Written Answers Nos. 258-276
258. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of insolvency proposals rejected by each bank in which the bank was the primary creditor in each of the past 15 months as a percentage of the total proposals made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29457/17]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) has confirmed that it does not publish the number of insolvency proposals rejected by individual creditors. The ISI publishes a quarterly statistical report, which includes a creditor acceptance/rejection analysis. Page 7 of the 2017 Quarter 1 ISI statistical report published on www.isi.gov.ie refers.
The table is extracted from that report and shows creditor rejection/acceptance rates from the period of Quarter 4 of 2013 to Quarter 1 of 2017.
|
OUTCOME |
DSA |
PIA |
TOTAL |
|
|
YES |
YES vote |
70.3% |
57.5% |
60.2% |
|
Successful outcome |
70.3% |
57.5% |
60.2% |
|
|
NO |
NO vote |
7.0% |
16.6% |
14.6% |
|
Protective certificates expired |
22.8% |
25.9% |
25.2% |
|
|
Unsuccessful |
29.7% |
42.5% |
39.8% |
The Deputy should also be aware that under Section 115a of the Personal Insolvency Act, insolvent debtors can seek a review by the Court in certain cases where a creditor has rejected a proposed personal insolvency arrangement (PIA). The Court review gives the Judge power to make an order imposing the PIA proposal that was rejected by creditors, if the Court considers that it offers a fair and equitable solution for both debtor and creditors.
259. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of bills that have been sent since 1 January 2017 from An Garda Síochána to bereaved persons due to fatal road traffic collisions for copies of road traffic collision documentation; the amount of these bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29506/17]
View answer260. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of bills of over €1,000 that have been sent since 1 January 2017 from An Garda Síochána to families of persons suffering serious injury due to road traffic collisions for copies of road traffic collision documentation; the amount of these bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29507/17]
View answer261. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which bills have been sent since 1 January 2017 from An Garda Síochána to persons bereaved due to fatal road traffic collisions for copies of road traffic collision documentation when the directive of 30 August 2016 waived such fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29508/17]
View answer262. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which bills of more than €1,000 have been sent since 1 January 2017 from An Garda Síochána to families of persons suffering serious injury due to road traffic collisions for copies of road traffic collision documentation when the directive of 30 August 2016 capped such fees at €1,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29509/17]
View answer263. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the bill for €1,940 sent recently from An Garda Síochána to persons (details supplied) for copies of road traffic collision documentation following a fatal road traffic collision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29510/17]
View answer264. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm the wording of the directive stating that from 1 January 2017 bills from An Garda Síochána to families of persons suffering serious injury due to road traffic collisions would be capped at €1,000 and bills to persons bereaved due to fatal road traffic collisions would be waived in respect of copies of road traffic collision documentation; if all Garda divisions are implementing this directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29511/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 259 to 264, inclusive, together.
I understand that persons involved in road traffic collisions, their legal advisers or insurers or other interested parties may, on written request, be supplied with an abstract of the Garda report in respect of the collision, copies of statements of witnesses and sketches or maps of the scene.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 259 - 264 for answer on 27 June 2017, in which you requested certain details in relation to the fees being charged by An Garda Síochána for abstracts and statements in respect of road traffic collisions. As you will recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to revert to you in relation to the matter.
You have submitted further questions for answer on 4 July and I include, for ease of reference, my response to those questions which provides details of the new Garda policy in relation to charges for abstracts and statements. I have been assured by the Garda authorities that an instruction has now issued to all Garda stations in relation to the new policy and that arrangements will be put in place for appropriate refunds to be made in respect of applications received since 1 January 2017.
I have been further assured that all fees in respect of the tragic and fatal road traffic collision which occurred in Kilworth, Co. Cork on 22 December 2015 have been waived and that arrangements have been made for the local Superintendent to make direct contact with the person (details supplied) and for the Divisional and District Officers to meet with them shortly to address their concerns. I trust that this is of assistance.
Regarding the Deputy's other questions, as the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Síochána Vote. I understand, however, that persons involved in road traffic collisions, their legal advisers or insurers or other interested parties may, on written request, be supplied with an abstract of the Garda report in respect of the collision, copies of statements of witnesses and sketches or maps of the scene. Abstracts and statements are not normally supplied until any criminal proceedings are concluded and, in the case of fatal traffic collisions, until the inquest concerning the death has been completed by the Coroner.
