Tuesday, 1 Dec 2015

Written Answers Nos. 105 - 126

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (105)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

105. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amounts paid to the companies contracted to run each State-owned direct provision centre, from the inception of the system to present, by centre, by contractor and by start and end dates of each contract, in tabular form; and her plans to read this into the record of Dáil Éireann. [42438/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The information in relation to State-owned centres is not readily available.

While RIA maintains a table of information on commercially owned accommodation centres, with information in the format sought by the Deputy, it is not compiled in respect of State-owned accommodation centres. The information sought by the Deputy would entail the examination of 15 years of data in order to collate the data. The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department has stated that the retrieval and examination of the records concerned would cause a substantial and unreasonable interference in the day-to-day work of the office.

The Deputy may be interested to know that the Annual Reports of the Reception and Integration Agency from 2007 to 2013 provide a breakdown of yearly expenditure into the broad headings of 'Commercial', 'State-owned', 'Self-catering', 'Additional Costs', 'Transport' and 'Miscellaneous'. These Annual Reports are published on RIA's website - www.ria.gov.ie.

Tenders for the management of these centres have been published in the e-Tenders website and the OJEU since 2004. RIA is scheduled to re-tender for these particular services shortly and is currently working with the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) on this matter. It would not be appropriate to publish any additional information that could compromise the integrity of that tendering process.

Garda Strength

Questions (106)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

106. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána stations and the number of gardaí in each station in County Galway on 1 November 2010 and on 1 November 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42420/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

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 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 Galway 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.

Galway Garda District 31 October 2010

Division	District	Station	Total
		AHASCRAGH	1
		BALLINASLOE	46
		BALLYGAR	3
		CREGGS	1
		KILCONNELL	1
		KILTORMER	0
		MENLOUGH	1
		MOUNT BELLEW	10
		MOYLOUGH	1
	BALLINASLOE	Total	64
		CARNA	2
		CLIFDEN	30
		LENNAUN	1
		LETTERFRACK	1
		MAAM	2
		RECESS	1
		ROUNDSTONE	1
	CLIFDEN	Total	38
		ATHENRY	5
		CARN DOLLA	1
		GALWAY	216
		KILTULLAGH	0
		LOUGH GEORGE	1
		MONIVEA	1
		ORANMORE	35
	GALWAY	Total	259
		ARDRAHAN	1
		CRAUGHWELL	6
		GORT	29
		KILCHREEST	0
		KILCOLGAN	1
		KINVARA	2
		SHANAGLISH	1
	GORT	Total	40
		EYRECOURT	1
		KILLIMOR	0
		KILRICKLE	1
		LOUGHREA	39
		NEW INN	1
		PORTUMNA	10
		TYNAGH	1
		WOODFORD	1
	LOUGHREA	Total	54
		CARRAROE	4
		CILL RONAIN	3
		INVERIN	1
		LEITIR MOR	1
		MOYCULLEN	3
		ROS MUC	1
		SALTHILL	58
		SPIDDLE	3
		UACHTARARD	6
	SALTHILL	Total	80
		BALLYMOE	1
		BARNADERG	0
		COROFIN	1
		DUNMORE	6
		GLENAMADDY	1
		HEADFORD	5
		KILCONLY	1
		MILLTOWN	1
		TUAM	56
		WILLIAMSTOWN	1
	TUAM	Total	73
GALWAY	Total	57 Stations	608

Garda Division of Galway 31 October 2015

Division	District	Station	Total
		AHASCRAGH	1
		BALLINASLOE	41
		BALLYGAR	1
		CREGGS	1
		KILCONNELL	1
		MOUNT BELLEW	7
	BALLINASLOE	MOYLOUGH	1
		Total	53
		AN MÁM	3
		CARNA	2
		CLIFDEN	26
		CLOCH NA RÓN	1
		LETTERFRACK	1
	CLIFDEN	SRAITH SALACH	1
		Total	34
		ATHENRY	6
		GAILLIMH	212
		LOUGH GEORGE	2
		MONIVEA	1
	GALWAY	ÓRÁN MÓR	41
		Total	262
		CRAUGHWELL	4
		EYRECOURT	1
		GORT	28
		KILLIMOR	1
		KILRICKLE	1
		KINVARA	2
		LOUGHREA	34
		PORTUMNA	7
	LOUGHREA	WOODFORD	1
		Total	79
		AN CHEATHRÚ RUA	5
		AN SPIDÉAL	2
		CILL RÓNÁIN	4
		INDREABHÁN	1
		LEITIR MÓIR	1
		MAIGH CUILINN	1
		ROS MUC	1
		SALTHILL	49
	SALTHILL	UACHTARARD	3
		Total	67
		BARNADERG	1
		COROFIN	1
		DUNMORE	7
		GLENAMADDY	1
		HEADFORD	2
		TUAM	54
	TUAM	WILLIAMSTOWN	1
GALWAY		Total	67
	Total	43 Stations	562

Traveller Community

Questions (107)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

107. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Government intends to make a statement recognising the ethnicity of the Traveller community as recommended by the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality over a year ago. [42459/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality

The Deputy will be aware that there is a consultation process underway led by my Department 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 with the presentation of a new Strategy for Government approval.

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 whether revised institutional arrangements for delivery of services to Travellers are necessary to bring about greater coherence in and improve the effectiveness of statutory services for the Traveller community has been raised during the ongoing consultation process and, as indicated on behalf of the Government during the recent debate in the House on the question of recognition of Travellers as an ethnic group, will be considered in the drafting of the new Inclusion Strategy.

