Written Answers Nos. 270-291
270. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the garda stations closed in counties Carlow and Kilkenny in 2012 and 2013 are included in the six stations examined for reopening under the pilot programme report that was due to be furnished by the Garda Commissioner to his Department by the end of May 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30824/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Síochána District and Station Rationalisation Programme gave rise to the closure of some 139 Garda stations, including Garda stations in counties Carlow and Kilkenny, in 2012 and 2013, following the completion by An Garda Síochána of a comprehensive review of its district and station network. That review was undertaken with the objective of identifying opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency and streamline practices within the organisation. I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the closures have allowed front line Garda to be managed and deployed with greater mobility, greater flexibility and in a more focused fashion, particularly with regard to targeted police operations.
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. Revisiting the decisions made to close Garda stations is also part of that commitment.
In this context, the Government on 24 June 2016 authorised the then Minister to request the Garda Commissioner, while fully cognisant of her statutory functions, to identify 6 stations for reopening on a pilot basis to determine possible positive impacts that such openings will have on criminal activity, with special emphasis on burglaries, theft and public order.
On 13 June 2017, the Government considered the second interim report of the Garda Commissioner in relation to the exercise. The Commissioner has indicated that, amongst other things, she is likely, subject to further analysis, to recommend the reopening of Leighlinbridge station in her final report.
Following any decision to reopen the former station, the Garda authorities will work closely with the Office of Public Works in relation to any necessary preparatory works required to progress the reopening.
271. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if situations have arisen whereby a person or persons who may have been suspected or charged with having links to a specific organisation would have used human rights laws to prevent them from being deported (details supplied). [30846/17]
View answerThe statutory criteria which must be considered in relation to a decision to make a deportation order under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 include national security and public policy, the character and conduct of the person concerned and the common good. In determining whether to make a deportation order, in addition to the factors set out in Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999, I must also consider all relevant constitutional and international human rights arising, including those enshrined in the Refugee Convention, the UN Convention Against Torture and the European Charter of Human Rights. The question of not returning a person to a place where certain fundamental rights would be breached (or non refoulement as it is commonly referred to) is fully considered in every case when deciding whether or not to make a deportation order. This involves consideration of whether returning the person would result in the life or freedom of that person being threatened on account of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, or whether the person would be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
The process leading to deportation is extensive with many avenues of appeal, including judicial review in the High Court, open to persons subject to deportation orders. Where persons have been identified as a threat to national security by An Garda Síochána it remains open to me as Minister to make deportation orders against such persons, and my predecessor as Minister has done so in the past.
272. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Reserves in Dublin in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; the number of Garda Reserves on duty since the formation of the Government in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30857/17]
View answer273. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Reserves who have been recruited since the formation of the Government; the number who have left the force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30858/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 273 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.
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 plan is progressing well. This year, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves.
The strength of the Garda Reserve on 30 April 2016 and 31 May 2017 (the latest date for which figures are readily available) was 883 and 638 respectively.
It is regrettable that there has been a substantial reduction in the strength of the Reserve in recent years from a peak of 1,164 in 2013. The fall-off arises from a range of factors, not least the lifting in 2014 of the moratorium on recruitment of trainee Gardaí which has affected Reserve numbers in two ways - firstly some 200 serving Reserves have successfully applied to become trainee Gardaí, and secondly, resources in both An Garda Síochána and in the Public Appointment Service have been focused on delivering an accelerated programme of recruitment of full time members of An Garda Síochána. I am sure that the Deputy will agree, notwithstanding the very valuable contribution of Reserve members throughout the country, that it was the right decision, with finite resources, to prioritise the running of recruitment campaigns to replenish the full-time ranks of An Garda Síochána over the last three years. With the plan to reach 15,000 Garda members well on track it was possible for the Commissioner and the Public Appointments Service to undertake a new recruitment campaign for Garda Reserves. That is now in train and will, allowing for the selection process and necessary training of successful candidates, facilitate a start to be made on strengthening of the Reserve across every Garda Division, in the coming years.
