Tuesday, 5 Nov 2013

Written Answers Nos. 715-737

Local Authority Funding

Questions (717)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

717. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown by local authority in tabular form of the amount each received in 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively from the local government fund general purpose grant; the other grants that are made from the local government fund to local authorities; the cumulative sums for 2013 of any other of these grants that each local authority may have received separate to the general purpose grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46928/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

General purpose grants are my Department’s contribution towards meeting the cost to local authorities of providing a reasonable level of services to their customers. The table below details the final general purpose grant payments from the Local Government Fund to all local authorities for 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Local Authority Name	2011 €	2012 €	2013 €
Arklow Town Council	1,384,825	1,264,896	1,200,969
Athlone Town Council	1,385,905	1,309,067	1,231,467
Athy Town Council	620,231	576,589	543,047
Ballina Town Council	1,391,588	1,271,590	1,209,373
Ballinasloe Town Council	736,863	678,735	645,234
Birr Town Council	679,579	625,841	590,609
Bray Town Council	3,235,454	3,301,926	3,138,743
Buncrana Town Council	780,684	712,767	666,687
Bundoran Town Council	477,814	425,085	404,340
Carlow County Council	9,356,860	8,277,058	8,560,762
Carlow Town Council	1,460,551	1,332,400	1,265,988
Carrickmacross Town Council	515,563	467,219	442,918
Carrick-On-Suir Town Council	979,959	916,167	860,228
Cashel Town Council	564,104	517,402	490,624
Castlebar Town Council	809,302	739,496	693,522
Castleblaney Town Council	399,419	371,917	343,549
Cavan County Council	15,269,533	13,796,504	14,123,740
Cavan Town Council	718,591	654,077	621,373
Clare County Council	10,531,514	10,128,450	10,072,651
Clonakilty Town Council	521,171	474,382	450,662
Clones Town Council	514,330	472,439	441,092
Clonmel Borough Council	2,556,744	2,346,540	2,235,458
Cobh Town Council	1,046,319	952,382	904,763
Cork City Council	18,555,716	16,918,727	16,612,544
Cork County Council	36,601,888	32,632,715	32,216,090
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council	28,349,944	25,654,823	24,772,291
Donegal County Council	33,334,869	29,677,041	30,995,092
Drogheda Borough Council	3,452,950	3,206,222	3,047,680
Dublin City Council	60,023,920	54,009,434	52,613,531
Dundalk Town Council	3,875,678	3,601,046	3,410,323
Dungarvan Town Council	784,693	708,685	673,294
Ennis Town Council	1,843,158	1,720,471	1,625,178
Enniscorthy Town Council	960,002	925,807	878,576
Fermoy Town Council	726,081	660,895	627,850
Fingal County Council	22,069,626	20,084,467	19,619,590
Galway City Council	6,492,158	5,907,178	5,750,549
Galway County Council	30,013,322	27,440,971	27,400,744
Kells Town Council	354,449	359,258	343,356
Kerry County Council	20,574,023	18,689,208	18,374,432
Kildare County Council	21,520,945	19,628,180	20,634,229
Kilkenny Borough Council	1,370,821	1,276,507	1,203,255
Kilkenny County Council	16,061,905	14,713,705	15,105,892
Killarney Town Council	1,451,204	1,325,831	1,251,767
Kilrush Town Council	527,452	487,944	461,460
Kinsale Town Council	344,812	313,856	298,163
Laois County Council	13,819,010	12,752,890	13,136,013
Leitrim County Council	12,480,094	11,597,455	11,952,743
Letterkenny Town Council	868,950	801,689	756,453
Limerick City Council	7,988,750	7,758,879	8,264,861
Limerick County Council	19,251,936	17,339,749	17,668,930
Listowel Town Council	608,783	555,720	533,911
Longford County Council	12,028,665	10,930,269	11,488,728
Longford Town Council	965,269	878,008	830,162
Louth County Council	9,956,317	8,809,684	9,090,024
Macroom Town Council	525,612	478,424	454,502
Mallow Town Council	951,776	866,328	823,011
Mayo County Council	29,938,016	27,276,247	27,650,043
Meath County Council	23,336,686	21,133,796	21,360,037
Midleton Town Council	486,711	443,016	420,864
Monaghan County Council	12,827,990	11,366,792	11,968,784
Monaghan Town Council	910,168	863,264	787,065
Naas Town Council	1,231,776	1,123,322	1,067,472
Navan Town Council	336,591	388,455	472,669
Nenagh Town Council	926,797	850,869	805,581
New Ross Town Council	816,997	751,766	741,554
North Tipperary County Council	15,242,399	13,917,192	14,504,742
Offaly County Council	12,810,146	11,749,160	12,217,139
Roscommon County Council	17,051,277	15,521,073	15,828,208
Skibbereen Town Council	370,292	337,048	320,195
Sligo Borough Council	2,269,402	2,095,433	2,000,541
Sligo County Council	13,916,896	13,307,871	13,584,307
South Tipperary County Council	18,800,334	17,004,654	17,302,006
South Dublin County Council	17,693,997	16,485,014	16,370,168
Templemore Town Council	555,357	505,117	479,867
Thurles Town Council	790,197	732,863	693,222
Tipperary Town Council	682,415	624,759	599,444
Tralee Town Council	2,403,950	2,184,323	2,078,813
Trim Town Council	432,192	427,582	404,706
Tullamore Town Council	1,007,722	970,006	878,613
Waterford City Council	5,443,471	5,093,262	5,415,345
Waterford County Council	19,387,525	17,462,467	18,176,169
Westmeath County Council	17,331,141	15,627,759	16,055,537
Westport Town Council	671,160	612,196	581,332
Wexford Borough Council	1,945,116	1,773,199	1,684,540
Wexford County Council	17,405,370	15,704,965	15,912,433
Wicklow County Council	15,796,015	14,359,096	14,357,641
Wicklow Town Council	1,306,799	1,210,118	1,141,936
Youghal Town Council	965,305	878,641	834,709

