Written Answers Nos. 189-207
189. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he expects Ireland to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40653/17]
View answerIreland signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007 and since then, successive Governments have emphasised Ireland’s strong commitment to proceed to ratification as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure all necessary legislative and administrative requirements under the Convention are met. This Government remains committed to ratification of the Convention.
It is essential that the State is in a position to meet the obligations that it assumes under the terms of an international agreement from the moment of its entry into force for Ireland. Before the State can ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, enactment of new legislation and amendment of existing legislation is required to ensure obligations will be met upon entry into force for Ireland. Ratification of a Convention before we have amended domestic legislation that contradicts it makes no sense and does nothing to ensure compliance or to protect the people for whose benefit the Convention exists. The previous Government published a Roadmap in October 2015, which sets out the legislative measures needed to meet those requirements, along with declarations and reservations to be entered by Ireland on ratification.
Considerable progress has already been made to overcome the remaining legislative barriers to Ireland's ratification of the Convention. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 was signed into law on 30 December 2015 and is a comprehensive reform of the law on decision-making capacity. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 has reformed Section 5 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 to facilitate the full participation in family life of persons with intellectual disabilities and the full expression of their human rights.
The Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016 was published immediately prior to Christmas and completed Second Stage in February 2017. The primary purpose of the Bill is to address the remaining legislative barriers to Ireland’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Work is ongoing on all the other issues set out in the previous Government’s Roadmap for Ratification published in October 2015 and these will be progressed as Committee Stage amendments. The Bill will be progressed to enactment at an early date to facilitate ratification of the UN Convention as soon as possible.
The precise timing of ratification now depends on how long it will take for this Bill to progress through the enactment process and on issues in relation to commencement both of deprivation of liberty provisions, which will be included in the Bill at Committee Stage, and of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015. The major issue at this stage is in relation to deprivation of liberty – in the case of persons in nursing homes for example, whose capacity to consent may be in doubt. This is a sensitive and important issue and we must get it right.
Unfortunately, it is taking longer than expected to develop a proposal that is constitutionally sound and operationally effective and reasonable. The Department of Justice and Equality continues to engage with the Department of Health to assist with that work, but there is still some work to be done.
While Ireland’s not having ratified the CRPD is a recurring point of criticism by the UN as well as by domestic civil society and NGOs, it should be noted that in terms of quality of service and the actual position of people with disabilities in society, Ireland is in many respects in advance of other EU states. This is not to be complacent and we are continuing to take practical measures to improve the lives of people with disabilities. The Report of the Make Work Pay Group was published earlier this year and already action, as announced by Minister Harris has been taken on its recommendations. We have a Comprehensive Employment Strategy in place and the Government recently published a new National Disability Inclusion Strategy (2017 – 2021). This strategy contains a wide range of practical commitments to improve the position of people with disabilities.
I would like to take this opportunity to assure the Deputy that ratification of the UNCRPD remains a very high priority for me as Minister.
190. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40134/17]
View answerIf an application for international protection has been made in the State, the Deputy will be aware that, for confidentiality reasons, it is not the practice to comment on such applications.
As the Deputy is aware, applications for refugee status in the State were, prior to 31 December 2016, determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal (RAT) which made recommendations to the Minister of Justice and Equality on whether such status should be granted.
Following the commencement of the International Protection Act 2015 on 31 December 2016, new arrangements for the investigation and determination of applications for international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection) and cases involving permission to remain in the State have been introduced. Such applications will be processed, as part of a single application procedure, by the International Protection Office (IPO) which has replaced the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) and Appeals will be processed by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT).
The Chief International Protection Officer, following consultation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), published a statement on the Prioritisation of Applications for International Protection under the International Protection Act 2015 on 27 February 2017, which is available on the website of the International Protection Office (www.ipo.gov.ie).
191. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); the timeframe for the case to be progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40185/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy, is still under consideration and has not yet reached a conclusion. The application will be submitted to me as expeditiously as possible.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most cases are now generally processed within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
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.
192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); the timeframe for this application to reach a conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40186/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that progress on the application referred to by the Deputy is well advanced and the file will be re-submitted to me for final decision as expeditiously as possible.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and I know the Deputy will appreciate that it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
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.
193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40187/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is still under consideration and has not yet reached a conclusion. I understand however that the case is due to be submitted for decision in the near future.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most cases are now generally processed within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
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.
194. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the funding which is provided for groups or programmes which assist men that have or are likely to engage in intimate partner abuse; the numbers of men that have engaged in such programmes; if there is information on the success of these programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40208/17]
View answerThe second national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a whole of government response to these issues. As part of that strategy's objective of holding perpetrators to account and supporting victims, there is an action to establish a single national programme for perpetrators of domestic violence, to replace the different existing programme
Domestic violence perpetrator intervention programmes in Ireland are delivered by three organisations and in 2016 programmes were delivered in 14 locations.
