Written Answers Nos. 44 - 63
44. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners recalled to serve their sentences after early release; the basis for same in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7851/16]
View answerThe legislative basis for making decisions on temporary release is fully set out in the Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003. Temporary release is an important vehicle for re-integrating an offender into the community in a planned way.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that any offender who breaches his or her conditions, including committing a criminal offence, may be arrested and returned to prison immediately by the Gardaí or may be refused another period of reviewable temporary release. If someone reoffends on temporary release, the matter of their prosecution is a matter for An Garda Síochána and the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider.
If the person is returned to prison to serve the remaining part of their sentence as a result of breaching their temporary release conditions, this information forms part of the consideration by the Irish Prison Service of any future temporary release decisions that are taken in respect of that offender. Behaviour on temporary release is one of the criterion to be considered as outlined in the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003. The Irish Prison Service work closely with An Garda Síochána and the Probation Service in respect of the monitoring, supervision and compliance of those on temporary release.
I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that they do not collate information in the format requested by the Deputy. However, the Irish Prison Service Recidivism study for 2009 shows that 2,304 persons out of a total of 7,509 that were released in that year went on to reoffend within the first 6 months of release. As well as offences committed after expiration of sentence, this figure also includes offences committed before their official release date and this would take account of crimes committed while on early release, day release, and compassionate release. It also includes offences committed while in custody such as assaults and possession of mobile phones.
These figures were produced in partnership with the Central Statistics Office using a combination of Garda Síochána and Irish Prison Service records, based on the Irish Crime Classification System (ICCS). The study, which was published in December 2015, looked at the available data up to the end of 2012 to take account of the time to make a conviction and a broader 3 year analysis of recidivism.
45. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of drug dealing convictions under mandatory minimum sentencing provisions for possession of drugs over a value of €12,500 as set out in section 27 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 (as amended by the Criminal Justice Acts 1999, 2006 and 2007) during the years 2011 to 2015 and to date in 2016; and the resulting sentences for each conviction. [7884/16]
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, I have made enquiries and the Courts Service has advised that the information is currently being compiled and I will write to the Deputy directly as soon as it is to hand.
46. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and rank of gardaí in the Drogheda district for each year since 2010; if in view of the significant increase in population she will allocate additional gardaí to the Drogheda district area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7901/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of population, crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
The Drogheda District forms part of the Louth Division. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that on the 29 February 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 104 members, 20 Garda Reserves and 11 civilians assigned to Drogheda Garda District. The tables set out the number and rank of Gardaí in the Drogheda District on the 31 December 2010 - 2015 and on the 29 February 2016.
I am further informed that the work of local Gardaí in the Louth Division is augmented by a number of Garda national units which are assisting with covert and overt operations targeting prolific criminals and dissidents who reside within and outside this jurisdiction. Furthermore there is ongoing liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland under the auspices of an agreed Cross-Border Policing Strategy to continue the excellent levels of cooperation between both police services in addressing crime and terrorist activities in all its manifestations.
As the Deputy will appreciate it is vital that An Garda Síochána is renewed in order to ensure that it has the capacity to provide effective and visible policing throughout the country. With this objective in mind, there have been seven intakes of Garda Trainees to the Garda College since it was reopened in September 2014 giving a total intake of 700. A further 450 will be taken in this year. So far 395 of the new Garda Trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream uniform duties in communities nationwide. The Garda Commissioner has informed me that 18 of these newly attested members have been assigned to the Louth Division. It is expected that a further 300 trainee Gardaí will attest this year and it will be a matter for the Garda Commissioner to assign them as she considers appropriate. I am assured that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of newly attested Gardaí.