For ease of reference, I have provided as supplied by the Commissioner, the detailed information requested by the Deputy in relation the Garda Reserve strength in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) from 2010 to 31 May 2017 (the latest date for which figures are readily available).
|
DMR Garda Reserve Strength 2010-2017* |
|
|
2010 |
240 |
|
2011 |
275 |
|
2012 |
300 |
|
2013 |
343 |
|
2014 |
343 |
|
2015 |
287 |
|
2016 |
208 |
|
2017* |
190 |
* As of 31 May 2017
274. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will authorise an independent audit of the prison system relative to the methodology used to calculate fines and warrants for prisoners that served time in prison and were being released on payment of the fine imposed; the number of prisoners that were overcharged in the past due to the wrong calculation being made; the amount of overpayment; if the overpayments will be refunded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30865/17]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) that in 2016, 8,439 persons were committed to prison arising from non-payment of fines. For operational and capacity reasons, each person committed to prison for non-payment of fines is considered for temporary release (TR) in line with the Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended. Factors considered in relation to this TR include the nature of the crime giving rise to the committal, the person’s criminal history (if any) and the accommodation capacity of individual prisons on the day.
For approximately 30 years prior to its cessation in 2010, it was a practice that persons committed to prison for non-payment of a fine could be released early upon payment of a portion of that fine. Broadly speaking, the matter of who was recommended to the Minister for temporary release in these circumstances was subject to the discretion of the Governor concerned and on the particular circumstances of the case. There was no standard approach to the operation of the system. The legislative basis relied upon for this was the Criminal Justice Act 1951, which allowed the Minister to mitigate punitive elements of a sentence handed down by the Courts. In 2010, the Irish Prison Service ended the practice of the granting of TR based on the payment or part payment of a fine imposed by the Courts based solely on the individual discretion of the prison Governor concerned.
Since 2010, persons sentenced to prison for non-payment of fines have had a number of options open to them, viz: (i) pay the fine in full; (ii) serve the sentence in full; (iii) be granted release only when the fine has been paid in full, through a combination of part payment of the fine and serving of the sentence imposed or (iv) be granted TR for operational reasons as outlined earlier - for example accommodation capacity in the prison.
In relation to option (iii), the IPS has standardised the system whereby a prisoner can be released early through a combination of part serving of the sentence and payment of a portion of the fine. The system is now estate-wide, automated and based on a standardised sliding scale. For example, setting aside the issue of remission, in circumstances where two days into a four-day sentence a prisoner seeks to pay a fine, he will be advised that as 50% of the sentence has been served, only 50% of the fine remains to be paid. The 'sliding scale' methodology used to determine how much of a fine can be considered 'paid' when a portion of the sentence has been served operates uniformly throughout the entire prison system and dispenses with the element of individual governor discretion practised prior to 2010. All monies collected as a result of fines paid by prisoners is lodged into an Imprest Account, is properly accounted for and then transferred to the Courts Service. In 2016 the amount involved was €29,864.72.
Needless to say. the extent of the original fine imposed is entirely a matter for the Courts and cannot be altered by the IPS. The IPS informs me that it is not aware that any prisoner or ex-prisoner is seeking a refund on the basis that the amount they paid on the sliding scale system explained above exceeded the fine determined by a Court. The issue of refunds therefore does not arise.
The IPS advise that, regardless of the fact that no-one has sought a refund, it has no information itself that any prisoner was overcharged on the system described above. This could only be definitively established if the individual file of every prisoner ever committed to prison on a fine was manually checked to establish the amount of the fine imposed, the portion paid and the length of sentence served, in order to check whether any calculation error had ever occurred. For obvious reasons, this is impractical.
Due to the large volume of fines cases committed to prison on a yearly basis, any audit of the system would be a significant undertaking. With the lack of any specific evidence that persons were overcharged, I do not believe that an independent audit of the system is justified at this time.
