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Tuesday, 8 Apr 2014

Written Answers Nos. 402-422

Harbours and Piers Maintenance

Questions (402)

Jim Daly

Question:

402. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any dredging works have been carried in the past 20 years to Ring Harbour, Clonakilty, County Cork; if there are any plans in the future to carry out such dredging; how to apply for dredging works to be carried out to a harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16671/14]

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Written answers

A foreshore licence was issued to Ring Boat Club on 16 August 2002 to dredge and remove debris from an area of foreshore at Ring, Clonakilty, Co. Cork. The licence remained in force for a period of one year from the date of issue. There is no record of any other application for dredging works at this location for the period in question.

All works and activities on the foreshore, including dredging, require consent from my Department under the Foreshore Acts. Details of the application process are available on my Department’s website at http://www.environ.ie/en/Foreshore/ApplyingforaForeshoreConsent/.

A Dumping at Sea licence from the Environmental Protection Agency may also be necessary.

Building Control Management System

Questions (403)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

403. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason for the withdrawal of the building control management system; the way this service is now being delivered; the consultants engaged; the ongoing costs and the funding model for delivering this service to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16672/14]

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Written answers

Responsibility for the control of building activity is currently vested in 37 local building control authorities in line with the Building Control Act 1990. The new Building Control Management System (BCMS) is an online system which facilitates the electronic administration of building control functions. As such it will greatly benefit building control authorities and owners, builders and construction professionals in discharging their separate and distinct responsibilities under the Building Control Act 1990 and the regulations made thereunder. The BCMS does not alter in any way the discharge of the legal powers vested in each local building control authority who will continue to be independently responsible for the oversight and enforcement of building control requirements in their own administrative area.

The BCMS, developed by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) with the assistance of external consultants, came into operation on 1 March 2014 in line with the commencement of the new Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 which support its deployment as the preferred means of administration on building control matters. The system will provide a common platform for clear and consistent administration of building control matters across the local authority sector. In addition, it will facilitate the risk analysis of all projects for which commencement notices are received, which will inform each building control authority's own inspection arrangements thus ensuring that available inspection resources are used to optimum effect.

As such, the BCMS is part of a wide ranging set of local government reform measures being delivered in line with the  Action Programme for Effective Local Government (October 2012) and the Local Government Reform Act 2014.

My Department is not directly responsible for the development of the BCMS which has been undertaken by the LGMA, with external support provided by Providence CRM Ltd. and Annertech Ltd. I understand that the engagement of these supports was advertised on the Government e-tenders website and was in accordance with national public procurement policy guidelines as published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

The initial phase of development concentrated on facilitating the receipt and lodgement of commencement notices, statutory certificates and compliance documentation in line with the Regulations and went live on 1 March 2014. Development will continue in order to enhance capability to address, among other things, inspection and enforcement activities, risk analysis of construction projects and management reporting requirements. This work is on schedule to be delivered by September 2014. Development costs are anticipated to be of the order of €200,000. My Department has provided funding of €50,000 in 2 013 and has committed to providing an equivalent amount in the current year, with the remainder being recouped by the LGMA from individual local authorities.

Animal Breeding Regulations

Questions (404)

Clare Daly

Question:

404. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 341 of 1 April 2014, if he will seek expert advice in making owners more accountable for their dogs' behaviour rather than restricting particular breeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16684/14]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is in ongoing contact with groups involved in dog control and dog welfare issues, as well as with the professional staff of the local authority veterinary services around the country. I remain open to all views and developments in this area and receive such views from interested parties on an ongoing basis.

There are different views on various dog control issues, including the issue of restrictions on certain breeds, and I must take the full range of concerns into account in the approach to be followed. Several other jurisdictions address the matter of restrictions of particular breeds of dogs in a similar way to Ireland; for example, England, Northern Ireland, France and New Zealand all have similar restrictions on specific breeds of dogs.

I have always emphasised that responsible dog ownership is key to a productive relationship between dogs, dog owners and the general public. Individual dog owners must recognise and accept their responsibilities for ensuring that their dogs are controlled at all times and do not cause harm to people or other animals. This position is enshrined in our legislation, as are the penalties for non-conformance and the statutory responsibility of local authorities for enforcement. Local authority dog control staff work on enforcement of this legislation on an ongoing basis.

