Written Answers Nos. 431-445
431. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 344 of 3 March 2015, the cost saving measures which led to the reduction in costs, per prison space, from €92,717 in 2008 down to €65,542 in 2013; and the amount of this €27,175 reduction that relates to services available to prisoners, such as educational, training, addiction, support and so on. [11164/15]
View answerThe cost of an available staffed prison space fell from €92,717 in 2008 to €65,542 in 2013, which is a reduction of €27,175. There has been no reduction in services available to prisoners and in fact the spend on Prisoner Related Variable Costs increased over the same period. The decrease in costs actually resulted from a combination of a reduced overall expenditure bill and an increase in the provision of available bed spaces.
This period saw an addition of 815 available staffed spaces due to an general increase to the prison estate, for example, the building of new wings at Wheatfield and Midlands Prisons. Overall expenditure fell by €44.71 million during these years largely because payroll costs decreased by €40.14 million. This was on foot of the introduction of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest.
Between 2008 - 2013, the spend on Prisoner Related Variable costs increased from €22.98 million annually in 2008 to €25.76 million annually in 2013, an increase of €2.78 million. Examples of Prisoner Related Variable costs include catering, healthcare, prisoner gratuities, work training, clothing, educational materials and recreational facilities.
432. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of classes in education and training available in prisons in Dublin; the numbers of attendees in each class in each year from 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and the measures that are in place to make education and training available to those on protection. [11165/15]
View answerI am informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that records of prisoner participation in vocational training and education programmes are not maintained in such a way as to provide the specific information sought by the Deputy.
Broad programmes of education are provided which generally follow an adult education approach. Prison education includes a core element of basic education incorporating reading, writing, numeracy and IT literacy. The aim of the Education Service is to deliver a high quality, broad, flexible programme of education that helps prisoners cope with their sentence, achieve personal development, prepare for life after release and establish an appetite and capacity for life-long learning. Programmes are adapted to take account of the diversity of the prisoner population and the complex nature of prison life, including segregation requirements and high levels of prisoner turnover.
Educational services are available at all institutions and are provided in partnership with the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and a range of other educational agencies. The Department of Education and Skills provides an allocation of whole-time teacher equivalents to the prisons through the ETBs (220 in the academic year 2015/16). Organisations who provide in-reach education roles include Open University, the Samaritans, the Red Cross, Grow, Toe by Toe, Writers and Artists in prison etc. Other courses run through the education centres include pre-release programmes, parenting, hairdressing, Alternatives to Violence etc.
I can inform the Deputy that in January 2015, the latest month for which figures are available, 46.1% of the total prisoner population attended education classes during this time.
The Irish Prison Service has also been expanding the number of accredited courses and opportunities available to prisoners in Work Training in recent years. Enhanced partnership arrangements with accrediting bodies such as City and Guilds, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), and the Guild of Launders and Cleaners and the centralising of coordination and quality assurance arrangements have enabled us to extend the number of available courses and activities with certification.
Prisoners involved in work and training activities may do so with a view to gaining accreditation in a particular area or in order to keep busy during their sentence. Engagement in vocational training can have added benefits in the form of boosting self-confidence, imparting useful practical skills and improving social skills. On any given day, prisoners work in areas such as the laundry, kitchens, horticultural or gardening, industrial cleaning, waste management and picture framing shops where the labour they provide can be of benefit to the effective running of the prison and for which they may or may not receive accreditation.
I can inform the Deputy that in January 2015, the latest month for which figures are available for prisoner participation in work and training (accredited and non-accredited), 30% of the total prisoner population attended workshop sessions.
The restriction of a prisoner's regime can occur due to a number of factors including, the protection of vulnerable prisoners. This is provided for under Rule 63 of the Prison Rules 2007. A prisoner may, either at his/her own request or when the Governor considers it necessary, in so far as is practicable and subject to the maintenance and good order and safe and secure custody, be kept separate from other prisoners who are reasonably likely to cause significant harm to him/her.
In addition, the Governor may decide, for the maintenance of good order in the prison, to remove a prisoner from general association or structured activity to reduce the negative effect that a prisoner or prisoners may have on the general population. This is provided for under Rule 62 of the Prison Rules 2007. There may also be a smaller number of prisoners who would be restricted for medical (Rule 64) or discipline reasons (Rule 67).
The fact that prisoners seeking protection are immediately separated from the general population or from specific prisoners identified as presenting a threat, clearly demonstrates the commitment of the Irish Prison Service to ensure their safety and security. The status of each prisoner on restricted regime within the prison system is regularly reviewed. If possible, prisoners can be transferred to other institutions where a restricted regime would not be necessary.
