Written Answers Nos. 83 - 104
83. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures in place to relieve gardaí of administrative duties and to allow them to concentrate their efforts on crime prevention; her plans to focus on this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42294/15]
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 continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of resources.
There are currently over 2,000 full-time-equivalent civilian support staff in the Garda Síochána making up 14% of the overall Garda workforce. Civilian personnel wholly or largely staff several vital operational support areas such as the Garda Central Vetting Unit, the Garda Information Services Centre, and the Fixed Charge Processing Office They also provide vital support services in a wide range of areas, such as human resources, training & development, IT and telecommunications, finance and procurement, internal audit, research and analysis, accommodation and fleet management, scene-of-crime support and medical services. In doing so, they release highly trained Gardaí from administrative tasks to operational policing.
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 civilianisation of front-line immigration checks in Terminal 2 is under way with civilian staff operating checks at the transit desk in that Terminal since October, 2015. The move to a 24/7 civilian operation in Terminal 2 will be completed over the coming months. 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 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.
84. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the implementation of the working group's recommendation to prioritise applicants for asylum who are waiting for a decision for five years or more; if she is aware that information on implementation has not been communicated to a number of persons in this circumstance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42376/15]
View answerIn my response to Parliamentary Question No. 340 on 10 November last, I informed the Deputy that an analysis of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Working Group on the Protection Process had been prepared for the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Sector Reform.
The Deputy will be aware that the Report of the Working Group identifies the excessive length of time in the protection process as the most significant issue facing applicants, in particular those in the Direct Provision system. Notwithstanding the deliberations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on this matter, I am committed to tackling the lengthy delays in the protection system. A number of initiatives have already been taken to deal with the number of cases on hand, including the scheduling of interviews on Saturdays, the transfer of subsidiary protection application processing to the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, the establishment and subsequent enhancement of a legal panel to assist the Commissioner with this work, and the appointment of additional members to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
As I also mentioned in my response to the Deputy on 10 November last, one of the key recommendations in the Working Group Report is the early enactment of the International Protection Bill which will provide for the introduction of a single application procedure for international protection, which is specifically aimed at addressing the length of time persons spend in the protection process. The Bill provides for the transfer of responsibility for the processing of protection applications from the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner to the Department of Justice and Equality. It is intended to establish a Protection Office within the Department for this purpose. The Bill also provides for the establishment of an independent International Protection Appeals Tribunal. The new procedure will significantly streamline and speed up the processing of protection applications and will reduce the length of time that persons spend in the Direct Provision system. Existing best practice will be protected and embedded within the new regime. The Deputy will be aware that I published the Bill last week with a view to have it enacted by year end.
85. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána stations and the number of gardaí in each station in County Cavan and in County Monaghan on 1 November 2010 and on 1 November 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42418/15]
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 taking into account 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 list of stations and the number of Gardaí assigned to those stations in the Cavan/Monaghan Division on the 31 October 2010 and on the 31 October 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the tables.
This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to provide effective, visible policing throughout the country. A crucial element of the Government's strategy is ongoing seamless recruitment to renew An Garda Síochána. With this in mind Budget 2016 made provision for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí next year bringing to 1,150 the number of new Gardaí that will be recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014. So far 295 of those new recruits are fully attested and are on the ground in communities nationwide.
I was very pleased to announce the commencement of the recruitment campaign for 2016 last Friday, 27 November. It is being organised by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Garda Commissioner. Applications must be made through www.publicjobs.ie. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 5 January 2016. Successful candidates can expect to enter the Garda College from June 2016 onwards.
Cavan/Monaghan Division 2010
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Total |
|
BAILIEBORO |
40 |
||
|
BALLYJAMESDUFF |
4 |
||
|
COOTEHILL |
9 |
||
|
KINGSCOURT |
6 |
||
|
MULLAGH |
1 |
||
|
SHERCOCK |
2 |
||
|
TULLYVIN |
0 |
||
|
VIRGINIA |
5 |
||
|
BAILIEBORO |
Total |
67 |
|
|
BALLYCONNELL |
29 |
||
|
BAWNBOY |
1 |
||
|
BELTURBET |
4 |
||
|
BLACKLION |
4 |
||
|
DOWRA |
2 |
||
|
KILLESHANDRA |
2 |
||
|
SWANLINBAR |
2 |
||
|
BALLYCONNELL |
Total |
44 |
|
|
BALLYBAY |
5 |
||
|
CARRICKMACROSS |
51 |
||
|
CASTLEBLANEY |
24 |
||
|
CORRINSHIGAGH |
2 |
||
|
ROCKCORRY |
1 |
||
|
SHANTONAGH |
2 |
||
|
CARRICKMACROSS |
Total |
85 |
|
|
ARVA |
3 |
||
|
BALLINAGH |
3 |
||
|
CAVAN |
69 |
||
|
KILNALECK |
4 |
||
|
REDHILLS |
1 |
||
|
STRADONE |
1 |
||
|
CAVAN |
Total |
81 |
|
|
CLONES |
9 |
||
|
CLONTIBRET |
1 |
||
|
EMYVALE |
4 |
||
|
MONAGHAN |
101 |
||
|
NEWBLISS |
1 |
||
|
SCOTSTOWN |
4 |
||
|
SMITHBORO |
0 |
||
|
MONAGHAN |
Total |
120 |
|
|
CAVAN / MONAGHAN |
Total |
34 Stations |
397 |
Garda Division of Cavan / Monaghan 31 October 2015
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Total |
|
CAVAN / MONAGHAN |
BAILIEBORO |
BAILIEBORO |
39 |
|
BALLYJAMESDUFF |
3 |
||
|
COOTEHILL |
6 |
||
|
KINGSCOURT |
3 |
||
|
MULLAGH |
1 |
||
|
SHERCOCK |
1 |
||
|
VIRGINIA |
11 |
||
|
BAILIEBORO Total |
64 |
||
|
CARRICKMACROSS |
BALLYBAY |
3 |
|
|
CARRICKMACROSS |
42 |
||
|
CASTLEBLANEY |
27 |
||
|
ROCKCORRY |
2 |
||
|
CARRICKMACROSS Total |
74 |
||
|
CAVAN |
ARVA |
3 |
|
|
BALLINAGH |
1 |
||
|
BALLYCONNELL |
17 |
||
|
BELTURBET |
6 |
||
|
BLACKLION |
3 |
||
|
CAVAN |
60 |
||
|
DOWRA |
1 |
||
|
KILLESHANDRA |
1 |
||
|
KILNALECK |
3 |
||
|
SWANLINBAR |
1 |
||
|
CAVAN Total |
96 |
||
|
MONAGHAN |
CLONES |
5 |
|
|
EMYVALE |
3 |
||
|
MONAGHAN |
78 |
||
|
SCOTSTOWN |
2 |
||
|
MONAGHAN Total |
88 |
||
|
CAVAN / MONAGHAN Total |
25 Stations |
322 |
86. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána stations and the number of gardaí in each station in County Mayo on 1 November 2010 and on 1 November 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42402/15]
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 taking into account 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 list of stations and the number of Gardaí assigned to those stations in the Mayo Division on the 31 October 2010 and 31 October 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the tables.