Urban Renewal Schemes

Questions (405)

Robert Troy

Question:

405. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the measures his Department is taking to support and revitalise town centres. [16687/14]

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Written answers

The downturn in economic activity associated with the recession has resulted in significant numbers of shop closures and vacant units in town centres. Other factors, such as upward only rent reviews, parking charges, rising energy costs and on-line trading, have also undermined the viability of small and medium-sized businesses in the retail sector, threatening the fabric of our urban centres.

To help address this issue, a number of initiatives have been taken by my Department in recent years, as follows:

- local authorities were requested to exercise restraint, or where possible, to reduce commercial rates and local charges to assist local businesses in the current economic climate – the vast majority of local authorities have responded positively to this request,

- revised development contribution guidelines were introduced last year requesting planning authorities to put in place reduced development contributions to support town centre development and incentivise activity in the areas prioritised for development in the relevant core strategy,

- the publication of new guidelines on retail planning last year aimed at promoting and supporting the vitality and viability of city and town centres. These guidelines retained the previous caps on store size in less populated and smaller towns, and were aimed at striking the right balance to ensure that local monopolies are not created in smaller towns which would be detrimental to competition.

In terms of Government action other than by my Department in providing assistance to retail businesses and stimulating economic activity in local communities, a number of measures have been introduced since 2011, including –

- the introduction of a 9% rate of VAT on certain goods and services,

- the halving of the lower rate of employers’ PRSI,

- the introduction of the microenterprise Loan Scheme and Credit Guarantee Scheme, both of which have had take-up from the retail sector, and

- the extension of seed capital and the employment and investment incentive scheme to the retail sector.

My Department remains committed to working with other Government Departments, with local government and with other community development and enterprise stakeholders with a view to providing a clear framework for addressing urban centre decline and its impacts on the retail sector, and will continue to explore all options for further action in this regard.

Departmental Agencies Reports

Questions (406)

Joan Collins

Question:

406. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if investigations into the fire at the Oxigen plant in Ballymount have been completed; if he will supply the report; and if it has not been produced, the date on which it will be. [16715/14]

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Written answers

The Environmental Protection Agency has completed and submitted to my Department a report on their assessment of the impact on air quality of the fire which occurred over the period January 25 - 29 at the Oxigen facility in Ballymount. In compiling the report, the EPA has consulted with the Health Services Executive who provided information and advice with regard to the human health impacts related to the fire.

The assessment is based on data available from a number of fixed sites in Dublin which form part of the national network of air quality monitoring stations, and measurements of air quality collected in close proximity to the fire using portable monitoring equipment operated by EPA personnel.

The ambient air quality monitoring data indicates that the fire had no significant impact on air quality across the greater Dublin area. As anticipated, the level of pollutants in the smoke plume in close proximity to the fire were elevated in a number of cases and indicate the potential for short-term effects such as discomfort for exposed individuals. However, those following the health advice which issued at the time of the incident are unlikely to have experienced these levels for any significant period of time.

Overall, the results of the air quality monitoring indicate that the air quality impact of the fire was localised and transient and there was no significant potential for any long-term health impacts as a result of this incident. The report will be made available through the EPA website this week. The EPA is continuing its investigations into the incident from a licence compliance perspective, after which further enforcement action may be considered. The priority for the EPA is to ensure that the necessary management practices are in place to eliminate the causes of this type of incident and to protect human health and the environment.

The investigation of the fire by An Garda Síochána is a matter for the Garda authorities. A report prepared by Dublin Fire Brigade on the incident has been sent to my Department for information. While the report will be considered in the context of any procedural or operational policy initiatives which may mitigate this sector’s particular fire risks, the question of publication of the report is a matter for the Dublin Fire Brigade in the first instance.

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Questions (407)

John Lyons

Question:

407. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown of the 5,000 social housing units being delivered each year through a variety of sources, including regeneration, direct construction, leasing and the securing of National Asset Management Agency units. [16716/14]

View answer

Written answers

I expect the final output across all social housing programmes for 2014 to be in the region of 5,000 new housing units as set out in the following table.