I understand that the fees charged are generally designed to recoup administrative costs incurred in the preparation and processing of requests for abstracts and statements and that they are kept under ongoing review. I have, however, been informed by the Garda authorities that, following discussions and consultation with victim support groups and other agencies, the following arrangements will apply with effect from 1 January 2017 and in respect of applications received after that date:
- fees in respect of fatal road traffic collisions will be waived (one copy per applicant);
- fees in respect of road traffic collisions resulting in serious injury will be capped at €1,000 (one copy per applicant);
- in circumstances where the investigation of a road traffic collision remains ongoing and criminal proceedings are being contemplated or have already been initiated, or in circumstances where an Inquest has not been completed by the Coroner, abstracts will not be supplied. However, a reduced or amended abstract form containing ‘appropriate information’ as provided for in section 106(4) of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended, will be provided free of charge;
- the following fees will be payable in respect of applications in respect of road traffic collisions resulting in material damage:
|
Item |
Fee |
|
Collision Reports |
|
|
Forensic Collision Report - Full Report |
€400 |
|
Rough Data - Per Page |
€40 |
|
Copy of Scale Plan - Other than that as provided as part of full report |
€50 |
|
Copy of Vehicle Examination Report (Unless provided as part of full report) |
€70 |
|
Photographs |
|
|
From Digital Camera (per disc) |
€30 |
|
A4 Index Sheet |
€20 |
|
Photographs (1st Photograph |
€25 |
|
Each Subsequent photograph |
€5 |
|
Abstract of report |
€60 |
|
Copy of Statement |
€40 |
I have been informed that an instruction in this regard has now been issued by the Garda authorities and that arrangements will be put in place for appropriate refunds to be made in respect of applications received since 1 January 2017.
265. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when An Garda Síochána will complete its report on the inflated breath test figures; when this report will be debated in Dáil Éireann; if he has given a deadline for the submission of this report to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29512/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that An Garda Síochána has confirmed that it has put solutions in place to deal with the procedural and practice issues that have been detected to ensure that the errors that have been identified in relation to breath tests/Mandatory Alcohol Testing (MATs) do not recur. An Garda Síochána has installed a new specific data recording IT upgrade on the Garda PULSE system, which requires personnel to record the serial number of the device used for each breath test plus the meter reading before and after the checkpoint was concluded. Data from the device are now used to verify the total number of breath tests conducted at each checkpoint.
The Deputy will also be aware that in addition to outlining the breath test discrepancies, how they came to light, and the remedial steps taken so far, the Commissioner announced the creation of a dedicated team under Assistant Commissioner Michael O’Sullivan to investigate in detail the MATs issue, including with a view to identifying and holding responsible for their actions any Garda members, whether at junior, supervisory or management level, who acted improperly, and committed to forwarding the report of this investigation to the Policing Authority and my Department, when completed. An interim report was forwarded by An Garda Síochána to the Policing Authority in advance of the Authority's recent public meeting on roads policing, which took place on 27 April 2017 and there is ongoing engagement between An Garda Síochána and the Policing Authority in relation to this matter. A second interim report was received in my Department this afternoon (27 June) from An Garda Síochána and it is currently being considered by my Department.
The Deputy will be aware that the Tánaiste, in her previous role as Minister for Justice and Equality, wrote to the Chairperson of the Policing Authority in accordance with section 62O(6) of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005 (as amended) requesting that the Authority report on its oversight of the issues which have arisen in relation to mandatory alcohol testing. This report is to include an examination of all aspects of the matter, addressing to the extent possible the reasons why issues have arisen, the incidence and scale of the issues and the solutions implemented to ensure there is no recurrence. I understand that there is ongoing dialogue between An Garda Síochána and the Policing Authority in relation to the preparation of their respective reports into this issue. The Deputy will appreciate that the ongoing Garda investigation into these matters will no doubt be considered by the Authority in the context of the report it is preparing and that it is right that I await the conclusion of the Authority's work in this area before commenting in more detail on this matter.
266. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied that prison authorities are taking seriously the problem of racism in prisons, whether directed at prisoners or prison officers, in view of the fact that there have been complaints by prison officers in this regard and at least one case is pending in the Equality Tribunal relating to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29531/17]
View answerI have been advised by the Irish Prison Service that there are no cases pending before the Equality Tribunal/Workplace Relations Commission. However, I am informed that a case has recently concluded; it is not possible at this time to make the outcome of the case public, pending the possibility of an appeal. All decisions by the Workplace Relations Commission are confidential to the parties involved until published by the Workplace Relations Commission.
Clear statutory provisions are in place to address the issue of racist abuse. The Irish Prison Service can and does address alleged racial abuse by prisoners within a statutory environment and having regard to the unique nature of the prison environment and the legal status of prisoners sent by the Courts. Statutory Instrument 252 of 2007, Prison Rules 2007, identifies racist abuse as a serious breach of prison discipline and also makes provision for complaints about racist abuse. "A prisoner shall be guilty of a breach of prison discipline if he or she - treats with disrespect, through the use of any abusive, insolent, racist or threatening behaviour or language, the governor, any prison officer, any prisoner, any visitor to the prison or any other person" [Paragraph 3 Schedule 1 Prison Rules 2007] “displays, attaches, or draws on any part of a prison, or on any other property, threatening, abusive or insulting racist words, drawings, symbols or other material.” [Paragraph 31 Schedule 1 of the Prison Rules 2007]. Racism is placed on the same level as threatening behaviour.
As I am sure the Deputy will agree, a prison is a unique environment. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) in May 2015 acknowledged the special difficulties that a prison environment presented and noted: “The Commission understands the difficulties that may arise in the context of eliminating racial harassment, or indeed any form of discriminatory harassment within the Prison system where the alleged perpetrator is a prisoner. In this regard, it is noted that disciplinary procedures are governed by primary legislation and statute.”
The Prison Rules 2007 inform both staff and prisoners alike that engaging in racial abuse constitutes a significant breach of prison discipline which will merit severe sanction. Any victim of racial abuse is made fully aware of the mechanisms available to him or her under the provisions, whereby they can seek redress by way of complaint for any racial abuse suffered. Sanctions which can be imposed on prisoners for breaching prison discipline are contained in the Prisons Act 2007.
In 2014 the Irish Prison Service conducted a survey of its staff on Experiences of Equality and Diversity within the Irish Prison Service. The staff responses in the survey did not identify racism as a significant issue within the service, however the Irish Prison Service remains firmly committed to raising racial awareness as well as highlighting other forms of discrimination and has initiated measures such as “Show Racism the Red Card” to promote racial awareness within the prison.
A new prisoner complaints procedure was introduced from 1 November 2012. This allows for all complaints made by prisoners alleging serious ill treatment, use of excessive force, serious intimidation/discrimination or threats by a member or staff of the Irish Prison Service to be investigated by an independent investigator. The Inspector of Prisons Office has oversight of all investigations, has access to any material relevant to any such investigation and may investigate any aspects that is considered relevant.
Complaints from prison staff regarding alleged harassment by other prison staff on any of the following nine grounds - gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Travelling community are dealt with under the Civil Service Dignity at Work policy which outlines procedures for dealing with such complaints. All complaints or queries raised in relation to bullying, harassment or sexual harassment are treated seriously, fairly and in the strictest of confidence. The Dignity at Work policy promotes respect, dignity, safety and equality in the workplace.
267. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the former Attorney General (details supplied) was absent from deliberations concerning her suitability for a position as a judge as per section 18 of the Courts and Court Officers Act 1995. [29535/17]
View answerIn accordance with Articles 13.9 and 35.1 of the Constitution, judicial appointments are made by the President acting on the advice of the Government. Section 20 of the Court and Court Officers Act 1995 provides that all proceedings of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board and all communications to the Board shall be confidential.
