Written Answers Nos. 547-570
» ...
»
Written Answers Nos. 547-570
548. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if and when a new board will be put in place relative to the criminal injuries compensation scheme; the number of cases to be considered; and the timeframe involved. [7549/14]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that under the terms of Paragraph 17 of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted I am at present in the process of appointing a new Tribunal to administer the Scheme. As the Deputy may be aware I have recently appointed a Tribunal Chairperson, Mr. John Cheatle, B.L. who is dealing with all outstanding current applications.
I understand from the Tribunal that there are at present 51 applications awaiting an appeal hearing.
549. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the proposals submitted to him by An Garda Síochána seeking new legislation to ban almost all handguns which are currently licensed, including centre fire and most of those .22 calibres which are on the Garda Commissioner’s list of unrestricted handguns; and the proposals which seek the banning of all pump action and semi-automatic shotguns which are capable of holding more than three rounds and all semi-automatic centre fire rifles. [7554/14]
View answer550. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that if he accedes to the Garda proposals a very large number of firearms which are currently licensed will be banned and licence holders will be required either to sell them in what will then be a non-existent market or have them destroyed, as under the Garda proposals there will be no scheme of compensation for the effective confiscation of property and no compensation for licence holders who were required by the State to expend significant amounts of money in enhanced security arrangements at their homes to licence these firearms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7555/14]
View answer559. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans regarding gun control and availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7752/14]
View answer578. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is considering proposals to ban a number of classes of firearms including handguns and pump action and semi-automatic shotguns; his views on whether such a proposal will lead to a large number of licensed firearms being banned and destroyed or sold by their owners; if he will agree that the market for selling such banned firearms will be restricted in view of the ban; his plans to introduce a scheme of compensation for such licensed owners; his views on whether any new proposal to ban certain firearms will have a detrimental effect on rifle range owners and businesses and on members of the National Association of Regional Game Councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8138/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 549, 550, 559 and 578 together.
In relation to possible changes to firearms licensing I refer the Deputies to my reply to Questions Nos. 458 and 464 (6692/14 and 6776/14) of 11 February 2014 and to Questions Nos. 143, 149 and 153 (6989/14, 7049/14 and 7126/14) of 12 February 2014. The position is unchanged since then.
Reply to questions 6692/14 and 6776/14 of 11 February 2014 and to questions 6989/14, 7049/14 and 7126/14 of 12 February 2014:
My Department is currently examining key issues relating to firearms licensing in conjunction with An Garda Síochána. I expect to receive recommendations as a result of this process in due course. No decisions will be made in advance of consideration of these recommendations. However, the issue of public safety will be paramount in such consideration.
Opportunities for consultation with relevant stakeholders will be explored when work on the proposals is further advanced.
551. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [7591/14]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation has been received from the persons referred to by the Deputy.
The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. While processing requirements and time taken to carry out necessary checks vary from case to case, more than 70% of applications are now being decided within 6 months.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been established specifically for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
552. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical-career break broken down by zero to six months, six to 12 months, one year to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7632/14]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that, as of 6 February, 2014, the numbers of staff in my Department on career break is as set out in the table below. The information is provided in tabular format as requested and, while not requested by the Deputy, I have also included information for staff on career break in the 3-4 year category. The Deputy should note that the term sabbatical is not utilised in the context of leave granted to staff.
|
Length of time on career break |
Number of officers |
|
0-6 months |
2 |
|
6 months - 1 year |
6 |
|
1-2 years |
13 |
|
2-3 years |
23 |
|
3-4 years |
8 |
|
4-5 years |
13 |
|
5 years plus |
12 |
|
Total |
77 |
553. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form the total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees in his Department and the average uncertified sick days per employee taken; the total certified sick days taken by employees; the average certified sick days per employee; the total sick days taken by employees; and the average total sick days and median overall sick days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7648/14]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy in relation to sick leave for the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 is set out in the table below. Uncertified sick leave is now classed as self certified sick leave.
|
Year |
Total self certified sick days |
Average self certified sick days per employee |
Total certified sick days |
Average certified sick days per employee |
Total sick days (certified and self certified) |
Average sick days (certified and self certified) per employee |
|
2009 |
2005 |
0.86 |
22394 |
9.5 |
24399 |
10.4 |
|
2010 |
1595 |
0.75 |
17623 |
8.3 |
19218 |
9.1 |
|
2011 |
1654 |
0.74 |
17060 |
7.5 |
18714 |
8.2 |
|
2012 |
1348 |
0.64 |
18010 |
8.5 |
19358 |
9.1 |
It is not possible to provide median details as to do so would require the allocation of a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and resources.
554. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the recent spate of burglaries in Sutton housing estates (details supplied); the discussions he has had with Garda authorities on the matter; the action being taken to address the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7691/14]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is within the Howth Garda Sub-District. Local Garda management is aware of the recent burglary incidents referred to by the Deputy and have advised me that a number of targeted proactive measures were put in place in response, and that these have had an immediate impact in terms of reducing the number of such incidents.
In more general terms, I am further informed that Garda data shows an ongoing decrease in burglaries in the Howth Sub-District, in line with the national trend. As the Deputy may be aware the latest crime statistics show that the rate of burglary has decreased by 10.4% nationally for twelve months ending 30 September 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 the Howth Sub-District. 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 providing crime prevention advice and assistance to victims of burglary. There is also full engagement with local Neighbourhood Watch and other community groups in the area.
555. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding payment for a certificate of registration in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7700/14]
View answerSection 19 of the Immigration Act, 2004 (as amended), provides that a fee is to be paid for the issue of a registration certificate by the non-national concerned. There is no link between the fee and the duration of the certificate. The fee is set by regulations made by the Minister for Justice and Equality with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The Regulations also specify certain categories of non-national who are exempt from paying the fee.
It is the normal practice in the circumstances of the person concerned to grant permission to remain in the State for a period no longer than the expiration of their passport - the person being required by law to have a valid passport. Consistent with this practice and in line with the requirements of section 9 of the Immigration Act, 2004 the Registration Certificate is issued to the expiration of the non-national's passport.
Upon seeking to renew his or her permission to be in the State, the person concerned will also require to renew and update their registration with An Garda Síochána. This will require the issue of a new registration certificate and the payment of the appropriate fee.
556. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in the context of the Children and Family Relationships Bill 2013, if he intends to provide for access to children by grandparents without them having to resort to the courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7704/14]
View answerIn the General Scheme of the Children and Family Relationships Bill, I have proposed a change to provisions governing access to a child where there is a dispute between the adults concerned. The change will allow a relative of a child, such as a grandparent, to apply directly to court for access - this removes the current two stage process under which such a person currently has to apply for leave to make the application. This is in line with the recommendation of the Law Reform Commission in its 2010 report Legal Aspects of Family Relationships.
The Scheme also replicates the provisions requiring solicitors for an applicant or respondent to advise their clients of alternatives to court proceedings, such as mediation or counselling in an effort to come to an agreement. The Family Mediation Service can assist families in dispute in trying to develop agreed solutions.
Proceedings should therefore arise only where the parties are in dispute and are unable or unwilling to come to an agreed solution, and my proposals are intended to simplify and streamline that process in the interests of the child and the entire family.
557. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deportation orders that were issued in 2011, 2012 and 2013; if all deportation orders were issued to the last known address of the person subject to an order; and if not, the number that were not issued to the last known address in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013. [7727/14]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that 1,369 Deportation Orders were served on the persons concerned in 2011 and 1,353 in 2012. The preliminary figure for 2013 is approximately 1,200.
All Deportation Orders are issued to a person's last known address as notified to the Department by applicants. The Department is not always notified of a change of address and this leads to post being returned undelivered. However, the onus is on the applicant to ensure that they notify the Department of a change of address. Failure to do so will on occasion lead to post being returned undelivered. The Deportation Order remains extant and is retained on the applicant's file. Records are not maintained of the number of such cases.
558. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to parliamentary Question No. 494 of 26 November 2013, if he has received a reply from the Garda authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7748/14]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that they are in the process of finalising a response insofar as Garda records enable them to provide the detailed information sought by the Deputy. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the report is to hand.
560. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons recorded as having absconded while on bail in each of the past ten years to date; the number of such persons who were subsequently recaptured and the extent to which their case in the court was thereafter affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7778/14]
View answerIn relation to the statistical information sought by the Deputy, the Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide relevant statistics in relation to offences concerning breaches of bail directly to the Deputy.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the compilation of the other information sought by the Deputy would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources.
Insofar as the enforcement of bench warrants is concerned, including those which issue where a person on bail fails to attend in court, An Garda Síochána take all possible action to ensure that such persons are located as quickly as possible, having regard to all of the relevant circumstances.
561. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will he provide a county breakdown of the number of applicants for legal aid in each of the past three years; the number of these applications that were granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7784/14]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware the provision of legal aid falls within two separate categories, i.e. criminal legal aid and civil legal aid. Details in respect of each category are as follows:
Criminal Legal Aid
Under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid. An applicant for legal aid must establish to the satisfaction of the court that his/her means are insufficient to enable him/her to pay for legal representation him/herself. The assignment of lawyers or the granting of aid are matters for the Court and, as such, are handled by the judiciary on the applicant's appearance in court. Unfortunately figures are not kept in such a way as to be able to provide a breakdown by county of the number of certificates granted for criminal legal aid.
Civil Legal Aid
The Legal Aid Board is a statutory, independent body in accordance with the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995. The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the Board. However, in order to be helpful to the Deputy I have had enquiries made with the Board.
The Legal Aid Board operates 30 general full time law centres in 23 different counties. The number of applicants in each of the last three years at the law centre(s) in each of the counties in which the Board has a full time presence are detailed below. The Board has six general law centres in Dublin and two general law centres in both Cork and Galway. In addition, the Board also operates part time law centres in the counties where it does not have a full time presence. Each of these centres is operated by a full time centre and the numbers getting services at these centres are included in the applications figure for the full time centre. I should point out that the Board operates a part-time centre in Drogheda which is operated by its law centre in Monaghan (rather than its law centre in Dundalk).
Furthermore, I wish to advise the Deputy that persons seeking legal services can apply at any law centre and are not required to apply within the county in which they reside. Thus the figures are not reflective of the addresses by county of the applicants. This particular information is not readily available.
Law centres are almost invariably unable to offer legal services to all on demand and are obliged to operate a waiting list system for non prioritised matters. However every applicant is offered an appointment with a solicitor assuming that they meet the financial eligibility criteria and that their issue is of a nature that comes within the remit of the civil legal aid scheme. At that appointment they will get legal advice. Some applicants require representation in court either to take court proceedings or to defend court proceedings. In those cases the solicitor makes an application to the Board for a legal aid certificate on the person’s behalf. The Board does not retain a breakdown by law centre of the number of these applications that are granted/refused.
Number of applicants in each of the last three years at the law centre(s) in each of the counties in which the Board has a full time presence
|
County |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
|
Cavan |
193 |
279 |
281 |
|
Clare |
472 |
582 |
739 |
|
Cork |
1,809 |
2,208 |
2,357 |
|
Donegal |
643 |
636 |
670 |
|
Dublin |
4,532 |
5,600 |
4,821 |
|
Galway |
871 |
939 |
603 |
|
Kerry |
610 |
609 |
611 |
|
Kildare |
858 |
884 |
1,027 |
|
Kilkenny |
784 |
747 |
836 |
|
Laois |
406 |
523 |
622 |
|
Limerick |
707 |
853 |
732 |
|
Longford |
444 |
378 |
383 |
|
Louth |
320 |
381 |
379 |
|
Mayo |
371 |
393 |
398 |
|
Meath |
785 |
574 |
560 |
|
Monaghan |
371 |
469 |
389 |
|
Offaly |
349 |
423 |
408 |
|
Sligo |
319 |
459 |
319 |
|
Tipperary |
632 |
503 |
636 |
|
Waterford |
505 |
562 |
580 |
|
Westmeath |
511 |
557 |
550 |
|
Wexford |
498 |
590 |
589 |
|
Wicklow |
557 |
696 |
797 |
562. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the annual cost to the Exchequer for free legal aid; if a county breakdown exists for this figure; if the legal professional recipients of free legal aid will be disclosed; his plans to limit the amount of times a person can avail of free legal aid or at least change the free status to affordable, where a portion of income would be deducted in exchange for legal aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7810/14]
View answerThe reply is as follows:
Criminal Legal Aid
The annual cost of criminal legal aid for the last four years is as follows:
|
Year |
Total Amount of Expenditure - (€ million) |
|
2010 |
56.5 |
|
2011 |
56.1 |
|
2012 |
50.5 |
|
2013 |
50.9 |
The Deputy will note that the total expenditure for 2012 is €5.6 million less than that for 2011. This decrease in expenditure is mostly attributed to a reduction of 10% in fees payable which was implemented on 1 October 2011. Unfortunately figures are not kept in such a way as to be able to provide a breakdown by county.
The Courts Policy Division of my Department will forward a list outlining payments made under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme to solicitors and barristers in 2013 to the Deputy.