This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to provide effective, visible policing throughout the country. A crucial element of the Government's strategy is ongoing seamless recruitment to renew An Garda Síochána. With this in mind Budget 2016 made provision for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí next year bringing to 1,150 the number of new Gardaí that will be recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014. So far 295 of those new recruits are fully attested and are on the ground in communities nationwide.
I was very pleased to announce the commencement of the recruitment campaign for 2016 last Friday, 27 November. It is being organised by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Garda Commissioner. Applications must be made through www.publicjobs.ie. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 5 January 2016. Successful candidates can expect to enter the Garda College from June 2016 onwards.
Mayo Garda Division October 2010
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Total |
|
BALLINA |
50 |
||
|
BALLYCASTLE |
1 |
||
|
BONNICONLON |
1 |
||
|
CROSSMOLINA |
4 |
||
|
KILLALA |
1 |
||
|
LAHARDANE |
1 |
||
|
BALLINA |
Total |
58 |
|
|
BALLYCROY |
1 |
||
|
BANGOR ERRIS |
3 |
||
|
BELLACORICK |
1 |
||
|
BELMULLET |
19 |
||
|
BLACKSOD |
1 |
||
|
GLENAMOY |
1 |
||
|
BELMULLET |
Total |
26 |
|
|
BALLA |
2 |
||
|
BALLYGLASS |
1 |
||
|
BALLYVARY |
1 |
||
|
CASTLEBAR |
76 |
||
|
GARDA INFO SERVICES |
3 |
||
|
GLENISLAND |
0 |
||
|
PARTRY |
2 |
||
|
TOURMAKEADY |
1 |
||
|
CASTLEBAR |
Total |
86 |
|
|
BALLINDINE |
1 |
||
|
BALLINROBE |
9 |
||
|
CLAREMORRIS |
37 |
||
|
CONG |
1 |
||
|
HOLLYMOUNT |
1 |
||
|
KILMAINE |
0 |
||
|
KNOCK |
2 |
||
|
SHRULE |
1 |
||
|
CLAREMORRIS |
Total |
52 |
|
|
BALLYHAUNIS |
10 |
||
|
CHARLESTOWN |
7 |
||
|
FOXFORD |
3 |
||
|
KILKELLY |
9 |
||
|
KILTIMAGH |
3 |
||
|
SWINFORD |
28 |
||
|
SWINFORD |
Total |
60 |
|
|
ACHILL SOUND |
3 |
||
|
KEEL |
0 |
||
|
LOUISBURGH |
2 |
||
|
MULRANNY |
1 |
||
|
NEWPORT |
3 |
||
|
WESTPORT |
30 |
||
|
WESTPORT |
Total |
39 |
|
|
MAYO |
Total |
39 Stations |
321 |
Mayo Garda Division 31 October 2015
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Total |
|
BALLINA |
45 |
||
|
BONNICONLON |
1 |
||
|
CROSSMOLINA |
5 |
||
|
FOXFORD |
3 |
||
|
BALLINA |
KILLALA |
2 |
|
|
Total |
56 |
||
|
BALLYCROY |
1 |
||
|
BANGOR ERRIS |
3 |
||
|
BÉAL AN MHUIRTHEAD |
25 |
||
|
BELMULLET |
GLEANN NA MUAIDHE |
1 |
|
|
Total |
30 |
||
|
BALLA |
2 |
||
|
CASTLEBAR |
80 |
||
|
CASTLEBAR |
PARTRY |
1 |
|
|
Total |
83 |
||
|
BALLINDINE |
1 |
||
|
BALLINROBE |
7 |
||
|
BALLYHAUNIS |
10 |
||
|
CHARLESTOWN |
5 |
||
|
CLAREMORRIS |
37 |
||
|
CONG |
1 |
||
|
KILKELLY |
5 |
||
|
KILMAINE |
1 |
||
|
KILTIMAGH |
1 |
||
|
KNOCK |
1 |
||
|
SHRULE |
1 |
||
|
CLAREMORRIS |
SWINFORD |
23 |
|
|
Total |
93 |
||
|
ACHILL SOUND |
5 |
||
|
KEEL |
1 |
||
|
LOUISBURGH |
2 |
||
|
NEWPORT |
2 |
||
|
WESTPORT |
WESTPORT |
30 |
|
|
MAYO |
Total |
40 |
|
|
Total |
302 |
||
|
29 Stations |
87. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda Síochána station in County Louth on 1 November 2010 and on 1 November 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42426/15]
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 taking into account 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 list of stations and the number of Gardaí assigned to those stations in the Louth Division on the 31 October 2010 and on the 31 October 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the tables.
This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to provide effective, visible policing throughout the country. A crucial element of the Government's strategy is ongoing seamless recruitment to renew An Garda Síochána. With this in mind Budget 2016 made provision for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí next year bringing to 1,150 the number of new Gardaí that will be recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014. So far 295 of those new recruits are fully attested and are on the ground in communities nationwide.
I was very pleased to announce the commencement of the recruitment campaign for 2016 last Friday, 27 November. It is being organised by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Garda Commissioner. Applications must be made through www.publicjobs.ie. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 5 January 2016. Successful candidates can expect to enter the Garda College from June 2016 onwards.
