Written Answers Nos. 112-124
112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will set aside proposals to deport in the case or a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35607/16]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the persons concerned are a husband and wife who are the subject of deportation orders made on 11th March, 2005.
Both persons were deported from the State some years ago; however, according to information received from their legal representatives, they returned to this State the year after they were deported.
Representations were received from the persons concerned, pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), requesting the revocation of the deportation orders. The Deputy might wish to note that the decisions to ensue from such considerations will be to 'affirm' or to 'revoke' the existing deportation orders. Once such decisions have been made, these will be notified in writing. In the meantime, the deportation orders remain valid and in place and, as such, the persons concerned are legally obliged to comply with any reporting requirements placed on them by the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
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.
113. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the current system of Garda vetting is local and particular to each school and must be repeated school by school for temporary substitute workers, such as special needs assistants who move around between schools and who find this a barrier to securing work in more than one school, and that it also imposes an unnecessary administrative overhead on the school management; if she will mitigate or explain this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35617/16]
View answerThe primary purpose of the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to seek to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. Vetting checks are conducted by the Garda vetting bureau for each new vetting application received to ensure that the most recent data available are taken into account. This is because once there has been any significant lapse of time between one employment and another, the original Vetting Disclosure must be reviewed to take account of any changes in information, such as more recent criminal convictions.
Furthermore, under the Data Protection Acts, any sensitive personal data which employers use in regard to their employees must be current, accurate and up-to-date. Importantly, the general non-transferability and contemporaneous nature of the current process also helps to protect against the risk of fraud or forgery in the process.
There are certain limited circumstances where organisations can share a single vetting disclosure where this is agreed to by the vetting applicant. Section 12(3)(A) of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 (as amended) provides that two or more relevant organisations can enter into a joint written agreement in relation to the employment, contracting, permitting or placement of an person to undertake relevant work or activities thereby providing for only one of the organisations being required to conduct vetting in respect of that person. This is an option that is open to the relevant organisations who seek vetting, including in the education sector.
I am pleased to inform that Deputy that I have been advised by the Garda authorities that there is no particular backlog or delay in Garda vetting applications for schools and temporary substitute workers. At present 80% of overall vetting applications are being processed by the National Vetting Bureau in five working days. In circumstances where there is such a sustained reduction in processing times, the issue of vetting “transferability” is very largely obviated.
This efficiency has been achieved by the deployment of the e-Vetting system which facilitates the on-line processing of applications for vetting from registered organisations. The e-Vetting system is available to all registered organisations and the Garda Authorities are ready to assist those organisations who are not yet using the e-Vetting system to do so.
114. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will revoke a deportation order in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35620/16]
View answerIn accordance with Section 19(1) of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) I am specifically required to take all practicable steps to ensure that the identity of applicants is kept confidential. Accordingly, I am limited in what I can say in relation to individual cases.
On a general note, deportation orders are not made in respect of applicants who are in the protection process, whether part of the Dublin Convention process (whereby applicants have their asylum case processed in the first EU country in which they land) or at the substantive asylum or subsidiary protection stages of the process, and there is therefore no deportation order in place in this case. Due process takes place including appeals of decisions of the Office of the Refugee Application Commissioner to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and it is also open to any applicant to seek judicial review of any decision made. This applies in the case referred to by the Deputy. It is only at the end of these processes that consideration is given to the making of a deportation order and this is done in accordance with section 3 of the Refugee Act 1996.
115. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there is specific legislation in place that recognises that service animals are used by a number of different persons with various disabilities, such as autism, epilepsy, vision impairment, brain injury and hearing loss, which prohibits discrimination against a person with a service animal with respect to accommodation, services or facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35626/16]
View answerThe Equal Status Act 2000 prohibits discrimination in the provision of goods and services, the provision of accommodation and access to education, on any of a number of grounds including that of disability. I would draw the Deputy's attention to section 4, which addresses the reasonable accommodation needs of people with disabilities. The Employment Equality Act 1998 prohibits discrimination in a wide range of employment and employment-related areas; these include recruitment and promotion, equal pay, working conditions, training or experience, dismissal and harassment including sexual harassment. Again, the issue of reasonable accommodation is addressed in sections 3 and 4.
I cannot provide legal advice by way of replies to parliamentary questions or otherwise interpret the application of these provisions. However, any person may obtain advice from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission if they feel that they have been discriminated against contrary to equality legislation, including advice on how to take a claim to the Workplace Relations Commission which provides a free and accessible adjudication service.
116. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí, by rank, stationed in each Garda station in County Louth, for each of the years since 2011, in tabular form. [35639/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner 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. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that 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 Garda Division. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division.