The audited accounts of the Local Government Fund are available on my Department’s website at www.environ.ie. The estimated expenditure from the Local Government Fund in 2013, as set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2013 published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, is €1.21 billion, including

- €640.9 million for General Purpose Payments to local authorities;

- €407.9 million for Road and Public Transport Infrastructure payments, the allocation of which is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport; and

- €61.5 million relating to other miscellaneous schemes including Group Water Scheme subsidies, Water and Waste Water projects, operating costs for the Vehicle Registration Unit of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and a residual amount for other priority national projects benefitting local authorities.

The table below sets out the amounts paid to date in 2013 to each local authority from the Local Government Fund for purposes other than (i) General Purpose Grants (which are already outlined above) and (ii) Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport allocations to local authorities in respect of roads and public transport infrastructure (details of which are not available in my Department).

County	2013 total to date €
Carlow County Council	239,670
Cavan County Council	3,161,727
Clare County Council	412,574
Cork City Council	151,540
Cork County Council	428,040
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council	425,630
Donegal County Council	379,740
Dublin City Council	600,530
Fingal County Council	1,745,530
Galway City Council	45,050
Galway County Council	2,188,157
Kerry County Council	390,428
Kildare County Council	619,208
Kilkenny County Council	267,256
Laois County Council	346,267
Leitrim County Council	272,280
Limerick City Council	91,478
Limerick County Council	401,090
Longford County Council	80,780
Louth County Council	276,393
Meath County Council	208,467
Monaghan County Council	599,821
North Tipperary County Council	419,468
Offaly County Council	218,120
Roscommon County Council	603,382
Sligo County Council	392,911
South Tipperary County Council	203,400
South Dublin County Council	12,800
Waterford City Council	68,600
Waterford County Council	115,613
Westmeath County Council	121,400
Wexford County Council	297,597
Wicklow County Council	509,990

Leader Programmes Applications

Questions (718)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

718. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application by a club (details supplied) in County Mayo to Mayo North East Leader Partnership company; when the approved funds will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46932/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

In line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, there are 35 Local Action Groups (LAGs) contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) throughout the country. The LAG for the area referred to in the question is Mayo North East LEADER Partnership (MNELP). The LAGs are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the local development strategy of the individual groups and in line with the programme’s operating rules and EU regulations.

I understand that MNELP received an application from the promoter in question in 2011 but project approvals were suspended pending the completion of my Department’s investigation into governance issues in the LAG. The LAG contract was reinstated on 18 July 2013; I understand that MNELP has recently received updated documentation from the promoter and expects to submit the project file to my Department for final review very shortly.

