Tuesday, 6 Dec 2016

Written Answers Nos. 84-101

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Questions (84)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

84. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on whether it is acceptable that in areas of the public service disclosures under the National Vetting Bureau relating to minor traffic offences such as driving without an NCT and road tax should be the basis for disqualifying persons from public service employment when those offences bear no relation to ensuring child protection as set out in the Child and Vulnerable Persons Act 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38376/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 for the purpose of protecting children and vulnerable persons requires an organisation or employer before employing a person to receive a vetting disclosure from the National Vetting Bureau, where that person will have regular contact with or access to children or vulnerable persons. A vetting disclosure will contain particulars of the criminal record, if any, of the person. The disclosure may also contain information concerning a finding or allegation that the person may have harmed another person where such information is received from the Garda Síochána or any of the following bodies:

1. The Health Service Executive.

2. The Teaching Council.

3. The Medical Council.

4. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

5. The Dental Council.

6. The Health and Social Care Professionals Council.

7. The Mental Health Commission.

8. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland.

9. The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council.

10. The Health Information and Quality Authority.

11. The National Transport Authority.

and the Chief Bureau Officer of the National Vetting Bureau has a bona fide concern that the person may harm a child or vulnerable person.

Under amendments to the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 made by the Oireachtas earlier this year, certain convictions are not included in a vetting disclosure made by the National Vetting Bureau once 7 years has passed since the date of conviction and the convicted person has complied with the sentence imposed.

Among the convictions that are not disclosed are convictions in the District Court for motoring offences and convictions for minor public order offences, with the exception that non-disclosure of a conviction for dangerous driving is limited to one single conviction.

In addition, where a person has one, and only one, conviction (other than a motoring or public order offence) which resulted in a term of imprisonment of less than 12 months (or a fine) that conviction will not be disclosed by the Bureau after 7 years so long as the conviction is not an "excluded offence" under the Act.

The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act was commenced on 29th April 2016.

Recruitment to the Civil Service is governed by the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 which established the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) and the Public Appointments Service (PAS). The CPSA sets the standards to apply to the recruitment of persons for positions in the Civil Service and certain other public service bodies.

Garda Training

Questions (85)

James Browne

Question:

85. Deputy James Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a senior garda in each Garda division has been trained to act as a resource and liaison mental health officer in line with the recommendation 15.1.91 of A Vision for Change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38422/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the training of its members and civilian staff and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy on receipt of same.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A:

I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 85 for answer on Tuesday, 6 December, the text of which was as follows:-

“To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a senior Garda in each Garda division has been trained to act as a resource and liaison mental health officer in line with the recommendation 15.1.91 of a vision for change; and if she will make a statement on the matter.”

At the time I responded that I would request the information sought by the Deputy from the Commissioner and I would write directly to you on receipt of same.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the list of Garda Inspectors nominated to liaise with the Health Service Executive (HSE) insofar as mental health issues are concerned has recently been updated and a liaison Garda Inspector for mental health issues has been appointed in each Garda Division.

I have been advised by the Commissioner that a seminar was hosted in the Garda College in June, 2015 for nominated Liaison Officers in both An Garda Síochána and the HSE. The programme for the seminar included sessions on the Memorandum of Understanding between An Garda Síochána and the HSE in respect of the Mental Health Act 2001; the involuntary admission (to mental health service-providers) process, including the role of An Garda Síochána in that process; and the establishing of local Liaison Groups.

A similar seminar was also held in the Garda College previously, in January 2013.

I hope this information is of assistance.

Garda Deployment

Questions (86)

David Cullinane

Question:

86. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number that make up the drugs squad within An Garda Síochána in County Waterford in each of the years 2006 to 2016 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38485/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Units and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors including crime trends, demographics, and security assessments relating to the area in question so as to ensure optimal use is made of Garda human resources.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that as of the 31 October 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 237 members assigned to the Garda Divisional Drugs Units, of whom 5 were assigned to the Waterford Divisional Drug Unit.

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. I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to pro-actively and resolutely tackle all forms of drug crime in this jurisdiction. The Garda National Drugs Unit works closely with dedicated Divisional and District Drug Units and other national units, including the Organised Crime Unit, as well as the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) in targeting persons involved in the illicit sale and supply of drugs.

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, 679 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána, and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am informed that so far 24 of these probationer Garda have been assigned to the Waterford Division. It is expected that drug law enforcement activities and all other Garda activities, will undoubtedly benefit from these resources now coming on stream.