In 2016 the funding paid by my Department for running these programmes amounted to €653,500.
There were 187 interventions with men on domestic violence perpetrator programmes in 2016. Interventions include individual assessments for programme applicants, one to one work with men in relation to their participation in groups to address the offending behaviour(s) and working with them in such groups. The programmes have been developed in order to maximise the safety of female partners and ex-partners of the men on the programmes and their children. All programmes have a dedicated partner contact element where partners are provided with practical support and advice. In 2016, 102 partners/ex-partners participated in the partner contact arrangements facilitated by the perpetrator programmes.
Informal feedback suggests that the programmes give rise to positive outcomes in relation to the safety of women and children and positive outcomes also for the men.
A new uniform national programme is due to be delivered by all domestic violence perpetrator programmes commencing shortly. Importantly it is intended that it will involve systematic follow up with programme participants and partners, once the first group of participants have completed that programme.
195. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons that have died while in the direct provision system since 1 January 2007; the ages of the persons that died; the reason for the death; the number that were the result of suicide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40223/17]
View answerThe wellbeing of residents in direct provision is an absolute priority for the Reception and Integration Agency, which is the agency of my Department tasked with overseeing the provision of full board accommodation and certain ancillary services to persons in the protection process. Since the direct provision system was established in 2000 some 60,000 persons have benefited from these services, and some deaths of residents have occurred in this period.
While overseeing the delivery of different services, my Department has no direct role in the provision of health or health related services to protection applicants. Such services are provided through the Department of Health by the Health Service Executive (HSE) via hospital, primary care and the GP services. Protection applicants receive these health services on exactly the same basis as Irish or EU citizens who have medical cards. All health matters are private between a patient and his or her medical advisor and records in relation to any illness, including mental illness are, properly, not available to Departmental staff. Similarly, when persons in the protection process die, their deaths are treated by medical personnel and/or the coroner in exactly the same way as any other person who passes away within the jurisdiction of the State. The same procedures apply to protection applicants as to other persons who are not protection applicants.
While my Department collates some statistics on deaths of persons in the protection process, this is usually by way of a general knowledge of the cause of death, such as by way of information arising from the specified medical needs of the resident concerned. In most cases, the deaths would have occurred outside of State-provided accommodation e.g. in hospitals or hospices. Official records in relation to deaths are maintained by the Register of Births Marriages and Deaths (HSE). The Department has no access to death certificates, nor would it be appropriate under data protection safeguards for it to seek such access, and it is therefore not possible to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
196. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of complaints that have been made to An Garda Síochána by residents of direct provision centres regarding staff or management at these centres; the number of prosecutions that have been taken against staff or management of these centres since 1 January 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40224/17]
View answerI have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to this matter, and I will contact the Deputy again when this report is to hand.
As the Deputy is aware, accommodation centres are subject to regular and frequent inspections by staff of the Reception and Integration Agency and by independent external contractors. The reports of these inspections are published on the RIA website. Centres are also subject to inspection by various other State agencies including for example Environmental Health Officers. The Reception and Integration Agency has implemented a number of policies in all centres dealing with such issues as child protection, sexual and gender based violence and a code of practice for persons working in accommodation centres.
The issue of Garda vetting and child protection in RIA centres is taken very seriously. RIA has a dedicated Child and Family Services Unit, whose role is to manage, deliver, coordinate, monitor and plan all matters relating to child and family services for all asylum seekers residing in the direct provision system. It also acts as a conduit between RIA and Tusla, the latter having statutory functions in this area. The Unit is headed up by an official seconded from Tusla who has clinical expertise in the area of child welfare and protection.
RIA's Child Protection and Welfare Policy and Practice Document is based on the HSE's “Children First - National Guidelines for the protection and welfare of children. In relation to training of staff in centres, the HSE/Tusla has provided 'Keeping Safe' child protection training and Designate Liaison Person Training [DLP] to each centre's Designated Liaison Persons and other staff members. RIA has recently updated its Child Protection Policy to include a Practice Document. To communicate this policy, briefing sessions were held in family centres around the country for centre staff members and all other relevant personnel. The policy is available on www.ria.gov.ie.
I am advised that all staff of centres under contract to RIA are Garda vetted and the remit of the Ombudsman, and the Ombudsman for Children, has been extended to cover those who are living in State provided accommodation since April 2017.
197. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to bring in body cameras on Garda uniforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40225/17]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the provision of equipment for An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that a working group within An Garda Síochána is currently examining the options available on the market regarding body worn cameras, with a view to developing a business case in the event that it is decided to recommend the their general use by members of An Garda Síochána.
198. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the last technical update of Garda information technology services took place; his plans to upgrade the information technology services of An Garda Síochána to increase efficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40226/17]
View answer199. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that through a tech rehab, for example, the widespread distribution of smart phones for work, that the New Zealand police force experienced productivity gains of 30 minutes per shift; his views on whether An Garda Síochána could benefit from such a policy of modernisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40227/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda equipment and resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government recognises that Gardaí must have the modern technology and resources necessary to detect and investigate crimes, and to prevent loss and harm to citizens and their property on a 24/7 basis. Accordingly, the Garda Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016 to 2021 sets out a series of initiatives which will enable An Garda Síochána deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime.
In support of this plan, some €330 million, including €205 million under the Capital Plan, is being invested in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021. This major investment is unprecedented and will facilitate progress on important reforms arising from the Garda Inspectorate's report on Crime Investigation. Some key ICT projects which are being advanced in this regard are as follows:
- a new Investigations Management system which will support the management of activities completed as part of an investigation, maintain a full history of the chain of events in an investigation, manage information gathered, and decisions/actions taken;
- a new Property and Exhibits Management System which will be used to record all property and exhibits which come into Garda possession and manage them throughout their lifecycle within the organisation from scene to court;
- a new Enterprise Content Management System which will provide An Garda Síochána with a single enterprise content repository for all documentation and multimedia content created;
- in the area of Victims Services PULSE has been updated to include Individual Victim Assessment and Victim Engagement screens to record information about the victim themselves and any Garda interaction or engagement with the victim;
- a new e-Vetting system is now operational which provides online processing of applications for Garda vetting for persons working with children and vulnerable persons;
- a new Rosters and Duty Management System which will support the management of the new rosters in An Garda Síochána and to manage the deployment of human resources on a day to day and also on a strategic long term basisa new Anti-Money Laundering application will support Financial Intelligence Units to counter Terrorist Financing and Money Laundering;
- an updated Intrusion Prevention and Detection System will add an additional layer of security to An Garda Síochána’s security architecture by proactively identifying potential threats and having policies in place to act upon them.
An Garda Síochána is also, in collaboration with the Department of Justice and Equality, actively progressing a number of EU ICT Projects to improve police co-operation and increase border security within the EU Community. These include implementation of :
- the FIND solution to enable the Garda National Immigration Bureau to query the Interpol Stolen Lost Travel Document Database;
- implementation of PRUM which will deliver enhancements to the Automated Finger Printing System to step up cross-border cooperation in relation to terrorism, crime and illegal immigration;
- implementation of the Schengen Information System to enable the rapid dissemination of information pertaining to terrorist threats and other subversive and non-subversive crime types across members states of the European Union;
- implementation of ADEP (Automated Data Exchange Process) which will allow searching of other member states criminal records on name, address, date and place of birth, on a hit/no hit basis;
- implementation of PNR (Passenger Name Record) requirements which require air carriers to provide advance passenger data to Immigration authorities. This data can be used for risk analysis by various state agencies;
- implementation of API (Advanced Passenger Information) requirements which require air carriers to provide advance passenger data to Immigration authorities. This data can be used for risk analysis by various state agencies. API data is basic information that includes name, date of birth, gender, citizenship, and travel document data (e.g. passport number).
In addition, a project to enhance network access to rural Garda stations is being progressed and is well advanced.
Further, I understand that the Garda mobility strategy, which aims to ensure that Garda members have remote access to information and technology, is progressing. When fully implemented, access by members to real-time information on mobile devices, as well as enabling investigation teams to collect and share information digitally, will improve the effectiveness of the service provided to communities. Indeed, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the ACTIVE Mobility programme, to be delivered over the next 3 to 5 years, will result in frontline Gardaí having more connectivity to back office systems harnessing the power of mobile technology. I understand from Garda authorities that an initial pilot of the programme will take place in the Limerick Division commencing in Q4 2017.
200. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has considered the establishment of a phone service and an online reporting system to allow persons to report crimes via a phone call or web portal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40228/17]
View answerI have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy, and I will contact her directly when this report is to hand.
201. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the focus or resources that are available for further education and-or continuous professional development within An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40229/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, which includes arranging for the training of Garda members and civilian staff and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I am informed by the Commissioner that each Garda Division has a Continuous Professional Development School (CPD) which provides professional development on a variety of topics and issues ranging from procedural to legislative changes and the implementation of new initiatives. The Garda College also designs and delivers a range of professional development programmes for members of An Garda Síochána including leadership, management, applied skills and crime training. In addition Garda members and staff are actively encourage to pursue third level courses through financial support and study facilities such as annual leave and research topic approval.