The purpose of Section 18 of the Courts and Court Officers Act, 1995, as referred to by the Deputy, is threefold: first generally to provide that JAAB may not recommend one of its own members for judicial office, second to make an exception to this, in the case of an Attorney General (who is a member of JAAB), who has indicated to the Board a wish to be considered for judicial office and third to provide that where that happens the Attorney General must withdraw from the deliberations of JAAB on whether to recommend the Attorney General. The only situation in which these provisions regarding the Attorney General operate is in the context of the deliberations of JAAB and in the context where the Attorney General has indicated a wish to be considered by JAAB for recommendation to judicial office.
It would not be appropriate for me, as Minister for Justice and Equality, to comment any further on specific nominations to judicial office which are decisions made by Government and are subject to Cabinet confidentiality under Article 28.4.3° of the Constitution. The Deputy will be aware that I, and the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Innovation, set out in detail the Government's position on the appointment of a judge to the Court of Appeal in a debate in the House last week.
268. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the necessary Garda resources will be allocated to Stepaside Garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29565/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources, including personnel, available to An Garda Síochána and their distribution among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. I am informed that Garda management keeps the 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.
As the Deputy will be aware, on 13 June 2017 the Government agreed in principle to the reopening of Stepaside Garda station on a pilot basis as soon as any necessary preparatory works have been completed. This is a matter to be progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.
The Programme for Government commits the Government 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 plan is progressing apace. 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 am informed by the Commissioner that, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 1,000 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am also informed that another 600 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 - an increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
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.
269. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the staffing complement of his Department in whole-time equivalents as at the end of 2016. [29608/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Grade |
Whole Time Equivalents |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
|
Deputy Secretary |
2.8 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
15 |
|
Principal Officer |
87.3 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
268.8 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
226.5 |
|
Administrative Officer |
263.3 |
|
Executive Officer |
359.3 |
|
Staff Officer |
22.8 |
|
Clerical Officer |
616.7 |
|
Services Officer |
89.9 |
|
Total |
1953.4 |
In addition to the above, there were 12.5 staff on secondment and 54.9 staff on long-term unpaid leave, such as career break or carer's leave.
There are a number of technical/professional grades in the Department and these figures are included with the equivalent grade above.
270. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of follow-up searches undertaken further to the recent discovery by persons of substantial quantities of drugs off the west coast; the resources allocated to those searches; the number of packets found following such searches; the number of persons involved in the searches; the agencies involved in the searches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29613/17]
View answer271. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the resources being provided for the detection of drugs being imported off the west coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29614/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the allocation of resources is an operational matter for the Garda Síochána. However, I can inform the Deputy that it is through the work of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and the dedicated Drug Units operating across the jurisdiction that the Garda Síochána target those involved in the illicit sale and supply of drugs. The specific strategies put in place by An Garda Síochána include the operation of targeted intelligence led initiatives.
As the Deputy will be aware on 8 and 10 June, 2017 two similar packages, of similar appearance, were found at Achill, Co. Mayo and Ballyconneely, Co. Galway. Both packages, following analysis, were found to contain Cocaine with an estimated street value of approximately €160,000. Follow-up searches were conducted by Mayo and Galway Divisional search teams with other Garda personnel from Westport and Clifden Garda Districts, supported by the Garda Water Unit. These searches proved negative.
A large portion of the Garda Western Region comprises of the exposed Atlantic coastline with Coast Watch Schemes, similar to Neighbourhood Watch Schemes, established in three Garda Divisions in the Region. Divisional Drugs Units, established within the Region, are specifically tasked with enforcing the Misuse of Drugs Acts and related legislation, including the importation and sale/supply of illicit drugs. An Inspector in each Division is designated with responsibility for each Coast Watch Scheme and liaises with resident, community, business and local fishermen to ensure that any suspicious activity is reported, through local Garda personnel and Community Policing Units to the Divisional Drug Units.
The Divisional Drug Units liaise closely with the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau, the Revenue Commissioners and the Defence Forces (Navy). The Garda Síochána also work in partnership with other Law Enforcement Agencies at home and abroad, including the Revenue Commissioners (Customs Service), the Health Products Regulatory Authority, Police Service of Northern Ireland, the National Crime Agency (UK), Europol, Interpol and the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre – Narcotics (MAOC-N).
More broadly, work is well under way in regards to a comprehensive and integrated new National Drugs Strategy for the period post 2016 and the Garda Síochána remains resolute in its determination to act against those within society who pose a significant threat to the welfare and well-being of our citizens and the communities we serve. The continued disruption of the supply of all illicit drugs remains a priority for all agencies tasked with responsibilities in this regard.
272. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29630/17]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that criminal investigations are properly dealt with by An Garda Síochána in the first instance and I, as Minister, have no role in relation to the conduct of particular Garda investigations. I understand that property is returned to an owner when it is no longer required for the purpose of an investigation, or where a court directs. Where any dispute arises as to the ownership of property in the possession of An Garda Síochána, an application may be made to the District Court pursuant to the Police Property Act, 1897, for an order as to the proper disposal of the property.
However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy directly when a report is to hand.
273. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of type 2 and 2A visas issued by each Garda station in the country in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [29636/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department that the following table provides the number of persons granted Stamp 2 registrations and Stamp 2A registrations for the period 2012 – 2016 and to date in 2017 (31 May, 2017).
|
Year |
STAMP 2 |
Stamp 2A |
|
2017 to date |
36,565 |
3,857 |
|
2016 |
51,403 |
6,002 |
|
2015 |
55,870 |
4,938 |
|
2014 |
51,608 |
4,265 |
|
2013 |
47,253 |
4,251 |
|
2012 |
42,775 |
4,322 |
|
2011 |
41,718 |
4,791 |
I am further advised that it would take a disproportionate amount of staff resource time to extract the breakdown by each Garda station in the country as requested by the Deputy.
274. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the grants and funding provided to groups and organisations providing support services for women and men respectively in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29642/17]
View answerMy Department provides funding and grants to a large number of groups and organisations under various headings. Details can be found in the following tables of the funding given to the types of groups providing support services for women and men to which it is assumed the Deputy is referring.
In 2016, €400,000 was granted to the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI). The NWCI is an umbrella group representing 170 member groups as well as individual members with the aim of seeking equality between women and men. €1,385,000 was provided to the National Collective of Community based Women's Networks, which consists of 17 women's groups in various parts of the country, involved broadly in activation and outreach for disadvantaged women.
The Department of Justice and Equality also provided funding, administered by the Victims of Crime office, totalling €1.445 million for groups and organisations supporting victims of crime, both men and women, in 2016. These organisations are supporting among others, victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, as well as tourist victims of crime, child victims, families of victims who die as a result of homicide and victims of general crime. Details of this funding is outlined in Table 1.
Table 1 - Funding provided by the Victims of Crime Office to Victim Support Services 2016
|
Organisation |
Men |
Women |
Men & Women |
Type of Organisation |
Total Paid |
|
|
1 |
Adapt (Kerry) Kerry Women's Refuge and Support Services |
€22,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€22,000.00 |
||
|
2 |
Adapt (Limerick) |
€60,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€60,000.00 |
||
|
3 |
AdVIC |
€26,500.00 |
General |
€26,500.00 |
||
|
4 |
Amen |
€13,200 |
support to male victims of domestic violence |
€13,200 |
||
|
5 |
Ascend |
€10,195 |
Domestic Violence |
€10,195 |
||
|
6 |
Barnardos* |
€23,800.00 |
Children |
€23,800.00 |
||
|
7 |
Beacon of Light Counselling Centre* |
€17,500.00 |
Counselling Services |
€17,500.00 |
||
|
8 |
Bray Women's Refuge |
€9,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€9,000.00 |
||
|
9 |
CARI* |
€60,000.00 |
Children |
€60,000.00 |
||
|
10 |
Carlow Women's Aid |
€19,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€19,000.00 |
||
|
11 |
Clare Haven Services |
€13,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€13,000.00 |
||
|
12 |
Cope Galway Waterside House |
€4,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€4,000.00 |
||
|
13 |
Crime Victims Helpline |
€100,000.00 |
General |
