Written Answers Nos. 91-112
91. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new gardaí that have been allocated to the Cavan-Monaghan Garda division from 2011 to 2016, in tabular form; the rank of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31504/16]
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 members 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 am informed that the number of Gardaí assigned to the Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division on the 30 September 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available was 318, with 14 reserves and 36 civilians.
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. In furtherance of this I recently announced that the Government has approved my proposal for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Appointments will also be made to the Garda Reserve of approximately 300.
Taking account of projected retirements, reaching a strength of 15,000 will require some 3,200 new Garda members to be recruited on a phased basis over the next four years in addition to the 1,200 that will have been recruited by the end of this year since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014.
So far 534 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána of whom 15 have been assigned to Cavan/Monaghan. Another 150 will attest later this year and will be assigned to mainstream uniform duties nationwide.
I have requested the specific information requested by the Deputy regarding the allocation of members of An Garda Síochána to the Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division in the period 2011-2016 from the Garda Commissioner and when the information is to hand I will update the Deputy accordingly.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
As stated in my reply to the Parliamentary Question, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the allocation of members among the various Garda Divisions and Districts, and I as Minister have no direct role in the matter. Garda Management keep this distribution of Garda personnel under continual review, and is determined by a number of factors including population, crime trends and as the policing needs of each individual division dictates. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.
In regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and as the policing needs of each individual Division dictates. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division.
In that regard, I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the assignment of Garda to the Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division from 2011 to 2016 is as set out in tabular form.
|
C/Supt. |
Supt. |
Insp. |
Sergt. |
Garda |
Total |
|
|
2016 to date |
1 |
3 |
6 |
6 |
16 |
|
|
2015 |
1 |
1 |
19 |
21 |
||
|
2014 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
12 |
||
|
2013 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
12 |
|
|
2012 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
13 |
18 |
|
2011 |
2 |
13 |
15 |
I hope this information is of assistance.
92. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department holds a report requested by a former Minister in 2007 on the case of a person (details supplied). [31531/16]
View answer143. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she or her Department is aware of complaints regarding the way a car accident was dealt with in Shannon, County Clare, on 29 June 2003 by the gardaí made by a person (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to a subsequent report carried out by her Department in 2006 on this accident; the status of this report; if any actions were taken as a result of this report; if this report can be made public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31892/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 143 together.
The particular case to which the Deputies are referring was amongst those considered under the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which were made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach, or other public representatives with a view to determining to what extent and in what manner further action may have been required in each case.
The outcome of the review in this case was communicated to the complainant in a notification letter issued in February 2016. The letter of notification set out the reasons for the recommendation made by the member of the IRM panel who examined the papers. I accepted that recommendation, as I have done in all of the cases referred to the IRM. The recommendation in this case was that I should take no further action.
It is assumed that the report referred to by the Deputies is a report prepared by a Superintendent in an Garda Síochána in early 2007. That report was neither requested by, nor done by, my Department. Nor was it commissioned by a former Minister of the Department. The report in question was prepared on the instructions of the then Garda Commissioner after the individual concerned wrote to the Commissioner in October 2006 raising matters in relation to the original investigation. The then Garda Commissioner ordered a full assessment of the investigation and the issues raised by the individual concerned.
It must be borne in mind that the report follows an internal Garda review related to the case. The individual concerned has previously requested a copy of the report from the Garda Síochána and they took the decision to refuse to provide a copy.
My Department has requested, and was provided with, various Garda reports on a number of occasions related to this case. The intention on each occasion was to seek material to assist in drafting a response to correspondence submitted by the person concerned to the then Minister. This approach is regularly taken by the Department when dealing with such representations.
However, in relation to the particular report referred to in the Deputies' questions neither the Department nor I were provided with a copy of the Superintendent's report, nor was any request made for the report, until the case was included for consideration under the IRM. At the request of counsel, my Department wrote to the Garda Síochána seeking access to the report on behalf of the IRM panel to assist counsel in their consideration of the case. In response to that request, a copy of the report was provided to my Department by the Garda Síochána in January 2016. The report was forwarded by the Department to the Panel and they concluded their consideration of the complaint.
My Department has written to the individual concerned explaining the position in relation to the report on a number of occasions.
93. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a historical motor offence recorded on the Garda PULSE system which did not result in a conviction will preclude that person from becoming a garda; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31536/16]
View answerAdmission to An Garda Síochána is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in accordance with the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013. Recruitment of trainee Gardaí involves a competitive process undertaken by the Public Appointment Service on behalf of the Commissioner and, for successful candidates, further fitness, medical and vetting tests undertaken by An Garda Síochána in accordance with the 2013 Regulations.
Success at all stages of the recruitment process does not guarantee an offer to commence training. The Regulations provide that the Commissioner must satisfy herself that the candidate is of good character and further provide that the Commissioner shall not admit a person for training as a member of An Garda Síochána with a view to his or her subsequent appointment and enrolment as a member unless it appears to the Commissioner that the person is generally suitable for such admission.
In relation to the Deputy's query which I do not wish to comment on specifically, I have been advised by the Garda Commissioner that all interactions with An Garda Síochána, regardless of the outcome, are considered in determining an applicant's suitability for the position of Garda trainee.
94. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of current active members of An Garda Síochána, excluding members on secondment, career break, maternity and paternity leave or prolonged sick leave, and civilians based in Dundrum Garda station. [31549/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources among the various Garda Divisions and Districts, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of resources 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.
Dundrum Garda Station is located in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) East Division. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that on 30 September 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 364 members assigned to the Division of which 75 were attached to Dundrum Garda station. There are also 4 Garda Reserves and 2 civilians attached to the station. The Deputy will appreciate that these resources will fluctuate for a variety of reasons, including secondment, career break, maternity and paternity leave or prolonged sick leave. I have requested the specific information requested by the Deputy from the Garda Commissioner in this regard and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 94 for answer on Tuesday, 25th October 2016 in which, the text was as follows:-
"To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of current active members of An Garda Síochána, excluding members on secondment, career break, maternity and paternity leave or prolonged sick leave and civilians based in Dundrum Garda station."
At the time I responded that I would request the information from the Garda Commissioner on the specific query raised by you and that I would write to you on receipt of same.
As you will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources among the various Garda Divisions and Districts, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that for operational and security reasons the figure cannot be provided that would exclude members on secondment, career break, maternity and paternity leave or pronged sick leave.
I hope this information is of assistance.
95. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí employed at the end of 2015 by region; the ranks in which they were employed; the numbers who have applied under the early retirement scheme by location and rank; the minimum number of gardaí deemed necessary for the security of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31563/16]
View answer97. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current figures detailing the total deployment of gardaí by region, division, district and sub-district across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31566/16]
View answer107. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí employed at present by region; the ranks in which they are employed; the numbers who have applied under the early retirement scheme by location and grade; the minimum number of gardaí deemed necessary for the security of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31617/16]
View answer120. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current total deployment of gardaí by region, division, district and sub-district across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31680/16]
View answer122. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the minimum establishment required for each district and the policing requirements of each division; the way this affects the manner in which Garda resources are distributed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31686/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 97, 107, 120 and 122 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources among the various Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts, and I as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of resources and the best possible policing service is provided to the general public. In regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Division. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division as appropriate.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the total Garda Strength as of the 30 September 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 12,850. The detailed information requested by the Deputy regarding the deployment of Garda personnel is currently being collated and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
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. In furtherance of this I recently announced that the Government has approved my proposal for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Appointments will also be made to the Garda Reserve of approximately 300. Taking account of projected retirements, reaching a strength of 15,000 will require some 3,200 new Garda members to be recruited on a phased basis over the next four years in addition to the 1,200 that will have been recruited by the end of this year since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014. So far 534 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and are assigned to mainstream uniform duties nationwide. Another 150 will attest later this year.
In order to continue to ensure seamless ongoing recruitment I was very pleased to announce the commencement of a new recruitment campaign on 8 September. The campaign is being organised by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Commissioner. The existing recruitment campaign (launched last November) is ongoing and successful candidates will continue to be called from that campaign this year and into next year. It is expected that successful candidates from the new campaign will enter the Garda College from mid-2017.
96. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to review, in conjunction with the Garda Commissioner, the current strategic deployment of gardaí around the country; her further plans to address the current large disparity in garda numbers from region to region as part of such a review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31565/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources among the various Garda Divisions and Districts, and I as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of resources and the best possible policing service is provided to the general public. In regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Division. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division as appropriate.
