Written Answers Nos. 155-169
155. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 69 of 9 November 2016, if she will provide the names of persons and country of origin of the applications made from terrestrial bookmakers not resident in the State in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35166/16]
View answerThe names of terrestrial bookmakers not resident in the State who have applied to my Department for a Certificate of Personal Fitness are set out in the table. All such applications are from persons resident in the United Kingdom.
The Deputy may wish to note that, in accordance with the Betting Act 1931, the Revenue Commissioners maintain a number of regularly updated registers of persons to whom bookmakers licences are granted. This register can be accessed on their website at - http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/excise/index.html.
|
2015 - 2016 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
|
Samuel Allen |
Samuel Allen |
Samuel Allen |
Samuel Allen |
|
Roch Bell |
Sean Barr |
Sean Barr |
Roch Bell |
|
Sean Barr |
Roch Bell |
Roch Bell |
John Boyle |
|
John Boyle |
John Boyle |
John Boyle |
Francis Campbell |
|
Laura Carr |
Conor Campbell |
Daniel Carlin |
Conor Campbell |
|
Patrick Carr |
Francis Campbell |
Francis Campbell |
Daniel Carlin |
|
Conor Campbell |
Daniel Carlin |
Conor Campbell |
Patrick Carr |
|
Daniel Carlin |
Patrick Carr |
Patrick Carr |
Paul Connollly |
|
Martin Corr |
Paul Connolly |
Paul Connolly |
Martin Corr |
|
Adrian Dunne |
Martin Corr |
Martin Corr |
Ryan Devlin |
|
Vincent Doran |
Ryan Devlin |
Ryan Devlin |
Lee Drabwell |
|
Charles Finnegan |
William Duffy |
Lee Stanley Drabwell |
Charles Finnegan |
|
Breda Graham |
Charles Finnegan |
William Duffy |
Simon Graham |
|
Brian Graham |
Brian Graham |
Charles Finnegan |
Gareth Graham |
|
Gareth Graham |
Carl Graham |
Ronan Graham |
Brenda Graham |
|
Simon Graham |
Breda Graham |
Simon Graham |
Ronan Graham |
|
Carl Graham |
Ronan Graham |
Gareth Graham |
Carl Graham |
|
Ronan Graham |
Simon Graham |
Breda Graham |
Brian Graham |
|
John Hughes |
Gareth Graham |
Brian Graham |
Hugh Hughes |
|
Stephen Hughes |
Hugh Hughes |
Carl Graham |
John Hughes |
|
Hugh Hughes |
Francis Hughes |
John Hughes |
Francis Hughes |
|
William Kelly |
John Hughes |
Hugh Hughes |
William Kelly |
|
John Keown |
William Kelly |
Stephen Hughes |
John Keown |
|
Louie Lynch |
Benjamin Keith |
Francis Hughes |
Michael Kennedy |
|
Kieran Malley |
John Keown |
Benjamin Keith |
Louie Lynch |
|
Robert Meenan |
Louie Lynch |
William Kelly |
Kieran Mallie |
|
Stephen Meenan |
Thomas McBride Senior |
Michael Kennedy |
Stephen Meenan |
|
Thomas McBride Senior |
Thomas McBride Junior |
John Keown |
Robert Meenan |
|
Thomas McBride Junior |
Oral McCartan |
Louie Lynch |
Joseph Megarrity |
|
Malachy Patrick McCartan |
Fiona McCartan |
Kieran Mallie |
Thomas McBride Junior |
|
Malachy Vincent McCartan |
Malachy Vincent McCartan |
Robert Meenan |
Thomas McBride Senior |
|
Fiona McCartan |
Malachy Patrick McCartan |
Stephen Meenan |
Ramond McBrierty |
|
Orla McCartan |
Hugh McGuinness |
Joseph Megarrity |
Malachy McCartan |
|
Edward McGarrity |
Gerard McKevitt |
Thomas McBride Senior |
Malachy Vincent McCartan |
|
Sean McGee |
Joanne McLoughlin |
Thomas McBride Junior |
Oral McCartan |
|
Mary McGee |
Daniel McNally |
Raymond McBrierty |
Hugh McGuinness |
|
Gerard McKevitt |
Kelly McQuaid |
Fiona McCartan |
Gerard McKevitt |
|
Robert McKevitt |
Terrance McQuaid |
Malachy Vincent McCartan |
Daniel McNally |
|
Joanne McLoughlin |
Kieran Mallie |
Malachy Patrick McCartan |
Kelly McQuaid |
|
Terry McQuaid |
Stephen Meenan |
Hugh McGuinness |
Joseph Nicholas |
|
Kelly McQuaid |
Robert Meenan |
Gerard McKevitt |
Damien O’Hare |
|
Daniel NcNally |
Joseph Nicholas |
Joanne McLoughlin |
Derek Rocks |
|
Damien O’Hare |
Damien O’Hare |
Daniel McNally |
Mark Rossbrough |
|
Patrick O’Hare |
Patrick O’Hare |
Terrance McQuaid |
Willian Savage |
|
Derek Rocks |
Mark Rossbrough |
Kelly McQuaid |
John Stewart |
|
Mark Rossbrough |
Samuel Stewart |
Joseph Nicholas |
Ronald Wadey |
|
Thomas Stanley |
William Savage |
Damien O’Hare |
Colin Wadey |
|
