Written Answers Nos. 141 - 154
141. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to address the pay disparities within An Garda Síochána, in particular for new recruits; the restoration of pay cuts implemented since 2006-08 which gardaí can expect to receive; the measures she is taking to avoid industrial unrest in the ranks of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30779/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, following intensive negotiations between the Government, the Garda Representative Association (GRA) and Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission, the Labour Court issued a recommendation on 3 November last in relation to the dispute. In the case of individual members, the recommendation for the GRA and AGSI would provide extra remuneration of around €4,000 on average to a member of the Service over the next 12 months through:
- an increase in the value of the rent allowance by €500 bringing it to €4,655 per annum with effect from 1 January 2017;
- the integration of the rent allowance in the new amount of €4,655 into salary with consequential increases in unsocial hours and overtime payments also with effect from 1 January 2017;
- the introduction of a €15 premium payment per annual leave day to compensate for the uncertainty attaching to the taking of leave by Gardaí. This payment will be worth €510 per annum to a Garda with 34 days annual leave;
- the implementation of a long-standing recommendation of the Garda Inspectorate through the introduction of paid 15 minute pre-tour briefing or tasking sessions with effect from 1 January 2017.
Under the Labour Court recommendation, new recruits who do not currently receive rent allowance, will have it restored, in addition to the other improvements I just listed. In addition, the increment freeze in place for GRA members since 1 July will be lifted and any arrears arising from increments foregone will be paid.
On foot of the Labour Court recommendation, the GRA and AGSI agreed to defer the intended industrial action over the course of the four Fridays in November to facilitate a ballot of their membership. This was a very welcome decision by the Garda Associations and has ensured that a full policing service remains in place.
The Government fully respects the decision of the Labour Court as the independent industrial relations body of last resort in the State and agreed last week to accept its recommendation. The outcome of the process is now being examined in detail by all sides and it is hoped that it will form the basis for a final resolution of this dispute following the balloting of members of AGSI and the GRA in due course.
The independent recommendation of the Labour Court seeks to address the concerns that have been articulated by the representative bodies in relation to their pay and conditions including of new recruits, and their access to the statutory dispute resolution bodies.
It is most important at this juncture that members of AGSI and the GRA are afforded the time and space to give the Labour Court's recommendation the detailed consideration that it deserves.
The Government is committed to the gradual restoration of remuneration for all public servants, including members of An Garda Síochána. The Lansdowne Road Agreement started this process, and by September next year, public servants will have received €1,900 in restoration. The first report of the Public Service Pay Commission established by the Government and chaired by Mr Kevin Foley, former Chair of the Labour Court, is to address the issue of the unwinding of the Financial Emergency in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Acts and to help provide the Government with a roadmap for exiting this legislation and addressing further pay restoration.
142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in determination of eligibility pursuant to section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34586/16]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 17th May 2012 and therefore has no entitlement to residency in the State.
Representations were received from the person concerned pursuant to Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to revoke the Deportation Order. The Deputy might wish to note that any such decision will be to 'affirm' or to 'revoke' the existing Deportation Order. In the meantime, the Deportation Order remains valid and in place.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
143. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria required for the provision of a Garda station open for 24 hours per day; the policies that are in place on the opening hours for Garda stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34611/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the allocation of Garda resources in the State and, as Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I have, however, been informed by the Garda authorities that Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed and are determined by a number of factors including population, crime trends and other operational strategies as dictated by the policing needs of each individual Division. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to communities.
The Garda authorities are satisfied that the existing station network continues to provide the necessary levels of policing services through a centralisation of services which in turn has facilitated the introduction of enhanced patrolling systems that are operational and intelligence led. This helps to ensure that a high visibility and community-oriented policing service continues to be delivered throughout Divisions nationwide and yields a number of benefits, including:
- increased Garda visibility and patrol hours;
- increased mobility and flexibility within an area resulting in an improved policing service to the public;
- enhanced co-ordination of Garda activity resulting in a greater visibility and presence in the communities;
- more effective use of finite resources across a wider area; and
- continued Garda presence in communities.
