Paul Murphy
Question:147. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the recognition of the Traveller community as an ethnic minority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38838/15]
View answerTraveller Community
Questions (147)
Written answers
At my request - and following an earlier round of consultations with other Departments and the Traveller community on this issue - my Department has continued its discussions with Traveller interests with a view to developing a precise understanding of the legal implications, if any, of the recognition that the Traveller community is seeking. To facilitate a focussed discussion, 4 national-level Travellers NGOs agreed a formal statement of what they are seeking and what they envisage such recognition will achieve in practical terms as well as in terms of the status and position of Travellers in Irish society and on 15 July 2015 hosted a round-table discussion with relevant Government Departments and Traveller representatives with a view to clarifying any remaining issues.
The Deputy will be aware that there is a consultation process underway led by the Department of Justice and Equality to develop a new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. Phase 1 (identification of key themes for the new Strategy) has been completed, and Phase 2 (identification and agreement of high-level objectives under each agreed theme) will commence shortly. The final Phase, Phase 3 (identification of detailed actions to achieve each agreed objective, with associated timescales, Key Performance Indicators, institutional responsibilities and monitoring arrangements), will commence in early 2016 and conclude also in early 2016.
This process will give us a new Traveller Inclusion Strategy and a set of very real actions that need to be taken to bring about a real improvement in quality of life for Travellers. The question of the recognition of Travellers as an ethnic group is being considered and discussed further in the context of the development of this new Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy.
Commencement of Legislation
Questions (148)
Colm Keaveney
Question:148. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sections of the Disability Act 2005 that still have to be commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38856/15]
View answerWritten answers
With the exception of Part 2 of the Act, which is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Health, and which has been commenced in respect of children under five years of age only, all provisions of the Disability Act 2005 have been commenced and are in force.
Legislative Measures
Questions (149)
Terence Flanagan
Question:149. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if subsection 7(3)(c) of the Equal Status Act 2000 will be amended (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38857/15]
View answerWritten answers
Section 7 of the Equal Status Act 2000 generally prohibits discrimination in relation to the admission policy operated by an educational establishment except where it is a primary or post-primary school operating in an environment which promotes certain religious values. In such circumstances, the school, under subsection 7(3)(c), may favour the enrolment of students of a particular religious denomination in preference of others, or refuse to admit a student who is not of that denomination. However, any preferential admission policy in this regard is only permitted to the extent that it is essential to maintaining the religious ethos of the particular school. The provision reflects the freedom of religion guaranteed in Article 44 of the Constitution as interpreted by the Superior Courts and in particular the right of every religious denomination to manage its own affairs and maintain institutions for religious or charitable purposes. There are currently no plans to amend this section of the Equal Status Act 2000.
The broader issue of schools' admission policies is a matter for the Department of Education and Skills.
Garda Remuneration
Questions (150)
Terence Flanagan
Question:150. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to increase pay rates for members of An Garda Síochána (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38859/15]
View answerWritten answers
New trainee Gardaí receive a basic allowance of €184 per week plus a living allowance of €77.92. After 32 weeks of training, Garda recruits are attested and move on to the first point of the Garda pay scale €23,171 rising to a maximum of €45,793 per annum after 19 years. The Garda pay scale does not include any allowances and does not reflect the full earnings of a Garda. Newly attested Gardaí are assigned to frontline duties and work the Garda Roster which attracts unsocial hours payments. Such payments amount to between 25% and 30% of their earnings. Even at the entry level of €23,171 and the lower end of unsocial hours scale, this will add almost €5,800 to their salary.
As the Deputy will be aware my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, has brought forward the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015. I welcome the fact that this Bill starts the process of the phased restoration of remuneration to public servants, including members of An Garda Síochána. The Bill provides inter alia, for any public servant whose annualised salary is below €24,001 to receive an increase in gross pay of 2.5% from 1 January 2016; and for those on annualised salaries between €24,001 and €31,000 to receive an increase in gross pay of 1% from 1 January 2016. Additionally, all public servants will benefit from the Pension Related Deduction (PRD) measures contained in the Bill.
Crime Data
Questions (151)
Jerry Buttimer
Question:151. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the economic cost of alcohol-related crime and the estimated overall economic cost of crime; if she will provide information on the cost, in terms of juveniles and adult criminal activity; initiatives being taken to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38891/15]
View answerWritten answers
A composite estimate of the overall economic cost of crime, or how it might be attributed according to crime category along the lines sought by the Deputy, is not readily available. Insofar as my Department is concerned, however, I can inform the Deputy that the gross expenditure associated with the operation of An Garda Síochána, the Prisons and Courts Services as well as other services related to crime and criminal justice was in the region of €2bn in 2014. This figure does not include the cost to the State of other response services, for example in the area of health and social services, or the direct cost to the State of theft or of losses arising from customs and other fraud, nor does it include the wider costs to society, which are undoubtedly substantial.