Garda Strength

Questions (108)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

108. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána stations and the number of gardaí in each station in County Kildare on 1 November 2010 and on 1 November 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42410/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

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 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 Kildare 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.

Kildare Garda Division October 2010

Division	District	Station	Total
-	-	ATHY	28
-	-	BALLYTORE	2
-	-	CASTLEDERMOT	3
-	-	KILDARE	34
-	-	MONASTEREVIN	4
-	-	NEWBRIDGE	45
-	-	RATHANGAN	4
-	KILDARE	Total	120
-	-	CARBURY	4
-	-	CELBRIDGE	20
-	-	KILCOCK	8
-	-	LEIXLIP	35
-	-	MAYNOOTH	16
-	LEIXLIP	Total	83
-	-	BALLYMORE EUSTACE	1
-	-	CLANE	11
-	-	KILCULLEN	2
-	-	KILL	4
-	-	NAAS	102
-	-	ROBERTSTOWN	5
-	NAAS	Total	125
KILDARE	Total	18 Stations	328

Kildare Divison on 31 October 2015

Division	District	Station	Total
-	-	ATHY	30
-	-	CASTLEDERMOT	3
-	-	KILDARE	30
-	-	MONASTEREVIN	3
-	-	NEWBRIDGE	50
-	KILDARE	RATHANGAN	3
-	-	Total	119
-	-	CARBURY	8
-	-	CELBRIDGE	12
-	-	KILCOCK	9
-	-	LEIXLIP	38
-	LEIXLIP	MAYNOOTH	12
-	-	Total	79
-	-	CLANE	7
-	-	KILCULLEN	3
-	-	NAAS	102
-	NAAS	ROBERTSTOWN	3
KILDARE	-	Total	115
-	Total	15 Stations	313

Garda Resources

Questions (109)

Michael McGrath

Question:

109. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional resources that will be made available to An Garda Síochána in the Togher district in the Cork city Garda Síochána division under Operation Thor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42411/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

Operation 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.

Traveller Accommodation

Questions (110)

Joan Collins

Question:

110. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on establishing a Traveller agency to drive urgent improvements in Traveller accommodation and to implement existing Traveller health, education and employment policies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37697/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality

The Deputy will be aware that there is a consultation process underway led by my Department 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 with the presentation of a new Strategy for Government approval.

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 whether revised institutional arrangements for delivery of services to Travellers are necessary to bring about greater coherence in and improve the effectiveness of statutory services for the Traveller community has been raised during the ongoing consultation process and, as indicated on behalf of the Government during the recent debate in the House on the question of recognition of Travellers as an ethnic group, will be considered in the drafting of the new Inclusion Strategy.

My Department's role is that of policy coordination; implementation of policy in the areas of health, education and employment is a matter for the Departments with responsibility for each of these areas.

Garda Strength

Questions (111)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

111. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána stations and the number of gardaí in each station in the north and west Cork Garda Síochána divisions on 1 November 2010 and on 1 November 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42406/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

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 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 North and West Cork Divisions 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.

Cork North Division October 2010

Division	District	Station	Total
-	-	CARRIG NA BHFEAR	1
-	-	CARRIGTWOHILL	3
-	-	COBH	39
-	-	GLANMIRE	21
-	-	GLENVILLE	1
-	-	WATERGRASSHILL	1
-	COBH	Total	66
-	-	BALLYNOE	1
-	-	CASTLETOWNROCHE	2
-	-	FERMOY	60
-	-	KILDORRERY	1
-	-	KILWORTH	2
-	-	MITCHELSTOWN	23
-	-	RATHCORMAC	1
-	FERMOY	Total	90
-	-	BUTTEVANT	2
-	-	CHARLEVILLE	18
-	-	DONERAILE	2
-	-	GLANTAINE	1
-	-	LISCARROLL	1
-	-	MALLOW	47
-	-	MILFORD	2
-	MALLOW	Total	73
-	-	BALLYCOTTON	1
-	-	CLOYNE	1
-	-	KILLEAGH	1
-	-	MIDLETON	55
-	-	WHITEGATE	1
-	-	YOUGHAL	24
-	MIDLETON	Total	83
CORK NORTH	Total	26 Stations	312

Cork West Division October 2010

Division	District	Station	Total
-	-	BALLINEEN	2
-	-	BALLINHASSIG	2
-	-	BALLINSPITTLE	0
-	-	BALLYFEARD	1
-	-	BANDON	84
-	-	INNISHANNON	1
-	-	KILBRITTAIN	1
-	-	KINSALE	16
-	-	TIMOLEAGUE	1
-	BANDON	Total	108
-	-	ADRIGOLE	1
-	-	BALLYDEHOB	1
-	-	BANTRY	36
-	-	CASTLETOWNBERE	4
-	-	DRIMOLEAGUE	1
-	-	DURRUS	1
-	-	GLENGARRIFF	1
-	-	GOLEEN	1
-	-	KEALKIL	0
-	-	SCHULL	4
-	BANTRY	Total	50
-	-	BALLYGURTEEN	0
-	-	BALTIMORE	1
-	-	CASTLETOWNSEND	1
-	-	CLONAKILTY	28
-	-	DRINAGH	1
-	-	DUNMANWAY	8
-	-	ROSSCARBERY	2
-	-	SKIBBEREEN	10
-	CLONAKILTY	Total	51
-	-	BALLYDESMOND	0
-	-	BOHERBUE	1
-	-	KANTURK	33
-	-	KNOCKNAGREE	1
-	-	MEELIN	1
-	-	MILLSTREET	12
-	-	NEWMARKET	3
-	-	RATHMORE	1
-	KANTURK	Total	52
-	-	BALLINGEARY	1
-	-	BALLYVOURNEY	3
-	-	COACHFORD	2
-	-	CROOKSTOWN	6
-	-	INCHIGEELA	1
-	-	MACROOM	42
-	-	STUAKE	1
-	-	TARELTON	1
-	MACROOM	Total	57
CORK WEST	Total	43 Stations	318

