Written Answers Nos. 81-101
81. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there will be an investigation into the non-transference of documents relevant to the disclosures tribunal; his views on whether there needs to be an external investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51740/17]
View answerDiscovery orders were issued by the Tribunal to my Department in February, April and September. These orders were fully complied with and the relevant documents were forwarded to the Tribunal in February, May and September 2017.
For the benefit of the House I can say that the discovery orders concerned records of the O’Higgins Commission of Investigation, documents related to two cases which had been considered by the Independent Review Mechanism, a copy of a representation to the then Minister which referenced Sgt McCabe, a report of a GSOC investigation into a complaint that a Garda investigation of an alleged serious assault was not properly carried out and records related to the allegation of contacts between the Gardaí and TUSLA in relation to Garda Keith Harrison.
The Department has also made extensive voluntary disclosure of other matters including three protected disclosures, reports from the Garda Commissioner under section 41 of the Garda Síochána Act and, most recently, the two email threads that were uncovered following a trawl of documents in the Department. In acknowledging receipt of the emails, the Tribunal made reference to my Department's already extensive discovery which has allowed the Tribunal to place the current documents in context.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Taoiseach has announced that there will be an external examination of the way in which my Department fulfilled its obligations in relation to discovering documents to the Tribunal, to conclude before Christmas. That is a step I welcome.
I can assure the Deputy that any further Discovery Orders to be made by the Tribunal will also be complied with in full and the Tribunal has been assured of my full and ongoing support in that regard.
82. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether it is regrettable that it is a Supreme Court challenge that is granting adults in direct provision the right to work rather than his Department, which has worked with the current system for nearly two decades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51492/17]
View answerMy Department has been actively engaged in reform over the past number of years, constantly striving to improve the international protection process. The Report of the Working Group to Report to Government on Improvements to the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and supports to Asylum Seeker, also known as the Justice McMahon report, was published in June 2015. The Report contains 173 recommendations many of which have implications for a number of Government Departments and services.
The International Protection Act 2015, which was commenced on 31 December 2016, addresses one of the key issues identified in the report, that is the length of time persons remain in the protection process. The Act reformed the system for examining and determining applications for international protection in Ireland through the introduction of a single application procedure.
The single procedure replaced the previous multi-layered and sequential protection application system and will, in time, result in the determination of status for applicants at a much earlier stage than had been the case, and consequently shorter stays in the Direct Provision system. To facilitate this, additional resources have been assigned, both at first instance and appeal stage.
My Department has since published three progress reports on the implementation of the Report's 173 recommendations, the first in June 2016, the second in February of this year and a third and final report in July of this year. The final progress report shows that 133 of the recommendations have been reported as fully implemented and a further 36 are in progress or partially implemented. This represents a 98% full or partial implementation.
The Supreme Court judgment in the case of N.V.H. v. The Minister for Justice and Equality found, on 30 May last, that in an international protection system with no temporal limits as to when the application process will be concluded, an absolute prohibition on the right to work for international protection applicants is contrary to the right to seek employment under the Constitution. The Court recognised that this is a matter for the Executive and Legislature to consider and accordingly adjourned consideration of the Order the Court should make for a period of six months.
I would like to take this opportunity to clarify for the Deputy that this ruling applies to all those in the protection process whether they are relying on State accommodation and services or not.
Following the approval of Government, I established an Inter-Departmental Taskforce in July to examine the wide-ranging implications of the judgment, and to consider appropriate solutions. The Taskforce is comprised of representatives from nine Government Departments, along with the Office of the Attorney General.
On 21 November 2017, the Government approved the recommendations of the Taskforce, including the key recommendation that the State should respond to the judgment by opting-in to the EU (Recast) Reception Conditions Directive (2013/33/EU).
The EU Directive provides, inter-alia, that international protection applicants shall have access to the labour market no later than nine months from the date the application for international protection was lodged, if a first instance decision has not been taken and if the delay cannot be attributed to the applicant.
This solution was presented to the Supreme Court on 30 November. The Court has put a stay on the final order until 9 February 2018. My officials are actively engaged in ensuring compliance with the order.
