Written Replies Nos. 173 to 196
173. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the use of the equitable remedy of disgorgement as a supplementary measure to possible criminal penalties in white collar crime cases. [12701/16]
View answerI understand the Deputy's question to refer generally to the question of whether legislation is available or is proposed that allows for the confiscation of the benefits derived from criminal conduct.
Having regard to legislation within the remit of my Department, I can inform the Deputy that the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1994 set out the law in relation to the confiscation of benefits derived from criminal conduct following conviction on indictment in the Circuit Court. Under this scheme when an accused has been convicted of an indictable offence confiscation orders can be made against the accused to deprive him or her of the benefits of the crime. The process to confiscate post conviction under the 1994 Act is based on the civil standard of proof.
Of course, the Deputy might have in mind measures that would be more a feature of corporate enforcement law. The law in this regard, most notably the Companies Acts, would fall within the remit of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
More generally, the Deputy may also be aware that the area of regulatory enforcement and corporate offences is currently the subject of work being undertaken by the Law Reform Commission which earlier this year published an Issues Paper on the subject for consultation as part of its current work programme.
174. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the Criminal Assets Bureau seizes assets acquired through white collar crime; and the level of such assets seized to date. [12702/16]
View answerI am informed that the Criminal Assets Bureau, pursuant to its statutory remit, targets wherever possible all proceeds of criminal conduct, including the proceeds of deception, fraud, money laundering, bribery and corruption and other types of criminal activity generally understood to fall within the category of white collar crime.
Furthermore, the Bureau works closely with the Money Laundering Investigation Unit of the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation in targeting such activity and I understand that this has, on many occasions, led to the successful targeting of assets deriving from from this type of criminal activity.
I understand that a breakdown of assets seized by reference to the heading of white collar crime is not readily available. However, more generally, I would draw the Deputy's attention to the Annual Reports of the Bureau which do provide details of the activities of the Bureau during the particular year, including detailed statistics concerning actions taken in accordance with the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime, Revenue and Social Welfare legislation.
175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 124 of 17 May 2016, to review the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12714/16]
View answerI have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned arrived in the State on 30 December 2006, registered as a student with the Garda National Immigration Bureau under Stamp 2 conditions on 15 January 2007 and that their immigration permission expired in June 2014.
I am informed that a decision letter subsequently issued to the person concerned in July 2014 refusing an extension of their Student Stamp 2 conditions as they had exceeded the maximum aggregate time permitted on student conditions to study language, non-degree level and degree level courses which is 7 years. The person concerned was advised that in their case the 7 year limit expired on 8 June 2014. In this regard the person concerned was advised to leave the State and submit documentary evidence to INIS of their departure by 23 August 2014. The person concerned currently holds no immigration permission to remain and is currently illegally residing in the State.
Further correspondence was received by this office on 7 August 2014 and 13 February 2015. This correspondence will be considered in due course.
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 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 Parliamentary Question 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.
176. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to publish the regulatory impact analysis put together by the interdepartmental working group on proposed corporate manslaughter legislation. [12733/16]
View answerThe work of the inter-Departmental Working Group on Corporate Manslaughter was undertaken on foot of a Government Decision which approved, in principle, the preparation of a General Scheme of a Criminal Justice (Corporate Manslaughter) Bill. This is a complex area with wide implications and the group, comprising officials from across the different Government Departments, prepared a Draft Regulatory Impact Analysis to assess the costs, benefits and impacts associated with such legislation. In doing so the group consulted widely with key stakeholders. This work is being examined by my officials and it is not possible to indicate at this time when the Regulatory Impact Analysis will be published.
177. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prosecutions brought under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 for fatalities and accidents at work since the enactment of these Acts; and the number of such prosecutions which resulted in convictions. [12738/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, 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 had enquiries made and I am informed that statistics of the nature requested by the Deputy are not maintained by the Courts Service. I am informed that, at present, this information could only be compiled by the examination of each individual court case which would require the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time.
As the Deputy will be aware the initiation of a prosecution under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 is a matter for the Health and Safety Authority which reports to the Minister for Jobs Innovation and Enterprise. Further information on its role, and functions, together with, I understand, some information on enforcement by the Authority, is available on the Health and Safety Authority's website.
178. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of legal actions and proceedings initiated and active against her, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12748/16]
View answerI regret that it has not been possible, within the time allowed, to compile the information necessary to answer this question. I will convey the information to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.
179. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for the most recent figures available for people in direct provision, including the number of children; the average period of time asylum seekers are in direct provision before a decision is made on their status; the amount it costs per annum to keep a person in direct provision; if she has considered allowing asylum seekers to work, pending a decision; her plans to implement the recommendations of the McMahon report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12764/16]
View answerSection 9(4)(b) of the Refugee Act 1996 provides that applicants for international protection shall not seek or enter employment or carry on any business, trade or profession during the period before the final determination of their application. This prohibition is restated in the International Protection Act 2015 which is expected to be commenced later this year. The key concern in this regard is that both the asylum process and the wider immigration system would be undermined by giving immigrants who secure entry to the State, on foot of claims to asylum, the same access to employment as immigrants who follow the lawful route to employment. There is an effective visa and immigration system in place for those who wish to lawfully migrate to the State for employment purposes. Any change in public policy with regard to 'right to work' would also have to have regard to the unemployment situation pertaining in the State at any given time. I would point out that the International Protection Act provides for the introduction of a single application procedure for international protection, which is specifically aimed at addressing the length of time persons spend in the protection process. The new procedure will significantly streamline and speed up the processing of protection applications and will reduce the length of time that persons spend in the Direct Provision system. Preparations for commencement of the single procedure are progressing.
The Report of the Working Group on Improvements to the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and Supports to Asylum Seekers (McMahon Report), has implications for a number of Government Departments and services. The 173 recommendations in the Report were taken forward by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. To date, some 90 of the recommendations have been fully implemented and more than 30 others are in the process of being implemented. Work on implementing a further number of the recommendations is continuing. The International Protection Act 2015 responds to 26 of the Report's recommendations.
At the end of April 2016 there were 4,486 persons residing in Direct Provision accommodation of which 1,170 were under the age of 18. The median processing time in respect of asylum decisions taken during the period 1 January 2016 to 30 April 2016 for those in Direct Provision accommodation was 25 months approximately. This is an improvement of over 3 months on the median processing time applicable over the period 1 January 2015 to 30 April 2016. In addition, and in line with the recommendations in the Working Group Report, a concerted effort has been made to process cases of those over 5 years in the system. Of those in this category, the majority either have been granted status and will transition out of the system or have a Deportation Order issued against them and are thus required to remove themselves from the State.
In 2015, the total amount paid for direct provision accommodation was €53.143m. As the Reception and Integration Agency is currently engaged in a tendering process for the provision of services at the seven State owned accommodation centres, it is not considered prudent to provide any further breakdown of the total figure provided at this time. Furthermore while the number of persons accommodated can appear relatively static at times, it masks considerable daily and weekly fluctuations in numbers arriving and leaving.
180. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the operation of the financial intelligence unit in the Seychelles and its effect on Ireland; and her views on it employing former Irish public servants with a view to benefiting from their knowledge and expertise. [12769/16]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that I, as Minister, have no function in relation to the operation of agencies in other jurisdictions or the staff employed by such agencies.
181. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers of gardaí in Rathfarnham and Tallaght Garda stations since 2010, in tabular form. [12778/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors including crime trends, demographics, and security assessments relating to the area in question so as to ensure optimal use is made of Garda human resources.
The stations mentioned are part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) South. The number of Gardaí stationed in Rathfarnham and Tallaght on the 31 March 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, and on the 31 December 2010 to 2015, are set out in the table following.
This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. Key to achieving this goal is the commitment in the Programme for Government, "A Programme for a Partnership Government" to continue the ongoing accelerated Garda recruitment programme with a view to increasing Garda numbers to 15,000.
As the Deputy will be aware, when the financial crisis hit, the Government of the time introduced a moratorium on recruitment and the four year National Recovery Plan, published in 2010, envisaged a steady reduction in Garda numbers. Thankfully, in a recovering economy, we were able to reopen the Garda College in September 2014, a total of 700 Garda trainees have been recruited with a further 450 planned to be recruited during the remainder of 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 nationwide. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that 30 newly attested Gardaí have been assigned to the DMR South Garda Division.
It is expected that a further 300 trainees will attest by the end of this year which, taking account of projected retirements, will bring Garda numbers to around the 13,000 mark. We must, I believe, endeavour to make more rapid progress than this to reach our target of 15,000 and I will be engaging with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, in relation to increasing the planned annual intake this year and in coming years.
Tallaght Garda District Strength
|
Date. |
Tallaght |
Rathfarnham |
|
31/03/2016 |
177 |
68 |
|
31/12/2015 |
176 |
69 |
|
31/12/2014 |
170 |
72 |
|
31/12/2013 |
174 |
78 |
|
31/12/2012 |
188 |
74 |
|
31/12/2011 |
194 |
73 |
|
31/12/2010 |
199 |
76 |
182. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide a breakdown of rank numbers in the Garda Síochána for the years 2010 to 2015, in tabular form. [12781/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keeps 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 following table sets out the number of members of An Garda Síochána by rank on the 31 December each year from 2010 to 2015.