Insofar as alcohol related crime is concerned, it is widely accepted that alcohol plays a part in many crime situations, including road traffic offences and the Deputy will be aware of the extensive awareness raising and enforcement activities which are pursued in this regard. Alcohol can also be a contributing factor in many assault and public order offences and a range of legislative provisions are available to An Garda Síochána in order to address such criminal and anti-social behaviour, and to bring criminal proceedings where appropriate. These include measures under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Acts and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts. In particular, the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 gave particular powers to Gardaí to tackle misuse of alcohol, including the power to seize alcohol in the possession of persons under 18 years of age of to forestall public disorder or damage to property. Gardaí may also issue fixed charge notices for the offences of intoxication in a public place and disorderly conduct in a public place. Where young offenders are involved Gardaí may employ a range of options including the incremental system of warnings, good behaviour contracts and civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour provided under the Criminal Justice Act 2006, as well as the diversionary measures provided under the Children Act 2001.
More generally, Garda management employ relevant policing strategies to take account of the incidence of crime, including alcohol related crimes. In this context Gardaí also engage extensively with many community and business groups in relation to issues of local concern as well as participating in formal consultative structures such as Joint Policing Committees.
Prisoner Data
Questions (152)
Jerry Buttimer
Question:152. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of crimes committed by former prisoners; the reoffending rates of juveniles who have been detained; the most up-to-date figures on recidivism; the details of rehabilitation rates in prison; the funding provided for such; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38892/15]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to inform the Deputy that it has not been possible to provide the information requested in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly when this information is to hand.
Question No. 153 answered with Question No. 136.
Location of Victims' Remains
Questions (154)
Brendan Smith
Question:154. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if it is proposed to take any new initiatives to support the very important and difficult work of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains, as it is essential that every effort is made and public support given to assist in the recovery of the bodies of the disappeared; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38916/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) was established by the Irish and British Governments in 1999 as one among the actions taken to acknowledge and address the suffering of the victims of violence as a necessary element of reconciliation in the context of the Peace Process. The task of the ICLVR is to facilitate the location of the remains of a number of people who were killed and buried secretly by paramilitary organisations during the troubles. They have become known as the Disappeared.
The families of the Disappeared have had to face a very particular tragedy in not only having lost a loved one, but having been denied for so long information about the burial places of their loved ones.
With the support of the two Governments, the ICLVR has worked and continues to work tirelessly in pursuit of its task. Its only aim is to locate the victims' remains in order that they may be returned to their families to receive a decent burial. In this way the families will then have a grave at which to grieve and to remember.
Twelve of the victims on the ICLVR's list of the disappeared have been located, the most recent being Séamus Wright and Kevin McKee, whose remains were found by the ICLVR last June in Co. Meath. The ICLVR is continuing its inquiries in relation to the remaining four cases – Joe Lynskey, Columba McVeigh, Robert Nairac and Seamus Ruddy – and I can assure the families of my and the Government's continued full support for this ongoing humanitarian work.
I want to assure the Deputy that the ICLVR's investigation team has the resources it requires to conduct its work. It employs a wide range of techniques in this regard and, indeed, is considered a world leader in the field. However, as the Deputy will know the ICLVR's work is fundamentally driven by information, and this is the key resource for their efforts.
I would encourage anyone with information that could help to locate those still missing to give that information to the ICLVR without delay – contact details are on the ICLVR's website www.iclvr.ie. I would emphasise that all information provided to the ICLVR is treated as strictly confidential and, by law, can only be used to locate and identify the remains of victims.
Crime Data
Questions (155)
John Deasy
Question:155. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality for an up-to-date breakdown of crime statistics in the Waterford and Kilkenny-Carlow Garda division, by category of offence; and by individual Garda district. [38917/15]
View answerWritten 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 matters referred to, I have requested the CSO to provide the available statistics directly to the Deputy.
