Niamh Smyth
Question:607. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí located in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37658/17]
View answerGarda Deployment
Questions (607)
Written answers
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 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.
I have been informed that the number of Gardaí assigned to the Cavan/Monaghan Division on the 31 July 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 324 with 12 Garda reserves and 37 civilians. The number of Gardaí assigned to the Meath Division was 298 with 17 Reserves and 27 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. 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, 26 and 36 of whom were assigned to the Cavan/Monaghan and Meath Divisions respectively. 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 Cavan/Monaghan and Meath Divisions 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.
Garda Resources
Questions (608)
Willie O'Dea
Question:608. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the financial allocation for An Garda Síochána in 2010 and in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37705/17]
View answerWritten answers
The gross financial allocation for the Garda Vote in 2010 inclusive of a supplementary estimate was almost €1.53 billion. The allocation in 2015 was €1.51 billion which also included a supplementary estimate.
Immigration Policy
Questions (609)
Noel Rock
Question:609. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the State will be issuing an apology to a person (details supplied); his plans to review the immigration interrogation policy at the State's airports. [37771/17]
View answerWritten answers
It would not be appropriate for me to go into the details of the case referred to by the Deputy. However, I am satisfied that the appropriate procedures and processes were followed in this case and that the person in question was correctly refused entry to the State. Subsequently, as an exceptional measure, she was given a limited permission to remain.
The following matters pertain in all cases where a person is refused permission to enter the State.
- There are in total twelve (12) grounds on which an immigration officer may refuse to give a permission to enter the State and these are set out at Section 4 (3) of the Immigration Act 2004 (as amended by the International protection Act 2015). While a person may be refused permission to enter the State based on a number of grounds, such refusal need only be based on any one of those grounds. Immigration officers are required to provide a written notice to the person refused entry that sets out the reasons for the decision. In all cases, removals from the State are conducted in accordance with the law. Translation facilities are available where necessary.
- An Immigration Officer before confirming a decision to refuse permission will consult with his or her Supervisor.
- Removals are essentially operational matters for the Garda National Immigration Bureau who work closely with civilian immigration officers on these matters.
- Section 5 of the Immigration Act, 2003 (as amended by the International protection Act, 2015), contains the main provisions dealing with the removal from the State of persons refused leave to land and specifies that a person to whom this section applies may be arrested by an immigration officer or a member of the Garda Síochána and detained in a prescribed place of detention for the purpose of facilitating their removal from the State, which must be as soon as is practicable.
- It is the practice to remove persons from the State on the next available flight or ship.
I accept that it would be beneficial to have dedicated facilities for the detention of persons refused entry to the State and I am therefore pleased to confirm that such facilities are being developed at Dublin Airport with a view to completion next year.
More generally Ireland operates a fair, secure and effective immigration system, and indeed, the Irish immigration system is one of the least burdensome for visitors. Immigration officers respect the dignity of all persons they engage with and carry out their functions with professionalism and care. It is equally important that persons seeking entry to the State provide accurate and full information as to the purpose of their entry. Processes and procedures are kept under regular review.
It should be noted that should any person who has been refused leave to land in the State seek entry to the State at a future point, their application will be assessed on its own merits taking all relevant information into consideration at that time. Their prior immigration history is a matter of record but does not preclude them from seeking permission to enter in the future.
As regards the person seeking entry into other Member States, this is a matter for the appropriate authorities in the Member States concerned.
Question No. 610 answered with Question No. 600.
Garda Recruitment
Questions (611, 612)
Pearse Doherty
Question:611. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to the competition for the selection of Garda trainees the number of such recruitment campaigns that have been initiated in 2016 and and to date in 2017; the number of applications that were received in respect of each campaign; the number of applicants that were subsequently accepted to undergo Garda training in respect of each such competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37788/17]
View answerPearse Doherty
Question:612. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to the competition for the selection of garda trainees initiated in January 2016, the number of applicants to whom an order of merit was awarded after having been placed within the top 200 ranking of applicants and have subsequently been accepted to undergo the relevant garda training programme; if similar such competitions have been initiated since this date; if he will also provide the same information in respect of each campaign, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37789/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 611 and 612 together.
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, that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 1,200 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána. I am also informed that a further 400 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 needed to allow the deployment of increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Garda Division over the coming years.
This is an ambitious programme of accelerated recruitment and will require a continuous pipeline of suitable candidates. The most recent recruitment campaign in May 2017 again received a strong response with over 5,000 applications received. While this shows a levelling off from the exceptionally high numbers of applications received following the lifting of the moratorium in 2014 with no recruitment having taken place since 2008, it is in line with the more regular pattern pre-dating the moratorium.