An Garda Síochána by Rank 2010-2015
|
Rank |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Commissioner |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Deputy Commissioner |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
*0 |
2 |
|
Assistant Commissioner |
10 |
7 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
5 |
|
Chief Superintendent |
45 |
37 |
41 |
44 |
39 |
42 |
|
Superintendent |
170 |
149 |
153 |
147 |
140 |
160 |
|
Inspector |
336 |
319 |
262 |
270 |
297 |
247 |
|
Sergeant |
2,135 |
2,024 |
1,903 |
1,860 |
1,919 |
1,835 |
|
Garda |
11,679 |
11,355 |
11,053 |
10,762 |
10,395 |
10,524 |
*Deputy Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan was promoted to the position of Garda Commissioner in November 2014.
183. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers in the Garda Reserve from 2010 to 2015 in tabular form; the numbers of new recruits to the Garda Reserve in each of those years; the numbers that have left the reserve each year from 2010 to 2015; the gender breakdown of the Garda Reserve; and the numbers of reserve gardaí by Garda division, in tabular form. [12782/16]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including the Garda Reserve, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of all resources. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that numbers of Garda Reserve members on 31 December 2010 to 2015, by Division was as set out in the following table. With regard to the numbers of new recruits to the Garda Reserve in each of those years; the numbers that have left the Reserve each year from 2010 to 2015 and the gender breakdown of the Garda Reserve, I have requested this information from the Garda Commissioner and I will write directly to the Deputy on receipt.
The Garda Reserve makes a real and tangible contribution to the policing of communities right across the country. This is recognised in the Programme for Government "A Programme for a Partnership Government" which includes a commitment to double the Garda Reserve to act in a supportive role undertaking local patrols and crime reduction measures. The expansion of the Garda Reserve will complement the commitments in the Programme to continue the ongoing accelerated Garda recruitment programme with a view to increasing Garda numbers to 15,000 and also to increase further civilianisation to free up Gardaí to front-line policing duties. The delivery of these measures over the lifetime of the Government will ensure an enhanced visible policing presence in communities nationwide.
Garda Reserve by Division
|
Division |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
13 |
18 |
20 |
25 |
23 |
19 |
|
Clare |
11 |
17 |
18 |
15 |
13 |
8 |
|
Cork City |
46 |
52 |
58 |
73 |
68 |
65 |
|
Cork North |
15 |
19 |
20 |
30 |
29 |
24 |
|
Cork West |
15 |
23 |
27 |
26 |
29 |
23 |
|
D.M.R. East |
20 |
16 |
17 |
20 |
20 |
19 |
|
D.M.R. North |
64 |
74 |
63 |
59 |
61 |
57 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
24 |
36 |
50 |
71 |
73 |
59 |
|
D.M.R. South |
43 |
43 |
47 |
51 |
45 |
35 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
39 |
54 |
64 |
77 |
80 |
66 |
|
D.M.R. West |
50 |
52 |
59 |
65 |
64 |
51 |
|
Donegal |
21 |
25 |
28 |
28 |
26 |
27 |
|
Galway |
44 |
57 |
64 |
69 |
63 |
43 |
|
Kerry |
10 |
22 |
26 |
36 |
32 |
31 |
|
Kildare |
22 |
24 |
24 |
41 |
41 |
30 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
21 |
30 |
33 |
40 |
38 |
34 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
14 |
23 |
31 |
31 |
28 |
24 |
|
Limerick |
32 |
41 |
47 |
52 |
51 |
53 |
|
Louth |
31 |
34 |
45 |
55 |
52 |
41 |
|
Mayo |
22 |
29 |
31 |
35 |
35 |
32 |
|
Meath |
17 |
28 |
33 |
44 |
42 |
33 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
15 |
17 |
18 |
20 |
15 |
11 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
17 |
18 |
21 |
24 |
27 |
27 |
|
Tipperary |
21 |
30 |
36 |
41 |
42 |
28 |
|
Waterford |
22 |
26 |
31 |
36 |
34 |
32 |
|
Westmeath |
19 |
19 |
22 |
27 |
25 |
20 |
184. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the annual costs of the Garda Reserve since its establishment and the detail of these costs, in tabular form. [12783/16]
View answerThe following table outlines the annual expenditure incurred by the Garda Vote in respect of the Garda Reserve to the most recent date figures are available.
|
Year |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
April 2016 |
|
Total |
€473,625 |
€45,068 |
€343,386 |
€522,633 |
€874,322 |
€779,971 |
€883,996 |
€1,042,100 |
€592,462 |
€438,821 |
€154,125 |
I am advised that a more detailed breakdown of above costs is not readily available and will require a disproportionate use of Garda time and resources to compile.
185. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the operating hours and numbers of gardaí based at Naas, Leixlip, Clane, Carbury, Celbridge and Maynooth Garda stations for each year since 2008 in tabular form. [12796/16]
View answerI have requested the required information from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy and will revert to him as soon as I have it to hand.
186. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current status of an application for a volunteer visa by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12803/16]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that an application requesting an exemption to the three year ruling for Volunteers in the State be considered in this case. This application was initially received on 10 February 2016 and was immediately acknowledged with a request for further documentation and information. This documentation was received on 10 March 2016. Applications are dealt with in chronological order. I understand that the application in question is currently receiving attention and INIS will be in touch with the applicant in the coming weeks.
Queries in relation to general immigration matters may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for his 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.
187. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will re-open a Garda station (details supplied) in County Kerry given its geographical isolation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12804/16]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to her. This includes responsibility for the formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda Stations, taking into account crime trends and policing priorities, so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. Indeed, this was the basis on which the Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme 2012-2013 was developed and implemented.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Sneem Garda Station remains open. I understand that it was a sub-district within the Caherciveen District which was amalgamated with the Killarney District in 2013.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government recognises that community policing is the embodiment of An Garda Síochána, providing a means of recognising that every community, both urban and rural, has its own concerns and expectations. It commits the Government to ensuring visible, effective and responsive policing in every community, including the most minimal response times possible.
In support of this objective, the Policing Authority will be asked to oversee a review of, among other things, both the boundaries of Garda districts and the dispersal of Garda stations in rural areas, and in developing urban and suburban areas, with a view to ensuring both an efficient and optimum geographical distribution of stations and minimal response times, including taking account of station closures since 2012.
188. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons refused leave to land or permission to enter here at the border with Northern Ireland and their nationalities between May 2014 and May 2015, and from May 2015 and May 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12805/16]
View answerIn the time available it has not been possible to compile the information requested by the Deputy. The information sought is being compiled at present and I will forward it to the Deputy shortly.
189. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to detail each of the 90 fully implemented recommendations of the McMahon working group report to Government on improvements to the protection process, including direct provision and supports to asylum seekers; and when and how they came into effect. [12806/16]
View answerThis Government as set out in the new Programme for Government is “committed to reforming the Direct Provision system, with particular focus on families and children”.
The Report of the Working Group on Improvements to the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and Supports to Asylum Seekers has implications for a number of Government Departments and services. Following its publication the Report was the subject of detailed discussion by the the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The Committee agreed that my Department should prepare a report for the Committee, in conjunction with relevant Departments and agencies on the legal, financial and practical implications of the Report's recommendations. Relevant Government Departments and Offices were contacted seeking their views on the Report's recommendations and asking them to identify any impacts and issues that may arise and timescales for implementation. An analysis of responses was presented to the Committee which subsequently advised that recommendations should be progressed, where possible, with those requiring further consideration to be afforded such consideration as soon as practicable.
My Department has since been in regular contact with the relevant Departments and Agencies with a view to progressing the recommendations in line with the advice from the Cabinet Committee. My Department continues to actively co-ordinate implementation and has also recently engaged with relevant stakeholders to provide a progress update for the 173 recommendations in the Report. This information is currently being compiled and I will arrange for it to be forwarded to the Deputy.
190. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when she plans to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was signed by the Government on 30 March 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12815/16]
View answerOn 21 October 2015, the Government published a roadmap to Ireland’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which outlines the considerable legislative changes to be undertaken to enable Ireland to ratify the Convention, along with the estimated deadline of end-2016 for ratification. The Roadmap to Ratification, which is available on my Department’s website, sets out the substantial legislative agenda required for ratification. We are on track to ratify the Convention within 6 months.
Considerable progress has already been made to overcome barriers to Ireland’s ratification. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 was signed into law on 30 December 2015, and is a comprehensive reform of the law on decision-making capacity. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015 was passed by the Seanad on 26 January this year. When enacted, the Bill will reform Section 5 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 to facilitate the full participation in family life of persons with intellectual disabilities and the full expression of their human rights. Achieving the necessary balance between those rights and ensuring appropriate protection is crucial.
