Thursday, 3 Oct 2013

Written Answers Nos. 172 - 180

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Questions (172)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

172. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will expedite Garda clearance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41656/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am informed by the Garda authorities that a vetting application on behalf of the individual referred to by the Deputy was received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) on 23 September 2013. The application is currently being processed and once completed will be returned to the registered organisation concerned.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current average processing time for applications is approximately 9 weeks from date of receipt. However, seasonal fluctuations and the necessity to seek additional information on particular applications can result in this processing time being exceeded on occasion. In the interest of fairness and equity, Garda vetting applications are processed in chronological order based on the date of receipt in the GCVU and all organisations registered for Garda Vetting are aware of the processing time-frames for the receipt of Garda vetting and have been advised to factor this into their recruitment and selection process.

Garda Vetting Application Numbers

Questions (173)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

173. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures he is taking to alleviate the backlog of persons seeking Garda clearance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41657/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

By way of background to the Deputy's question, I wish to advise that the number of vetting applications received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) each year has risen from 187,864 in 2007 to 327,903 in 2012 and it is expected that there will be upwards of 350,000 applications this year.

It is essential that the GCVU has the resources required to perform this most critical of roles effectively and I have given this matter particular priority. In that regard I have been actively engaged with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. As a result of that engagement, I am pleased to say that the Commissioner has confirmed to me that there are now 134 whole-time equivalent staff (130 civilians and 4 members of the Garda Síochána) assigned to the GCVU, some 41 of whom have been redeployed from elsewhere in the public service since the end of March 2013. Some of these redeployed staff have only recently completed their training in the vetting process, and the full impact of their work will be seen in the coming weeks. Furthermore, I have also recently received sanction for the redeployment of 40 additional staff to the GCVU. This brings the total number of staff in that service to over 170 which, when compared to the average staff allocation of 78 at the Unit over the past two and a half years, represents an increase of 117%.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current average processing time for applications is now approximately 9 weeks from date of receipt. However, seasonal fluctuations and the necessity to seek additional information on particular applications can result in this processing time being exceeded on occasion. Nevertheless this is a significant improvement on the processing time of 14 weeks which existed in July this year. In the interest of fairness and equity, Garda vetting applications are processed in chronological order based on the date of receipt in the GCVU and all organisations registered for Garda Vetting are aware of the processing time-frames for the receipt of Garda vetting and have been advised to factor this into their recruitment and selection process.

Development of an e-Vetting solution is also underway. This will facilitate the processing of all applications in an e-format, thus removing the time-consuming current process of manually managing all applications received. The initial phase of testing this e-vetting system will take place in the fourth quarter of 2013. When this is achieved, this system will streamline the overall vetting process in this jurisdiction, and further contribute to reductions in processing times for all vetting applications.

Crime Prevention

Questions (174)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

174. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional steps that will be taken by An Garda Síochána to address the increase in serious knife-related crimes which have occurred in the greater Dublin area in the past number of weeks. [41665/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I can assure the Deputy that a comprehensive and robust legal framework is in place with respect to knife crime including heavy penalties for breaches of the laws concerned. In recent years the maximum penalty for possessing a knife in a public place without good reason or lawful authority has been increased from one to five years, and An Garda Síochána also now have an extended power of search without warrant in relation to knives and offensive weapons.

At an operational level, An Garda Síochána pro-actively target public disorder and anti-social behaviour, including knife related crime through the strategic deployment of Garda resources. In this regard, areas identified as public order hot-spots by local Garda management are the subject of additional foot and mobile patrols. In addition, Detective Units and Divisional Crime Task Forces may be utilised to provide a high visibility presence in areas such as late night bars, clubs etc, particularly when people are exiting, to deter and detect anti-social behaviour and possible altercations. However, it should be noted that many knife crimes occur in domestic settings and often with a degree of spontaneity, which increases the challenges for preventative policing and enforcement.