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. In furtherance of this I recently announced that the Government has approved my proposal for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians.
In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Appointments will also be made to the Garda Reserve of approximately 300. Taking account of projected retirements, reaching a strength of 15,000 will require some 3,200 new Garda members to be recruited on a phased basis over the next four years in addition to the 1,200 that will have been recruited by the end of this year since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014. So far 534 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and are assigned to mainstream uniform duties nationwide. Another 150 will attest later this year.
In order to continue to ensure seamless ongoing recruitment I was very pleased to announce the commencement of a new recruitment campaign on 8 September. The campaign is being organised by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Commissioner. The existing recruitment campaign (launched last November) is ongoing and successful candidates will continue to be called from that campaign this year and into next year. It is expected that successful candidates from the new campaign will enter the Garda College from mid-2017.
This accelerated recruitment of trainee Garda is complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware of the significant resources that have been made available to An Garda Síochána under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021. In particular, some €205 million in additional funding for Garda ICT and €46 million for new Garda vehicles has been allocated over the lifetime of the plan. This investment will facilitate the provision of more effective policing services.
98. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to ensure all direct provision centres throughout the State are meeting child protection standards; the frequency with which inspections are carried out on average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31574/16]
View answerAll children living in direct provision accommodation are in the company of their parents or legal guardians - there are no unaccompanied minors in direct provision accommodation as they are the legal responsibility of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. These parents and guardians have the primary responsibility for the care and welfare of their children who reside with them and in that respect the safety of all residents – especially children – is at the forefront of the Reception and Integration Agency's (RIA's) operations. RIA affords the highest priority to the safeguarding and protection of children and is fully compliant with all relevant legislative requirements. The staffing allocation of the Child and Family Services Unit in RIA includes a suitably qualified secondment post from Tusla and the role of the unit is to plan, manage, deliver, coordinate and monitor all matters relating to child and family services for all residents in the direct provision system, including of course child protection services which are covered by RIA's Child Protection and Welfare Policy.
This policy is based on the Department of Children and Youth Affairs' “Children First- National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children”. This guidance document was developed to assist people in identifying and reporting child abuse and welfare concerns. The protection and welfare policy emphasises that the needs of children and families must be central to child care, child protection and welfare. RIA's policy was reviewed and updated in 2014 and now contains a practice document to make it more user friendly. This document is published on RIA's website www.ria.gov.ie.
The role of the officer from TUSLA includes visits to all accommodation centres on a regular basis to meet with parents and centre managers and staff and to oversee the implementation of the Child Protection and Welfare Policy.
Each accommodation centre has a designated Child Protection Liaison Person who has undertaken Children First – Keeping Safe Training. When a child protection or welfare incident arises in a RIA centre it is the function of that Liaison Person to contact the local Social Work Team to inform it of his or her concern and to liaise with the RIA Child and Family Services Unit. It is important to note that child welfare services are mainstreamed for children in direct provision and are provided on the same basis as for children living elsewhere in the community.
RIA's Child Protection and Welfare Policy complements other child related policies and procedures in place, viz:
- Garda Vetting Policy - all staff in centres under contract to RIA are Garda vetted.
- RIA Policy and Practice Document on safeguarding RIA residents against Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence & Harassment.
- RIA Code of Practice for Persons Working in Accommodation Centres and RIA Staff.
- Policy on Accommodation of Aged Out Minors in RIA Accommodation Centres.
99. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will grant visitation rights for a person (details supplied) to visit a prisoner in Wheatfield Prison in view of the fact access has recently been denied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31581/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the management of prison visits is a matter for the Irish Prison Service and in this case the Governor of Wheatfield Place of Detention.
Under Section 36 (9) (a) of the Prison rules 2007 a Governor has the discretion to ban any visitor from entering his/her prison if he/she feels it is necessary in order to prevent the entry into prison of controlled drugs or other prohibited articles or substances.
I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on an individual case.
102. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí available in each region who have been trained to conduct specialist child interviews as part of the joint protocol with the Health Service Executive; the resources available to them to assist in the carrying out of such interviews; her future plans for this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31609/16]
View answer128. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers of gardaí available in each region who have been trained to conduct specialist child interviews as part of the joint protocol with the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31695/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 128 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts, the various Garda national units and of course Garda Headquarters and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of 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 in each region who are trained to conduct specialist child interviews is as set out in the following table.
|
Gardaí trained to conduct Specialist Child Interviews by Garda Region |
Numbers Trained |
|
Dublin Metropolitan Region |
16 |
|
Northern Region |
12 |
|
Eastern Region |
14 |
|
Western Region |
12 |
|
South Eastern Region |
12 |
|
Southern Region |
10 |
|
Total |
76 |
103. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of vehicles in the current Garda vehicle fleet; the current arrangements governing the use of Garda vehicles, including the upper acceptable mileage and upper acceptable age for use as Garda vehicles; the number of vehicles which are nearing these upper limits currently in use; her plans to purchase new vehicles in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31610/16]
View answer108. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the process to determine the divisions to which vehicles will be assigned in view of the recent announcement that extra vehicles will be provided to An Garda Síochána; the way the differences in resource levels around the country will be addressed going forward; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31618/16]
View answer109. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new Garda cars which will be deployed; the locations at which said cars will be deployed; if she has determined the allocation of new cars based on need; the number of cars that have been retired in 2016; if there will be similar commitments in terms of new Garda cars in 2016 and 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31624/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 108 and 109 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, including the Garda fleet, and I, as Minister, have no role in this matter.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the allocation of Garda vehicles is monitored and reviewed on a continual basis, and vehicles are allocated between stations by divisional officers, as required by varying operational circumstances. I am further advised that the strength of the Garda Fleet, as at 21 October, is as follows:
|
Cars |
Vans |
M'Cycles |
4x4 |
Other |
Total |
|
2,013 |
461 |
142 |
130 |
83 |
2,829 |
I understand that Garda vehicles are retired for a variety of reasons including, for example, where they are considered beyond economic repair as a result of accidents and on safety grounds or in line with manufacturers' recommendations. Generally speaking, vehicles are retired when they reach 300,000 kilometres or 10 years of age, whichever is earlier. Also, I understand from the Garda authorities that the relevant manufacturers have indicated that, for safety reasons, vehicles should be withdrawn from service at certain stages. Accordingly, this is the operational policy that is applied by the Garda authorities. To date in 2016, 279 Garda vehicles have been retired.
The Deputy will appreciate that these retirements are a natural occurrence in maintaining any vehicle fleet, and are offset by the significant investment of some €46 million in the Garda Fleet under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021, of which the Deputy will be aware. This investment will continue to provide the Garda with additional high-powered vehicles, marked and unmarked patrol cars, and motorcycles to ensure that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime. Indeed, since the beginning of the year, some 520 new vehicles have come on stream for use by An Garda Síochána.
This investment is also reflected in the current age profile of the Fleet. For example, some 38% of the fleet is under 2 years old compared to some 5% in 2012. Some 24% is between 2 and 4 years old compared to some 6% in 2012. The Deputy will appreciate this is a noticeable difference to the age profile in 2012 where almost 90% of the Fleet was over 4 or more years of age compared to some 38% today.
104. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason there are delays to secure Garda clearance; if there are actions under way to reduce the waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31611/16]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that there is no particular delay in the Garda employment vetting process; rather there has been a very significant improvement in vetting processing times in recent months.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that at present 80 percent of vetting applications are processed by the Garda National Vetting Bureau in under five working days. This represents a dramatic improvement in turnaround times for the processing of vetting applications in recent years, falling from an average of 14 weeks in mid-2013. This improvement has come about as a result of an unprecedented investment by the Government and the Garda Authorities in providing this service, including an increase of over 80 percent in staffing levels and the roll out earlier this year of an e-Vetting system.
In April this year I commenced the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012-2016 and in tandem with that An Garda Síochána launched the e-Vetting system. E-Vetting facilitates the on-line processing of applications and this has significantly streamlined the vetting process and contributed to a sustained reduction in processing times for vetting applications. I am further informed by the Garda Authorities that the vast majority of vetting applications, over 85 percent of applications, now received by the Vetting Bureau are received and processed via the e-Vetting system.
