Skip to main content
Normal View

Tuesday, 23 Jun 2015

Written Answers Nos. 339-358

Bord na gCon Funding

Questions (339)

Niall Collins

Question:

339. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he or his Department have received any representations from the Irish Greyhound Board seeking to increase its debt limit, or to have access to emergency funding, since June 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25169/15]

View answer

Written answers

Bord na gCon (BNG) is a commercial State body, established in 1958 under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. State funding to the horse and greyhound racing industries is provided through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. 80% and 20% of the moneys paid into the Fund each year are distributed between Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon respectively. The allocation to Bord na gCon for 2015 is €13.6m and is linked to the extension of the betting tax in 2015 to online betting and betting exchanges which will bring in significant extra revenue. Bord na gCon has an approved borrowing limit of €25m. My Department monitors the level of borrowings on an ongoing basis. My Department has not received any representations from Bord na gCon seeking to increase its debt limit or to have access to emergency funding since June 2012.

Greyhound Industry

Questions (340)

Niall Collins

Question:

340. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he or his Ministers of State have been the owner or part-owner of any greyhound in training while they held their current ministerial positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25170/15]

View answer

Written answers

Neither myself nor the Ministers of State in my Department currently hold an interest in a greyhound. However, Minister of State Hayes was part of a syndicate in the past.

Defence Forces Records

Questions (341)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

341. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Defence if there has been new recruitment initiated for C company of the 28th battalion of the Reserve Defence Force; the number, if any, of new recruits who have been submitted to the Defence Forces for approval; if the applicants' Garda vetting has been completed, and if so, when; when their recruitment will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24529/15]

View answer

Written answers

I am informed by the relevant military authorities that four recruits have been attested to date in 2015 to C Company of the 28th Battalion of the Reserve Defence Force. I am also informed that a further 10 applicants have recently successfully completed the selection process (including security clearance), and that these applicants will be attested shortly. The exact date of attestation for these successful applicants has not yet been set.

Defence Forces Deployment

Questions (342)

Denis Naughten

Question:

342. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the current number of personnel permanently based at Custume Barracks in Athlone in County Roscommon; the number of staff who perform operational duties in the Dublin area, on a monthly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24774/15]

View answer

Written answers

I am informed by the relevant military authorities that Custume Barracks has an establishment strength of 995 personnel. The current strength figure is 909 personnel. The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at or close to 9,500 personnel. To this end, targeted general service recruitment will continue.

On average per month, operational duties in the Dublin area account for 206 man-days provided by staff permanently based in Custume Barracks. As the duties normally require the conduct of wide-ranging familiarisation patrols throughout the greater Dublin area, the execution of such duties has the advantage of providing the units involved with improved security situational awareness of the capital.

Defence Forces Deployment

Questions (343)

Denis Naughten

Question:

343. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel permanently based at Finner Camp in Ballyshannon in County Donegal; the number who perform operational duties in the Dublin area, on a monthly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24775/15]

View answer

Written answers

I am informed by the relevant military authorities that Finner Camp has an establishment strength of 474 personnel. The current strength figure is 464 personnel. The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at or close to 9,500 personnel. To this end, targeted general service recruitment will continue.

On average per month, operational duties in the Dublin area account for 124 man-days provided by staff permanently based in Finner Camp. As the duties normally require the conduct of wide-ranging familiarisation patrols throughout the greater Dublin area, the execution of such duties has the advantage of providing the units involved with improved security situational awareness of the capital.

Defence Forces Deployment

Questions (344)

Denis Naughten

Question:

344. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel permanently based at Aiken Barracks in Dundalk in County Louth; the number who perform operational duties in the Dublin area, on a monthly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24776/15]

View answer

Written answers

I am informed by the relevant military authorities that Aiken Barracks has an establishment strength of 341 personnel. The current strength figure is 330 personnel. The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at or close to 9,500 personnel. To this end, targeted general service recruitment will continue.

