Written Answers Nos. 154-173
154. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are changes to the long-term practice at the Garda College, Templemore, in which local suppliers were favoured in all supply contracts to the college in view of the fact that a change will have a serious impact on the provision of jobs by these local suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30605/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the Interim Audit Report in relation to the financial procedures in the Garda College Templemore prepared by the Garda Internal Audit Section makes a series of recommendations in relation to the operation of the Garda College. The findings of Report are a cause of concern to me and I am assured that the Garda Commissioner recognises the gravity of the issues raised and that the Garda Authorities are taking comprehensive steps to progress the recommendations in the Report.
Recommendation 8 of the Interim Audit Report states that: "All purchases for the College including the restaurant should be strictly in accordance with public procurement legislation. Advice should be sought from the Public Procurement Office in Garda H.Q. and the Office of Government Procurement in this regard.”
I am informed by the Commissioner that An Garda Síochána has met with the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) to discuss the suitability of existing frameworks and the most appropriate mechanisms to ensure appropriate procurement procedures are in place in the Garda College. An Garda Síochána is continuing to work with the OGP to implement appropriate procurement procedures as quickly as possible .
As the Deputy will also be aware the Interim Audit Report is the subject of an examination by the Public Accounts Committee. I understand that it has concluded its hearings and is to publish a report on the matter before the Summer recess.
155. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding residency status including eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30625/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned had permission to remain in the State, on stamp 4 conditions, up to 30th June, 2015. They applied to have that permission to remain renewed for a further period.
During the course of the consideration of the permission to remain renewal application, it was noted that the person concerned had been absent from the State for significant periods during the period of their permission to remain. Queries were raised with the person concerned, seeking to have these significant absences explained.
By letter dated 27th September, 2016, a representative of the INIS wrote to the legal representative of the person concerned advising that their client's permission to remain would not be renewed, as the person concerned had not been ordinarily and continuously resident in the State. It was also pointed out in that letter that their client was being given a period of 15 working days within which to submit reasons as to why that course of action should not be pursued. Neither the person concerned nor their legal representative has responded to that letter. The permission to remain renewal application made by the person concerned will therefore now be considered based on the information and documentation already on file. Once that process has been completed, the person concerned will be advised of the decision made.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration will be given to the award of stamp 4 in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30626/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned has submitted written representations.
These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
157. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 56 of 18 May 2017, if the requested documentation has been received by his Department with a view to early process in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30627/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned.
These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if queries have arisen relating to the delineation of boundaries arising from computerisation in land registry; if a particular reason can be identified for such errors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30629/17]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the digitisation of the Property Registration Authority (PRA) map record took place between December 2005 and August 2010. During this period approximately 2.5 million registered land parcels, made up of approximately 15 million line entities were digitised from 36,000 PRA paper map sheets.
Having completed the digitisation of the PRA map record a comprehensive assessment of the quality of the data capture was carried out by the PRA and this study revealed an error rate of 0.18%. I am advised that it is the PRA’s view that this error rate is well within the acceptable range given the complexity of the project. It should be noted that the Digital Mapping Project was much more than just a matter of transferring the registered land parcels from a paper map record to a digital map record. Factors that contributed to the complexity of the challenges associated with the project included: moving all registrations, from the defunct County Series and Irish Grid map projections to the latest Irish Transverse Mercator map projection; development schemes mapped on the PRA paper based record found to be at variance with the more accurate “As Built” layout presented by Ordnance Survey Ireland; transferring registrations from Western seaboard counties, which were up until the Digital Mapping Project, predominantly mapped on 1/10560 or 6” Ordnance Survey mapping which had not benefited from any revisions for decades; deciphering map data on old paper maps, some of which were 100 years old; and deciphering map data on badly damaged paper maps.
It should be noted that prior to the data capture element of the project the process was validated by eminent International Mapping/Land Administration experts.
I am assured by the PRA that it has in place robust structures whereby the registered owners of properties or their representatives can engage with the PRA in relation to matters pertaining to the mapped representation of the registration. The PRA also has a longstanding and valued relationship with Solicitors, Surveyors, Engineers and Architects in all matters pertaining to property registration. The PRA’s experience has been such that many of the queries received, once investigated, do not indicate any registration error. Many of the perceived errors do not emanate from the PRA, but in fact originate from inaccuracies in the application map lodged for registration. It should be noted that the responsibility for the accuracy of the application map lodged rests with the applicant.
