Written Answers Nos. 41-60
41. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 24 of 16 December 2016, if her Department has any plans to implement the recommendation made by the McMahon report which would permit new asylum applicants who do not receive a decision on their status within nine months to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7675/17]
View answerAs I stated in my response to Parliamentary Question number 24 of 16 December, 2016, the International Protection Act 2015, which was commenced on 31 December last, restated long standing policy which provides that applicants for international protection shall not seek or enter employment or carry on any business, trade or profession during the period before the final determination of their application.
I also outlined in that response the reasons for maintaining that policy, including that there is an effective visa and immigration system already in place for those who wish to lawfully migrate to the State for employment purposes.
The International Protection Act 2015 provides for the introduction of a single application procedure for international protection which is specifically aimed at addressing the length of time persons spend in the protection process. It is envisaged that the implementation of this procedure will, in time, address the recommendations of the Report of the Working Group relating to such length of time issues. This will bring certainty of status at a much earlier stage to qualified applicants. Any applicant subsequently granted refugee status is entitled to enter the labour market.
42. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress in an investigation into the Belturbet bombing of December 1972 which caused the death of two teenagers; if her attention has been drawn to the widespread concerns about the lack of progress on this investigation to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7608/17]
View answerThe bomb attack on the post office in Belturbet, Co. Cavan in December 1972 was an appalling atrocity which claimed the lives of two innocent young people. My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones in such a callous manner that day. These unspeakable murders, like so many other acts of violence, characterised the darkest period in the modern history of this island. The families of those killed in Belturbet, like the families of so many others killed over course of the troubles in unjustified and despicable acts, bear the pain of loss to this day.
An Garda Síochána conducted a full investigation at the time with close liaison with the authorities in Northern Ireland as well as technical and expert assistance from the Army. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that every possible avenue of inquiry was pursued at the time but it has not proved possible to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice. This is a matter of profound regret.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the investigation into these murders remain open. However, with the passage of over forty years and with no new evidence emerging, one would have to be cautious as to the prospect of bringing a successful prosecution. Nonetheless, the Garda Authorities will pursue any new information or evidence that becomes available and will work with the PSNI to seek to progress the investigation where new evidence is produced. I would call on anyone with any relevant information about this atrocity to bring it to the attention of An Garda Síochána.
It is a sad fact that dealing with the legacy of the troubles on this island is very difficult and complex task. In the Stormont House Agreement a series of useful measures were agreed to put in place an overarching framework to seek to deal with the legacy of the troubles. The Government is fully committed to playing its part in implementing those measures and will continue to work with the British Government and the parties in Northern Ireland to give effect to the measures.
43. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is concern that Garda transfers between stations are not happening in a fair and transparent way and that this can affect the well-being of individual members and their family life; the process for a garda wishing to transfer from one station to another; and the basis on which an application is assessed. [7632/17]
View answerUnder the Garda Síochána Act 2005 it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including personnel, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that it is Garda policy that all transfer applications are kept under review. I understand that transfers of Garda personnel are determined by a number of factors including population, crime trends and as the policing needs of each individual Division dictate. This ensures that the optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.
A member of An Garda Síochána who is the subject of a transfer decision by Garda management may after availing of internal review avenues appeal that decision to the Garda Síochána Transfer Review Body which was established as an informal, ad hoc body to review on appeal such decisions. It is chaired by a senior official of my Department acting in an independent capacity. Its membership includes a senior member of An Garda Síochána and representatives of the Garda Associations.
44. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will publish the report of An Garda Síochána into the activities of British undercover agents related to the Pitchford inquiry in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7683/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, allegations regarding an undercover police officer in this jurisdiction were first made public in 2011. A report was sought from the Garda Commissioner on the matter at that time and that report was provided to my predecessor in March 2011.
The Commissioner's report noted that no evidence had been established that the person in question had been involved in any criminal activity while in this jurisdiction. That said, if any evidence of any criminal wrongdoing is available it should be brought to the Garda Authorities in order that it might be fully investigated.
The report also stated that the capacity of An Garda Síochána to enter into intelligence-sharing arrangements was vital and that the maintenance of confidentiality was an essential feature of any such arrangements. The clear view of the Garda Authorities is that to disclose the details of any particular intelligence co-operation would impair the ability of An Garda Síochána to enter into such arrangements. I must, of course, have due regard to the views of the Garda Commissioner in respect of these operational policing matters.
