Written Answers Nos. 291-306
291. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the closure of Garda Síochána stations has resulted in an increase in crime in the areas where the closures took place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2183/16]
View answerThe formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda Stations is a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in conjunction with the newly established Policing Authority, the context of annual policing plans, as provided for in section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended.
The Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme implemented in An Garda Síochána during 2012 and 2013 resulted in the closure of 39 Garda stations in 2012 and 100 Garda stations in 2013. It is understood from discussions with the Garda Commissioner that the current consolidation process is largely completed and there are no plans at present for further station closures in 2015 and 2016. The primary objective of the Programme was to identify opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency and streamline practices within An Garda Síochána.
The Programme was based on a review of the Garda Station Network by Garda management which concluded in relation to certain stations, many of which were only open part-time and manned by a single Garda, that resources could be better deployed and more effectively used on the front line if those stations no longer had to be staffed and maintained. In reaching these conclusions, Garda management reviewed all aspects of the Garda Síochána policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the overall operation of Garda stations. The Programme supports the provision of a modern 21st century policing service for both urban and rural areas and allows front line Gardaí to be managed and deployed with greater mobility, greater flexibility, and in a more focused fashion, particularly with regard to various targeted police operations. As a result of the Programme, communities have benefited from increased Garda visibility and increased patrolling hours which has enabled An Garda Síochána to deliver an improved policing service to the public.
While crime trends continue to be monitored closely by local Garda management, I am advised that the available data does not point to a correlation between the closure of Garda stations and increased crime rates.
292. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she has introduced measures to replace the Garda Síochána mobile units initiative that was discontinued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2184/16]
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 through consultation between the Commissioner and the Policing Authority and with the consent of the Minister in accordance with section 20 of the Act.
Community Policing is the underpinning philosophy and ethos through which An Garda Síochána seeks to deliver a service to the community. In this regard the Garda National Model of Community Policing plays a key part in responding to crime by taking into account and responding to local conditions and needs.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that, following the launch of the National Model of Community Policing in 2009, a significant number of Garda clinics have been established. A Garda clinic is a small public Garda facility that provides basic Garda services within the community and which augments the District Garda Stations. Garda clinics are an established good community policing practice and are designed to place the needs of our communities at the centre of Garda services by improving An Garda Síochána’s ability to identify and anticipate community needs through pro-active engagement and effective service provision. Garda Clinics are delivered in partnership with the community and are established and conducted, where practicable, at community orientated venues.
I am also advised that Garda clinics, in addition to focusing on topics such as neighbourhood watch, crime prevention and advice to the older persons, also support the delivery of various Garda services e.g. passport applications, driving license production, age card applications and crime prevention advice. I am informed that these clinics are generally open for 1-2 hours but their frequency and venue would be consistent.
Types of Garda Clinics include:
- Campus Clinic provides a Garda service aimed at Staff & Students at post leaving cert and third level institutes.
- A Business Watch/Retail Clinic is provides a Garda service aimed at the business sector and are generally housed in shopping centres and similar retail outlets.
- A Garda Community Policing Clinic is a Garda clinic offering a basic Garda service to the community.
- A Multi Agency Clinic is a clinic consisting of Garda members and other state and NGO agencies such as HSE, Social welfare, etc and are a place where these wide range of services can be obtained to the general public.
- Themed Clinics are Garda clinics set up for the duration of a special community event be it of a sporting or social nature so a Garda service can be delivered away from a Garda Station and delivered directing within the venue or area of the event.
I am advised that An Garda Síochána are fully committed to continued proactive engagement with communities in addressing crime prevention and community safety issues. The arrangements and measures in place to achieve this objective are subject to ongoing review and analysis to ensure the continued delivery of an effective policing service.
293. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will alleviate the pressure on the Garda Síochána by temporarily allowing serving gardaí who are due to retire the option of extending their service by an additional two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2190/16]
View answerRetirement of members of An Garda Síochána is governed by statutory provisions which set the mandatory retirement age for all members at 60 years of age. Members of An Garda Síochána who joined the organisation prior to 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension once they have served for at least 30 years and they have reached 50 years of age. Members of An Garda Síochána who joined the organisation on or after 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension once they have served at least 30 years and have reached 55 years of age. Accordingly a member has the option of continuing to serve until they reach 60 years of age. I have no plans to extend the mandatory retirement age at this time.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that there is no barrier to retired members joining the Garda Reserve once they meet certain eligibility criteria, including being under 60 years of age and having an 'exemplary', 'very good' or 'good' discharge from the Garda Síochána.
I can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to provide effective and visible policing throughout the country. A crucial element of the Government's strategy is ensuring ongoing seamless recruitment to renew An Garda Síochána. With this in mind Budget 2016 made provision for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí this year bringing to 1,150 the number of new Gardaí who will have been recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014. So far 295 of these new recruits have been fully attested and are undertaking Garda duties 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.