The table sets out details of the campaigns in 2016 and 2017 as provided by the Commissioner.
As the Deputy will be aware the recruitment process is a matter for the Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct involvement in the matter. The Public Appointments Service (PAS) manages the initial recruitment stages for selection of Garda trainees on behalf of the Commissioner. The Order of Merit (OOM) is awarded to applicants by the PAS on successful completion of the competitive stages of the process, the final stage of which is an interview. This OOM remains with them throughout the remainder of the selection process which includes a physical, a medical and vetting.
In the case of the September 2016 competition, I am advised that 86 applicants within the top 200 OOM have commenced training in the Garda College. In relation to the May 2017 competition, the competitive stages of the process are on-going and the OOM does not therefore arise as yet.
Information in relation to the OOM for the January 2016 competition has been requested from the Commissioner and will be provided to the Deputy when it is to hand.
|
Competition Date |
Number of Applicants |
Successful Applicants forwarded by PAS to An Garda Síochána |
Number who have commenced training in the Garda College |
|
January 2016 |
16,650 |
1,341 |
835 |
|
September 2016 |
5,197 |
963 |
116 |
|
May 2017 |
5,399 |
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
Extradition Arrangements
Questions (613)
Paul Murphy
Question:613. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Interpol red notice requests for arrests that have been received by the authorities here in the past three years, in tabular form; the number that have been carried out; the states they originate from; the alleged offences they have been issued for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37796/17]
View answerWritten answers
An Interpol Red Notice is a request to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition. It is issued by the Interpol General Secretariat at the request of an Interpol Member Country. It is based on a valid national arrest warrant or court order to either prosecute a person or for a person to serve a prison sentence.
Interpol cannot compel any Member Country to arrest an individual who is the subject of a Red Notice.
Provisional arrest is a concept which is not recognised in Irish legislation. Accordingly, while Ireland is a Member Country of Interpol it does not recognise the Red Notice system and I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that no arrests have been made in Ireland based on Interpol Red Notices.
Citizenship Applications
Questions (614)
Robert Troy
Question:614. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will grant citizenship to a family (details supplied). [37798/17]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that there is no record of a current application for a certificate of naturalisation from persons with the family name referred to by the Deputy. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship through the naturalisation process if and when they are in a position to meet all the statutory conditions for naturalisation under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation, as well as the relevant application forms, is available on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie. The website also contains guidance on the completion of an application for naturalisation and an on-line residency calculator which may be of assistance in establishing if the statutory residency requirements are met.
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.
Direct Provision System
Questions (615)
Róisín Shortall
Question:615. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria used in the awarding of contracts to provide direct provision facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37829/17]
View answerWritten answers
It is worth noting that the Direct Provision system is a whole of Government system which delivers a wide range of services to those seeking international protection in Ireland. These services include for example health services as provided by the HSE, education services as provided in primary and post-primary schools and, for adults, Education and Training Boards across the country.
Accommodation and related services (ie of management, catering, housekeeping, general maintenance and security services) are organised by the Department of Justice and Equality. The provision of these facilities and services for state owned accommodation centres was advertised by open tender in 2016. The tender sought the provision of these services at seven accommodation centres located in Tralee (two centres) & Killarney (two centres) in County Kerry, Cork City, Knockalisheen in County Clare and Athlone in County Westmeath. The tenders submitted were assessed on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) criteria, which enables the contracting authority to take account of criteria that reflect qualitative aspects of the tender submission as well as price when reaching an award decision.
The award criteria for the tender looked at the quality of the proposed services under headings of overall quality of service delivery plan, housekeeping, menu plans, security and supervision, maintenance (general and grounds keeping), additional facilities/activities, management and staffing and staff training in addition to the price. The overall marks were weighted with the price being 40% of the overall marks and the quality of the proposed services being 60% of the overall marks. Following this assessment, contracts for each of the state run centres were awarded in November 2016.
In relation to the twenty five commercially run centres, to date these contracts have been awarded following responses to calls for expressions of interest. From 2018, all contracts will be awarded through an open tendering competition to comply with EU Directive 24/2014 and will be conducted in accordance with the open procedure under the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016 (Statutory Instrument 284 of 2016). These tenders will also be assessed on the MEAT criteria. Service providers will be required to as part of the assessment process, include in their staffing proposal details of qualifications or experience in social care in order to assess their expertise in dealing with vulnerable and at risk persons. As with the state owned accommodation centres, tenders will be assessed on the quality of their service proposal as well as price. In addition, tenders will be designed to include recommendations from the Report of the Working Group on Improvements to the Protection Process including Direct Provision and other supports for Asylum Seekers. There will be a particular focus on the provision of facilities within accommodation centres to allow families to cook for themselves as well as improvements to quality of living space for families in centres.