€100,000.00 |
||
|
14 |
Cuan Saor Women's Refuge Ltd. |
€20,700.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€20,700.00 |
||
|
15 |
Dignity for Patients |
€10,500.00 |
General |
€10,500.00 |
||
|
16 |
Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (Sligo)(formerly Waves) |
€8,500.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€8,500.00 |
||
|
17 |
Domestic Violence Response Galway |
€14,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€14,000.00 |
||
|
18 |
Donegal Domestic Violence Service |
€17,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€17,000.00 |
||
|
19 |
Drogheda Women's Refuge and Children's Refuge Centre |
€10,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€10,000.00 |
||
|
20 |
Dublin 12 Domestic Violence Service |
€7,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€7,000.00 |
||
|
21 |
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre |
€22,000.00 |
Sexual Violence |
€22,000.00 |
||
|
22 |
Dundalk Counselling Service |
€20,000.00 |
Counselling Services |
€20,000.00 |
||
|
23 |
Federation for Victim Assistance |
€106,000.00 |
General |
€106,000.00 |
||
|
24 |
Finglas Cabra Local Drug Task Force |
€4,000 |
General |
€4,000 |
||
|
25 |
Greystones Family Resource Centre |
€800 |
Domestic Violence |
€800 |
||
|
26 |
Hope Counselling |
€1,000 |
Counselling |
€1,000 |
||
|
27 |
Irish Tourist Assistance Service |
€47,000.00 |
General |
€47,000.00 |
||
|
28 |
Kilkenny Women's Refuge Ltd |
€6,500.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€6,500.00 |
||
|
29 |
Laois Domestic Abuse Service |
€18,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€18,000.00 |
||
|
30 |
Le Chéile* |
€2,954 |
General |
€2,954 |
||
|
31 |
Letterkenny Women's Centre (Counselling) |
€6,500.00 |
Counselling Services |
€6,500.00 |
||
|
32 |
Living Life Voluntary Counselling Centre |
€15,000.00 |
Counselling Services |
€15,000.00 |
||
|
33 |
Longford Women's Link |
€20,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€20,000.00 |
||
|
34 |
Mayo Women's Support Services |
€8,204 |
Domestic Violence |
€8,204 |
||
|
35 |
Meath Women's Refuge |
€30,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€30,000.00 |
||
|
36 |
Missing in Ireland Support Services |
€5,500.00 |
General |
€5,500.00 |
||
|
37 |
Mná Feasa Domestic Violence Project |
€25,000 |
Domestic Violence |
€25,000 |
||
|
38 |
Oasis House Women's Refuge Waterford |
€10,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€10,000.00 |
||
|
39 |
Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service |
€10,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€10,000.00 |
||
|
40 |
One in Four |
€90,000.00 |
Sexual Violence |
€90,000.00 |
||
|
41 |
Rape Crisis Network Ireland |
€45,000.00 |
Sexual Violence |
€45,000.00 |
||
|
42 |
Roscommon Safe Link |
€17,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€17,000.00 |
||
|
43 |
Safe Ireland |
€5,500.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€5,500.00 |
||
|
44 |
Saoirse Housing Association |
€15,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€15,000.00 |
||
|
45 |
Sexual Violence Centre, Cork |
€23,000.00 |
Sexual Violence |
€23,000.00 |
||
|
46 |
Sonas |
€14,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€14,000.00 |
||
|
47 |
Support After Crime |
€129,000.00 |
General |
€129,000.00 |
||
|
48 |
Support After Homicide |
€60,000.00 |
General |
€60,000.00 |
||
|
49 |
Téarmann Housing Association |
€16,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€16,000.00 |
||
|
50 |
Victim Support at Court |
€72,000.00 |
General |
€72,000.00 |
||
|
51 |
Westmeath Support Service against Domestic Abuse |
€16,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€16,000.00 |
||
|
52 |
Wexford Women's Refuge |
€8,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€8,000.00 |
||
|
53 |
Women's Aid Dublin |
€94,000.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€94,000.00 |
||
|
54 |
Women's Aid Dundalk |
€16,500.00 |
Domestic Violence |
€16,500.00 |
||
|
Totals paid |
€13,200 |
€551,399.00 |
€880,754.00 |
€1,445,353.00 |
*Refers to support services for children.
COSC, the National Office for the prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based violence provided funding totalling €653,500 in 2016 to three programme organisations delivering domestic violence intervention programmes which support men and women. Details of this funding is outlined at Table 2.