Delivery method

Number

Rental Accommodation Scheme

2,500

Leasing, including:

400 NAMA sourced properties and

350 Mortgage to Rent Scheme

1,200

Deinstitutionalisation Programme -

new Units for people with disability leaving institutional care

150

Social Housing Investment Programme (new homes)

200

Units for People with Special Housing Needs under Capital Assistance Scheme (new homes)

175

Social Housing Stimulus Programme

500

Septic Tank Inspections

Questions (408)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

408. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding septic tanks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16755/14]

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Written answers

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published The National Inspection Plan 2013: Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems on 19 February 2013. The Plan was drawn up to best international standards and underpins the risk-based inspection of septic tanks and other on-site treatment systems. The inspection system is consistent with the necessity to ensure compliance with the provisions of the EU Waste Directive and the European Court of Justice ruling against Ireland in October 2009 and also has regard to the European Parliament and Council’s recommendations of 4th April 2001 regarding the minimum criteria for environmental inspections in the Member States (2001/331/EC).

When preparing the Plan, the EPA developed a specifically designed method to rank areas of the country by reference to the risk s posed by domestic waste water treatment systems to both human health and the environment. The risk-based methodology, which has regard to factors such as densities of individual treatment systems across the numerous hydrological and geological settings in Ireland and the locations of sensitive groundwater or surface water receptors, is used as the basis for the selection of particular sites for risk-based inspections by the water services authorities.

Inspections are objective and evidence-based and aimed at identifying on-site systems which pose a risk to human health or the environment. The EPA’s Plan includes details of the minimum number of inspections (per county) to be carried out in its first year of implementation. The EPA will undertake a full review of the Plan following completion of its first cycle on 30 June 2014.Decisions regarding the number of inspections to be carried out annually are a matter for the EPA and will be proportionate to the risk s posed to human health and the environment.

Street Nomenclature

Questions (409)

Jim Daly

Question:

409. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm the process to be undergone to change the name of a street in a town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16756/14]

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Written answers

The law currently in force in relation to the changing of placenames is set out in the Local Government Act 1946, as amended. Section 78 of the 1946 Act provides that a local authority may, with the consent of the majority of qualified electors, change the name of a street. The procedures for holding a plebiscite of qualified electors on a proposal to change a street name are set out in the Local Government (Changing of Place Names) Regulations 1956.

Construction Industry Register Ireland

Questions (410)

Seán Kyne

Question:

410. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm and provide the membership of the Construction Industry Register Ireland evaluation committee; if he will provide assurances that small- to medium-sized local builders, as well as sole traders, will not be at a disadvantage following the new requirements to register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16767/14]

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Written answers

I see the introduction of the Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) on a voluntary basis this year and the move to a statutory register by 2015 as critically important steps towards restoring public confidence in the construction industry.

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF), which initiated the scheme, has appointed Mr Hank Fogarty as the Chairman of the board of the CIRI. In addition, five ordinary board members have been appointed by the CIF/industry, namely Mr Brendan Duffy, Mr Paul Forde, Mr Brian McKeon, Mr Mel O’Reilly, and Mr Kevin Sheridan.

A further five ordinary board members have been appointed by the CIF having been nominated by Ministers in charge of Departments and Agencies whose remit is particularly relevant to construction, namely Mr Cormac Allen (nominated by the Minister for Education and Skills), Ms Deirdre Fox (nominated by the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government), Mr Martin Vaughan (nominated by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government), Mr Liam Egan (nominated by the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW), and Mr Brian Higgisson (nominated by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation).

Participation on the register will be open to small and medium sized firms (who represent the majority of construction firms in Ireland) and sole traders. The imperative is to deliver a robust, quality registration system that serves the needs and expectations of consumers and of competent construction practitioners.

Homeless Accommodation Provision

Questions (411)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

411. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will strengthen the language of section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, specifically to place minimum statutory obligations upon housing authorities to provide accommodation to homeless persons within a short timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16805/14]

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Written answers

Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation for homeless persons and related services rests with housing authorities. The purposes for which housing authorities may incur expenditure in addressing homelessness are prescribed in Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988.