I am further informed that the Garda strength of the Louth Division, on the 30 September 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 302. There are also 33 Garda Reserves and 23 civilians attached to the Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI), the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (formerly the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation) and the Garda National Drugs and Organise Crime Bureau.
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. 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, 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. This is an ambitious target and will require a continuous pipeline of suitable candidates. 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.
Since the reopening of the Garda College, 683 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána, 149 of these attested today Thursday, 17 November and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am informed that so far 23 of these probationer Garda have been assigned to the Louth Division. The attestation of these further 149 probationer Garda will bring the Garda strength to around the 13,000 mark by year end.
The tables set out the number of members of An Garda Síochána by rank stationed in each Garda Station in County Louth, for each of the years since 2011 to 30 September 2016 the latest date for which figures are readily available.
|
DISTRICT |
STATION |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
ARDEE |
ARDEE |
21 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
28 |
||
|
CASTLEBELLINGHAM |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|||||
|
COLLON |
5 |
2 |
7 |
|||||
|
LOUTH |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
29 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
40 |
|||
|
DROGHEDA |
CLOUGHERHEAD |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
82 |
12 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
98 |
||
|
DUNLEER |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|||||
|
TOTAL |
89 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
107 |
||
|
DUNDALK |
BLACKROCK |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||
|
CARLINGFORD |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|||||
|
DRUMAD |
6 |
6 |
||||||
|
DUNDALK |
105 |
21 |
3 |
1 |
130 |
|||
|
HACKBALLSCROSS |
4 |
2 |
6 |
|||||
|
OMEATH |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|||||
|
TOTAL |
128 |
26 |
3 |
1 |
158 |
|||
|
LOUTH TOTAL |
246 |
49 |
6 |
3 |
1 |
305 |
|
DISTRICT |
STATION |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
ARDEE |
ARDEE |
21 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
28 |
||
|
CASTLEBELLINGHAM |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|||||
|
COLLON |
4 |
2 |
6 |
|||||
|
LOUTH |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
29 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
39 |
|||
|
DROGHEDA |
CLOUGHERHEAD |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
77 |
12 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
93 |
||
|
DUNLEER |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|||||
|
TOTAL |
84 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
102 |
||
|
DUNDALK |
BLACKROCK |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||
|
CARLINGFORD |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|||||
|
DRUMAD |
6 |
1 |
7 |
|||||
|
DUNDALK |
101 |
19 |
2 |
1 |
123 |
|||
|
HACKBALLSCROSS |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|||||
|
OMEATH |
4 |
4 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
125 |
23 |
2 |
1 |
151 |
|||
|
LOUTH TOTAL |
238 |
45 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
292 |
|
DISTRICT |
STATION |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
ARDEE |
ARDEE |
20 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
27 |
||
|
CASTLEBELLINGHAM |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|||||
|
COLLON |
4 |
2 |
6 |
|||||
|
LOUTH |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
28 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
38 |
|||
|
DROGHEDA |
CLOUGHERHEAD |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
76 |
13 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
93 |
||
|
DUNLEER |
5 |
5 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
84 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
102 |
||
|
DUNDALK |
BLACKROCK |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
CARLINGFORD |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|||||
|
DRUMAD |
6 |
1 |
7 |
|||||
|
DUNDALK |
98 |
18 |
3 |
1 |
120 |
|||
|
HACKBALLSCROSS |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|||||
|
OMEATH |
4 |
4 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
120 |
22 |
3 |
1 |
146 |
|||
|
LOUTH TOTAL |
232 |
44 |
6 |
3 |
1 |
286 |
|
DISTRICT |
STATION |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
ARDEE |
ARDEE |
20 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
27 |
||
|
CASTLEBELLINGHAM |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|||||
|
COLLON |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|||||
|
LOUTH |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
26 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
35 |
|||
|
DROGHEDA |
CLOUGHERHEAD |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
74 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
92 |
||
|
DUNLEER |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|||||
|
TOTAL |
81 |
16 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
101 |
||
|
DUNDALK |
BLACKROCK |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
CARLINGFORD |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|||||
|
DRUMAD |
6 |
1 |
7 |
|||||
|
DUNDALK |
93 |
20 |
5 |
1 |
119 |
|||
|
HACKBALLSCROSS |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|||||
|
OMEATH |
4 |
4 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
115 |
24 |
5 |
1 |
145 |
|||
|
LOUTH TOTAL |
222 |
47 |
8 |
3 |
1 |
281 |
|
DISTRICT |
STATION |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
ARDEE |
ARDEE |
21 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
26 |
||
|
CASTLEBELLINGHAM |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|||||
|
COLLON |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|||||
|
LOUTH |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
27 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
34 |
|||
|
DROGHEDA |
CLOUGHERHEAD |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
79 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
97 |
||
|
DUNLEER |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|||||
|
TOTAL |
86 |
16 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
106 |
||
|
DUNDALK |
BLACKROCK |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||
|
CARLINGFORD |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|||||
|
DRUMAD |
6 |
1 |
7 |
|||||
|
DUNDALK |
97 |
20 |
5 |
1 |
123 |
|||
|
HACKBALLSCROSS |
4 |
4 |
||||||
|
OMEATH |
4 |
4 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
118 |
23 |
5 |
1 |
147 |
|||
|
LOUTH TOTAL |
231 |
44 |
8 |
3 |
1 |
287 |
|
DISTRICT |