The Deputy will also be aware of the Government's commitments under the Programme for a Partnership Government. The Programme 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 line with the Programme's commitments, I have requested the Policing Authority to oversee a review into, amongst other things, the dispersal of Garda stations in rural areas. In this regard, I understand that the Authority has formally requested the Garda Síochána Inspectorate to examine the dispersal and use of resources available to the Garda Síochána in the delivery of policing services to local communities and to make recommendations to provide a more effective, visible and responsive policing service. I have also requested the Garda Commissioner, while fully cognisant of her statutory functions in relation to the distribution of Garda resources in the State, to identify 6 stations for reopening on a pilot basis and the outcome of this pilot scheme will feed into the wider review being overseen by the Authority.
I would also draw the Deputy's attention to the significant investment of some €46 million in the Garda Fleet under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021 which provides An Garda Síochána 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.
144. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of full-time gardaí earning under €40,000 per annum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34640/16]
View answerI have requested the information sought from the Garda Commissioner regarding the number of full time Gardaí earning under €40,000 per annum and when it is to hand I will provide it to the Deputy.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No.144 for answer on Tuesday 15, November 2016.
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 toyou on receipt of same.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Payroll Shared Services Centre (PSSC) which is responsible for public service payroll processing and reporting, has informed the Commissioner that the specific information requested is not readily available. However, I am advised that in November 2016 there were 793 Gardaí earning under €40,000 per annum. This figure comprises Garda members employed on a full-time and work sharing basis and those who are on sick pay, and is based on annual gross salary. It therefore includes basic salary and permanent allowances, but not premium payments for working unsocial hours, which can add between 25% and 30% to the basic salary.
I hope this information is of assistance.
145. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the date the private security appeals board will be established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34665/16]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the necessary arrangements are currently in train to appoint a new Board. To this end candidates have been sought for the position of a Chairperson and ordinary members of the Board, in accordance with the process outlined in the approved Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards, published in November 2014. Expressions of interest have been invited from suitably qualified candidates for appointment to the Private Security Appeals Board via the stateboards.ie webpage. Following the completion of the applications process, the process for the selection of candidates is now being finalised and I intend to bring nominations for appointment to the Board to the Government for approval in the near future. As the Deputy will appreciate, all appointments to the Private Security Appeals Board are made by the Government in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 2 to the Private Security Services Act 2004.
146. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the decision to deport a person (details supplied); the reason the decision to deport was made considering that the person's spouse and children are resident here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34672/16]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order, made on 23 September 2016 following a comprehensive and thorough examination of his case under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). This Order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and remain outside the State.
However, if new information or circumstances have come to light, which have a direct bearing on his case, and which have arisen since the original Deportation Order was made, there remains the option of a request that I use my discretion, pursuant to Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) to revoke the Deportation Order. However I wish to make clear that such a request would require substantial grounds to be successful. In the meantime, the Deportation Order remains valid and in place. The enforcement of the Deportation Order remains a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
147. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department has considered changing visa requirements for entry into Ireland to make relocation here easier for companies wishing to relocate here following Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31707/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is actively participating in the work taking place across Government to prepare for Brexit. In advance of the negotiation process that will take place following the UK's formal notification that it intends to leave the EU, and as the matters in question are complex, broad, and subject to ongoing analysis, it would be premature to speculate on the specific issue referred to by the Deputy. Irish immigration arrangements already provide for effective means whereby labour market needs can be met through the employment of non-EEA nationals where this is necessary, and to support both existing and prospective companies in this regard.
148. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the general requirement of not having received State support in the three years prior to a naturalisation application does not apply to social insurance benefits, such as jobseeker's benefit, claimed as a right on the basis of PRSI contributions or their British or EU equivalents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34845/16]
View answerA pragmatic approach has been taken in recent years taking into account unemployment levels etc. to the general policy requiring an applicant for naturalisation to show that they have supported themselves (and his or her family if appropriate) while residing in the State. Accordingly, social welfare checks are only carried out in cases where specific queries may arise.
149. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the request for An Grianán to be included in the redress board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34901/16]
View answerAn Grianán Training Centre is among the 130 institutions listed in the Schedule to the Residential Institutions Redress Act, 2002 and was therefore covered by the Residential Institutions Redress Board Scheme operated by the Department of Education and Skills. It is assumed that the Deputy is enquiring as to whether An Grianán is also covered by the Magdalen Laundries Restorative Justice Ex Gratia Scheme under the remit of my Department.