Samuel Stewart |
Colin Wadey |
Mark Rossbrough |
Daniel White |
|
Corrie Stewart |
Ronald Wadey |
William Savage |
|
|
Colin Wadey |
Simon White |
Ronald Wadey |
|
|
Ronald Wadey |
Daniel White |
Colin Wadey |
|
|
Daniel White |
Daniel White |
||
|
Simon White |
|||
|
John Whittaker |
156. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons currently waiting for places at the Central Mental Hospital; the average waiting time for a person to be transferred to the Central Mental Hospital; the provision for persons whose medication cannot be administered within the prison system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35176/16]
View answerI am advised that the Irish Prison Service has access to a limited number of places in the Central Mental Hospital for prisoners who require residential mental health treatment. There is currently an average of 15 to 20 prisoners each week awaiting transfer to the Central Mental Hospital. The average waiting time for a patient who is awaiting transfer varies on an ongoing basis and is determined by the number of patients who are awaiting transfer, and the number of beds available in the Central Mental Hospital at any given time.
The Irish Prison Service continues to liaise with its colleagues in the Central Mental Hospital regarding the transfer of patients to its care, and the transfer of each patient is facilitated as soon as possible in all cases. All drugs that are prescribed for the treatment of persons in custody are available to be administered to those patients in the care of the Irish Prison Service.
157. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the degree to which adequate resources remain available to CAB; the extent to which that body can combat organised crime by way of confiscation of assets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35198/16]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that in 2016 a budget of €7.042m has been allocated to the Bureau. An additional €0.5m in funding has been allocated for 2017.
The current staffing level at the Bureau is 71, incorporating staff on secondment from the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection, members of An Garda Síochána and staff from my own Department.
A number of vacancies at the Bureau are currently in the process of being filled including both a forensic accountant and a financial crime analyst vacancy.
The Bureau is headed by the Chief Bureau Officer who is a Chief Superintendent with An Garda Síochána and assisted by the Bureau Legal Officer. In addition, legal advice and solicitor services are provided to the Bureau by the Criminal Assets Section of the Chief State Solicitor's Office.
Asset profilers trained by the Bureau provide a criminal asset profiling service in each Garda Division in relation to persons or suspects operating within their area, with particular reference to those involved in serious criminal activity. Currently the number of trained Garda Asset Profilers is 192 plus Revenue Customs and Social Protection trained asset profilers making a total of 210 asset profilers throughout the State.
The Bureau, working closely with An Garda Síóchána and other law enforcement agencies at national and international level, continues to focus its efforts on targeting assets derived from criminal conduct including those of organised criminal groups.
The Bureau is a member of the Joint Agency Task Force established further to commitments contained in the Fresh Start: The Stormont Agreement and implementation Plan.
Additional Garda resources were made available to the Bureau in support of the operation of the recently established Special Crime Task Force.
I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to making sure the necessary resources are made available to the Bureau from within the available public finances. In this regard, the resources of the Bureau are, and will continue to be, kept under ongoing review by both the Criminal Assets Bureau and my Department.
Further detailed information concerning the resources allocated to the Bureau and its activities can be found in the Annual Reports of the Bureau which are available on my Department's website.