Finally, I should mention that since the commencement of the Fines (Payment and Recovery) 2014 Act on 11 January 2016, where fines remain unpaid by the due date, the fined persons must be notified to return to court to enable the Judge to impose whatever sanction the court considers appropriate in default of payment. The options available to the Judge are as follows: attachment of earnings; recovery order; community service; or, if none of these options are appropriate, imprisonment.
275. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will be made on the application for a visitors visa by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30881/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa application referred to was refused by the Visa Office in Dublin on 28 June 2017. The decision was communicated to the applicant who was advised that an appeal may be submitted within two months of the date of the visa refusal. If an appeal is to be made, the applicant should bear in mind the refusal reasons communicated and be in a position to address them.
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.
276. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm the wording of the directive that states from 1 January 2017 bills from An Garda Síochána sent to persons and families of persons suffering serious injury due to road traffic collisions would be capped at €1,000 and for families bereaved due to fatal road traffic collisions fees would be waived for copies of road traffic collision documentation; if all Garda divisions are implementing this directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30936/17]
View answer277. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a directive was sent by Garda HQ to all Garda districts and superintendents informing them of the waiver of fees for copies of road traffic collision documentation for bereaved families from 1 January 2017; the date that the directive was sent out by Garda HQ; the wording of that directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30939/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 277 together.
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 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.
278. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 52 of 23 May 2017, the number of active gardaí stationed at Edgeworthstown garda station in the Roscommon-Longford district (details supplied); if this reduced number is considered safe or satisfactory by the Garda Commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30974/17]
View answerAs 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. Where a deficiency in resources is identified the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly. In addition, as you will appreciate, in order to deliver an effective policing service, it is essential that Garda management have the flexibility to deploy Garda resources to meet operational policing needs and address critical issues as they arise. For this reason, the number of Garda available in any one Garda Station on a particular day is subject to the operational requirements of the overall Division.
The Edgeworthstown Garda Station forms part of the Granard District and Roscommon/Longford Division. I have been informed that the number of Gardaí assigned to the Division on the 31 May 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 303, of which 47 members were assigned to Granard District and 11 to Edgeworthstown Station. There are also 9 Garda Reserves and 28 Civilians attached to the Roscommon/Longford Division.
I am informed by the Commissioner, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, that almost 1,000 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 5 of whom were assigned to the Roscommon/Longford Division. I am also informed that another 200 trainee Garda will attest this Thursday 6 July and that a further four hundred are scheduled to attest later 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 the organisation, including the Roscommon/Longford 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.
279. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will examine the issue of inadequate Garda numbers and Garda resources in County Wicklow; his plans to increase Garda numbers and Garda resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30988/17]
View answerAs 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.
I am further informed by the Commissioner that the personnel strength of the Wicklow Division on 31 May 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 342 comprising 296 Gardaí, 22 Reserves and 24 civilians. 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 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, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, that almost 1,000 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 13 of whom have been assigned to the Wicklow Division. I am also informed that another 200 trainee Garda will attest this Thursday 6 July and that a further four hundred are scheduled to attest later 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, including the Wicklow 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.
280. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in County Meath in 2016 and to date in 2017. [31011/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I have been advised by the Commissioner that as of the 31 May 2017, the latest date for which figures are available, the strength of the Meath Division was 294. There were also 17 Garda Reserves and 27 civilians attached to the Meath 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. 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 almost 1,000 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 31 of whom were assigned to the Meath Division. I am also informed that another 200 trainee Garda will attest this Thursday 6 July and that a further four hundred are scheduled to attest later 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 including the Meath 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 the Deputy's information, I have set out in tabular form the strength of the Meath Division by station in December 2016 and as of 31 May 2017, the latest date for which figures are currently available from the Commissioner.
