Written Replies Nos. 51 to 59
51. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to have Irish Sign Language recognised as an official language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14692/17]
View answerI consider that it is appropriate and necessary that the needs of users of Irish Sign Language (ISL) in the State are met, particularly when questions of statutory entitlement or obligations are at issue. In this respect, as the Deputy will be aware the Department of Justice and Equality has recently concluded a three-phase consultation process with a view to developing a new National Disability Inclusion Strategy, which will be submitted for consideration to Government shortly. Issues in relation to the Deaf Community featured strongly in the consultation process, and I intend that the new Strategy will respond credibly. I can confirm that the Strategy contains an action that proposes legislation that will ensure that all public bodies provide ISL users with free interpretation when availing of or seeking their statutory services. I believe that this approach will make a real and measurable difference in the lives of ISL users.
As the Deputy will be aware, a Private Members' Bill, the Recognition of Irish Sign Language for the Deaf Community Bill 2016, is currently awaiting Committee Stage. I will be finalising my proposals for amendments to the Bill in early course and I look forward to a substantive discussion on all the issues involved, including formal recognition of ISL as a language used by the Deaf Community, at that time.
52. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of any payments made by her Department, its agencies or any bodies under her aegis to any broadcasters here in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016; the broadcaster to which the funds were provided; the reason for the payments; and if there are any reasons for payments to broadcasters in 2017. [14727/17]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is set out in the tables.
1. Private Security Authority
The Private Security Authority (PSA) uses Mediavest, the organisation that holds the Department contract for the purpose of running all information campaigns in the print and broadcast media, to conduct its radio broadcast campaigns. On this basis the PSA does not pay such broadcasters directly and instead radio advertising campaigns are arranged and paid for by Mediavest on the PSA's behalf. Mediavest then recoups the relevant payments from the PSA.
Radio advertisement or information campaigns are used by the PSA for the purpose of, inter alia, advising the public that a new sector within the private security industry has become licensable, advising the public of safety issues, advising the public of regulatory requirements when engaging the services of those working in the industry, advising those working in the industry that they must be licensed operators where appropriate as required by the Private Security Services Act 2004 (as amended). Details in respect of the PSA and payments made to broadcasters by Mediavest on its behalf are set out in the table:
|
Date |
Campaign |
Cost (Including VAT) € |
Broadcasters/Stations |
|
2017 (to end of March) |
Locksmiths Licensing |
22,855.86 |
Newstalk, Today FM, Radio 1 |
|
2016 |
Licensed Door Security/Security Guards and identity badges |
24,615.99 |
Today FM, Newstalk, Urban Stations - 96/103FM, Q102. Limerick 895FM, Galway Bay FM, LMFM, FM104, WLR |
|
Using licensed Intruder Alarms Contractors |
32,626.98 |
Today FM, UTV Urban Access ( 106 FM, Today FM, Urban list), Newstalk, RTE Radio, TIP FM, radio Kerry, Tipp MidWest |
|
|
Electronic Gates Safety |
40,420.88 |
Radio 1, Urban Stations - FM104, Cork 96/103FM, Limerick Live, LMFM, Galway Bay FM, Local Radio - Clare FM, East Coast Radio, Highland Radio, KFM, Midlands 103, Northern Sound/Shannonside, Ocean FM, Radio Kerry, Radio Nova, South East Radio, Sunshine 106.80, |
|
|
2015 |
Licensed CCTV & Your Business |
30,122.70 |
RTE Radio 1, Urban - FM104, Cork 96/103FM, Q102, Limerick Live LMFM, Galway Bay, WLR, Local, Clare FM, East Coast Radio, Highland Radio, KCLR, KFM, Midlands 103, Midwest Radio, Northern Sound/Shannonside, Ocean FM, Radio Kerry, Radio Nova, South East Radio, Sunshine 106, 80, Tipp FM |
|
Private Investigator Licensing |
9,950.70 |
Radio 1 |
|
|
Licensed Security/Security Guards and identity badges |
31,069.80 |
Radio 1, Urban Stations - FM104, Cork 96/103FM, Limerick Live, LMFM, Galway Bay FM, Local Radio - Clare FM, East Coast Radio, Highland Radio, KFM, Midlands 103, Northern Sound/Shannonside, Ocean FM, Radio Kerry, Radio Nova, South East Radio, Sunshine 106.80, Tipp FM |
|
|
Licensed Electronic Security for your home and business |
31,069.80 |
Radio 1, Urban Stations - FM104, Cork 96/103FM, Limerick Live, LMFM, Galway Bay FM, Local Radio - Clare FM, East Coast Radio, Highland Radio, KFM, Midlands 103, Northern Sound/Shannonside, Ocean FM, Radio Kerry, Radio Nova, South East Radio, Sunshine 106.80, Tipp FM |
