Written Answers Nos. 134-153
134. Deputy Maria Bailey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider putting a compulsory purchase order on the playing pitches at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30620/17]
View answerIn the case of the school pitches to which the Deputy refers, my Department understands from the Christian Brothers Congregation that arrangements have been made to dispose of the lands in question to a developer.
My Department has written to the Christian Brothers Congregation seeking clarification on a number of points, including whether the land in question is now the subject of a legally-binding agreement. The Congregation have advised that they will reply to my Department in the coming weeks.
My Department does not have statutory CPO powers. Given the cost of land acquisitions generally, where my Department has requested a local authority to purchase land under CPO, it has been for the purposes of constructing a new school building. I understand that the school community referred to by the Deputy wish to retain the right to use the land in question for recreational purposes and playing pitches.
For the reasons stated above, a CPO would not be appropriate in the circumstances.
135. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an extension to a community college (details supplied). [30665/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school in question is included in my Department’s 6 Year Construction Programme.
My Department will be in contact with the school authority in the context of initiating the architectural planning process for the project in due course.
In the meantime, my Department recently approved funding to the school to provide interim additional temporary accommodation.
136. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the proposed changes to a school bus route (details supplied) in County Mayo; his views on whether exceptional circumstances exist in this instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30666/17]
View answerSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Bus Éireann generally review school transport services over the summer months and bus timetables and routes may be altered, for the following school year, to reflect changes in the number and location of children who are eligible for school transport.
My Department has requested a report on the proposed operational changes on the bus service in question from Bus Éireann.
137. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are guidelines stating the minimum green space requirement for schools; if so, if he will outline same; if not, his plans to create and publish such guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30720/17]
View answerMy Department has published guidelines to assist in the identification and the assessment for suitability of new sites for schools where the procurement of a new site is required. The relevant guidelines are TGD-025 for Primary School site identification and TGD-027 for Post-Primary site identification. All technical guidelines are available on the Department of Education and Skills website.
These guidelines are not intended to be prescriptive and cover a number of technical criteria to be taken into account when appraising the suitability and development potential of a site for a new school relative to other available options. Both documents refer to guidelines for green space provision. However, in higher density urban developments the optimum site area may not be available and green space guidelines are subject to space availability.
Guidelines for site assessments in urban areas are currently being drafted by my Department.
138. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application by a primary school (details supplied) in respect of additional accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30729/17]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department received an application for additional school accommodation from the school referred to.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department’s funding priority is focused on the provision of essential classroom accommodation to cater for increased enrolments. In that regard, the school’s application was examined and having regard to the school’s current level of staffing and enrolment numbers the level of school accommodation was considered adequate to meet the school’s teaching needs. In the circumstances, my Department advised the school in question that it was not in a position to approve funding at this time.
139. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that anti-bullying policies are in place in his Department and in each State body and agency under his aegis; if such polices are being implemented effectively; the amount paid in compensation for bullying claims in each of the past five years in his Department and in each State body and agency under his aegis in tabular form; the action which has been taken to ensure such cases do not arise in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30749/17]
View answerCivil Servants at my Department are obliged to comply with the terms of the Civil Service Code of Standards & Behaviour. On entry to my Department as an employee, they are presented with a copy of the Code and they are required to certify in writing that they have received and read its content.
At section 12 it addresses the matter of their relations with their colleagues in the workplace and they are expected to ensure that their behaviour towards their colleagues is appropriate and to support the Civil Service policy on harassment, sexual harassment and bullying. The Department of Public Expenditure & Reform published a revised Code in this regard entitled “Dignity at Work” and it provides an avenue for staff that feel they have been subject to bullying or harassment to report the matter. A copy of the Code can be viewed at the DPER website.
In the period stated by the Deputy my Department did reach a settlement with one staff member who alleged they were subjected to bullying for a sum of €50,000. The case was handled by the State Claims Agency.
Bodies under the aegis of my Department that employ Civil Servants are equally subject to the terms of the Civil Service Code and the Dignity at Work Policy. On receipt of the Deputy’s parliamentary question, officials at my Department contacted the bodies under its aegis and I understand none of the bodies have made compensation payments in the past five years.