Louth Garda Division 31 Oct 2010
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Total |
|
ARDEE |
31 |
||
|
CASTLEBELLINGHAM |
3 |
||
|
COLLON |
6 |
||
|
LOUTH |
1 |
||
|
ARDEE |
Total |
41 |
|
|
CLOUGHERHEAD |
4 |
||
|
DROGHEDA |
102 |
||
|
DUNLEER |
5 |
||
|
DROGHEDA |
Total |
111 |
|
|
BLACKROCK |
5 |
||
|
CARLINGFORD |
6 |
||
|
DROMAD |
7 |
||
|
DUNDALK |
133 |
||
|
HACKBALLSCROSS |
8 |
||
|
OMEATH |
5 |
||
|
DUNDALK |
Total |
164 |
|
|
LOUTH |
Total |
13 Stations |
316 |
Louth Garda Division 31 October 2015
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Total |
|
ARDEE |
25 |
||
|
CASTLEBELLINGHAM |
2 |
||
|
COLLON |
5 |
||
|
ARDEE |
LOUTH |
1 |
|
|
Total |
33 |
||
|
CLOUGHERHEAD |
3 |
||
|
DROGHEDA |
95 |
||
|
DROGHEDA |
DUNLEER |
6 |
|
|
Total |
104 |
||
|
BLACKROCK |
3 |
||
|
CARLINGFORD |
5 |
||
|
DRUMAD |
7 |
||
|
DUNDALK |
122 |
||
|
HACKBALLSCROSS |
4 |
||
|
DUNDALK |
OMEATH |
3 |
|
|
LOUTH |
Total |
144 |
|
|
Total |
13 Stations |
281 |
88. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the analysis she has carried out regarding potential security threats posed by Ireland's facilitation of the US military at Shannon in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42387/15]
View answerAs I have stated to the House previously, Ireland, in common with other democratic states, faces a threat from international terrorism. The current assessment is that while an attack here is possible, it is unlikely and there is no specific information that an attack here is planned. The level of threat from this source is kept under constant review by An Garda Síochána and the Garda Authorities have reference to all relevant information in carrying out their assessments, including international events.
I am aware of comments made previously to the effect that Ireland is a target because we permit US planes to refuel at Shannon Airport. However, permission to land in the State is subject to clear policy stipulations – that aircraft are unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives, do not engage in intelligence gathering and that the flights do not form part of military exercises or operations. These arrangements apply to all foreign military aircraft landing in Shannon. These arrangements are fully consistent with our policy of military neutrality.
I can assure the House that An Garda Síochána, supported where necessary by the Defence Forces, is taking all possible steps to deal with any threat to this country. The Deputy will understand that, of their nature, security measures should not be disclosed publicly.
89. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional resources that will be made available to An Garda Síochána in north and west Cork under Operation Thor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42405/15]
View answerOperation Thor is a multi-stranded national operation which builds on previous and current Garda operations to tackle crime, particularly burglaries the number of which, as we know, increase with the advent of the long winter nights, in both urban and rural communities nationwide. In excess of €5 million is being committed to support Operation Thor. This allocation, which includes funding for Garda overtime will support a combination of additional patrols, checkpoints, rapid armed response and public awareness measures.
This special, targeted operation has to be seen in the context of the major investment that this Government is making in An Garda Síochána. The 2016 Budget allocation of €1.5 billion for An Garda Síochána includes over €67 million in additional funding which will allow the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí next year on top of the 550 Gardaí recruited since this Government reopened the Garda College in September 2014. It will also provide additional funding for Garda Surveillance, special operations and targeted, intelligence-led policing. This additional recruitment and budget allocation builds on the current high level of investment in Garda vehicles. We have invested over €34 million in new Garda vehicles since 2012 with over 640 new vehicles coming on stream in 2015, ranging from more Garda patrol cars to high-powered vehicles for armed units. The Government's Capital Plan 2016-2021 provides for a further €46 million of investment in vehicles as well as an additional €200 million for Information and Communications Technology which will allow An Garda Síochána to deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime. We are also investing in airborne surveillance. Taken together, this step-change in investment in policing will ensure that the Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive, on the roads and in the community.
Operation Thor entails a broad range of activities to tackle burglars, organised crime gangs and prolific offenders as well as working with communities to prevent crime. These activities include: additional high-visibility patrols in identified burglary hot-spots; increased use of checkpoints to tackle the criminal gangs using the national road network; the use of new high powered vehicles by the armed Regional Response Units; efforts to disrupt the stolen goods market; programmes to help reduce re-offending by prolific offenders; a high-profile national crime prevention awareness campaign, and targeted crime prevention advice for local communities and enhanced supports for victims.
The Commissioner, in consultation with her senior management team, is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including the additional allocation of the €5 million to support Operation Thor. The Commissioner has assured me that she will aim to maximise the use of these additional resources. A large proportion of domestic burglaries are committed by serial offenders. Figures from the Garda Síochána Analysis Service indicate that 75% of burglaries are committed by 25% of burglars. Targeting these prolific offenders is a priority, consequently the allocation of resources under Operation Thor will be intelligence led and based on analysis of crime patterns by An Garda Síochána. The aim is to deploy resources in advance of where An Garda Síochána anticipate crime might take place in order to prevent the crime occurring.
In this context the Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible to detail the additional resources that will be made available to any one County under Operation Thor. However the Commissioner will continually review the allocation of resources under the Operation, taking into account crime trends and policing priorities across the Garda Regions so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I am confident that this comprehensive operation by An Garda Síochána, supported by Government investment, will help disrupt the activities of burglars, organised crime gangs and prolific offenders and will improve the safety of all our communities across the country.
90. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on the emergency meeting of EU Justice and Interior Ministers in Brussels in Belgium on 20 November 2015 which discussed the European Union’s response to the terrorist attacks in Paris in France; the proposals the Irish Government made as being the most appropriate response to the tragic events there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42436/15]
View answerOn 20 November 2015, I met with EU Justice and Interior Ministers in emergency session in Brussels to discuss the European Union's response to the terrorist attacks, which took place in Paris on 13 November 2015. As well as making clear Member States’ solidarity with France, the focus of Ministers’ was ensuring an appropriate and unified response to the attacks, including all reasonable measures to counteract the terrorism threat. In this regard, the Council Conclusions of 20 November 2015 underline the importance of accelerating the implementation of all areas covered by the statement on counter-terrorism issued by the Members of the European Council on 12 February 2015 and in particular of the following measures: the EU Passenger Name Record (PNR) directive, firearms, controls of external borders, information sharing, terrorist financing, and the criminal justice response to terrorism and violent extremism.
At the meeting on 20 November, I expressed on behalf of Ireland my deepest sympathy to the French Government and to the people of France. I offered Ireland’s support for the Council Conclusions, and in particular the proposals put forward by France.
In referring to the critical importance of cooperation between the police and intelligence services in combatting terrorism, I expressed my view that enhanced access for EU police and security services to data and intelligence sharing has a critical role in the fight against terrorism. An Garda Síochána already makes full use of the range of information sharing means available to them, including Interpol, Europol and especially bi-lateral information exchange. I added that we must always be careful to ensure that any additional measures we consider enhance rather than complicate that existing co-operation.
In relation to the European Passenger Name Record Directive, the Council emphasised that the Directive should include internal EU flights in its scope, provide for a sufficiently long period during which the PNR data can be retained in non-masked-out form and that the Directive should not be limited only to crimes of a transnational nature. I confirmed that Ireland fully supports the compromise proposals put forward by the Presidency in relation to the Directive in the interests of securing early agreement with the European Parliament before the end of 2015. I am satisfied that the Council’s general approach on the PNR proposal, which was established in April 2012 and supported by Ireland, contains a robust set of bespoke safeguards for privacy and data protection in the context of a proportionate framework for providing law enforcement access to PNR data to support the fight against terrorism and serious crime.
