Written Answers Nos. 79-85
79. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of Garda currently in the force; the number of retirements due by the end of 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46537/13]
View answerI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that, as of 30 September 2013, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 13,159 Garda members, 1,129 Garda Reserves and just over 2,000 civilian support staff in the Garda Síochána.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of these personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts, the various Garda national units and of course Garda Headquarters. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
So far in 2013, up to 30 September, the number of Gardaí who have retired, resigned or been medically discharged is 256. A further 55 have so far declared their intention to retire during the remainder of 2013.
80. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the time frame he has put in place to place the parole board on a legislative footing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46518/13]
View answerI announced my intention in 2011 to enact legislation to place the Parole Board on a footing which I believe will help to strengthen the Board and improve its functions. Work is under way and progress is being made. Decisions have yet to be finalised on exactly what role a statutory Parole Board should play, what powers it should have, and how it should fit into the overall criminal justice system.
I addressed the inaugural conference of the Parole Board in that regard on Friday 25 October, 2013. The discussions, which focussed on the parole process and experience from other jurisdictions, will also help inform that process.
I have also appointed a group to carry out a strategic review of penal policy. This is a wide-ranging and important review with implications for the future direction and implementation of penal policy in Ireland. I expect the group to report early in the new year. When I have considered their recommendations, I will bring proposals forward to Government for a statutory Parole Board.
81. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the progress of the Spent Convictions Bill which has been delayed on account of a relevant legal case from the UK; and when the Bill will be re-introduced into Dáil Éireann. [45976/13]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012 passed Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann on 20 March 2013, having previously passed all stages in the Seanad. However, before the Bill was taken at Report Stage, a judgment of the Court of Appeal in England and Wales was published which has necessitated a review of the provisions concerning the disclosure of certain old minor convictions under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012. Given the close relationship between the two pieces of legislation, any changes to the Vetting Act will have to be reflected in the Spent Convictions Bill.
My officials are currently finalising proposals that will involve a number of changes to the provisions in the National Vetting Bureau Act and consequential amendments to the Spent Convictions Bill. Subject to the approval of the Government, I expect to be in a position to have these amendments drafted in the coming weeks and to have the Spent Convictions Bill amended and enacted early next year.
83. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on introducing equality impact assessment procedures and equality proofing into the Irish budgetary process as a means of gauging the impact of budgetary measures from a human rights and equality perspective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45977/13]
View answerThe Government Programme includes a commitment to "require all public bodies to take due note of equality and human rights in carrying out their functions". The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill, which I expect will be published shortly, will create a positive duty on public bodies to do so and provides for the Commission to provide support and advice to public bodies in meeting that obligation.
I also refer the Deputy to the Government's position on this matter as set out in Minister of State Kathleen Lynch's statement to the Dáil on 2 July 2013 in the context of the debate on a Private Members Bill on this topic, the Equal Status (Amendment) Bill 2013 as well as to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 33 of 25 September 2013. In our democratic State, budgetary decisions are for the democratically-elected Government of the day to make and for Dáil Éireann to approve. The reality is that resources are limited and additional expenditure demands or costs arising, for whatever reason, will have to be paid for through expenditure reductions elsewhere or through the raising of additional revenue. Nothing in the approach canvassed can change that reality or be of any help to the Government in making the difficult decisions its members have been elected to make on behalf of the people as we work to restore the country's economic sovereignty.
In the context of budgetary policy and the preparation of estimates, each Minister is responsible for assessing policy proposals in his or her area. Considerations of equality form an important component of budgetary discussions by Government. When making Government decisions on budget matters, the Government is very much aware of issues such as gender equality, persons experiencing risk of poverty or social exclusion, and people with disabilities.