|
|
2014 |
Licensed Electronic Security for your home and business |
47,709.41 |
Newstalk, 96FM, Live95FM, Radio 1 , IRS, WLR |
|
Licensed Door Security/Security Guards and identity badges |
19,164.36 |
Newstalk, Today FM, UTV urban stations |
|
Media type |
Broadcasters |
Cost |
|
TV |
RTE, TV3, UTV Ireland, Medialink (C4, C4+1, E4, E4+1, MORE4, FILM 4) & Sky Media (Sky1, Sky 2, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Sky News, Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 2, Sky Sports 3, Sky Sports 4, Sky Sports 5, Sky Sports News, Gold, Alibi, Challenge, Discovery, Comedy Central, Dave, Universal, E!, Pick, TLC) |
€188,740.28 |
|
Radio |
2FM, Today FM, IRS+ (Radio Kerry, Clare FM, Highland Radio, Kildare FM, Tipp FM, Ocean FM, Midwest, KCLR, Midlands 103, Northern Sound, Shannonside, South East Radio, East Coast), Media Central (Spin 103, 98FM, Classic Hits 4FM, iRadio, Beat 102 103, Spin South West) & Newstalk |
€197,618.75 |
|
Date |
Campaign |
Stations |
Cost (Including VAT) € |
|
2016 |
DVD of RTE programme - research on a charity |
RTE |
61.50 |
|
2017 |
Refund on deposit related to an FOI request |
RTE (journalist) |
80.00 |
|
Date |
Campaign |
Stations |
Cost (Including VAT) € |
|
Apr 2016 |
Public information campaign informing the public of the requirement of property services providers to be licensed and that unlicensed operators provide no consumer protection for clients. |
FM104, Cork 96/103 FM, Q102, Limerick Live, LMFM, Galway Bay FM, WLR, Clare FM,East Coast Radio, Highland Radio, KCLR, KFM, Midlands 103, Midwest Radio, Northern Sound/Shannon, Ocean FM, Radio Kerry, Radio Nova, South East Radio, Sunshine 1106.80, Tipp FM |
22,702 |
|
Radio 1 |
15,300 |
||
|
FM104, Cork 96/103FM, Q102, Limerick Live, LMFM, Galway Bay FM, WLR |
9,908 |
||
|
November 2016 |
Public information campaign informing the public of the requirement of property services providers to be licensed and that unlicensed operators provide no consumer protection for clients. |
Clare FM, East Coast Radio, Highland Radio, KCLR, KFM, Midlands 103, Midwest Radio, Northern Sound, Shannonside, Ocean FM, Radio Kerry, Radio Nova |
10,949 |
|
Date |
Campaign |
Stations |
Cost (Including VAT) € |
|
Newstalk |
2,863.44 |
||
|
2014 |
To promote public awareness and understanding of matters relating to personal insolvency” and to “develop strategies for communicating with the public aimed at promoting the use of insolvency arrangements and enhancing their effective application”. |
Urban Radio; FM104 Cork 96/103FM Q102 Limerick Live LMFM Galway Bay FM, WLR |
15,639.20 |
|
IRS stations: Clare FM, East Coast Radio, Highland Radio, KCLR, KFM, Midlands 103, Midwest Radio Northern Sound/Shannonside, Ocean FM, Radio Kerry Radio Nova, South East Radio, Sunshine 106.80, Tipp FM |
10,140.62 |
||
|
2015 September |
To promote public awareness and understanding of matters relating to personal insolvency” and to “develop strategies for communicating with the public aimed at promoting the use of insolvency arrangements and enhancing their effective application”. |
Midlands 103FM |
1,107 |
|
Jan-March |
IRS stations: Clare FM, East Coast Radio, Highland Radio, KCLR, KFM, Midlands 103, Midwest Radio Northern Sound/Shannonside, Ocean FM, Radio Kerry Radio Nova, South East Radio, Sunshine 106.80, Tipp FM |
66,641.40 |
|
|
2016 June |
To promote public awareness and understanding of matters relating to personal insolvency” and to “develop strategies for communicating with the public aimed at promoting the use of insolvency arrangements and enhancing their effective application”. |
IRS Stations: Clare FM, East Coast FM, Highland Radio, KCLR, Kerry, KFM, Midlands 103, MWR, Ocean FM, South East Radio, Shannonside, Northern Sound, Tipp FM, Nova, Sunshine |
4,675.68 |
|
October |
Newstalk 2 FM IRS stations: Clare FM, Eastcoast FM, Highland Radio, KCLR, Kerry, KFM, Midlands 103, MWR, Ocean FM, South East Radio, Shannonside, Northern Sound, Tipp FM, Nova, Sunshine |
34,927.01 |
|
|
October (TV) |
RTE, TV3, TG4, Alibi, UTV |
12,640.95 |
|
|
2017 |
Campaign |
Stations |
Cost (Including VAT) € |
|
TV |
To promote public awareness and understanding of matters relating to personal insolvency and to develop strategies for communicating with the public aimed at promoting the use of insolvency arrangements and enhancing their effective application. |
RTE, TV3, TG4, UTV Ireland, Skymedia |
201,406.16 |
|
IRS stations: Clare FM, East Coast Radio, Highland Radio, KCLR, KFM, Midlands 103, Midwest Radio Northern Sound/Shannonside, Ocean FM, Radio Kerry Radio Nova, South East Radio, Sunshine 106.80, Tipp FM |
61,283.52 |
||
|
Radio Jan- March |
4FM Sunshine FM FM104 |
3,021.49 |
53. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the most recent figures for the number of Garda Reserve members in each Garda division, in tabular form. [14750/17]
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.