Education is available to prisoners seeking protection in all Dublin prisons with the exception of Cloverhill prison. Protection prisoners in Cloverhill had access to education from 2007/08 to 2012/13 academic year for 6.25 hours weekly. To facilitate this non-protection prisoners did not have access to education at those times. In those five years the numbers of prisoners on protection who availed of education was less that 5% of the numbers on protection at those times. In the academic year 2013 - 2014 a decision was taken to revert access times for protection prisoners only back to non protection prisoners so that already limited resources could be used more effectively and efficiently.
Access to training for prisoners seeking protection is only available in Mountjoy and Cloverhill. Access in Cloverhill is limited to the computer workshop.
433. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 345 of 3 March 2015, if the reduction in the funding allocation from €14.393 million in 2008 down to €10.732 million has led to a reduction in access to these services for prisoners; her views on the importance of peer support models in addressing recidivism rates such as the Uservoice model in the United Kingdom; and her further views on financially supporting the Irish-based peer support models such as Care After Prison in Dublin. [11166/15]
View answerThe Probation Service supports a number of Community Based Organisations to provide a range of services in addressing offending behaviour and facilitating reintegration. All such Organisations aim to offer a service to offenders who would otherwise not be in a position to avail of a mainstream service opportunity.
Since 2008, the Probation Service has agreed a range of reductions in grant allocations to these organisations. This was undertaken to ensure value for money and the need to reduce public expenditure generally in light of the economic difficulties then facing the State. Despite the overall reduction in public funds, the community organisations were able to maintain the level of services by streamlining their cost structure. Indeed, funding was also set aside within the funding allocations in both 2014 and 2015 for new developments and the expansion of some existing services.
The Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service work closely through their joint strategy to provide community support schemes. Community support is now operational in Dublin, Cork, and Limerick and includes all female offenders in this category. In 2014, Care After Prison, which is in receipt of funding from the Irish Prison Service and employs ex-offenders as support workers, was able to extend the community support scheme in Dublin. These programmes are aimed at prisoners who are serving sentences of between 3 and 12 months.
I might add that rehabilitation and reintegration are at the centre of our penal policy and are significant factors in reducing crime and offending behaviour. The Community Return Scheme is considered to be a most effective support model to reduce recidivism rates for those prisoners with longer sentences.
434. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 344 of 3 March 2015, the number of persons who were in the witness security programme in 2013 and 2014, and who are in the programme in 2015 to date; and the breakdown of expenditure of the allocated €1.198 million for this programme. [11167/15]
View answerI refer to Question No. 346 of 3 March 2015. The information in regard to funding in my reply to that question is unchanged.
The Garda Síochána operates a Witness Security Programme to respond to attempts by criminal and other groups to prevent the normal functioning of the criminal justice system, including threats of violence and systematic intimidation of witnesses. By virtue of the highly confidential nature of the Programme and the need to maintain the protection of persons in that Programme, it is not the policy nor would it be appropriate to detail the specifics of its operation.
I can say, however, that it is being operated in a significant number of cases and it has proven its worth over the years in helping to secure the conviction of very serious organised crime leaders.
435. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will expedite plans to amend the Domestic Violence Act 1996 to include protection for siblings, relatives and persons who do not reside with the alleged perpetrator of the harassment, intimidation and threatening and or violent behaviour. [11168/15]
View answerThe Government is committed to introduce consolidated and reformed domestic violence legislation to address all aspects of domestic violence. In this regard, I will circulate to Departments the draft General Scheme of a consolidated bill on domestic violence in a number of weeks with a view to seeking Government approval shortly thereafter and enactment of the resulting Bill later this year.
My Department has received a number of proposals in relation to the reform of our domestic violence legislative provisions including the extension of the availability of orders to other classes of applicants. All such proposals will be carefully considered during the legislative process for the Bill.
436. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans in the event of a strike by the Prison Officers Association; if the Irish Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána will guard the prisons; if so, have all personnel received adequate training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11195/15]
View answer521. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to resolve the threatened industrial action by prison officers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12147/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 436 and 521 together.
A number of implementation issues have arisen in respect of the Croke Park and Haddington Road agreements in recent months and IPS management have at all times continued to engage with the Prison Officers Association on these issues through the well established mechanisms contained within those agreements.
The National Oversight Group for the Haddington Road Agreement recently met with both the IPS and the POA. On foot of that meeting, the group noted that both parties affirmed their commitment to the agreement they reached in the Haddington Road Agreement (Appendix 1) to secure savings of €12.42 million, and to work together with the priority of delivering measures which will secure those savings. In addition, the group requested that all parties should take all steps necessary to maintain industrial peace and normal working until all procedures on the matters under discussion have been exhausted.