The Magdalen Scheme is limited to 12 named institutions - the 10 Magdalen laundries that were the subject of the McAleese Report as well as the Domestic Training Schools at Stanhope Street and Summerhill. An Grianán is not one of those 12 named institutions. Although An Grianán was located on the same complex as the Magdalen Laundry in High Park, it was a separate institution in its own right. Its function was to rehabilitate teenage girls and provide education to prepare them for reintegration into society. It thus served a different purpose to that of the traditional Magdalen institutions which dated back to the 19th century and which were open to women of all ages. An Grianán Training Centre, officially established in 1971, had a separate legal status as a certified place of detention and an approved residential children's home.
Aside from An Grianán's own separate legal status and its different function to that of a Magdalen laundry, it should be further noted that the terms of the Magdalen Laundries Restorative Justice Ex Gratia Scheme specifically exclude institutions that are covered by the Residential Institutions Redress Board Scheme. This is to prevent a situation arising where an individual could receive compensation under two separate schemes for the same period of time spent in one institution.
150. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons in the Dublin metropolitan west area who were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment; the number who were processed at the prison where they were sent and released on the same day or the following day, by prison, category of crime and length of sentence given, in 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34980/16]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the statistics being sought are not readily available. The information is currently being collated and I will respond to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 150 for answer on 15 November 2016, in which you requested the number of persons in the Dublin Metropolitan West area who were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment; the number that were processed at the prison where they were sent and released on the same day or the following day, by prison, category of crime and length of sentence given, in 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016. You will recall that data could not be obtained in the time available, and I undertook tocontact you again this week.
The Fines (Payment and Recovery) Act 2014 was commenced on 11 January 2016 with the new system for the payment and recovery of fines being implemented on that date. Under this Act the law has been radically reformed in relation to the payment and recovery of fines. The Act provides an appropriate response to the problems of the refusal or failure of some people to pay fines and the inappropriateness of imprisonment as the automatic response where this happens. The system that is now in place is logical and proportionate and provides an option for persons to pay fines by instalment along with other changes in the way those who fail to pay fines are dealt with.
The Act provides that:
- Fines will be set at a level that takes into account the person’s financial circumstances;
- All fines over €100 can be paid by instalments with the procedure for this provided for by way of regulation;
- If a person defaults, he or she is brought back to court where the judge first considers making an Attachment Order to a fined person's earnings which does not include attachment to social protection payments;
- If it is not appropriate to make an Attachment Order, the judge can make either a Recovery Order, where the fine is more than €500 or a Community Service Order;
- Where either an Attachment Order or a Recovery Order is made and the fine is still not recovered in full, the court can make a Community Service Order; and Imprisonment will only apply where it is not appropriate to make an Attachment Order, a Recovery Order or a Community Service Order or where a Community Service Order is made and the fined person fails to comply with it.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that they do not collate the information in the exact format requested. The prison Service record the data on a county by county basis and the information is provided in that context.
In 2016, up to and including 30th October, the number of persons from County Dublin that were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment was 2,915. Of the 2,915 persons committed, 1,624 persons (accounting for 1,761 committals) were processed at the prison where they were committed and released on the same day or the following day. Of the 1,624 persons, 1,521 were fine defaulters.
In 2015, the number of persons from County Dublin that were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment was 3,205. Of the 3,205 persons committed, 2,069 persons (accounting for 2,227 committals) were processed at the prison where they were committed and released on the same day or the following day. Of the 2,069 persons, 1,859 were fine defaulters.
In 2014, the number of persons from County Dublin that were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment was 3,326. Of the 3,326 persons committed, 1,786 persons (accounting for 1,905 committals) were processed at the prison where they were committed and released on the same day or the following day. Of the 1,786 persons, 1,656 were fine defaulters.
Each person committed to prison for non-payment of a fine is assessed before a decision is taken as to whether or not he or she is to remain in custody or be granted Temporary Release with conditions attached. When making that decision, my officials will consider factors such as the nature of the offence giving rise to the fine, whether or not the person is a first-time offender, whether the person poses a threat to public safety, and the capacity of the prison to take further prisoners on the day ofcommittal.
Table 1 below shows the prison each committal refers to. Tables 2, 3 and 4 show the category of crime and the length of sentence for each committal for 2014, 2015 and 2016. It is important to note that the Committal figure is higher than the number of persons figure, as some persons were committed more than once during the calendar year. Figures for 2016 are provisional.
