Written Answers Nos. 266-280
266. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the increased number of immigrants from Libya and African countries via Italy; and the increased challenges this is posing on Italy and Greece. [32466/17]
View answerThe migration crisis has been one of the greatest challenges facing the EU for the last two years. It has been a particular problem for Italy and Greece as the. EU countries where the majority of migrants arrive. The EU has responded to the crisis by adopting a range of measures to deal with this mass movement of people. These have included engaging with countries of origin and transit to address the root causes of migration including through the Migration Partnership Framework; agreeing a plan to relocate migrants from Italy and Greece across the Union; the launching of Operation Sophia to disrupt people smuggling in the Mediterranean; and substantial financial assistance to countries hosting large numbers of migrants. EU Heads of State and Government concluded a landmark migration deal with Turkey in March 2016, which has resulted in a very substantial reduction in the number of migrants risking their lives at sea to enter the EU from Turkey. In the past year the focus has shifted from Greece and Turkey to the so-called Central Mediterranean Route, with some 181,000 migrants crossing from Libya to Italy in 2016. So far this year, over 85,000 people have made the journey, a 20% increase over the same period in 2016, according to figures from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). At least 2,150 others have died trying. Most migrants are coming from sub-Saharan Africa. According to UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the top two nationalities arriving in Italy by sea in 2016 were Nigerians (21%) and Eritreans (11%). The June European Council discussed the migration crisis and agreed to provide more support for Italy, to improve its coordination efforts and try to end the tragic situation where so many people are losing their lives.
In recent weeks, the Italian government has expressed its strong concern at the increase in the numbers of migrants arriving in Italy which is placing increasing strain on reception facilities. The Interior ministers of France, Germany and Italy along with the European Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs, met in Paris on 2 July and agreed, inter alia, to enhance support to the Libyan coastguard by increasing training activities and providing additional financial support while at the same time ensuring close monitoring of activities and to provide additional support to the IOM and the UNHCR to enable facilities in Libya to reach international standards in terms of living conditions and human rights. They also agreed to accelerate the EU Relocation scheme agreed in 2015.
Ireland is playing its part to help resolve the EU migration crisis. As part of that response we have to date taken in 785 asylum seekers and refugees from Lebanon under a UN-led Resettlement Programme and 459 migrants from Greece under the EU Relocation mechanism agreed in 2015. Efforts are ongoing with the Italian authorities to resolve the issue of the security screening of migrants which has prevented any relocations from Italy to Ireland to date. Our naval service working with the Italian navy on a humanitarian search and rescue mission in the Mediterranean has rescued over 16,200 people.
267. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to provide for maternity and paternity leave for local authority councillors. [32172/17]
View answerI have no ministerial responsibility for the terms and conditions that apply to the office of local authority councillor, which are governed under the Local Authority Acts. I should explain that local authority councillors are office holders, as opposed to employees, and they are therefore are not provided for in the Maternity Protection Acts or the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act.
268. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department or a body under its aegis has explored the prospect of applying commercial rates to development sites with or without a building or structure zoned as suitable for non agricultural development including commercial, industrial, residential and mixed land use; his views on whether this could be a means of introducing a site value tax to reduce land hoarding and reduce speculative investment in development land; and the estimated revenue intake from such a tax. [32217/17]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the position regarding the determination of commercial rates under Irish law is that rates are essentially a charge on the occupation of property where the occupier is liable for payment unless expressly exempted under the terms of Schedule 4 of the Valuation Act (as amended). Accordingly, rates are levied on a very wide range of commercial and industrial properties, including sites with or without buildings provided the property is capable of beneficial occupation. However, as the Deputy will be aware, the exemptions from commercial rates generally include properties such as domestic premises and those used for public religious worship and certain premises used for education and for the purpose of caring for the sick, elderly, handicapped and disabled.