In this context, I wish to advise the Deputy that both IPS management and the Prison Officers Association accepted an invitation to attend talks at the Labour Relations Commission and these talks are currently ongoing. As a consequence, the Prison Officers Association have advised that they have suspended their intention to commence a 'Work to Rule' scheduled to begin on 26 March 2015.
I believe that constructive engagement between the parties is the way forward and I would strongly urge the Prison Officers Association to continue to work in a collaborative manner within the industrial relations machinery to resolve any issues of dispute in order to ensure that the Service continues to deliver on its mission of providing safe and secure custody, dignity of care and rehabilitation to prisoners for safer communities.
I am advised by my officials that a high level Contingency Group within the IPS continues to formulate contingencies in the event of all-out industrial action. The Deputy will appreciate that for obvious security reasons I cannot go into detail as to what those contingencies might entail, however I can confirm that talks between my officials and senior management in both an Garda Síochána and the Permanent Defence Forces are ongoing in order to ensure that the security of the prison estate is maintained in the event of industrial action.
Finally, I can further advise the Deputy that training of relevant staff in an Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces has commenced and is ongoing, including familiarisation visits to prisons and also training in prison process and procedures and security matters.
438. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a case (details supplied) has been included in the independent review mechanism; when recommendations will be made on this case; if any communication from the mechanism has been made to the persons involved; if a commission of investigation will be established to review this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11273/15]
View answerI am aware that the members of the family in question have pursued complaints in respect of a number of issues over a long period of time and that there was also protracted civil and family law litigation which I believe was concluded some time ago. This case has been the subject of previous review in my Department and there appears to be no additional information forthcoming which would merit a further examination. In light of this, and as the issues which had been raised most recently related to legal representation and the outcome of civil proceedings rather than Garda actions, the case was not referred to the Independent Review Mechanism.
439. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons at large who are failing to comply with Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11279/15]
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 asked the CSO to provide the latest available statistics directly to the Deputy.
440. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and-or expected residency status in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11307/15]
View answerIf the person whose details were supplied has made an application for asylum or subsidiary protection, the Deputy will be aware that it is not the practice to comment on such applications for so long as they remain in the protection process. The position in this regard is in accordance with Section 19 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) which provides for the protection of the identity of asylum applicants.
Protection applicants are issued with a temporary residence permission pending a final decision on their application.
441. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the actions she will take to prevent break-ins (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11312/15]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that I am very conscious of the concerns which exist in relation to these sorts of crimes and their impact on householders and communities. The specific policing strategies which are deployed in relation to these of types of crimes are of course a matter for the Garda Commissioner to determine. In this regard I am advised that local Garda management closely monitor the incidence of burglary and related property crimes in the area in question and put appropriate policing responses in place
An Garda Síochána is responding to the incidence of burglary in the Dublin area through Operation Acer, which is in force throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Region. This includes a particular focus on identifying and targeting criminal groups involved in this criminality. Burglary Response Units attached to each Division take the lead in Operation Acer and are assisted by other units as required. In addition, a further and related operation, Operation Creeper, assists in the surveillance of Acer targets by monitoring their movements and this Operation has been tasked solely with targeting burglary suspects which has resulted in the successful arrests of Acer targets. These Operations are all coordinated under Operation Fiacla, which is the national operation targeting burglary using an intelligence and analysis-led approach.
Since Operation Acer commenced in early 2012, I am advised that there have been 5,389 arrests, 2,746 charges and 1,087 convictions for burglary in the Dublin area, up to 3 February 2015.
I can also advise the Deputy that in addition to these policing responses, I am currently carrying out a broader and urgent review of the criminal justice system's response to the problem of burglaries. In this regard I am working closely with the Garda Commissioner and other relevant criminal justice agencies to ensure that an effective, whole of system response is in place in relation to burglary. This includes a focus on interagency measures in relation to the management of prolific offenders, visible policing, crime prevention support for communities, and an examination of legislative issues. Burglary is a persistent and highly damaging crime, and I am committed to tackling it on a number of fronts, and through a partnership approach between criminal justice agencies and the community.
I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to incidents occurring in the area referred to by the Deputy and I will contact him directly as soon as the report is to hand.
442. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the recent spate of burglaries in the Louth - East Meath constituency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11315/15]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that I am very conscious of the concerns expressed in relation to the incidence of burglary, including in the area referred to. I am working closely with the Garda Commissioner and other relevant criminal justice agencies to ensure that an effective, whole of system response is in place.