158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which adequate and sufficient prison spaces are available to meet requirements at the present time with particular reference to the need to segregate serious offenders from those found guilty of less serious crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35199/16]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the overall bed capacity of the Irish Prison System is 4,202. On 15th November, 2016 there were 3,686 prisoners in custody. This represents 88% occupancy.
I can inform the Deputy that all committals to the prison service are dealt with in a manner which ensures the safety of the prisoner themselves, the staff and the entire prisoner population. Each prisoner is placed in accommodation deemed appropriate to the individual based on the information made available to the prison staff on committal, which would include, health, offence, criminal connections and possible conflicts with other prisoners.
There are 14 institutions in the Irish prison system consisting of 11 traditional 'closed' prisons, 2 open centres and 1 semi-open centre. The profile of each institution is outlined in the following table.
|
Prison |
Profile |
Security |
|
Arbour Hill |
Closed - long term sentenced prisoners |
Medium |
|
Castlerea |
Closed - remand and sentenced prisoners - Connaught region |
Medium |
|
Cloverhill |
Closed - primarily caters for remands prisoners |
Medium |
|
Cork |
Closed - remands and sentenced prisoners |
Medium |
|
Dochas Centre |
Closed female prison |
Medium |
|
Limerick |
Closed - remands and sentenced prisoners including females |
Medium |
|
Loughan House |
Open Centre |
Low |
|
Midlands Prison |
Closed - special wing to include sex offenders |
Medium |
|
Mountjoy |
Closed - main committal prison for Dublin area |
Medium |
|
Portlaoise |
Closed - committals from Special Criminal Court and includes subversive prisoners |
High |
|
Shelton Abbey |
Open Centre |
Low |
|
St. Patrick's Institution |
Closed - remand prison only for young offenders. |
Medium |
|
Training Unit |
Semi Open - strong emphasis on Work and Training |
Low |
|
Wheatfield |
Closed - Place of detention - strong emphasis on Work and Training |
Medium |
I am satisfied that there are adequate spaces in the prison estate, and these spaces are configured appropriately, to deal with all categories of prisoners.
159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which conclusions continue to be reached in respect of the various cold cases which have been identified over several years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35200/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the provision and allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of identified operational demands. In this regard I am informed that the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) continues to review serious cases that remain unsolved and continues to identify evidence and witnesses to assist in the development of these cases.
At the conclusion of each review by the SCRT, a substantive report is provided to the Senior Investigating Officer who considers the opportunities for further investigation. Any recommendation of organisational effect is disseminated within the Garda organisation to improve the overall investigative capability of An Garda Síochána.
The Deputy will appreciate that all Garda activities, including the investigation of unsolved cases, will benefit from the ongoing investments in policing resources and the accelerated programme of Garda recruitment which are now underscored by commitments in the Programme for Government.
160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons reported as missing in each of the past ten years to date in 2016; the number traced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35201/16]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The Deputy's question is timely as on Wednesday, 7 December 2016, I will be hosting a ceremony to mark national Missing Persons Day. The objective of Missing Persons Day is to commemorate all those who have gone missing and recognise the lasting trauma for their families and friends. Missing Persons Day also draws attention to open or unsolved missing persons cases, and creates an opportunity to provide information on available support services. The ceremony will be attended by families and friends of missing persons, as well as a number of organisations working in the community on their behalf. An Garda Síochána will also be in attendance at the ceremony, notably the Missing Persons Bureau and many Family Liaison Officers. Further information on National Missing Persons Day is available from missingpersonsday@justice.ie.
The following table details the number of missing person reports made to An Garda Síochána in the years 2007 to 10 November 2016. This table also shows the number of persons who are currently still missing for each of these years. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the information supplied is provisional, operational and liable to change.
|
Year |
No. of Missing Person Reports |
Outstanding Missing Persons |
|
2016 (to 10 November 2016) |
8,583 |
43 |
|
2015 |
9,969 |
37 |
|
2014 |
9,179 |
10 |
|
2013 |
7,753 |
10 |
|
2012 |
8,815 |
15 |
|
2011 |
8,511 |
22 |
|
2010 |
8,339 |
15 |
|
2009 |
7,749 |
45 |
|
2008 |
7,980 |
32 |
|
2007 |
7,992 |
40 |
161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the various forms of crime continue to be monitored and appropriate action taken to address any trends emerging in all areas throughout the country, urban and rural; if he has any particular or specific strategies to deal with the issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35202/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the publication of recorded crime statistics.