The basic premise under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015 is that all interests including buildings and lands used or developed for any purpose (irrespective of whether such lands are surfaced) and any constructions affixed thereto are rateable unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4 of the said Acts. Specifically, Schedule 3 of the Valuation Act 2001 provides a list of relevant property for the purposes of valuation which includes “lands used or developed for any purpose (irrespective of whether such lands are surfaced) and any constructions affixed thereto which pertain to that use or development.” This provision would cover certain yards without buildings and development sites which are in beneficial occupation and accordingly liable for commercial rates.
It is the function of the Commissioner of Valuation to determine whether properties are liable for or are exempt from rates. The Commissioner is independent in the exercise of his functions under the Valuation Acts, 2001-2015 and the making of valuations for rating is his sole responsibility and the statutes do not accord me any function in this regard.
Operationally, there is a distinct separation of function between the valuation of rateable property and the setting and collection of commercial rates. As the Deputy will appreciate, the amount of rates payable by a ratepayer in any calendar year is a product of the valuation set by the Commissioner of Valuation, multiplied by the Annual Rate on Valuation (ARV) decided annually by the elected members of each local authority. The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in carrying out his functions under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015 and my Department has no role in this regard. On the other hand, the annual setting of the ARV is a reserved function of the elected members of each Local Authority and the Commissioner of Valuation has no function in that regard.
The basis of rateable valuation for all property is “net annual value” and is set out in Part 11 of the Valuation Act, 2001. Net annual value is the rental value for which one year with another, the building might, in its actual state, be reasonably expected to let from year to year, on the assumption that the probable average annual cost of repairs, insurance and other expenses (if any) that would be necessary to maintain the property in that state, and all rates and other taxes in respect of the property, are borne by the tenant of the property.
Regarding the Deputy’s reference to the considerations relating to the possible introduction of a site-value tax, this question raises complex taxation policy issues, the determination of which would be a matter for Government as a whole. There are varying points of view both nationally and internationally on this matter. For instance, the 2009 Report of the Commission on Taxation did not make any recommendations for the adoption of a site-value tax in the course of its extensive examination of options for local government funding. On the other hand, the National Competitiveness Council had a contrary view in 2015 when in a series of recommendations in the Council’s assessment of competitiveness challenges facing the country, recommended the possible replacement of commercial rates with a new Site Valuation Tax that would also extend to unused development land, replacing the vacant sites tax. These contrary viewpoints are illustrative of the complexity of the issues and the conflicting arguments for and against the introduction of a site valuation tax which the Government is keeping under review. Of course tax policy is primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance.
The Deputy will note that one of the recommendations in the Commission on Taxation Report was that the implementation of a modern valuation base for the commercial rates system should be advanced as a matter of priority. I wish to confirm that this recommendation is being addressed through the acceleration of the National Revaluation Programme currently underway under the direction of the Commissioner of Valuation. As the Deputy will know, the programme has already been completed in six local authorities and another ten local authorities will have been revalued by September 2017. I have been informed that the Commissioner intends to extend the programme to a further seven local authorities later this year and the final phase of the programme will commence in 2019. The provision of a modern valuation base to underpin the setting and collection of commercial rates is a very welcome development.
269. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 will be fully commenced; his plans to implement it in various stages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32336/17]
View answerThe Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 provides a modern statutory framework to support decision-making by adults with capacity difficulties. The Act was signed into law on 30 December 2015.
New administrative processes and support measures, including the setting up of the Decision Support Service within the Mental Health Commission, must be put in place before the substantive provisions of the Act can be commenced. A high-level Steering Group comprised of senior officials from the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commission and the Courts Service is overseeing the establishment and commissioning of the Decision Support Service (DSS) and this work is ongoing.
The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 515 of 2016), brought some provisions of Part 1 (Preliminary and General) and Part 9 (Director of the Decision Support Service) of the Act into operation on 17 October 2016. These provisions were brought into operation in order to progress the setting up of the Decision Support Service and to enable the process of recruitment of the Director of the DSS to begin. The recruitment and appointment of the Director of the DSS, and the appointment of DSS staff, is a matter for the Mental Health Commission (a body under the Department of Health) with the approval of the Minister for Health.
