Written Answers Nos. 373-389
373. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when information requested by the Department of Social Protection for the purpose of assessing eligibility for a State pension will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18670/15]
View answerThe information requested was provided by both e-mail and post to the Department of Social Protection on 5 May 2015. This information previously issued to the person concerned on 22 October 2014.
374. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine based on the experience to date with the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme, the number of applicants he expects to have joined the scheme by the end of 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively; the average payment per farmer it is hoped to achieve; the revised project payments under the scheme for these three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18677/15]
View answerI estimate that the number of GLAS Scheme participants at end of 2016 will be in the order of 35,000. The maximum payment under the Scheme is €5,000 per annum and I expect most farmers to achieve this. A GLAS+ payment is available for a limited number of farmers who take on particularly challenging actions which deliver an exceptional level of environmental benefit. This GLAS+ payment will allow for up to an additional €2,000 per annum for these farmers.
Increased levels of participation in 2017 and 2018, for which financial provision will need to be made, will be informed by the estimates for the respective years. In any event by the end of 2018, I anticipate that 50,000 farmers will be supported under GLAS.
375. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the provision in his Department's 2015 estimates for expenditure under the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme, the beef genomics scheme, and the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme; and the expected out-turn expected with regard to these provisions. [18678/15]
View answerI have included €20 million for GLAS payments in my Department’s estimates for 2015 and expect to make payments to eligible GLAS participants before the end of the year.
€52 million has been allocated for expenditure under the Beef Data Genomics Programme for 2015.
€34 million has been allocated for the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes for 2015.
It is too early in the year to estimate the final outturn with any accuracy.
376. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have indicated actions under the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme, by county, under Tier 1,Tier 2, and Tier 3; the number of these that have commonage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18679/15]
View answerA total of 28,715 applications have been created on the GLAS on-line system. A total of 20,625 applications have actions recorded of which 3,380 are commonage applications with actions. The breakdown of applications with actions is set out in tabular form below:
|
County |
Total number of applications created |
Applications with Actions |
Tier 1 |
Tier 2 |
Tier 3 |
Applications With Actions and have Commonage |
|
Carlow |
331 |
235 |
102 |
80 |
53 |
45 |
|
Cavan |
1113 |
856 |
184 |
420 |
252 |
19 |
|
Clare |
1774 |
1334 |
575 |
147 |
612 |
79 |
|
Cork |
2454 |
1726 |
789 |
226 |
711 |
238 |
|
Donegal |
2541 |
1841 |
1091 |
256 |
494 |
654 |
|
Dublin |
107 |
72 |
29 |
18 |
25 |
11 |
|
Galway |
3086 |
2397 |
1077 |
648 |
672 |
532 |
|
Kerry |
1961 |
1482 |
924 |
133 |
425 |
488 |
|
Kildare |
355 |
243 |
54 |
94 |
95 |
6 |
|
Kilkenny |
479 |
294 |
109 |
67 |
118 |
5 |
|
Laois |
491 |
348 |
136 |
121 |
91 |
18 |
|
Leitrim |
996 |
828 |
231 |
240 |
357 |
125 |
|
Limerick |
1068 |
721 |
292 |
144 |
285 |
11 |
|
Longford |
520 |
378 |
59 |
161 |
158 |
7 |
|
Louth |
224 |
149 |
54 |
39 |
56 |
33 |
|
Mayo |
3058 |
2191 |
1313 |
288 |
590 |
781 |
|
Meath |
574 |
401 |
59 |
182 |
160 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
621 |
496 |
37 |
215 |
244 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
735 |
406 |
101 |
146 |
159 |
4 |
|
Roscommon |
1626 |
1168 |
225 |
551 |
392 |
26 |
|
Sligo |
1140 |
742 |
294 |
116 |
332 |
102 |
|
Tipperary |
1141 |
727 |
268 |
127 |
332 |
50 |
|
Waterford |
466 |
307 |
124 |
26 |
157 |
46 |
|
Westmeath |
664 |
529 |
67 |
242 |
220 |
3 |
|
Wexford |
789 |
462 |
145 |
166 |
151 |
19 |
|
Wicklow |
401 |
292 |
126 |
84 |
82 |
78 |
|
Totals |
28,715 |
20,625 |
8,465 |
4,937 |
7,223 |
3,380 |
The allocation between Tiers 1, 2 and 3 cannot be taken as definitive at this stage because there is the possibility that applicants may yet choose actions which may promote them to a higher tier.
377. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine following the change in land eligibility rules, the estimated additional land that is likely to be applied for, as forage or as arable area, under the basic payment scheme in 2015; the estimated difference the new rules on eligibility of Natura land will make. [18680/15]
View answerThe new pro-rata system and the use of the Reduction Coefficient applying to land parcels with scattered scrub is being introduced under the Basic Payment Scheme with effect from 2015. The introduction of these provisions will bring some welcome flexibility to the system. However, the creation of new reference areas for a significant number of land parcels across the entire Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) database is a complex matter and has to be approached very carefully. Significant and systematic testing is required to ensure that the re-calculations are accurate. It is not possible at this stage to establish the level of additional land that will be eligible for payment under the new Regime. Such information will be established when the new system is fully operational and applications received under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme are assessed. The main benefit for Natura land is the positive impact the provisions will have on the level of exclusions in respect of the current and future years.
378. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will be made to farmers under the agri-environment options scheme, whose payments have been held up due to an ongoing investigation of a supplier of trees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18681/15]
View answerA Department review of the non-productive capital investment claims submitted by applicants under AEOS, was undertaken in 2014. This review identified irregularities with documentation submitted for reimbursement in some of these claims. A full Department investigation was then initiated, which in turn led to the matter being referred to the gardaí. Payments to applicants under review have been deferred pending the outcome of the investigation.
My Department plans to write to all participants with payments held shortly seeking further evidence to support their claim for payment, in the amounts declared. Where satisfactory proofs are provided payments will then be processed.
379. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if fees have been negotiated with the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, and with planners, in relation to the cost of compliance with the beef genomics scheme; the amount of these fees; the likely cost to farmers of compliance costs with this scheme, including the cost of processing the genetic information; the production of a carbon navigator; the cost of mandatory training courses, and other compliance costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18685/15]
View answerThe Government has made a provision of €52m for the BDGP in 2015. It forms part of the country’s draft Rural Development Programme and will have a budget of approximately €300m over a period of 6 years. The cost related to genotyping will be approximately €7 million or about 15% of the funds provided. This is the same percentage of payments as under the 2014 scheme. The BDGP will accelerate improvement in the crucial area of environmental sustainability in the national herd through the application of genomic technology and will bring about long-term strategic improvements to the sector by fundamentally improving the genetic quality of the beef herd. It will also position Ireland as a global forerunner in the application of genomics technology and confirm our reputation as one of the most important and renowned export focussed beef producing nations in the world.
Participants in the programme will receive a payment of €142.50 per hectare for the first 6.66 payable hectares under the scheme, and €120 per payable hectare after that. Payment to scheme participants is on basis of costs incurred and income foregone for each of the actions undertaken. All of the costs to the farmer, including in terms of time and effort, have been factored into the payment for the farmer as agreed with the European Commission. The payment includes a cost associated with the tissue tag sample and subsequent processing, and this will be deducted at source from the farmer’s payment.
Costs associated with training and the advisor’s costs associated with completing the carbon navigator are paid separately from the €142.50 and €120 per hectare payment the farmer will receive. The cost of completing a carbon navigator in conjunction with an approved advisor will be covered separately and will not be deducted from the farmer’s payment. The farmer will also be provided with an additional €166 to compensate for the time and travel costs associated with attending the training course. As the Deputy notes, the ICBF will have a key role to play in facilitating the scheme in the same way as my Department has collaborated with that organisation for the Beef Genomics Scheme and the Beef Data Programme in recent years. Estimates provided by the ICBF for the costs of undertaking the individual actions are in line with the previous schemes although the overall payment will increase in line with the increased volume of work being undertaken. These costs will continue to be agreed bilaterally, in advance, between my Department and the ICBF.