As I have stated to the House previously, in the light of developments which have taken place outside this jurisdiction since these matters first came to light, including the establishment by the UK Government of an inquiry chaired by Lord Justice Pitchford into undercover policing, I requested a fresh report from the Garda Commissioner on any issues arising. I will fully consider this report when it is available, including the issue of whether it may be suitable for publication.
45. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of successful applications under the immigrant investor programme since its inception; the value of the associated investment; the number of jobs created by that investment; the reason it was necessary recently to change the qualifying criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7719/17]
View answerThe Immigrant Investor Programme, which was launched in April 2012, is open to non-EEA nationals who commit to an approved investment in Ireland. The programme is premised on the key requirement that applications are beneficial for Ireland, good for job creation, are in the public interest and that the funds invested are legally acquired and owned by the investor (i.e. not borrowed). It is also essential that applicants be of good character. In return the investor applicant and their immediate family members are granted rights of residence in the State which will allow them to enter the State on multi-entry visas and to remain here for an initial period of 2 years, renewal for a further 3 years, subject to certain criteria being met (i.e. that (i) the investment has not been withdrawn, (ii) they continue to be law abiding and self sufficient).
All applications under the Immigrant Investor Programme are considered on their merits by an independent Interdepartmental Evaluation Committee who have the requisite skills and experience to evaluate the applications. The membership comprises of officials from the IDA; Enterprise Ireland; Department of Finance; Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade; Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, and the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (which also provides the administrative assistance to the Committee).
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department that, since the programme commenced, a total of 380 applications have been approved, resulting in an Investment of approximately €142 million. A breakdown by year is as follows:
|
Year |
Applications Approved |
|
2012 |
5 |
|
2013 |
14 |
|
2014 |
23 |
|
2015 |
65 |
|
2016 |
273 |
The Deputy may wish to note that significant take-up of the programme commenced in 2015, with a greatly accelerated pace in 2016, when some 273 applications or 72% of all applications were approved in that year alone. It is not possible to identify with any degree of certainty the number of jobs created, as not all projects create jobs directly; this was particularly the case in the early years of the programme, where funds were for mixed investments or for investment bonds (these options were suspended in July 2016). The Deputy might also note that some 250 of the 273 projects approved in 2016, have only received that approval very recently.
When the programme was introduced in 2012, the original level of investment required was €1 million. This was reduced to €500,000 to stimulate interest in the programme. In total 450 IIP applications have been made since April 2012, with some 40 % being submitted between July and November 2016. This upsurge in applications was considered by the independent Evaluation Committee who recommended the restoration of the minimum investment threshold to its original level. I approved this course of action having brought the matter to the attention of my Cabinet colleagues. This change has had no adverse effect to date on the value of applications received in respect of the 2017 application process. An economic evaluation of the programme has commenced.
46. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the representations she has made to the OPW in the past six months in an effort to speed up the acquisition of a site for the new Garda station in Bailieborough, County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7677/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Office of Public Works (OPW), working closely with Garda management, has primary responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation and, as Minister, I have no direct role in relation to these matters.
I understand that Garda management and the OPW maintain meet regularly with a view to progressing matters relating to accommodation.
In addition, my Department chairs a working group which monitors progress in relation to the Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021 which includes provision for the proposed new Garda station at Bailieborough.
In relation to the proposed station, the position remains as outlined in my responses to Parliamentary Questions No. 194 of 17 January 2017 and 128 of 14 February 2017, wherein I indicated that a site has been identified for the proposed new Garda Station and that the OPW is progressing the legal matters relating to the acquisition of the site.
47. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will regularise the position of undocumented migrants here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7684/17]
View answer58. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Leaders' Questions on 9 February 2017, if she will address the problems relating to the immigration status of those young persons not in direct provision who, due to the lack of regularisation, cannot proceed to third level, employment or access social services, many of whom have been through second level education. [7645/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 58 together.
I am on record in the House previously, most recently in June 2016, as saying that I have no plans to introduce a general regularisation scheme for those who are currently undocumented in the State. Any such proposal could give rise to very large, unpredictable and potentially very costly impacts across the full range of public and social services. Furthermore, there may well be significant implications for the operation of the Common Travel Area, particularly, in the context of Britain withdrawing from the European Union. Any proposal in this regard would have to be very carefully considered.
At the European level, Ireland together with the other Member States of the European Union has committed under the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum agreed at the European Council in October 2008 "to use only case-by-case regularisation, rather than generalised regularisation, under national law, for humanitarian or economic reasons". While the Pact is not legally binding, the political commitment among Member States, then and now, is clearly against any form of process that would in any way legitimise the status of those unlawfully present without first examining the merits of their individual cases.