The following table gives a breakdown of the number of Garda members assigned to the Waterford Divisional Drugs Unit in each of the years 2008 to 2016 as of 31 October 2016. I have requested details of the number of Garda assigned to the Waterford Divisional Drugs Unit for the years 2006 and 2007 from the Commissioner and I will write directly to the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Waterford Divisional Drugs Unit

Year	Strength
2008	15
2009	12
2010	14
2011	10
2012	10
2013	9
2014	5
2015	5
2016	5

Public Sector Staff Retirements

Questions (87)

Josepha Madigan

Question:

87. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans regarding raising and or abolishing the mandatory retirement age; and if there are plans under way to progress the Employment Equality (Abolition of Mandatory Retirement Age) Bill 2014. [38536/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality

In my role in the Department of Justice and Equality, I have responsibility for equality legislation, which provides for retirement ages in line with the relevant EU Directive provision that differences of treatment on the grounds of age are permissible if, within the context of national law, they are objectively and reasonably justified by a legitimate aim including legitimate employment policy, labour market and vocational training objectives, and if the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary.

I have no Ministerial responsibility for retirement age issues generally either in the public sector (where mandatory retirement ages are a feature of public sector employment law) or the private sector (where there is no statutory retirement age).

The Bill to which the Deputy refers was a Private Members' Bill and I am not aware of any plans to advance it.

Court Procedures

Questions (88)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

88. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the advice that can be given to a person (details supplied) looking for information on a High Court case that was taken against that person's company by the Central Bank in 1999 and 2000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38548/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy is 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 inquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that a litigant cannot be represented before the courts by a lay person. A company as a litigant possesses a legal personality in its own right and accordingly requires representation by a practising solicitor. Consequently no individual, whether director, shareholder or otherwise of a company, may represent that company. This principle equally extends to the examination of court records held on court files, access to which is restricted to solicitors representing a company in a case. In addition, those records are not subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. The Courts Service has informed me that it is not aware of having received an FOI request to access documents as mentioned. However, if additional details are supplied, the Courts Service will make further inquiries into the matter.

The Deputy makes reference to the individual concerned not being allowed to attend a court case. The Constitution provides that justice shall be administered in public, save in such special and limited cases as may be prescribed by law, and members of the public are therefore permitted access to court hearings dealt with in public.

Naturalisation Applications

Questions (89)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

89. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason it is taking so long to establish if a person (details supplied) will be entitled to naturalisation here, in view of the fact the person submitted an application on 20 July 2015; when the person can expect to receive a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38555/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is ongoing and has not yet reached a conclusion.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While straightforward cases are generally processed within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.

The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been established specifically for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Legal Aid Service

Questions (90)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

90. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of solicitors operating in County Meath; and if a person can avail of a voucher for a legal board office solicitor but be denied free legal aid (details supplied). [38561/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

Solicitors practising in Ireland are regulated by the Law Society of Ireland. Details of solicitors who hold a current practising certificate and professional indemnity insurance in Meath are available on the Society's website www.lawsociety.ie.

I presume that when the Deputy refers to “a voucher for a legal board office solicitor” he is referring to a voucher for free legal advice issued under the Abhaile scheme.

In this context, in October 2016, I launched Abhaile, the Government’s Mortgage Arrears Resolution Service. An important component of this scheme is that free legal advice is available to insolvent borrowers who are in danger of losing their family home. The free legal advice scheme operates on the basis that persons make applications to their local Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) office to avail of the Scheme. There are no means or merits criteria applicable although a person must meet three criteria for admission to the scheme:

- The person is insolvent (as defined under s. 2 of the Personal Insolvency Act 2012: i.e. the borrower is ‘unable to pay his or her debts in full as they fall due’), and

- The person is in mortgage arrears on the home in which they ordinarily reside (their ‘principal private residence’ (PPR) as defined by s. 2 of the Personal Insolvency Act 2012), and

- The person is at risk of losing that home (i.e. they have received from the mortgage lender repossession proceedings, a letter indicating that such proceedings will issue, a letter indicating that they are deemed non-cooperating, or an invitation to consider sale, surrender or other loss of all or part of the home).

If a person is admitted to the scheme, they will be given free financial advice either from the MABS office, a MABS dedicated mortgage arrears adviser, a PIP, or an accountant. If the MABS office or their financial adviser identifies that they would also benefit from free legal advice, they are given a voucher and a list of solicitors who have agreed to provide free legal advice under the scheme.

If a person who has been issued a legal advice voucher is having difficulty identifying a solicitor or redeeming a voucher they should contact the Legal Aid Board. It is important to note that while the Legal Aid Board administers this free legal advice service, the solicitors who provide services under this scheme are private practitioners and do not work in Legal Aid Board offices (law centres).