In relation to the investigation of specific knife-related crimes, I am assured that all appropriate resources, including any necessary technical and forensic facilities are employed by An Garda Síochána to secure detections and identify perpetrators of these crimes. The Deputy will be aware that persons have been charged in connection with a number of the recent fatal stabbing incidents.

In addition to these enforcement measures, An Garda Síochána are involved in a number of awareness measures relating to knife crime, and I understand that the Garda Schools Programme and the Dublin Metropolitan Region Teenagers and Gardaí Programmes are utilised and include talks on knives and other weapons for secondary school pupils, emphasising the dangers involved and the need for care, vigilance and social responsibility.

Deed Poll

Questions (175)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

175. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if it is possible here for husbands to take their spouse's surname when they get married; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41681/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The tradition whereby some women change their surnames on marriage to use their husband's surname is not governed by statute. There is no barrier preventing a husband from commencing to use his spouse's surname should he choose to do so. A person may also change name by means of deed poll: the purpose of this is principally to provide documentary evidence that the person has adopted a new name.

Garda Transport Data

Questions (176)

Niall Collins

Question:

176. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of money that would be required for the purchase of an additional 600 vehicles for the Garda fleet in 2014. [41708/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will appreciate, Garda vehicles are required for a wide variety of policing requirements and, accordingly, the Garda fleet comprises different models of vehicles produced by a number manufacturers. In the circumstances I understand that it would not be practicable to provide a precise figure for the purpose referred to by the Deputy.

Overall, the Deputy will be aware that an additional €3 million was made available towards the end of last year which enabled the Force to procure 171 vehicles. This brought total investment in the Garda fleet in 2012 to €4 million and resulted in a total of 213 new vehicles being procured during the year. Furthermore, a specific allocation of €5 million has been provided for the purchase and fit-out of Garda transport in the current year.

This represents a very considerable financial investment in Garda transport, particularly at a time when the level of funding available across the public sector is severely limited. It is a clear indication of my commitment to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, An Garda Síochána are provided with sufficient resources to enable them to deliver an effective and efficient policing service. In keeping with that approach, I will continue to seek to identify the potential for additional funding for the Garda Fleet. This will, of course, be contingent on expenditure in other areas.

Garda Transport Data

Questions (177)

Niall Collins

Question:

177. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form a district breakdown of Garda vehicles numbers in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013. [41709/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The provision and allocation of Garda resources, including transport, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. In turn, the deployment of Garda vehicles is kept under on-going review by the Garda authorities and revised in response to policing demands.

This flexibility in allocating and re-allocating vehicles, so as to best match the allocation of resources with priorities, is crucial to the efficient management of the Garda fleet. As a consequence, the Deputy will appreciate that it is not practicable to provide these figures at District level for the years requested.

In that context, I am advised by the Garda authorities that the number of Garda vehicles by Division in 2007, 2008, 2009 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013 is set out in the following table. It should also be noted that there have been a number of Divisional boundaries realignments over the period concerned.

31 December 2007	-
Division	No.
CARLOW-KILDARE	48
CAVAN-MONAGHAN	61
CLARE	49
CORK CITY	102
CORK NORTH	41
CORK WEST	53
DMR EAST	45
DMR NORTH	115
DMR NORTH CENTRAL	76
DMR SOUTH	64
DMR SOUTH CENTRAL	81
DMR WEST	102
DONEGAL	64
GALWAY WEST	58
KERRY	45
LAOIS-OFALY	50
LIMERICK	92
LONGFORD-WESTMEATH	44
LOUTH	45
MAYO	64
MEATH	45
NATIONAL UNITS	674
ROSCOMMON-GALWAY EAST	30
SLIGO-LEITRIM	55
TIPPERARY	64
WATERFORD-KILKENNY	69
WEXFORD	26
WICKLOW	43