In relation to other issues discussed, I indicated Ireland’s support for the proposals relating to terrorist financing, given the fact that disrupting the flow of funds to terrorists is a vital aspect of combatting their activities. I also confirmed that Ireland supports EU common standards for the deactivation of firearms and welcomed the Commission’s proposal to develop an Action Plan against illegal trafficking of weapons. I acknowledged that the establishment in Europol of the Counter Terrorism Centre is an important development and that its role in removing illegal internet content will be particularly important in helping to stem the spread of material that contributes to radicalising people and feeding extremism.
91. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the practice of doubling and trebling the number of prisoners in prison cells is draconian; if there should be one prison bed per prison cell, given that many prisoners in custody have mental health issues and problems with anger management and given that cell sharing is proving very problematic for prison staff and prisoners. [42289/15]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that figures in relation to the prisoner population and capacity levels are published on their website www.irishprisons.ie on a daily basis. The Deputy should be aware that the overall bed capacity of the Irish Prison System is 4,116. On 26th November, 2015 there were 3,777 prisoners in custody. This represents a capacity rate of 92 per cent.
On 14 October 2015, there were 3,685 prisoners in custody. Of that total, 2,040 (55 per cent) prisoners were accommodated in single cells. There were 660 cells accommodating 2 prisoners (1,320 or 36% of prisoners), 85 cells accommodating 3 prisoners (255 prisoners) and 16 cells accommodating 4 or more prisoners (70 prisoners) of which 12 were dormitory room style accommodation in Shelton Abbey Open Centre.
I can inform the Deputy that all committals are assessed upon arrival to prison and matters requiring interventions, such as mental health issues and anger management are identified and assessed. Further, throughout the period of their incarceration, prisoners will be reviewed in order to establish the most practical and suitable programmes available to them to address factors impacting on their likelihood to re-offend upon release. This assessment process also seeks to ensure that wherever possible, prisoners are accommodated in cells appropriate to their needs. Some prisoners are more suited to multi-occupancy cells, while others are more suited to single-cell occupancy.
I wish to add that the Director General of the Irish Prison Service accepted the recommendations contained in the Report of the Commission of Investigation into the Death of Gary Douche (commonly referred to as the McMorrow Report). A "Cell Sharing Risk Assessment Policy" has been drafted and is currently being piloted in Midlands Prison. It is intended to roll-out the Assessment tool throughout the Estate in order to improve the safety of prisoners and staff alike.
92. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána stations and the number of gardaí in each station in the Limerick Garda Síochána division on 1 November 2010 and on 1 November 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42399/15]
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 taking into account 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 number of stations and the number of Gardaí assigned to those stations in the Limerick Division on the 31 October 2010 and on the 31 October 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the tables.
This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to provide effective, visible policing throughout the country. A crucial element of the Government's strategy is ongoing seamless recruitment to renew An Garda Síochána. With this in mind Budget 2016 made provision for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí next year bringing to 1,150 the number of new Gardaí that will be recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014. So far 295 of those new recruits are fully attested and are on the ground in communities nationwide.
I was very pleased to announce the commencement of the recruitment campaign for 2016 last Friday, 27 November. It is being organised by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Garda Commissioner. Applications must be made through www.publicjobs.ie. Theclosing date for applications is Tuesday 5 January 2016. Successful candidates can expect to enter the Garda College from June 2016 onwards.
Limerick Garda Division October 2010
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Total |
|
ADARE |
3 |
||
|
ASKEATON |
23 |
||
|
CROOM |
4 |
||
|
FOYNES |
1 |
||
|
GLIN |
1 |
||
|
PALLASKENRY |
1 |
||
|
RATHKEALE |
7 |
||
|
SHANAGOLDEN |
1 |
||
|
ASKEATON |
Total |
41 |
|
|
BALLYLANDERS |
1 |
||
|
BRUFF |
24 |
||
|
BRUREE |
1 |
||
|
CAPPAMORE |
2 |
||
|
DOON |
1 |
||
|
GALBALLY |
1 |
||
|
HOSPITAL |
1 |
||
|
KILFINANE |
1 |
||
|
KILMALLOCK |
6 |
||
|
MURROE |
3 |
||
|
OOLA |
1 |
||
|
PALLAS |
2 |
||
|
BRUFF |
Total |
44 |
|
|
ARDNACRUSHA |
3 |
||
|
CASTLECONNELL |
4 |
||
|
HENRY STREET |
268 |
||
|
MARY STREET |
18 |
||
|
MAYORSTONE PARK |
84 |
||
|
HENRY STREET |
Total |
377 |
|
|
ABBEYFEALE |
9 |
||
|
ATHEA |
1 |
||
|
BALLINGARRY |
1 |
||
|
CASTLETOWN CONYERS |
1 |
||
|
DRUMCOLLOGHER |
2 |
||
|
KILMEEDY |
1 |
||
|
NEWCASTLE WEST |
29 |
||
|
TOURNAFULLA |
1 |
||
|
NEWCASTLE WEST |
Total |
45 |
|
|
BALLYNEETY |
0 |
||
|
CAHERCONLISH |
1 |
||
|
PATRICKSWELL |
0 |
||
|
ROXBORO ROAD |
140 |
||
|
ROXBORO ROAD |
Total |
141 |
|
|
LIMERICK |
Total |
37 Stations |
648 |
Limerick Garda Division 31 October 2015
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Total |
|
BALLYLANDERS |
1 |
||
|
BRUFF |
27 |
||
|
BRUREE |
1 |
||
|
CAPPAMORE |
3 |
||
|
HOSPITAL |
2 |
||
|
KILMALLOCK |
6 |
||
|
MURROE |
2 |
||
|
BRUFF |
PALLAS |
1 |
|
|
Total |
43 |
||
|
ARDNACRUSHA |
3 |
||
|
CASTLECONNELL |
4 |
||
|
HENRY STREET |
233 |
||
|
HENRY STREET |
MAYORSTONE PARK |
71 |
|
|
Total |
311 |
||
|
ABBEYFEALE |
8 |
||
|
ADARE |
2 |
||
|
ASKEATON |
10 |
||
|
ATHEA |
1 |
||
|
CROOM |
3 |
||
|
DRUMCOLLOGHER |
2 |
||
|
FOYNES |
2 |
||
|
NEWCASTLE WEST |
36 |
||
|
PALLASKENRY |
1 |
||
|
NEWCASTLE WEST |
RATHKEALE |
10 |
|
|
Total |
75 |
||
|
BALLYNEETY |
2 |
||
|
CAHERCONLISH |
1 |
||
|
PATRICKSWELL |
2 |
||
|
ROXBORO ROAD |
ROXBORO ROAD |
121 |
|
|
LIMERICK |
Total |
126 |
|
|
Total 26 Stations |
555 |
93. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons from outside the European Economic Area who were refused asylum, work or study visa or residence applications by the United Kingdom authorities, and who subsequently entered Ireland from the United Kingdom and made similar applications to the Irish Government in each year from 2012 to 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42359/15]
View answerThe protection of the Common Travel Area is of utmost importance and the Irish Naturalisation and Citizenship Service (INIS) of my Department works closely with their UK counterparts across a number of areas to ensure that any abuses of the CTA are addressed.