Leader Programmes Applications

Questions (719)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

719. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application to Mayo North East Leader Partnership company by persons (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46933/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

In line with the ‘bottom-up’ approach to rural development under the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, there are 35 Local Action Groups (LAGs) contracted, on my Department’s behalf, to deliver the LEADER elements of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (RDP) throughout the country. The LAG for the area referred to in the question is Mayo North East LEADER Partnership (MNELP). The LAGs are the principal decision-makers in relation to the allocation of project funding. Such decisions are made in the context of the local development strategy of the individual groups and in line with Programme’s Operating Rules and EU regulations. I understand that MNELP received an incomplete application from the project promoter in mid-October 2013. The application cannot be progressed further until all the necessary documentation is submitted.

Homeless Accommodation Funding

Questions (720)

Brendan Ryan

Question:

720. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the allocation of the homelessness budget for each of the years from 2010 to date in 2013 with specific reference to levels of funding allocated to each of the nine regional authorities and voluntary organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46942/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O'Sullivan)

My Department does not fund any service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. Housing authorities provide additional funding from their own resources. The Section 10 funding provided by my Department to housing authorities on a regional basis for the years 2010 to 2012 is set out in the table. Details of the allocations to the 9 regions for 2013 are also provided.

Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988

Region	2010	2011	2012	2013
Dublin	€40,521,375	€35,732,525	€32,398,290	€31,322,223
South East	€1,742,886	€2,110,476	€1,848,877	€1,787,469
North East	€1,037,617	€912,250	€910,194	€879,963
Midlands	€666,344	€624,897	€672,027	€649,707
South West	€4,270,143	€3,505,749	€4,418,967	€4,272,197
Mid-West	€3,435,607	€2,905,457	€3,516,119	€3,399,336
West	€1,699,288	€1,227,696	€1,581,478	€1,528,951
Mid East	€906,842	€697,665	€839,146	€811,275
North West	€423,355	€406,335	€360,865	€348,879
Total	€54,703,457	€48,123,050	€46,545,963	€45,000,000

Local Government Reform

Questions (721)

Jim Daly

Question:

721. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of the new municipalities that will replace three or more town councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46961/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The recommendations contained in the Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee Report, which was published in May 2013, will provide the basis for the configuration of municipal districts. Districts will be determined by ministerial order in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Local Government Act 2001 which are due to be amended by the Local Government Bill 2013, when enacted. Pending finalisation of the necessary orders, it would not possible to provide data in relation to the information sought.

Water and Sewerage Schemes Provision

Questions (722)

Michael McNamara

Question:

722. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason he did not include Doolin sewerage scheme in the Water Services Investment Programme 2010 - 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46973/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2013 provides for the development of a comprehensive range of new water services infrastructure in County Clare. The Programme includes contracts under construction and to commence t o the value of some €41 million in County Clare during the period of the Programme.

The Programme aims to prioritise projects that target environmental compliance issues and support economic and employment growth. A key input to the development of the Programme was the assessment of needs prepared by local authorities, including Clare County Council, in response to my Department’s request to the authorities in 2009 to review and prioritise their proposals for new capital works in their areas. These were subsequently appraised in my Department in the context of the funds available and key criteria that complemented those used by the authorities. Inevitably, through this process, certain projects that had been proposed had to give way to others that were more strategically important at that time.

Last month my Department wrote to Clare County Council, in response to the Council’s request to have the scheme included in the current Water Services Investment Programme, advising that the Doolin Sewerage Scheme could not be considered for inclusion in the current Programme at this time. From 1 January 2014 Irish Water will be responsible for the delivery of water services capital infrastructure and is currently preparing a Capital Investment Plan for 2014 - 2015. My Department has advised the Council that it is open to it to make a business case to Irish Water to have particular schemes included in the Capital Investment Plan for 2014 – 2015.

Local Authority Housing Issues

Questions (723)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

723. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details in tabular form by local authority of the numbers of unoccupied local authority houses on 1 October 2013; the number of those houses which are waiting 12 months or more for allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47019/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O'Sullivan)

My Department collates and publishes a wide range of housing and planning statistics that inform the preparation and evaluation of policy, and those data are available on my Department’s website www.environ.ie. Data on the numbers of unoccupied local authority houses are not included in this range. These data are, however, collected annually as part of the Local Government Management Agency’s review of local authority service indicators. Electronic copies of the reports, including the most recent report for 2011, are available on the Local Government Management Agency’s website – www.lgma.ie.