31 December 2008	-
Division	No.
CARLOW-KILDARE	65
CAVAN-MONAGHAN	65
CLARE	45
CORK CITY	118
CORK NORTH	51
CORK WEST	56
DMR EAST	54
DMR NORTH	139
DMR NORTH CENTRAL	86
DMR SOUTH	97
DMR SOUTH CENTRAL	77
DMR TRAFFIC	79
DMR WEST	116
DONEGAL	71
GALWAY	93
KERRY	47
LAOIS-OFFALY	58
LIMERICK	95
LOUTH	48
MAYO	55
MEATH	55
NATIONAL UNITS	743
ROSCOMMON-LONGFORD	47
SLIGO-LEITRIM	63
TIPPERARY	66
WATERFORD-KILKENNY	83
WESTMEATH	47
WEXFORD	59
WICKLOW	51

31 December 2009	-
Division	No.
CARLOW-KILDARE	69
CAVAN-MONAGHAN	64
CLARE	44
CORK CITY	122
CORK NORTH	52
CORK WEST	59
DMR EAST	57
DMR NORTH	141
DMR NORTH CENTRAL	84
DMR SOUTH	95
DMR SOUTH CENTRAL	78
DMR TRAFFIC	75
DMR WEST	119
DONEGAL	73
GALWAY	101
KERRY	52
LAOIS-OFFALY	60
LIMERICK	91
LOUTH	48
MAYO	58
MEATH	60
NATIONAL UNITS	789
ROSCOMMON-LONGFORD	49
SLIGO-LEITRIM	63
TIPPERARY	64
WATERFORD-KILKENNY	84
WESTMEATH	53
WEXFORD	54
WICKLOW	56

31 December 2010	-
Division	No.
CAVAN-MONAGHAN	63
CLARE	42
CORK CITY	121
CORK NORTH	47
CORK WEST	56
DMR EAST	55
DMR NORTH	130
DMR NORTH CENTRAL	80
DMR SOUTH	89
DMR SOUTH CENTRAL	81
DMR TRAFFIC	64
DMR WEST	119
DONEGAL	77
GALWAY	102
KERRY	46
KILDARE	56
KILKENNY/CARLOW	50
LAOIS-OFFALY	58
LIMERICK	98
LOUTH	51
MAYO	59
MEATH	57
NATIONAL UNITS	778
ROSCOMMON-LONGFORD	41
SLIGO-LEITRIM	54
TIPPERARY	60
WATERFORD	50
WESTMEATH	51
WEXFORD	54
WICKLOW	51

31 December 2011	-
Division	No.
CAVAN-MONAGHAN	53
CLARE	37
CORK CITY	121
CORK NORTH	42
CORK WEST	52
DMR EAST	52
DMR NORTH	124
DMR NORTH CENTRAL	79
DMR SOUTH	87
DMR SOUTH CENTRAL	77
DMR TRAFFIC	63
DMR WEST	114
DONEGAL	71
GALWAY	95
KERRY	44
KILDARE	50
KILKENNY/CARLOW	44
LAOIS-OFFALY	54
LIMERICK	93
LOUTH	49
MAYO	57
MEATH	57
NATIONAL UNITS	772
ROSCOMMON-LONGFORD	39
SLIGO-LEITRIM	52
TIPPERARY	53
WATERFORD	49
WESTMEATH	44
WEXFORD	49
WICKLOW	50

31 December 2012	-
Division	No.
CAVAN-MONAGHAN	44
CLARE	36
CORK CITY	100
CORK NORTH	33
CORK WEST	48
DMR EAST	52
DMR NORTH	118
DMR NORTH CENTRAL	68
DMR SOUTH	78
DMR SOUTH CENTRAL	69
DMR TRAFFIC	64
DMR WEST	111
DONEGAL	60
GALWAY	78
KERRY	38
KILDARE	41
KILKENNY/CARLOW	43
LAOIS-OFFALY	44
LIMERICK	72
LOUTH	44
MAYO	53
MEATH	50
NATIONAL UNITS	769
ROSCOMMON-LONGFORD	40
SLIGO-LEITRIM	43
TIPPERARY	45
WATERFORD	47
WESTMEATH	37
WEXFORD	39
WICKLOW	50