I am very pleased that the 2016 recruitment campaign announced last November, and which closed on 6 January, has attracted strong interest with in the region of 16,500 applications received by the Public Appointments Service which is organising the competition on behalf of the Garda Commissioner.
294. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Reception and Integration Agency has identified the proposed reception centres in County Dublin for incoming refugees whom Ireland has agreed to accept under the European Union relocation plan; if she will identify the locations or proposed locations in County Dublin; if these centres meet the minimum standards of accommodation required by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; and if accommodation will be on the same basis as existing direct provision centres. [2223/16]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that no centres in Dublin have been identified for either refugees coming to Ireland under the resettlement programme or indeed for asylum seekers coming to Ireland under the relevant EU relocation programme. The Government has decided to establish Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres (EROC) to accommodate persons arriving in Ireland from each of these cohorts. The length of time that either cohort will spend in these centres will be very limited and therefore presents no issues of concern.
295. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí serving in each Garda Síochána station and each Garda Síochána district in each of the years 2007 to 2015. [2226/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware 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 received the information requested from the Garda Commissioner in relation to the number of Garda stations and the number of Gardaí serving in each Garda Síochána Station and each Garda Síochána District in each of the years 2007 to 2014 and on the 30 November 2015, the latest dates for which figures are readily available. I have arranged that this information which is set out in spreadsheets be sent to the Deputy directly.
296. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and expected residency status of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2267/16]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is a national of the Czech Republic and therefore is entitled to reside in the State as an EU national.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or to long awaited.
297. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and expected residency status of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2270/16]
View answerI have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy was granted permission to remain in the State by the Garda National Immigration Bureau on the 16 June, 2015. This permission is valid until the 16 June, 2018. I am further advised by INIS that their Residence Division have no record of any further application for permission to remain in the State by the person concerned.
298. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and expected residency status of a person (details supplied) under the European free movement of persons regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2272/16]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned made an application for retention of permission to reside in the State, on an individual and personal basis, arising from a change in their personal circumstances. I am informed that INIS wrote to the person on 15 January, 2016 to advise that she has been granted permission to remain in the State, on Stamp 4 EUFam conditions, until 14 January, 2021.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
299. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline, further to her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 128 of 10 December 2015, why the child of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare qualified for naturalisation but the person did not despite repeated attempts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2313/16]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the first person referred to by the Deputy was refused for reasons provided to the person concerned in a letter issued on 31 March 2009 advising of the decision.
An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the second named person was also refused for reasons provided to the person concerned in a letter issued on 12 November 2014 advising of the decision.
It is open to the individuals concerned to lodge a new application for citizenship in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended. Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation is available on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie. The website also contains an on-line naturalisation residency calculator which individuals may find of assistance in establishing if the residency requirements are met.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
300. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to ensure that refugees who come to Ireland will be integrated into the communities to which they are sent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2320/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Government took a decision to establish the Irish Refugee Protection Programme on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the EU migrant crisis. Ireland has agreed to accept approximately 4,000 persons in total under resettlement and relocation programmes by the end of 2017. The figure of 4,000 includes approximately 2,600 persons to be taken in from migration hotspots in Italy and Greece under the new EU programme and 520 programme refugees from Lebanon and Jordan, which the Irish Government has committed to taking in by the end of 2016 under Ireland's Refugee Resettlement programme. The mechanism by which the balance of the 4,000 will be taken in, has yet to be decided by Government.
Among the measures agreed under the programme was the establishment of a network of Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres which will be used to provide emergency accommodation and meet the basic needs of the 4,000 people who are expected to arrive over the next two years. Also among the measures announced was the establishment of a cross-Departmental Taskforce, chaired by my Department, to coordinate and implement the logistical and operational aspects associated with the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. This will include the provision of emergency accommodation and orientation services in the first instance, and facilitating the longer term integration needs of those with refugee status through the provision of a sustainable housing strategy, health services, education, social welfare, and social inclusion activities.
With specific regard to refugees arriving under resettlement schemes, one hundred and seventy six refugees arrived in the State under the resettlement programme in 2015. Post arrival, the 'programme' refugees participate in a language training and orientation programme for approximately 8-10 weeks before being moved into permanent accommodation in the community. The resettlement team of the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration convenes and supports a local interagency working group which operates for approximately 18 months after the transfer of the refugees to the receiving community. Grants are made to the receiving community for the establishment of homework clubs, links with sporting and other clubs and the employment of a local resettlement person to support the refugees during their first year in the community.
A similar integration strategy is being developed within the Department of Justice and Equality for the estimated 2,600 persons relocating to Ireland from migration hotspots in Italy and Greece, once they receive refugee status.
301. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware of the serious concerns of the local community at Kiltalown, Jobstown, Tallaght, Dublin 24, about the alarming number of robberies and hold-ups at a local store (details supplied) over the past six months, including three armed robberies over the past eight days at the store, which contains the local post office, and threats to staff; if she will provide additional resources to Tallaght Garda Síochána station to allow for effective action to be taken in respect of this serious matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2323/16]
View answerI can assure that Deputy that An Garda Síochána treat crimes of this nature extremely seriously and that Garda management deploy the necessary crime prevention and investigation resources accordingly. I have however requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the specific incidents referred to and I will contact the Deputy directly when the report is to hand.
302. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application for leave to remain in the State by a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath, based upon a de facto long-term relationship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2335/16]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 26 January 2011 and therefore has no entitlement to residency in the State.
Representations were received from the person's legal representative pursuant to Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to revoke the Deportation Order. The Deputy may wish to note that any such decision will be to 'affirm' or to 'revoke' the existing Deportation Order. This application is under consideration at present. In the mean-time, the Deportation Order remains in place.
The person concerned has been evading deportation since 06 June 2013 and, as such, is liable to arrest and detention for the purposes of having the Deportation Order enforced. The person concerned should, therefore, 'present' to the Garda National Immigration Bureau without further delay.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or to long awaited.
303. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality under the Civil Service reform programme, the number of clerical officers who have been promoted to higher executive officer and the number of executive officers who have been promoted to assistant principal officer in her Department through internal competitions after the significant change in eligibility rules; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2580/16]
View answerThe most recent internal competitions in my Department for appointment to the position of Higher Executive Officer and Assistant Principal Officer were completed in 2015. These competitions were held in accordance with the provisions regarding cross-streaming and revised eligibility criteria for promotion arising from General Council Report 1526.
I wish to inform the Deputy that 53 Clerical Officers applied for the position of Higher Executive Officer, of which two were subsequently promoted to this grade. For the position of Assistant Principal Officer, 19 applications were received from Executive Officers. While two of these officers reached the final stage of the competition they did not receive the required marks to be placed on the Assistant Principal Officer panel.
304. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding for the school completion programme for each of the years 2010 to 2015; the projected funding for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2130/16]
View answerThe School Completion Programme aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to generally improve the school attendance, participation and retention of young people who are risk of educational disadvantage. The Programme is a targeted intervention aimed at school communities identified through the Department of Education and Skills’ DEIS Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. It provides targeted supports annually to approximately 37,000 children.
Since 1st January 2014, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme, including the allocation of funds to local projects. In line with all major spending programmes in government departments, the School Completion Programme was the subject of a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure in 2011. The review required savings and efficiencies of the order of 6.5% per annum in the School Completion Programme over the period 2012 - 2014. The detailed information, requested by the Deputy, about the funding allocations for the programme in the years 2010 - 2015 is as follows:
|
Year |
Funding Allocations |
|
2015 |
€24.756m |
|
2014 |
€24.756m |
|
2013 |
€26.456m |
|
2012 |
€28.256m |
|
2011 |
€30.258m |
|
2010 |
€31m |
Tusla has informed my Department that the projected budget for the School Completion Programme for 2016 is €24.756m.
I have advised Tusla of my commitment to ensuring that there is no diminution in the School Completion Programme services. The School Completion Programme is an important service within the Tusla's educational welfare services. It is highly regarded as a key response in securing improved educational outcomes for children and young people at risk of early school leaving.
My Department, along with Tusla, is participating in the Inter-Departmental Group that the Minister for Education and Skills has established to consider the roles of different Government departments in delivering the DEIS programme in a joined up way.
305. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs under the Child Care Act 1991, the number of staff available to undertake section 20 social work court reports, the number of social workers employed in section 20 departments and the number of section 20 reports by District Court, by area, for each of the years 2013 to 2015, in tabular form. [2163/16]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy has been requested from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and I will respond directly to the Deputy when the information is received.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested is not collected on a national basis so it may take some time for the data to be collated. However, it will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
306. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the qualification issue for community employment participants and their use as part of the staffing ratios, further to our discussion at a recent quarterly meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2319/16]
View answerThe Community Employment (CE) programme is a labour market activation measure designed to help people who are long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged people to get back to work by offering part-time and temporary placements in jobs based within local communities. After placement, participants are encouraged to seek permanent part-time and full-time jobs elsewhere based on the experience and new skills they have gained while in a Community Employment scheme. The CE programme is administered by the Department of Social Protection.
New qualification requirements announced as part of the Early Years Quality Agenda will be introduced under new Child Care Regulations which will be published shortly. The new regulations will require all staff employed to work directly with children in pre-school settings to hold as a minimum a FETAC Level 5 qualification in early childhood care and education. This new requirement will apply to new services registering with the Child and Family Agency after the commencement of the Regulations and to existing services from 31st December this year.
Following the introduction of these changes only CE workers on placement who hold the necessary qualification will be in position to meet the adult:child ratios.
At the request of my Department, the City and County Childcare Committees have established a project to examine the impact of these changes on the sustainability of childcare services that are currently dependent on CE workers to meet the ratio requirements. My Department has advised childcare providers who consider that the sustainability of their service is an issue as a result of this measure to contact their local City or County Childcare Committee immediately to discuss this matter.
