Written Answers Nos. 120-127
120. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to amend the Employment Equality Act 1998 to include the additional ground of discrimination on the basis of criminal conviction, as recommended by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7232/15]
View answerI have no plans to amend the Employment Equality Acts 1998 - 2011 to provide for the additional ground mentioned by the Deputy. The matter of providing for non-disclosure by persons with convictions for certain past offences is being dealt with in the Spent Convictions Bill. I believe this Bill, rather than equality legislation, is the appropriate vehicle to deal with the complex issues arising here. The Bill has passed all stages in the Seanad and is currently awaiting Report Stage in the Dáil when certain further amendments to the disclosure provisions will be introduced with a view to the Bill's early enactment thereafter. Pending this, an Administrative Filter for Garda Vetting Disclosures has been introduced, which provides that certain minor offences that are over 7 years old are no longer disclosed in vetting reports.
121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she expects to avail of extra Garda numbers, arising from the new recruitment programme, with a view to ensuring increased strength in Garda stations that have experienced a reduction in Garda numbers in the course of the past number of years, and with particular reference to demographic requirements and the need to ensure that An Garda Síochána is completely modernised, in line with other police forces globally, incorporating the best practice of the most efficient and effective; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7233/15]
View answerThe strength of the Garda Síochána on 31 December 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 12,799. There were also 1,124 Garda Reserve members, with a further 48 in training. In addition, there were over 2,000 Garda civilian staff.
The Deputy will be aware that one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. In this regards it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of personnel 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.
I was very pleased to secure the agreement of my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for the resumption of Garda recruitment. Last September, 100 new Garda recruits entered training at the Garda College in Templemore, the first intake of Garda recruits since May 2009. This was followed by an intake of a further 100 recruits in December and a third intake of 100 this month. This means that there are now 300 Garda students in training.
I remain in discussion with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on the timing of future intakes of Garda recruits.
122. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which An Garda Síochána is adequately equipped, resourced and strengthened to deal with the new emerging generation of criminals, who seem to have achieved a degree of professionalism, derived from study of their predecessors, and who are capable of inflicting a new reign of terror throughout their respective communities, unless interrupted by preventative and combative action and intervention by the gardaí, who need to be particularly, and specifically, resourced to deal with this threat; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7234/15]
View answerUnder the Garda Síochána Act, 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of available Garda resources. This includes personnel, Garda vehicles and the various technologies utilised to support frontline Gardaí and intelligence led operations against organised crime. This process takes account of annual policing priorities determined by me as Minister for Justice in consultation with the Commissioner as provided for under Section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005.
The first intake since 2009 of 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College, Templemore, on 15th September 2014. As part of Budget 2015, a further intake of 200 recruits in two batches was announced. On 15 December 2014, the first 100 of these batches commenced their training with the remaining 100 to entered the college in early February. This will bring to 300 the number of recruits in the Garda College and is a measure of the Government's commitment to ensure that recruitment to An Garda Síochána continues seamlessly. The September intake will attest as members of the Garda Síochána in May 2015 and the December intake will attest in August 2015. On attestation they will be assigned to Garda stations throughout the country by the Garda Commissioner.
The strength of the Garda Síochána on 31 December 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 12,799. There were also 1,124 Garda Reserve members, with a further 48 in training. In addition, there were over 2,000 Garda civilian staff. I remain in discussion with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on the timing of future intakes of Garda recruits.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are continually looking to ensure that the latest information, communications and forensic technologies are sourced and deployed to achieve their strategic objectives as set out in the context of their annual policing plans, as provided for in section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which includes commitments to target individuals and groups engaged in organised criminal activity and terrorism. This policy is designed to ensure that the Garda Síochána will be in a position to meet the evolving needs of a modern effective police force and take advantage of proven up to date technological developments in crime detection and prevention as they occur.
In terms of existing technology, the Deputy will be aware that a considerable amount of new Garda ICT solutions has been delivered over the past number of years. These include the deployment of a secure national digital radio system (NDRS), the deployment and support of Garda and Community CCTV systems, an automated number plate recognition (ANPR) system, and the addition of many new functions to the PULSE system, which itself is further supported by a dedicated Garda data entry service in Castlebar.
In the area of forensics the situation is that the Garda authorities currently employ state-of-the-art automated fingerprint and ballistics identification systems which I am informed are at least on a par with those used by police forces in other EU jurisdictions. The Deputy will also be aware that the forensic capacity of An Garda Síochána will be further enhanced by a new national DNA database, scheduled to become operational shortly, which was established on foot of the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Act, 2014.
I have also clearly signalled my intention to support the Garda Síochána in their efforts to address deficits which were identified in the recent Garda Inspectorate report on crime investigation. However, the Deputy will appreciate that the issues raised in the report are widespread, varied and far-reaching and, when taken together with the review of the Garda Síochána under the Haddington Road agreement, will demand significant structural reform within the Garda Síochána. The need for additional resources across a number of areas will be examined within that context. Furthermore, I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Commissioner has commenced an in-depth examination of all recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate Report with a view to determining what can be implemented in the short, medium and long term. I also look forward to the significant contribution to this process of reform that will be made by the new policing authority which is to be established shortly.
123. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if legislation will be introduced to permit the use of pepper spray for civil protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7265/15]
View answerPepper spray is considered a prohibited weapon under the Firearms Act 1925, as amended. A prohibited weapon is defined as a firearm under the same Act, and accordingly the restrictions that apply to firearms in the Firearms Acts apply to pepper spray.
In considering whether or not to grant licences for the possession, use or carriage of firearms, An Garda Síochána take into account a number of factors provided for in the relevant legislation. In this context, in September, 2009 the Garda Commissioner issued revised guidelines in relation to the operation of the firearms legislation which are designed to be of benefit to both members of the Gardaí and members of the public.
These guidelines specifically state that: “ The protection of life and property is a function of the Garda Síochána and civilians are only entitled to use reasonable force to protect themselves and their property. The combined effect of this means that there is no justification for seeking to possess a firearm for purposes of personal protection or protection of property. When assessing an application for a firearm certificate, a superintendent or chief superintendent should not take into account as part of a 'Good Reason' a reference to personal protection." As personal protection is the only reason for a person to acquire pepper spray, it follows that a firearm certificate is unlikely to be granted for pepper spray.
I do not envisage amending the legislation to permit the use of pepper spray for civil protection.
124. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of repossession orders granted, by county, in 2014 and to date in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7272/15]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.
I am advised that the information sought by the Deputy in respect of 2014 is available on the Courts Service website.
125. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is implementing a plain English policy, as outlined by the National Adult Literacy Agency, in her Department's communications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7287/15]
View answerMy Department is committed, where possible, to providing public information in plain English. All staff are encouraged to write clearly, using simple language which is easily understood. My Department aims continuously to improve the accessibility and readability of public information. For example, all content being prepared for the Department's new website, currently under construction, must be in plain English. Such initiatives are developed taking account of best practice guidelines promoted by the National Adult Literacy Agency.
126. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of her recent comments to the Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, her plans to review the recruitment process of reserve gardaí into the permanent Garda force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7293/15]
View answerRecruitment competitions to An Garda Síochána are open to all who meet the eligibility criteria which are set out in the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013.
For those who do meet these 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.
I am in discussions with the Garda Commissioner in relation to the development of the Garda Reserve.
127. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda age identity cards that were issued in 2013, 2014 and to date in 2015. [7314/15]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that 61,471 Garda National Age Cards issued in 2013, 60,600 in 2014 and 8,165 in 2015 to date.