I am advised that Garda management constantly monitor the distribution of policing resources in the light of crime trends and overall policing needs in all areas of the country, with a view to providing an effective and responsive police service.
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 and the Deputy will be aware that in the most recent CSO figures, for Quarter 2 of 2016, there were decreases in many crime categories, including a 26% reduction in burglaries. This reflects the success of the concerted Garda drive against crime being implemented under Operation Thor. It is important we build on this success by ensuring that Garda numbers continue to increase. The Government has put in place a plan to achieve 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 programme of reform which is being implemented in An Garda Síochána. In addition, approximately 300 appointments will be made to the Garda Reserve.
The ongoing recruitment process will support all policing operations, including special targeted strategies such as Operation Thor, which marks a significant step-up in the Garda response to burglaries and related crime. An additional €55 million has been provided in 2016 resulting in a more than doubling of the overtime allocation for 2016, bringing the total to over €90 million. For 2017, I have secured a further €71.5 million for Garda overtime which will facilitate the continuation of large scale policing operations, including those targeting gangland crime and burglary.
Furthermore, investment in a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose Garda fleet will continue under the Government’s Capital Plan 2016-2021 which provides €46 million for new Garda vehicles, ensuring that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive, on the roads and in the community. The Government is also investing in Garda airborne surveillance and enhanced technology and ICT systems. In fact, some €330 million, including €205 million under the Capital Plan, is being invested in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021 to enable An Garda Síochána to deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime. All of these investments underline the commitment in the Programme for Government to resource and equip An Garda Síochána to provide enhanced policing and support local communities in all areas of the country.
162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if in the context of rehabilitative training and education, provision is in place to grade applicants for such training in order to ensure the maximum benefit to the prisoner with the objective of encouragement to the pursuit of a life outside crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35203/16]
View answerI am advised by the the Irish Prison Service that it provides a wide range of rehabilitative programmes to those in custody that include education, vocational training, healthcare, psychiatric, psychological, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. These programmes offer purposeful activity to those in custody while serving their sentences and encouraging them to lead law abiding lives on release. These programmes are available in all prisons and all prisoners are eligible to use the services.
On committal, all prisoners are interviewed by the Governor and are informed of the services available in the prison. Prisoners may be referred to services or they can self refer at a later date.
The development of prisoner programmes forms a central part of the Irish Prison Service Three Year Strategic Plan 2016 - 2018. There is a clear commitment to enhance sentence planning through Integrated Sentence Management and the delivery of prison based rehabilitative programmes.
The Department of Education and Skills provides an allocation of 220 whole time teacher equivalents in partnership with the Irish Prison Service through the Education and Training Boards. The focus is on providing education which is quality assured, student centred and facilitates lifelong learning through helping prisoners cope with their sentence, achieve personal development and prepare for life after release.
For persons in custody who attend at Educational Centres, an assessment of educational needs and interests is carried out by the relevant Prison Education Centre staff. A top priority for the Irish Prison Service is ensuring help for those with reading and writing problems and peer mentoring programmes are currently active in all of our prisons.
The guiding principles which underpin the prisons' work and training service are to make available work, work-training and other purposeful activities to all those in custody. Training activities are chosen to give as much variety as possible and also to give opportunities for those in prison to acquire practical skills which will help them secure employment on release.
The Irish Prison Service has also been expanding the number of accredited courses and opportunities available to prisoners in Work Training in recent years. Enhanced partnership arrangements with accrediting bodies such as City and Guilds, the Scottish Qualifications Authority, and the Guild of Launders and Cleaners, and the centralising of coordination and quality assurance arrangements, have enabled the Irish Prison Service to extend the number of available courses and activities with certification.
163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the facilities, technology and motorised transport available to An Garda Síochána is in keeping with best international practice in this regard; her expectation to address any such deficiencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35204/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
The Government’s overarching commitment is to ensure 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 had approved my proposal for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel to be achieved by 2021, comprising 15,000 Garda members, 4,000 civilians and 2,000 Reserve members. 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.