Over the course of the past year or so, there has been a marked increase in the number of asylum applications from Southern Asian nationalities. Checks carried out show a previous UK immigration history in respect of a substantial number of these applicants. This year the number of applications for asylum is expected to reach over 3,300 compared to 1,448 last year. A large portion of this increase can be attributed to persons with previous UK immigration histories.
This matter has been raised at the highest levels between officials of the Department and the UK Home Office, specifically at meetings of the Common Travel Area Forum jointly chaired by the Acting Director of the INIS and his UK counterpart. Arising from this meeting a joint operation to detect illegal immigrants has been undertaken by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) and the UK Border Force to carry out checks at the ferry ports.
In addition, there is enhanced cooperation with the respective agencies and with the UK to fast track some applications under the Dublin Regulation to return the persons concerned to the UK as quickly as possible. A similar project is under way to fast track substantive asylum cases through to deportation stage and efforts are underway to enforce a number of Deportation Orders already processed where the applicants have been refused refugee status and leave to remain.
The immigration service works closely with the UK authorities to monitor and address any immigration abuses between the two countries and share relevant information on an ongoing basis in this regard.
It is not possible to compile the figures sought by the Deputy without expending a disproportionate amount of scarce resources. However, I can say that immigration controls at ports of entry to the State remains a crucial element of enforcement and the numbers of refusals of leave to land this year are expected to be significantly up on last years figure of 2,615. In that regard, it should be noted that in accordance with Section 4 of the Immigration Act, 2004, one of the grounds that a person can be refused leave to land is if the person concerned intends to travel (whether immediately or not) to the UK and would not qualify for admission had they come directly to the UK.
94. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional resources that will be made available to An Garda Síochána in County Cavan and County Monaghan under Operation Thor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42417/15]
View answerOperation Thor is a multi-stranded national operation which builds on previous and current Garda operations to tackle crime, particularly burglaries the number of which, as we know, increase with the advent of the long winter nights, in both urban and rural communities nationwide. In excess of €5 million is being committed to support Operation Thor. This allocation, which includes funding for Garda overtime will support a combination of additional patrols, checkpoints, rapid armed response and public awareness measures.
This special, targeted operation has to be seen in the context of the major investment that this Government is making in An Garda Síochána. The 2016 Budget allocation of €1.5 billion for An Garda Síochána includes over €67 million in additional funding which will allow the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí next year on top of the 550 Gardaí recruited since this Government reopened the Garda College in September 2014. It will also provide additional funding for Garda Surveillance, special operations and targeted, intelligence-led policing. This additional recruitment and budget allocation builds on the current high level of investment in Garda vehicles. We have invested over €34 million in new Garda vehicles since 2012 with over 640 new vehicles coming on stream in 2015, ranging from more Garda patrol cars to high-powered vehicles for armed units. The Government's Capital Plan 2016-2021 provides for a further €46 million of investment in vehicles as well as an additional €200 million for Information and Communications Technology which will allow An Garda Síochána to deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime. We are also investing in airborne surveillance. Taken together, this step-change in investment in policing will ensure that the Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive, on the roads and in the community.
Operation Thor entails a broad range of activities to tackle burglars, organised crime gangs and prolific offenders as well as working with communities to prevent crime. These activities include: additional high-visibility patrols in identified burglary hot-spots; increased use of checkpoints to tackle the criminal gangs using the national road network; the use of new high powered vehicles by the armed Regional Response Units; efforts to disrupt the stolen goods market; programmes to help reduce re-offending by prolific offenders; a high-profile national crime prevention awareness campaign, and targeted crime prevention advice for local communities and enhanced supports for victims.
The Commissioner, in consultation with her senior management team, is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including the additional allocation of the €5 million to support Operation Thor. The Commissioner has assured me that she will aim to maximise the use of these additional resources. A large proportion of domestic burglaries are committed by serial offenders. Figures from the Garda Síochána Analysis Service indicate that 75% of burglaries are committed by 25% of burglars. Targeting these prolific offenders is a priority, consequently the allocation of resources under Operation Thor will be intelligence led and based on analysis of crime patterns by An Garda Síochána. The aim is to deploy resources in advance of where An Garda Síochána anticipate crime might take place in order to prevent the crime occurring.
In this context the Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible to detail the additional resources that will be made available to any one County under Operation Thor. However the Commissioner will continually review the allocation of resources under the Operation, taking into account crime trends and policing priorities across the Garda Regions so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I am confident that this comprehensive operation by An Garda Síochána, supported by Government investment, will help disrupt the activities of burglars, organised crime gangs and prolific offenders and will improve the safety of all our communities across the country.
95. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána stations and the number of gardaí in each station in the Gurranbraher and Mayfield Cork city Garda Síochána districts on 1 November 2010 and on 1 November 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42408/15]
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 taking into account 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 list of stations and the number of Gardaí assigned to those stations in the Gurranbraher and Mayfield Garda Districts on the 31 October 2010 and on the 31 October 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the tables.
This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to provide effective, visible policing throughout the country. A crucial element of the Government's strategy is ongoing seamless recruitment to renew An Garda Síochána. With this in mind Budget 2016 made provision for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí next year bringing to 1,150 the number of new Gardaí that will be recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014. So far 295 of those new recruits are fully attested and are on the ground in communities nationwide.
I was very pleased to announce the commencement of the recruitment campaign for 2016 last Friday, 27 November. It is being organised by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Garda Commissioner. Applications must be made through www.publicjobs.ie. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 5 January 2016. Successful candidates can expect to enter the Garda College from June 2016 onwards.