Cork North and West Garda Divisions on 31 October 2015

Division	District	Station	Total
-	-	BALLYNOE	1
-	-	CASTLETOWNROCHE	2
-	-	FERMOY	55
-	-	KILDORRERY	1
-	-	KILWORTH	1
-	-	MITCHELSTOWN	21
-	-	RATHCORMAC	2
-	FERMOY	WATERGRASSHILL	2
-	-	Total	85
-	-	BUTTEVANT	1
-	-	CHARLEVILLE	19
-	-	DONERAILE	1
-	-	GLANTAINE	1
-	-	KANTURK	20
-	-	LISCARROLL	1
-	-	MALLOW	53
-	-	MILFORD	1
-	MALLOW	NEWMARKET	2
-	-	Total	99
-	-	BALLYCOTTON	1
-	-	CARRIGTWOHILL	2
-	-	CLOYNE	1
-	-	COBH	34
-	-	KILLEAGH	1
-	-	MIDLETON	51
-	-	WHITEGATE	1
-	MIDLETON	YOUGHAL	23
CORK NORTH	-	Total	114
-	-	Total 25 Stations	298
-	-	BALLINEEN	2
-	-	BALLINHASSIG	2
-	-	BANDON	84
-	-	INNISHANNON	1
-	-	KILBRITTAIN	1
-	-	KINSALE	16
-	BANDON	TIMOLEAGUE	1
-	-	Total	107
-	-	BANTRY	33
-	-	CASTLETOWNBERE	5
-	-	DRIMOLEAGUE	1
-	-	DURRUS	1
-	-	GLENGARRIFF	1
-	-	KEALKIL	1
-	BANTRY	SCHULL	4
-	-	Total	46
-	-	BALTIMORE	1
-	-	CLONAKILTY	32
-	-	DRINAGH	1
-	-	DUNMANWAY	10
-	-	ROSSCARBERY	1
-	CLONAKILTY	SKIBBEREEN	14
-	-	Total	59
-	-	BAILE BHUIRNE	2
-	-	BÉAL ÁTHA AN GHAORTHA	2
-	-	BOHERBUE	1
-	-	COACHFORD	1
-	-	CROOKSTOWN	10
-	-	MACROOM	32
-	-	MILLSTREET	13
-	-	RATHMORE	1
-	-	STUAKE	1
-	MACROOM	TARELTON	1
CORK WEST	-	Total	64
-	-	Total 30 Stations	276

Garda Resources

Questions (112)

Robert Troy

Question:

112. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional resources that will be made available to An Garda Síochána in County Longford and in County Westmeath under Operation Thor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42421/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

Operation 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.

International Terrorism

Questions (113)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

113. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an assessment of Ireland's exposure to terrorist activities; the extent to which the national security agencies co-operate with each other in this area; if a new risk analysis will be carried out in view of the atrocities in Paris last week; the additional funding that will be made available going forward to enhance the State's ability to prevent any such incidents occurring domestically; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41187/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will know the primary security threat in this State is posed by the co-called 'dissident' republican paramilitary groups. An Garda Síochána continues to work to disrupt and to bring an end to the activities of these groups and will continue to give priority to this. They work in very close co-operation with their counterparts in Northern Ireland in this regard.

Ireland, like other democratic states, cannot consider itself immune from the threat posed by international terrorism and extremism. The current assessment of the threat from this source is that while an attack here is possible, it is unlikely. There is not at present any specific information that an attack on Ireland is planned. The level of threat from this source has been reviewed since the attacks in Paris on 13 November. It is kept under constant review by An Garda Síochána, particularly in the light of ongoing developments and the current international climate.

The Garda Authorities have been taking all necessary security measures proportionate to the threat and all the relevant agencies here co-operate closely in respect of any threats identified. The Deputy will understand that, of their very nature, the detail of security measures should not be disclosed publicly. 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 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 this shared threat.

In respect of the resources available, given that the threat from international terrorism and extremism is an evolving one the Garda Commissioner is carrying out a review at present and will let me know what additional requirements may arise.

Garda Resources

Questions (114)

Bobby Aylward

Question:

114. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional resources that will be made available to An Garda Síochána in the Thomastown district under Operation Thor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42429/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

Operation 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.

Crime Data

Questions (115)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

115. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the number of reported incidents of the various categories of crime has fluctuated and the extent to which the strength of An Garda Síochana has altered over the past 12 years to date; if a correlation has been established between the number of gardaí and criminal activity; her plans to address such issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42347/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

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. I have requested the CSO to provide the available statistics in relation to the matters referred to directly to the Deputy.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment 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 personnel strength of An Garda Síochána on the 31 December 2003 and on the 31 October 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 12,017 and 12,866, respectively.

The Deputy will also be aware that this Government is strongly committed to providing communities throughout the country with the reassurance that comes from a visible and determined police force. This commitment is most clearly seen in the Government's decision to resume Garda recruitment and by the end of 2016 a total of 1,150 new recruits will have been taken in to the Garda College in Templemore.

While there is clearly a link between the effectiveness of our policing arrangements and the number of Gardaí available, the provisions of resources for modern vehicles, technology and information systems, is also an important factor in stepping up our efforts to confront and disrupt criminal activity. In this regard the Deputy will be aware of the very significant investment which the Government is making to update and upgrade Garda vehicles and technology with a total of €205 million being provided in the Capital Plan 2016 – 2021.