It should be remembered that people usually become undocumented through their own conscious actions or omissions. It is always open to persons in an undocumented situation to present their case, or that of their children, on its individual merits to the immigration authorities. Such cases would be carefully considered before a decision is made and it is reasonable for the State to expect that the affected persons would respect that decision.
48. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans for an awareness campaign on the issue of sexual consent in view of the fact there is a definition of consent outlined in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7685/17]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that I launched the national awareness campaign What would you do? (if you witnessed domestic violence) in November 2016. A national awareness raising campaign is a key action under the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence; the aims of the campaign being to inform and change attitudes as well as activating bystanders to prevent domestic and sexual violence.
It is intended that the campaign will run for a period of 6 years up to 2021. The first 3 years will focus on aspects of domestic violence to be followed by 3 years dealing with sexual violence. However, elements of each type of violence will feature in both phases of the campaign. My Department is currently evaluating the first phase of the campaign on domestic violence. I can assure the Deputy that evaluation will be an ongoing process and will help to inform the development of a suitable theme, in due course, for the latter 3 years dealing with sexual violence.
49. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of suicides of persons in direct provision and in the asylum application process that have taken place in the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7642/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that not all persons in the protection process accept the offer of State provided accommodation which is made when they apply for international protection. In circumstances where an applicant chooses not to accept such accommodation, my Department has no knowledge of the health of such persons. From January 2012 to December 2016, there were 8,870 applications for international protection and of these, 7,116 accepted the offer of accommodation. It is of course open to any person in the protection process to leave that accommodation at any time and many chose to do so.
During the period specified by the Deputy, it is understood that one resident died in tragic circumstances in an accommodation centre in 2016. I must point out that the Department of Justice and Equality does not and indeed cannot hold or have access to death certificates. While the Department collates some statistics on deaths of persons in the protection process, this is usually by way of a general knowledge of the cause of death, such as by way of information arising from the specified medical needs of the resident concerned.
50. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she will take to deal with the other Garda whistleblowers who have made persistent claims to her of being the victims of bullying and harassment inside the service, in view of the recent public revelations concerning the treatment of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7680/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware the Government proposes to set up a Tribunal of Inquiry into various matters relating to the treatment of Garda whistleblowers and related matters. Resolutions setting out the draft terms of reference for this Tribunal of Inquiry have been laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and are being discussed by the Dáil today.
I am grateful to Mr Justice Peter Charleton for agreeing to chair the Tribunal.
51. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the revenue received by the Civil Legal Aid Board in contributions made by persons seeking legal aid for domestic violence cases; and the percentage which these contributions are of the total revenue received by the Civil Legal Aid Board. [7618/17]
View answerThe Legal Aid Board provides civil legal aid and advice to people who cannot afford to pay for a solicitor from their own resources. The majority of the Legal Aid Board’s income comes from a grant from my Department, which this year is just under €39 million. Other sources of income include costs recovered from the other party to a dispute (where costs are awarded in favour of the legally aided person), costs recovered from legally aided persons (where property is preserved or recovered on that person’s behalf in the course of legal proceedings), and contributions paid by legally aided persons.
Applicants for civil legal aid and advice are required to meet both the merits test and the financial eligibility criteria under section 29 of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2016. The vast majority of applicants granted legal aid and advice, including those seeking legal services in connection with domestic violence remedies, are also required to pay some contribution. The minimum amount is €30 for legal advice and a minimum of €130 applies for legal aid (which includes the advice contribution already paid). The amount of the contribution depends on a person’s income and assets. It should be noted that aid contributions in respect of domestic violence cases in the District Court are capped at a maximum of €417. However, the majority of applicants for legal aid in connection with domestic violence reliefs pay the minimum contribution.
The Deputy will wish to note that Section 29 (2) (b) of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 (as amended by Section 80 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008) provides that the Legal Aid Board may waive any contribution payable or accept a lower contribution on the grounds that a failure to do so would cause undue hardship to the applicant. The Legal Aid Board has put in place guidelines for its decision makers in relation to applications for a waiver of contributions. The guidelines provide for a sympathetic approach to be taken to applications for a waiver in cases where the application is in connection with a domestic violence matter and the person’s sole source of income is social welfare. In such circumstances a decision maker may decide to waive the aid contribution so that the person will only pay the advice contribution of €30.