It is intended that the key preparations will be put in place during the remainder of this year under the oversight of the Steering Group to allow for commencement orders for the remaining provisions of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 to be made when the Decision Support Service is ready to roll out the new decision-making support options. It is not possible at the moment to provide an exact time line for the finalisation of these commencement orders, not least because we will need to have the Director of the DSS in place to fully ascertain the time-line. The post of Director was advertised by the Public Appointments Service on 7 April and it is expected that the Director will be in place during the summer.
270. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress which has been made in the implementation of the comprehensive employment strategy; the funding that is required to fully implement the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32066/17]
View answerThe Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015 - 2024 sets out a ten-year approach to ensuring that people with disabilities who are able to, and want to, work are supported and enabled to do so. The Strategy is a cross-government approach that brings together actions by different departments and state agencies in a concerted effort to address the barriers and challenges that impact on employment of people with disabilities. In tandem with that, it seeks to ensure there will be joined-up services and supports at local level to support individuals on their journey into and in employment.
The Strategy's six strategic priorities are:
- Build skills, capacity and independence
- Provide bridges and supports into work
- Promote job retention and re-entry to work
- Provide coordinated and seamless support
- Make Work Pay
- Engage employers
To support these priorities, an action plan was developed containing almost 70 key performance indicators, each of which is connected to a responsible department or public body, and a target date for completion. The Make Work Pay Report for People with Disabilities was launched on 7 April 2017 and more information on the recommendations contained in the Report are available at www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Make-Work-Pay.aspx
The Government has already taken a number of key decisions which were recommended in the Strategy, most significantly:
- The public service employment target of people with disabilities will be increased on a phased basis as set out in the Strategy from 3% to 6% over the life time of the Strategy. The Department of Justice and Equality has recently developed proposals in relation to how this can be achieved and work will get underway in very early course.
- Special public service competitions for people with disabilities will be arranged and alternative recruitment channels for people with disabilities will be opened up. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has a key role in relation to this, as does the Public Appointments Service.
- The establishment of a help line and website provide expert guidance and support to employers in relation to the employment of staff with disabilities. This service went live in March 2016.
The Strategy is monitored and overseen by the Comprehensive Employment Strategy Implementation Group under an independent chair, Mr. Fergus Finlay. Mr. Finlay's first annual report in relation to progress to date is available at www.justice.ie.
The key issue in relation to the implementation of the Strategy is the coordination of departmental efforts in this area, and therefore, while individual actions in the Strategy may have additional cost implications which will require to be included in the votes of the relevant departments, taken as a whole, the focus in the Strategy is on better coordination and use of existing resources, rather than on additional funding allocations.
271. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda closed circuit television points in each Garda division in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [32078/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the operation of the Garda CCTV network and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have, however, been informed by the Garda authorities that there are some 35 Garda CCTV schemes in operation throughout the State and these are listed below. Of these, 7 schemes were granted authorisation from the Commissioner between 2012 and to 2017.
List of Garda CCTV schemes
- Dublin South Central Division
- Dublin North Central Division
- Tralee, Kerry Division
- Cork City Division
- Bray, DMR East Division (now Wicklow)
- Dundalk, Louth Division
- Dun Laoghaire, DMR East Division
- Galway Division
- Limerick Division
- Clondalkin, DMR West Division
- Ballyfermot, DMR West Division
- Tullamore, Laois/Offaly Division
- Drogheda, Louth Division
- Tallaght, DMR South Division
- Mullingar, Laois/Offaly Division
- Waterford Division
- Portlaoise, Laois/Offaly Division
- Kilkenny Division
- Ennis, Clare Division
- Castlebar, Mayo Division
- Sligo Division
- Kinsale, Cork West Division
- Dungarvan - Waterford Division
- Athlone, Westmeath Division
- Clonmel, Tipperary Division
- Carlow, Kilkenny/Carlow Division
- Finglas, DMR West Division
- Westport, Mayo Division
7 schemes authorised by the Commissioner during the period 2013 - 2017
- Achill Sound, Mayo Division (2013)
- Midleton – Cork North Division (2014)
- Tourmakeady – Mayo Division. (2015)
- Schull – Cork West Division (2015)
- Macroom – Cork East Division (2015)
- Bantry – Cork West Division (2017)
- Duleek, Meath Division (2017)
272. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each county and each Garda district; and the Garda per capita figure for each county and for each Garda district. [32117/17]
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.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of Garda per capita is not readily available in my Department as the recording of the population by area is a matter for the Central Statistics Office. I am, in any case, advised that ratios such as the number of Garda per head of population are not an appropriate tool to use when considering the allocation of Garda resources as they fail to take account of, among other things, the fact that crime levels and types can vary significantly among communities of similar population size.