30 September 2013	-
Division	No.
CAVAN-MONAGHAN	48
CLARE	44
CORK CITY	112
CORK NORTH	40
CORK WEST	46
DMR EAST	52
DMR NORTH	112
DMR NORTH CENTRAL	65
DMR SOUTH	79
DMR SOUTH CENTRAL	68
DMR TRAFFIC	62
DMR WEST	107
DONEGAL	58
GALWAY	79
KERRY	38
KILDARE	45
KILKENNY/CARLOW	50
LAOIS-OFFALY	48
LIMERICK	72
LOUTH	45
MAYO	51
MEATH	53
NATIONAL UNITS	772
ROSCOMMON-LONGFORD	41
SLIGO-LEITRIM	48
TIPPERARY	51
WATERFORD	51
WESTMEATH	42
WEXFORD	43
WICKLOW	52

Garda Transport Data

Questions (178)

Niall Collins

Question:

178. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form a district breakdown of the expected numbers of Garda vehicles to be taken off the road by the end of 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41710/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The provision and allocation of Garda resources, including transport, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. In turn, the deployment of Garda vehicles is kept under on-going review by the Garda authorities and revised in response to policing demands.

This flexibility in allocating and re-allocating vehicles, so as to best match the allocation of resources with priorities, is crucial to the efficient management of the Garda fleet. As a consequence, the Deputy will appreciate that it is not practicable to provide details of the number of vehicles to be decommissioned by the end of 2014 by Garda District.

Garda vehicles are retired for a variety of reasons, including where vehicles are considered beyond economic repair or as a result of accidents. Also, I understand from the Garda authorities that the relevant manufacturers have indicated that, for safety reasons, vehicles should be withdrawn from service at certain stages. Accordingly, this is the operational policy that is applied by the Garda authorities. Based on current usage, it is estimated that approximately 456 Garda vehicles may be retired between now and the end of the 2014.

Overall, the Deputy will be aware that an additional €3 million was made available towards the end of last year which enabled the Force to procure 171 vehicles. This brought total investment in the Garda fleet in 2012 to €4 million and resulted in a total of 213 new vehicles being procured during the year. Furthermore, a specific allocation of €5 million has been provided for the purchase and fit-out of Garda transport in the current year.

This represents a very considerable financial investment in Garda transport, particularly at a time when the level of funding available across the public sector is severely limited. It is a clear indication of my commitment to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, An Garda Síochána are provided with sufficient resources to enable them to deliver an effective and efficient policing service. In keeping with that approach, I will continue to seek to identify the potential for additional funding for the Garda Fleet. This will, of course, be contingent on expenditure in other areas.

Garda Deployment

Questions (179)

Niall Collins

Question:

179. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form a district breakdown of Garda numbers in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41711/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy is already aware, the Garda 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 demographics, 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.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of each Garda District throughout the country on 31 December 2007 to 2012 and on 31 August 2013, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is set out in the following spreadsheet. The table is available as attachment Q179.xls at the top of the web page.

Garda Transport Data

Questions (180, 182)

Niall Collins

Question:

180. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form a district breakdown of Garda mobile unit stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41712/13]

Niall Collins

Question:

182. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of mobile station units he has commissioned in 2012, 2013 and for 2014; the costs involved per annum; the ongoing operating costs per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41714/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 182 together.

Decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of policing resources, including Garda transport, are an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner. As the Deputy will be aware, earlier this year the Garda authorities indicated that they proposed to provide a number of mobile Garda offices. At this stage, however, I understand from the Garda authorities that they have decided not to proceed with the proposal, at least for the present.

In that context I have been informed by the Garda authorities that current community policing needs are being met in conjunction with the Garda Community Engagement Programme and they have concluded that the introduction of mobile offices would provide limited identifiable benefits for the public or the Force. Accordingly, the vehicles purchased for use as mobile offices are being re-deployed for other Garda purposes.

Overall, the Garda authorities have indicated that the Garda operational arrangements in place throughout the country are sufficient to ensure the continued delivery of a comprehensive policing service to all communities. In addition they have confirmed that these arrangements will be kept under on-going review.