|
Meath Division Strength 2016 -31 May 2017 |
|||
|
DISTRICT |
STATION |
2016 |
2017 |
|
ASHBOURNE |
ASHBOURNE |
47 |
46 |
|
DULEEK |
5 |
5 |
|
|
DUNBOYNE |
17 |
16 |
|
|
DUNSHAUGHLIN |
17 |
23 |
|
|
LAYTOWN |
20 |
21 |
|
|
TOTAL: |
106 |
111 |
|
|
KELLS |
BAILE ÁTHA BUÍ |
5 |
5 |
|
KELLS |
36 |
33 |
|
|
OLDCASTLE |
3 |
3 |
|
|
TOTAL: |
44 |
41 |
|
|
NAVAN |
NAVAN |
86 |
90 |
|
NOBBER |
3 |
3 |
|
|
SLANE |
4 |
4 |
|
|
TOTAL: |
93 |
97 |
|
|
TRIM |
BALLIVOR |
2 |
2 |
|
ENFIELD |
3 |
3 |
|
|
LONGWOOD |
2 |
2 |
|
|
SUMMERHILL |
2 |
2 |
|
|
TRIM |
34 |
36 |
|
|
TOTAL: |
43 |
45 |
|
|
MEATH TOTAL: |
16 STATIONS |
286 |
294 |
281. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the place finders service that was promised to assist programme refugees find private rented accommodation has been established; and if so, if he will allow the 399 persons with a form of status that reside in State provided accommodation to access the place finders service in order to find private rented accommodation. [31050/17]
View answerPersons who have been invited to the State either as programme refugees under the resettlement programme or as relocated persons under the EU burden sharing programme, do not avail of a place finders service. Instead the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) liaises with local authorities and the Irish Red Cross, which organisations identify appropriate dwellings for those in the resettlement and relocated cohorts.
In relation to the 399 persons who arrived in Ireland of their own accord and claimed asylum here, who have been granted leave to remain and who continue to reside in State provided accommodation, there is no dedicated place finder service but a number of measures have been put in place to have the same intention and result.
Following on from the McMahon report, the Department of Justice and Equality developed a guide to independent living for persons with status to provide practical assistance for them. The guide is available in all centres and on the RIA website (www.ria.gov.ie) in a number of different languages. This was published in parallel with information sessions coordinated by the Citizens Information Bureau in accommodation centres which gave an opportunity for such persons to seek assistance and clarification on the services provided. The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA), its centre managers, the Community Welfare Service (by way of provision of Rent Allowance), Citizens Information and those City and County Councils operating the Housing Assistance Payments link with such persons in accessing the appropriate supports and services, including in respect of sourcing and securing private accommodation.
Following a call for proposals under the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund, a number of charities and NGOs have been successful in applying for funding for projects with the specific aim of providing assistance to those transiting from state provided accommodation to permanent homes in the community. I am confident that it will prove of great assistance and benefit to all concerned.
Once some form of status is granted, residents cease to be ordinarily entitled to the accommodation supports provided through RIA. Notwithstanding this fact, we have always continued to provide such persons with continued accommodation until they secure their own private accommodation. We are particularly mindful of the reality of the housing situation in the State and the pressures on the Community Welfare Service in respect of Rent Supplement or the City and County Councils in respect of Housing Assistance Payments and Housing Lists. That said, the provision of housing for persons coming out of the protection process has been incorporated in the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.
282. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 855 of 20 June 2017, the number of adults and children who are part of the group of 399 persons with a form of status who reside in State-provided accommodation. [31052/17]
View answerAs I set out in Parliamentary Question 855 of 20 June 2017, there are 399 persons residing in State provided accommodation with some form of permission to remain in the State. Of those 399 persons, 247 are adults and 152 are children.
283. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the implementation of community policing teams as outlined in the An Garda Síochána modernisation and renewal programme 2016 to 2021; the estimated full year cost of such teams; the number and location of such teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31054/17]
View answerLast July, the Government approved a Five Year Reform and High Level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána which combines the Government’s response to the Garda Inspectorate report 'Changing Policing in Ireland' and the commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government aimed at increasing the visibility, effectiveness and responsiveness of An Garda Síochána. The Government agreed that the Garda Commissioner's Modernisation and Renewal Programme (MRP) 2016-2021 would be the vehicle for implementation of the Inspectorate recommendations aimed at the Garda organisation. In support of this plan, Budget 2017 provided funding to continue to expand the number of Gardaí towards 15,000, to double the Reserve to 2,000 and to double the number of civilians to 4,000 by 2021. In addition, the plan is supported by substantial capital investment of some €310 million in critical ICT infrastructure, the fleet and other Garda facilities.