One very important feature of the e-Vetting system is that the individual applicant can track the progress of their own vetting application on-line and can, therefore, see when their application has been processed and returned to the relevant registered organisation.
There are a small number of registered organisations who are not yet operating the e-Vetting system and continue to use the old paper format for applications. For vetting applications that continue to be submitted in paper format, the average turnaround time is in the order of four weeks from the receipt of the application by the Vetting Bureau and this represents a minimum time frame given the administrative input required. The Garda Authorities continue to work with the organisations who are not yet operating the e-Vetting system to encourage and support them to do so.
Processing times for any given application can be longer in individual cases when, for example, additional enquiries may be necessary or where errors have been made in the application. It is important to note that delays can also occur in other aspects of the application process which are outside of the control of the Garda Authorities, for example, in the submission or return of applications by the registered organisations.
The primary purpose of the vetting service is to seek to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. Accordingly, the vetting process demands rigorous procedures to safeguard its integrity and to maintain the highest level of confidence by the public and organisations availing of the service. Any vetting process will take a certain minimum amount of time to complete and, taking into account the importance of protecting children and vulnerable adults while providing an effective and efficient service, the current processing period is not unreasonable.
106. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a type D visa application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31613/16]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa application referred to was created on-line on 19 August, 2016. The application was submitted to the Irish Embassy in Ljubljana on 29 August, 2016 and then forwarded to the Visa Office in Dublin where it was received on 13 September, 2016.
In accordance with the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification, published by my Department in December, 2013, the Visa Office aims to process applications of this type within 6 months of receipt by the Visa Office. It is therefore expected that this application will be decided in March, 2017. This time-frame is purely a business target and is subject to the receipt of all required documentation as set out in the Policy Document. While the Visa Office endeavours to have applications of this nature processed earlier than this target, this is not always possible. As you will appreciate, in order to be fair to all applicants, applications are processed in order by date received. Both the applicant and the sponsor will be informed as soon as a decision is made.
The Deputy may wish to note that 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.
In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to the Visa Office (visamail@justice.ie).
110. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has liaised with the Minister for Social Protection on the matter of victims of domestic violence who are required to contact their abuser regarding payment of maintenance and the lack of guidance or protocol in this area. [31627/16]
View answerThe issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection. However, I understand that it is not the policy of the Department of Social Protection to have customers who are victims of domestic violence contact former abusive partners to seek maintenance. It is also my understanding that in such situations, claims are dealt with by that Department on an individual basis, and are processed without delay and without the customer having to make contact with their former partner.
111. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of her plans to introduce specialist Garda units to investigate sexual and domestic crimes. [31640/16]
View answerThis is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. However, I understand that following on from the recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate Report on Crime Investigation, An Garda Síochána have introduced a new domestic violence policy which was developed with input from the voluntary sector. An Garda Síochána have also established the National Garda Protective Services Bureau, led by a Chief Superintendent, with a new nationwide network of Garda Victim Liaison Service Offices with dedicated staff in each of the 28 Garda Divisions. I am informed that a number of specialist units to investigate sexual and domestic crimes will begin running on a pilot basis in quarter one 2017. Once these have been in operation for a sufficient time for lessons to be learned, work will commence on rolling out a nationwide network.
112. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the development of a cybercrime unit within An Garda Síochána. [31647/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources among the various Garda Divisions and Districts, and I as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of resources 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 am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda Síochána's Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 provides for a review and restructuring of the Computer Crime Investigation Unit (CCIU) to establish a dedicated Garda Cyber-Crime Bureau to ensure An Garda Síochána has the capacity and capabilities to deal with cyber-crime and cyber-security.
The Garda Cyber-Crime Bureau has recently been established and is headed up by a Detective Superintendent who will, in due course, be supported by two Detective Inspectors who will have responsibility for cyber-crime and for computer forensics. I am also informed that regional cyber-crime units will be established and that pilot regional units have already been established in the Southern and South-Eastern Regions to provide computer forensic services on a regional basis.
I understand that the allocation of additional and support staff for the Cyber-Crime Bureau is ongoing and, in conjunction with the Garda College, a module on cyber crime investigation is included in the training programme for all Trainee Gardaí, with all other Garda personnel being trained through the Continuous Professional Development network in cyber-crime awareness and cyber-crime investigation.