An Garda Síochána are pursuing a range of strategies to tackle this, including the establishment of Burglary Response Units and through operations such as Operation Fiacla which is focusing on identifying and targeting the criminal groups who have played a large part in the recent increase. As of 28 February 2015, Operation Fiacla has led to the arrest of 12,374 persons with charges being brought against 7,010 persons nationally.
In addition to these policing responses, I am also carrying out a broader and urgent review of the criminal justice system's response to the problem of burglaries. This includes a focus on interagency measures in relation to the management of prolific offenders, visible policing, crime prevention support for communities, and an examination of legislative issues. Burglary is a persistent and highly damaging crime, and I am determined to tackle it on a number of fronts, and through a partnership approach between criminal justice agencies and the community.
I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to incidents in the area referred to by the Deputy and I will contact him directly as soon as the report is to hand.
443. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda personnel, Garda vehicles and Garda reserves for the Dublin metropolitan region north district and sub-districts, broken down by station and in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11317/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and vehicles, 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 have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Dublin Metropolitan Region (D.M.R.) North on 31 January 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available are as set out in the table below. There are also 42 Civilian staff assigned to the Division.
Decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources. Responsibility for the efficient deployment of 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. As a consequence the number of vehicles deployed to Garda stations within each Garda District and Division is subject to ongoing change in response to An Garda Síochána's operational requirements. As a consequence it is not practicable to provide a breakdown of Garda vehicles by each individual Garda station.
However, the number of Garda vehicles assigned to each District in the DMR North as at 19/03/15 is also outlined in the table below.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently secured a further €10 million for investment in the Garda fleet of which €7 million was made available towards the end of last year, bringing total investment in the Garda fleet to €11 million in 2014. The remaining €3 million is being made available for the purchase and fit out of additional Garda vehicles during 2015.
DMR North Garda Division
|
District |
Station |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
Total |
Reserves |
|
BALBRIGGAN |
BALBRIGGAN |
48 |
10 |
3 |
1 |
62 |
5 |
|
|
GARRISTOWN |
2 |
2 |
||||||
|
LUSK |
8 |
1 |
9 |
|||||
|
SKERRIES |
8 |
1 |
9 |
|||||
|
BALBRIGGAN Total |
66 |
12 |
3 |
1 |
82 |
|||
|
BALLYMUN |
BALLYMUN |
88 |
19 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
114 |
12 |
|
DUBLIN AIRPORT |
21 |
2 |
23 |
|||||
|
SANTRY |
80 |
10 |
90 |
10 |
||||
|
BALLYMUN Total |
189 |
31 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
227 |
||
|
COOLOCK |
COOLOCK |
90 |
14 |
4 |
1 |
109 |
8 |
|
|
MALAHIDE |
28 |
2 |
30 |
2 |
||||
|
SWORDS |
58 |
10 |
1 |
69 |
10 |
|||
|
COOLOCK Total |
176 |
26 |
5 |
1 |
208 |
|||
|
RAHENY |
CLONTARF |
60 |
7 |
1 |
68 |
4 |
||
|
HOWTH |
28 |
3 |
31 |
2 |
||||
|
RAHENY |
50 |
9 |
2 |
1 |
62 |
7 |
||
|
RAHENY Total |
138 |
19 |
3 |
1 |
161 |
|||
|
569 |
88 |
15 |
5 |
1 |
678 |
60 |
DMR North Garda Division Vehicles
|
District |
Vehicles |
|
Ballymun |
57 |
|
Coolock |
27 |
|
Raheny |
21 |
|
Balbriggan |
12 |
444. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeframe under which Garda recruits, currently training in the Garda college, will be allocated to stations throughout the country; the criteria under which these allocations will be determined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11318/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner 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.
The first intake since 2009 of 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College, Templemore, on 15 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. The remaining 100 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 and the needs of all Garda Districts will be fully considered.
445. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way the allocation of new Garda vehicles will be determined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11319/15]
View answerThe detailed allocation of Garda vehicles is determined by the Garda Commissioner on the basis of her identified operational requirements at both Regional and Divisional level. In that context, the allocation of all Garda resources, including transport, is subject to ongoing analysis and review by the Commissioner and her senior management team to ensure that the best use is made of available Garda resources.
Responsibility for the efficient deployment of 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.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently secured a further €10 million for investment in the Garda fleet of which €7 million was made available towards the end of last year, bringing total investment in the Garda fleet to €11 million in 2014. The remaining €3 million is being made available for the purchase and fit out of additional Garda vehicles during 2015.