Local Authority Housing Rents

Questions (724)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

724. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details in tabular form by local authority of the average weekly rents charged by local authorities during 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47020/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O'Sullivan)

My Department collates and publishes a wide range of housing and planning statistics that inform the preparation and evaluation of policy, and those data are available on my Department’s website www.environ.ie

. Data on the average weekly rents are included in this range. The most recent data relate to 2011 due to a delay in receiving fully audited rental information for 2012. Audited data in respect of 2013 will be available in due course.

Question No. 725 answered with Question No. 668.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (726)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

726. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the partial year and the full year monetary effect of his Department's budget 2014 reductions to expenditure. [47076/13]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I refer to the reply to Question No. 375 of 22 October 2013 as regards 2014 and later year impacts of expenditure reductions in my Department’s Vote. The nature of my Department’s programmes is such that there are not generally differences in the impact of measures along the lines referred to in the Question.

Military Aircraft Landings

Questions (727)

Clare Daly

Question:

727. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Government and-or the Garda Commissioner has instructed gardaí at Shannon not to search US military aircraft, or chartered aircraft transporting US troops, or aircraft associated with the US Central Intelligence Agency; and if this instruction has been revised in view of the refuelling of a US military aircraft with a fixed weapon. [45630/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Deputy may wish to note that operational matters pertaining to policing are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and accordingly the question of the Government issuing instructions of the kind referred to by the Deputy does not arise. In that context, the Garda Síochána remain fully committed to investigate all alleged breaches of the criminal law, including alleged offences involving the use of aircraft at Shannon Airport or other Irish airports. The Garda Síochána has statutory powers of search and entry available to it under various legislative provisions and these apply to aircraft as much as to any other type of private property. However, these powers may only be exercised in circumstances where a member of the Garda Síochána reasonably suspects that an offence has been or is being committed.

It is the case that the Garda Síochána has previously fully investigated a number of allegations of unlawful activity at Irish airports and files have been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecution in some of these cases, although no prosecution was directed. In the other cases no evidence to substantiate the allegations was disclosed. I would point out, for the sake of clarity, that the Garda Síochána has no role in relation to the inspection of foreign State or military aircraft which, in accordance with international law, enjoy sovereign immunity.

Court of Appeal Establishment

Questions (728)

Niall Collins

Question:

728. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Court of Appeal will be up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46617/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

Following the successful outcome of the referendum on the proposed Thirty-third Amendment of the Constitution (Court of Appeal) Bill I will shortly bring forward an “Implementation Bill” that will deal with many practical issues in regard to the new Court of Appeal, such as the formal establishment and membership of the Court of Appeal, the appointment of judges, the organisation of the Court, and provision for the office of Registrar of the Court, among other issues. It is planned that the Bill will be enacted during the first half of 2014 and that the new Court of Appeal would be up and running in the new law term next Autumn.

My Department will be working closely with the Courts Service during this process and I can advise that an Implementation Committee has been established by the Courts Service which includes representation from my Department. The Committee, which has held its first meeting, will examine and make recommendations in relation to all aspects of administrative support for the new Court, such as organisational structure, staffing, accommodation, ICT systems and facilities, and rules of court to regulate court procedures. The aim is to ensure that the required accommodation, structures and systems are in place in time for the establishment of the new Court of Appeal.

The current level of delay in the Supreme Court of four and a half years is unsustainable for individuals and businesses seeking to pursue important appeals. The establishment of a Court of Appeal provides a long-needed reform of our courts system. It will have significant benefit for individual citizens, but will also maintain the internationally recognised standing of Ireland as a competitive and efficient economy in which to do business.

Irish Sign Language

Questions (729)

Nicky McFadden

Question:

729. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if Irish sign language will be given legal recognition in accordance with the UN Human Rights Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45649/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to "examine different mechanisms to promote the recognition of Irish Sign Language". This process has already commenced. The National Disability Authority (NDA) facilitated consultations with the Deaf Community in Ireland in 2012 at my request in relation to actions that could make improvements in the lives of deaf people and submissions received from them were considered for inclusion where possible and appropriate in the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan (NDSIP) which was published in July 2013 on the Department of Justice and Equality website.

