Written Answers Nos. 273-296
273. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 4 November 2015, which, in turn, was a follow-up to Parliamentary Question No. 511 of 14 July 2015, wherein she stated that the information was being compiled and verified, if she now has this information available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44773/15]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of information on the courts system. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have made enquiries and the Courts Service has advised that the information is currently being compiled and verified. I shall arrange for the information requested to be forwarded to him shortly.
274. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to reply, dated 4 November 2015, to Parliamentary Question No. 117 of 4 November 2015, which was a follow-up to earlier parliamentary questions wherein she stated that the information was being compiled and verified, if she now has this information available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44774/15]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that a response in relation to his query is being finalised at present and will issue in the very near future.
276. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the number of gardaí stationed in Garda Síochána stations in Crumlin village, Sundrive Road and Ballyfermot in Dublin on 1 December in each of the years 2010 to 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44853/15]
View answerThe 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 Gardaí currently stationed in the Garda Stations referred to by the Deputy as at 30 November on each of the years 2010 to 2014 and on the 31 October 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is as set out in the following table.
This Government is committed to the ongoing recruitment of trainee Gardaí, and to this end the first intake since 2009 of new recruits commenced training at the Garda College, Templemore, in September of last year. To date there 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 informed by the Garda Commissioner that 4 of the new probationer Gardaí have been assigned to Crumlin Garda Station, and 5 each to Sundrive Road and Ballyfermot Garda Stations.
The Deputy will be aware that I announced the opening of a recruitment campaign for new members of An Garda Síochána on 27 November last. 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. This ramped-up recruitment underscores the determination of this Government to deliver an effective, responsive police service to protect our communities and respond to emerging crime trends. 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.
|
Station |
Nov ‘10 |
Nov ‘11 |
Nov ‘12 |
Nov ‘13 |
Nov ‘14 |
Oct ‘15 |
|
Crumlin |
107 |
103 |
98 |
97 |
94 |
93 |
|
Sundrive Road |
77 |
72 |
69 |
66 |
63 |
64 |
|
Ballyfermot |
100 |
96 |
93 |
88 |
84 |
86 |
277. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality why a letter was not accepted by a representative from her Department from a group that visited her Department on 22 September 2015 in respect of an apology the group was seeking from the Government for what occured in the mother and baby homes in the past; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44897/15]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that it is the Department's standard practice for safety and security reasons to ensure that the front doors of the building remain closed during protests. Where a letter is intended for the Minister, the Garda on duty outside accepts delivery and passes it, via the service staff, to the Minister's Office. That is what happened on 22nd of September when a protest was held by a group seeking an apology from the Government for what occurred in the Mother and Baby Homes in the past.
I can also advise the Deputy that my Department issued a comprehensive response to the group on the issues raised in the letter.
278. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the discussions she has had with the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána on the provision of a second Garda Síochána station in Tallaght in Dublin 24; if she is aware of the local campaign and that possible sites are available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44945/15]
View answerThe opening of Garda stations is in the first instance a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the context of preparing her annual policing plan under section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which requires any proposals relating to the opening or closing of Garda Stations to be included in the plan. The Policing Plan 2015 does not contain any plans in relation to the opening of Garda stations.
279. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline her views on the fact that staff at governor level in the Prison Service can avail of free on-site accommodation in a number of the prisons, yet prison staff often find it difficult to secure transfers to a prison near where they live and are unable to afford accommodation costs near where they work; if she will address this inequity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44966/15]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the only prison with on-site accommodation for staff is Loughan House Open Centre in Cavan. In this case, there are 8 rooms available to staff of all grades in the Prison, including the Governor.
There is an agreed transfer protocol for prison officers who wish to seek a transfer to another prison. Vacancies are filled in each location as they arise in line with this transfer protocol on the basis of seniority in the grade and all staff are aware of this process.
280. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the recent additional Garda mountain bikes purchased have been allocated to Garda stations, if not, when they will be delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45015/15]
View answerI have asked the Garda authorities for the information requested and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.
281. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she operates a policy in respect of board appointments whereby persons are compelled to resign on reaching 70 years of age, notwithstanding their wish and ability to continue to serve; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45045/15]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that my Department does not operate a policy of the kind referred to in his question. Appointments to Boards are made according to the terms of reference contained in the relevant Act of the Oireachtas establishing the Board in question. Boards established on a non-statutory basis operate in accordance with the terms of reference drawn up for those Boards.
I can advise the Deputy that section 4(4) of Schedule 2 of the Private Security Services Act 2004, which sets out the terms of membership of the Private Security Appeals Board, provides that a member of that Board shall vacate office on attaining the age of 70 years.
282. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to detail, in tabular form, the ground rents she or agencies under the remit of her Department pay by named property, name of landlord and amount payable, in 2015 and 2016, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45059/15]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that there are a number of properties attached to the Courts Service that are liable for Ground Rents. The information sought is currently being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as possible.
There are no other properties under my remit that incur Ground Rents.
283. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the number of prisoners in custody and the number under protection in each institution on 23 November 2015. [45094/15]
View answer284. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the number of prisoners from 18 to 20 years of age in custody and the number under protection in each institution on 23 November 2015. [45095/15]
View answer285. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the number of prisoners from 21 to 25 years of age in custody and the number under protection in each institution on 23 November 2015. [45096/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 283 to 285, inclusive, together.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that a breakdown of the information on the date requested by the Deputy is not available.
