Written Answers Nos. 310-322
310. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Defence to outline the possibility of developing an aviation museum at Baldonnel Aerodrome in County Dublin, given its long association with the Irish Air Corps and given that the first east-west flight across the Atlantic left from there. [46344/15]
View answerThere is currently a museum situated at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, which contains a collection of aircraft and other aviation-related exhibits which chart the rich history of the Air Corps and aviation in Ireland. The Museum is staffed by volunteers. However security and operational considerations restrict public access, which is by appointment on weekdays only.
Officials in my Department are currently assessing a proposal from the Irish Historic Flight Foundation (IHFF) for the development of a new aviation museum/heritage centre at Baldonnel.
While I am in general committed to encouraging enterprise, economic development and initiatives of this nature, the impact of such a development in this location must be carefully considered as Baldonnel is of such strategic importance, being the headquarters of the Irish Air Corps and the only military airfield in the country.
I am also aware that there are a number of other sites being considered for this proposal.
311. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Defence the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.50 for all employees directly employed or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46403/15]
View answerThe Defence Organisation includes military personnel, civil servants and civilian employees attached to military installations.
The pay structures and conditions of service of members of the Permanent Defence Force contain professional and technical remuneration elements in addition to allowances in the nature of pay which reflect the unique aspects of military life both at home and abroad. As such, the non-standard time and attendance patterns of military personnel and the rates of remuneration associated with a wide spectrum of duties undertaken by such military personnel can vary across the different branches of the Defence Forces and, consequently, does not facilitate the general application of a threshold rate of pay.
In respect of civil servants and civilian employees it has not been possible in the time available to compile all the necessary information requested by the Deputy. The information is being gathered and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
312. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will extend the upper age limit for children, generally set at eight years of age, for which parental leave may be taken, given its particular helpfulness to parents during school holidays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45836/15]
View answerThe basis for the current age limit is contained in Council Directive 2010/18/EU giving effect to the revised Parental Leave Framework Agreement negotiated by the European social partners in 2009. The essential point is that the upper age limit was negotiated and agreed by employers and Trade Union representatives at EU level and their agreement was then given force of law by the Directive. There are no plans at present to extend this limit. However, I would refer the Deputy to the announcement in the recent Budget of a new entitlement to two weeks paternity leave from work for fathers together with a social welfare payment to take effect from September 2016.
313. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of establishing a cross-Border crime agency as agreed in the fresh start agreement in November 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46113/15]
View answer362. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of the cross-Border crime agency proposed under the fresh start agreement. [46180/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 362 together.
The new Stormont Agreement, A Fresh Start, provides for a concerted effort on the part of both Governments to tackle cross-border organised crime and criminality including that linked to paramilitarism. The Agreement establishes a new Joint Agency Task Force which will have representatives comprised of senior management and operational personnel from the police and revenue services in both jurisdictions, and a range of other law enforcement agencies with a role in tackling cross-border organised crime.
The details of the new Task Force's membership, priorities and resources are currently being finalised. It will be charged with intensifying the current North-South co-operation at both the strategic and operational levels across a range of areas of organise crime that are cross-border in nature, drawing on the resources and expertise of the relevant agencies.
314. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of offences committed by cyclists of driving without reasonable consideration An Garda Síochána has recorded since its introduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46123/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, I have no direct role in the enforcement of road traffic legislation, which is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. I am, however, advised by the Garda authorities that since 31 July 2015, cycling without reasonable consideration is one of seven offences for which a cyclist may receive a Fixed Charge Notice. I am further informed that, since that date, 63 Fixed Charge Notices have issued for this offence.
315. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff operating in the cold case unit from 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45702/15]
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.
The unit referred to is known as the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) and is one of a number of units which form the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI).
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the following table outlines the number of personnel assigned to the SCRT from 2011 - 2014 and currently in 2015.
Serious Crime Review Team 2011 - 2015
|
Year |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Strength |
13 |
11 |
15 |
14 |
8 |
316. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of horses in the Garda Síochána mounted unit in each year since 2011. [45703/15]
View answerDecisions in relation to the provision and allocation of resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources.
I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda Mounted Unit is based at Áras an Úachtaráin, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 and has a National remit, under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, National Support Services. The Garda Mounted Unit facility has a maximum capacity of fifteen horses.
|
Year |
Number of Horses |
|
2011 |
14 |
|
2012 |
14 |
|
2013 |
14 |
|
2014 |
13 |
|
2015 (as of 16 December 2015) |
13 |
317. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the opening hours of each Garda Síochána station in tabular form. [45704/15]
View answerI have received the information from the Garda Commissioner requested by the Deputy, regarding the opening hours of each Garda station.
The information requested is being compiled in the format requested and will be sent to the Deputy directly.
318. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a new Secretary General will be appointed in her Department. [45705/15]
View answerAs I have informed the House in response to previous questions on this matter, appointments to the position of Secretary General are a function of Government. The recruitment process is undertaken by the Top Level Appointments Commission (TLAC) through the Public Appointments Service (PAS). I can inform the Deputy that the situation in relation to the Secretary General position in my Department has not changed in the interim.