The Homelessness Oversight Group, which I established in 2013 for the purposes of reviewing the progress of the approach being advocated in the Homelessness Policy Statement, identifying obstacles and proposing solutions, has submitted its first report to me. The report considered the supply and access to housing units throughout the country. A copy of this report is available on my Department's website, at http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/.

On 25 February 2014, the Government approved the establishment of a Homelessness Policy Implementation Team and an implementation unit. The team is tasked with implementing the Homelessness Oversight Group's First Report.

This will include the preparation and publication of a structured, practical plan to make the transition from a shelter-led to a sustainable housing-led response to homelessness and to achieve the 2016 goals for homelessness, with a focus on securing a ring-fenced supply of accommodation for housing homeless households within the next three years and mobilising the necessary supports. It will contain actions that will be direct, immediate and solutions based. The team will report on this plan to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy later this month and quarterly thereafter.

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (412)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

412. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that when a communication in relation to wrongdoing is received in his Department it will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that, while he is not expected to personally exercise the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring that the function is exercised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17103/14]

View answer

Written answers

I refer to the reply to Question No. 256 on today’s Order Paper by my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Correspondence received in my Department is assessed and dealt with as expeditiously as possible and brought to my attention where appropriate. Any communication purporting to allege wrongdoing by a member of staff of my Department would be investigated in accordance with relevant disciplinary procedures.

Human Trafficking

Questions (413)

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

413. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce a requirement for special training for airline staff to enable them to identify victims of trafficking among passengers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16203/14]

View answer

Written answers

The National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking of Human Beings in Ireland identified the need to establish links with airlines to develop awareness among staff of the potential vulnerability of children travelling either alone or with adults.

In 2012 the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of my Department, in consultation with their counterparts in the United Kingdom, developed a training resource for airline staff and this is available on my Department's dedicated anti-human trafficking website www.blueblindfold.gov.ie. Since that time, joint communications by the Irish and United Kingdom authorities have been made with airlines flying into and out of both jurisdictions seeking their support to help in the fight against human trafficking by providing training to airline staff on the indicators of human trafficking.

A second National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Human Beings in Ireland is currently being drafted and will address further follow up action in this regard.

Garda Recruitment

Questions (414)

Joe McHugh

Question:

414. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the career progression options available to a person who has a proven track record, credible history and excelled in their role within the Garda Reserve Force once they have passed the age limit to enter An Garda Síochána owing to the restrictions on recruitment in the Garda force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16347/14]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to put on record my appreciation for the contribution that those who volunteer for service as Garda Reserve members make on a daily basis to the work of An Garda Síochána. Together with full time members, they provide vital assistance to communities and neighbourhoods right across the country.

The age at which any candidate may apply to join the Garda Síochána as a full time member is set by regulation 4 (a) of the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 which states as follows:

4. Subject to the provisions of these Regulations, a person is eligible to apply for admission as a trainee where, on the closing date specified in the advertisement for the competition to which the admission relates—

(a) the person has attained 18 years of age but has not yet attained 35 years of age.

This regulation applies without discrimination and no concessions are available to any person.

For those who do meet the age requirements, the Admission and Appointment Regulations provide that, as part of the competitive selection process organised by the Public Appointments Service for full-time membership of An Garda Síochána, "due recognition to any satisfactory service by the person as a reserve member" shall be given to such candidates. This provision was introduced in order to acknowledge the beneficial experience and skills gained by a reserve member and to allow them, at assessments and at interview, the opportunity to highlight that experience and skill. It is important that all persons wishing to join the full time force undergo the same competitive selection and recruitment process. In doing so the integrity of the process is maintained at all stages of the competition.

UN Conventions Ratification

Questions (415)

Seán Kyne

Question:

415. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress, following the signing by Ireland of the Optional Protocol of the Convention against Torture on 2 October 2007, on ratifying this important component of the UN's human rights treaties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16760/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Government has approved drafting of the General Scheme of an Inspection of Places of Detention Bill. The General Scheme is currently being prepared.

