Written Answers Nos. 72 - 78
72. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans for a former Garda station (details supplied); the discussions that have taken place with the local authority and other stakeholders on the future of the premises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13848/16]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that properties which were formerly used as Garda stations are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works and I, as Minister, have no function in relation to the manner in which they are managed.
I understand that the former station at Walsh Street, Ballina has been returned to, and is now under the control of, the Office of Public Works and that the current Garda Station in Ballina, which was opened in 2005, is located on Lord Edward Street.
73. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a review of the investigation into the death of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13900/16]
View answerIt has not been possible in the time available to ascertain any information which might be relevant to the Deputy's Question. I will communicate further with the Deputy in relation to this matter.
74. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date, in conjunction with other Departments and State agencies, in implementing the comprehensive employment strategy for persons with disabilities; the resources that will be allocated to the strategy to enable its full implementation; and the timeframe for implementing and adequately resourcing the strategy. [13901/16]
View answerThe Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities, which was launched on Friday 2 October 2015, sets out a ten-year approach to ensuring that people with disabilities who are able to, and want to, work are supported and enabled to do so. People with disabilities are only half as likely to be in employment as others of working age. The reasons for this are complex, and include level of education and skills, fears around loss of benefits, employer know-how, low expectations, and limited re-entry to work following onset of a disability, as well as a higher incidence of ill-health. The Strategy is a cross-government approach that brings together actions by different Departments and State agencies in a concerted effort to address the barriers and challenges that impact on employment of people with disabilities. In tandem with that, it seeks to ensure there will be joined-up services and supports at local level to support individuals on their journey into and in employment.
The Strategy's six strategic priorities are to:
- Build skills, capacity and independence;
- Provide bridges and supports into work;
- Make work pay;
- Promote job retention and re-entry to work;
- Provide coordinated and seamless support;
- Engage employers.
The Programme for Partnership Government reaffirms the Government’s commitment to fully implement the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities. It pledges to ensure the Strategy’s actions are compatible with mainstream activation policies and that it addresses concerns surrounding the loss of secondary benefits, so that work always pays more than welfare.
The focus in implementing the Strategy is on continuing interdepartmental cooperation and a joined-up approach to supports and services for jobseekers and workers with disabilities, rather than on additional resources. The implementation of the Strategy will be subject to regular monitoring, and there will be a review and renewal every three years. The Comprehensive Employment Strategy Implementation Group met recently to review progress in implementing the Strategy, and will prepare an annual report before the end of 2016, which will be published.
75. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the timeframe for response to and resolution of matters brought to her attention under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. [13915/16]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that disclosures under the Act can vary in complexity and in relation to the procedures necessary to address them. In the circumstances, it is not possible to indicate a timeframe for response to and resolution of these matters.
76. Deputy John Brassil asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to ensure that sufficient Garda Síochána cover is in place in Ballybunion Garda station for the tourist season, given that normal Garda numbers at the station for this period are eight but have been reduced to four; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13930/16]
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.
I have been informed that the station in question is part of the Listowel Garda District, which forms part of the wider Kerry Garda Division. The number of Gardaí assigned to the Division on the 31 March 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 297 of which 52 and 7 were assigned to the Listowel District and Ballybunion Garda station, respectively.
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, since the Garda College reopened 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 10 newly attested Gardaí have been assigned to the Kerry 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 am 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.
77. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of harassment complaints the Garda Síochána received involving online harassment through social media websites in each of the years 2015 and 2016 to date; the number of ongoing prosecutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13962/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the publication of the Official Recorded Crime Statistics. I am advised that it is not possible to provide the level of disaggregation sought by the Deputy in relation to the category of offences referred to. I have, however, asked the CSO to provide such relevant statistics as are available to the Deputy.
78. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of bench warrants outstanding in the Garda Síochána R and J districts and the number outstanding for six months plus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13963/16]
View answerI have requested the information the Deputy is seeking from An Garda Síochána and will contact the Deputy directly when this information is to hand.