STATION |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
ARDEE |
ARDEE |
19 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
26 |
||
|
CASTLEBELLINGHAM |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|||||
|
COLLON |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|||||
|
LOUTH |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
25 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
34 |
|||
|
DROGHEDA |
CLOUGHERHEAD |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
77 |
14 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
96 |
||
|
DUNLEER |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|||||
|
TOTAL |
84 |
16 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
105 |
||
|
DUNDALK |
BLACKROCK |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||
|
CARLINGFORD |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|||||
|
DRUMAD |
6 |
1 |
7 |
|||||
|
DUNDALK |
112 |
19 |
6 |
1 |
138 |
|||
|
HACKBALLSCROSS |
5 |
5 |
||||||
|
OMEATH |
4 |
4 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
134 |
22 |
6 |
1 |
163 |
|||
|
LOUTH TOTAL |
243 |
45 |
10 |
3 |
1 |
302 |
117. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a breakdown in tabular form of dedicated community gardaí, by rank, in each station in County Louth for each of the years since 2011. [35640/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including Community Gardaí, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I have been informed that as of the 30 September 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 740 Community Gardaí assigned to Garda Divisions throughout the country. The specific information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables beneath.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána. It provides a means of recognising that every community – both urban and rural – has its own concerns and expectations. In this regard I welcome the strong emphasis placed by the Commissioner's Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 on further developing and supporting the community policing ethos of the organisation so that Gardaí spend more time in the community, gaining public confidence and trust and providing a greater sense of security. Proposed initiatives include the establishment of local Community Policing Teams (CPTs) headed by an Inspector and made up of Gardaí from across a range of areas to proactively work with the community to prevent and detect crime; and the establishment of Community Safety Fora in every District comprising local Gardaí, local communities and key stakeholders.
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. 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, 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. This is an ambitious target and will require a continuous pipeline of suitable candidates. 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.
Since the reopening of the Garda College, 683 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána, of whom 149 attested today Thursday, 17 November. I am informed that so far 23 of these probationer Garda have been assigned to the Louth Division. The attestation of these further 149 probationer Garda will bring the Garda strength to around the 13,000 mark by year end. It is expected that Community Policing and all other Garda activities, will undoubtedly benefit from these resources now coming on stream.
|
COMMUNITY GARDAÍ 31 DECEMBER 2011 |
||||
|
STATION |
INSP |
SERGEANT |
GARDA |
TOTAL |
|
Louth |
||||
|
Drogheda |
0 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
Dunleer |
0 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Dundalk |
0 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
|
Clogherhead |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Ardee |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
0 |
2 |
19 |
21 |
|
COMMUNITY GARDAÍ 31 DECEMBER 2012 |
||||
|
STATION |
INSP |
SERGEANT |
GARDA |
TOTAL |
|
Louth |
||||
|
Drogheda |
0 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
Dunleer |
0 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Dundalk |
0 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
|
Clogherhead |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Ardee |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
0 |
2 |
18 |
20 |
|
COMMUNITY GARDAÍ 31 DECEMBER 2013 |
||||
|
STATION |
INSP |
SERGEANT |
GARDA |
TOTAL |
|
Louth |
||||
|
Drogheda |
0 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
|
Dunleer |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Dundalk |
0 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
Clogherhead |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Ardee |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
0 |
2 |
14 |
16 |
|
COMMUNITY GARDAÍ 31 DECEMBER 2014 |
||||
|
STATION |
INSP |
SERGEANT |
GARDA |
TOTAL |
|
Louth |
||||
|
Drogheda |
0 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
|
Dunleer |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Dundalk |
0 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
Clogherhead |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Ardee |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
0 |
2 |
14 |
16 |
|
COMMUNITY GARDAÍ 31 DECEMBER 2015 |
||||
|
STATION |
INSP |
SERGEANT |
GARDA |
TOTAL |
|
Louth |
||||
|
Drogheda |
0 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
Dunleer |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Dundalk |
0 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
Clogherhead |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Ardee |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
0 |
2 |
14 |
16 |
|
COMMUNITY GARDAÍ 30 SEPTEMBER 2016 |
||||
|
STATION |
INSP |
SERGEANT |
GARDA |
TOTAL |
|
Louth |
||||
|
Drogheda |
0 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
Dunleer |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Dundalk |
0 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
|
Clogherhead |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Ardee |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
0 |
2 |
14 |
16 |
118. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a breakdown of Garda members who are stationed in County Louth who have been assigned to the Garda national drug unit, for each of the years since 2011 in tabular form. [35641/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including Community Gardaí, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I am further informed that the Garda strength of the Louth Division, on the 30 September 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 302. There are also 33 Garda Reserves and 23 civilians attached to the Division. It is important to note that all Gardaí have a responsibility in the prevention and detection of criminal activity whether it be in the area of drug offences or otherwise. The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau leads out the policing strategy for tackling drugs supply. This approach allows for the co-ordinated use of Garda resources in tackling all forms of organised crime, including illicit drug activity nationwide.
