View answer

Written answers

Ireland supports, in principle, the aims and terms of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence.

It is a detailed Convention with a very broad scope across a number of policy areas with potential policy and legislative implications. The provisions of the Convention and the legislative and administrative arrangements that would be necessary to allow signature and ratification of the Convention by Ireland are being examined in my Department in conjunction with the government commitment to introduce consolidated and reformed domestic violence legislation to address all aspects of domestic violence, threatened violence and intimidation, in a way that provides protection to victims.

The development of the consolidated and reformed legislation, including consideration of the Convention provisions, will be progressed as soon as possible having regard to the need for consultations and other legislative priorities in my Department. Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, is undertaking the preliminary work in developing proposals for consideration. Cosc has met with relevant groups from the NGO sector and received some proposals for consideration. Further material is also awaited from the sector.

The convention has not yet entered into force as this requires at least ten ratifications, including 8 Council of Europe member states.

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