Written Answers Nos. 537-561
537. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will be made on an appeal for free legal aid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9395/14]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that I have no function or responsibility in relation to the matter raised. Under the terms of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995, as passed by the Oireachtas, the Legal Aid Board is independent in the operation of its functions and decisions on individual cases are a matter for the Board. Under Section 7(3) of the Act, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which the Legal Aid Board is or may be concerned.
The Deputy might further wish to note that the solicitor/client relationship is protected by privilege in accordance with the terms of Section 32 of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and therefore the Board does not provide information to third parties regarding a person who may or may not be a client of the Board.
Finally, while I can advise the Deputy that a person who is refused legal aid has the right to appeal this decision to an Appeal Committee which is made up of non-executive members of the Board, again I have no role in this process.
538. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that over 1,500 people attended a recent public meeting in County Donegal to outline their concerns about crime in the county, in particular, attacks on the elderly in their homes; if he will ensure that he deploys the necessary resources and personnel to An Garda Síochána in the county; if he will ensure that community alert and neighbourhood watch schemes are revitalised and adequately resourced; and if he will ensure that all elderly persons with limited financial resources are supported to have security alert systems in their homes. [9401/14]
View answer548. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the ongoing crimes against the elderly and most vulnerable in County Donegal, if he will review his decision not to make a case to the Department of Finance for the moneys raised through the Criminal Assets Bureau to be used to set up and support community alert schemes in rural areas as proposed by Letterkenny Town Council; and if money allocated to these schemes could then be used to fit alarms and security lights at the homes of the elderly most at risk from criminals. [9508/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 538 and 548 together.
I share the widespread outrage at the recent incidents of aggravated burglary in the Donegal area, as highlighted at the meeting referred to, and condemn in the strongest possible terms those who prey on vulnerable and isolated members of our community in this way.
The Gardaí are determined to identify those responsible for these crimes and to bring them before the Courts. In this regard I am aware that additional resources have been deployed to support an Operation in the Donegal Division with a particular focus on crimes against the elderly and including intelligence led patrols, checkpoints, intelligence gathering and analysis. This operation is being run in conjunction with the National and Regional Operations Fiacla and Airgead, set up to combat instances of criminality, including burglary and related crimes. Targeted patrolling has been intensified following the recent incidents of burglaries and related crimes, and there is ongoing and excellent liaison between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána.
As part of operation Fiacla, these methods have been proven to be successful nationally, with several thousand arrests and prosecutions for burglary offences, reflected in the most recent crime figures which show burglary incidents down by more than 10%. Notwithstanding the recent disturbing incidents, I am also advised that Garda crime figures for burglary and for offences against the person are also down within the specific Donegal area. I fully appreciate that these statistics will be cold comfort to those who have recently undergone the traumatic experience of being burgled and assaulted, but I feel that it is important to cite this information, to illustrate the success and determination of Garda efforts to reduce these crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.
An Garda Síochána also continue to work closely with communities through Community Alert, Neighbourhood Watch and other organisations to provide expert crime prevention advice and support to communities. The Garda commitment to this approach was underlined in the new guidelines for communities wishing to set up community crime prevention schemes which were launched by the Commissioner and myself last year. I understand that work is ongoing within the Donegal Division with respect to the establishment and revitalisation where appropriate of a number of Community Alert Schemes, as part of overall crime prevention awareness.
With regard to funding being made available to set up Community Alert Schemes from money collected by the Criminal Assets Bureau, I can inform the Deputy that all monies collected by the Criminal Assets Bureau are returned to the Exchequer in accordance with relevant legislation. Such funds are paid into the Government's Central Fund, from which the Government draws for expenditure on all necessary public services and investment. While it has, from time to time, been suggested that such monies should be used to fund community projects, the suggestion is considered problematic and raises a number of practical issues on which I have previously advised the House. Therefore, while I appreciate the symbolic value to the Deputy's suggestion, I hope he will accept that there are no proposals to change the existing arrangements concerning the destination of such monies.
However, in relation to Community Alert my Department has, for many years, provided funding for the programme which is operated by Muintir na Tíre in partnership with the Garda authorities and which supports the operation of over 1,300 local groups. Funding totalling €152,000 was provided by my Department in 2013 which supports the employment and associated costs of a National Coordinator and Development Officers for the scheme. The work of Community Alert continues to be highly valued and decisions on the precise level of funding which may be provided by my Department in 2014 will be made as soon as possible in the context of the available resources.