Finally, as I said at the launch of the scheme, it marks another major milestone in positioning Ireland as a world leader in climate friendly agriculture and is a unique opportunity for some 35,000 suckler farmers spread right throughout Ireland. I am confident it will significantly improve efficiency at farm level in Ireland.
380. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a list of the membership of the board of Coiste an Asgard at the time of its dissolution; the persons who, at any point, were a member of the board; and the remuneration or expenses received by each. [18164/15]
View answerThe original Coiste an Asgard was first formed in 1968. It was subsequently formed as a company limited by guarantee established under the Companies Acts in February 1987 with the Minister for Defence as the ex-officio chairman of the Board of Directors. There were no appointments to the Board of Coiste an Asgard from 2009 and the formal wind up of the Company was completed in early 2013.
The names of the members of the Board at the time of its’ dissolution were as follows:
|
Ms. Joannes Berkery |
|
Ms. Kalanne O’Leary |
|
Mr. Seamus McLoughlin |
|
Mr. Eoin O’Mahony |
|
Mr. James Gleeson |
|
Mr. Paddy Madden |
|
Mr. Joe McPeake |
|
Mr. Noel Ryan |
|
Mr. Billy Grimes |
From the information available the persons who were at any point a member of the Board, in alphabetical order, were as follows:
|
John Boland |
|
Manus Brennan |
|
Len Brenwood |
|
Commodore Liam Brett |
|
Dr Roy Browne |
|
Joe Burke |
|
Noirin Butler |
|
Brian Byrne |
|
David Byrne |
|
Jim Byrne |
|
Brian Campbell |
|
Freedie Cooney |
|
Madlin Curran |
|
John Daly |
|
Commodore Joe Deasy |
|
Gerry Donnelly |
|
Dr Aisling Farrelly |
|
Dr Ray Fielding |
|
Sarah Flood |
|
Sean Flood |
|
Perry Greer |
|
Gerry Grimes |
|
Avril Harris |
|
Patrick Hogan |
|
Commodore John Kavanagh |
|
Commodore Peter Kavanagh |
|
John Keohane |
|
Seamus Kerrigan |
|
Gerard Kiely |
|
Captain Tom Kirk |
|
Captain Michael Langran |
|
Frank Lemass |
|
Clayton Love Jnr |
|
Commodore Frank Lynch |
|
Liam McGonagle |
|
Charlie McGrath |
|
Gerry McMahon |
|
Dr Chantelle MacNamara |
|
Commodore Wally Moloney |
|
Louis Monks |
|
Mr Justice Frederick Morris |
|
Michael Murphy |
|
Enda O’Coineen |
|
Gerard O’Donnell |
|
Dr Rory O’Hanlon |
|
Patrick J O’Hara |
|
William O’Mahony |
|
Jack Tyrell |
|
Harry Whelehan |
No remuneration was paid to members of the Board, however, travel and subsistence expenses, legitimately incurred, were paid at normal Civil Service rates.
381. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 30 April 2015, the measures he is in favour of, in relation to the Common Security and Defence Policy approach to the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean; the measures he is opposed to; and if there will be any involvement from the Defence Forces. [18173/15]
View answerDiscussions in relation to the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) approach to the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean are ongoing. Ireland will continue to participate actively in discussions on the various strands of the EU’s comprehensive strategy, and to contribute to EU efforts to prevent further loss of life at sea.
With regard to a possible deployment of Defence Forces personnel to a CSDP mission, no mission could be launched by the EU without unanimity amongst all 28 Member States. If and when there is agreement at EU level, Ireland will give careful consideration to any requests it may receive from the EU in relation to participation in those activities. Any question of Defence Forces personnel participation will be examined at that stage.
Pending further discussions at international level, a number of EU member States, including Ireland, are progressing arrangements to provide various forms of assistance to alleviate the crisis in the Mediterranean.