Table 2: Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programmes 2016
|
Organisation |
Total paid € |
|
Men Overcoming Violence (MOVE) |
€351,500 |
|
South East Domestic Violence Intervention Programme SEDVIP |
€278,000 |
|
North East Domestic Violence Intervention Programme NEDVIP |
€24,000 |
|
Total |
€653,500 |
COSC also provided funding support to Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) and the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) for a number of particular initiatives supporting both men and women during 2016. Details of this funding is contained in Table 3.
Table 3: Initiative funding RCNI & DRCC 2016
|
Organisation |
Total paid € |
|
Rape Crisis Network Ireland |
€40,000 |
|
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre |
€17,398 |
|
Total |
€57,398 |
The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) provides mainstream funding to two NGOs to assist them in providing front line support services to victims of trafficking in human beings. Detailed Service Level Agreements are in place stipulating the conditions under which both NGOs receive the funding and the services for victims they are expected to carry out. In 2016 Ruhama was allocated €275,000 to support women affected by prostitution and other commercial forms of sexual exploitation. Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) received €41,428 to work with men and women who have experienced trafficking for labour exploitation.
In addition to funding provided directly by AHTU, funding for NGOs is also provided through the Dormant Accounts Funding (DAF) Scheme. DAF funding is under the statutory function of the then Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. In 2016, that Department allocated €200,000 for disbursal by AHTU to five NGOs for a range of initiatives with the purpose of addressing the personal, social and educational development of victims or potential victims of trafficking in human beings. In the case of four of the NGOs both men and women benefitted from DAF projects (Sexual Violence Centre Cork, Doras Luimní, MRCI and ICI) however the Ruhama initiative funded under this Scheme focused solely on female participants.
A full breakdown of all funding provided is captured in Table 4.
Table 4
|
Type of Funding |
Organisation |
Amount - € |
|
Mainstream Funding* |
Ruhama |
275,000 |
|
MRCI |
41,428 |
|
|
Dormant Accounts Funding* |
Ruhama |
40,000 |
|
MRCI |
40,000 |
|
|
Doras Luimní |
40,000 |
|
|
Sexual Violence Centre Cork |
40,000 |
|
|
Immigrant Council of Ireland |
40,000 |
Lastly, the Probation Service works in partnership with a range of community based organisations and provides funding to enable them to develop and deliver services in communities which enhance the work of the Probation Service in changing offending behaviour.
In 2016, the Probation Service provided just under €10.7 million directly to community based organisations working with adults. Most of these organisations deal with both male and female offenders. However, a number of organisations deal solely with female offenders including Tús Nua, SAOL and WRENS. Tús Nua, for example, is a specialised service established specifically to support women, who are either homeless upon their release from prison or women with an offending background and who are homeless in the community.
275. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the special detective unit; and the number of gardaí due to be appointed to this unit by the end of 2017. [29644/17]
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 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. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves.
This plan is progressing apace. I am informed by the Commissioner, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, that just under 1,000 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am also informed that another 600 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 - an increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
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.
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. This investment will facilitate the provision of more effective policing services and I have no doubt that these new resources now coming on stream will see an increase in Garda visibility in our communities.
The Special Detective Unit (SDU) is responsible for the investigation of threats to the state security and the monitoring of persons who pose a threat to the security of the State on both national and international fronts. The Unit also provides security for visiting VIPs, cash in transit movements and armed response and is the operational wing of the Witness Security Programme. The highly trained and equipped specialist intervention unit, the Emergency Response Unit, is also part of SDU.
I am advised by the Commissioner that for security and operational reasons the strength of the SDU cannot be provided.
276. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of judges who were not serving judges being promoted who have been appointed since 1995 without going through the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29670/17]
View answerIn accordance with Articles 13.9 and 35.1 of the Constitution, judicial appointments are made by the President acting on the advice of the Government. The Government has such discretion under the Constitution to nominate persons of its own choosing, provided that they are qualified and eligible for appointment as a judge.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that a notice of every judicial appointment made is published in Iris Oifigiúil. Where the person appointed was recommended for that appointment by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board (JAAB), the notice shall include a statement to that effect, in accordance with section 16(8) of the Court and Court Officers Act 1995.
I have asked my Department to examine records since 1995 in relation to the matters referred to in the Deputy's question and I will contact the Deputy directly as soon as the relevant information is to hand.
