Written Answers Nos. 110-115
110. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly under the single payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2510/16]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme was received from the person named on 31 March 2015. Processing of the ANC application has recently been finalised and payment will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly. The person named also submitted a 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application but, as he has no entitlements established , no payment under the Basic Payment Scheme is due.
111. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí operating from Ronanstown, Clondalkin, Lucan, Ballyfermot and Tallaght Garda stations in County Dublin in each year since 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2403/16]
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 been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Gardaí operating from Ronanstown, Clondalkin, Lucan, Ballyfermot and Tallaght Garda Síochána Stations in County Dublin at the end of each year 2006 - 2014 and on the 30 November 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the table below.
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 and in this context I have been informed by the Commissioner that of these newly attested Probationer Gardaí, 5 have been assigned to each of Ronanstown, Clondalkin, Lucan, Ballyfermot and 10 have been assigned to Tallaght.
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.
Strength of Garda Stations 2006 - 2015
|
Station |
'06 |
'07 |
'08 |
'09 |
'10 |
'11 |
'12 |
'13 |
'14 |
'15 |
|
Ronanstown |
92 |
87 |
89 |
92 |
96 |
97 |
93 |
91 |
91 |
94 |
|
Clondalkin |
92 |
104 |
94 |
98 |
100 |
98 |
95 |
91 |
89 |
89 |
|
Lucan |
70 |
84 |
89 |
88 |
80 |
72 |
73 |
72 |
74 |
72 |
|
Ballyfermot |
88 |
87 |
98 |
95 |
99 |
96 |
93 |
87 |
85 |
86 |
|
Tallaght |
178 |
181 |
194 |
202 |
199 |
194 |
188 |
174 |
170 |
176 |
112. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when she will provide statistical analysis of the outcome of the deliberations by the independent review panel of the hundreds of allegations of Garda Síochána malpractice. [2425/16]
View answerThe Deputy is referring to the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach with a view to determining to what extent and in what manner further action may be required in each case. A panel consisting of two senior and five junior counsel was established for that purpose.
The Panel has provided recommendations to me in all 320 cases submitted to it and has therefore largely concluded its work. The issuing of notification letters to complainants commenced on 29 June. To date, 307 complainants have been notified of the outcome of the review of their cases. Letters will continue to issue to all complainants, until the process is completed which I expect will be very shortly as we are nearing the end of the process.
I have repeatedly emphasised that the Independent Review Mechanism was not established to act as a Commission of Inquiry or Investigation. Nor was it designed to make findings. Its purpose was to triage the allegations to see whether further action was needed and what that action would be.
I have previously assured Deputies that where further investigation has been recommended by the review then that will occur. However, I have also pointed out that in a large proportion of cases, counsel would be likely to recommend that no further action could reasonably be taken. This has proven to be the case. The crucial point, however, is that every case has been reviewed by independent counsel, who have made an objective recommendation.
As I’ve stated before, I will make a comprehensive statement on all matters relating to the process once it is completed, including an overview of the outcomes of cases. I have also asked counsel to produce a general overview report on the issues and trends which featured in this process.
113. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a project (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2496/16]
View answerThe re-development of the Divisional Headquarters at Portlaoise is included in the Garda Station Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021 which I announced in October with my colleague the Minister of State at the OPW. The Programme is based on agreed priorities which are established by An Garda Síochána and is being progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the OPW, which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. In addition to Portlaoise, over thirty locations around the country will benefit from the Programme which includes major refurbishment of stations/facilities including facilities for meeting victims of crime; essential remedial works to existing stations; development of large scale property and exhibit management stores and the upgrade of cells and provision of improved custody management facilities.
In relation to the status of the Portlaoise project, I am advised by the Garda Authorities that the Department of Defence has informed An Garda Síochána that two parcels of land which are the property of the Reserve Defence Forces, adjacent to the Garda Station (at the side and rear), are available for use by An Garda Síochána to facilitate the expansion of the Garda station. A Brief of Requirements for the re-development of Portlaoise Garda Station has been furnished to the OPW and the next step is the appointment of a design team to develop sketch scheme proposals for the consideration and approval of local management so that the re-development of Portlaoise Garda station may proceed on a phased basis.
114. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a project (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2497/16]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Courts Service Act 1998 provides that management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of accommodation for court sittings.
However, in order to be of assistance, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service acknowledges that improved court facilities are needed in Portlaoise. The Courts Service has stated that it will not be possible to accommodate all the desired facilities within the site of the current courthouse and that it is therefore the aim of the Courts Service to find a new site in the environs of the town for the construction of a new courthouse. The Courts Service has advised that this proposed project is completely reliant on securing an alternative site and the availability of funding. I am informed that the Office of Public Works has been assisting the Courts Service in trying to find a suitable site, however, one has not been located to date.
115. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when certain clothing will be allocated to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [2414/16]
View answerAs the particular issue raised relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to you. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and it will follow up the matter with the executive.