140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he and his Department continue to emphasise Ireland's position as a committed member to the European project in the context of discussions arising from Brexit and with particular reference to ensuring that Ireland's interests, North and South, remain to the fore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30681/17]
View answerMy appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, with special responsibility for Brexit, coincided with an important milestone in the Brexit process, coming shortly before the formal launch of the Article 50 negotiations between the EU and the UK on 19 June.
At the June General Affairs Council (Art. 50), EU27 Ministers received a short update from Michel Barnier on the launch of the negotiations in advance of his briefing of the EU27 Heads of State and Government at the European Council (Art. 50). I also had the opportunity to speak with Mr Barnier in the margins, which provided a timely opportunity to reiterate Ireland’s key priorities and concerns.
Overall, the EU has set out its negotiating position clearly. This includes strong and explicit acknowledgment of the need to address the issues arising from Ireland's unique situation as a negotiating priority. We are grateful for the support and understanding of the EU institutions and of our partners. At both political and official level we continue to work intensively to ensure that Ireland-specific issues are successfully resolved in the EU-UK negotiations.
The importance of unity within the EU 27 has been strongly stated on many occasions, most recently at last week’s meeting of the European Council. We are absolutely committed to playing our part in ensuring a united approach.
We have also made clear to EU partners, to third countries, and to business and civil society, that Ireland’s place is at the heart of the European Union. The Irish people are strongly committed to EU membership – in the most recent poll, 88% agreed that Ireland should remain a part of the EU. Our economic, social and political interests are best served by our continued membership of the European Union.
141. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the areas within his Department which remain outstanding in respect of the confidence and supply agreement; the status of plans for the implementation of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30581/17]
View answerOne of the policy principles set out in the Confidence and Supply Arrangement is to strengthen and develop cross border bodies and services in Northern Ireland and implement the Fresh Start Agreement.
All of the North South Bodies are continuing to operate effectively, making a considerable contribution towards economic growth right across the island and demonstrating what can be achieved when we pool our resources in key strategic areas. For instance, Tourism Ireland and InterTradeIreland are playing continuing and central roles in supporting the all island economy.
Tourism Ireland is driving record tourism numbers and spend to this island. InterTradeIreland is building vital exporting capacity among our small and medium enterprises and assisting SMEs in navigating the challenges of Brexit through its new advisory service and carrying out important research into various trade scenarios.
I am currently representing the Government at the ongoing talks in Belfast and am hopeful that there will shortly be agreement on the restoration of the devolved institutions. This will allow meetings of the North South Ministerial Council to recommence next month to enable further important engagement on progressing all-island cooperation in general and in particular addressing the challenges of Brexit.
Discussions on sectoral priorities and on new and expanded areas of cooperation have been taking place within the NSMC. While there is always scope for exploring the expansion of areas of cooperation and of the work of the North South Bodies, in line with the Good Friday Agreement, such expansion must of course obtain the agreement of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Government has in the Programme for Partnership Government committed to a number of actions to facilitate greater North-South cooperation.
Full and timely implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements, including the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement, is a key priority for the Government, as reflected in the Programme for a Partnership Government. The Agreements, and the principles and values underpinning them, are at the core of the Government’s approach to peace, reconciliation and prosperity on this island. The Government will continue to work tirelessly for the full implementation of the Agreements in both letter and spirit.
Despite the political challenges of recent months in Northern Ireland, there has been sustained progress with implementation of the Fresh Start Agreement, with each administration actively pursuing the necessary work to fulfil the respective commitments. In order to have continued progress it is critically important to see devolved Government working effectively in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland. As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government is determined to uphold its principles and protect its institutions. Effective devolved Government, underpinned by a genuine spirit of partnership, is what the people of Northern Ireland voted for in 1998 and what they expect their politicians to deliver.
The Fresh Start Agreement provided for the establishment of the Joint Agency Task Force on cross-border crime. That Task Force was launched in Dublin in December 2015, and has quickly become fully operational, progressing its work to tackle cross-jurisdictional organised crime and bring to justice those involved in it.
At the Plenary meeting of the NSMC on 18 November 2016 in Armagh, the NSMC considered an update by a group of Senior Officials from relevant Departments, North and South, on the progress being made on implementing the commitments set out in Section E of the Fresh Start Agreement, to provide support and funding for North-South infrastructure projects. The review is ongoing and a further report will be presented at a future Plenary meeting.
