Written Answers Nos. 43-46
43. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the recorded annualised crime statistics (details supplied) for the Cork city Garda district for the second quarter of 2015; and the second quarter of 2014, in tabular form. [35849/15]
View answerAs 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 matters referred to, I have requested the CSO to provide the available statistics directly to the Deputy.
44. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is considering proposals to recruit civilian personnel to work in Garda Síochána stations with a view to reserving trained gardaí for specific police work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35871/15]
View answerAt present civilians make up 14% of the overall Garda workforce. They are employed in a wide range of management, administrative, technical and operational roles where they make an invaluable contribution to the delivery of effective policing services throughout the country. The increased budget allocation for An Garda Síochána in 2016 which I announced yesterday, in addition to providing for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí, provides for the recruitment of additional civilian experts, in particular to develop the Garda ICT investment programme.
I am committed to ensuring that the overall composition of the Garda workforce achieves the right balance between highly trained Gardaí and professional, skilled civilian staff. Having regard to international experience, there is undoubtedly value in exploring further opportunities for increasing the ratio of civilians to Gardaí, and for releasing Gardaí from administrative and other positions to front-line duties. The process which is currently ongoing to civilianise border control functions at Dublin airport and the transfer of these responsibilities from An Garda Síochána to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department is an excellent example of this. The first phase of that project is now completed with civilian staff of INIS operating all passport controls in Terminal 1 on a 24/7 basis from 22 June, 2015. The project is on schedule to be completed by the end of the year when civilian staff will be operating on a 24/7 basis in both Terminals of Dublin Airport. I am also looking at deploying civilian officers to other major ports of entry to the State where this makes sense from a cost and efficiency perspective.
Further work in this area will be progressed in conjunction with the Garda Commissioner in the context of the forthcoming report of the Garda Inspectorate of its review under the Haddington Road Agreement. The terms of reference of that review include all aspects of the operation and administration of An Garda Síochána including the structure, organisation and staffing of An Garda Síochána and the deployment of members and civilian staff to relevant and appropriate roles.
45. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais cad iad na socruithe atá déanta chun a chinntiú go mbeidh na foirmeacha dá dtagraítear in Ionstraim Reachtúil 398 de 2015 ar fáil i nGaeilge, ar iad a éileamh, de bhun an bhreithiúnais in Ó Beoláin v Fahy sa Chúirt Uachtarach; an bhfuil socrú déanta chun gur féidir na gairis anála agus na hIonstraimí Reachtúla a ghabhann leis an leagan Gaeilge den fhoirm a chur ar fáil, ar iad a éileamh; cad iad na socruithe atá déanta chun freastal ar dhuine a dhiúltaíonn an leagan Béarla a shíniú de réir a gceart bunúsach, mar a sonraíodh sa Chúirt Uachtarach iad, agus chun a chinntiú go mbeidh leagan Gaeilge den fhoirm ar fáil i gcónaí; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [35885/15]
View answerMar a thuigfidh an Teachta, ní feidhm de mo chuid mar Aire Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais é comhairle nó léirmhíniú a chur ar fáil i ndáil le haon bhreithiúnas cúirte ar leith. Táim tar éis tuarascáil a lorg ó údaráis an Gharda Síochána maidir leis na saincheisteanna oibríochta a ardaíodh i dtaca le cur i ngníomh Ionstraim Reachtúil Uimh. 398, na Rialacháin fán Acht um Thrácht ar Bhóithre, 2010 (Alt 13) (An Fhoirm Fhorordaithe agus an Modh Forordaithe maidir le Ráitis), 2015, arna síniú ina dlí le gairid ag mo chomhghleacaí, an tAire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt. Rachaidh mé i dteagmháil leis an Teachta arís a luaithe a bheidh an tuarascáil sin ar fáil.
46. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department recently held competitions for staff for various overseas visa offices; the number of male and female applicants who applied; who were short-listed for interview; who were successfully placed on a panel for possible appointment, by grade in each case; if there is any review channel for candidates who are dissatisfied with decisions made during the recruitment process; if so, the number of complaints received, by grade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35893/15]
View answerI can confirm that my Department recently invited expressions of interest among staff at Clerical Officer, Executive Officer and Higher Executive/Administrative Officer level for assignment in their current grade to posts at Irish Embassies Abroad. All persons who responded to the expressions of interest were invited for interview.
The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in tabular form.
Higher Executive/Administrative Officer/Head of Visa Section
|
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
|
Applications received |
8 |
12 |
20 |
The interviews for the Higher Executive/Administrative Officer posts have not yet been conducted. It is anticipated that interviews for these posts will be held in the coming weeks.
Executive Officer/Visa Officer
|
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
|
Applications received |
11 |
10 |
21 |
|
Placed on panel |
8 |
8 |
16 |
Clerical Officer/Assistant Visa Officer
|
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
|
Applications received |
15 |
11 |
26 |
|
Placed on Panel |
11 |
8 |
19 |
As assignment to above the posts do not involve promotion to a higher grade the terms of the Code of Practice titled Appointment to Positions in the Civil Service and Public Service published by the Commission for Public Service Appointments do not apply. No complaints have been received by the Human Resources Division of my Department under these expressions of interest. If, however, the Deputy is aware of specific concerns being raised by an applicant it is suggested that the individual should bring these to the attention of my Department's Personnel Officer.