Drogheda Garda District 2010
|
Station |
Garda |
Sgt. |
Insp. |
Supt. |
C/Supt. |
A/Comm |
Total |
|
CLOUGHERHEAD |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
84 |
13 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
100 |
|
|
DUNLEER |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||
|
109 |
Drogheda Garda District 2011
|
Station |
Garda |
Sgt. |
Insp. |
Supt. |
C/Supt. |
A/Comm |
Total |
|
CLOUGHERHEAD |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
82 |
12 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
98 |
|
|
DUNLEER |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||
|
89 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
107 |
Drogheda Garda District 2012
|
Station |
Garda |
Sgt. |
Insp. |
Supt. |
C/Supt. |
A/Comm |
Total |
|
CLOUGHERHEAD |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
77 |
12 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
93 |
|
|
DUNLEER |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||
|
84 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
102 |
Drogheda Garda District 2013
|
Station |
Garda |
Sgt. |
Insp. |
Supt. |
C/Supt. |
A/Comm |
Total |
|
CLOUGHERHEAD |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
76 |
13 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
93 |
|
|
DUNLEER |
5 |
5 |
|||||
|
84 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
102 |
Drogheda Garda District 2014
|
Station |
Garda |
Sgt. |
Insp. |
Supt. |
C/Supt. |
A/Comm |
Total |
|
CLOUGHERHEAD |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
74 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
92 |
|
|
DUNLEER |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||
|
81 |
16 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
101 |
Drogheda Garda District 2015
|
Station |
Garda |
Sgt. |
Insp. |
Supt. |
C/Supt. |
A/Comm |
Total |
|
CLOUGHERHEAD |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
79 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
97 |
|
|
DUNLEER |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||
|
86 |
16 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
106 |
Drogheda Garda District 2016
|
Station |
Garda |
Sgt. |
Insp. |
Supt. |
C/Supt. |
A/Comm |
Total |
|
CLOUGHERHEAD |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
79 |
14 |
2 |
95 |
|||
|
DUNLEER |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||
|
86 |
16 |
2 |
104 |
47. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will support a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7933/16]
View answerAs I recently informed the Deputy (in response to the Deputy's Parliamentary Question No. 346 of 6 April 2016), I am advised by the Garda authorities that a thorough and comprehensive review of this case has been ongoing since 2011 under the direction of Assistant Commissioner, Northern Region. All aspects of the original Garda investigation and subsequent reviews have also been examined by the Garda Review Team. The Garda Review Team is endeavouring to advance the investigation into the disappearance of this person and all avenues of investigation are being pursued in that regard. I am further advised that the appointed Garda Family Liaison Officer continues to maintain contact with the agreed contacts within the family in question. I understand that the relative referred to in the details supplied by the Deputy has made a detailed statement to the Garda Síochána as part of the investigation. As this is an ongoing Garda inquiry, I hope the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the specific issues referred to by him, nor would my meeting with the relative in question be able to advance matters for her at this time.
48. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware that burglaries in the Drogheda, County Louth, area have increased by 8% in the past year; the steps that can be taken to assist the Garda in dealing with this issue; the additional resources that can be allocated to it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7947/16]
View answerI am very much aware of the impact of burglary and other crimes on the community in Drogheda and in other areas of the country. While the Deputy will appreciate that the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the first instance, I have brought his concerns in relation to Drogheda to the attention of the Garda authorities.
The Deputy will also be aware that while the most recent CSO Recorded Crime Statistics show an increase in burglary in Drogheda during 2015, the overall national figures show a very welcome reduction in the level of burglary crime. In fact during the last three months of 2015 the national burglary rate reduced by 26.2% compared to the same period in 2014, and this trend is also reflected in the figures for Co. Louth which shows a decrease of 24% insofar as the same period is concerned. The onset of these significant trends coincides with the launch of Operation Thor on 1 November 2015.
Operation Thor marks a significant step-up in the Garda response to burglaries and related crime and it is supported by a special allocation of in excess of €5 million, including funding for Garda overtime which will support a combination of additional patrols, checkpoints, rapid armed response and public awareness measures. Furthermore, since 2012, an overall amount of €34 million has been invested in the Garda fleet, with over 640 new vehicles coming on stream in 2015. Investment will continue under the Capital Plan 2016-2021 which provides €46 million for new Garda vehicles as well as important investments in Garda airborne surveillance and enhanced technology and ICT systems.
The commitment to tackling burglary and other forms of crime is further underscored by the additional 600 new Gardaí who will take up duty this year, bringing to 1,150 the number of new Gardaí recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in Templemore in September 2014.
I would also draw the Deputy's attention to the enactment of the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Act 2015 which is targeted at repeat burglars who have previous convictions and who are charged with multiple offences of residential burglary. I am very pleased that this new legislation is now available to support prosecutions arising from the carefully considered Garda strategy to disrupt and oppose criminal activity under Operation Thor.
49. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to renew a publican licence for a person (details supplied). [7987/16]
View answerThe position is that licences for the sale of alcohol products by retail are excise licences issued and renewed by the Revenue Commissioner and I have no role in relation to the matter. According to section 2 of the Licensing (Ireland) Act 1902, as amended, where premises had not been licensed during the preceding year but had been licensed at any time during the previous five years, a new licence may be issued in respect of such premises by the Revenue Commissioners on foot of a certificate granted by the Circuit Court. This provision does not apply, however, in cases in which the licence had lapsed due to a breach of licensing law or was extinguished.
50. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs with reference to a case (details supplied), the location of the material that the Health Service Executive social worker had been dealing with; and if this matter was brought to his attention. [7887/16]
View answerThe issues raised by the Deputy are a matter for Tusla the Child and Family Agency and I have asked the Agency to respond directly to the Deputy in this regard.
51. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of financial settlements to children abused in foster care services for each of the past ten years; and the financial amounts of these settlements for each of those years. [7917/16]
View answerI have referred the Deputy's question to the Child and Family Agency, Tusla for a response, and will revert when this is to hand.
52. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the support services made available to children who have been abused in foster care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7918/16]
View answerIt is important to note that any child welfare or protection issue raised by a child should be dealt with under Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2011). Allegations of abuse can be made against anyone, including foster carers, biological parents, family members, friends, professionals, other children and in some cases, people unknown to the child.
The foster care regulations require an allocated social worker to meet with the child, in private, on a regular basis to talk with the child, including asking about any worries they may have and to work towards the child's ongoing happiness and progress in a placement. Where an allegation or concern is made to a social worker by a child, it is their responsibility to ensure the concern is listened to and to respond accordingly. The immediate safety of the child is always central in responding to any allegation of physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect. Following an allegation the overall safety of the child is considered. Where possible, they will remain with their foster carers to allow for stability and ongoing support in such circumstances. The allocated social worker will also review the child's care plan and arrange for specialist assessments to determine what therapeutic or medical services are required.
Support is provided to the child making the allegation by their social worker. If one of the 7% of children in foster care without an allocated social worker (407 children at the end of January 2016) makes an allegation of abuse a social worker will be immediately allocated to ensure that all their needs are met and the proper support can be given in such difficult times. Where abuse has been alleged by a child living in foster care, the link social worker will ensure the foster carers can support the child to the best of their ability. The Child and Family Agency, Tusla notifies all allegations of abuse to An Garda Síochána.
All children, not just children in care, who have been sexually abused have two distinct needs in relation to services. The first need is timely access to specialist assessment, including, if necessary, medical/forensic services and where sexual abuse is validated, children need a therapeutic response shaped to their needs. Their families and carers also need support and guidance at this time. It is vital that all agencies involved in assessment, investigation and providing support and therapeutic services to children and their families work together. The HSE, Tusla and CARI (a voluntary based organisation) along with others, provide counselling, therapeutic and family support to children who have been abused sexually.
53. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if finance for home care packages and home help assistance have been curtailed since January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7822/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
54. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if speech and language therapy will be arranged for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if he will expedite the matter [7826/16]
View answerAs the issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. I have asked the HSE to look into the particular matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
55. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a medical appointment can be expedited for a person (details supplied). [7828/16]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
56. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding funding in the case of a person (details supplied). [7829/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
57. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the updated position with regard to the provision of a full-time general practitioner service in Rathmore, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7850/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with the Executive.
58. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the proposals in place to upgrade a health centre (details supplied) in County Cork. [7852/16]
View answerThe HSE has responsibility for the provision, maintenance and operation of Health Centres. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
59. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the delays in registration of nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7855/16]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for the matter raised. Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the NMBI. I have referred the Deputy's question to the NMBI for attention and direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the NMBI within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
However, I would like to advise the Deputy of a number of measures taken by the NMBI and to put the perceived registration delays in context.
A significant volume of applications has been received by the NMBI, particularly during 2015. Many of the applications received to date are incomplete whereby documents remain outstanding on a file and therefore cannot be progressed to review/assessment stage until required documents are received. In addition, many applicants, unfortunately do not complete their application form fully therefore leading to delays in progressing an application through the system.
The NMBI have put a number of contact channels in place for applicants following up on the progress of their application. One such measure was introduced in October 2015 which was the opening of a dedicated call centre line for overseas applicants. This call centre is open Monday through to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. The call centre can provide regular updates to overseas applicants on the current status of their application. The NMBI has launched a new website during February 2016 which will have additional features for overseas applicants to include a facility to “Track their Application” on line.
The NMBI is working with its stakeholders, including HSE, to provide options for nurses who are required to obtain additional competencies in order to meet the requirements for registration. Such options include the adaptation course and an aptitude test.
60. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will refund a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 who purchased medical equipment under the drug repayment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7856/16]
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 they will follow up the matter with them.
61. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if respite support will be granted to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15. [7857/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
62. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if an application for home care hours will be granted to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7. [7858/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
63. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason for delay in opening the additional beds in the community hospitals in Kenmare and Dingle, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7861/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