All of these important investments in policing capacity are supporting enhanced Garda measures to deal with crime, in particular through the recently launched Operation Thor which is providing a coordinated and robust response to criminal gangs engaged in burglary and related criminality.

Proposed Legislation

Questions (116)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

116. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality why the Mediation Bill has not progressed through the houses of the Oireachtas over the past three years. [42457/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Mediation Bill, which is currently being drafted in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, will introduce an obligation on solicitors and barristers to advise any person intending to commence legal proceedings to give consideration to using mediation as an alternative means of resolving disputed issues. It will also provide that a court may, following the commencement of any such proceedings, on its own initiative or at the request of a party to the proceedings, invite the parties to consider mediation as an alternative option and suspend the proceedings to facilitate that process.

I very much regret that it has not been possible to publish this Bill to date. This has been due to the extensive programme of progressive law reform undertaken by my Department in accordance with the ambitious targets set out in the Programme for Government. However, while it is not possible to give a specific date for publication of the Bill at this stage, I intend to proceed quickly with enactment of the Bill following its publication in due course.

Garda Resources

Questions (117)

Barry Cowen

Question:

117. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional resources that will be made available to An Garda Síochána in County Laois and in County Offaly under Operation Thor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42415/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

Operation 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.

Immigration Controls

Questions (118)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

118. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures she is putting he place to analyse, assess and prevent the entry into this State of members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41212/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The recent appalling attacks in Paris and elsewhere, inspired by ISIL, bring a sharp focus to bear on the potential threat that states face from violent extremists.

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 no specific information at present that an attack on Ireland is planned. However, 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.

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 rigours of the law.

The Deputy will understand that, of their very nature, the detail of security measures should not be disclosed publicly. The Garda Authorities are taking all necessary security measures proportionate to the threat and all the relevant agencies here co-operate closely in respect of any threats identified. There is also very close co-operation between the Gardaí and their EU and other international police, intelligence and border control counterparts, including Interpol and Europol. This ongoing co-operation in terms of information-sharing is particularly valuable in identifying persons seeking to gain entry to the State who may pose a threat.

As the Deputy will understand there is a particularly close relationship of co-operation with the UK authorities in this regard in the context of managing the security of the Common Travel Area. Enhanced information-sharing between border control authorities here and in the UK is a strong feature of the shared efforts in this area.

Garda Resources

Questions (119)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

119. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional resources that will be made available to An Garda Síochána in County Kildare under Operation Thor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42409/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

Operation 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.

Census of Population Data

Questions (120)

Regina Doherty

Question:

120. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Taoiseach the number of applicants over 70 years of age who applied for the position of field supervisor for census 2016; the number who were employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42664/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The Census Field Supervisor competition was advertised in the national press on 17 September, 2015. A total of 2,327 applications were received and 1,143 were called for interview. Offers of appointment will be made over the coming weeks.

All appointments from this competition are subject to the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act, 2012 whereby members of the scheme must retire at age 70. Accordingly, persons who were aged 70 years or over at the time of application, or those who would reach this age before the end of the contract term, were not considered. Of the 2,327 applications received a total of fourteen applicants were not considered on these grounds. No applicants that fall into this category have been considered for appointment as Census Field Supervisor.

Dáil Reform

Questions (121)

James Bannon

Question:

121. Deputy James Bannon asked the Taoiseach the Dáil reform that has been achieved since this Government took office in 2011 and his future plans for Dáil reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42352/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The process of parliamentary reform is an ongoing one. The Programme for Government outlined an ambitious agenda for Dáil Reform to be introduced in a phased process over the lifetime of the Government. On foot of this, since 2011 the operation of the Dáil has been steadily reformed to enhance the legislative role of elected members and improve the working of the House. The measures introduced have included the following.

The number of Dáil sitting days has been significantly increased by reducing the length of Dáil breaks at Christmas, Easter, public holidays and the summer and introducing regular Friday sitting days. During the 45 months the FF, Green & PD Government was in office the Dáil sat 349 days – an average of 93 days a year. The FG & Labour Government has been in office 56 months and the Dáil has sat for 576 days – an average of almost 124 days a year, an increase of 31 more sitting days per year.

The first phase of the Dáil Reform Programme was introduced in the summer of 2011 and included:

- An additional Leaders' Questions session on Thursdays, taken by the Tánaiste

- Topical Issues Debates to replace the outmoded Adjournment Debates, so as to give Deputies an opportunity to raise issues direct with Ministers from the relevant Department

- Friday sittings to enable Deputies to play a fuller role in the legislative process by introducing their own Bills and having those Bills debated on the floor of the Dáil

- A mechanism for appeal to the Ceann Comhairle if a Deputy is unhappy with the reply received to a Parliamentary Question

- A Pre-Legislative review system whereby Ministers could provide the Heads of a Bill to the relevant Oireachtas Committee to review before the Bill was published

- Restructuring of the Oireachtas Committee system by reducing the number of Oireachtas Committees from 25 to 16

- Introducing a new Oireachtas Committee chaired by an Opposition Deputy to work with Ombudsmen's offices and review petitions.

In the summer of 2012, further reforms to the Oireachtas Committee system were introduced, which streamlined the structure and provided an additional focus on areas of priority such as Jobs and Agriculture.

In September 2013 the Government announced the second phase of Dáil Reforms and the Dáil debated and approved changes to Standing Orders in October 2013. These reforms are being phased in and include changes to enable more public involvement in the law-making process:

- A Pre-Legislative Stage at an Oireachtas Committee is now a general requirement for non-emergency legislation. A Minister who does not bring a Bill to Committee for Pre-Legislative Stage is required to explain that decision to the Dáil.