There needs to be due recognition given to the fact that the PRA Digital Mapping Project resolved many thousands of pre-existing issues and anomalies that existed in the paper based map system. Being proactive in the adoption of Ordnance Survey topographical detail, during digitisation, has absolved many property owners of the need to incur costs in an effort to perfect or amend the Land Register to reflect the actual position on the ground.
159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 127 of 1 December 2016, 174 of 17 January 2017, 65 of 19 January 2017, 57 of 11 May 2017, 69 of 25 May 2017 and 849 of 20 June 2017, if this case can be re-examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30632/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a valid Deportation Order made on 20 June, 2002. The Deputy might wish to note that persons the subject of a Deportation Order are obliged to remove themselves from the State and to remain out of the State.
Representations were received from the person concerned, pursuant to the provisions of section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), requesting that the Deportation Order be revoked. Following the detailed consideration of the information submitted in support of the request, the Deportation Order was affirmed on 25 April, 2016.
As regards a re examination of the case, further representations have now been received from the legal representative of the person concerned, again pursuant to the provisions of section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), again requesting the revocation of the Deportation Order. This request will be considered as soon as it is possible to do so. The Deputy might wish to note that the decision to ensue from the consideration of this request will be that the existing Deportation Order will be either 'revoked' or 'affirmed'. Once such a decision has been made, this will be notified in writing.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department will re-examine the application for family reunification in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30635/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for Family Reunification pursuant to Section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) in respect of one family member on the 13 December 2016. The application in respect of the person the subject of the application was referred to the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) for investigation. No documents were submitted by the applicant to the ORAC. The ORAC completed their investigation on the basis of the information supplied and submitted their report to the Minister for consideration.
Consideration of the ORAC report had been completed by the Minister, however, prior to a decision issuing documents were received from the applicant as a result of which the application has been referred back to ORAC for further investigation and report in respect of the subject named in the initial application.
It was noted that the correspondence received included details of 2 further subjects who were not part of the original December application. The addition of these new subjects to the original application cannot be accepted pursuant to Section 56 of the International Protection Act 2015 which came into effect on 31 December 2016.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been established specifically for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30637/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is under consideration and has not yet reached a conclusion but I understand however that the case is due to be submitted for decision in the near future.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most cases are now generally processed within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been established specifically for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
162. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for a garda station (details supplied) in County Mayo; and his further plans to restore garda numbers at this station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30639/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of Garda resources among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
The Garda Station Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021 is an ambitious 5 year Programme that will benefit over thirty locations around the country and includes over €60million of Exchequer funding as part of Government’s Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 as well as a major Public Private Partnership project. The Programme is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána and the Garda authorities are working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for capital expenditure in this area, to deliver the projects. The Programme does not include provision for any significant building works at Ballyhaunis station.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Ballyhaunis Garda station is in the Claremorris District which forms part of the Mayo Division. As of 31 May 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of Claremorris District was 90. There are also 5 Garda Reserves and 1 civilian attached to the District. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
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 Garda Resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public. Furthermore, when allocations are taking place, comprehensive consultation is carried out with local Garda management during which all factors are taken into consideration. Where a deficiency in resources is identified the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly.
The Deputy will be aware that 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. A cornerstone of this commitment is the Government 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, the Government has provided funding 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. In order to continue to ensure seamless ongoing recruitment it is expected that a new competition for trainee Garda will be announced shortly.
163. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí who were and are assigned to Malahide Garda station in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30642/17]
View answer164. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí who were and are assigned to Swords Garda station in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30643/17]
View answer165. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí who were and are assigned to Balbriggan Garda station in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30644/17]
View answer166. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí that were and are assigned to Lusk garda station in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30645/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 163 to 166, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources. I am informed by the Commissioner that in regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Garda Division. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division.
The Commissioner has advised that all Gardaí, not simply designated Community Gardaí have a role to play in addressing community policing issues as and when the need arises and, in that sense, community policing involves far more than a single unit within An Garda Síochána.