It is, of course, open to any contractor or NGO (or groups of NGOs) to seek to engage in this procurement process to provide accommodation and related services to people seeking international protection. I would welcome the participation of groups or organisations who have expressed concerns about standards in Direct Provision in the upcoming procurement processes. In other EU Member States, reception centres are quite often managed by NGOs in partnership with the State. We have not, to date, received any expressions of interest by an NGO or NGO group to manage an accommodation centre in Ireland when expressions of interest have been sought.
It is the aim of this Department that the tendering for such facilities by way of open competition will ensure that quality accommodation centres can be procured while ensuring value for money for the Exchequer.
Direct Provision Data
Questions (616)
Róisín Shortall
Question:616. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria used by his Department in relation to companies awarded contracts to provide direct provision facilities when assessing their level of experience and expertise in working with vulnerable and at-risk persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37830/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Direct Provision system is a whole of Government system which delivers a wide range of State services to those seeking international protection in Ireland. These services include health services as provided by the HSE, education services as provided by primary and post-primary schools and, for adults, Education and Training Boards across the country. The Reception and Integration Agency, whose role is to oversee the provision of accommodation and ancillary services to asylum seekers, has a Health Unit, an Education Unit and a Child and Family Services Unit which can link vulnerable and at risk persons with the appropriate services. It is the role of these units to act as conduits between residents, staff at accommodation centres, state agencies (including TUSLA and the HSE) and local schools.
The provision of management, catering, housekeeping, general maintenance and security services for state owned asylum seeker accommodation centres was advertised by open tender in 2016. The tender sought the provision of these services at seven accommodation centres located in Tralee (two centres) & Killarney (two centres) in County Kerry, Cork City, Knockalisheen in County Clare and Athlone in County Westmeath. The tenders submitted were assessed on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) criteria, which enables the contracting authority to take account of criteria that reflect qualitative aspects of the tender submission as well as price when reaching an award decision.
The award criteria for the tender looked at the quality of the proposed services under headings of overall quality of service delivery plan, housekeeping, menu plans, security and supervision, maintenance (general and grounds keeping), additional facilities/activities, management and staffing and staff training in addition to the price. The overall marks were weighted with the price being 40% of the overall marks and the quality of the proposed services being 60% of the overall marks. Following this assessment, contracts for each of the state run centres were awarded in November 2016.
In relation to the commercially run centres, to date these contracts have been awarded following responses to calls for expressions of interest. From 2018, all contracts will be awarded through an open tendering competition to comply with EU Directive 24/2014 and will be conducted in accordance with the open procedure under the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016 (Statutory Instrument 284 of 2016). These tenders will also be assessed on the MEAT criteria. Service providers will be required to as part of the assessment process, include in their staffing proposal details of qualifications or experience in social care in order to assess their expertise in dealing with vulnerable and at risk persons.
In addition, tenders will be designed to include recommendations from the Report of the Working Group on Improvements to the Protection Process including Direct Provision and other supports for Asylum Seekers. There will be a particular focus on the provision of facilities within accommodation centres to allow families to cook for themselves as well as improvements to quality of living space for families in centres.
It is the aim of this Department that the tendering for such facilities by way of open competition will ensure that quality accommodation centres can be procured while ensuring value for money for the Exchequer.
Garda Station Refurbishment
Questions (617)
Niamh Smyth
Question:617. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of works on a Garda station (details supplied); and the expected completion date. [37835/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has primary responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation and works closely with the Garda authorities in this regard. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
The Garda Station Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021 includes the development of a new Garda station at Bailieborough, Co Cavan. I understand that following consultation between Garda management and the OPW, a site was identified for the new Garda station in Bailieborough. The OPW is progressing the acquisition of the site. Timelines and details on procurement and construction of the new station will become clearer at that time.
Garda Vetting Applications
Questions (618)
Niamh Smyth
Question:618. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of Garda vetting for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37837/17]
View answerWritten answers
The vetting application in the case to which the Deputy refers relates to a person who is in an ongoing process for recruitment to An Garda Síochána. As the Deputy will appreciate, in such cases the Garda Authorities can liaise directly with the applicants in respect of the progress of the recruitment process. The Deputy will be aware also that in respect of recruitment to An Garda Síochána checks secondary to vetting are also required and these can take time to be completed.