A key element of the Fresh Start Agreement relates to the ending of the legacy of paramilitarism. On 13 September 2016, Minister Flanagan signed an international agreement with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to establish the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC). The IRC will report annually on progress towards ending continuing paramilitary activity connected with Northern Ireland. Following the December review meeting, both Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive announced the appointees to the IRC. The IRC Bill, which will establish the IRC in this jurisdiction, was published by the Tánaiste and then Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, on 7 June and it is intended that it will be brought forward by Minister Flanagan in the weeks ahead.
142. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding discussions with the US authorities on immigration reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30713/17]
View answer143. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to have further discussions with the US authorities at political and official level on the need to progress immigration reform in view of the concerns of many Irish citizens living in the United States of America who are anxious to have their status regularised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30714/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.
The Government’s objectives regarding our undocumented citizens in the United States remain constant, namely: to achieve relief for the undocumented and facilitate greater pathways for legal migration to the United States.
In pursuit of these objectives the Government and Ireland’s diplomatic representatives in the US systematically avail of all opportunities to raise immigration, including the prospects for immigration reform, and the situation of the undocumented in the United States, with members of the Administration and Congressional representatives.
In mid-March, the former Taoiseach, Mr. Enda Kenny, TD, used the opportunity of his meetings with President Trump, Vice-President Pence, Speaker Ryan, and other senior US leaders during the St. Patrick’s Day engagements in Washington DC to raise immigration-related issues and to convey the continuing importance which we attach to them.
The Taoiseach spoke by phone to President Trump on the afternoon of Tuesday 27 June. During their brief conversation the Taoiseach raised a number of issues including the situation of the up to 50,000 undocumented Irish in the US. The Taoiseach looks forward to having an opportunity to discuss this, and other matters, with President Trump in more detail in due course.
I am aware of the understandable concerns among members of the Irish community in the U.S., in light of recent developments under the new Administration.
The Department has therefore funded the provision of factual legal advice, for information purposes, for undocumented Irish citizens in the U.S., which has been disseminated among Irish immigration centers in the United States and is available online.
Our Embassy in Washington DC is in close and ongoing contact with the U.S. authorities and can report that numbers of deportations of Irish citizens to date this year have not increased compared to recent years.
In May the Government announced an additional € 50,000 funding from the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme budget for the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers, which provides advice and vital services to our citizens in the US.
The issues of immigration reform and the welfare of undocumented Irish citizen in the US are a central element of the work of Ireland’s diplomatic representatives in the US. Our Embassy in Washington DC and our six Consulates across the United States work with Irish immigration centers on a daily basis in providing support to Irish citizens.
I can assure the Deputy of the Government’s continued commitment to pursuing these matters on behalf of our citizens in the US.
144. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff employed in the passport section of his Department in each of the years 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30738/17]
View answerThe number of staff employed in the Passport Service is augmented in peak periods in response to seasonal demands. As of today’s date, the Passport Service employs 317 fulltime equivalent staff plus 232 Temporary Clerical Officers. The numbers of staff employed by the Passport Service at the end June 2015 and at end June 2016 are also detailed in the table.
|
Passport Office |
As at 27.06.17 |
June 2016 |
June 2015 |
|
Dublin (incl. Balbriggan) |
240 |
213.1 |
195.9 |
|
Cork |
76 |
77.9 |
72.9 |
|
Temporary Clerical Officers |
232 |
200 |
164 |
|
TOTAL |
548 |
491 |
432.8 |
145. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff employed in the passport section of his Department in each of the years 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017 who have availed of the shorter working year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30739/17]
View answerUnder the terms of the Shorter Working Year scheme, special leave is available for periods of 2,4,6,8, 10 or 13 weeks. The number who participated in the scheme in the past three years is as follows:
|
Year |
Number |
|
2015 |
57 |
|
2016 |
36 |
|
2017 |
13 |
The Shorter Working Year scheme is one of a wide range of family friendly and work life balance schemes in operation across the Civil Service, including my Department. Requests to participate in the Shorter Working Year scheme are facilitated as far as possible, subject to business requirements.
146. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff employed in the passport section of his Department in each of the years 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017 who have availed of the shorter working year; and the number of temporary clerical officers who were employed to replace full-time staff on shorter working year in each of the years 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30740/17]
View answerUnder the terms of the Shorter Working Year scheme, special leave is available for periods of 2,4,6,8, 10 or 13 weeks. The number who participated in the scheme in the past three years is as follows:
|
Year |
Number |
|
2015 |
57 |
|
2016 |
36 |
|
2017 |
13 |
The Shorter Working Year scheme is one of a wide range of family friendly and work life balance schemes in operation across the Civil Service, including my Department. Requests to participate in the Shorter Working Year scheme are facilitated as far as possible, subject to business requirements.
Temporary vacancies arising as a result of this scheme are filled, as required, by redeploying permanent staff or by assigning some of the Temporary Clerical Officers who are recruited for each peak season.
147. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is satisfied that anti-bullying policies are in place in his Department and in each State body and agency under his aegis; if such polices are being implemented effectively; the amount paid in compensation for bullying claims in each of the past five years in his Department and in each State body and agency under his aegis in tabular form; the action that has been taken to ensure such cases do not arise in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30752/17]
View answerThe Dignity at Work Policy – an Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment Policy for the Civil Service - was launched in 2015 for all Civil Servants. It replaced Circular 23/2005 “A Positive Working Environment”.
The Dignity at Work policy forms an integral part of all induction and management training in the Department. The policy is publicised for the attention of all officers in the Department at regular intervals.
The experience of the Department is that the policy is an effective tool in managing any case that may arise. My Department has also recently established a Workplace Relations Unit within Human Resources, to support the work of managers and staff in this area and to promote the principles of Dignity At Work across the Department.
No compensation was paid in relation to any such cases in my Department during the period in question.
There are no bodies under the aegis of my Department.
148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to bring forward legislation to facilitate maternity leave for persons through surrogacy; the proposed timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30572/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, surrogacy is not currently recognised under Irish legislation. I am informed that the Department of Health is currently drafting a General Scheme of legislative provisions on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated research, which will include provisions relating to surrogacy. It is envisaged that a draft of the General Scheme will be completed by the end of June 2017. Once the General Scheme is finalised, the Minister for Health intends to submit a memo to Government seeking approval of the General Scheme, which would encompass permission for its publication and submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee to undergo pre-legislative scrutiny. Following enactment of the subsequent Bill, i.e. once the substantive issue of surrogacy has been provided for in law, the consequential issue of statutory maternity and paternity leave for parents of children born by surrogacy will also be addressed.
149. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure persons in mortgage difficulty must go through in order to have their PIP costs covered by the State; if it is permissible for a PIP to charge additional costs once approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30661/17]
View answerThe Government’s Abhaile scheme offers a range of free independent professional advice and help to a person in serious financial difficulty with their home mortgage. These services include free financial advice and assistance from a Personal Insolvency Practitioner (the ‘PIP Service’),
The procedure for accessing help under Abhaile is straightforward. MABS (the Money Advice and Budgeting Service) acts as the gateway to all Abhaile services. To apply, a person can contact MABS, either via the MABS helpline or by calling to their local MABS office. Full details are provided on the MABS website at www.mabs.ie, and the helpline is open 9 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday.
MABS will check that the person qualifies for Abhaile. He or she is eligible if they are a homeowner, unable to pay their debts as they fall due, and at risk of losing their home due to mortgage arrears.
MABS will also advise them on the help most suited to their individual needs and situation. Where this includes the PIP Service, MABS will provide the eligible person (‘the borrower’) with an Abhaile voucher which they can exchange for that advice and assistance. The borrower can then choose a PIP from the Abhaile panel of participating PIPs, and provides the voucher to the PIP at their consultation meeting.
The PIP Service is a fixed service which includes:
1. a personal consultation with the borrower,
2. preparation of a Prescribed Financial Statement, which is a detailed analysis of the borrower’s income, assets and liabilities, in accordance with section 50 of the Personal Insolvency Acts,
3. assessment of the borrower's individual financial situation,
4. advising the borrower, in accordance with the PIP’s detailed obligations under section 52 of the Personal Insolvency Acts, on the range of options available to resolve their financial difficulties and on the best options available in their individual circumstances (with priority to keeping the borrower in their home), and
5. confirming that advice to the borrower in writing.