I am further informed by the Commissioner that Malahide, Swords, Balbriggan and Lusk Garda stations form part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North Division and as of the 31 May 2017, there were 664 Garda. There are also 49 Garda Reserves and 40 civilians attached to the DMR North Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. 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.
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 75 of whom have been assigned to the DMR North Division. 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 including Community Gardaí across every Garda Division in the coming years.
This investment in personnel is complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware of the significant resources that have been made available to An Garda Síochána under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021. In particular, some €205 million in additional funding for Garda ICT and €46 million for new Garda vehicles has been allocated over the lifetime of the plan. 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.
For ease of reference, I have provided the detailed information requested in relation to the number of Community Gardaí assigned to Malahide, Swords, Balbriggan and Lusk Garda Stations from 2014 to 2016, as supplied by the Commissioner . I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda Commissioner in relation to 2017 and I will write to the Deputy on receipt of same.
Community Garda 2014 - 2016
|
Station |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Malahide |
6 |
5 |
4 |
|
Swords |
10 |
9 |
10 |
|
Balbriggan |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Lusk |
0 |
0 |
0 |
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
167. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of refugees who have been relocated here to date under the EU relocation decision; and the timeframe for relocation of the full 4,000 which the Government committed to. [30652/17]
View answerThe Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established by Government Decision on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the humanitarian crisis that developed in Southern Europe as a consequence of mass migration from areas of conflict in the Middle East and Africa. Under this programme, the Government has pledged to accept a total of 4,000 persons into the State, 2,622 through the EU relocation mechanism established by two EU Council Decisions in 2015 to assist Italy and Greece, 1,040 under the UNHCR-led refugee resettlement programme currently focussed on resettling refugees from Lebanon (519 by the end of 2016 and the remainder in 2017) and the balance through a variety of mechanisms. Some elements of this intake, such as the relocation strand, come with a time limit of two years and other elements are not time limited.
As regards the resettlement strand of the Programme, Ireland had taken in 519 of the original commitment of 520 by the end of 2016, a year ahead of schedule. Last year the Government doubled its commitment under resettlement to 1,040 and the number of persons who have arrived from Lebanon under refugee resettlement now stands at 785. The remaining 255 persons to arrive under resettlement have been selected and assessed and are expected to arrive later in the year.
In terms of the relocation aspect of the IRPP, allocations under the relevant EU Council Decisions are composed of three elements:
- an intake from Greece of 1,089 asylum seekers
- an intake from Italy of 623 asylum seekers and
- an allocation of 910 asylum seekers which has not yet been assigned to either Italy or Greece.
Ireland will meet in full its commitment to Greece. 459 of the allocation of 1,089 are already in the State and a further 357 have been assessed and are awaiting transportation. A further mission to Athens this month interviewed 99 persons. Missions to fill the remaining places under this strand of the Programme have been scheduled with the Greek authorities between now and September 2017. However, Italy, unlike Greece, will not permit security assessments to be undertaken by other States on its territory. Accordingly, Ireland has been unable to undertake security assessments on its territory of the cohort eligible for relocation to Ireland. It has therefore not been possible for Ireland to take asylum seekers from Italy. However, Intensive efforts remain ongoing to try to resolve this impasse. Contacts and meetings continue to this end, both bilaterally with Italian counterparts at official, diplomatic and Ministerial level, and at EU level, including through the European Commission.
In terms of the unallocated portion contained in the two EU Council Decisions referred to above, which in the case of Ireland amounts to 910 persons, Ireland cannot access this component until a decision is taken at EU level to allocate these numbers as between Greece and Italy. It is understood that the European Commission are examining allocating this "unassigned" portion and if they do Ireland will immediately work towards relocating them.
Ireland is doing everything it can to give effect to the EU relocation Decisions and what can unambiguously be said is that, should it be the case that despite all Ireland's efforts, the relocation mechanism does not permit Ireland to take in sufficient numbers of asylum seekers under relocation, then the Government commitment to take in 4,000 people remains and Ireland will take in these numbers through other mechanisms should this prove necessary.