The Board received approximately €1,557,855 in client contributions in 2016. The amount of client contribution in 2016 in respect of domestic violence cases is estimated at €177,076, €38,699 of which was waived. The amount of €138,377 received represents just under 9% of the total contributions received.
The Board has a policy role in relation to the provision of civil legal aid and periodically it brings proposals to my Department in relation to the financial eligibility and other criteria in relation to civil legal aid. I understand that the Legal Aid Board are to consider in due course making proposals in relation to revising the financial eligibility criteria for civil legal aid.
52. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if any analysis has been completed on reasons for the substantial fall in Garda Reserve numbers between 2014 and 2016. [7628/17]
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, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits, 300 Reserves, and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána.
As the Deputy notes there has been a substantial reduction in the strength of the Reserve in recent years from a peak of 1,164 in 2013 to 695 currently. The fall-off arises from a range of factors, not least the lifting in 2014 of the moratorium on recruitment of trainee Gardaí which has affected Reserve numbers in two ways - firstly close to 200 serving Reserves have successfully applied to become trainee Gardaí, and secondly, resources in both An Garda Síochána and in the Public Appointment Service have been focused on delivering an accelerated programme of recruitment of full time members of An Garda Síochána. I am sure that the Deputy will agree, notwithstanding the very valuable contribution of Reserve members throughout the country, that it was the right decision, with finite resources, to prioritise the running of recruitment campaigns to replenish the full-time ranks of An Garda Síochána over the last three years.
Now that the recruitment process for trainee Gardaí has been bedded down and is producing a continuous pipeline of new recruits for the Garda College, work is underway on the development of multi-annual plan with the objective of recruiting and training 300 new Reserves annually starting this year, to bring the strength of the Reserve up from its current strength to 2,000 by 2021. In this regard Garda management in conjunction with my Department is engaging with the Public Appointments Service in relation to the timing of a fresh recruitment drive for the Reserve.
53. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cases before each court on drink driving offences in 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of convictions for this offence; the number of cases dismissed and struck out; the number of licences recorded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7603/17]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Courts Service. I understand that this information is currently being compiled; however it will not be available within the timeframe required. The data will be forwarded as soon as it becomes available, and I shall contact the Deputy directly upon receipt of same.
54. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration is being given to the reopening of the Garda stations which were closed in the Cavan/Monaghan division since 2011;and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7607/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Government, in its Programme for a Partnership Government, identified community policing as the embodiment of An Garda Síochána. Community policing provides a means of recognising that every community, both urban and rural, has its own concerns and expectations. The Programme for Government commits the Government to ensuring visible, effective and responsive policing in every community, including the most minimal response times possible.
With this in mind, I can confirm that I have asked the Policing Authority to oversee a review of, among other things, the dispersal of Garda stations in rural areas. I understand that the Authority has, in accordance with section 117(2) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, formally requested the Garda Síochána Inspectorate to examine the dispersal and use of resources available to the Garda Síochána in the delivery of policing services to local communities and to make recommendations to provide a more effective, visible and responsive policing service. The Authority has informed the Inspectorate that the review should take account of:
- the changing environments in rural, developing urban and suburban areas;
- the views of local communities;
- the allocation to and deployment of Garda resources at the local policing level, including the use of the Garda Reserve, Garda facilities and Garda equipment; and
- relevant recommendations made in previous Inspectorate reports.
The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to her. This includes responsibility for the formulation of proposals in relation to the geographical boundaries of Garda districts and the opening and closing of Garda Stations, taking into account crime trends and policing priorities, so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
The Deputy will also be aware that I have requested the Garda Commissioner, while fully cognisant of her statutory functions in relation to the distribution of Garda resources in the State, to identify 6 stations for reopening on a pilot basis in line with the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government. This pilot scheme is intended to feed into the wider review being overseen by the Policing Authority.
55. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the Garda Síochána's domestic violence statistics for 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7681/17]
View answerI have sought information from the Garda Síochána in relation to domestic violence statistics for 2016 and will revert to the Deputy upon receipt of this information.
56. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current number of gardaí in the Mayo division; the plans in place to increase this number during 2017; and if there are any plans to purchase new Garda vehicles for County Mayo in 2017 and to recruit gardaí for County Mayo in 2017. [7633/17]
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 by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda strength of the Mayo Division, on the 31 December 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available was 300. There are also 23 Garda Reserves and 34 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 and the Garda National Drugs and the Organised 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.
Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, 838 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, including 3 to the Mayo Division. I am also informed by the Commissioner that another 750 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources she needs to allow her to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Garda Division, including Mayo, in the coming years.
This investment in personnel is complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware of the significant resources that have been made available to An Garda Síochána under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021. In particular, some €205 million in additional funding for Garda ICT and €46 million for new Garda vehicles has been allocated over the lifetime of the plan.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that over 520 new vehicles were purchased and allocated for use in 2016. In addition, some 200 vehicles were purchased for allocation and use in 2017. This will be supplemented by funding of some €4 million which is available for new vehicles in 2017. The investment in the Garda fleet will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with additional high-powered vehicles, marked and unmarked patrol cars, and motorcycles to ensure that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the needs of all Garda Divisions including Mayo are considered when allocation vehicles across the Divisions. The strength of the Garda Fleet in the Mayo Division as of the 6 December 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is set out in the following table.
Strength of Garda Fleet in Mayo, as at 06 December 2016
|
CARS |
VANS |
MOTORCYCLES |
4X4 |
OTHER |
TOTAL |
|
|
Marked |
Unmarked |
|||||
|
24 |
17 |
13 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
59 |
57. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which adequate resources such as technology, motorised transport and other necessary equipment continues to be available to An Garda Síochána in view of the extent to which organised criminal gangs have established themselves and notwithstanding the recent success of An Garda Síochána in dealing with organised crime; if the co-operation of Interpol features in the ongoing challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7610/17]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that targeting organised crime activity is an ongoing priority for the Government and An Garda Síochána.
An Garda Síochána is tackling such activity through a range of targeted measures designed to disrupt and dismantle the operations of criminal organisations utilising advanced analytical and intelligence methodologies.
At international level An Garda Síochána utilises the available international mechanisms for police cooperation and training including CEPOL, Interpol, and Europol. An Garda Síochána also continue to participate in joint and multi-disciplinary and multi-jurisdictional investigations, within the European Union and world-wide. Successful investigations, prosecutions and disruptions of criminal activities have been and continue to be achieved through these parallel investigations.
The Deputy will also be aware of the very significant measures which have been introduced in response to the recent feuding activity including the establishment of a dedicated Garda Armed Support Unit in Dublin and the establishment of the Special Crime Task Force.
As the Deputy acknowledges, commendable successes continue to be achieved by An Garda Síochána, including the drugs and firearms seizures made.
The Deputy will also be aware of the significant investment of some €46 million in the Garda Fleet under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021. Over 520 new vehicles were purchased and allocated for use in 2016 alone. In addition, some 200 vehicles were purchased for allocation and use in 2017. This will be supplemented by funding of some €4 million which is available for new vehicles in 2017.
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.
A considerable amount of new Garda ICT solutions has been delivered over the past number of years. These include the deployment of a secure national digital radio system (NDRS), the deployment and support of Garda and Community CCTV systems, an automated number plate recognition (ANPR) system and the addition of many new functions to the PULSE system.
The substantial additional investment provided under the Capital Plan 2016-2021 will facilitate progress on further important reforms arising from the Garda Inspectorate's report on Crime Investigation. Examples of the new systems to be developed through this investment include:
- new computer-aided dispatch to ensure responsive and coordinated deployment of Gardaí in the community;
- mobile technology to give the Gardaí secure mobile access to critical information when and where they need it;
- investigations management systems to ensure enhanced management of crime investigations; and
- upgrading the ANPR to enhance policing of road safety and compliance.
59. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she or any person in her Department has examined the possibility of working with the Department of Health to expand the remit of HIQA to cover prisons. [7617/17]
View answerOn foot of the recommendations of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture following its visit of September 2014, the Irish Prison Service has been engaged with the Department of Health in relation to a fundamental review of healthcare in prisons and the provision of healthcare services in prisons generally. It has confirmed that the Terms of Reference for this review have been drafted and are to be agreed by both Departments. Discussions had taken place with the Health Information and Quality Authority regarding the possibility of it conducting the review. However, the Health Information and Quality Authority was not in a position to conduct such a review.
60. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on the EU Council most recent discussions on the common travel area. [7359/17]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the Common Travel Area has not been an agenda item for the European Council nor any Justice and Home Affairs Council. However both the Taoiseach and I and all Ministers do of course use every opportunity, including in the margins of Council meetings, to discuss with EU counterparts the issues of concern for Ireland arising from Brexit, including in relation to the Common Travel Area.