The Deputy will be aware of the significant investment of some €46 million in the Garda Fleet under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021. This investment will continue to provide the Gardaí 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. The Plan also provides an additional €205 million for investment in Garda ICT infrastructure.
Under the Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016 - 2021, that I announced in October 2015 with my colleague the Minister of State at the Office of Public Works, a number of new Garda Stations will be built and a significant number of others will be refurbished. In addition, over €100 million has been provided for new Divisional headquarters in Kevin Street, Dublin and Wexford, as well as for a new Regional headquarters in Galway. Each of these projects are expected to be completed in 2017.
The Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner launched the Garda Síochána Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 in June which takes on board the key findings of various reports into An Garda Síochána by the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and expert groups, amongst others. The Programme is intended to professionalise, modernise and renew An Garda Síochána to ensure that the organisation can meet present and future challenges.
164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which forensic technology available to An Garda Síochána remains comparable to that in other jurisdictions adjoining and throughout Europe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35205/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the two bodies responsible for forensics in relation to policing in Ireland are the Garda Síochána National Technical Bureau and Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) which is under my Department. Both operate to the highest standards and their staff are to be commended on their expertise and dedication to the application of science to crime investigation in Ireland over many years.
The Garda National Technical Bureau provides assistance and technical support in the investigation of crime by conducting forensic examinations of crime scenes and the forensic examination of exhibits from such crime scenes and elsewhere. The Technical Bureau is a modern forensic examination facility with state of the art examination equipment and appropriately trained and qualified expert personnel in the areas of fingerprint examination, ballistic and firearm examination, forensic photography, forensic document and handwriting examination and the mapping of crime scenes. The Bureau received ISO 17025 accreditation in February 2016.
FSI contributes to the investigation of violent and sexual crime through the application of body fluid identification techniques and DNA technology, to the investigation of fatal shootings, burglaries and hit and run traffic accidents and the detection of firearm residue. Highly trained and dedicated staff provide scientific analysis and objective expert evidence to international standards. FSI has also received ISO 17025 accreditation and is a member of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI).
165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she and her Department have examined policing practices and structures in other jurisdictions with a view to availing of the best such practices for application here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35206/16]
View answerI wish to assure the Deputy, that my Department, in common with other area of the administration system, would of course have regard to international models when developing policy or legislation proposals on policing matters. However, having regard to a number of unique factors, including the fact that the Garda Síochána is a single national police force which provides a security and intelligence service as well as a policing service, international policing models may require tailoring to our circumstances.
Section 117(1) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 specifically requires the Garda Síochána Inspectorate to benchmark their recommendations by reference to the best standards of comparable police services. Arising from this requirement, every inspection conducted by the Garda Inspectorate, and any recommendation arising, has involved examining policing practices in other jurisdictions.
The Deputy will no doubt be aware that the recommendations of the Inspectorate's 2015 Report, 'Changing Policing in Ireland', formed the basis of the Government's Five Year Reform and High-level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána. The Commissioner’s Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 is the vehicle for implementing the agreed Government Plan for Garda Síochána. Key reforms being implemented include the replacement of the current District model of policing with a Divisional model where responsibilities will be allocated on a functional rather than geographical basis. However, in implementing this reform, the Garda Síochána is required to continue to maintain the close relationship it has with communities in large rural Divisions. The Plan also contains a commitment to increase the number of civilian staff in the Garda Síochána in line with international norms. A medium term target of achieving 20% civilians by 2021 is proposed to this end. I have asked the Policing Authority to monitor the implementation by the Garda Síochána of the Plan and to provide regular progress reports to the Department on the matter.
In relation to policing practices, I would point to the Garda Commissioner's responsibility under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to direct and control the Garda Síochána. In exercising this function, I understand that the Garda Commissioner has ensured that relevant policing developments in other jurisdictions are reviewed on an on-going basis with a view to identifying and promoting the application of international best practice throughout the Garda Síochána.
166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners in rehabilitative training at any one time in each prison; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35207/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware from my replies to previous Parliamentary Questions that the Irish Prison Service provides a wide range of rehabilitative programmes that include education, vocational training, healthcare, psychiatric, psychology, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. These programmes are available in all prisons and all prisoners are eligible to use the services. On committal, all prisoners are interviewed by the Governor and are informed of the services available in the prison. At this point prisoners may be referred to services or they can self refer at a later date. Where Governors consider, on the information available, that a prisoner needs a particular intervention, they will initiate a referral.