Gurranabraher and Mayfield Garda Districts October 2010
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Total |
|
BALLINCOLLIG |
22 |
||
|
BLARNEY |
17 |
||
|
GURRANABRAHER |
60 |
||
|
RATHDUFF GRENAGH |
2 |
||
|
GURRANABRAHER |
Total |
101 |
|
|
MALLOW ROAD |
5 |
||
|
MAYFIELD |
59 |
||
|
MC CURTAIN STREET |
0 |
||
|
WATERCOURSE ROAD |
48 |
||
|
CORK CITY |
MAYFIELD |
8 Stations Total |
112 |
Gurranabraher and Mayfield Garda Districts on 31 October 2015
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Total |
|
BALLINCOLLIG |
20 |
||
|
BLARNEY |
18 |
||
|
CARRIG NA BHFEAR |
1 |
||
|
GURRANABRAHER |
GURRANABRAHER |
54 |
|
|
Total |
93 |
||
|
GLANMIRE |
19 |
||
|
MAYFIELD |
51 |
||
|
MAYFIELD |
WATERCOURSE ROAD |
47 |
|
|
Cork City |
Total 7 Stations |
117 |
96. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she, independently or in conjunction with other Departments or agencies, administers supports such as information, advice or grant assistance to householders on safety and security issues, particularly in the context of burglaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42378/15]
View answerMy Department does not provide grant assistance to householders of the type referred to by the Deputy. However, there are extensive measures supported by my Department and by An Garda Síochána to provide information and advice for householders and communities in relation to home security and crime prevention generally. I recently announced a doubling of the funding for Crime Prevention Initiatives supported by my Department, including the important work carried out by Crimestoppers and the Community Alert programme, and a total of €397,000 will be provided for this purpose in 2016.
My Department has for many years provided funding to support the Community Alert Programme, which is operated by Muintir na Tire in partnership with An Garda Síochána. This funding is not used to provide direct assistance to local Community Alert (or Text Alert) Groups, but is allocated for the employment and associated costs of the national Community Alert programme, including the employment of regional Development Officers. These Development Officers provide support to Community and Text Alert schemes and offer advice on how to establish new schemes. The long-standing view has been that this is the best use of the resources available to the Department to support effective community crime prevention actions.
An Garda Síochána provide extensive crime prevention and home security advice as part of their Community Policing role. In addition, Garda crime prevention officers are available to give advice to householders, community groups and businesses and there is also a range of crime prevention advice published on the Garda website.
As part of the recently announced drive to counteract burglary under Operation Thor, An Garda Síochána have implemented a public awareness campaign to inform people on how they can enhance the security of their homes and property. The theme of the campaign is "Lock Up. Light Up." and includes a national and local advertising campaign including coverage on radio, in newspapers and on social media, including An Garda Síochána's social media channels which have over 300,000 followers. In addition, crime prevention officers are currently distributing 100,000 leaflets with key information and An Garda Síochána are using all media opportunities on local and national radio to promote the campaign.
The media campaign ran initially during the week of 16 November 2015 and it is envisaged that it will run again in January and February 2016.
97. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional resources that will be made available to An Garda Síochána in County Mayo under Operation Thor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42401/15]
View answerOperation Thor is a multi-stranded national operation which builds on previous and current Garda operations to tackle crime, particularly burglaries the number of which, as we know, increase with the advent of the long winter nights, in both urban and rural communities nationwide. In excess of €5 million is being committed to support Operation Thor. This allocation, which includes funding for Garda overtime will support a combination of additional patrols, checkpoints, rapid armed response and public awareness measures.
This special, targeted operation has to be seen in the context of the major investment that this Government is making in An Garda Síochána. The 2016 Budget allocation of €1.5 billion for An Garda Síochána includes over €67 million in additional funding which will allow the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí next year on top of the 550 Gardaí recruited since this Government reopened the Garda College in September 2014. It will also provide additional funding for Garda Surveillance, special operations and targeted, intelligence-led policing. This additional recruitment and budget allocation builds on the current high level of investment in Garda vehicles. We have invested over €34 million in new Garda vehicles since 2012 with over 640 new vehicles coming on stream in 2015, ranging from more Garda patrol cars to high-powered vehicles for armed units. The Government's Capital Plan 2016-2021 provides for a further €46 million of investment in vehicles as well as an additional €200 million for Information and Communications Technology which will allow An Garda Síochána to deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime. We are also investing in airborne surveillance. Taken together, this step-change in investment in policing will ensure that the Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive, on the roads and in the community.
Operation Thor entails a broad range of activities to tackle burglars, organised crime gangs and prolific offenders as well as working with communities to prevent crime. These activities include: additional high-visibility patrols in identified burglary hot-spots; increased use of checkpoints to tackle the criminal gangs using the national road network; the use of new high powered vehicles by the armed Regional Response Units; efforts to disrupt the stolen goods market; programmes to help reduce re-offending by prolific offenders; a high-profile national crime prevention awareness campaign, and targeted crime prevention advice for local communities and enhanced supports for victims.
The Commissioner, in consultation with her senior management team, is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including the additional allocation of the €5 million to support Operation Thor. The Commissioner has assured me that she will aim to maximise the use of these additional resources. A large proportion of domestic burglaries are committed by serial offenders. Figures from the Garda Síochána Analysis Service indicate that 75% of burglaries are committed by 25% of burglars. Targeting these prolific offenders is a priority, consequently the allocation of resources under Operation Thor will be intelligence led and based on analysis of crime patterns by An Garda Síochána. The aim is to deploy resources in advance of where An Garda Síochána anticipate crime might take place in order to prevent the crime occurring.
In this context the Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible to detail the additional resources that will be made available to any one County under Operation Thor. However the Commissioner will continually review the allocation of resources under the Operation, taking into account crime trends and policing priorities across the Garda Regions so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I am confident that this comprehensive operation by An Garda Síochána, supported by Government investment, will help disrupt the activities of burglars, organised crime gangs and prolific offenders and will improve the safety of all our communities across the country.
98. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a plan to increase the number of gardaí on the beat in all areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42284/15]
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 taking into account crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to provide effective, visible policing throughout the country. A crucial element of the Government's strategy is ongoing seamless recruitment to renew An Garda Síochána. With this in mind Budget 2016 made provision for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí next year bringing to 1,150 the number of new Gardaí that will be recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014. So far 295 of those new recruits are fully attested and are on the ground in communities nationwide.
I was very pleased to announce the commencement of the recruitment campaign for 2016 last Friday, 27 November. It is being organised by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Garda Commissioner. Applications must be made through www.publicjobs.ie. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 5 January 2016. Successful candidates can expect to enter the Garda College from June 2016 onwards.
The recruitment of additional trainee Garda is essential to renew An Garda Síochána and to ensure the delivery of effective policing services throughout the country.
There are currently over 2,000 full-time-equivalent civilian support staff in the Garda Síochána making up 14% of the overall Garda workforce. Civilian personnel wholly or largely staff several vital operational support areas such as the Garda Central Vetting Unit, the Garda Information Services Centre, and the Fixed Charge Processing Office These also provide vital support services in a wide range of areas, such as human resources, training & development, IT and telecommunications, finance and procurement, internal audit, research and analysis, accommodation and fleet management, scene-of-crime support and medical services. In doing so, they release highly trained Gardaí from administrative tasks to operational policing.
99. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a need for a greater Garda Síochána presence in three County Meath communities (details supplied), one of which is policed at night by gardaí who are based at a Garda Síochána station 46.1 kilometres away; her views on the security requirements of those communities, including at night; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42286/15]
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 taking into account 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 Kilcock is in the Kildare Garda Division and forms part of Leixlip Garda District and as of 31 October 2015, the latest dates for which figures are readily available there are 9 Gardai assigned to Kilcock Garda station. This station is open 3p.m. to 6p.m. Friday to Saturday and from 3p.m. to 5p.m. on Sundays subject to manpower availability with a Public Access Call Box (P.A.C.B.) to Leixlip, which is approximately 19Km away.
The number of Gardaí assigned to Ashbourne and Duleek on the 31 October 2015, was 43 and 4 respectively. Duleek Garda station is opened subject to manpower availability with a Public Access Call Box (P.A.C.B.) to Ashbourne which is opened 24 hours a day. I have also been informed by the Garda Commissioner that Dunore is patrolled by members attached to the neighbouring Drogheda District, which is approximately 6Km away.
I can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to delivering an effective, responsive police service to protect our communities and respond to emerging crime trends. An essential component of our strategy to achieve this is on-going, seamless recruitment of trainee Gardaí. 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 have been six intakes of Garda Trainees to the Garda College, giving a total intake of 550. So far 295 of the new Garda Trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána. On attestation, new probationer Gardaí are assigned to 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 that 15 and 5 of these newly attested Gardaí have been assigned to the Kildare and Meath Garda Divisions respectively.
The Deputy will be aware that I announced the opening of a recruitment campaign for new members of An Garda Síochána last Friday 27 November. This new campaign is necessary to fulfil the Government’s commitment to recruit 600 Gardaí in 2016. The 600 new Gardaí to be recruited next year will bring to 1,150 the total number of new recruits since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014. The Public Appointments Service (PAS) is organising the recruitment competition on behalf of the Garda Commissioner and applications may be made through the PAS website at www.publicjobs.ie. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 5 January 2016.
In relation to emerging crime trends, Operation Thor, which was launched by the Garda Commissioner recently is a multi-stranded national operation which builds on previous and current Garda operations to tackle crime, particularly burglaries the number of which, as we know, increase with the advent of the long winter nights, in both urban and rural communities nationwide. Operation Thor is made possible by the increased investment in policing by this Government, including an allocation of €5 million to specifically support this new Operation.
It entails a broad range of activities to tackle burglars, organised crime gangs and prolific offenders as well as working with communities to prevent crime. These activities include: additional high-visibility patrols in identified burglary hot-spots; increased use of checkpoints to tackle the criminal gangs using the national road network; the use of new high powered vehicles by the armed Regional Response Units; efforts to disrupt the stolen goods market; programmes to help reduce re-offending by prolific offenders; a high-profile national crime prevention awareness campaign, and targeted crime prevention advice for local communities and enhanced supports for victims.
I am confident that this comprehensive operation by An Garda Síochána, supported by Government investment in Garda resources and personnel, will disrupt the activities of burglars, organised crime gangs and prolific offenders and will improve the safety of all our communities across the country.
100. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when legislation reducing bankruptcy terms from three years to one year will be introduced to Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42377/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality reported to me earlier this year with recommendations in relation to bankruptcy matters, including the bankruptcy term.
I and my officials have now completed consideration of those recommendations and I expect to be in a position to announce further details in relation to this shortly.
101. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her assessment of the threat of a terrorist attack taking place here, similar to the attack in Paris in France; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42396/15]
View answerAs I have stated in the House, Ireland, just like other democratic states, cannot be considered to be immune from the threat posed by international terrorism and extremism. The current assessment of the threat to Ireland from this source is that while an attack here is possible, it is unlikely and there is at present no specific information that an attack on Ireland is planned. The level of threat from this source is kept under constant review by An Garda Síochána, particularly in the light of ongoing developments and the current international climate.
The Garda Authorities are taking the security measures necessary, proportionate to the threat, and all the relevant agencies here co-operate closely in respect of any threats identified. Unfortunately, there is a small number of people here whose activities are a cause for concern in terms of supporting terrorism and extremism. They will continue to be monitored and, where evidence is available of criminality, they will face the full rigour of the law.
The Deputy will understand that, of their very nature, the detail of security measures should not be disclosed publicly. However, in general terms, An Garda Síochána will take all possible steps to deal with any threat to this country combining its intelligence base with a well-trained, armed special intervention capacity and a range of other national policing resources. Where necessary, the considerable skills and resources of the Defence Forces are also available in aid to the civil power. Of course, this is an international problem and the Garda Authorities will continue to co-operate very closely with their EU and other international security and intelligence counterparts in responding to it.
102. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the decision to close 139 Garda Síochána stations in recent years, given that the savings are only around €4,000 per station per year. [42458/15]
View answerThe formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations is a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in the context of annual policing plans, as provided for in section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
The Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme was implemented in An Garda Síochána during 2012 and 2013. The direct savings from the Programme as highlighted by the Deputy are modest. However, it is important to recall that the primary objective of the Programme was to identify opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency and streamline practices within An Garda Síochána.
In its review of the Garda Station Network, Garda management concluded in relation to certain stations, resources could be better deployed and more effectively used on the front line if those stations no longer had to be staffed and maintained. In reaching these conclusions, Garda management reviewed all aspects of the Garda Síochána policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the overall operation of Garda stations.
The Programme supports the provision of a modern 21st century policing service for both urban and rural areas and allows front line Gardaí to be managed and deployed with greater mobility, greater flexibility, and in a more focused fashion, particularly with regard to various targeted police operations. As a result of the Programme, communities have benefited from increased Garda visibility and increased patrolling hours which has enabled An Garda Síochána to deliver an improved policing service to the public.
In tandem with the rationalisation of stations, efforts have been directed towards ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources to deliver highly-mobile and responsive Garda patrols in both rural and urban communities. In renewing the Garda fleet to support front line Garda responses over 640 new vehicles are coming on stream since the start of 2015. So far this year 370 new vehicles have come on stream including new specialised vehicles with a further 260 vehicles between now and the end of the year. This investment will provide the Gardaí with additional high powered vehicles, marked and unmarked patrol cars, cars for surveillance and covert operations, motor cycles for high visibility road policing and vehicles for public order policing. This investment in a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose Garda fleet will continue under the Government’s Capital Plan 2016-2021 which provides an additional €46 million for new Garda vehicles over the life time of the Plan. The increased budget allocation for 2016 will also facilitate additional funding for Garda surveillance, special operations and targeted, intelligence-led policing.