In addition, the information requested by the Deputy concerning the number of Gardaí for each county is not readily available in respect of An Garda Síochána as Gardaí are distributed around the country on a divisional basis by the Garda Commissioner. I have received the strength of An Garda Síochána by division as of the 31 May 2017, the latest date for which figures are available from the Commissioner, which I will forward directly to the Deputy.
273. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and rank of gardaí stationed in each district section in County Louth in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32125/17]
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 have been informed that the number of Gardaí assigned to the Louth Division on the 31 May 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 298 with 29 Garda Reserves and 25 civilians attached to the 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 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. 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 1,200 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 59 of whom were assigned to the Louth Division. I am also informed that a further four hundred Garda recruits 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 Louth 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 below the detailed information requested in relation to the number Gardaí assigned to each District in Louth in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and as of 31 May 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, as supplied by the Commissioner.
LOUTH DIVISION STRENGTH 2013
|
YEAR |
DISTRICT |
STATION |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
TOTAL |
|
2013 |
ARDEE |
ARDEE |
20 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
27 |
||
|
CASTLEBELLINGHAM |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
COLLON |
4 |
2 |
6 |
||||||
|
LOUTH |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
TOTAL |
28 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
38 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
CLOUGHERHEAD |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|||||
|
DROGHEDA |
76 |
13 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
93 |
|||
|
DUNLEER |
5 |
5 |
|||||||
|
TOTAL |
84 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
102 |
|||
|
DUNDALK |
BLACKROCK |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|||||
|
CARLINGFORD |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||||
|
DRUMAD |
6 |
1 |
7 |
||||||
|
DUNDALK |
98 |
18 |
3 |
1 |
120 |
||||
|
HACKBALLSCROSS |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||||
|
OMEATH |
4 |
4 |
|||||||
|
TOTAL |
120 |
22 |
3 |
1 |
146 |
LOUTH DIVISION STRENGTH 2014
|
YEAR |
DISTRICT |
STATION |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
TOTAL |
|
2014 |
ARDEE |
ARDEE |
20 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
27 |
||
|
CASTLEBELLINGHAM |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
COLLON |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||||
|
LOUTH |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
TOTAL |
26 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
35 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
CLOUGHERHEAD |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|||||
|
DROGHEDA |
74 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
92 |
|||
|
DUNLEER |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
81 |
16 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
101 |
|||
|
DUNDALK |
BLACKROCK |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|||||
|
CARLINGFORD |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||||
|
DRUMAD |
6 |
1 |
7 |
||||||
|
DUNDALK |
93 |
20 |
5 |
1 |
119 |
||||
|
HACKBALLSCROSS |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||||
|
OMEATH |
4 |
4 |
|||||||
|
TOTAL |
115 |
24 |
5 |
1 |
145 |
LOUTH DIVISION STRENGTH 2015
|
YEAR |
DISTRICT |
STATION |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
TOTAL |
|
2015 |
ARDEE |
ARDEE |
21 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
26 |
||
|
CASTLEBELLINGHAM |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
COLLON |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||||
|
LOUTH |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
TOTAL |
27 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
34 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
CLOUGHERHEAD |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|||||
|
DROGHEDA |
79 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
97 |
|||
|
DUNLEER |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
86 |
16 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
106 |
|||
|
DUNDALK |
BLACKROCK |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|||||
|
CARLINGFORD |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||||
|
DRUMAD |
6 |
1 |
7 |
||||||
|
DUNDALK |
97 |
20 |
5 |
1 |
123 |
||||
|
HACKBALLSCROSS |
4 |
4 |
|||||||
|
OMEATH |
4 |
4 |
|||||||
|
TOTAL |
118 |
23 |
5 |
1 |
147 |
LOUTH DIVISION STRENGTH 2016
|
YEAR |
DISTRICT |
STATION |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
TOTAL |
|
2016 |
ARDEE |
ARDEE |
18 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
25 |
||
|
CASTLEBELLINGHAM |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