- The new Pre-Legislative Stage allows for an unprecedented and extensive engagement by the public in law-making. The Committee can consult with experts and civic society groups; crucially, this takes place before the legislation is drafted.

- Where there has been a Pre-Legislative Stage, the Chair or Vice Chair of the Committee has an opportunity to outline the Committee's work to the members of the Dáil during the Second Stage debate after the Minister and main opposition spokespeople have spoken on the Bill.

In addition, each year the Taoiseach and Tánaiste will address the Dáil setting out the Government’s annual priorities, with Ministers setting out their Department’s plans.

The role of Oireachtas Committees in the Budget process has also been expanded.

There has been a reduction in the number of Legislative Programmes to two per year.

The time available for legislative debate in the Dáil has been increased, by increasing the total number of sitting days, extending the length of sitting days and starting at 9.30 am on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The way legislation is debated in the Chamber has been improved:

- At First Stage, the proposer of a Private Member’s Bill now has five minutes to outline the purpose of the Bill to the Dáil and explain the reasons for proposing it.

- Where proposed legislation has been the subject of Pre-Legislative Scrutiny, at Second Stage the Chair or Vice Chair of the Committee which considered the Bill at Pre-Legislative Stage has a speaking slot, of the same length as that of the Minister and Opposition Spokespeople, to report to the Dáil on the Committee's findings.

- At the end of the Second Stage debate, 45 minutes may be allowed for concluding remarks by Deputies, chosen by the Ceann Comhairle, who have previously spoken.

The number of Friday sittings has been expanded and the Dáil now sits every second Friday to debate Private Members' Bills and Committee Reports selected using a lottery system. This has encouraged a rapid growth in the number of Bills introduced by Deputies, from 14 published in 2010 to 53 published in 2014. The new Friday sittings also allow Committees, for the first time, to seek directly to have their own reports debated in the Dáil.

The system of Topical Issues now requires the Minister or a Minister of State from the relevant Department to reply; if this is not the case, the Deputy who raised the issue can have it deferred until a Minister or Minister of State from that Department is available.

The time allocated to Oral Parliamentary Questions to Ministers has been standardised to 75 minutes. An ordinary Oral Question will be answered only if the Deputy tabling the Question is in the Chamber when it is reached, and the Deputy is given a brief period, of 30 seconds, to outline the question.

The Government also passed the Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges & Procedures) Act 2013 and the Standing Orders to establish an Oireachtas Inquiry system are now in place. The Banking Inquiry is the first Oireachtas Inquiry established under this new legislation.

The Convention on the Constitution's 7th Report, on the issue of Dáil Reform, is currently being considered and a response is expected on this over the next few months.

Dáil Reform is an ongoing process and the Government intend to bring forward a further package of reforms for consideration.

Unemployment Data

Questions (122)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

122. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach the number of persons under the age of 24 who were unemployed and on the live register, who were in employment, who were on activation schemes and who were in tertiary education, over the past 18 months, in tabular form. [42604/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.

The Live Register series gives a monthly breakdown of the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance and other registrants as registered with the Department of Social Protection.

The most recent Live Register figures available are for October 2015.

Table 1a below shows the number of persons under 25 years of age (24 years and under) on the Live Register for the months from May 2014 to October 2015.

It should be noted that the Live Register is not a definitive measure of unemployment as it includes part-time workers, and seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseeker's Benefit or Allowance.

The most recent data on numbers on Live Register Activation Programmes are for September 2015. It is not possible to provide an age breakdown for persons on the Live Register Activation Programmes.

Table 1b shows the number of persons on Live Register Activation Programmes from April 2014 to September 2015.

The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment (ILO) and unemployment (ILO) in the State.

The most recent figures available are for Quarter 3 2015.

Table 1c shows the number of persons aged 15 to 24 years of age in employment and unemployed from Q2 2014 to Q3 2015.

Table 1d shows the number of persons aged 15 to 24 years of age in education (including persons on holidays from regular education) where level of education is Third level non-honours degreee/Third level honours degree or above.

Table 1a Number of persons aged under 25 years of age on the Live Register

2014	-
May	58,516
June	61,448
July	62,082
August	61,494
September	55,138
October	51,196
November	48,872
December	47,928
2015	-
January	49,289
February	48,524
March	47,058
April	45,857
May	47,086
June	49,497
July	50,316
August	49,865
September	45,173
October	41,112

Source: CSO Live Register

Table 1b Live Register Activation Programmes April 2014-September 2015

-	April 2014	May 2014	June 2014	July 2014
Back to Work Schemes	7	6	6	5
Back to Work allowance scheme - Employee strand1	10,406	10,419	10,517	10,643
Back to Work Enterprise allowance scheme -self employed strand	518	546	558	583
Short-term Enterprise Allowance2	10,931	10,971	11,081	11,231
Total Back to Work payments	-	-	-	-
Other Activation Programmes	-	-	-	-
DSP Part-time Job Incentive	322	343	319	303
TUS - Community Work Placement Initiative (2011)	7,419	7,379	7,300	7,441
JobBridge (From July 2011)	6,750	6,977	6,782	6,333
Gateway (2013)3	148	191	308	446
Total Other Activation Programmes	14,639	14,890	14,709	14,523
Community Employment Schemes (excluding Supervisors)	22,961	23,142	23,170	23,111
FAS Full Time Training for Unemployed People(4)	8,723	8,870	8,582	7,403
Back to Education Courses	-	-	-	-
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)5	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)6	23,335	13,300	5,009	3,348
Total Back to Education Courses	28,335	18,300	10,009	8,348
Total Activation Programmes	85,589	76,173	67,551	64,616