The Deputy will be aware, therefore, that Mr. Noel Waters, formerly the Director General of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, has taken on the duties of Secretary General in my Department since October 2014. Mr. Waters fulfils all the duties of the post.
An open international recruitment competition for the post of Secretary General was independently run by the PAS on behalf of TLAC in 2014. However, the PAS process did not lead to any candidate being recommended for the position at that time. I am on record as saying that the circumstances facing the Justice sector at the time proved to be a factor in the position not being filled.
Implementation of a change programme arising from the recommendation of the Independent Review of my Department as well as the Civil Service Renewal Programme has been a top priority for my Department and this has resulted in a comprehensive and ongoing range of reforms and developments. With substantial reform of the Department of Justice and Equality now becoming embedded, this matter will be considered again in due course.
319. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána assigned to each divisional drug unit for each of the years 2011 to date. [45744/15]
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 assigned to each Divisional Drug Unit on the 31 December 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and on 31 October 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the following table.
Drugs Unit Personnel
|
Division |
31/12/2011 |
31/12/2012 |
31/12/2013 |
31/12/2014 |
31/12/2015 |
|
D.M.R.S.C. |
16 |
13 |
11 |
19 |
19 |
|
D.M.R.N.C |
18 |
20 |
13 |
20 |
19 |
|
D.M.R.N. |
32 |
31 |
27 |
16 |
25 |
|
D.M.R.E. |
15 |
13 |
13 |
10 |
10 |
|
D.M.R.S. |
31 |
30 |
23 |
17 |
16 |
|
D.M.R.W. |
35 |
28 |
26 |
24 |
26 |
|
Waterford |
10 |
10 |
9 |
5 |
6 |
|
Wexford |
11 |
6 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
8 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
6 |
|
Tipperary |
9 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
10 |
|
Cork City |
24 |
26 |
29 |
28 |
25 |
|
Cork North |
7 |
9 |
9 |
5 |
5 |
|
Cork West |
7 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
Kerry |
10 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
9 |
|
Limerick |
20 |
12 |
11 |
12 |
10 |
|
Donegal |
12 |
10 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
8 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
7 |
8 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
|
Louth |
6 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Clare |
9 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Galway |
12 |
11 |
12 |
8 |
11 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
7 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
|
Westmeath |
9 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
4 |
|
Meath |
7 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Kildare |
7 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
7 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
6 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
11 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Total |
359 |
304 |
270 |
253 |
257 |
320. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the running costs of the Supreme Court, the High Court, the Court of Appeal, the Special Criminal Court, the District Courts and the Circuit Courts in each year since 2011. [45745/15]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, the day to day management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions and I am responsible for ensuring that the Service is adequately funded. The following table sets out actual expenditure for the salaries and expenses for the Courts Service (excluding judicial salaries) in supporting the administration of justice and the courts of all jurisdictions. The Courts Service is not able to provide such details for each separate Court.
|
Programme Expenditure |
2011 Actuals €'000 |
2012 Actuals €'000 |
2013 Actuals €'000 |
2014 Actuals €'000 |
2015 Actuals €'000 |
|
Current Expenditure |
|||||
|
Pay |
51,358 |
49,188 |
49,012 |
47,139 |
50,019 |
|
Non Pay |
30,729 |
28,707 |
27,297 |
25,287 |
26,083 |
|
Total |
82,087 |
77,895 |
76,309 |
72,426 |
76,102 |
|
PPP - Unitary Payment |
19,500 |
22,437 |
20,240 |
22,862 |
22,163 |
|
Total Current Expenditure |
101,587 |
100,332 |
96,549 |
95,288 |
98,265 |
|
Capital Expenditure |
|||||
|
ICT |
6,458 |
5,056 |
2,506 |
5,655 |
4,820 |
|
Capital Works - Courthouses |
4,679 |
2,309 |
5,592 |
4,456 |
4,880 |
|
Total Capital Expenditure |
11,137 |
7,365 |
8,098 |
10,111 |
9,700 |
|
Total Gross Expenditure |
112,724 |
107,697 |
104,647 |
105,399 |
107,965 |
|
Appropriations-in-Aid |
50,085 |
48,541 |
46,837 |
48,797 |
47,815 |
|
Expenditure Net of Income |
62,639 |
59,156 |
57,810 |
56,602 |
60,150 |
Note: Non-Pay Current Expenditure includes travel and subsistence, courthouse and office premises expenses, office equipment, postal and telecommunication, training and development and miscellaneous expenses.
321. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána stations and the number of gardaí in each in County Donegal on 1 November 2010 and on 1 November 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45751/15]
View answerThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including community Gardaí, 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 Garda stations and the number of Gardaí in the Donegal Garda Division on the 31 October 2010 and on 31 October 2015, was as set out in the following table.