Robust independent oversight is essential to ensuring that the pursuit of the reform programme is relentless over the next 5 years. To ensure that this is case, the 240 agreed recommendations of 'Changing Policing in Ireland' have been referred to the Policing Authority to monitor and assess their implementation by An Garda Síochána and to report progress to me on a quarterly basis. The first two progress reports from the Authority, received in January and April, have been published on my Department's website.
It is the most ambitious programme of reform ever embarked on by the organisation and due to the scale of the programme, a phased planning approach is essential. In this regard the Commissioner has advised that some initiatives will be implemented in the short to medium term, while others will require a number of years to implement fully.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána. It provides a means of recognising that every community – both urban and rural – has its own concerns and expectations. In this regard I welcome the strong emphasis placed by the MRP on further developing and supporting the community policing ethos of the organisation so that Gardaí spend more time in the community, gaining public confidence and trust and providing a greater sense of security. Under this "Community Policing Framework" initiative it is envisaged that Community Policing teams comprising of Gardaí from a range of areas will be established. These teams will work with local communities to prevent and detect crime in their locality. In addition, each Community Team will be supported by a Community Safety Forum. The Community Safety Fora which will comprise of local Gardaí, members of the public and community groups will promote crime prevention strategies. This clear and consistent approach to community policing will ensure a better service and enhanced community safety.
In terms of progress on this important initiative I am informed by the Commissioner that a draft Community Policing Strategy which outlines the manner in which CPTs and Community Safety Fora will be established has been completed and is subject to internal review before being approved by the Executive for implementation.
284. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the reform of the computer crime investigation unit as outlined in the An Garda Síochána modernisation and renewal programme 2016 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31055/17]
View answerLast July, the Government approved a Five Year Reform and High Level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána which combines the Government’s response to the Garda Inspectorate report 'Changing Policing in Ireland' and the commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government aimed at increasing the visibility, effectiveness and responsiveness of An Garda Síochána. The Government agreed that the Garda Commissioner's Modernisation and Renewal Programme (MRP) 2016-2021 would be the vehicle for implementation of the Inspectorate recommendations aimed at the Garda organisation. In support of this plan, Budget 2017 provided funding to continue to expand the number of Gardaí towards 15,000, to double the Reserve to 2,000 and to double the number of civilians to 4,000 by 2021. In addition, the plan is supported by substantial capital investment of some €310 million in critical ICT infrastructure, the fleet and other Garda facilities.
Robust independent oversight is essential to ensuring that the pursuit of the reform programme is relentless over the next 5 years. To ensure that this is case, the 240 agreed recommendations of 'Changing Policing in Ireland' have been referred to the Policing Authority to monitor and assess their implementation by An Garda Síochána and to report progress to me on a quarterly basis. The first two progress reports from the Authority, received in January and April, have been published on my Department's website.
It is the most ambitious programme of reform ever embarked on by the organisation and due to the scale of the programme, a phased planning approach is essential. In this regard the Commissioner has advised that some initiatives will be implemented in the short to medium term, while others will require a number of years to implement fully.
In relation to the area of cyber crime the MRP provides for the review and restructuring of the Computer Crime Investigation Unit, originally a unit under the auspices of the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation. The aim of the initiative is to establish a dedicated cyber crime bureau to ensure An Garda Síochána has the capacity and capabilities to deal with cyber crime and cyber security. I am informed that the Garda Cyber Crime Bureau (GCCB) was established on 1 September 2016 under the direction of the Detective Chief Superintendent, Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and Assistant Commissioner, Special Crime Operations. The GCCB is headed up by a Detective Superintendent who was appointed in August 2016. The GCCB has responsibility for the forensic examination of all seized computer media, international liaison with regard to cyber matters and the investigation of cyber crime matters including banking and financial crimes, and child pornography and exploitation. The allocation of further resources to the GCCB including Garda members, specialist professional staff and support staff, is in train to support the further development of the GCCB.