-	August 2014	September 2014	October 2014	November 2014
Back to Work Schemes	5	5	5	5
Back to Work allowance scheme - Employee strand1	10,732	10,746	10,897	11,009
Back to Work Enterprise allowance scheme -self employed strand	580	570	516	492
Short-term Enterprise Allowance2	11,317	11,321	11,418	11,506
Total Back to Work payments	-	-	-	-
Other Activation Programmes	-	-	-	-
DSP Part-time Job Incentive	317	357	384	393
TUS - Community Work Placement Initiative (2011)	7,477	7,494	7,683	7,860
JobBridge (From July 2011)	6,053	6,298	6,599	6,742
Gateway (2013)3	610	819	1,138	1,463
Total Other Activation Programmes	14,457	14,968	15,804	16,458
Community Employment Schemes (excluding Supervisors)	23,124	22,941	22,815	23,035
FAS Full Time Training for Unemployed People(4)	6,534	7,662	8,434	8,910
Back to Education Courses	-	-	-	-
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)5	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)6	3,115	14,515	21,201	22,714
Total Back to Education Courses	8,115	19,515	26,201	27,714
Total Activation Programmes	63,547	76,407	84,672	87,623

-	December 2014	January 2015	February 2015	March 2015
Back to Work Schemes	3	2	2	1
Back to Work allowance scheme - Employee strand1	11,166	11,180	11,260	11,372
Back to Work Enterprise allowance scheme -self employed strand	479	440	447	465
Short-term Enterprise Allowance2	11,648	11,622	11,709	11,838
Total Back to Work payments	-	-	-	-
Other Activation Programmes	-	-	-	-
DSP Part-time Job Incentive	397	397	397	397
TUS - Community Work Placement Initiative (2011)	7,877	7,865	7,877	7,841
JobBridge (From July 2011)	6,371	6,220	6,140	6,015
Gateway (2013)3	1,685	1,770	1,856	1,990
Total Other Activation Programmes	16,330	16,252	16,270	16,243
Community Employment Schemes (excluding Supervisors)	23,249	22,927	23,034	24,478
FAS Full Time Training for Unemployed People(4)	8,771	7,552	7,739	8,002
Back to Education Courses	-	-	-	-
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)5	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)6	23,366	23,497	23,873	24,143
Total Back to Education Courses	28,366	28,497	28,873	29,143
Total Activation Programmes	88,364	86,850	87,625	89,704

-	April 2015	May 2015	June 2015	July 2015
Back to Work Schemes	0	0	0	0
Back to Work allowance scheme - Employee strand1	11,490	11,523	11,621	11,739
Back to Work Enterprise allowance scheme -self employed strand	461	486	490	486
Short-term Enterprise Allowance2	11,951	12,009	12,111	12,225
Total Back to Work payments	-	-	-	-
Other Activation Programmes	-	-	-	-
DSP Part-time Job Incentive	401	399	378	358
TUS - Community Work Placement Initiative (2011)	7,979	7,943	8,001	8,014
JobBridge (From July 2011)	5,895	5,778	5,338	4,969
Gateway (2013)3	2,082	2,160	2,208	2,258
Total Other Activation Programmes	16,357	16,280	15,925	15,599
Community Employment Schemes (excluding Supervisors)	22,999	24,563	23,112	22,913
FAS Full Time Training for Unemployed People(4)	7,997	7,882	7,502	6,533
Back to Education Courses	-	-	-	-
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)5	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)6	24,094	15,154	6,418	4,976
Total Back to Education Courses	29,094	20,154	11,418	9,976
Total Activation Programmes	88,398	80,888	70,068	67,246

-	August 2015	September 2015
Back to Work Schemes	0	0
Back to Work allowance scheme - Employee strand1	11,738	11,825
Back to Work Enterprise allowance scheme -self employed strand	472	469
Short-term Enterprise Allowance2	12,210	12,294
Total Back to Work payments	-	-
Other Activation Programmes	-	-
DSP Part-time Job Incentive	369	411
TUS - Community Work Placement Initiative (2011)	7,881	7,827
JobBridge (From July 2011)	4,640	4,693
Gateway (2013)3	2,315	2,342
Total Other Activation Programmes	15,205	15,273
Community Employment Schemes (excluding Supervisors)	22,839	22,692
FAS Full Time Training for Unemployed People(4)	5,843	6,478
Back to Education Courses	-	-
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)5	N/A	N/A
Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)6	4,519	12,537
Total Back to Education Courses	9,519	17,537
Total Activation Programmes	65,616	74,274

1 This scheme was closed to new applications from 1st May 2009

2 This scheme was introduced from 1st May 2009. It provides immediate support for someone in receipt of Jobseekers Benefit who wants to start a business.

3 Gateway Scheme included from December 2013

4 Specific Skills Training/Local Training initiative/Traineeship/Return to Work.

5 VTOS figures are estimated at 5,000 each year.

6 BTEA figures include all schemes but participants from JA & JB are not entitled to BTEA during the summer holidays.

Includes MOMENTUM participants from February 2013.

Table 1c Persons aged 15 to 24 years of age in employment (ILO) and unemployed (ILO) Q2 2014 - Q3 2015 - '000

-	Q2 14	Q3 14	Q4 14	Q1 15	Q2 15	Q3 15
In employment	142.5	160.5	152.4	140.7	145.2	161.5
Unemployed	52.6	48.4	38.8	38.6	41.9	42.2

Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.

Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.