In line with the Taoiseach’s commitment at the European Council on 23 April, all efforts are currently directed at deploying an Irish Naval vessel at the earliest opportunity to take part in humanitarian efforts. A range of cross-Governmental matters, including legal issues have been finalised. Operational and logistics planning for the deployment have been completed. In addition discussions are at an advanced stage with the Italian authorities on arrangements covering a number of issues relating to the deployment of the Vessel, including the coordination of the Vessel’s operations and disembarkation of persons and/or vessels in distress.
The deployment of the Naval Service was approved by Government today. I am satisfied that we will be in a position to dispatch the Naval vessel to the Mediterranean shortly.
382. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the legal provisions under which the LE Eithne is being despatched to the Mediterranean; and the legal and other modalities needed to be finalised, in order that this decision could be taken. [18310/15]
View answerThe statutory authority for the despatch of a contingent or member of the Permanent Defence Force for humanitarian operations, under the authority of the Government, is set out in section 3 (1) (f) of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006 which provides that:
“3 (1) A contingent or member of the Permanent Defence Force may, with the prior approval of and on the authority of the Government, be despatched for service outside the State for the purposes of
(f) undertaking humanitarian tasks in response to an actual or potential disaster or emergency”.
A range of other modalities are currently being finalised to enable the mission to take place. In this regard, discussions are at an advanced stage with the Italian Authorities on arrangements covering a number of issues relating to the deployment of the Vessel, including the coordination of the vessels operations and the disembarkation of persons rescued and/or vessels in distress.
The deployment of the Naval Service was approved by Government today. I am satisfied that we should be in a position to despatch the Naval Vessel to the Mediterranean shortly.
383. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the number of agencies, quangos or other bodies within his Department, funded by, or established by, his Department which have been scrapped, merged or reduced since this Government was formed; the amount saved in each case; the reduction in staff as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18431/15]
View answerThe bodies under the aegis of my Department when the Government took office in March 2011 were the Civil Defence Board, the Board of Coiste an Asgard and the Army Pensions Board.
The Civil Defence Board was identified in the Public Service Reform Plan as a body to be abolished and legislation was passed by the Oireachtas in December 2012 for the dissolution of the Board. Its functions and staff transferred back to the Department of Defence from 1 January 2013. The annual savings of almost €60,000 in running costs have been re-allocated to support the 4,500 active volunteers in Civil Defence nationwide.
Coiste an Asgard was the company set up to manage the National Sail Training Scheme. In September 2008, the company’s sail training vessel ‘Asgard II’ sank in the Bay of Biscay. In December 2009, the previous Government announced that the National Sail Training Scheme was to be discontinued and the funding for 2010 was cancelled. The Company was inactive from that date and there were no crew or staff left on the payroll. Up to and including 2009, the company had been receiving funding from the National Lottery of approximately €800,000 per annum. The formal wind up of the Company including voluntary strike off with the Companies Registration Office was completed in early 2013.
There are no plans to scrap, merge or reduce the Army Pensions Board.
384. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Defence the State boards, bodies or committees on which vacancies currently exist, or in which vacancies are anticipated to arise, up to and including 1 January 2016; the number of vacancies in each case; when the vacancy arose or will arise; if the vacancy relates to a chair or a member; if he will provide details of the appointment process in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18479/15]
View answerThe only body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board, which is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act, 1927. The Act specifies that the Board shall consist of a chairman and two ordinary members. The two ordinary members must be qualified medical practitioners of whom one must be an officer of the Army Medical Corps. The chairman and the non military ordinary member are appointed by the Minister for Defence with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The Army Medical Corps ordinary member is appointed by the Minister for Defence on the recommendation of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. There is no fixed term of office for appointments to the Army Pensions Board.
I do not anticipate any vacancies to arise on the Army Pensions Board in 2015.
385. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the Government's response to the findings of the Moriarty tribunal; if he will provide details of actions already taken and those proposed to be taken, and the timescale for same. [18135/15]
View answerInsofar as the report of the Moriarty Tribunal made recommendations concerning the future operation of tribunals of inquiry, many of these recommendations are anticipated by the Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005 which awaits Report Stage debate in the Dáil. Other recommendations are the subject of consultation with the Attorney General and other relevant Departments.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, following the examination by An Garda Síochána of the report of the Moriarty Tribunal, the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions was sought with a view to determining whether or not a full Garda investigation should be commenced. As this process is ongoing it would not be appropriate for me to comment in further detail at this time.
386. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for refusal of entry to Ireland of a citizen of the United States of America last year (details supplied); the position regarding the treatment of this person, and the reasons for refusal of entry; if a report was completed on this refusal; if a similar refusal would issue again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18615/15]
View answerI understand that the person referred to by the Deputy was refused entry to the State in accordance with Section 4(3)(k) of the Immigration Act, 2004 which provides that an Immigration Officer may refuse a person permission to enter the State where he or she is satisfied that there is reason to believe that the non-national intends to enter the State for purposes other than those expressed by the non-national.
A non-national who is refused permission to enter the State is served with a written notice of his or her refusal which states the applicable ground(s) on which permission was refused. In the case of the person referred to by the Deputy, she was detained overnight pending her removal on the next earliest available flight the following day. The person was provided with a printed copy of the refusal report.
A person refused permission to enter the State is not prohibited from seeking entry to the State in future. However, every non-national is required on arrival by land or sea to the State to present to an Immigration Officer for the purpose of making an application for permission to enter the State and to furnish to an Immigration Officer such information in such manner as he or she may reasonably require for the purposes of the performance of his or her functions. An Immigration Officer has to be satisfied that the person should be granted entry to the State based on all the known circumstances of the person concerned.
387. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current timeframe for the passage of the Spent Convictions Bill 2012 through the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18103/15]
View answerBefore the Bill could be enacted, a 2013 UK Court of Appeal judgment necessitated a review of the disclosure provisions in both the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 and the Spent Convictions Bill. That review has been completed and amendments to the Vetting Act and consequential amendments to the Spent Convictions Bill are currently being drafted.
I intend to bring the amendments to the Bill before the Oireachtas as soon as possible with a view to commencing the Act before the autumn. Pending the amendment of the Bill, 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. This Administrative Filter already gives effect to the main provisions likely to be contained in the amended Act.
A copy of this Administrative Filter is set out below.
Garda Vetting Procedures
Administrative Filter
In anticipation of the amendment and commencement of the National Vetting Bureau Act 2012, an administrative filter in respect of Garda Vetting Unit Disclosures will operate in accordance with the following procedural guidelines.
A. Criminal Convictions to be disclosed in all cases:
1) Offences Against the Person.
2) Sexual Offences
3) Convictions on indictment.
B. District Court Convictions which will not be disclosed:
1) Motoring Offences:
District Court convictions for motoring offences will not be disclosed after 7 years even where more recent offences have been committed. This is because it is considered that old minor motoring offences would not be relevant due to the passage of time.
2) Minor Public Order Offences:
The following convictions under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 will not be disclosed if the offence is over 7 years old even where more recent offences have been committed:
- Section 4 (Intoxication);
- Section 5 (Disorderly conduct);
- Section 6 (Threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour);
- Section 7 (Distribution or display of material which is offensive);
- Section 8 (Failure to comply with direction of Garda);
- Section 9 (Wilful obstruction).
3) Other minor offences – 1 Only:
District Court convictions for any other minor offence will not be disclosed after 7 years where the person has one such offence only (excluding motoring or public order offences over 7 years old). This provision does not apply to offences against the person or to sexual offences.
C. Probation Act Provisions:
Where persons have been dealt with by a district court in accordance with the provisions of section 1(1) (i) or 1 (1) (ii) of the Probation Act 1907, the offences will not be disclosed except in cases where the circumstances of the offence gives rise to a bona fide concern that the person concerned may harm a child or vulnerable person.
Where persons have been dealt with by a court in accordance with section 1 (2) of the Probation Act, these will be disclosed in all cases. (Section 1 (2) relates solely to persons “convicted on indictment”.)
D. Offences in respect of which a person is charged but subsequently not prosecuted or acquitted:
Non convictions will be considered for disclosure where the circumstances of an offence gives rise to a bona fide concern that the person concerned may harm a child or vulnerable person. This information will only be disclosed if the information is of such a nature that its disclosure is necessary, proportionate and reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of children or vulnerable persons, or both, as the case may be.