Tables continuing.
|
Table 1 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Castlerea Prison |
17 |
20 |
13 |
|
Cloverhill Remand Prison |
1 |
8 |
5 |
|
Cork Prison |
5 |
10 |
5 |
|
Limerick Prison (F) |
5 |
8 |
1 |
|
Limerick Prison (M) |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
Midlands Prison |
64 |
79 |
83 |
|
Mountjoy Prison (F) |
506 |
544 |
440 |
|
Mountjoy Prison (M) |
1205 |
1509 |
1197 |
|
Portlaoise Prison |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
St. Patrick's Institution |
27 |
12 |
3 |
|
Wheatfield Place of Detention |
73 |
34 |
10 |
|
Grand Total |
1905 |
2227 |
1761 |
|
Table 2 - 2014 |
<3 Mths |
3 to <6 Mths |
6 to <12 Mths |
1 to <2 *Yrs |
Grand Total |
|
GP03 Attempts/Threat to Murder |
13 |
6 |
1 |
1* |
21 |
|
GP04 Dangerous or Negligent Acts |
132 |
3 |
1 |
136 |
|
|
GP07 Burglary and Related Offences |
2 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
|
|
GP08 Theft and Related Offences |
98 |
11 |
7 |
118 |
|
|
GP09 Fraud, Deception and Related Offences |
39 |
8 |
2 |
49 |
|
|
GP10 Controlled Drug Offences |
81 |
1 |
1 |
83 |
|
|
GP11 Weapons and Explosives Offences |
9 |
1 |
1 |
11 |
|
|
GP12 Damage to Property and the Environment |
26 |
1 |
3 |
30 |
|
|
GP13 Public Order and Social Code Offences |
167 |
8 |
175 |
||
|
GP14 Road and Traffic Offences |
534 |
26 |
1 |
561 |
|
|
GP15 Offences re Gov, Justice and Organ Crime |
560 |
4 |
563 |
||
|
GP16 Offences Not Elsewhere Classified |
152 |
2 |
154 |
||
|
Grand Total |
1813 |
73 |
18 |
1* |
1905 |
*Person received bail and was released by the Courts
Tables continuing.
|
Table 3 - 2015 |
<3 Mths |
3 to <6 Mths |
6 to <12 Mths |
Grand Total |
|
GP01 Homicide Offences |
0 |
|||
|
GP02 Sexual Offences |
1 |
1 |
||
|
GP03 Attempts/Threat to Murder |
13 |
8 |
1 |
22 |
|
GP04 Dangerous or Negligent Acts |
99 |
12 |
4 |
115 |
|
GP06 Robbery, Extortion and Hijacking Offences |
1 |
1 |
||
|
GP07 Burglary and Related Offences |
3 |
2 |
6 |
11 |
|
GP08 Theft and Related Offences |
91 |
12 |
14 |
117 |
|
GP09 Fraud, Deception and Related Offences |
39 |
1 |
2 |
42 |
|
GP10 Controlled Drug Offences |
79 |
6 |
6 |
91 |
|
GP11 Weapons and Explosives Offences |
5 |
4 |
1 |
10 |
|
GP12 Damage to Property and the Environment |
21 |
1 |
1 |
23 |
|
GP13 Public Order and Social Code Offences |
178 |
3 |
5 |
186 |
|
GP14 Road and Traffic Offences |
582 |
45 |
5 |
632 |
|
GP15 Offences re Gov, Justice and Organ Crime |
831 |
4 |
2 |
837 |
|
GP16 Offences Not Elsewhere Classified |
137 |
2 |
139 |
|
|
Grand Total |
2,078 |
101 |
48 |
2,227 |
|
Table 4 - 2016 |
<3 Mths |
3 to <6 Mths |
6 to <12 Mths |
Grand Total |
|
GP03 Attempts/Threat to Murder |
6 |
9 |
3 |
18 |
|
GP04 Dangerous or Negligent Acts |
65 |
2 |
67 |
|
|
GP07 Burglary and Related Offences |
2 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
|
GP08 Theft and Related Offences |
67 |
8 |
9 |
84 |
|
GP09 Fraud, Deception and Related Offences |
29 |
1 |
2 |
32 |
|
GP10 Controlled Drug Offences |
61 |
2 |
5 |
68 |
|
GP11 Weapons and Explosives Offences |
9 |
1 |
10 |
|
|
GP12 Damage to Property and the Environment |
31 |
2 |
3 |
36 |
|
GP13 Public Order and Social Code Offences |
116 |
3 |
1 |
120 |
|
GP14 Road and Traffic Offences |
381 |
31 |
2 |
414 |
|
GP15 Offences re Gov,Justice and Organ Crime |
780 |
6 |
2 |
788 |
|
GP16 Offences Not Elsewhere Classified |
117 |
1 |
1 |
119 |
|
Grand Total |
1664 |
67 |
30 |
1761 |
151. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons in the Dublin metropolitan west area who were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for drug related crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34981/16]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has advised me that statistics are not compiled in such a way as to provide the information sought by the Deputy as court statistics are compiled only for Dublin Metropolitan District as a whole.
152. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of shootings and stabbings that have been recorded in the Dublin metropolitan west area over the period 2011 to 2016 to date in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34982/16]
View answerThe Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of the official recorded crime statistics, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have asked the CSO to forward the available statistics in relation to the information requested directly to the Deputy.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
153. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a schedule and timeline for her plans to commence Part 14 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35016/16]
View answerAs I have outlined in my Written Reply to Questions Number 91 and 93 on 2 November 2016, it is intended that the phased commencement of the remaining sections and Parts of the Legal Services Regulation Act will be implemented over the remainder of this year and into early 2017 in relation to major undertakings such as the start-up of the Authority’s critical public complaints function. The immediate focus includes the phased commencement of Parts of the 2015 Act such as those dealing with legal costs, the new Office of the Legal Costs Adjudicator, the Roll of Practising Barristers and Pre-Action Protocols. Following this, in the new year, the key provisions centred around Part 6 of the Act dealing with the new public complaints and professional conduct and disciplinary procedures, and the appointment of the new Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, will be commenced in tandem with the developing resource base and capability of the new body.
Now that the members and Chairperson of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority have been duly nominated, approved by motions of each House of the Oireachtas and appointed and have held their inaugural meeting on 26 October 2016, the working focus is, of necessity, on the managed roll-out of the Authority's functions. For the sake of good order this has to be done in tandem with the phased commencement, by the Government, of the various remaining Parts and provisions of the 2015 Act. Moreover, the setting of establishment day of the Authority for 1 October 2016 has automatically triggered a number of working obligations on the new Authority several of which are statute-bound in terms of their delivery deadlines and in terms of the completion of public consultations and reports on the specified matters concerned. These are tasks for which the new Authority will need to build up its working resources in the short term and I know that the Authority is already taking action in this regard. Both my Department and the new Regulatory Authority will, therefore, continue to liaise closely by way of ensuring that we can successfully coordinate the commencement, from my side as Minister, and delivery, by the Authority as the new independent statutory regulator, of the various provisions concerned.
I would also point to the fact that Part 14 of the 2015 Act contains a series of miscellaneous provisions which deal with a range of matters and is not, therefore, a Part which deals with a single component of the new regulatory regime. These provisions, therefore, are of varied application in relation to the rest of the 2015 Act and are being dealt with accordingly in the ongoing determination of their respective commencement dates. As the Deputy will be aware, the general commencement provision in Section 1 of the Act is such as to allow for the commencement of particular provisions within a Part, where necessary, without a necessity to commence the entirety of the provisions in that Part. The provisions of Part 14 deal with disparate matters such as the legal immunity of the Regulatory Authority; the right of audience of solicitors; barristers in employment providing legal services to their employer; money laundering; restriction on withdrawal from a case; the service of notices; regulation of movement between the two legal professions and the advertising of legal services. Aligning all of these issues across the 2015 Act is, therefore, a complex task for which a unilateral solution cannot be imposed. I continue to anticipate that the planning and progress of all of these matters will come to be determined in much more precise terms by my Department in conjunction with the Legal Services Regulatory Authority over the coming weeks.
154. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the location it is intended to employ up to 40 additional staff in an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35127/16]
View answerAn increase of €2.8 million for the Data Protection Commissioner's office was announced by the Government in Budget 2017. This will bring the total funding allocation next year to over €7.5 million. I am advised by the Data Protection Commissioner, who is independent in the performance of her functions including the administration of her office, that the planning for the recruitment of additional staff is at a very early stage and while it is not possible to provide details of the total number of staff that will be recruited in 2017 or their location, allocation between Portarlington and Dublin will be made on a business needs basis.