In addition to other measures, the Bill will include provisions to enable ratification of the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OP-CAT). In this context, the Bill will, in particular, make provision for the designation of national bodies with responsibility for inspecting places of detention as so-called National Preventive Mechanisms (for the prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment). A number of bodies in this jurisdiction, e.g. the Office of the Inspector of Prisons, already have responsibility for inspecting places where persons are deprived of their liberty.

It is expected that the General Scheme of the Places of Detention Bill will be completed later this year. Subject to Government approval of my legislative proposals, I intend to publish the General Scheme with a view to facilitating a public consultation process in advance of drafting and publication of the Bill.

UN Conventions Ratification

Questions (416)

Seán Kyne

Question:

416. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress on ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which Ireland signed on 29 March 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16761/14]

View answer

Written answers

The International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance requires each State Party to take the necessary measures to ensure that enforced disappearance constitutes an offence under its criminal law. For the purposes of the Convention, "enforced disappearance" is considered to be "the arrest, detention, abduction or any other form of deprivation of liberty by agents of the State or by persons or groups of persons acting with the authorisation, support or acquiescence of the State, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or by concealment of the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person, which place such a person outside the protection of the law".

Article 40.4.1 of the Constitution provides that no citizen shall be deprived of their liberty save in accordance with law.

Ratification of the Convention requires domestic legislation.

Section 15 of the Non Fatal Offences against the Person Act provides for an offence of false imprisonment which addresses circumstances where a person is taken or detained, or whose personal liberty is restricted by another person without the consent of the person involved. A person guilty of false imprisonment is liable or on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for up to life.

Consent is deemed to be absent where the person responsible obtains the other's consent by force or threat of force, or by deception causing the other to believe that he or she is under legal compulsion to consent.

The Act also provides for a child abduction offence.

Ireland is committed to ratification of the Convention as soon as competing legislative priorities permit.

UN Conventions Ratification

Questions (417)

Seán Kyne

Question:

417. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress on the ratification for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16762/14]

View answer

Written answers

I refer the Deputy to my written response of 11 March 2014, and to the response given by my colleague, Minister of State Kathleen Lynch on 27 February 2014, in which she informed the House that the Government intends to proceed to ratification of the Convention as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure all necessary legislative and administrative requirements under the Convention are met. As the Deputy may be aware, Ireland does not become party to treaties until it is first in a position to comply with the obligations imposed by them, including the amendment of domestic law as necessary.

An interdepartmental committee on the Convention is monitoring the remaining legislative and administrative actions required to enable ratification. As part of its work programme, the committee has identified issues to be considered by various Departments. It is a matter for these Departments to determine whether any actions are required to address the issues in advance of ratification and report back to the committee. This work is ongoing in all Departments. At the request of the committee, the National Disability Authority, the lead statutory agency for the sector, is also assisting in assessing remaining requirements for ratification to ensure that all outstanding issues will be comprehensively addressed.

For my Department one of the key requirements is the enactment of capacity legislation. The programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce a Bill in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill, published on 17 July 2013, provides a series of options to support people with impaired capacity to make decisions and exercise their basic rights in line with the principles of the UN Convention. It undertakes a comprehensive reform of existing legislation governing capacity. The Bill will go to Committee Stage shortly. The enactment of this legislation is one of the core elements of the remaining work to be completed to enable ratification by the State of the UN Convention.

Departmental Legal Costs

Questions (418)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

418. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount that has been paid to private solicitors by the Civil Legal Aid Board in 2013 and to date in 2014. [15961/14]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to inform the Deputy that the Legal Aid Board uses solicitors in private practice to complement the service provided by solicitors in its own law centre network. For the most part, private practitioners on the Board's civil law panels are allocated family law cases in the District Court whilst they are also used, to a much lesser extent, for divorce and separation cases in the Circuit Court. The Board also operates a panel in respect of certain asylum cases.

