Written Answers Nos. 667-685
667. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in Tallaght and Rathfarnham Garda stations in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38580/17]
View answer668. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new recruits allocated to Tallaght and Rathfarnham garda stations in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38581/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 667 and 668 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I am informed by the Commissioner that in regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Garda Division. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division.
The area referred to by the Deputy forms part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) South Division. I have been informed that the number of Gardaí assigned to the DMR South Division on 31 July 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 541 of which 62 and 174 were assigned to Rathfarnham and Tallaght Garda Stations, respectively. In addition 22 Garda Reserves and 30 civilians were also attached to the Division.
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, 96 of whom were assigned to the DMR South 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 needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Garda Division, including the DMR South Division in the coming years.
For the Deputy's information I have set out below the information provided by the Commissioner in relation to the number Gardaí assigned to Rathfarnham and Tallaght Garda stations from 2014 to 31 July 2017 and also the number of new Garda recruits assigned to Tallaght and Rathfarnham Garda stations in 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017.
There were no new recruits attested in 2014.
Number of Gardaí allocated to Tallaght and Rathfarnham Garda Stations 2014-2017
|
STATION |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017* |
|
Tallaght |
170 |
176 |
179 |
174 |
|
Rathfarnham |
72 |
69 |
64 |
62 |
|
TOTAL |
242 |
245 |
243 |
236 |
*Up to 31 July 2017
Number of recruits assigned to Tallaght and Rathfarnham Garda Stations 2015-2017
|
STATION |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
TALLAGHT |
10 |
10 |
11 |
|
RATHFARNHAM |
5 |
669. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to provide funding for the refurbishment of the public office in Malahide Garda station; the Garda stations scheduled for refurbishment in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38644/17]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation 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.
The Deputy will be aware of the significant efforts being made by Government to enhance the working environment generally for members of An Garda Síochána and of the major investment that has been committed under the Capital Plan 2016-2021 to upgrade Garda premises, the Garda fleet and Garda ICT infrastructure.
The Garda Station Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021 is an ambitious 5 year Programme that will benefit over thirty locations around the country and includes over €60 million of Exchequer funding as part of Government’s Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 as well as a major Public Private Partnership project.
The Programme is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána and the Garda authorities are working in close co-operation with the OPW to deliver the projects.
While the Programme does not include provision for any significant building works at Malahide Garda station, I have been informed by the Garda authorities that an application has been made to the OPW for some refurbishment works to be undertaken at the public office at the station. I understand that a determination in relation to the matter will be made having due regard to the views of the OPW as to the feasibility of the proposal and available funding.
671. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of type 2 and 2A visas issued by the Garda north division in each of the years 2014 to 2016, and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38646/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it has not been possible to respond to the Deputy in the timeframe allowable. The matter is currently being examined and I will be in touch with the Deputy when further information is available.
672. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the average processing time for long-stay visa applications here; the number of persons on waiting lists in this category; the area which has the highest number of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38647/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that decisions regarding the grant or refusal of visas are made in a number of INIS Visa Offices overseas, the INIS Visa Office in Dublin, and at Embassies of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which process certain visa applications under delegated sanction from my Department.
The processing times for visa decisions are published on the Visa pages of each Visa Office and Embassy website. The following table sets out the dates up to which applications received in the Dublin Visa Office have been processed, as well as the number currently awaiting decision.
|
Purpose of Visa Application |
Date Received in Dublin |
Number Awaiting Decision |
|
Employment |
31/08/2017 |
11 |
|
Study |
19/07/2017 |
265 |
|
Join Family (National Legislation) |
06/03/2017 |
451 |
|
Join Family (Free Movement Directive) |
See below |
See below |
It should be noted that target times for the processing of visas are established as a business target, reflecting the detailed and often complex assessment required to be carried out in relation to applications, and do not constitute a legal obligation. The processing time for visas in each location is determined by a number of factors, such as the volumes and complexity of applications, peak application periods and the resources available. While every effort is made to process such applications as quickly as possible, processing times inevitably vary as a result of these factors.