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 am assured by Garda management that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of newly attested Gardaí and I have been informed that 10 Probationer Garda have been assigned to the Donegal Division.
I was very pleased to announce the commencement of the recruitment campaign for 2016 on 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.
Donegal Division 31 October 2010
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Total |
|
DONEGAL |
BALLYSHANNON |
BALLINTRA |
2 |
|
BALLYSHANNON |
48 |
||
|
BUNDORAN |
9 |
||
|
DONEGAL TOWN |
34 |
||
|
DUNKINEELY |
0 |
||
|
MOUNTCHARLES |
1 |
||
|
NA CEALLA BEAGA |
6 |
||
|
PETTIGO |
1 |
||
|
Total |
101 |
||
|
BUNCRANA |
BUNCRANA |
59 |
|
|
BURNFOOT |
6 |
||
|
CARNDONAGH |
3 |
||
|
CLONMANY |
2 |
||
|
CULDAFF |
0 |
||
|
MALIN |
4 |
||
|
MOVILLE |
6 |
||
|
MUFF |
4 |
||
|
Total |
84 |
||
|
GLENTIES |
ANNAGRY |
1 |
|
|
ARDARA |
3 |
||
|
BUNBEAG |
11 |
||
|
BURTONPORT |
1 |
||
|
CARRICK |
2 |
||
|
CLOUGHER |
1 |
||
|
DOOCHARY |
0 |
||
|
DUNGLOE |
9 |
||
|
GLEANN CHOLMCILLE |
0 |
||
|
GLENTIES |
29 |
||
|
Total |
57 |
||
|
LETTERKENNY |
BALLYBOFEY |
24 |
|
|
BROCACH |
1 |
||
|
CARRIGANS |
5 |
||
|
CASTLEFIN |
4 |
||
|
CONVOY |
4 |
||
|
LETTERKENNY |
118 |
||
|
LIFFORD |
17 |
||
|
NEWTOWNCUNNINGHAM |
4 |
||
|
RAPHOE |
2 |
||
|
Total |
179 |
||
|
MILFORD |
CARRIGART |
3 |
|
|
CHURCHILL |
1 |
||
|
CRAOSLOCH |
1 |
||
|
DUNFANAGHY |
3 |
||
|
FALCARRAGH |
8 |
||
|
KERRYKEEL |
4 |
||
|
KILMACRENNAN |
2 |
||
|
MILFORD |
27 |
||
|
RAMELTON |
4 |
||
|
RATHMULLEN |
1 |
||
|
Total |
54 |
||
|
Total |
45 Stations |
475 |
Donegal Division 31 October 2015
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Total |
|
DONEGAL |
BALLYSHANNON |
AN CHARRAIG |
1 |
|
ARD AN RÁTHA |
2 |
||
|
BALLINTRA |
1 |
||
|
BALLYSHANNON |
39 |
||
|
BUNDORAN |
7 |
||
|
DONEGAL TOWN |
28 |
||
|
MOUNTCHARLES |
1 |
||
|
NA CEALLA BEAGA |
6 |
||
|
NA GLEANNTA |
12 |
||
|
Total |
98 |
||
|
BUNCRANA |
BUNCRANA |
47 |
|
|
BURNFOOT |
4 |
||
|
CARNDONAGH |
8 |
||
|
CLONMANY |
1 |
||
|
MOVILLE |
5 |
||
|
MUFF |
3 |
||
|
Total |
68 |
||
|
LETTERKENNY |
BALLYBOFEY |
25 |
|
|
CARRIGANS |
4 |
||
|
CASTLEFIN |
4 |
||
|
CONVOY |
3 |
||
|
LETTERKENNY |
104 |
||
|
LIFFORD |
14 |
||
|
NEWTOWNCUNNINGHAM |
2 |
||
|
RAPHOE |
3 |
||
|
Total |
159 |
||
|
MILFORD |
AN BUN BEAG |
15 |
|
|
AN CLOCHÁN LIATH |
7 |
||
|
AN CRAOSLACH |
1 |
||
|
AN FÁL CARRACH |
8 |
||
|
CARRAIG AIRT |
2 |
||
|
DÚN FIONNACHAID |
2 |
||
|
KERRYKEEL |
2 |
||
|
KILMACRENNAN |
1 |
||
|
MILFORD |
28 |
||
|
RAMELTON |
2 |
||
|
RATHMULLEN |
1 |
||
|
Total |
35 Stations |
394 |
322. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount her Department has received in fees from freedom of information requests in 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45763/15]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that in 2014 my Department received €3,552.15 in fees from FOI requests. This figures encompasses fees for non-personal requests, search and retrieval fees and appeal fees. To date in 2015 my Department has received €270 in appeal fees.
I wish to point out that the reduction in fees is as a result of the revised fee structure provided for in the Freedom of Information Act 2014, which became effective on 14 October 2014. There is no fee now required to make a non-personal FOI request and the fee for appeal has been reduced. The search and retrieval fees have also been reduced.