I am advised by the Legal Aid Board that the amount spent in (a) 2013 and (b) up to the end of March 2014 is as follows:

Year

Amount - €m

2013

2.807

2014 - to end of March

0.544

Motor Tax Exemptions

Questions (419, 420)

Seán Fleming

Question:

419. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of motor vehicles in the possession of his Department or agencies of his Department that are not required to have motor tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16032/14]

View answer

Seán Fleming

Question:

420. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of motor vehicles in the possession of his Department or agencies of his Department that do not hold an insurance policy; the manner in which insurance claims arising in respect of vehicles in the possession of his Department or its agencies are handled; the amount of insurance claims paid on behalf of his Department in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16048/14]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 419 and 420 together.

I can inform the Deputy that there are two motor vehicles in my Department which are classed as "State owned" vehicles for revenue purposes and are therefore exempt from the payment of motor tax. These two vehicles are also covered by the State for insurance purposes.

During the past five years there has been one claim of €258.42, including VAT, which was paid in May 2013. In this case contact details were exchanged and the invoice for the repairs was sent directly to my Department for payment.

My Department is also in possession of a motor vehicle based at an overseas visa office. The vehicle is exempt from motor tax and insurance cover is arranged locally.

The Probation Service currently has eight vehicles in its possession that are not required to hold motor tax or an insurance policy. The State Claims Agency handle any claims that maybe made in respect of these vehicles. There are no details of any insurance claims made on these vehicles over the past five years.

The Deputy may wish to note that the number of motor vehicles attached to the Criminal Assets Bureau is not included in the reply. Given the nature of the work undertaken by the Bureau it would not be appropriate to publicly disclose these details. However, I can inform the Deputy that there have been no insurance claims involving official vehicles attached to the Bureau in the past five years.

Finally, I am currently awaiting information from the Irish Prison Service in relation to the matters raised by the Deputy and I will revert to him as soon as the relevant material has been provided.

Child Abuse

Questions (421)

Clare Daly

Question:

421. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will instruct GSOC to carry out a section 106 investigation into the practices, policies and procedures in the Garda national juvenile office and the lack of timely investigation of sexual crimes against children. [16057/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Inspectorate Report entitled "Responding to Child Sexual Abuse" was published in February 2012, including an addendum to take account of the findings of the Cloyne Report. The report made a range of recommendations concerning the investigation of child sexual abuse with a view to addressing past failings and better protecting children in the future. While the inspection was under way An Garda Síochána issued a comprehensive policy on the investigation of sexual crime, crimes against children and child welfare. This had the effect that many of the Inspectorate recommendations had already been incorporated into Garda practice. At the time of the report's publication, I also published detailed material on the steps being taken to address its recommendations and to improve child protection generally.

Since then An Garda Síochána has continued to implement the report's recommendations and to give effect to the new Garda policy in this field. With a view to taking stock of that progress, on 28 August 2013 I issued a request that the Inspectorate carry out a follow-up review of its Report, in accordance with section 117 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. That review is ongoing.

In light of this, I have no plans, at this time, to initiate a parallel review of these matters, including by making a request under section 106 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

Prison Accommodation Provision

Questions (422)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

422. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 751 of 25 March 2014, if prisoners on remand under 18 years of age will continue to be detained in St. Patrick’s Institution pending the completion of building works at Oberstown House, Lusk, County Dublin; or if arrangements are being made to detain prisoners on remand under 18 years of age in Wheatfield Prison pending the completion of works at Oberstown House. [16094/14]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that for legal reasons, all 17 year old remand prisoners continue to be detained at St Patrick's Institution.

In December 2013, all sentenced 17 year olds were transferred from St Patrick's Institution to a dedicated unit in Wheatfield on an interim basis pending the opening of the new facilities in Oberstown. To facilitate this transfer, Wheatfield was re-designated as a Place of Detention. The transfer of the 18-21 year old cohort to a separate dedicated unit was completed in early February 2014. There are no 16 year olds in any prison.

I wish to further advise the Deputy that since late 2013 a Working Group consisting of officials from my department, the Irish Prison Service, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and a number of interested parties have been considering all options in relation to the detention of these young persons pending the completion of building works at Oberstown, County Dublin. Among the options being considered is the possibility of a stand-alone Unit in Wheatfield Place of Detention. This option is currently being given serious consideration and legal advice on the matter has been sought. The Deputy will appreciate that as the matter is under consideration without a final decision having been made, I am not in a position to confirm whether or not this option will proceed.

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