The Irish Prison Service has also been expanding the number of accredited vocational courses and opportunities available to prisoners in Work Training in recent years. Enhanced partnership arrangements with accrediting bodies such as City and Guilds, the Scottish Qualifications Authority, and the Guild of Launders and Cleaners and the centralising of coordination and quality assurance arrangements have enabled the Irish Prison Service to extend the number of available courses and activities with certification.
The development of prisoner programmes forms a central part of the Irish Prison Service Three Year Strategic Plan 2016 - 2018. There is a clear commitment in the Strategy to enhance sentence planning including Integrated Sentence Management and the delivery of prison based rehabilitative programmes such as education, psychology, work training and resettlement programmes.
The following table shows recent figures available (August 2016) of the average weekly participation in education and average participation in vocational training. It should be noted that a prisoner may participate in more than one activity.
|
Institution |
Education - Average Weekly Prisoner Participation in June 2016 * |
Vocational Training - Weekly Average Prisoner Participation in August 2016 |
Average number in custody in August 2016 |
|
Arbour Hill |
87.6 |
77 |
135 |
|
Castlerea |
140.4 |
62 |
285 |
|
Cloverhill |
83.8 |
29 ** |
380 |
|
Cork |
125 |
59 |
270 |
|
Dochas |
60.2 |
25 |
116 |
|
Limerick |
107.6 |
30 |
252 |
|
Loughan House |
91 |
99 |
113 |
|
Midlands |
305.2 |
180 |
815 |
|
Mountjoy |
85.8 |
70 |
522 |
|
Portlaoise |
89.8 |
51 |
196 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
54 |
59 |
105 |
|
St Patrick's Institution |
75.2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Training Unit |
31.2 |
59 |
85 |
|
Wheatfield |
110.4 |
123 |
467 |
*Prison Education Centres Closed in August, therefore June 2016 figures provided.
**August figures for Cloverhill not available, April figures supplied.
167. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the action that continues to be taken to address the issue of threats and intimidation against individual members of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35208/16]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to detail the operational measures that the Garda authorities may take, or would take generally, in relation to threats against members of An Garda Síochána. However, I can assure the Deputy that whatever protective and detection measures are deemed appropriate by the Garda authorities are of course taken. More generally, tackling serious and organised crime and addressing the harms it gives rise to at all levels in our community is a central policing priority, and An Garda Síochána has my full support for the strategies it has in place to give effect to this commitment.
While the criminal law in this area is kept under ongoing review, there are already a range of robust legislative provisions available, including specific legislation to deal with assaults to emergency workers, including Gardaí. These are the provisions of section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, as amended by section 185 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.
Section 19 provides that any person who assaults or threatens to assault a "peace officer" acting in the execution of their duty is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to €5,000 or a term of imprisonment of up to 12 months or both, or on conviction on indictment, to a fine or imprisonment for a term of up to 7 years or both. The maximum sentence was increased from 5 years to 7 years under the 2006 Act.
A "peace officer" refers to a member of the Garda Síochána, a prison officer, a member of the fire brigade, ambulance personnel or a member of the Defence Forces. In addition, in the case of assault causing serious harm, an offender can be prosecuted under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 and could be subject to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Therefore, the law already recognises the gravity of any attack on Gardaí and other members of the emergency services carrying out their duties and the penalties in place reflect the seriousness with which such acts are viewed.
168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she expects membership of An Garda Síochána to increase over the next 12 months, while taking into consideration natural retirements or resignations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35209/16]
View answerThis 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. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 4,000 civilians and 2,000 Reserve. 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.
Of these 1,200 new recruits, 534 have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. Another 150 trainee Garda will attest this Thursday, 17 November. Next year the Commissioner has planned four intakes to the Garda College of 200 new recruits scheduled for February, May, August and November giving a total intake of 800. It is expected that in total 900 trainee Garda will attest in 2017 which, taking account of projected retirements, will bring Garda numbers to around the 13,500 mark by year end 2017.
The target of 15,000 Garda members by 2021 is an ambitious target and will require a continuous pipeline of suitable candidates. I this regard I am pleased to say that the recruitment campaign launched by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Commissioner last September, the second campaign this year, again received a strong response. 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.