This substantial level of investment will be accompanied by the continued renewal of Garda personnel with 600 new Garda to be recruited next year on top of the 550 to be recruited by the end of this year. As the Deputy will be aware, I recently announced the commencement of the 2016 recruitment campaign for new members of An Garda Síochána. It underscores the Government’s commitment to seamless ongoing recruitment to An Garda Síochána to ensure that the Service is renewed and has the capacity to provide effective policing services throughout the country. The 600 new Gardaí to be recruited next year will bring to 1,150 the total number of new recruits since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014. So far 295 of these recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and are on the ground in communities nationwide.
The totality of this investment will ensure that Gardaí have the necessary tools and manpower to tackle the scourge of highly-mobile criminal gangs and to disrupt crime, particularly burglaries, across our communities.
103. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí and Garda Síochána stations in the Kilkenny district division on 1 November 2010 and on 1 November 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42428/15]
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 taking into account 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 list of stations and the number of Gardaí assigned to those stations in the Kilkenny/Carlow Division on the 31 October 2010 and on the 31 October 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the tables.
This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to provide effective, visible policing throughout the country. A crucial element of the Government's strategy is ongoing seamless recruitment to renew An Garda Síochána. With this in mind Budget 2016 made provision for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí next year bringing to 1,150 the number of new Gardaí that will be recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014. So far 295 of those new recruits are fully attested and are on the ground in communities nationwide.
I was very pleased to announce the commencement of the recruitment campaign for 2016 last Friday, 27 November. It is being organised by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Garda Commissioner. Applications must be made through www.publicjobs.ie. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 5 January 2016. Successful candidates can expect to enter the Garda College from June 2016 onwards.
Kilkenny/Carlow Garda Division 2010
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Total |
|
BALLON |
1 |
||
|
BORRIS |
2 |
||
|
CARLOW |
79 |
||
|
HACKETSTOWN |
1 |
||
|
LEIGHLINBRIDGE |
2 |
||
|
MUINEBHEAG |
11 |
||
|
MYSHALL |
1 |
||
|
RATHVILLY |
1 |
||
|
TULLOW |
18 |
||
|
CARLOW |
Total |
116 |
|
|
BALLYRAGGET |
0 |
||
|
CALLAN |
6 |
||
|
CASTLECOMER |
14 |
||
|
FRESHFORD |
1 |
||
|
JOHNSTOWN |
3 |
||
|
KILKENNY |
109 |
||
|
URLINGFORD |
1 |
||
|
KILKENNY |
Total |
134 |
|
|
BALLYHALE |
1 |
||
|
BENNETSBRIDGE |
1 |
||
|
GLENMORE |
1 |
||
|
GORESBRIDGE |
2 |
||
|
GRAIGUENAMANAGH |
7 |
||
|
INISTIOGE |
1 |
||
|
KILMACOW |
1 |
||
|
KILMOGANNY |
1 |
||
|
MOONCOIN |
8 |
||
|
MULLINAVAT |
6 |
||
|
PILTOWN |
2 |
||
|
STONYFORD |
1 |
||
|
THOMASTOWN |
43 |
||
|
THOMASTOWN |
Total |
75 |
|
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
Total |
29 Stations |
325 |
Garda Division of Kilkenny/Carlow on 31 October 2015
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Total |
|
BALLON |
1 |
||
|
BORRIS |
2 |
||
|
CARLOW |
75 |
||
|
HACKETSTOWN |
1 |
||
|
MUINEBHEAG |
11 |
||
|
MYSHALL |
1 |
||
|
RATHVILLY |
1 |
||
|
CARLOW |
TULLOW |
15 |
|
|
Total |
107 |
||
|
CALLAN |
5 |
||
|
CASTLECOMER |
12 |
||
|
FRESHFORD |
1 |
||
|
KILKENNY |
104 |
||
|
KILKENNY |
URLINGFORD |
2 |
|
|
Total |
124 |
||
|
BENNETSBRIDGE |
1 |
||
|
GLENMORE |
1 |
||
|
GORESBRIDGE |
2 |
||
|
GRAIGUENAMANAGH |
4 |
||
|
KILMACOW |
1 |
||
|
KILMOGANNY |
1 |
||
|
MOONCOIN |
11 |
||
|
MULLINAVAT |
2 |
||
|
PILTOWN |
1 |
||
|
THOMASTOWN |
THOMASTOWN |
30 |
|
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
Total |
54 |
|
|
Total |
23 Stations |
285 |
104. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí and Garda Síochána stations in the Thomastown district division on 1 November 2010 and on 1 November 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42430/15]
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 taking into account 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 list of stations and the number of Gardaí assigned to those stations in the Thomastown District on the 31 October 2010 and on the 31 October 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the tables.
This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to provide effective, visible policing throughout the country. A crucial element of the Government's strategy is ongoing seamless recruitment to renew An Garda Síochána. With this in mind Budget 2016 made provision for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí next year bringing to 1,150 the number of new Gardaí that will be recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014. So far 295 of those new recruits are fully attested and are on the ground in communities nationwide.
I was very pleased to announce the commencement of the recruitment campaign for 2016 last Friday, 27 November. It is being organised by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Garda Commissioner. Applications must be made through www.publicjobs.ie. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 5 January 2016. Successful candidates can expect to enter the Garda College from June 2016 onwards.
Thomastown Garda District 31 October 2010
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Total |
|
BALLYHALE |
1 |
||
|
BENNETSBRIDGE |
1 |
||
|
GLENMORE |
1 |
||
|
GORESBRIDGE |
2 |
||
|
GRAIGUENAMANAGH |
7 |
||
|
INISTIOGE |
1 |
||
|
KILMACOW |
1 |
||
|
KILMOGANNY |
1 |
||
|
MOONCOIN |
8 |
||
|
MULLINAVAT |
6 |
||
|
PILTOWN |
2 |
||
|
STONYFORD |
1 |
||
|
THOMASTOWN |
43 |
||
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
THOMASTOWN |
13 Stations Total |
75 |
Thomastown Garda District 31 October 2015
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Total |
|
BENNETSBRIDGE |
1 |
||
|
GLENMORE |
1 |
||
|
GORESBRIDGE |
2 |
||
|
GRAIGUENAMANAGH |
4 |
||
|
KILMACOW |
1 |
||
|
KILMOGANNY |
1 |
||
|
MOONCOIN |
11 |
||
|
MULLINAVAT |
2 |
||
|
PILTOWN |
1 |
||
|
THOMASTOWN |
30 |
||
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
THOMASTOWN |
10 Stations TOTAL |
54 |