In relation to applications under the terms of the Free Movement Directive (2004/38/EC), the Deputy may wish to note that there has been an exponential increase since the second quarter of 2015 in the number of such applications. This has given rise to a current caseload in the region of 7,800 applications overall, which have to be assessed very carefully to ensure that any fraudulent applications or potential abuses of the Directive are detected and dealt with appropriately. Legal proceedings in relation to a number of similar such applications are currently before the courts, and accordingly, the Deputy will appreciate that I am limited in what I can say on the matter.
The central concern, as with all visa services worldwide, in deciding on visa applications, is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime, while at the same time facilitating travel for those who meet the criteria. Each visa application is therefore decided on its own merits taking all relevant factors into account.
673. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 33 of 12 July 2017, if he will ensure that additional Garda resources are provided for the Cavan and Monaghan division due to the extra difficulties that arise for policing a Border region; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns in relation to the reduction in Garda personnel over recent years in areas such as the former Ballyconnell Garda district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38682/17]
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.
I am further informed by the Commissioner that, as of 31 July 2017, there were 324 Garda with 12 Garda Reserves and 37 civilians attached to the Cavan/Monaghan 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.
The Deputy will also be aware that there is close and ongoing co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI on all aspects of policing, with a particular focus on combating security threats and cross-Border crime. The Garda Commissioner and the Chief Constable of the PSNI, who are responsible for operational policing co-operation, have repeatedly emphasised the scope and the value of the close and high quality co-operation between the two police services in combating crime, protecting community safety and saving lives. The two police services operate a joint Cross-Border Policing Strategy which has as its aims to improve public safety throughout Ireland, to disrupt criminal activity and to enhance the policing capability of both police services on the island.
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 of whom were assigned to the Cavan/Monaghan 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 needed to allow the deployment of increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Garda Division, including the Cavan/Monaghan 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.
674. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the development of sectoral response plans to Brexit, the publication date of these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38698/17]
View answer675. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the issues identified for consideration in the context of Brexit including opportunities and their prioritisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38714/17]
View answer676. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of issues identified for consideration in the context of Brexit including threats and their prioritisation [38730/17]
View answer677. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the scenario planning that has been conducted by his Department for Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38746/17]
View answer678. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the methodology employed in the prioritisation of responses to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38762/17]
View answer679. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the funds that have been requested in response to threats resulting from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38778/17]
View answer680. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the funds have been allocated in response to threats resulting from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38810/17]
View answer682. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his Department’s priorities for risk mitigation in response to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38842/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 674 to 680, inclusive, and 682 together.
The International Policy Division within my Department has been assigned responsibility for co-ordinating 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 thirteen officers in total. This figure includes an additional post to the Permanent Representation to support the Brussels based aspects of the forthcoming negotiations which was filled in July 2017, and an additional post in the Dublin team filled last month. 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. In addition, the senior management team of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) have a particular focus in relation to the movement of people within the Common Travel Area and other immigration-related matters relevant to Brexit.
The comprehensive document "Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union: The Government’ Approach" published on 2 May outlined in detail the structures put in place by the Government to ensure a strategic and whole-of Government response to Brexit that ensures a co-ordinated approach to the identification of key priority issues for the EU-UK negotiations and the wider domestic response.
Since the publication of the comprehensive document, the Government has sought to further increase its strategic oversight of Brexit through the addition of a dedicated responsibility for Brexit matters to the role of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Cabinet Committee structures have also been reformed and a new Cabinet Committee has been established to deal with EU Affairs including Brexit.
The Government’s National Risk Assessment 2017, which provides a systematic overview of strategic risks facing the country, was published on 29 August following a public consultation process. The National Risk Assessment acknowledges the significance of risk arising from Brexit, and that Brexit represents an overarching theme that could have far-reaching impacts on nearly all aspects of national life. It identifies areas where Brexit poses a specific risk, particularly in relation to the economy.