I am further informed that the prevention and detection of drug related offences is a priority within the Louth Division and that all Gardaí in the Division, both uniform and detective, are engaged in intelligence-led policing and the undertaking of targeted operations against those involved in drug-related crime. In addition, Garda personnel from the Division continue to work with the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau in this regard.
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. 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, 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. This is an ambitious target and will require a continuous pipeline of suitable candidates. 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.
Since the reopening of the Garda College, 683 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána, of whom 149 attested today Thursday, 17 November. I am informed that so far 23 of these probationer Garda have been assigned to the Louth Division. It is expected that prevention and detection of drug activities and all other Garda activities, will undoubtedly benefit from these resources now coming on stream.
Garda members who are assigned to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau are based in Dublin and, as I have outlined, work with Garda personnel in the Louth Division as required. For the Deputy's information, the table below shows the number of Garda members who are stationed in County Louth and have been assigned to the Louth Division Drugs Unit, for each of the years since 2011 to 30 September 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available.
|
Louth Division Drugs Unit Personnel |
||||
|
Year |
Inspector |
Sergeant |
Garda |
Total |
|
Dec 2011 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
Dec 2012 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
|
Dec 2013 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
|
Dec 2014 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
|
Dec 2015 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
|
Sept 2016 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
119. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the budget for each of the three Garda districts in County Louth for each of the years since 2011. [35643/16]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner, as accounting officer for An Garda Síochána, has responsibility for the allocation of Garda finances and resources, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in these matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the total expenditure in each of the three districts, over the period requested by the Deputy, is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Dundalk |
Drogheda |
Ardee |
Total |
|
2011 |
€10,257,117 |
€7,014,232 |
€2,763,154 |
€20,034,503 |
|
2012 |
€9,670,407 |
€6,722,582 |
€2,748,799 |
€19,141,788 |
|
2013 |
€11,053,350 |
€6,670,877 |
€2,796,765 |
€20,520,992 |
|
2014 |
€10,111,461 |
€6,570,531 |
€2,754,728 |
€19,436,720 |
|
2015 |
€10,674,343 |
€6,971,788 |
€2,764,106 |
€20,410,237 |
|
2016 (to end of October) |
€10,553,164 |
€5,945,995 |
€2,195,782 |
€18,694,941 |
|
Total |
€62,319,842 |
€39,896,005 |
€16,023,334 |
€118,239,181 |
120. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda arrest rate in respect of burglaries in County Louth in each of the years since 2011. [35644/16]
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.
121. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the operation of the Policing Authority and the full implementation of its power with regard to appointments to An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35654/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Policing Authority is an independent statutory body established on 1 January 2016 for the purpose of overseeing the performance by An Garda Síochána of its functions relating to policing services. Since its inception, the Policing Authority has been focussing, as a matter of priority, on its functions which have statutory deadlines and reform significance. The Policing Authority has met on several occasions with the Commissioner and her senior team, as a follow up on its consideration of the O’Higgins Report and related matters. A number of these meetings have been held in public to reassure the community about the performance of the Garda Síochána. Areas that have been highlighted in the discussions include:
- Implementation of the Modernisation and Renewal Programme within An Garda Síochána;
- Review of the Garda Protected Disclosure policy;
- Plans to conduct a culture audit within An Garda Síochána;
- Corporate governance arrangements and management structures within An Garda Síochána; and
- Arrangements for training and the professional development of members.