In addition, I am informed that the roll-out continues on a phased basis of regional triage units, which have been established in two regions to date - the Southern and South-Eastern Regions. The triage model provides a tiered response and capability for computer forensic services on a regional basis, utilising locally-based and trained first-responders and cyber triage specialists. The triage model also reduces demands on the GCCB, while remaining under the supervision of the Detective Superintendent of the Bureau. The triage units currently in place are subject of review to inform and establish best practices and processes for the establishment of further such units in other regions.
285. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the establishment of a national crime prevention centre as outlined in the An Garda Síochána modernisation and renewal programme 2016 to 2021; the estimated full year cost of such a centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31056/17]
View answerLast July, the Government approved a Five Year Reform and High Level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána which combines the Government’s response to the Garda Inspectorate report 'Changing Policing in Ireland' and the commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government aimed at increasing the visibility, effectiveness and responsiveness of An Garda Síochána. The Government agreed that the Garda Commissioner's Modernisation and Renewal Programme (MRP) 2016-2021 would be the vehicle for implementation of the Inspectorate recommendations aimed at the Garda organisation. In support of this plan, Budget 2017 provided funding to continue to expand the number of Gardaí towards 15,000, to double the Reserve to 2,000 and to double the number of civilians to 4,000 by 2021. In addition, the plan is supported by substantial capital investment of some €310 million in critical ICT infrastructure, the fleet and other Garda facilities.
Robust independent oversight is essential to ensuring that the pursuit of the reform programme is relentless over the next 5 years. To ensure that this is case, the 240 agreed recommendations of 'Changing Policing in Ireland' have been referred to the Policing Authority to monitor and assess their implementation by An Garda Síochána and to report progress to me on a quarterly basis. The first two progress reports from the Authority, received in January and April, have been published on my Department's website.
The MRP includes more than 80 initiatives and 135 projects at present of which 24 have been completed with a significant number in progress. The MRP is the most ambitious programme of reform ever embarked on by the organisation. Due to the scale of the programme, a phased planning approach is essential. In this regard the Commissioner has advised that some initiatives will be implemented in the short to medium term, while others will require a number of years to implement fully. The establishment of a National Crime Prevention Centre to research and distribute best practice on crime prevention throughout the organisation while part of the Programme is not due to be progressed this year but will be progressed in a later phase of the programme.
286. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the establishment of an economic crime bureau centre as outlined in the An Garda Síochána modernisation and renewal programme 2016 to 2021; the estimated full year cost of such a centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31057/17]
View answerLast July, the Government approved a Five Year Reform and High Level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána which combines the Government’s response to the Garda Inspectorate report 'Changing Policing in Ireland' and the commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government aimed at increasing the visibility, effectiveness and responsiveness of An Garda Síochána. The Government agreed that the Garda Commissioner's Modernisation and Renewal Programme (MRP) 2016-2021 would be the vehicle for implementation of the Inspectorate recommendations aimed at the Garda organisation. In support of this plan, Budget 2017 provided funding to continue to expand the number of Gardaí towards 15,000, to double the Reserve to 2,000 and to double the number of civilians to 4,000 by 2021. In addition, the plan is supported by substantial capital investment of some €310 million in critical ICT infrastructure, the fleet and other Garda facilities.
Robust independent oversight is essential to ensuring that the pursuit of the reform programme is relentless over the next 5 years. To ensure that this is case, the 240 agreed recommendations of 'Changing Policing in Ireland' have been referred to the Policing Authority to monitor and assess their implementation by An Garda Síochána and to report progress to me on a quarterly basis. The first two progress reports from the Authority, received in January and April, have been published on my Department's website.