Table 1d Persons aged 15 to 24 years of age in education (including persons on holidays from regular education) where level of education is Third level non-honours degreee/Third level honours degree or above - '000

-	Q2 14	Q3 14	Q4 14	Q1 15	Q2 15	Q3 15
Persons aged 15 to 24 years in tertiary education	116.7	109.8	136.3	119.4	117.6	103.9

Persons for whom education status is not known or persons for whom the level they are engaged at is unknown are excluded.

Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.';

Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.

Unemployment Data

Questions (123)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

123. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach the number of persons under the age of 34 who were unemployed and on the live register, who were in employment, who were on activation schemes and who were in tertiary education, over the past 18 months, in tabular form [42605/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach

The exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.

The Live Register series gives a monthly breakdown of the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance and other registrants as registered with the Department of Social Protection.

The most recent Live Register figures available are for October 2015.

Table 1a below shows the number of persons under 35 years of age (34 years and under) on the Live Register for the months from May 2014 to October 2015.

It should be noted that the Live Register is not a definitive measure of unemployment as it includes part-time workers, and seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseeker's Benefit or Allowance

The most recent data on numbers on Live Register Activation Programmes are for September 2015. It is not possible to provide an age breakdown for persons on the Live Register Activation Programmes.

Table 1b shows the number of persons on Live Register Activation Programmes from April 2014 to September 2015

The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment (ILO) and unemployment (ILO) in the State.

The most recent figures available are for Quarter 3 2015.

Table 1c shows the number of persons aged 15 to 34 years of age in employment and unemployed from Q2 2014 to Q3 2015.

Table 1d shows the number of persons aged 15 to 34 years of age in education (including persons on holidays from regular education) where level of education is Third level non-honours degreee/Third level honours degree or above.

Table 1a Number of persons under 35 years of age on the Live Register

2014	-
May	168,882
June	174,689
July	176,045
August	173,916
September	157,989
October	149,014
November	144,791
December	144,899
2015	-
January	147,337
February	144,970
March	141,252
April	138,294
May	140,790
June	146,380
July	148,204
August	146,753
September	133,698
October	124,658

Source: CSO Live Register

Table 1b Live Register Activation Programmes April 2014-September 2015

-	April 2014	May 2014	June 2014	July 2014
Back to Work Schemes	7	6	6	5
Back to Work allowance scheme - Employee strand1	10,406	10,419	10,517	10,643
Back to Work Enterprise allowance scheme -self employed strand	518	546	558	583
Short-term Enterprise Allowance2	10,931	10,971	11,081	11,231
Total Back to Work payments	-	-	-	-
Other Activation Programmes	-	-	-	-
DSP Part-time Job Incentive	322	343	319	303
TUS - Community Work Placement Initiative (2011)	7,419	7,379	7,300	7,441
JobBridge (From July 2011)	6,750	6,977	6,782	6,333
Gateway (2013)3	148	191	308	446
Total Other Activation Programmes	14,639	14,890	14,709	14,523
Community Employment Schemes (excluding Supervisors)	22,961	23,142	23,170	23,111
FAS Full Time Training for Unemployed People(4)	8,723	8,870	8,582	7,403
Back to Education Courses	-	-	-	-
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)5	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)6	23,335	13,300	5,009	3,348
Total Back to Education Courses	28,335	18,300	10,009	8,348
Total Activation Programmes	85,589	76,173	67,551	64,616

-	August 2014	September 2014	October 2014	November 2014
Back to Work Schemes	5	5	5	5
Back to Work allowance scheme - Employee strand1	10,732	10,746	10,897	11,009
Back to Work Enterprise allowance scheme -self employed strand	580	570	516	492
Short-term Enterprise Allowance2	11,317	11,321	11,418	11,506
Total Back to Work payments	-	-	-	-
Other Activation Programmes	-	-	-	-
DSP Part-time Job Incentive	317	357	384	393
TUS - Community Work Placement Initiative (2011)	7,477	7,494	7,683	7,860
JobBridge (From July 2011)	6,053	6,298	6,599	6,742
Gateway (2013)3	610	819	1,138	1,463
Total Other Activation Programmes	14,457	14,968	15,804	16,458
Community Employment Schemes (excluding Supervisors)	23,124	22,941	22,815	23,035
FAS Full Time Training for Unemployed People(4)	6,534	7,662	8,434	8,910
Back to Education Courses	-	-	-	-
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)5	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)6	3,115	14,515	21,201	22,714
Total Back to Education Courses	8,115	19,515	26,201	27,714
Total Activation Programmes	63,547	76,407	84,672	87,623

-	December 2014	January 2015	February 2015	March 2015
Back to Work Schemes	3	2	2	1
Back to Work allowance scheme - Employee strand1	11,166	11,180	11,260	11,372
Back to Work Enterprise allowance scheme -self employed strand	479	440	447	465
Short-term Enterprise Allowance2	11,648	11,622	11,709	11,838
Total Back to Work payments	-	-	-	-
Other Activation Programmes	-	-	-	-
DSP Part-time Job Incentive	397	397	397	397
TUS - Community Work Placement Initiative (2011)	7,877	7,865	7,877	7,841
JobBridge (From July 2011)	6,371	6,220	6,140	6,015
Gateway (2013)3	1,685	1,770	1,856	1,990
Total Other Activation Programmes	16,330	16,252	16,270	16,243
Community Employment Schemes (excluding Supervisors)	23,249	22,927	23,034	24,478
FAS Full Time Training for Unemployed People(4)	8,771	7,552	7,739	8,002
Back to Education Courses	-	-	-	-
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)5	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)6	23,366	23,497	23,873	24,143
Total Back to Education Courses	28,366	28,497	28,873	29,143
Total Activation Programmes	88,364	86,850	87,625	89,704