The scheme covers legal advice but does not extend to legal aid in the sense of representation in court. However, a duty solicitor service at county registrars’ courts is available as part of the Abhaile scheme. The duty solicitor cannot come on record for the borrower nor may they draft the court documents needed to defend repossession proceedings. The duty solicitor may speak on behalf of the borrower but the applications they can make are limited to seeking an adjournment so that the borrower can either apply to a Legal Aid Board law centre for civil legal aid or obtain representation privately.

If such a person applies for services to a Legal Aid Board law centre in connection with the defence of repossession proceedings, the application will be considered under the normal criteria that apply under the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2016.

Missing Persons Data

Questions (91)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

91. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of all missing persons from the State and the dates of their disappearances in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38694/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

The following table shows the number of persons recorded as Missing Persons each year since 1951 who remain recorded as missing:

Year	No. of Persons	Year	No. of Persons	Year	No. of Persons	Year	No. of Persons
1951	2	1967	2	1984	9	2001	54
1952	2	1968	5	1985	6	2002	59
1953	2	1969	6	1986	13	2003	48
1954	4	1970	1	1987	6	2004	32
1955	1	1971	3	1988	8	2005	20
1956	4	1972	6	1989	7	2006	40
1957	2	1973	2	1990	9	2007	40
1958	0	1974	0	1991	5	2008	32
1959	1	1975	2	1992	4	2009	45
1960	0	1976	3	1993	8	2010	15
1961	3	1977	6	1994	9	2011	22
1962	1	1978	6	1995	8	2012	15
1963	2	1979	4	1996	7	2013	10
1964	0	1980	5	1997	2	2014	10
1965	3	1981	5	1998	6	2015	37
1966	1	1982	5	1999	13	2016	51*
		1983	5	2000	12

The figures provided are provisional, operational and liable to change and are valid to 30th November, 2016.

*The figure of 51 outstanding missing persons for 2016 appears disproportionately high as the data is taken from PULSE which is a ‘live’ database and as such is operational and will decline in the coming months when those current investigations are concluded.

All incidents remain under investigation where the person reported missing has not been located and such cases are reviewed by An Garda Síochána on a regular basis.

The Deputy's question is timely as tomorrow, 7 December 2016, I will be hosting a ceremony at Farmleigh House to mark Ireland's 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. Missing Persons Day is an annual day of commemoration and takes place on the first Wednesday in December each year.

This year's ceremony will mark the fourth year for Ireland's national Missing Persons Day. 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 [e-mail].

Garda Vetting Applications

Questions (92)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

92. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will assist in expediting an application in respect of a person (details supplied). [38700/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will appreciate the processing of vetting applications by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is an operational matter for the Garda Authorities and is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012-1016 and other relevant law.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the National Vetting Bureau received two vetting applications from a Registered Organisation in respect of the person referred to by the Deputy. The first application was received on 20 September 2016 and was processed and returned to the Liaison Person in the Registered Organisation on 23 September 2016. The second application was received on 24 November 2016 and was processed and returned to the Liaison Person in the Registered Organisation on 30 November 2016. In the circumstances, the applicant is advised to contact the Registered Organisation to ascertain the current position.

Garda Investigations

Questions (93)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

93. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will meet and respond directly to a person (details supplied) regarding a matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38702/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised that the matters referred to have been the subject of a Garda investigation and have also come before the Courts. The Deputy will appreciate that it is not open to me to intervene in relation to particular Garda investigations, and that it would not be appropriate for me to comment in relation to the outcome of court proceedings.

However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have made arrangements for the correspondence in question to be brought to the attention of the Garda authorities. I am also advised that Gardaí have made contact with the person in question in relation to his concerns.

Direct Provision System

Questions (94)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

94. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 72 and 73 of 22 June 2016, the progress of the outstanding 82 recommendations as outlined in the McMahon report, in tabular form; the extent to which each of these 82 recommendations has been implemented; the recommendations that have yet to be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38736/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

To coincide with the first anniversary of the publication of the McMahon Report last June 30th, a comprehensive account of progress on the implementation of the recommendations was compiled. I was pleased to publish and note the considerable progress made at that stage.

I can confirm that a further half-yearly analysis of progress is currently underway in my Department who are also co-ordinating updates from the other Departments and agencies responsible for implementation. This will be finalised early in the New Year and will be published shortly thereafter.

Criminal Assets Bureau

Questions (95)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

95. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current levels of Garda and specialist staff numbers in the Criminal Assets Bureau; her plans to increase these staff resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38746/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

I can inform the Deputy that the Criminal Assets Bureau currently has a staffing level of 71, incorporating staff on secondment from the Revenue Commissioners (12), the Department of Social Protection (6) and An Garda Síochána (37). In addition, there are 16 members of staff from my own Department.