I have been informed by the Commissioner that as part of major reform programme underway in An Garda Síochána under its Modernisation and Renewal Programme (2016-2021) investment in learning and development in An Garda Síochána will be enhanced to support the development and skills of all members and staff who will receive the training, mentoring, leadership development that they require to continue to develop their skills, to perform more effectively in their roles and progress their careers.
202. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria under which the Garda reserves are deployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40230/17]
View answer203. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the terms of using the Garda reserves was last reviewed; when the next review is scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40231/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 203 together.
As 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 Garda Reserve was established in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to enhance the links between An Garda Síochána and local communities and consists of voluntary unpaid members, drawn from the community, to support the work of An Garda Síochána. The Reserve perform policing duties as determined by the Commissioner, while accompanied by full time Gardaí. Their role is to provide local patrols and participate in crime prevention initiatives targeted at specific local problem areas. Reserve members are also involved in policing major incidents and events, and in providing other operational support to full time Gardaí. In recent years, the Commissioner has conferred further powers on reserve members under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 and the Road Traffic Act 1961 and has also decided that they should carry out more duties including the serving of summonses, and the issuing of Fixed Charge Penalty Notices where offences are detected.
The "Programme for a Partnership Government" includes a commitment to double the Garda Reserve to act in a supportive role undertaking local patrols and crime reduction measures. In line with this the Government has in place a plan to achieve a Reserve strength of 2,000 by 2021. This year, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves and that process is well underway.
In conjunction with the major expansion of the Reserve over the next number of years we must ensure that it is used to optimum effect to support effective policing. To inform future decisions around the use of the Reserve An Garda Síochána is conducting a strategic review as a matter of priority with a view to completion before the end of this year. As a first step the Garda Executive has taken a decision to transfer the management of the Reserve from the Human Resource and People Development Directorate to the Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for Community Engagement. This is intended to ensure that its development and deployment is viewed more broadly through a community policing lens. This is a very welcome step as it is my strong view that the greatest dividend to be gained from the Reserve is in terms of a visible presence on the ground engaging with local communities.
The review will take cognisance of the changed environment in which the expanded Reserve will operate as the major reform programme that is underway is implemented. These reforms include the drive towards a medium term target of 20% civilians by 2021 to boost the management capacity of the organisation and to free up Gardaí to front-line policing duties, and also the phased implementation of the Divisional model of policing to enable resources to be deployed more efficiently to prevent and detect crime.
204. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the training capacity at Templemore Garda College; his plans to increase its capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40232/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, 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, which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As Minister, I have no direct role in relation to these matters.
The Deputy will be aware, however, that 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 1,400 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am also informed that another 200 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.
The College provides a range of training and development courses to members of An Garda Síochána and all new recruits complete their initial 32 week training programme there. The physical capacity of the College extends to some 496 bedrooms, 16 Classrooms and 4 Lecture Theatres. The Garda authorities inform me that the College has the capacity to accommodate the planned intakes of Garda trainees.
While a number of new facilities were built at the College in the early 2000s, including new administration, catering and recreation facilities, a major programme of works to improve fire safety at the accommodation blocks at the College has been undertaken by the Office of Public Works.
In the context of the longer-term planning for the College, I understand that the Garda authorities are, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, developing proposals for a new purpose-built education and training facility and additional residential accommodation for use by trainee Gardaí.
I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring that all members of An Garda Síochána are trained to the highest standard and have the opportunity to avail of ongoing professional development training so that they can continue to provide a 21st century policing service that meets the expectations of our communities.
205. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is data available on the ethnic demographics of the members of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40233/17]
View answerI have requested a report from the Garda Commissioner in relation to the information requested by the Deputy and I will write directly to the Deputy when the report is to hand.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
206. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if Stepaside Garda station will re-open before the end of 2018. [40243/17]
View answer207. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 734 of 20 June 2017, if the final report on the re-opening of six Garda stations was published at the end of June 2017; and if not, when it will be published. [40244/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 together.
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, including the opening and closing of Garda stations. As Minister, I have no role in the matter.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to 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 in this regard, which analysed population and crime trends and the availability of stations for possible reuse. The report contained a recommendation that the former Stepaside station in Co. Dublin be reopened on a pilot basis and indicated that, subject to further analysis, the Commissioner is likely to recommend in the final report the inclusion of the former stations at Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow and Donard, Co. Wicklow in the pilot scheme. If a second station is to be reopened in Dublin, the Report indicates that the Commissioner is likely, subject to further analysis, to recommend that the former station at Rush, Co. Dublin be included in the pilot scheme.
I am informed that An Garda Síochána is liaising with the Office of Public Works in relation to the proposed reopening of the former Garda station at Stepaside. I am further informed that work is ongoing in An Garda Síochána to finalise the report and I understand that it is expected to be received shortly, at which point it will be brought to Government.