COLLON |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||||
|
LOUTH |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
TOTAL |
24 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
33 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
CLOUGHERHEAD |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|||||
|
DROGHEDA |
76 |
14 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
95 |
|||
|
DUNLEER |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
83 |
16 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
104 |
|||
|
DUNDALK |
BLACKROCK |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|||||
|
CARLINGFORD |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||||
|
DRUMAD |
6 |
1 |
7 |
||||||
|
DUNDALK |
118 |
19 |
3 |
1 |
141 |
||||
|
HACKBALLSCROSS |
5 |
5 |
|||||||
|
OMEATH |
3 |
3 |
|||||||
|
TOTAL |
139 |
22 |
3 |
1 |
165 |
LOUTH DIVISION STRENGTH 2017
|
YEAR |
DISTRICT |
STATION |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
TOTAL |
|
2017 |
ARDEE |
ARDEE |
17 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
25 |
||
|
CASTLEBELLINGHAM |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
COLLON |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||||
|
LOUTH |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
TOTAL |
23 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
33 |
||||
|
DROGHEDA |
CLOUGHERHEAD |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|||||
|
DROGHEDA |
79 |
15 |
3 |
1 |
98 |
||||
|
DUNLEER |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||||
|
TOTAL |
86 |
17 |
3 |
1 |
107 |
||||
|
DUNDALK |
BLACKROCK |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|||||
|
CARLINGFORD |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
DRUMAD |
6 |
1 |
7 |
||||||
|
DUNDALK |
113 |
19 |
3 |
1 |
136 |
||||
|
HACKBALLSCROSS |
4 |
4 |
|||||||
|
OMEATH |
3 |
3 |
|||||||
|
TOTAL |
132 |
22 |
3 |
1 |
158 |
274. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of type 2 and 2A visas issued by the Roscommon and Longford Garda division in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [32153/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that information in relation to registrations requested by the Deputy is set-out in the following Table. The figures include new registrations and renewals of registration.
|
Garda Division |
Number of Stamp 2 & 2A permissions by year |
||||||
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 (to 5th July) |
|
|
Longford/Roscommon |
83 |
62 |
12 |
9 |
7 |
4 |
7 |
275. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of successful drug seizures that have been carried out in the Dublin metropolitan west area in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32156/17]
View answer276. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of successful drug seizures that have been carried out in each of the Dublin metropolitan regions in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32157/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 276 together.
I have requested this information from the Garda authorities and I will write to the Deputy when it is received.
277. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to the drugs and organised crime bureau in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32158/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Units and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors including crime trends, demographics, and security assessments relating to the area in question so as to ensure optimal use is made of Garda human resources.
It is important to note that all Gardaí have a responsibility in the prevention and detection of criminal activity whether it be in the area of drug offences or otherwise. I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to pro-actively and resolutely tackle all forms of drug crime in this jurisdiction.
In 2015 the Commissioner, established a new national Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau which brought together the Organised Crime Unit and the Garda National Drug Unit so as to create a robust entity to effectively tackle drugs and organised crime as it currently exists in this country. The Bureau leads out the policing strategy for tackling drugs supply and works closely with dedicated Divisional Drugs units and other national units, including the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) in targeting persons involved in the illicit sale and supply of drugs. This approach allows for the co-ordinated use of Garda resources in tackling all forms of organised crime, including illicit drug activity nationwide.
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. 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 1,200 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am also informed that a further four hundred Garda recruits 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 specialist units.
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 and activity in our communities.
As previously advised the Commissioner established the Bureau in 2015. Consequently, the information below supplied by the Commissioner in relation to the strength of the Bureau refers to the years 2015 to 2016 and as of 31 May this year, the latest date for which figures are readily available.
Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau Strength 2015 -2017
|
Year |
- |
|
2015 |
87 |
|
2016 |
83 |
|
2017* |
81 |
*as of 31 May 2017
278. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to the dedicated drugs unit in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32159/17]
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.
As the Deputy will be aware all Gardaí have a responsibility in the prevention and detection of criminal activity whether it be in the area of drug offences crime or otherwise. I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to pro-actively and resolutely tackle all forms of drug crime in this jurisdiction.
In 2015 the Commissioner established a new national Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. The Bureau continues to lead out the policing strategy for tackling drugs by demand reduction and supply reduction strategies. In this regard the Bureau continues its policy of working with Divisional Drug Units nationwide in tackling supply reduction at local level. This work is further supported by other national units, including the Criminal Assets Bureau, in targeting persons involved in the illicit sale and supply of drugs. This approach allows for the co-ordinated use of Garda resources in tackling all forms of organised crime, including illicit drug activity nationwide. Multi-disciplinary approaches are also utilised to ensure that those involved in illicit activity are effectively targeted including through the use of the proceeds of crime legislation, money laundering legislation and the powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau. I am informed that this approach adopts good practice in implementing a co-ordinated use of Garda resources and in utilising available criminal law to its fullest extent in tackling all forms of organised crime, including drug trafficking.
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. 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 1,200 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am also informed that a further four hundred Garda recruits 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 Divisional Drugs Units.
For the Deputy's information, set out below is the number of Gardaí assigned to the Divisional Drug Units in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and as of 31 May 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, as supplied by the Commissioner.
Divisional Drugs Unit Personnel 2012-2017
|
Division |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
D.M.R.South Central |
13 |
11 |
19 |
19 |
13 |
11 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
20 |
13 |
20 |
20 |
30 |
18 |
|
D.M.R.North |
31 |
27 |
16 |
25 |
21 |
18 |
|
D.M.R.East |
13 |
13 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
|
D.M.R.South |
30 |
23 |
17 |
16 |
17 |
19 |
|
D.M.R.West |
28 |
26 |
24 |
26 |
20 |
17 |
|
Waterford |
10 |
9 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
|
Wexford |
6 |
4 |
1 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
7 |
7 |
5 |
7 |
4 |
7 |
|
Tipperary |
8 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
6 |
|
Cork City |
26 |
29 |
28 |
15 |
20 |
17 |
|
Cork North |
9 |
9 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Cork West |
5 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
|
Kerry |
6 |
8 |
10 |
9 |
7 |
11 |
|
Limerick |
12 |
11 |
12 |
14 |
12 |
15 |
|
Donegal |
10 |
10 |
8 |
7 |
4 |
4 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
8 |
6 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
|
Louth |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Clare |
7 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Galway |
11 |
12 |
8 |
12 |
9 |
8 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
6 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
|
Westmeath |
7 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
8 |
|
Meath |
6 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
8 |
7 |
|
Kildare |
2 |
2 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
Wicklow |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
11 |
10 |
|
Total |
304 |
270 |
253 |
258 |
256 |
249 |
*Up to 31 May 2017
279. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify the ownership of a building (details supplied). [32165/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that Birr Courthouse is owned by the Courts Service and has been closed since 1 January 2014.
The Courts Service has also informed me that it has no plans to reuse the venue in the future and that, in accordance with its policy when a building owned by the Court Service is no longer required for court use, the Courts Service is generally willing to transfer it to another public body for an alternative public use. While there have been some exploratory discussions with some public bodies in the past about a possible transfer, these were not pursued and Birr Courthouse remains in Courts Service ownership.
280. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of complaints lodged with An Garda Síochána regarding tweets in each of the years 2007 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of cautions issued in this regard in each of the years 2007 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of prosecutions arising from the complaints, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32173/17]
View answerI am advised that it is not possible from the manner in which information/data is recorded on PULSE to answer the specific questions tabled by the Deputy, and to attempt to do so would require a disproportionate use of time and resources.