As set out in comprehensive document of 2 May, the Government's continuing work to ensure that Ireland’s interests are reflected in the EU's approach to the ongoing EU-UK negotiations is a central dimension of Ireland’s strategic response to Brexit.
Work is also continuing across Government on Ireland’s wider response to the challenges and opportunities posed by Brexit, building on ongoing cross-Government research, analysis and consultations with stakeholders and encompassing the following themes:
- sustainable fiscal policies to ensure capacity to absorb and respond to economic shocks, not least from Brexit;
- policies to make Irish enterprise more diverse and resilient, to diversify trade and investment patterns, and to strengthen competitiveness;
- prioritising policy measures and dedicating resources to protect jobs and businesses in the sectors and regions most affected by Brexit;
- realising economic opportunities arising from Brexit, and helping businesses adjust to any new logistical or trade barriers arising;
- making a strong case at EU level that Ireland will require support that recognises where Brexit represents a serious disturbance to the Irish economy.
Policy decisions in support of these objectives also arise across a wide range of areas, including the annual budgetary process; the forthcoming National Planning Framework 2040; the new 10-year National Capital Plan; the Review of Enterprise 2025 Policy, and sectoral policies and investment decisions in areas such as agriculture, enterprise, transport, communications and energy.
In so far as the issues relevant to my Department are concerned, continued co-operation with the UK on criminal and civil justice matters, and in the maintenance of the Common Travel Area are key priorities. The significance of the Common Travel Area and the benefits it confers across Irish society are well understood. At a sectoral level, it is also clearly important that we maintain the closest possible co-operation in the field of criminal justice, and that there are efficient mechanisms to deal with cross-Border civil, commercial and family law matters, so that members of the public and businesses can have legal certainty and protection in cross Border disputes. Our analysis of these important issues is ongoing.
We do not envisage any diminution in the joint commitment to security and police operational co-operation between the UK and Ireland. Our respective agencies work closely together and that will continue.
681. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vacancies in his Department for Brexit-related roles; the expected date for these roles to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38826/17]
View answerThe International Policy Division within my Department has been assigned responsibility for co-ordinating 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 thirteen Officers. This figure includes two recent additional posts, in the Permanent Representation to support the Brussels based aspects of the forthcoming negotiations, and in the International Policy Division in Dublin.
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.
Currently there are no vacant Brexit related roles. 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 under way.
683. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the membership and role of all Brexit-related stakeholder engagement groups working with his Department on Brexit issues; the number of times each stakeholder group has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38858/17]
View answerThe primary stakeholders engaging with the justice related aspects of the UK's withdrawal from the UK are internal to the Department of Justice and Equality and meet on a regular basis in a variety of different formats to discuss a wide range of relevant issues. In addition to this day to day engagement, six senior officers from each of the key areas in the Department (who are in turn supported by relevant staff) meet as a cross-divisional working group which focuses on the key negotiating issues and identifies areas where further analysis and preparations are necessary.
684. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the Brexit-related research currently being undertaken by his Department; the topics under consideration; the date this research commenced; the expected date for completion and publication, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38890/17]
View answerResearch and analysis of the justice specific issues arising in response to the UK withdrawal from the EU are a main priority across all relevant sections of the Department of Justice and Equality. In addition, there is regular and ongoing engagement with other relevant Departments concerning the cross-Government aspects of these issues. Weekly progress reports are provided to the Department's Management Board on the analysis and preparations under way and I am regularly briefed on the full range of issues being considered.
685. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the expenditure savings that are earmarked for his Department for 2018 that are not accounted for in the mid-year expenditure report or are not included in the fiscal space calculations for 2018. [38906/17]
View answerThe Estimates process for 2018 is ongoing and the details of the allocation for the Departments Vote will not be finalised until Budget Day. It is understood that where any savings are identified during the Estimates process they can be used to meet any emerging expenditure pressures without impacting on the available fiscal space.