The Authority has approved a three-year Strategy for An Garda Síochána. It has also determined the policing priorities for 2017 which will inform the content of the 2017 Policing Plan to be published before the end of the year. It has reviewed and issued recommendations on the Garda Protected Disclosure policy and will also establish a Code of Ethics that includes standards of conduct and practice for Garda members.
The sections of the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015 which remain to be commenced contain provisions essentially enabling the Policing Authority to appoint and remove persons from positions in An Garda Síochána.
Sections 10, 11 and 13 contain provisions governing the removal of the Garda Commissioner, Deputy Garda Commissioners, Assistant Garda Commissioners, chief superintendents and superintendents, including the procedures to be followed before such removal. Section 12 deals with the appointment by the Authority of persons to the ranks of Assistant Garda Commissioner, chief superintendent and superintendent. Sections 39 to 42 deal with appointments and secondments between the PSNI and An Garda Síochána and the procedures to deal with disciplinary matters in relation to persons comprehended by those sections.
The commencement of these sections is dependent on the regulations governing promotion and discipline in An Garda Síochána being amended to reflect the envisaged role for the Authority. In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner and the Authority must be consulted on any proposed changes to these regulations. In addition, the Garda representative bodies must be consulted and that process is well underway. Work on the preparation of the proposed regulation changes is nearing completion with a view to the appointment and removal functions being transferred to the Authority in the coming weeks and in any case before the end of the year.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that the establishment of the Policing Authority has no bearing on promotions to the ranks of sergeant and inspector. These continue to be a matter for the Garda Commissioner in accordance with section 14 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (Promotion) Regulations 2006.
122. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the implementation of the EU victim's directive in her Department and agencies and bodies under her aegis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35655/16]
View answerDirective 29/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council, known as the Victims Directive, came into force on 16 November, 2015 across the European Union. The Directive provides that victims of crime will be able to:
- understand and be understood
- receive information
- be heard
- access victim support services
- enjoy safeguards in the context of restorative justice services
- access protection
- enjoy privacy in the context of the criminal proceedings
- receive an individual assessment to identify victim’s specific protection needs.
At an operational level arrangements have been put in place by the criminal justice agencies to ensure that the rights conferred by the Directive are provided to victims of crime within existing legislation and on a non-statutory basis. Legislation to introduce the rights provided for in the Directive on a statutory basis is being drafted as a priority and I expect to publish the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill during the current Dáil session. The key arrangements put in place by the criminal justice agencies are set out beneath.
An Garda Síochána
An Garda Síochána has trained members of all ranks to implement the new policies and procedures that they have put in place to ensure that victims of crime receive an appropriate and consistent response.
The Garda Commissioner put in place Garda Victim Service Offices across all 28 Garda Divisions following a successful pilot programme. These offices provide additional assistance to that already provided to victims and their families by investigating officers and Family Liaison Officers. Information on services available is provided to all victims and each victim undergoes an individual assessment of needs.
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)
The Office of the DPP, which is independent in its functions, has also put in place the necessary measures to implement the Directive, together with An Garda Síochána, which prosecutes cases in the District Court on behalf of the DPP. These measures enable victims to receive reasons in the event of a decision not to prosecute and to seek a review of such a decision.
The Courts Service
The Courts Service has arrangements in place to ensure the final decision in a criminal trial and reasons for such a decision, where there is no jury involved, are given to victims. New court facilities built recently have and those planned will have separate areas for victims to reduce the likelihood of contact with accused persons in their case.
Funding
I have secured a €250,000 increase in the funding for 2017 for the victims organisations funded through the Victims of Crime Office in my Department in the recent Estimates process. This should help fund improved and expanded services by organisations working with victims. This is in addition to an extra €250,000 that I secured for 2016. The advertisement announcing the 2017 grant scheme appeared in the newspapers recently and applications are being received in the Victims of Crime Office. Services to victims that received funding in 2016 included helpline services, face to face emotional support, information and court accompaniment to victims and specialist services for those bereaved by homicide, tourist victims, child victims and victims of sexual crime and victims of domestic violence.
124. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the process by which a person (details supplied) can obtain the original certificate of conversion in respect of a vehicle, as requested by the NTRA for the purpose of completing a technical assessor’s full report, in a scenario whereby the certifying company is no longer trading and a copy of the aforementioned document has been deemed inadmissible for such purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35527/16]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that as a certificate of conversion was not required to register the vehicle concerned, Revenue is unable to assist with this matter.