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 to 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. This year, 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. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves.
I was very pleased to announce today the launch of a new recruitment campaign for Garda Reserves. This new campaign is necessary to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to increase the strength of the Reserve to 2,000 by 2021, to act in a supportive role undertaking local patrols and crime reduction measures. Garda Reserve members have undergone training in many of the skills required to be effective full-time members of An Garda Síochána and it is important that we build on the very real contribution that they are making to the policing of communities right across the country.
I would encourage anyone interested in pursuing policing as a career to consider first becoming a member of the Reserve where they can see at first-hand what being a member of An Garda Síochána actually involves. The competition is being run by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Garda Commissioner and applications can be made online by 13 April, 2017, through www.publicjobs.ie.
For the Deputy's information I have set out in the table, as provided by the Commissioner, the strength of the Garda Reserve in each Division as of 31 January 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available.
Garda Reserve Strength 31 January 2017
|
Area |
Amount |
|
DMR South Central |
47 |
|
DMR North Central |
42 |
|
DMR North |
49 |
|
DMR East |
15 |
|
DMR South |
25 |
|
DMR West |
27 |
|
Waterford |
24 |
|
Wexford |
22 |
|
Tipperary |
23 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
26 |
|
Cork City |
48 |
|
Cork North |
16 |
|
Cork West |
12 |
|
Kerry |
20 |
|
Limerick |
36 |
|
Donegal |
21 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
14 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
21 |
|
Louth |
32 |
|
Clare |
6 |
|
Mayo |
23 |
|
Galway |
36 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
11 |
|
Westmeath |
13 |
|
Meath |
18 |
|
Kildare |
22 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
19 |
|
Wicklow |
22 |
|
Total |
690 |
54. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the most recent figures for the number of gardaí in the traffic corps in each Garda division, in tabular form. [14751/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including to the Garda Traffic Corps and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Commissioner that Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of resources and the best possible policing service is provided to the general public.
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. This year, 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. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves.
The 2017 Garda Policing Plan has indicated a commitment to increase the number of personnel dedicated to traffic duties by 10% to reflect the increasing numbers of personnel across the entire organisation. Given that there was no recruitment for a period of five years it will take some time before there are fully trained officers available to replace the number of personnel that have retired across the entire organisation, including traffic. However, the Commissioner has confirmed that the personnel requirement of the Garda Traffic Corps is currently being assessed to identify the most vulnerable areas in regard to serious traffic collisions and the level of compliance with Road Traffic Legislation. I understand that the Assistant Commissioner, Roads Policing and Major Event Management is currently assessing the capacity of Divisions and Districts to identify and target areas where An Garda Síochána could accelerate the deployment of personnel to traffic in 2017. The filling of any vacancies identified will be conducted on a structured basis and will be further enhanced with the recently renewed recruitment campaigns to An Garda Síochána.
Road traffic legislation is, of course, also enforced as part of the day to day duties of members of An Garda Síochána. Both targeted and general methods of enforcement have a valuable role to play in An Garda Síochána's enforcement programme, which targets locations with a view to preventing the commission of offences, detecting errant motorists, changing their behaviour and ultimately reducing death and injuries on our roads.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the strength of the Garda Traffic Corps on 31 January 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is as set out in the table.