However, the Irish Prison Service provide a Quarterly Census Report which includes information regarding the number of prisoners under protection. This Census is published on the Irish Prison Service website, (www.irishprisons.ie). In relation to the numbers in custody, these figures are published daily on the Irish Prison Service website.
I am further advised that the reports mentioned above do not breakdown each institution by age category as this would require a manual examination of each record. Such an examination would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort that could not be justified where there are other significant demands on resources.
286. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the number of prisoners in each institution who are locked up in a normal day for 23 plus, 22 plus, 20 plus, 18 plus, 16 plus, 14 plus and less than 14 hours as of 23 November 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45097/15]
View answer287. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the number of prisoners from 18 to 20 years of age in each institution who are locked up in a normal day for 23 plus, 22 plus, 20 plus, 18 plus, 16 plus, 14 plus and less than 14 hours as of 23 November 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45098/15]
View answer288. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the number of prisoners from 21 to 25 years of age in each institution who are locked up in a normal day for 23 plus, 22 plus, 20 plus, 18 plus, 16 plus, 14 plus and less than 14 hours as of 23 November 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45099/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 286 to 288, inclusive, together.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that a breakdown of the information on the date requested by the Deputy is not available.
However, the Irish Prison Service provide a Quarterly Census Report which includes information regarding the number of prisoners on a restricted regime. This census is published on the Irish Prison Service website, (www.irishprisons.ie).
I am further advised that the report mentioned above does not breakdown each institution by age category as this would require a manual examination of each record. Such an examination would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort that could not be justified where there are other significant demands on resources.
289. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out by institution the number of persons in prison and the number not held in single cells or rooms on 23 November 2015. [45100/15]
View answer290. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out by institution the number of persons from 18 to 20 years of age in prison not held in single cells or rooms on 23 November 2015. [45101/15]
View answer291. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the number of persons from 18 to 20 years of age in Wheatfield Place of Detention under sentence on remand under the legislation as well as the number not held in single cells or rooms by institution on 23 November 2015. [45102/15]
View answer292. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out by institution the number of persons from 21 to 25 years of age in prison not held in single cells or rooms on 23 November 2015. [45103/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 289 to 292, inclusive, together.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that a breakdown of the information on the date requested by the Deputy is not available. However, the Irish Prison Service provide a Quarterly Census Report which includes information regarding the number of cells accommodating one, two, three and four or more prisoners. This census is published on the Irish Prison Service website, (www.irishprisons.ie).
In relation to the numbers in custody, these figures are published daily on the Irish Prison Service website.
I am further advised that the reports mentioned above do not breakdown each institution by age category as this would require a manual examination of each record. Such an examination would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort that could not be justified where there are other significant demands on resources.
293. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out by institution the numbers of prisoners from 18 to 20 years of age and the annual cost of this age group by person as of 23 November 2015. [45104/15]
View answer294. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out by institution the numbers of prisoners from 21 to 25 years of age and the annual cost of this age group by person as of 23 November 2015. [45105/15]
View answer295. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out by institution the number of sentenced prisoners from 18 to 20 years of age as well as the annual cost of this age group by person as at 23 November 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45106/15]
View answer296. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out by institution the number of sentenced prisoners from 21 to 25 years of age as well as the annual cost of this age group by person as of 23 November 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45107/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 293 to 296, inclusive, together.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that it conducts an analysis of the snapshot of the prison population on the last day of each month. Accordingly, an analysis of the snapshot of the prison population was conducted on 30th November, 2015 and this analysis has been used to provide the information requested by the Deputy.
The information is set out in the following table.
|
Establishment Name |
Number in custody 18 to 20 years old |
Sentenced 18 to 20 years old |
Number in custody 21 to 25 years old |
Sentenced 21 to 25 years old |
|
Arbour Hill Prison |
0 |
10 |
10 |
|
|
Castlerea Prison |
25 |
18 |
63 |
47 |
|
Cloverhill Remand Prison |
37 |
4 |
78 |
16 |
|
Cork Prison |
17 |
15 |
45 |
34 |
|
Limerick Prison (Female) |
2 |
1 |
5 |
4 |
|
Limerick Prison (Male) |
16 |
9 |
65 |
41 |
|
Loughan House |
0 |
0 |
17 |
17 |
|
Midlands Prison |
39 |
34 |
127 |
122 |
|
Mountjoy Prison (Female) |
2 |
1 |
14 |
9 |
|
Mountjoy Prison (Male) |
14 |
14 |
116 |
116 |
|
Portlaoise Prison |
4 |
4 |
49 |
48 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
0 |
0 |
15 |
15 |
|
Training Unit |
0 |
0 |
13 |
13 |
|
Wheatfield Place of Detention |
60 |
60 |
80 |
80 |
|
Total |
216 |
160 |
697 |
572 |
The Irish Prison Service calculates the average annual cost of an available staffed prison space for inclusion in the Annual Report of the Irish Prison Service. For 2014, the latest year for which a figure is available, the cost was €68,959.