As part of the follow-up to that initiative, I will chair a special themed meeting of the National Disability Strategy Implementation Group (NDSIG) on the question of Irish Sign Language on November 28. This meeting, which will be the first such themed meeting of this Group, will bring together representatives of relevant Departments, the National Disability Authority, the Deaf community and other relevant stakeholders with a view to further progressing the implementation of the NDSIP in this regard. The meeting will in particular examine the current situation across Government Departments and their Agencies with regard to promoting recognition of Irish Sign Language including in service provision. The intention is that any actions which are identified and agreed through this process, will be incorporated into the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan with Key Performance Indicators and timelines and the actors identified for implementing the action. Progress on the actions will then be monitored as part of the Implementation Plan monitoring process.

The National Disability Strategy is part of a whole-of-Government approach to advancing the social inclusion of people with disabilities. The ongoing implementation of our National Disability Strategy therefore comprehends many of the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). In addition, an Inter-Departmental Committee on the Convention monitors the remaining legislative and administrative actions required to enable ratification. Any further legislative or administrative actions that may be required in relation to Irish Sign Language in advance of ratification of the UNCRPD will be examined in this context.

Criminal Assets Bureau

Questions (730)

John Lyons

Question:

730. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is considering extending further powers to allow the Criminal Assets Bureau to further target suspected criminals operating online. [45690/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Assets Bureau is a vital component in the State's law enforcement response to serious and organised crime. The remit of the Bureau is to target those persons who seek to derive benefit from criminal activities. In carrying out this role, the Bureau utilises all available legal remedies, primarily those contained in the Proceeds of Crime legislation, Taxes legislation and Social Welfare legislation, to deprive persons of benefits obtained from the proceeds of crime.

Since its inception, Bureau processes have been continuously evaluated and, where necessary, strengthened to maximise the number of cases brought and assets targeted. Furthermore, an Expert Group, established under the auspices of my Department, is currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the Proceeds of Crime legislation with a view to identifying possible improvements which would serve to strengthen the operation of the Criminal Assets Bureau. The Chief Bureau Office and Bureau Legal Officer of the Criminal Assets Bureau are represented on the Expert Group, along with representatives from the Crime and Criminal Law Reform Divisions of my Department and a representative from the Office of the Attorney General.

A number of matters are being reviewed by the Group including decreasing the amount of time which must elapse before criminal assets which have been frozen become the property of the State; increasing the powers of receivers over properties so as to immediately deprive criminals of the use of those properties; short term seizure of assets believed to be the proceeds of crime pending determination by the courts and further improving measures supporting international cooperation. However, the work of the Group is not limited to these matters and any further proposals which the Bureau may bring forward which would serve to strengthen its operation can be taken into account during the review.

Criminal Assets Bureau

Questions (731)

John Lyons

Question:

731. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if further measures will be taken with the Spanish authorities to target suspected Irish criminals and their assets in their jurisdiction; if the Criminal Assets Bureau is liaising with the Spanish authorities to target assets which may have resulted from illegal activities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45691/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I can inform the Deputy that the Criminal Assets Bureau liaises on an ongoing basis with law enforcement authorities throughout Europe and worldwide in the pursuit of assets derived from criminal conduct. Having regard to the particular issue raised by the Deputy, I am informed that the Bureau does liaise directly with its Spanish counterparts and explores all available avenues within the European Union legal framework to target criminally acquired assets and criminals operating between both jurisdictions. I would also like to assure the Deputy of the importance attributed at both national level and European level to continuing close cooperation between asset recovery offices across the Member States. In this regard, it is worth noting that both Ireland and Spain are currently members of the Steering Group of the Camden Asset Recovery Interagency Network (CARIN), which is an informal network of experts/practitioners dedicated to improving cooperation in all aspects of tackling the proceeds of crime. Specifically, CARIN aims to increase the effectiveness of members' efforts in depriving criminals of their illicit profits through cooperative inter-agency cooperation and information sharing.

Garda Deployment

Questions (732)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

732. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí that will be redeployed and from where, to aid the Department of Social Protection in tackling fraud as reported; the grounds on which they will be allowed to question and arrest suspects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45670/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

Discussions are near completion on the temporary secondment of a small number (up to 20) of Gardaí on a pilot basis to the Department of Social Protection to work with officers from the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of that Department. The SIU's function is to investigate and report on social welfare fraud and abuse, and the Unit already works closely with An Garda Síochána. The Garda members concerned will retain policing powers, and will also be given powers of investigation equivalent to their SIU counterparts.