Garda Traffic Corps Strength 31 January 2017
|
Division |
Inspector |
Sergeant |
Garda |
Total |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
0 |
1 |
10 |
11 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
1 |
2 |
14 |
17 |
|
D.M.R. North |
0 |
1 |
12 |
13 |
|
D.M.R. East |
1 |
2 |
6 |
9 |
|
D.M.R.S. |
0 |
1 |
11 |
12 |
|
D.M.R. West |
0 |
1 |
12 |
13 |
|
D.M.R. Traffic |
2 |
12 |
93 |
107 |
|
Waterford |
0 |
1 |
15 |
16 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
2 |
13 |
15 |
|
Tipperary |
0 |
2 |
18 |
20 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
0 |
2 |
24 |
26 |
|
Cork City |
1 |
5 |
33 |
39 |
|
Cork North |
1 |
6 |
26 |
33 |
|
Cork West |
1 |
4 |
17 |
22 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
2 |
14 |
17 |
|
Limerick |
1 |
3 |
19 |
23 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
2 |
17 |
20 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
0 |
4 |
20 |
24 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
0 |
2 |
21 |
23 |
|
Louth |
0 |
1 |
13 |
14 |
|
Clare |
0 |
2 |
15 |
17 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
1 |
10 |
11 |
|
Galway |
0 |
5 |
34 |
39 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
0 |
2 |
17 |
19 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
3 |
25 |
28 |
|
Meath |
1 |
1 |
15 |
17 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
1 |
24 |
25 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
0 |
3 |
19 |
22 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
3 |
14 |
17 |
|
Total |
11 |
77 |
581 |
669 |
*In addition, there is 1 Chief Superintendent and 1 Superintendent attached to the DMR Traffic Corps; there is also 1 Superintendent attached to the West and South Region; the other 3 Regions have Traffic Inspectors attached.
55. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of allegations of child abuse referred by the Health Service Executive to An Garda Síochána for prosecution; the number of cases that were deemed to be unfounded; and the number of cases of false reporting referred for prosecution under section 5 of the Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, each year after that Act was signed into law and before the responsibility for dealing with allegations of child abuse was transferred to Tusla. [14772/17]
View answer56. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of allegations of child abuse referred by Tusla to An Garda Síochána for prosecution from 2014 to 2016; the number of cases referred for prosecution; the number of cases that were deemed to be unfounded; and the number of cases of false reporting referred for prosecution under section 5 of the Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 (details supplied). [14773/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 56 together.
I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to these matters and I will contact the Deputy directly when the report is to hand.
57. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Finance the cost of refunding VRT and VAT on 1,000 public service vehicles. [14622/17]
View answerThe amount of Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) charged can be based on a combination of the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP), CO2 emission levels and particular category of vehicle in question, or as a flat rate charge for larger commercial vehicles. VAT is normally charged at 23% of the list price of the vehicle. Unfortunately, the Deputy has not provided enough information in relation to the above criteria to allow a calculation to be made of VRT and VAT.
58. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the volumes owed directly by the State as a result of the EU-IMF bailout, by institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14573/17]
View answerThe outstanding balances on the loans provided to Ireland under the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support, as of end-February 2017, and as provided by the NTMA, are outlined in the table.
|
Institution |
Outstanding Balance at end-February 2017 €bn equivalent |
|
International Monetary Fund (IMF) |
4.3 |
|
United Kingdom |
4.0 |
|
Sweden |
0.6 |
|
Denmark |
0.4 |
|
European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) |
18.4 |
|
European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (EFSM) |
22.5 |
Figures are unaudited and include the effect of currency hedging transactions.
59. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Finance if he will address matters (details supplied) regarding the Central Bank tracker mortgage redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14591/17]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to note that this morning the Central Bank of Ireland published a further update report on the Examination of Tracker Mortgage Related Issues and that this is available on its website www.centralbank.ie. This is the latest in a series of status updates since the examination commenced and sets out the progress being made by lenders in completing the review.
The immediate focus of the examination is to ensure that the interests of consumers are protected and that lenders prioritise the identification of impacted customers. Under the Principles for Redress lenders must stop further harm to impacted customers at the earliest possible time and must put in place a redress and compensation programme to fully address the impact their actions have had on impacted customers. The Principles for Redress also set out the Central Bank's expectations for lenders to provide, amongst other things, additional payments to allow impacted customers to seek independent professional advice.
The Tracker Examination continues to be a priority for the Central Bank and is being progressed as quickly as possible with specific timelines having been set for each lender to complete their reviews and to report to the Central Bank. The Central Bank has indicated that it will continue to monitor the examination as it progresses with appropriate supervisory action, up to and including enforcement action being taken by the Central Bank where necessary, in order to ensure lenders' deliver fair outcomes for their customers. Enforcement activity will be influenced by the outcome of the reviews currently being conducted as part of the Examination.