The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 provides that free legal aid may be granted in certain circumstances for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under the 1962 Act, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid. An applicant must establish to the satisfaction of the court that his/her means are insufficient to enable him/her to pay for legal representation him/herself. The court must also be satisfied that, by reason of the "gravity of the charge" or "exceptional circumstances", it is essential in the interests of justice that the applicant should have legal aid. An applicant's previous convictions are not a criterion for access to legal aid under the Act. I have no function in these matters which are determined by the judiciary.
The Deputy will appreciate that an accused person who faces serious charges is entitled to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence and if they cannot afford to pay for legal representation, there is a right to legal aid. Under the Constitution, the State is obliged to provide an accused person with the means to obtain appropriate legal representation. Moreover, the European Convention on Human Rights provides that every person charged with a criminal offence is entitled to defend him/herself in person or through legal assistance of his/her own choosing or, if he/she has insufficient means to pay for legal assistance, to be given it free when the interests of justice so require. The Deputy will also appreciate that the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme must operate with due regard to these rights and that any unreasonable block on legal aid could give a convicted defendant an avenue for appeal or prohibition of the prosecution. The overriding concern is to ensure that no risk arises in relation to the prosecution of persons charged with criminal offences before the courts.
There is no limit to the number of occasions a person can be granted legal aid under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.
A new Criminal Legal Aid Bill is planned to update and strengthen the system of granting legal aid including transferring responsibility for the administration of the Scheme to the Legal Aid Board. Consideration is being given to including in the Bill provisions to, inter alia, regulate better the taking of statements of means, increase the sanction for false declarations, allow the Board to verify the means of applicants and to prosecute cases of abuse. Provision to give power to the Legal Aid Board to recover the costs of criminal legal aid or to make application to a court to revoke a criminal legal aid certificate are also under consideration. These provisions must have regard to a person's rights to the presumption of innocence, to a fair trial and to be given legal aid, where appropriate.
563. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed in order to regularise the status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7835/14]
View answerGiven that the person concerned had no valid basis to remain in the State, he was, by letter dated 31st October, 2012, notified that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making written representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should not have a Deportation Order made against him.
The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement. Any representations submitted will be considered before a final decision is made. Once a final decision has been made, this decision, and the consequences of the decision, will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
564. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 158 of 20 November 2013, the reason for the delay in furnishing the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7880/14]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my replies to him in Parliamentary Questions Nos. 363 of 10 December 2013 and 572 of 15 January 2014. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the position remains as set out in those responses as follows.
"I am informed by the Garda authorities that the incident referred to by the Deputy was fully investigated by An Garda Síochána.
I am further informed that this investigation led to the prosecution of 6 people, five of whom pleaded guilty on 27 September 2013 to an offence contrary to Section 4 of the Public Order Act 1994 and were ordered to pay €300 each to a charity and made subject to the provisions of section 1(1) of the Probation of Offenders Act. A sixth person failed to appear before the court and a bench warrant has been issued for his arrest.
The Deputy will appreciate I have no role in relation to the prosecution or trial of offences, or with respect to judicial determinations in individual cases."
565. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures that have been put in place to combat the number of break-ins in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7882/14]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that the areas referred to are within the Raheny Garda District. Local Garda management closely monitor all crime trends in the area, including with respect to the number of burglary incidents.
In that regard I am further informed that Garda data shows a decrease in burglaries in the Raheny District, in line with the national trend. As the Deputy may be aware the latest crime statistics show that the rate of burglary has decreased by 10.4% nationally for twelve months ending 30 September 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 the Raheny District. 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 providing crime prevention advice and assistance to victims of burglary. There is also full engagement with local Neighbourhood Watch and other community groups in the area.
566. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if any of his departmental or ministerial offices have been swept for electronic or any other type of surveillance or bugging equipment since coming to office in March 2011; the reasons for this check; the results of this check; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7897/14]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that for obvious reasons it is not the practice to comment on security related matters.
567. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons arrested and charged under section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order Act) 2011 for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7906/14]
View answerThe Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose.
I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.
568. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda vehicles that were decommissioned in each of the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the number of vehicles with which they were replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7935/14]
View answerThe provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. In that context, I am advised by the Garda authorities that the number of vehicles purchased and decommissioned during the periods referred to by the Deputy is as shown in the following table:
|
YEAR |
New Vehicles Purchased |
Vehicles Decommissioned |
|
13 Feb 2014 |
- |
69 |
|
31 Dec 2013 |
438 |
344 |
|
31 Dec 2012 |
213 |
324 |
|
31 Dec 2011 |
52 |
306 |
I am, of course, conscious of the importance of the Garda fleet and, in that regard, the Deputy will be aware that I recently secured a further €9 million for investment in the fleet. This investment resulted in the purchase of 305 new Garda vehicles towards the end of 2013, at a cost of €5 million. These were in addition to the 133 new Garda vehicles which had already been procured during the year. The remaining €4 million has been made available for the purchase and fit out of Garda vehicles in 2014.
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.
569. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality of the number of vehicles purchased as part of the €9 million investment in the Garda fleet last year; the number of these vehicles that have been commissioned for use; the Garda districts or sub-districts to which each of these vehicles were deployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7936/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, I recently secured a further investment of €9 million in the Garda fleet. This investment resulted in the purchase of 305 new Garda vehicles towards the end of 2013, at a cost of €5 million. These were in addition to the 133 Garda vehicles which had already been procured during the year. The remaining €4 million has been made available for the purchase and fit out of Garda transport in 2014.
Decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands. In that context, I am advised that the new vehicles were delivered in late December 2013 and are currently being allocated, following fit out, in accordance with the Commissioner's operational requirements. To date 78 of the vehicles have been commissioned into the Garda fleet. The Districts to which they have been assigned are shown in the table below.
|
VEHICLES COMMISSIONED |
Number |
|
TOTAL |
78 |
|
ANGLESEA STREET |
1 |
|
ASHBOURNE DISTRICT |
1 |
|
BALLYMOTE DISTRICT |
1 |
|
BALLYSHANNON DISTRICT |
1 |
|
BALTINGLASS DISTRICT |
1 |
|
BRAY DISTRICT |
2 |
|
CARLOW DISTRICT |
1 |
|
CLONMEL DISTRICT |
1 |
|
CASTLEBAR DISTRICT |
1 |
|
CASTLEREA |
1 |
|
CAVAN DISTRICT |
2 |
|
CLAREMORRIS DISTRICT |
1 |
|
CLONDALKIN DISTRICT |
1 |
|
CLONMEL DISTRICT |
2 |
|
COOLOCK DISTRICT |
1 |
|
DUNDALK DISTRICT |
1 |
|
ENNISCORTHY |
1 |
|
NATIONAL UNITS |
25 |
|
GALWAY DISTRICT |
2 |
|
GRANARD DISTRICT |
1 |
|
GURRANABRAHER |
3 |
|
HENRY STREET LIMERICK DISTRICT |
2 |
|
KILRUSH DISTRICT |
2 |
|
LETTERKENNY DISTRICT |
1 |
|
MAYFIELD DISTRICT |
4 |
|
MIDLETON |
1 |
|
PORTLAOISE |
1 |
|
THOMASTOWN DISTRICT |
1 |
|
TOGHER DISTRICT |
4 |
|
TRAMORE DISTRICT |
1 |
|
TRIM DISTRICT |
1 |
|
TUAM DISTRICT |
2 |
|
TULLAMORE DISTRICT |
2 |
|
WATERFORD DISTRICT |
2 |
|
WEXFORD DISTRICT |
2 |
|
WICKLOW DISTRICT |
1 |
570. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will list any new organisations-agencies established in his Department since 9 March 2011; the role and functions and the annual operating budget for these organisations-agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7948/14]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the information sought in relation to organisations and agencies created under the remit of my Department since 9 March 2011 is set out below.
Property Services Regulatory Authority
The Property Services Regulatory Authority was established on 3 April 2011 in accordance with the provisions of the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011. The Authority is responsible for the control and supervision of Property Service Providers (i.e. auctioneers/estate agents, letting agents and management agents) and for ensuring the maintenance, by such providers, of high standards in the provision of property services. The 2014 budget for the Property Services Regulatory Authority is €1,071,000.
Insolvency Service of Ireland
The Insolvency Service of Ireland was established on 1 March 2013 in accordance with the provisions of the Personal Insolvency Act 2012. The functions of the Insolvency Service of Ireland include monitoring the operation of the debt settlement arrangements provided for in the Personal Insolvency Act, authorising personal insolvency practitioners and approved intermediaries, maintaining the Registers provided for in the Act, and providing information to the public on the working of the Act. The 2014 budget for the Insolvency Service of Ireland is €7,202,000.