Third Level Graduate Scheme
Questions (619)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:619. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a reply will issue directly to persons (details supplied) in relation to the EEA students graduate programme; if he will clarify the concerns raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37856/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Third Level Graduate Scheme was first introduced in April 2007 and has been revised by the immigration authorities from time to time, most recently in May 2017. The Scheme is intended to assist legally resident Irish educated non-EEA graduates, holding an award from a recognised Irish awarding body, to remain in Ireland after they have completed their studies. The Scheme provides an opportunity for such graduates to transition to an immigration permission based on an employment or critical skills employment permit or research hosting agreement.
Extensive guidance (http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Student%20Pathway ) on the qualifying criteria are detailed on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service. Some of the key feature of the Scheme include the following::
- It will be open to those who have been notified on or after 1 January 2017 by the awarding institution that they have achieved the relevant award and will be expected to present suitable evidence to this effect.
- They must not have exceeded the seven year limit on holding a student immigration permission (subject to the exception for persons presenting an award at level 9 or above of the National Framework of Qualifications).
- They must be of good character and fully compliant with Irish law during their previous residence in the State.
It is also important to stress that persons who have already benefitted from the Third Level Graduate Scheme will only be permitted to access the revised Scheme in very limited circumstances by presenting a new qualification that they had not previously relied on for this purpose. The Immigration Service, in common with any Government service, will from time to time introduce or change schemes in line with the Government's strategic priorities. In such circumstances it is not unreasonable that beneficiaries expectations should be limited to the conditions of the scheme at the point at which they originally qualified.
Finally, a direct reply will issue from my Department to the person concerned dealing with their particular case and all the issues raised.
Garda Stations
Questions (620)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:620. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the reopening of Ballinspittle Garda station in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37859/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no role in the matter. This includes responsibility for the formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations, taking into account crime trends and policing priorities, so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
Indeed, this was the basis on which the Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme was developed and implemented, resulting in the closure of some 139 Garda stations, including Ballinspittle. I am informed 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 various targeted police operations.
The Deputy will be aware that, under the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government is committed to launching a pilot scheme to reopen 6 Garda stations, both urban and rural, to determine possible positive impacts that such openings will have on criminal activity, with special emphasis on burglaries, theft and public order.
At its meeting on 13 June 2017, the Government noted the Garda Commissioner’s interim Report which analysed population and crime trends and, taking account of the availability of stations for reuse, makes a number of recommendations including that Stepaside Station in Co. Dublin be reopened on a pilot basis. The Report also indicates that the Commissioner is likely, subject to further analysis, to recommend the reopening of Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow and Donard, Co. Wicklow in her final report. If a second station is to be reopened in Dublin, the Commissioner has indicated that, subject to further analysis, the former station at Rush, Co. Dublin will be recommended for reopening.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that relevant information, including crime related statistics and population analysis, continues to be examined in respect of a number of areas, including the geographical area previously served by the former Garda station at Ballinspittle, with a view to determining the appropriateness from an operational perspective of their inclusion in the pilot project.
The final report in relation to this matter is expected to be received shortly and it will be brought to Government thereafter.
Garda Station Opening Hours
Questions (621)
Thomas Pringle
Question:621. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there has been a decrease in Garda hours in the main station in Ballybofey and the Stranorlar area in Donegal in the past year; if so, if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of local businesses and residents of a noticeable increase in criminal activities in the area; the way in which he will address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37881/17]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for Garda station opening hours and the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in these matters.
In this context, I understand that Garda management keeps under review the overall policing arrangements, including the operation of Garda stations and assignment of personnel, throughout the State having regard to, for example, crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level.
This ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Ballybofey Garda station is open to members of the public on Monday-Saturday from 10am to 6pm and from 12 midday to 3pm on Sundays and bank-holidays, with mobile patrols conducted over the 24-hour period. Station opening times may vary and are dependent on the availability of Garda personnel to be deployed on duty maintaining the Public Office in the Garda station. When the Garda station is not open to members of the public a sign is prominently displayed in the Garda station window outlining, contact details for the District Headquarters in Letterkenny, in the event of a policing service being required, and when the Garda station will next be open.
I understand from Garda authorities that there is a good working relationship between An Garda Síochána and stakeholders locally and issues arising are addressed through local policing fora and personal engagement with local members. In addition to local patrols, crime prevention and detection initiatives are ongoing, including intelligence led initiatives, such as Operation ‘Thor’, to disrupt criminal activity in the area. In addition to operational policing initiatives, crime prevention meetings have been held locally recently by the Divisional Crime Prevention Officer, providing crime prevention and personal protection advices, especially regarding property-marking and security advice. Local meetings are very well attended.