It is the most ambitious programme of reform ever embarked on by the organisation and due to the scale of the programme, a phased planning approach is essential. In this regard the Commissioner has advised that some initiatives will be implemented in the short to medium term, while others will require a number of years to implement fully.
In relation to the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (formerly the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation), I am informed that this was established on 1 September 2016.
The Bureau has dedicated expert staff, including professional forensic accountants, to address white collar and other fraud and economic crimes, and includes the restructured Garda Cyber Crime Bureau, the Money-laundering Investigation Unit and a new Foreign Bribery and Corruption Unit.
I am informed that Garda management within the Bureau are working with local Garda management, at District and Divisional levels, to ensure the necessary tools and training are provided to enable and empower District and Divisional resources to investigate cases of economic crime at that level, with advice and guidance available from within the Bureau. The Bureau is now also placing a greater emphasis on ensuring that economic crime of lesser amounts that are currently reported to the Bureau are assessed and transmitted to District Officers for investigation, with more complex cases, routinely involving significant amounts, being investigated by the Bureau. The additional staff including forensic accountants assigned to the Bureau has facilitated the Bureau in providing greater expertise and assistance to Divisional and District personnel in "following the money" when investigating organised criminality in order to identify the proceeds of crime.
In addition, I understand new software has been developed and provided to the Financial Intelligence Unit in order to process Suspicious Transaction Reports (STR) provided, pursuant to relevant legislation, by ‘designated persons’, including financial institutions and certain professions. The software was developed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and provides the benefit of secure transactions; a reduction in administration costs; the ability to monitor reports, analyse and assess crime trends being reported through the STR process.
Senior management continue to review the needs of the Bureau to enable it to fully realise to the aims of the MRP and to ensure that An Garda Síochána maximises it capability to investigate emerging forms of economic crime.
It is not possible, at this stage of development, to estimate the total costs associated with the complete roll-out of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau.
287. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the establishment of a road policing unit as outlined in the An Garda Síochána modernisation and renewal programme 2016 to 2021; the estimated full year cost of such a unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31058/17]
View answerLast July, the Government approved a Five Year Reform and High Level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána which combines the Government’s response to the Garda Inspectorate report 'Changing Policing in Ireland' and the commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government aimed at increasing the visibility, effectiveness and responsiveness of An Garda Síochána. The Government agreed that the Garda Commissioner's Modernisation and Renewal Programme (MRP) 2016-2021 would be the vehicle for implementation of the Inspectorate recommendations aimed at the Garda organisation. In support of this plan, Budget 2017 provided funding to continue to expand the number of Gardaí towards 15,000, to double the Reserve to 2,000 and to double the number of civilians to 4,000 by 2021. In addition, the plan is supported by substantial capital investment of some €310 million in critical ICT infrastructure, the fleet and other Garda facilities.
Robust independent oversight is essential to ensuring that the pursuit of the reform programme is relentless over the next 5 years. To ensure that this is case, the 240 agreed recommendations of 'Changing Policing in Ireland' have been referred to the Policing Authority to monitor and assess their implementation by An Garda Síochána and to report progress to me on a quarterly basis. The first two progress reports from the Authority, received in January and April, have been published on my Department's website.
The Programme places considerable emphasise on roads policing including the redevelopment of the Garda Traffic Corps as Garda Roads Policing Units with wider roads policing functions. The intention is that working with non-traffic personnel, the units will seek to deprive criminals the use of the road network through high visibility policing and intelligence-led enforcement operations. This redevelopment initiative is ongoing. The Policing Plan for 2017 includes a commitment to incrementally increase the resources allocated to Roads Policing Units by 10% across all regions by the end of the year. I understand that the Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for Roads Policing is currently assessing the capacity of Divisions and Districts to identify and target areas where An Garda Síochána could accelerate the deployment of personnel to traffic in 2017. The filling of any vacancies identified will be conducted on a structured basis and will be further enhanced with the recently renewed recruitment campaigns to An Garda Síochána.
288. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of automatic number plate recognition units in operation; the cost per unit in tabular form; his plans for its expansion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31059/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be appreciate, the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including the procurement of ICT products and services, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and I as Minister, have no role in the matter.
I have, however, been informed by the Garda authorities that Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology was introduced into An Garda Síochána in 2008 and is fitted in official Garda vehicles which are allocated around the country and used on a daily basis to assist in the prevention and detection of crime, particularly on our roads network. I understand that there are currently some 99 Garda vehicles fitted with ANPR, 89 of which are in the Garda Traffic Corps and that this number can vary on a daily basis having regard to operational requirements.
It costs approximately €6000 to purchase and fit an ANPR system to a vehicle and I am informed that the capacity and capabilities of the technology are kept under regular review by senior Garda Management.
The Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016 – 2021 for An Garda Síochána has identified a number of areas for expansion of ANPR including:
- increasing the number of ANPR units deployed;
- the addition of more ‘watch-lists’ in order to remove a greater number of dangerous drivers and defective vehicles from the roads;
- examining the introduction of fixed ANPR sites at strategic locations across the roads network, in addition to using portable ANPR units while patrolling;
- working with the National Roads Authority, Port Authorities, Local Authorities and private car park operators in order to access data from their ANPR systems, as well as CCTV systems operating on the motorway network.
289. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of late night leagues operated by An Garda Síochána in 2016; the cost of such leagues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31060/17]
View answerI have requested a report from An Garda Síochána in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy directly when the report is to hand.
290. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if Irish citizens imprisoned in Northern Ireland can seek transfer to prisons here in order to be closer to their families; if not, the reason for this situation; the work being undertaken by his Department to address issues within the transfer system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31265/17]
View answerOn 12 July, 2016, the Supreme Court dismissed the State's appeal in the case known as 'O'Farrell, McDonald, Rafferty -v- The Governor of Portlaoise Prison'. The case concerns an appeal taken by the State against a judgement of the High Court ordering the release of the three named prisoners who had been transferred to Ireland from the UK where they had been sentenced, under the provisions of the Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners Acts, 1995 -1997.
The judgement is detailed and has implications for the continuance in its present form of the process operated by the Irish Prison Service for transferring prisoners from other States including Northern Ireland to Ireland. The practical effect of this judgement and whether it will necessitate legislative and/or administrative changes is being examined by officials of the Irish Prison Service and my Department in consultation with Attorney General. Pending legal clarity on these issues, applications by prisoners from other States, including Northern Ireland, for transfer to Ireland cannot be processed to a conclusion at present. I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that all applicants and officials in the appropriate sentencing states are being informed of this position. Given the complex nature of the review being undertaken, it is not possible at this stage to indicate a time frame for its conclusion
291. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a senior official has been designated with responsibility for Brexit matters in his Department; if so, the grade of the designated official; the funding allocated to the said Brexit unit; the cost to date in 2017; the anticipated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31277/17]
View answerThe International Policy Division within my Department has been assigned responsibility for coordinating the Department's work as it relates to matters concerning UK withdrawal from the EU. The Division is headed-up by an Assistant Secretary and comprises a team in Dublin and a team based in the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU in Brussels, currently consisting of twelve Officers. This figure includes an additional post to the Permanent Representation to support the Brussels based aspects of the forthcoming negotiations which was filled on 3 July 2017.
Complementing this, six senior officers from each of the key areas in the Department (who are in turn supported by relevant staff) have been selected to make up a cross Divisional working group to focus on the key negotiating issues.
The possibility that additional staffing resources may be required to work on Brexit related issues has been flagged in the Department’s Workforce Plan. This is being kept under review and weekly progress updates are provided to the Department's Management Board on the analysis and preparations underway. Costs incurred are being met from the Department's overall budget, and those related specifically to Brexit cannot be readily extracted from overall ongoing work in the Department.