A PIP participating in the Abhaile panel has agreed to provide the PIP Service described above for a set fee of €500 (plus VAT if applicable). That fee is paid by Abhaile, in return for the PIP submitting the voucher and evidence of provision of the required service. There is no charge to the borrower.
If the PIP recommends that the borrower apply for a Personal Insolvency Arrangement, and the borrower instructs them to act on their behalf, the PIP will normally have to undertake further work to prepare a Personal Insolvency Arrangement and to seek the agreement of creditors. However, it is expected of all Abhaile panel PIPs that in normal course, PIP fees for any such further work will be charged as part of the terms of the Personal Insolvency Arrangement.
If the PIP recommends that bankruptcy is the best solution in the borrower’s individual circumstances, the PIP will also provide the borrower with the written statement required by the bankruptcy judge, confirming that the borrower has first been advised regarding their options under personal insolvency, as part of the PIP Service.
150. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 108 of 5 April 2017, if sanction will be applied to a company (details supplied) providing translation services for the IPO2 form. [30522/17]
View answerAs previously referred to in the reply to Parliamentary Questions 108 to 110 of 5 April, 2017, I am advised by the Chief International Protection Officer (CIPO), who is independent in the performance of his functions under the International Protection Act 2015, that translation services for the international Protection Office (IPO) of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) are provided on the basis of a public procurement process and subsequent contractual arrangements entered into between a service provider and INIS.
The current service provider is contractually obliged to provide such services in a professional manner and in accordance with industry standards. I am also advised by the CIPO that, as part of his quality review process for translated material, he has been in contact with the service provider about quality matters related to a number of language versions of the Application for International Protection Questionnaire (IPO 2). These issues have now been resolved and relevant applicants are being contacted about the matter to enable them to provide supplementary information in respect of their international protection applications. This will not impact the applications made by the applicants nor their place in the processing order.
I am advised that no payments have been made to the service provider to date in respect of the translation of the Questionnaire and any such payments will, in due course, take account of any quality issues which have arisen.
151. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inquiries and investigations being undertaken by GSOC; the number of inquiries and investigations undertaken at the equivalent date in 2016; the staffing levels of GSOC; the comparable level at the equivalent date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30535/17]
View answerThe Garda Síochána Act 2005 established GSOC to provide independent oversight of alleged misbehaviour by members of the Garda Síochána. The Act stipulates that the Ombudsman Commission is independent in the performance of its functions.
I am informed by GSOC that there were 758 enquiries and investigations being undertaken at the end of May 2017. This compares with 703 enquiries and investigations being conducted at the end of May 2016.
The staffing level at GSOC at the end of May 2017 was 80, and the comparable level for 2016 was 77. Sanction was recently received for an additional 5 staff for a unit to investigate protected disclosures.
Resources and funding are kept under continuing review to ensure that GSOC is able to continue to operate effectively and efficiently and in accordance with its statutory remit.
152. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an application for a visa can be reviewed and processed in the case of a person (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30565/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the position remains unchanged to that previously advised. The documentation required has not yet been provided by either the applicant or sponsor.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited. In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to visamail@justice.ie.
153. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda recruits currently in training; the number scheduled for further intakes in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30586/17]
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 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.
Taking account of projected retirements, reaching a strength of 15,000 by 2021 will require some 2,400 new Garda members to be recruited on a phased basis over the next three years in addition to the 2,000 that will have been recruited by the end of this year since the re-opening of the Garda College in September 2014.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that since the reopening of the College, 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 there are 605 student Gardaí attending the College for phase 1 training who 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. Two further intakes of 200 Garda trainees to the College are planned for August and November which will bring the total intake to 800 this year.
Progress on reaching the target of 15,000 is proceeding apace. In order to ensure that it is reached it will require a continuous pipeline of suitable candidates. In this regard I am pleased to say that the recruitment campaign launched by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Commissioner last May, again received a strong response with more than 5,000 people applying.
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.