On average per month, operational duties in the Dublin area account for 130 man-days provided by staff permanently based in Aiken Barracks. As the duties normally require the conduct of wide-ranging familiarisation patrols throughout the greater Dublin area, the execution of such duties has the advantage of providing the units involved with improved security situational awareness of the capital.

Defence Forces Personnel Data

Questions (345)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

345. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel who are directly related, for example, a child or sibling of other serving members of the Defence Forces; and the number of Defence Forces personnel who are directly related, as above, to former members of the Defence Forces. [24922/15]

View answer

Written answers

I am informed by the relevant military authorities that it is not possible to provide accurate information in respect of personnel, former or serving, who are directly related to other serving members of the Defence Forces or to former members of the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces Personnel Management System does not record such information.

National Lottery Funding Disbursement

Questions (346, 347)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

346. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide, in tabular form, the way moneys received from the national lottery fund in 2013 were spent on each project to which they were directed, including projects that were part-funded and wholly-funded from the fund; if he will indicate, for each such part-funded project, where the balance of funding was sourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25024/15]

View answer

Catherine Murphy

Question:

347. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide, in tabular form, the amount of money that was received by his Department from the national lottery fund in each of the years 2009 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; if he will provide a detailed breakdown indicating the way this money was spent, or otherwise directed, for each of these years; if any moneys are held in reserve arising from funds received over this period or before; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25040/15]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 347 together.

My Department has received funds from the National Lottery Fund for the refurbishment and expansion of an existing building to improve access and facilities for the Military Archives at Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin 6. Construction work commenced early in 2015 and completion of the works is expected by the year end.

The budget for 2014/2015 and spend to date for this project is as follows:

Year

Allocated (€m)

Spend (€m)

2014

0.277

0.2 94

2015

4.22

0.72

2015 Spend is from 1/01/2015 to 19/06/2015

In 2014, €272,399.46 of the National Lottery Funding provided was spent with the remaining €21,949.35 being funded by the Exchequer.

The purpose of the new facility is to provide a newly constructed building for the storage of archival material, including the Military Service (1916-1923) Pensions Collection (MSPC). An adjoining building will also be refurbished. This will facilitate visitor access to the facility; provide a reading room for research of the records held in the facility as well as office and ancillary accommodation for the Archive personnel and a conservation laboratory for the preservation of documents and artefacts.

No Lottery funding was received in the years 2010 to 2013 inclusive.

Censorship of Publications

Questions (348)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

348. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding publications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24638/15]

View answer

Written answers

Any person may make a complaint regarding a publication to the independent Censorship of Publications Board in accordance with the provisions of the Censorship of Publications legislation, and in particular the Censorship of Publications Regulations, 1980 (S.I. 292/1980). The Board's only function is to decide whether or not to prohibit a publication. In the event that a publication is prohibited it is an offence to sell or distribute that publication.

I should advise the Deputy, however, that neither my Department nor the Censorship of Publications Board has any power to apply restrictions in relation to the display in retail outlets of items which are not prohibited under Censorship of Publications legislation.

Proposed Legislation

Questions (349)

Gabrielle McFadden

Question:

349. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the legislative progress of the scheme of Mental Capacity Bill 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24913/15]

View answer

Written answers

The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013, based on the General Scheme of the Mental Capacity Bill 2008, passed Dáil Committee Stage on 17 June 2015. Preparations are currently being made to bring the Bill to the Dáil for Report Stage, with a view to enactment later this year.

Tribunals of Inquiry Reports

Questions (350, 351)

Niall Collins

Question:

350. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current status of the report of the Moriarty tribunal; the actions her Department is taking further to the findings of this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24502/15]

View answer

Niall Collins

Question:

351. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the actions her Department has taken, following the publication of the report of the Moriarty tribunal, to prevent the malpractices outlined from occurring again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24503/15]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 350 and 351 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the report of the Moriarty Tribunal made a number of recommendations which related to the responsibilities of different Government Departments. In this regard I understand that there have been relevant developments in the fields of financial regulation, company law, and electoral law. As Minister for Justice and Equality, I can only respond in relation to the recommendations which refer to my own Department's responsibilities.