Road Traffic Offences

Questions (733)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

733. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Questions No. 1086 of 18 September 2013 and No. 426 of 8 October 2013, the steps he will be taking with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, in view of the information available to him on the rate of enforcement of section 63 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 so that the enforcement rate can be improved on a national basis. [45716/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy is aware, the Courts Service has put in place arrangements to ensure that summonses issued since May 2012 include wording to advise persons charged with an offence under the Road Traffic Acts to bring their driving licence together with a photocopy of the licence when they are attending court. The conduct of any case before a court is a matter for the presiding judge. I am informed that the Courts Service has communicated with the judiciary to facilitate an arrangement whereby defendants who appear before the court are requested in court to produce their driving licence, and a copy thereof, to the court registrar for the purpose of having the driving licence number recorded. In this regard, where in accordance with the directions of the judge, a licence is produced in any District Court throughout the country to the court registrar, the licence details are recorded. A working group has been set up with representatives from my Department, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and other relevant stakeholders. The group is currently examining the enforcement of Section 63 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 in the context of the overall operation of the penalty points system.

Road Safety

Questions (734)

Finian McGrath

Question:

734. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding cyclists on footpaths (details supplied). [45740/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Deputy will be aware from my response on 1 October, 2013, as set out below, that I brought his concerns surrounding the location in question to the attention of the Garda authorities. I have sought a report from the Garda authorities with regard to any action taken in the area referred to and will reply directly to the Deputy when the reply is to hand.

PQ 4122/13 response of 1 October, 2013

The Deputy will be aware that members of An Garda Síochána enforce the law on pedal cycling as part of their normal duties. In addition to day to day enforcement of the relevant provisions of the Road Traffic Acts, breaches of the legislation are regularly targeted by way of specific Garda operations which take into account the interaction of cyclists, pedestrians and vehicular traffic. Where breaches of legislation are detected, members of An Garda Síochána, depending on the circumstances, may deal with the incident by way of advice or caution or by initiating criminal proceedings. I have brought the Deputy's concerns surrounding the specific location in question to the attention of the Garda authorities for any appropriate action.

Garda Deployment

Questions (735, 736)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

735. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the increase in burglaries and attempted burglaries in Ballyfermot, if he will consider allocating extra gardaí to Ballyfermot Garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45774/13]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

736. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form the number of gardaí stationed in Ballyfermot Garda station for the years 2010 to 2013. [45775/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 735 and 736 together.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of 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. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Ballyfermot Garda Station on 31 December 2010 to 2012 and on 30 September 2013, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is set out in the table hereunder.

Year	Members	Reserves	Civilians
31/12/2010	99	3	3
31/12/2011	96	2	3
31/12/2012	93	2	3
30/09/2013	88	2	3

As the Deputy may be aware the latest crime statistics show that the rate of burglary has decreased by 8.9% nationally for the twelve months ending on 30 June 2013 and this underlines the impact being made by Gardaí under Operation Fiacla. As part of the measures which are coordinated under Operation Fiacla, Operation Acer is in force throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Region, including Ballyfermot. It is an intelligence driven operation and includes analysis led checkpoints and patrols to target specific areas and case manage targeted offenders. These arrangements are kept under review to ensure adjustments are made to maintain the effective focus of the operation.

Operation Acer operates alongside ongoing community policing measures, including problem solving with the community and ongoing liaison with schools, businesses and households in providing crime prevention advice and assistance to victims of burglary.

Garda Recruitment

Questions (737)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

737. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider exempting reserve members of An Garda Síochána from the application process required for the general public when applying for positions with the force; if he will take the two year probation period completed by reserve members into account; the courses completed by the reserve members under consideration; if he will give first consideration for full-time posts when they arise to reserve members due to their prior training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45787/13]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Deputy will be aware that recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by statutory regulations. The current regulations expressly provides that the Public Appointments Service will take into account any satisfactory service by a person as a reserve member of the Garda Síochána when they are applying to join the full time force. These regulations are currently being consolidated and revised and the same provisions for Reserve members will be incorporated into the new regulations. Arrangements are currently being finalised in conjunction with the Garda Commissioner and the Public Appointments Service, for the holding of the recently announced Garda recruitment competition, including in relation to the processing of applications by members of the Garda Reserve.