Additional Garda resources have also been made available to the Bureau in support of the operation of the recently established Special Crime Task Force.

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.

In addition, 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.

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.

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.

I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to making sure the necessary resources are made available to the Criminal Assets 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.

Community Policing

Questions (96)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

96. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí by rank stationed in Coolock, Swords and Malahide as of November 2013, November 2014, November 2015 and November 2016; her plans to increase the number of community gardaí in these stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38747/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

As 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.

The Commissioner has advised that it is the case that all Gardaí have a role to play in addressing community policing issues as and when the need arises. In that sense, community policing involves far more than a single unit within An Garda Síochána. 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.

I am further informed by the Garda Commissioner that since the reopening of the College, 679 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. It is expected that Community Policing and all other Garda activities, will undoubtedly benefit from these resources now coming on stream.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the following tables show the number of Community Gardaí by rank assigned to Coolock, Swords and Malahide Garda Stations which form the Coolock Garda District, as of November 2013, November 2014, November 2015, and 31 October 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available.

Coolock Garda District number of Community Gardaí by rank as of 30 November, 2013

STATION	INSP	SERGEANT	GARDA	TOTAL
COOLOCK	0	2	13	15
SWORDS	0	2	11	13
MALAHIDE	0	0	6	6

Coolock Garda District number of Community Gardaí by rank as of 30 November 2014

STATION	INSP	SERGEANT	GARDA	TOTAL
COOLOCK	0	2	14	16
SWORDS	0	1	10	11
MALAHIDE	0	0	6	6

Coolock Garda District number of Community Gardaí by rank as of 30 November 2015

STATION	INSP	SERGEANT	GARDA	TOTAL
COOLOCK	0	2	14	16
SWORDS	0	0	9	9
MALAHIDE	0	0	5	5

Coolock Garda District number of Community Gardaí by rank as of 31 October 2016

STATION	INSP	SERGEANT	GARDA	TOTAL
COOLOCK	0	2	12	14
SWORDS	0	1	9	10
MALAHIDE	0	0	4	4

Garda Operations

Questions (97)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

97. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if An Garda Síochána has a specific operation to target alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour in Dublin city centre over the Christmas and new year period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38748/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda authorities are responsible for policing strategies in relation to the matters referred to. In this regard, I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of resources is continually monitored and reviewed, taking into account all relevant factors including crime trends, demographics, and security assessments relating to the area in question with a view to making the best possible use of Garda resources.

I have been advised by the Garda authorities that a Policing Plan has been put in place in Dublin City Centre to support public safety and deal with risks of public disorder and other anti-social behaviour during the festive period. The aims and objectives of the Policing Plan include:

- Ensuring a high-visibility policing presence

- Reducing instances of assaults and public disorder

- Targeting criminals by intelligence-led policing and deployment of plain-clothes personnel to prevent, detect and disrupt criminality

- Maintaining reassurance to the commercial community through a high-visibility presence in the City Centre and by providing security and crime prevention advice to businesses

- Dealing with persons who may use this period to engage in unlawful collections in the city centre and where they may target elderly persons in residential areas.

I might add that there is a range of strong legislative provisions available to An Garda Síochána to combat anti-social behaviour, including provisions under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Acts, the Criminal Damage Act and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts. The powers available to Gardaí support them in addressing anti-social behaviours, including the prevention of nuisance or annoyance to others and forestalling damage to property or a breach of the peace.

An Garda Síochána is committed to tackling public disorder and anti-social behaviour by working with communities to reduce this type of behaviour and enhance community safety. The Garda approach includes a strong focus on quality of life issues and collaboration with local authorities, businesses (in particular the night time economy) and other stakeholders to help address the causes of anti-social behaviour, including in relation to the misuse of alcohol.

Remembrance Commission

Questions (98)

Micheál Martin

Question:

98. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has received communication from persons (details supplied) requesting that she consider reopening the Remembrance Commission to allow it to consider the murder of a person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38772/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

I can confirm to the Deputy that I received correspondence from the person to whom the Deputy refers in his question.

I should say, and I know that the Deputy will share my view, that this was a cowardly and brutal murder carried out by the Provisional IRA which robbed a woman and her children of a loving husband and father, and also deprived the State of a dedicated servant.

While the Remembrance Commission is no longer in being, given the unique circumstances of this case I had asked my officials to carry out a detailed review of the request in the light of the work of the Remembrance Commission. That process has now been finalised and I have been in direct communication with the person referred to in this regard.