With regard to funding for alarm systems for elderly persons, the position is that the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government provides funding for the Senior Alert Scheme. The aim of the Scheme is to ensure independent living for those over 65 who live alone. A key element of the Scheme is the provision of funding for a personal monitored alarm and I am aware that Community Alert and other community organisations provide advice and assistance at a local level with respect to applications under the scheme.
539. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total strength of the Garda National Surveillance Unit on an annual basis since its inception; the total budget per annum since its inception; the number of operations conducted per annum since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9406/14]
View answerIt is the policy of An Garda Síochána not to comment on any matters relating to the operation of the National Surveillance Unit.
540. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 560, if he will provide a breakdown, per county, of community gardaí who have been in place every year since 2008; if his attention has been drawn to any plans to increase the numbers of community gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9412/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including community Gardaí, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. 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.
The Deputy will be aware that all Gardaí have responsibility, inter alia, to deal with community policing issues as and when they arise. Community policing is the underpinning philosophy and ethos through which An Garda Síochána delivers a service across the country. In that context, I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of dedicated community Gardaí on 31 December 2008 to 2013, and on 31 January 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is set out in the following table.
|
Community Policing |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Division |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
4 |
12 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
|
Clare |
6 |
9 |
11 |
13 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
|
Cork City |
29 |
31 |
32 |
31 |
31 |
32 |
26 |
|
Cork North |
2 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
|
Cork West |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
|
D.M.R. East |
41 |
40 |
40 |
30 |
20 |
29 |
29 |
|
D.M.R. North |
65 |
71 |
76 |
76 |
86 |
68 |
68 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
73 |
178 |
159 |
140 |
143 |
152 |
136 |
|
D.M.R. South |
54 |
56 |
48 |
52 |
59 |
53 |
52 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
75 |
82 |
96 |
99 |
84 |
58 |
58 |
|
D.M.R. West |
88 |
83 |
89 |
83 |
80 |
68 |
68 |
|
Donegal |
18 |
16 |
37 |
35 |
24 |
29 |
29 |
|
Galway |
17 |
17 |
22 |
21 |
20 |
18 |
18 |
|
Kerry |
7 |
12 |
9 |
9 |
10 |
9 |
9 |
|
Carlow/Kildare* |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kildare |
- |
17 |
7 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
- |
45 |
108 |
117 |
108 |
101 |
101 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
10 |
44 |
40 |
19 |
18 |
8 |
8 |
|
Limerick |
92 |
88 |
81 |
73 |
67 |
61 |
61 |
|
Louth |
8 |
13 |
22 |
21 |
20 |
16 |
16 |
|
Mayo |
8 |
8 |
10 |
8 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
|
Meath |
8 |
7 |
17 |
16 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
|
Roscommon/Galway East * |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
- |
7 |
10 |
8 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
6 |
23 |
9 |
9 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
|
Tipperary |
15 |
106 |
108 |
104 |
99 |
85 |
85 |
|
Waterford/Kilkenny * |
23 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Waterford |
- |
18 |
67 |
62 |
52 |
52 |
52 |
|
Longford/Westmeath * |
17 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Westmeath |
- |
15 |
14 |
15 |
10 |
9 |
9 |
|
Wexford |
9 |
24 |
24 |
24 |
19 |
16 |
16 |
|
Wicklow |
20 |
23 |
23 |
20 |
20 |
18 |
17 |
|
Total |
709 |
1058 |
1182 |
1112 |
1034 |
939 |
914 |
*Divisional boundary realignments took place in 2009 resulting in changes to the structures of some Garda Divisions.
541. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will designate a liaison person from the prison service who will liaise with Dublin City Council and local residents on the derelict site owned by them at the corner of SCR and Kilmainham Road; the position regarding the site, detailing planning permission, works carried out on the site, future plans with timelines and design-tender briefs prepared for the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9415/14]
View answerThe property in question is managed by the Estates Directorate of the Irish Prison Service. The hoarding around the site has been repaired recently following severe weather and there has been contact between local residents and the Prison Service in this regard. The future use of the site remains under consideration but no decision has yet been made on the matter. There are, however, no specific development proposals under consideration at present nor are there any planning applications in place or pending. Officials from the Estates Directorate who are based in the Irish Prison Service Headquarters in Longford, and have responsibility for the site, would be happy to liaise further with the residents representatives in relation to any issues regarding the site. Should the residents wish to engage with the officials they may do so by writing to The Director, Estates Directorate, Irish Prison Service Headquarters, IDA Business Park, Ballinalee Rd, Longford, Co. Longford or by email to info@irishprisons.ie
542. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if any of the Garda stations in the Dublin region will have an open day within the next six months; the dates and times of each; if he will ensure each open day is published on the Garda website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9419/14]
View answerI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the following Garda Stations in the Dublin Metropolitan Region are due to have open days within the next six months: Tallaght; Blanchardstown; Clondalkin; Lucan; Ballymun; Store Street and the Bridewell.
The exact dates and details of the open days will be provided in advance on the Garda website.
543. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons, on a county basis, who have engaged, so far, with the Personal Insolvency Service under the three separate headings outlined by the Personal Insolvency Act; the number of debt relief notices that have been issued since the Act’s inception; the number of debt relief arrangements that have been entered into; the number of personal insolvency arrangements that have been struck; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9478/14]
View answerThe Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) has indicated that in the interest of confidentiality it will not be providing details or breakdowns of the numbers of applications for the various debt solutions received or being processed at this time.
The ISI has indicated that it fully intends to provide quarterly statistics once a statistically meaningful number of applications have been processed. This is anticipated to be in the second quarter of 2014.
544. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has signed any document approving surveillance - covert, electronic or otherwise - on any serving Member of the Oireachtas since 9 March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9495/14]
View answer545. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm that no serving Member of the Oireachtas is currently under surveillance of any kind by any agent of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9496/14]
View answer546. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has signed any document approving surveillance - covert, electronic or otherwise - by agents of the State on any person in the employment of a media organisation or publication operating in Ireland since 9 March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9497/14]
View answer547. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm that no person currently in the employment of a media organisation or publication operating in Ireland is currently under surveillance of any kind by agents of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9498/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 544 to 547, inclusive, together.
It is not the practice and it would be contrary to the public interest to disclose details of any authorisations to intercept. I am sure that, on reflection, the Deputy will appreciate that practice, which has been followed by my predecessors, arises for sound security reasons.
The Deputy will be aware that the legislative basis for the carrying out of covert surveillance is the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009 while the interception of telecommunications is provided for in the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993.
From the outset I should clarify that as Minister for Justice and Equality I have no role whatsoever in the operation of the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009. Under the 2009 Act, authorisations for intrusive surveillance are granted by a judge of the District Court on application by a superior officer of An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Commissioners or the Defence Forces in circumstances which are set out in the Act.
In relation to interception, the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993 provides that an authorisation for interception may only be granted by Ministerial warrant on application from the Garda Commissioner and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and only for the purposes of the investigation of serious crime or protecting the security of the State.
I should emphasise, however, that both Acts are subject to independent judicial oversight by Judges of the High Court, designated by the Government for that purpose. The Designated Judge has complete and unrestricted access to all cases, documents, records, and personnel pertaining to the operation of the relevant legislation. In addition, each Designated Judge reports to the Taoiseach on an annual basis on the operation of the legislation. These reports are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Furthermore, both Acts provide for a complaints mechanism whereby an individual who believes that he or she has been subject to surveillance or whose communications have been intercepted may apply to the Complaints Referee, appointed in accordance with the relevant Act, for an investigation into the matter.
The Deputy will appreciate that I am maintaining the long-standing practice of my predecessors, but I can assure the Deputy, I have never exercised the extensive legal powers I have to interfere in anyway with the work of the categories of persons referred to.
549. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Garda station in Rathcormac, County Cork is due to close; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9549/14]
View answerRathcormac Garda station, in County Cork, has not been identified for closure in the Policing Plan for 2014. An Garda Síochána’s Policing Plans for 2012 and 2013 set out the details of the then Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme. It seems unlikely that, at this point in time, there will be any further Garda station closures in 2014 and 2015.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Rathcormac Garda Station on 31 January 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 2. Rathcormac Garda Station forms part of the Fermoy Garda District. The personnel strength of Fermoy Garda District on 31 January 2014 was 86. There are also 6 Garda Reserves and 8 Civilian staff attached to the Fermoy Garda District. Rathcormac Station is scheduled to be open to the public from 6:30pm to 7:30pm, Monday to Saturday each week, subject to the availability of resources.
550. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications received, pay-outs issued and medical benefits secured to survivors of the Magdalen laundries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9597/14]
View answer705 applications have been received to date. 320 letters of formal offer have issued. So far, 225 of the applicants have accepted the formal offer and 196 payments have issued at a cost of €7 million.
Legislation is required in order to implement Judge Quirke's recommendation with regard to the provision of medical services to the women who were admitted to and worked in the relevant institutions. While this is a health issue, it has been agreed that my Department would coordinate legislation to implement Judge Quirke's recommendations. The necessary legislation is included on the priority list of the Government Legislation Programme for the Spring/Summer 2014. Details of exactly what services will be provided is being determined by the Department of Health. My officials are working with that Department in finalising the drafting of the necessary legislative provisions as quickly as possible.
551. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding firearms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9605/14]
View answerI have asked the Garda Commissioner for a report in relation to this matter and will write to the Deputy when I have further information.
552. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will make the necessary resources available for a Garda car for Kinnegad Garda station; if he will confirm that there will be no reduction in staffing levels in this station due to forthcoming retirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9618/14]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the allocation of all resources in An Garda Síochána, including vehicles and personnel, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and his senior management team in the light of identified operational demands.
Garda management closely monitors the operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure that the optimum use is made of available resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.
Kinnegad Garda Station forms part of the Mullingar Garda District and I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Kinnegad Garda Station and Mullingar Garda District, on the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 4 and 160 respectively. The District is also supported by 16 Garda Reserves and 14 civilian staff.
Responsibility for the efficient deployment of official Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations, as required by operational circumstances. The Deputy will appreciate that a degree of flexibility in allocating and re-allocating vehicles among stations, so as to best match the allocation of resources with policing priorities, is essential to the efficient management of the Garda fleet.
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 €9m 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.
I understand that specific details in relation to the deployment of the new Garda transport have yet to be fully finalised but the Deputy can be assured that the vehicles will be allocated as effectively as possible in line with operational circumstances, including the requirements of area referred to by the Deputy.
553. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding his Department's policy document on non-EEA family reunification and the persons issue with Article 17.2, social welfare not being a reckonable income and the contradiction of new policy with Article 41.3 of the Irish Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9620/14]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 207 of 20 February 2014 as set out below. The position remains the same. I should also point out that the policy applies only to future applications for family reunification. Persons already having residence permission on that basis are not impacted and the new arrangements are without prejudice to the rights of foreign nationals to apply for residence in their own right, for instance as workers or students.
Reply to Parliamentary Question No. 207 of 20 February 2014
The intention of theses guidelines is to provide greater transparency and more comprehensive and consistent standards in respect of applications where non-EEA nationals seek to come to live in Ireland on the basis of their relationship with an Irish citizen or with another non-EEA national entitled to reside here.
As the Deputy will appreciate, even if his correspondent does not, this issue must be considered in the wider context of public policy and must strike a fair balance between the sometimes competing interests of the individual and society in general. One of the key principles underpinning this balance of interests is that family reunification should not cause an undue burden on the public finances. The financial capacity of the sponsor is an important condition for family reunification and the guidelines also place greater emphasis on the question of dependency. It is not credible that a person who is unable to support him/herself without assistance from the State can adequately fulfil the role of sponsor nor is it reasonable to assume that in the absence of such capacity, the State should undertake to do so from the public purse.
This is a fundamental principle not alone in Ireland but throughout the EU and indeed in all countries which operate sensible policies and priorities in this regard.
554. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount in consultancy fees that has been spent with a company (details supplied) and similar type companies over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9637/14]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the total amount paid to RITS from my Department's Vote over the past 5 years was €49,407.
As records are not kept by type of consultancy service, it is not possible to provide the Deputy with information concerning 'similar type companies' over the same time period.
555. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to his statement on 18 February 2014 that he had received a peer review report on the technical matters of relevance from a company (details supplied) to seek clarification of the technical information contained in the Verrimus report and an opinion with regard to the risks as identified and presented to GSOC, if he will detail the date when the company were contracted to undertake its peer review; the total number of contracted hours the company undertook in completing the peer review; the total cost of the peer review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9653/14]
View answerAn IT security consultancy were retained on 14 February 2014 to provide an expert IT security opinion on the reports that GSOC had received from the security company it contracted. Their report was received on 18 February, 2014. The cost of this work was €5,623. I am not in a position to provide the Deputy with the number of hours the work entailed as to do so would divulge their hourly rate which is commercially sensitive information.
556. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will introduce the Restorative Justice Bill. [9656/14]
View answerLegislation relating to taxation issues has already been addressed. It has been agreed that my Department would coordinate legislation to implement Judge Quirke's other recommendations where legislation is required. The necessary legislation is included on the priority list of the Government Legislation Programme for the Spring/Summer 2014. One aspect to be dealt with by this Bill is Judge Quirke's recommendations that legislation should be introduced to give effect to his recommendation with regard to the provision of medical services to the women who were admitted to and worked in the relevant institutions. Details of exactly what services will be provided, how they will be provided and where they will be provided is being determined by the Department of Health. My officials are working with that Department in finalising the drafting of the necessary legislative provisions as quickly as possible.
557. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the implementation of the Magdalen redress scheme. [9657/14]
View answerAll 12 of Judge Quirke's recommendations are being addressed. Priority is being given to processing applications and making lump sum payments. As the deputy is aware, within my own Department a unit of 9 officials is working full time on engaging with the women and processing applications. They are available to answer any queries the women may have in relation to the Scheme.
Under the Scheme, 705 applications have been received to date. 320 letters of formal offer have issued. So far, 225 of the applicants have accepted the formal offer and 196 payments have issued at a cost of €7 million.
In addition to the lump sum payment each woman is entitled to a top up payment to bring her weekly income from the State to €230.30 if aged 66 or over and €100 if under that age. The Department of Social Protection is establishing a separate scheme in order to give effect to this recommendation and I have been informed that this will be in place by the middle of this year. However, the payments will be backdated to the 1st August 2013 so the women will not be at a loss.
Legislation relating to taxation issues has already been addressed. It has been agreed that my Department would coordinate legislation to implement Judge Quirke's other recommendations where legislation is required. The necessary legislation is included on the priority list of the Government Legislation Programme for the Spring/Summer 2014. One aspect to be dealt with by this Bill is Judge Quirke's recommendations that legislation should be introduced to give effect to his recommendation with regard to the provision of medical services to the women who were admitted to and worked in the relevant institutions. Details of exactly what services will be provided, how they will be provided and where they will be provided is being determined by the Department of Health. My officials are working with that Department in finalising the drafting of the necessary legislative provisions as quickly as possible.
558. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if and when new members of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board will be appointed; the number of cases to be considered; and the length of time it will take to process applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9668/14]
View answerI wish to refer to Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 548 of 18 February 2014 below. The position remains unchanged.
Question No. 548 of 18 February 2014
To ask 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.
Answer
I 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.
559. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision on an application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth will issue; if the application is deemed successful, when the person may expect payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9669/14]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that under the terms of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal is entirely independent in the matter of individual applications that fall to be considered under the Scheme. However, in order to be of assistance in the matter I have had enquiries made with the Tribunal on his behalf.
I understand that the application mentioned by the Deputy is at present under consideration by a Tribunal Member. I am informed that as soon as the Member's decision comes to hand a copy will issue to the person concerned.
560. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will investigate serious allegations of phone hacking by a company (details supplied) from their Dublin offices over at period of years in the late 1990s and early 2000s. [9679/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate I have no role in the investigation of criminal matters, which are a matter for An Garda Síochána, who have previously indicated that they have no record of any complaint or investigation arising from the programme referred to.
561. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reasons evidence caught on CCTV cameras is not allowed to be used in court; the purpose of having CCTV in public places if evidence cannot then be used in criminal cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9680/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. The presiding judge is responsible for the administration of his or her court and the factors taken into account in determining a case, including the admissibility or otherwise of CCTV evidence in a criminal trial, are matters for the presiding judge. However, I can inform the Deputy that the use of CCTV in criminal proceedings is not precluded and it is understood that CCTV evidence is regularly used in the courts.
