Written Answers Nos 505-518
505. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide funding to renovate the inside of a building (details supplied) in County Kerry, including to make it wheelchair accessible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1417/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions.
However, in order to be of assistance, I have had enquiries made and I am informed that the Courts Service is very aware of the accessibility issues and the limited facilities at Tralee Courthouse. The Courts Service has stated that it is not be possible to provide appropriate facilities including full accessibility within the site of the current courthouse due to the nature of the building and the restrictions of the site. The Court Service proposes to build a new courthouse in Tralee, however they have advised that this will be dependent on securing an alternative site and the availability of funding. This will enable the Courts Service to provide improved facilities for all users and also allow the issue of accessibility to be addressed comprehensively.
506. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the condition of Tralee courthouse (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1419/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions.
However, in order to be of assistance, I have had enquiries made and I am informed that the Courts Service is very aware of the accessibility issues and the limited facilities at Tralee Courthouse. The Courts Service has stated that it is not be possible to provide appropriate facilities including full accessibility within the site of the current courthouse due to the nature of the building and the restrictions of the site. The Court Service proposes to build a new courthouse in Tralee, however they have advised that this will be dependant on securing an alternative site and the availability of funding. This will enable the Courts Service to provide improved facilities for all users and also allow the issue of accessibility to be addressed comprehensively.
507. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount spent by An Garda Síochána on information technology in each of the years 2012 to 2015; the linkages with the Courts Service and the Road Safety Authority on records; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1438/16]
View answerUnder the Garda Síochána Act 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for controlling the general management and administration of the Service within the context of agreed annual policing plans. This includes the procurement and maintenance of various technologies utilised to manage the Service, and support front-line Gardaí and intelligence-led operations against organised crime.
In that context, I am advised by the Garda authorities that the total expenditure incurred under the Information Technology Subhead of the Garda Vote for each of the years 2012-2015 is outlined in the table below:
|
Year |
Expenditure € |
|
2012 |
18,074,943 |
|
2013 |
19,451,075 |
|
2014 |
24,532,483 |
|
2015 |
37,251,075 |
The Criminal Justice Integration Project (CJIP) provides for the electronic exchange of records via secure data link between the District Courts and An Garda Síochána. There are approximately 2.5 million electronic records exchanged annually using CJIP which include summons applications, District Court outcomes, warrants and bail.
An Garda Síochána receive regular electronic updates via a secure data link with the National Vehicle File and National Driver File from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Road Safety Authority. In turn An Garda Síochána electronically provide details of paid fixed charge offences to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Road Safety Authority in respect of the application of penalty points to driver licence records.
In addition An Garda Síochána provide road collision data electronically via secure data link to the Road Safety Authority to assist with road safety research and analysis.
508. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will allocate an additional Garda public order van for the R district; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1439/16]
View answerDecisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational demands and the availability of resources.
I am informed by the Commissioner that a number of vans have been delivered which are currently being fitted out. These include a number of medium sized vans which can accommodate up to 6 Garda members and 2 separate cells.
Following fit out, these vehicles will be allocated to the Dublin Metropolitan Region. It will be a matter for the Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for that region to determine the ultimate location of public order vans based upon prioritised operational requirements.
I am further informed that proactive measures are in place to facilitate focused patrols in the most vulnerable areas and local Garda management are satisfied that a comprehensive policing service is being delivered to the ‘R’ District in line with policing demands throughout the Division.
509. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to report on the Garda Síochána Operation Waste including the number of persons arrested and charged, and the number of successful convictions obtained to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1440/16]
View answerIn relation to the matter referred to I have requested a report from the Garda authorities and I will contact the Deputy directly when the report is to hand.
510. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of firearm licences revoked, in each of the years 2013 to 2015, including a detailed breakdown of the difference types of firearms revoked; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1441/16]
View answerAn Garda Síochána advises that the total number of Firearms Licences revoked from 2013 to 2015 is 335, the details of which are outlined as follows:
|
YEAR |
TYPE |
NUMBER |
|
2013 |
Pistol (Semi Automatic) |
6 |
|
2013 |
Revolver |
1 |
|
2013 |
Rifle |
2 |
|
2013 |
Rifle (Bolt Action) |
30 |
|
2013 |
Rifle (Lever Action) |
1 |
|
2013 |
Rifle (Pump Action) |
9 |
|
2013 |
Shotgun (Pump Action) |
1 |
|
2013 |
Shotgun (Semi Automatic) |
10 |
|
2013 |
Shotgun (Single Barrel) |
25 |
|
2013 |
Shotgun (Under And Over) |
56 |
|
TOTAL |
- |
141 |
|
YEAR |
TYPE |
NUMBER |
|
2014 |
Pistol (Semi Automatic) |
5 |
|
2014 |
Rifle |
1 |
|
2014 |
Rifle (Bolt Action) |
27 |
|
2014 |
Rifle (Pump Action) |
5 |
|
2014 |
Shotgun (Pump Action) |
4 |
|
2014 |
Shotgun (Semi Automatic) |
2 |
|
2014 |
Shotgun (Single Barrel) |
22 |
|
2014 |
Shotgun (Under And Over) |
46 |
|
TOTAL |
- |
112 |
|
YEAR |
TYPE |
NUMBER |
|
2015 |
Pistol (Semi Automatic) |
1 |
|
2015 |
Rifle (Bolt Action) |
21 |
|
2015 |
Rifle (Pump Action) |
9 |
|
2015 |
Shotgun (Pump Action) |
3 |
|
2015 |
Shotgun (Semi Automatic) |
11 |
|
2015 |
Shotgun (Single Barrel) |
10 |
|
2015 |
Shotgun (Under And Over) |
27 |
|
TOTAL |
- |
82 |
511. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of recorded assaults on prison officers and prisoners by other prisoners, by prison, and place of detention, in 2015, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1476/16]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the statistics for the number of assaults in 2015 on prison officers and prisoners by other prisoners are not readily available. The information sought is currently being collated and I will respond to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.
512. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount spent on the Garda's closed circuit television camera programme in each of the years 2013 to 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1494/16]
View answerGarda CCTV systems are planned and implemented on the basis of the identified operational needs and priorities of An Garda Síochána. In that context I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the expenditure for Garda CCTV systems during the period 2013-2015 is as follows: 2013 - €1.2M; 2014 - €1.157M; 2015 - €1.434M.
513. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to meet the Secretary for Homeland Security of the United States of America, Mr. Jeh Johnson; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1495/16]
View answerI have no plans at present to meet with the US Homeland Security Secretary.
514. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to provide extra funding for additional specialist equipment and personnel for the Garda Síochána Computer Crime Unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1496/16]
View answerUnder the Garda Síochána Act 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of Garda resources. This includes personnel, Garda vehicles and the various technologies utilised to support front-line Gardaí and intelligence-led operations against organised crime. This process takes account of policing priorities determined by me in consultation with the Garda Commissioner. With the establishment of the Policing Authority on 1 January future priorities will of course be determined by that body in consultation with the Commissioner and with the consent of the Minister in accordance with section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended.
I can assure the Deputy that the Garda authorities are continually looking to ensure that the latest information, communications and forensic technologies are sourced and deployed to achieve their strategic objectives as set out in the context of their annual policing plans, as provided for in section 22 of the 2005 Act. This policy is designed to ensure that the Garda Síochána will be properly resourced to meet the evolving needs of a modern effective police force and take advantage of proven up to date technological developments in crime detection and prevention as they occur.
I am informed by the Commissioner that Garda personnel and resources assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed and is determined by a number of factors including population, crime trends and as the policing needs of each individual division dictates. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.
515. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to provide funding for the appointment of additional full-time forensic accountants for the Garda bureau of fraud investigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1497/16]
View answerUnder the Garda Síochána Act 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of available Garda resources. This includes personnel, Garda vehicles and the various technologies utilised to support front-line Gardaí and intelligence-led operations against organised crime. This process takes account of annual policing priorities determined by me as Minister for Justice in consultation with the Garda Commissioner as provided for under section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005. With the establishment of the Policing Authority on 1 January future priorities will of course be determined by that body in consultation with the Commissioner and with the consent of the Minister in accordance with section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended.
The Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation (GBFI) currently has two full-time Forensic Accountants (Garda II level) working alongside both sworn and unsworn members of An Garda Síochána at the Bureau.
I am informed by the Commissioner that Garda personnel and resources assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed and is determined by a number of factors including population, crime trends and as the policing needs of each individual division dictates. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.
516. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs how he will ensure the retention of the national aspect of the family resource centre programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46493/15]
View answer517. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs how he is ensuring that the operational funding for the national family resource centre programme is excluded from the commissioning process and that commissioning for community services will be reconsidered given the new EU directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46494/15]
View answer518. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs how he will ensure that all family resource centre projects have sufficient core funding to employ three full-time equivalent staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46495/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 516 to 518, inclusive, together.
There are currently 109 communities supported through the Family Resource Centre Programme which is funded by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Family Resource Centre Programme is a national programme with its own dedicated budget. Tusla provides core funding to Family Resource Centres to cover the employment of two to three members of staff and some overhead costs. In 2015, Tusla provided €13.09m in funding for the Family Resource Centre Programme.
Family Resource Centres (FRCs) are front-line services rooted in the communities they serve. Acting as a focal point within their communities, Family Resource Centres provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to all children and families in their communities. While Family Resource Centres operate an open-door policy and provide many services and development opportunities at a universal level, they also proactively target specific cohorts within their communities.
Tusla fully appreciates the role that Family Resource Centres play in offering early intervention support to families in difficulty. The Agency also recognises the benefits that additional staffing resources can bring to a Family Resource Centre and this is an item under review as Tusla’s budget allocations for 2016 are currently under consideration.
The concerns of some service providers in regard to Tusla’s plan to introduce commissioning, and the requirements of the new European Union Directive on Public Procurement (2014/24/EU) have recently been highlighted to me. Tusla has advised that it does not envisage that the new European Union Directive on Public Procurement (2014/24/EU) will have any impact on the operational funding available to the National Family Resource Centre Programme.
With regard to commissioning for Family Resource Services, the aim of Tusla’s Commissioning Strategy is to target services not currently available in Family Resource Centre areas and to procure these services by way of a separate budget established for this purpose.
Tusla is currently developing plans for the introduction of its commissioning approach. It will engage closely with stakeholders in this regard and will provide the necessary guidance and advice.
Tusla is committed to a partnership approach whereby it will engage with other statutory partners and respect the unique role of community and voluntary organisations, including small scale providers to ensure that there is full engagement with all stakeholders at each stage of the process.
As the Deputy will be aware, I announced a significant increase in the funding allocation to Tusla for this year. Tusla has available to it some €676 million in funding, representing an increase of €38 million over 2015. This increase in funding will allow Tusla to address critical shortcomings such as the number of children and families awaiting services.
The precise level of funding to be provided to Family Support Centres for this year has been considered by Tusla in developing its Business Plan for 2016, which has been submitted to me for consideration.
The Government, since its establishment, has attached particular priority to supporting vulnerable children and families and the significant increase in funding being made available to Tusla this year represents further evidence of our delivery on this ambition.