In this regard, the Tribunals Bill is under review in my Department. I can assure the Deputy that this work has entailed detailed consideration being given within my Department to the full suite of recommendations made by the Moriarty Tribunal in its Report of March 2011 and the Mahon Report in March 2012, to the relevant judgments delivered by the Supreme Court in July 2011 and October 2012, and to the developing experience regarding the operation of Commissions of Investigation. The review will be completed as soon as possible, but is dependent on other legislative priorities. Accordingly, the likely time frame cannot be indicated with any certainty at this point.

In addition, 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.

I have sought a further update on this matter and will correspond further with the Deputy when this is received.

Asylum Support Services

Questions (352)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

352. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the roll-out of the asylum migration and integration fund; and if Ireland will be in a position to make a call for applications under the fund in the coming weeks. [24494/15]

View answer

Written answers

The draft national programme under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, which is being considered by the European Commission, will be circulated to the partnership of non-governmental organisations and other relevant interests, established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 514/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council, within the next week. While it is not known precisely when the Commission will be in a position to approve the programme, I would anticipate that a call for applications will be made in the coming months.

Court Accommodation Provision

Questions (353)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

353. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of the provision of a new courthouse for Drogheda in County Louth; the timeframe for construction; the number expected to be employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24515/15]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had inquiries made and the provision of a new courthouse in Drogheda is one of seven courthouse construction and renovation projects currently being procured via Public Private Partnership as part of the Government's Infrastructure Stimulus programme. The total estimated capital value of the seven courthouses in the tendered project is €135m. The Courts Service has informed me that a preferred bidder has recently been selected for the project. It is anticipated that a contract for the Courts projects will be concluded later this year and the construction timeframe for the project is estimated to be 18 - 24 months from the award of the contract. The Courts Service estimates that between 80 and 100 full-time equivalents will be employed during the design and construction of the Drogheda project.

Anti-Social Behaviour

Questions (354)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

354. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures being taken to address alleged serious anti-social behaviour on Howth Pier in County Dublin during the current good weather; if Garda Síochána resources will be increased over the summer months for locations where groups of persons tend to congregate; if off-licences are being invigilated in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24582/15]

View answer

Written answers

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Irene is a policing plan, designed to address the sorts of issues referred to, which commenced on 1 June 2015 and will run until 30 August 2015.

In relation to the specific area referred to, I am further informed that Operation Irene will provide an increased Garda presence in the vicinity of Howth Pier over the summer months. Gardaí will continue to patrol and deal with all incidents as deemed appropriate. In this regard, gardaí monitor persons disembarking from trains at Howth Dart Station and actively patrol the area, with public order patrols of beaches and public amenities being carried out at appropriate times.

I am also advised that a multiagency approach is being pursued with ongoing liaison between An Garda Síochána, Dart Control, Fingal County Council, the Harbour Master and Íarnród Éireann with a view to addressing any issues that may arise. Finally, I am assured that An Garda Síochána are reminding local shops and businesses of their legal obligations in relation to the sale of intoxicating liquor.

Criminal Prosecutions Data

Questions (355)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

355. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of young persons under 18 years of age and up to 24 years of age who have been convicted of public order offences or were issued with civil orders and behaviour orders relating to anti-social behaviour in each of the years 2012 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24583/15]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the publication of recorded crime statistics. In relation to the number of convictions referred to, I have requested the CSO to provide the available statistics directly to the Deputy. With regard to the number of civil orders and behaviour orders referred to, I have requested a report from the Garda authorities and I will contact the Deputy directly as soon as the report is to hand.

Driver Licence Data

Questions (356)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

356. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 399 of 21 April 2015, which provided details of the number of driving licence numbers recorded on the Courts Service criminal case tracking system in 2014 and to date in 2015 by District Court area, if she will provide this information for each of the years 2013 and 2014 and for the period January to March 2015 by District Court; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24584/15]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of information on the courts system. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had inquiries made and the table below provides details of the number of persons convicted of penalty point offences where driver licence numbers were recorded for 2013, 2014 and January to March 2015.