Garda Deployment
Questions (156)
John Deasy
Question:156. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current deployment levels of gardaí and civilian staff, by district and by station, within the Waterford and Kilkenny-Carlow Garda division; and the number of gardaí allocated to this division in each of the past five years. [38918/15]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of resources. The area referred to by the Deputy is covered by two Garda Divisions, namely the Kilkenny/Carlow and Waterford Divisions. The following tables set out the current deployment of both Garda and civilians and also the overall Garda numbers allocated to these Divisions, in a separate table, in each of the past five years.
This Government is committed to the ongoing recruitment of trainee Gardaí, and to this end the first intake since 2009 of new recruits commenced training at the Garda College, Templemore, in September of last year. To date there has been five intakes of Garda Trainees to the Garda College, giving a total intake of 475. It is planned that a further 75 recruits will enter college by the end of November, bringing total recruitment of Garda Trainees since September 2014 to 550. The Government has approved the recruitment of a further 600 Garda Trainees in 2016 and these positions will be advertised shortly. So far 295 of the new Garda Trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána. On attestation, new Probationer Gardaí are assigned to Garda stations throughout the country by the Garda Commissioner, where they are assigned to mainstream uniform policing duties. I am assured by Garda management that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of newly attested Gardaí and in this regard I am informed that 10 and 14 Probationer Gardaí have been assigned to Kilkenny/Carlow and Waterford Divisions, respectively.
Kilkenny/Carlow and Waterford Garda Division as of 31 August 2015
|
Division |
District |
Station |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
Resv. |
Civilians |
|
BALLON |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||
|
BORRIS |
2 |
2 |
|||||||||
|
CARLOW |
58 |
10 |
1 |
1 |
70 |
13 |
6 |
||||
|
HACKETSTOWN |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||
|
MUINEBHEAG |
9 |
2 |
11 |
2 |
|||||||
|
MYSHALL |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||
|
RATHVILLY |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||
|
TULLOW |
13 |
2 |
15 |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
CARLOW |
Total |
86 |
14 |
1 |
1 |
102 |
7 |
||||
|
CALLAN |
5 |
5 |
|||||||||
|
CASTLECOMER |
9 |
3 |
12 |
1 |
|||||||
|
FRESHFORD |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||
|
KILKENNY |
80 |
15 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
104 |
15 |
14 |
||
|
URLINGFORD |
2 |
2 |
|||||||||
|
KILKENNY |
Total |
97 |
18 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
124 |
15 |
||
|
BENNETSBRIDGE |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||
|
GLENMORE |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||
|
GORESBRIDGE |
2 |
2 |
|||||||||
|
GRAIGUENAMANAGH |
4 |
4 |
1 |
||||||||
|
KILMACOW |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||
|
KILMOGANNY |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||
|
MOONCOIN |
9 |
2 |
11 |
1 |
|||||||
|
MULLINAVAT |
2 |
2 |
|||||||||
|
PILTOWN |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||
|
THOMASTOWN |
26 |
4 |
1 |
31 |
5 |
3 |
|||||
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
THOMASTOWN |
Total |
48 |
6 |
1 |
55 |
5 |
||||
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW Total |
231 |
38 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
281 |
36 |
27 |
||
|
AGLISH |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||
|
AN RINN |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||
|
ARDMORE |
2 |
2 |
|||||||||
|
CAPPOQUIN |
2 |
2 |
|||||||||
|
DUNGARVAN |
36 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
44 |
5 |
|||||
|
LISMORE |
2 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
|||||||
|
TALLOW |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||||||
|
DUNGARVAN |
Total |
46 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
56 |
6 |
||||
|
KILMACTHOMAS |
7 |
1 |
8 |
1 |
|||||||
|
TRAMORE |
28 |
5 |
1 |
34 |
12 |
3 |
|||||
|
TRAMORE |
Total |
35 |
6 |
1 |
42 |
4 |
|||||
|
DUNMORE EAST |
2 |
2 |
|||||||||
|
FERRYBANK |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||||||
|
PASSAGE EAST |
1 |
1 |
|||||||||
|
WATERFORD |
142 |
25 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
174 |
20 |
18 |
|||
|
WATERFORD |
WATERFORD |
Total |
149 |
26 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
182 |
18 |
||
|
WATERFORD Total |
230 |
40 |
6 |
3 |
1 |
280 |
32 |
28 |
Garda Strength
|
Year |
Kilkenny/Carlow |
Waterford |
|
*2015 |
281 |
280 |
|
2014 |
279 |
274 |
|
2013 |
289 |
274 |
|
2012 |
298 |
284 |
|
2011 |
303 |
290 |
|
2010 |
317 |
302 |
*August 2015
Question No. 157 answered with Question No. 146.