Work is also under way on drawing up an Equality/Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to progress miscellaneous legislative amendments necessary to proceed to ratification. It is intended that the Bill will address issues such as the Convention's requirements in relation to reasonable accommodation and deprivation of liberty, as well as removing archaic references in existing legislation relating to mental health. We intend to publish the General Scheme of the Equality/Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill shortly.
191. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality how many companies have expressed an interest in the new speed camera contract; the amount the new contract is worth; and the number of hours per worker, per month, required in the new contract. [12817/16]
View answerI have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy and will revert to her as soon as I have this information to hand.
192. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the mileage a company (details supplied) is claiming from the State for its workers attending court; and the rate of pay it is claiming for workers going to court. [12818/16]
View answerI have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the information requested by the Deputy and I will contact her directly as soon as the report is to hand.
193. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of money spent by her Department on media advertising from March 2011 to February 2016 showing the media organisation - newspaper, radio, television or any other forms of media - to which advertisement fees were paid by her Department; and the amount of money paid per year to each individual media organisation, in tabular form. [12890/16]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my Department does not, as a matter of policy, incur advertising expenditure of this nature. However, expenditure does arise from time to time on public information notices such as, for example relevant campaigns related to raising awareness on human trafficking, the dangers of fireworks, illegal drug dealing or the bringing into force of new legislation and other statutory notices. By their nature such notices need to be placed with local and national media sources. The total cost of all such public information notices within the requested time frame are as follows:
|
Organisation |
Mar - Dec 2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
Jan - Feb 2016 |
|
Big Picture Media (BPM) Ltd |
€5,314 |
|||||
|
Brindley Advertising |
€69,891 |
€46,528 |
€50,746 |
|||
|
DBA Publications Ltd |
€1,476 |
|||||
|
FCR Media Ltd |
€23,727 |
€23,727 |
||||
|
Government Publications |
€84 |
€1,506 |
€166 |
€586 |
€115 |
|
|
Iris Oifigiuil |
€10,819 |
€2,866 |
€1,378 |
€66,320 |
€235,273* |
€2,171 |
|
Marketing Impressions |
€1,837 |
|||||
|
Mediavest Ireland Ltd |
€39,036 |
€65,216 |
€2,707 |
|||
|
Mediavest Ltd |
€2,027 |
€8,362 |
||||
|
Metro Eireann |
€1,434 |
€1,292 |
||||
|
Office of Public Works |
€93 |
€86 |
€168 |
€135 |
||
|
Persuasion Republic |
€2,347 |
|||||
|
Power Design |
€508 |
€271 |
||||
|
Print Bureau Limited |
€1,403 |
|||||
|
Public Appointments Service |
€3,055 |
€19,383 |
||||
|
Radio Telefis Eireann |
€8,168 |
|||||
|
The Law Society of Ireland |
€923 |
|||||
|
Thomson Reuters (Prof) IRL Ltd |
€1,224 |
|||||
|
Total |
€93,959 |
€68,777 |
€61,408 |
€143,011 |
€330,085* |
€5,128 |
* Relates mainly to statutory notices in Iris Oifigiuil required under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts.
194. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware that the Rape Crisis Network Ireland has recommended establishing and resourcing a distinct and specialist primary prevention infrastructure and programme. [12920/16]
View answerFollowing the unanimous views of the voluntary sector organisations involved in monitoring the first National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, the first action in the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence is to develop and implement a coherent national awareness raising campaign to achieve attitudinal and societal change to support the prevention of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Funding of €950,000 has been secured for this national primary prevention project in 2016.
Currently an EU tendering process is ongoing to recruit the professional expertise to execute this action. The first phase of the campaign will go live in the final quarter of 2016. Subject to funding allocation the campaign will continue over a a total six year period. This scale of concentrated awareness raising is a significant new departure, which I hope will make a significant contribution to primary prevention.
195. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the level of funding allocated to achieving the research goals of the national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender based violence. [12923/16]
View answer196. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the outstanding actions in the national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence including having a high-level research goal that is fit for purpose; and the agency or Department that is responsible for its implementation, set out in tabular form. [12924/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together.
The Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2016-2021 was published in January 2016. There are four actions in relation to data matters and one action which addresses "a high level research goal". Action 3.1000 states: "Facilitate relevant third level institutes to establish a postgraduate research network on domestic violence and sexual violence." The implementing body is Cosc, with interested third level institutions. The initial target of establishing the network by Q1 2016 has been met. The focus of this network is to facilitate and enable synergies within the existing research network. The work of the network is being progressed within existing resources.