As indicated in my response to Question 399 of 21 April 2015 where an accused is brought before a Court in relation to a penalty point offence, the driving licence number is collected by two methods. The first is where the details are provided by An Garda Síochána prior to submission of an application for a summons in respect of the offence. Where the driving licence number is so collected, the driver licence number is sent electronically to the Courts Service with the summons application and the licence number is updated to the Courts Service computer system. Under the second method, the details are collected by the Court Registrar where a licence is produced to the Court at the hearing of the offence. I understand that an arrangement has been put in place between An Garda Síochána and the Courts Service to facilitate the bringing of prosecutions for the non-production of a driving licence and that these prosecutions will commence shortly.

Court Area

2013

2014

Jan - Mar 2015

ABBEYFEALE

5

1

0

ACAILL

0

0

0

AN SPIDEAL

1

0

0

ARDEE

8

16

5

ARKLOW

22

117

27

ATHLONE

92

242

96

ATHY

13

13

4

BALLINA

5

20

6

BANDON

27

92

17

BEAL AN MHUIRTHEAD

3

4

1

BALLINASLOE

34

66

16

BALLAGHADERREEN

6

10

3

BALLYSHANNON

7

9

2

BALLYHAUNIS

1

0

0

BALLYCONNELL & SWAINILBAR

4

0

0

BANTRY

10

20

8

BIRR

6

0

0

BRAY

59

141

88

BUNCRANA

13

21

8

CAHIRCIVEEN

0

0

0

CARLOW

25

60

27

CASHEL

15

86

19

CAVAN

25

60

25

CASTLEBAR

20

88

13

CLIFDEN

2

2

0

CLONMEL

16

46

18

CLONAKILTY

25

21

7

CORK CITY

371

446

135

CARRICK ON SHANNON

15

10

7

CARRICKMACROSS

14

48

6

CARNDONAGH

18

25

2

CARRICK ON SUIR

3

19

3

CASTLEREA

17

17

6

AN DAINGEAN

0

1

0

DUBLIN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

3,637

2,893

762

DUNGARVAN

22

79

21

DONEGAL

2

9

2

DROGHEDA

35

59

5

DOIRE AN FHEICH

8

7

1

DUNDALK

20

14

9

AN CLOCHAN LIATH

2

10

6

EDENDERRY

6

0

0

ENNIS

130

207

65

AN FAL CARRACH

2

12

1

FERMOY

38

44

27

GALWAY

96

205

69

NA GLEANNTA

3

8

1

GORT

4

14

16

GOREY

160

145

63

KELLS

0

0

0

KENMARE

0

0

0

KINSALE

15

0

0

KILLALOE

15

24

21

CILL RONAIN

0

0

0

KILCOCK

14

22

2

KILKENNY

54

63

57

KILLORGLIN

0

2

0

KILRUSH

11

29

6

KILLARNEY

12

13

2

LETTERKENNY

42

82

27

LIMERICK

168

95

36

LISMORE

6

10

0

LISTOWEL

5

11

2

LONGFORD

106

162

60

LOUGHREA

32

63

12

MACROOM

58

94

35

MALLOW

60

78

31

MANORHAMILTON

0

1

0

MIDLETON

103

115

22

MONAGHAN

8

33

13

MULLINGAR

98

199

66

NAAS

81

155

70

NENAGH

12

21

13

NEWCASTLE WEST

40

47

12

NAVAN

34

60

22

PORTLAOISE

45

156

37

ROSCOMMON

50

60

11

SKIBBEREEN

16

13

4

SLIGO

18

22

7

STROKESTOWN

13

18

12

SWINFORD

2

0

0

THURLES

27

31

17

TIPPERARY

4

7

7

TRALEE

9

12

6

TRIM

2

9

6

TUAM

33

113

50

TUBBERCURRY

7

7

1

TULLAMORE

69

177

54

VIRGINIA

29

79

12

WEXFORD

150

259

130

WICKLOW

31

148

40

WESTPORT

2

5

1

WATERFORD CITY

89

137

16

YOUGHAL

6

20

11

TOTAL

6,630

8,059

2,528

Driver Licence Data

Questions (357)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

357. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 399 of 21 April 2015, which provided details of the number of driving licence numbers recorded on the Courts Service criminal case tracking system by District Court area, if she will provide the number of persons that were summonsed for penalty point offences but were not convicted, by District Court area for each of the years 2013 to 2014 and for the period January to March 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24585/15]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to inform the Deputy that the information requested is being collated and will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.