The Garda Central Vetting Unit will make such decision in the context of:
- The information concerned;
- The relevance of the information to the type of work/activity;
- The source and reliability of the information;
- The rights of the vetting applicant and any submissions made by them.
Where the GCVU makes a determination to disclose information under this section the GCVU will:
- Notify the person who is the subject of the application for the vetting disclosure concerned, in writing, of its determination and of the reasons for it;
- Provide to the person a copy of the information to be disclosed;
- Notify the person of the intention to disclose the information to an Authorised Signatory for the registered organisation concerned after the expiry of 14 days from the date of notification; and
- Allow the applicant the opportunity to make a written submission;
- There will also be an appeals process in respect of a decision to disclose the information.
The GCVU will not issue a vetting disclosure in respect of a person until this process has been completed.
388. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a breakdown of new Garda recruits, by gender, and by county of origin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18182/15]
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.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the breakdown of new Garda recruits by gender and by county of origin is as set out in the table.
|
County |
Male |
Female |
|
Carlow |
1 |
- |
|
Cavan |
1 |
- |
|
Clare |
2 |
3 |
|
Cork |
8 |
3 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
- |
|
Down |
2 |
- |
|
Dublin |
22 |
3 |
|
Galway |
9 |
2 |
|
Kerry |
3 |
1 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
- |
|
Laois |
1 |
- |
|
Limerick |
6 |
- |
|
Louth |
1 |
2 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
- |
|
Meath |
3 |
1 |
|
Offaly |
2 |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
1 |
|
Sligo |
2 |
- |
|
Tipperary |
4 |
- |
|
Waterford |
2 |
- |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
- |
|
TOTAL |
81 |
18 |
389. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the action she proposes to take to ensure that members of An Garda Síochána are adequately protected against the activities of criminal gangs, or others who have threatened members of the force; if adequate resources continue to be made available to An Garda Síochána in the face of such threats; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18183/15]
View answer391. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will indicate, in the context of meeting enhanced policing requests in each Garda district or division in County Kildare, the extent to which she and-or her Department has identified any issues which might effect the provision of adequate policing in any part of the county; if Garda numbers need to be increased to combat the activities of criminal gangs; if any audit has been done to determine whether a new Garda station, with sufficient personnel, is required in the Carbury area, which has suffered the effects of crime in recent times; if an increase in Garda numbers can be arranged in the areas most severely affected by major or minor criminal activity; if steps will be taken to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18215/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 389 and 391 together.
I am, of course, aware of the issues referred to concerning threats made against members of the Garda Síochána, which I utterly condemn.
As the Deputy is aware, it would not be appropriate for me to detail the operational measures that the Garda authorities have taken or would take generally in the these situations. However, I can assure the Deputy that whatever protective and detection measures are deemed appropriate by the Garda authorities will certainly be taken. I should also say that while the criminal law in this area is being kept under ongoing review, there is a range of robust legislative provisions available to the Garda authorities in circumstances where threats or assaults are made against Gardaí.
In relation to the question of Garda resources and the particular policing strategies in the areas referred to, the Deputy will appreciate that these are matters for the Garda Commissioner. I am informed that the number of Gardaí assigned to the Kildare Division as of 31 March was 299 Gardaí, of which 73 were in the Leixlip District which includes Carbury Garda Station, where there were 5 Gardaí assigned. Two additional Gardaí have recently been assigned to Carbury. I am assured that the allocation of overall Garda resources is kept under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure these resources are put to the best possible use.
I can also inform the Deputy that, thanks to the resumption of Garda recruitment, the Commissioner now has the capacity to deploy new Gardaí for the first time since 2009 and five new probationer Gardaí have been assigned to the Kildare Garda Division. Similarly, investments are being made in vehicles and IT, and in the recruitment of specialist professional staff. Policing and community safety in Kildare will undoubtedly benefit from this injection of resources, as it will in all other Garda Divisions.