-	April 2015	May 2015	June 2015	July 2015
Back to Work Schemes	0	0	0	0
Back to Work allowance scheme - Employee strand1	11,490	11,523	11,621	11,739
Back to Work Enterprise allowance scheme -self employed strand	461	486	490	486
Short-term Enterprise Allowance2	11,951	12,009	12,111	12,225
Total Back to Work payments	-	-	-	-
Other Activation Programmes	-	-	-	-
DSP Part-time Job Incentive	401	399	378	358
TUS - Community Work Placement Initiative (2011)	7,979	7,943	8,001	8,014
JobBridge (From July 2011)	5,895	5,778	5,338	4,969
Gateway (2013)3	2,082	2,160	2,208	2,258
Total Other Activation Programmes	16,357	16,280	15,925	15,599
Community Employment Schemes (excluding Supervisors)	22,999	24,563	23,112	22,913
FAS Full Time Training for Unemployed People(4)	7,997	7,882	7,502	6,533
Back to Education Courses	-	-	-	-
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)5	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)6	24,094	15,154	6,418	4,976
Total Back to Education Courses	29,094	20,154	11,418	9,976
Total Activation Programmes	88,398	80,888	70,068	67,246

-	August 2015	September 2015
Back to Work Schemes	0	0
Back to Work allowance scheme - Employee strand1	11,738	11,825
Back to Work Enterprise allowance scheme -self employed strand	472	469
Short-term Enterprise Allowance2	12,210	12,294
Total Back to Work payments	-	-
Other Activation Programmes	-	-
DSP Part-time Job Incentive	369	411
TUS - Community Work Placement Initiative (2011)	7,881	7,827
JobBridge (From July 2011)	4,640	4,693
Gateway (2013)3	2,315	2,342
Total Other Activation Programmes	15,205	15,273
Community Employment Schemes (excluding Supervisors)	22,839	22,692
FAS Full Time Training for Unemployed People(4)	5,843	6,478
Back to Education Courses	-	-
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)5	N/A	N/A
Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)6	4,519	12,537
Total Back to Education Courses	9,519	17,537
Total Activation Programmes	65,616	74,274

1 This scheme was closed to new applications from 1st May 2009

2 This scheme was introduced from 1st May 2009. It provides immediate support for someone in receipt of Jobseekers Benefit who wants to start a business.

3 Gateway Scheme included from December 2013

4 Specific Skills Training/Local Training initiative/Traineeship/Return to Work.

5 VTOS figures are estimated at 5,000 each year.

6 BTEA figures include all schemes but participants from JA & JB are not entitled to BTEA during the summer holidays.

Includes MOMENTUM participants from February 2013.

Table 1c Persons aged 15 - 34 years of age in employment (ILO) and unemployed (ILO) Q2 2014 - Q3 2015 - '000

-	Q2 14	Q3 14	Q4 14	Q1 15	Q2 15	Q3 15
In employment	633.4	648.9	640.6	624.0	627.6	641.2
Unemployed	125.2	118.3	98.9	98.3	97.9	97.1

Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.

Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.

Table 1d Persons aged 15 to 34 years of age in education (including persons on holidays from regular education) where level of education is Third level non-honours degreee/Third level honours degree or above - '000

-	Q2 14	Q3 14	Q4 14	Q1 15	Q2 15	Q3 15
Persons aged 15 to 34 years in tertiary education	163.9	152.0	186.2	171.4	164.3	143.4

Persons for whom education status is not known or persons for whom the level they are engaged at is unknown are excluded.

Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.

Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.

Departmental Legal Cases Data

Questions (124)

Billy Timmins

Question:

124. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Taoiseach the number of legal cases currently ongoing against his Department including State agencies under his aegis; the number of cases that took place during the years 2011 to 2014, inclusive; the cost of those that were contested and what damages were involved; the costs and damages of those that were settled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43271/15]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

There are currently four legal cases pending against my Department (including State agencies under its aegis), two of which are being managed by the State Claims Agency. Four legal cases took place during the years 2011 to 2014. The total legal costs incurred by my Department from 2011 to 2014 in respect of these cases is provided in the table.

Year	€
2011	€43,535
2012	*€241,676
2013	Nil
2014	€22,909

The table does not include any costs that have been incurred in relation to the Tribunal of Inquiry (Moriarty) or the Commission of Investigation (Fennelly).

*In 2012 my Department paid €241,676 in legal costs incurred in respect of the applicant's costs in proceedings taken against the previous Government about the holding of a by-election in Donegal South-West.

Departmental Staff

Questions (125)

Regina Doherty

Question:

125. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Taoiseach the number of employees under his remit who are classified under a contract of indefinite duration; the number of these who are receiving incremental salary payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43284/15]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

No employee of my Department is classified under a contract of indefinite duration.

The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only State Agency under the aegis of my Department and is the body corporate for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). Four employees of NESDO/NESC are classified under contracts of indefinite duration. None of these officials are receiving incremental salary payments as they have reached the top of their respective scales.

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Questions (126)

James Bannon

Question:

126. Deputy James Bannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if an appeal under the carer's allowance scheme will be expedited for a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42441/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

Carer's Allowance (CA) is a social assistance payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to people who have a disability such that they require that level of care and who satisfy a means test.

A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses outside the home for a maximum of 15 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.

I confirm that the department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 1 September 2015.

The application was refused by a deciding officer on the grounds that the person concerned was working outside the home for more than 15 hours per week.

He was notified on 12 November 2015 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal. There is no record of any CA review or appeal request being received in the department. If the person’s circumstances have changed, it is open to him to re-apply for CA at any time.