Driver Licence Data

Questions (358)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

358. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 399 of 21 April 2015, which provided details of the number of driving licence numbers recorded on the Courts Service criminal case tracking system in 2014 and to date in 2015 by District Court area, if she will provide this information for 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24586/15]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of information on the courts system.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had inquiries made and the table below provides details of the number of driving licence numbers recorded on the Courts Service Criminal Case Tracking System (CCTS) in 2013.

As indicated in my response to Question 399 of 21 April 2015 where an accused is brought before a Court in relation to a penalty point offence, the driving licence number is collected by two methods. The first is where the details are provided by An Garda Síochána prior to submission of an application for a summons in respect of the offence. Where the driving licence number is so collected, the driving licence number is sent electronically to the Courts Service with the summons application and the licence number is updated to the Courts Service computer system. Under the second method, the details are collected by the Court Registrar where a licence is produced to the Court at the hearing of the offence. I understand that an arrangement has been put in place between An Garda Síochána and the Courts Service to facilitate the bringing of prosecutions for the non-production of a driving licence and that these prosecutions will commence will commence shortly.

Court Area

No. of Persons convicted of Penalty Point Offence where Driver Number has been recorded in 2013

ABBEYFEALE

5

ACAILL

0

AN SPIDEAL

1

ARDEE

8

ARKLOW

22

ATHLONE

92

ATHY

13

BALLINA

5

BANDON

27

BEAL AN MHUIRTHEAD

3

BALLINASLOE

34

BALLAGHADERREEN

6

BALLYSHANNON

7

Ballyhaunis

1

Ballyconnell & Swainilbar

4

BANTRY

10

BIRR

6

BRAY

59

BUNCRANA

13

CAHIRCIVEEN

0

CARLOW

25

CASHEL

15

CAVAN

25

CASTLEBAR

20

CLIFDEN

2

CLONMEL

16

CLONAKILTY

25

CORK CITY

371

CARRICK ON SHANNON

15

CARRICKMACROSS

14

CARNDONAGH

18

CARRICK ON SUIR

3

CASTLEREA

17

AN DAINGEAN

0

DUBLIN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

3,637

DUNGARVAN

22

DONEGAL

2

DROGHEDA

35

DOIRE AN FHEICH

8

DUNDALK

20

AN CLOCHAN LIATH

2

EDENDERRY

6

ENNIS

130

AN FAL CARRACH

2

FERMOY

38

GALWAY

96

NA GLEANNTA

3

GORT

4

GOREY

160

KELLS

7

KENMARE

0

KINSALE

15

KILLALOE

15

CILL RONAIN

0

KILCOCK

14

KILKENNY

54

KILLORGLIN

0

KILRUSH

11

KILLARNEY

12

LETTERKENNY

42

LIMERICK

168

LISMORE

6

LISTOWEL

5

LONGFORD

106

LOUGHREA

32

MACROOM

58

MALLOW

60

MANORHAMILTON

0

MIDLETON

103

MONAGHAN

8

MULLINGAR

98

NAAS

81

NENAGH

12

NEWCASTLE WEST

40

NAVAN

34

PORTLAOISE

45

ROSCOMMON

50

SKIBBEREEN

16

SLIGO

18

STROKESTOWN

13

SWINFORD

2

THURLES

27

TIPPERARY

4

TRALEE

9

TRIM

2

TUAM

33

TUBBERCURRY

7

TULLAMORE

69

VIRGINIA

29

WEXFORD

150

WICKLOW

31

WESTPORT

2

WATERFORD CITY

89

YOUGHAL

6

TOTAL

6,630

Top
Share