As the Deputy will be aware, 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. 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 that, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, 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 another 400 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - an increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources needed to allow for the deployment of increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Garda Division, including Donegal, in the coming years.
Garda Resources
Questions (622)
Niamh Smyth
Question:622. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the investment his Department has made in Garda infrastructure, personnel, Garda equipment, cars and so on, since March 2016 in the Cavan, Monaghan and Meath areas, by station, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37886/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the allocation of Garda resources in the State and I, as Minister, have no role in relation to the matter.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
Prison Service Data
Questions (623)
Seán Fleming
Question:623. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons employed in the Irish Prison Service other than prison officers who are in receipt of rent allowance; the categories of each of these persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37943/17]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that the rent allowance is payable to all operational prison grades in accordance with their terms and conditions of employment.
Rent allowance is not payable to other civilian grades working in Prisons i.e. Chaplains, Psychologists, doctors, prison nurses, and clerical grades.
The numbers and grades of Irish Prison Service employees, other than the prison officer grade, who are in receipt of rent allowance, is as set out in the table.
|
Grade |
Number in receipt of Rent Allowance |
|
GOVERNOR GRADE 1 |
1 |
|
GOVERNOR GRADE 2 |
8 |
|
GOVERNOR 3 |
12 |
|
DEPUTY GOVERNOR |
3 |
|
ASSISTANT GOVERNOR |
28 |
|
WORK TRAINING OFFICER |
289 |
|
HEALTHCARE NURSE MANAGER |
2 |
|
CHIEF NURSE OFFICER 2 |
11 |
|
NURSE OFFICER |
91 |
|
INSPECTOR OF WORKS |
3 |
|
CHIEF OFFICER 1 |
9 |
|
CHIEF OFFICER 2 |
59 |
|
CHIEF TRADES OFFICER 1 |
2 |
|
CHIEF TRADES OFFICER 2 |
6 |
|
ASSISTANT CHIEF OFFICER |
283 |
|
INDUSTRIAL MANAGER |
4 |
|
IND TRAINING INSTRUCTOR 2 |
5 |
|
TRADES OFFICER |
42 |
|
CLERK 2 |
2 |
|
INDUSTRIAL SUPERVISOR |
12 |
Prison Service Staff
Questions (624)
Seán Fleming
Question:624. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 5 July 2017, the way in which prison clerical officers are employed in line with the general Civil Service clerical officer grade and associated terms and conditions of employment in view of the fact that the general Civil Service grade receive overtime, flexi-time and term time, none of which are available to prison clerical officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37944/17]
View answerWritten answers
I have been informed by the Irish Prison Service that contracts offered to Prison Clerical Officers are in line with legislation and regulations governing civil service recruitment. The granting of particular working arrangements, raised by the Deputy, is at the discretion of civil service bodies and is determined by organisational requirements.
Garda Station Closures
Questions (625)
Niall Collins
Question:625. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if Kilmallock Garda station in County Limerick has been closed indefinitely; if so, the reason therefor; when it will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37950/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. This includes identifying and progressing any necessary remedial or refurbishment works required at individual stations. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Kilmallock Garda station was closed on a temporary basis on 20 July 2017 to facilitate an upgrade to the station, including the construction of new internal partitions and fire doors, the installation of new wheelchair accessible reception counter and work stations in the public office, new locker room fit out, and associated mechanical and electrical works.
I understand that the works will be completed this month following which the re-installation of furniture and minor snagging will be carried out. It is not anticipated that these matters will delay the re-occupation of the Garda station and the OPW will work with local management regarding same.
In the meantime, and to facilitate the upgrade in progress, personnel attached to the station have been temporarily relocated to Bruff Garda station (open on a 24 hour basis), a distance of approximately 10 kms from Kilmallock, and continue to patrol the Kilmallock sub-District.
Registration of Wills
Questions (626)
Róisín Shortall
Question:626. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the development of a central register of wills. [37957/17]
View answerWritten answers
The position is that the views of the Law Society on the desirability of establishing a registration of wills system were sought in 2005. The Society's Probate, Administration and Trusts Committee subsequently informed the Department that it did not favour the establishment of a Register of Wills for a number of reasons. Firstly, since the registration would be voluntary, there might be very limited usage of such a service. Secondly, even where a will was registered, such registration would not guarantee the validity of the will if the statutory requirements in relation to signature, witnesses etc. had not been complied with. Moreover, there could be no guarantee that a registered will was in fact the final will of the testator concerned. I should add that the Law Society reiterated these concerns in a letter to my Department earlier this year.
In light of the foregoing, it is unlikely that any initiative to establish a system for registering wills in this jurisdiction would command the required level of support and involvement from the legal profession.