168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review on humanitarian grounds the decision to deport in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30668/17]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 9 June 2017. This Order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and remain outside the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
169. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality 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. [30755/17]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department and all of its Offices and Agencies are fully committed to promoting respect, dignity, safety and equality in the workplace. All Organisations under my remit have anti-bullying policies in place with most using Dignity at Work, an Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment Policy for the Irish Civil Service whilst others, for example An Garda Siochana, have their own anti-bullying policy. Every effort is made to ensure that appropriate behaviours are displayed in our work environment and this is emphasised through the training rolled out to our managers and staff and the promotion of our culture and values.
The amount paid in compensation for bullying claims in the past five years are:
|
2013 |
Nil |
|
2014 |
€22,500 |
|
2015 |
Nil |
|
2016 |
Nil |
|
2017 |
Nil |
|
Total |
€22,500 |
The figures in the table above include bodies under the aegis of my Department with the exception of An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service. I have asked both An Garda Síochána and the Prison Service to provide the information directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
170. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost in 2018 of recruiting an additional 800 gardaí; the full year first year cost of same; and the full year second year cost of same. [30780/17]
View answerI am advised by the Garda authorities that the full first year cost of recruiting 800 additional Gardaí in 2018 is some €14,863,029 and that the full second year cost is some €25,751,656.
Annual costs for new Garda recruits include a basic weekly allowance of €184. After 32 weeks of training, Garda recruits are attested and move on to the first point of the Garda pay scale, which is €28,405 rising to a maximum of €50,448 per annum after 19 years. They may also qualify for other allowances depending on their assignments. For the purposes of the above calculation, the costs are based on basic salary plus employer PRSI but do not include any allowances that the members may be entitled to after being attested.
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.
I am informed by the Commissioner that, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, some 839 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am also informed that another 750 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - a net increase of some 700 in the total Garda strength since recruitment recommenced.
171. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will grant CLÁR funding to a project (details supplied). [30574/17]
View answerThe 2017 CLÁR programme was launched on 31 March last, with a closing date of 5 May. The programme provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population.
Funding for the 2017 CLÁR programme was available this year under four separate Measures:
Measure 1: Support for School and Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas
Measure 3: Targeted Community Infrastructure
Measure 4: First Responder Supports
In total, more than 500 applications were received across the four Measures to the value of €15 million.
Applications under Measures 1, 2 and 3 were submitted through the Local Authorities, while applications under Measure 4 were submitted from voluntary organisations involved in community-based response to emergency situations.
Funding to support projects under CLÁR this year was limited and it was not possible to fund all applications. In recent weeks, 230 successful projects were approved for funding, with a total of just under €7 million allocated across the four Measures.
In general, applications were assessed on the basis of their eligibility under the scheme criteria and on the quality of the documentation supporting their proposals, as required in the scheme guidelines. The application in respect of the project referred to by the Deputy was unsuccessful as adequate supporting documentation was not provided.
172. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta maidir leis an liúntas is déanaí a fógraíodh an 9ú Bealtaine 2017 le cuidiú le soláthraithe seirbhíse luathoideachais Gaeltachta ó thaobh tacaíochtaí teanga, cad chuige nach raibh deontas curtha ar fáil do sholáthraí i gContae Dhún na nGall (sonraí curtha ar fáil) mar chuid den scéim seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [30727/17]
View answer173. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta maidir leis an liúntas is déanaí a fógraíodh an 9ú Bealtaine 2017 le cuidiú le soláthraithe seirbhíse luathoideachais Gaeltachta ó thaobh tacaíochtaí teanga, cad chuige nach raibh deontas curtha ar fáil do sholáthraí i gContae na Gaillimhe (sonraí curtha ar fáil) mar chuid den scéim seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [30728/17]
View answerTógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimhir 172 agus 173 le chéile.
I 2014, cheadaigh mo Roinn deonta is trí bliana don dá sheirbhís luathoideachais atá luaite ag an Teachta faoin Scéim Seirbhísí Réamhscoile agus Iarscoile. B’ionann na deonta is a ceadaíodh agus deonta is suas le €15,000 in aghaidh na bliana don dá sheirbhís faoi seach.
Tá na hiarratais reatha a rinneadh i leith an dá sheirbhís seo á mbreithniú faoi láthair ag mo Roinn agus déanfar cinneadh ina leith chomh luath agus is féidir.