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Questions (99)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

99. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the efforts made on accepting refugees from the Syrian conflict and from Calais, France; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38815/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

Under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) established by Government Decision in September 2015, the Government pledged to accept a total of 4,000 persons into the State by the end of 2017, through a combination of the EU relocation mechanism established by two EU Council Decisions in 2015 to assist Italy and Greece, and the UNHCR-led refugee resettlement programme currently focused on resettling refugees from camps in Lebanon.

The Refugee Resettlement strand is making excellent progress. 507 refugees have already arrived from Lebanon. 519 will have arrived by the end of December fulfilling our original quota a year ahead of the EU deadline of 8 December, 2017. To build on this early success I was pleased to announce last week that I am sending our fourth mission to Lebanon to arrange for a further 260 refugees to come to Ireland. This is in addition to an earlier commitment of 260 refugees due to arrive in the first half of 2017. The total additional commitment of a further 520 refugees in 2017 in effect doubles our original commitment to resettle refugees under this two year programme.

This latest decision reflects the Government's commitment to welcome vulnerable refugees fleeing war and conflict and is another positive step towards meeting our overall commitment to accept 4,000 persons. It also takes account of the slower than anticipated arrival of asylum seekers from Greece and Italy as a result of operational difficulties experienced by all countries in the initial establishment of the Relocation strand of the IRPP in those countries. However, following a highly productive visit by Irish officials to Greece earlier this year the frequency and numbers of arrivals has increased and is continuing to improve. Ireland has provided the Greek authorities with a full timetable for the acceptance, by end September 2017, of the entire cohort of asylum seekers allocated to Ireland under the relevant Council Decisions. Ireland has to date accepted 131 persons under the relocation strand. A further 127 persons are scheduled to arrive later this month with regular substantial monthly arrivals from Greece thereafter. The Greek programme is now working very well and Ireland expects to meet its full obligations to Greece.

The relocation of asylum seekers from Italy to Ireland has been hampered by technical issues which have been the subject of discussion up to ministerial level. It is hoped that the issues can be resolved in the near future which will allow the numbers being taken in under the IRPP to increase further.

An All Party Dáil motion approved by Government on 10 November last called on the Government to work with the French authorities to identify up to 200 unaccompanied minors previously living in the unofficial migrant camp in Calais and who have expressed a desire to relocate to Ireland. My Department is working with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on all matters arising from the commitments agreed in the recent Dáil motion. Both the French and British authorities and relevant NGOs have been contacted and information is awaited from NGOs in respect of children identified as wishing to relocate to Ireland. It is essential, if Ireland is identified as a location of choice for these young people, that services are in place and can cope with any such arrivals. We must ensure that we maintain the highest standards of international protection and care. The legal pathway for entry must also be robust to ensure that our actions fully comply with international best practice and protection law.

Citizenship Status

Questions (100)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

100. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on amending legislation to restore citizenship by birth here without reference to a person's parents' status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38816/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

Entitlement to Irish citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Following a Referendum of the Irish people, the 27th amendment to the Constitution changed the situation in relation to entitlement to Irish Citizenship. As a result, Section 6 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 was amended by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 2004. The changes came into effect on 1st January 2005. As of that date a person born in the island of Ireland is not entitled to be an Irish citizen, unless that person's parents have been resident in the island of Ireland for a total of three years during the four years preceding that person's birth. Periods of unlawful residence, periods of residence which were for the sole purpose of having an application for refugee status determined or periods of residence where permission was granted for the purposes of study are excluded from the determination of periods of reckonable residence.

Where a child born in the State did not at birth have an entitlement to Irish citizenship, the parent or guardian or person who is in loco parentis to the child may lodge an application for naturalisation on behalf of the child if and when the conditions for naturalisation are satisfied, including a requirement to have a total of 5 years residence in the State. This ensures that, even where a child born in the State did not have an entitlement to Irish citizenship, there is a path to obtaining Irish citizenship through naturalisation.

I have no plans to amend the legislation.

Garda Deployment

Questions (101)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

101. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda liaison officers with Europol from 2010 to date in 2016 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38866/16]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

An Garda Síochána maintains close liaison with other law enforcement agencies internationally and the work of Garda liaison officers who are permanently based in other jurisdictions and in international bodies such as Interpol and Europol, greatly facilitate the prompt exchange of information and intelligence on criminal activity. Such international liaison has led to many parallel investigations with international law enforcement agencies.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner, the number of Garda liaison officers based in Europol Headquarters in the Hague, as of 31 December 2010 to 2015 and up to 31 October 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, are as set out in the following table.

Garda Liaison Officers in Europol 2010-2016

Location	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016
Europol HQ	2	2	1	1	1	2	1