My Department is in the process of arranging for the Motions to opt-in to the Directive to be brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Following the approval of both Houses, the opt-in procedure with the formal notifications to the European Council and the European Commission will commence.
The Government has established an Implementation Group to oversee the opt-in procedure and the practical arrangements for facilitating access to the labour market for eligible applicants. The Group will be drawn from the membership of the Taskforce, supplemented by the participation of relevant operational areas in my own Department and in other Departments as required.
83. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in County Kildare as of 1 November 2017; the number of community gardaí in the division; and the number of Garda Reserve and new recruits assigned to the division since recruitment resumed in 2014. [51661/17]
View answerI should say at the outset that the distribution of Garda personnel is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner.
Notwithstanding the Commissioner's responsibility for the distribution of Gardaí, I have provided for the record a breakdown, in tabular form, of the detailed information requested by the Deputy as of 31 October 2017, the latest date for which information is readily available.
The Garda strength of the Kildare Division on 31 October 2017 was 354 of whom 4 are Community Gardaí. There are also 20 Garda Reserves and 30 Garda civilian staff attached to the Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Units, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
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 achieve this the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real, tangible progress on achieving this goal.
I am informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, close to 1,400 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 72 of whom have been assigned to the Kildare Division. I look forward to attending the graduation of another 200 trainee Garda on Friday which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - a net increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
I am also pleased that Budget 2018 maintains this high level of investment in the Garda workforce and ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. A further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College. This will see Garda numbers reach the 14,000 mark by the end of 2018.
In addition, a further 500 civilians will also be recruited to fill critical skills gaps across the organisation and to facilitate the redeployment of Gardaí from administrative and technical duties to front-line operational duties. There are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training early in 2018.
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 Kildare Division, in the coming years.
STRENGTH OF THE KILDARE DIVISION 31 OCTOBER 2017
|
DISTRICT |
DISTRICT |
DISTRICT |
|
KILDARE |
ATHY |
31 |
|
|
CASTLEDERMOT |
4 |
|
|
KILDARE |
34 |
|
|
MONASTEREVIN |
5 |
|
|
NEWBRIDGE |
51 |
|
|
RATHANGAN |
3 |
|
|
TOTAL |
128 |
|
LEIXLIP |
CARBURY |
7 |
|
|
CELBRIDGE |
9 |
|
|
KILCOCK |
10 |
|
|
LEIXLIP |
59 |
|
|
MAYNOOTH |
13 |
|
|
TOTAL |
98 |
|
NAAS |
CLANE |
7 |
|
|
KILCULLEN |
1 |
|
|
NAAS |
118 |
|
|
ROBERTSTOWN |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL |
128 |
|
KILDARE TOTAL |
|
354 |
84. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for a system in which the victims of crime receive compensation from perpetrators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51703/17]
View answerI have no plans currently to introduce a system of compensation as proposed in this question. This is because section 6 of the Criminal Justice Act 1993 gives the courts a statutory power to order a person convicted of an offence to pay compensation to a person who has suffered personal injury or loss resulting from the offence. This is instead of or in addition to dealing with the offender in any other way, unless it sees reason to the contrary.
The Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill, which is currently being drafted, will replace the Probation of Offenders Act 1907 with modern provisions dealing with community sanctions and the role of the Probation Service in the criminal justice system. The Bill will amend section 6 of the Criminal Justice Act 1993 to disconnect the payment of compensation from the sentencing of the offender. The amendment will provide that a compensation order can only be made in addition to any other sanction, and not instead of a sanction.
As the Deputy may also be aware, persons injured as a result of a crime may be eligible for compensation under the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted which was established on a non-statutory basis in 1974. This cash-limited scheme provides for ex-gratia compensation in respect of vouched expenses and losses incurred as a result of personal injuries, including fatal injuries, which are directly attributable to a crime of violence. It is funded by my Department and is administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal which is independent in considering applications.
It is also possible for a victim of crime to take a civil case for compensation against an offender. It is a matter for the victim and their legal team to take any such case.
85. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there has been a recent review of direct provision as a model; his plan to review same in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51736/17]
View answerIt is a common misconception the term ‘direct provision’ relates only to the Department of Justice & Equality and to the accommodation provided to protection applicants. In 1999/2000, the Government decided that protection applicants would be provided with State services, such as health and education, directly through the existing mainstream services. This also implied that the Government would not introduce separate, parallel State services specifically for protection applicants. In general, the guiding principle is that those in the protection process are provided with whichever services they are entitled to on the same basis as the indigenous population and through the same systems.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Programme for Partnership Government states that "Long durations in direct provision are acknowledged to have a negative impact on family life. We are therefore committed to reforming the Direct Provision system, with particular focus on families and children."
The McMahon Report on Improvements to the Protection Process set out comprehensive recommendations, including in relation to direct provision. The third and final progress report showed that by June this year, 133 of its recommendations had been reported as fully implemented and a further 36 were in progress or partially implemented, representing 98% full or partial implementation. Details of the implementation can be found in this report on my Department's website, including in relation to a number of improvements in the application process and in accommodation centres. The Department is continuously implementing improvements in living conditions such as the introduction of independent living and these, along with improvements in the application process under the International Protection Act 2015, are making a real difference to the overall system of in Ireland.
86. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in County Clare as of 1 November 2017; the number of community gardaí in the division; and the number of Garda Reserve and new recruits assigned to the division since recruitment resumed in 2014. [51645/17]
View answerI should say at the outset that the distribution of Garda personnel is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner.
Notwithstanding the Commissioner's responsibility for the distribution of Gardaí, I have provided for the record a breakdown, in tabular form, of the detailed information requested by the Deputy as of 31 October 2017, the latest date for which information is readily available.
The Garda strength of the Clare Division on 31 October 2017 was 305 of whom 7 are Community Gardaí. There are also 6 Garda Reserves and 32 Garda civilian staff attached to the Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Units, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
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 achieve this the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real, tangible progress on achieving this goal.
I am informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, close to 1,400 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 20 of whom have been assigned to the Clare Division. I look forward to attending the graduation of another 200 trainee Garda on Friday which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - a net increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
I am also pleased to say that Budget 2018 maintains this high level of investment in the Garda workforce and ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. A further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College. This will see Garda numbers reach the 14,000 mark by the end of 2018.
In addition a further 500 civilians will also be recruited to fill critical skills gaps across the organisation and to facilitate the redeployment of Gardaí from administrative and technical duties to front-line operational duties. There are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training early in 2018.
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 Clare Division, in the coming years.
STRENGTH OF THE CLARE DIVISION 31 OCTOBER 2017
|
DISTRICT |
DISTRICT |
DISTRICT |
|
ENNIS |
CRUSHEEN |
1 |
|
|
ENNIS |
124 |
|
|
IMMIGRATION OFFICE |
12 |
|
|
KILLALOE |
27 |
|
|
NEWMARKET ON FERGUS |
2 |
|
|
SCARIFF |
6 |
|
|
SHANNON |
52 |
|
|
SIXMILEBRIDGE |
4 |
|
|
TULLA |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL |
230 |
|
KILRUSH |
BALLYVAUGHAN |
1 |
|
|
COROFIN |
2 |
|
|
ENNISTYMON |
27 |
|
|
KILDYSART |
1 |
|
|
KILKEE |
2 |
|
|
KILMIHIL |
1 |
|
|
KILRUSH |
40 |
|
|
LISDOONVARNA |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
75 |
|
CLARE TOTAL |
|
305 |
87. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of dedicated community gardaí in the service of An Garda Síochána, in each of the past seven years; the number of dedicated community gardaí in the Cork city Garda district in each of the past seven years; if he will report on the commitment of his Department to the national model of community policing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51732/17]
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.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána. It provides a means of recognising that every community – both urban and rural – has its own concerns and expectations.
I am informed by the Commissioner that the Garda National Model of Community Policing plays a key part in responding to crime by taking into account and responding to local conditions and needs. Clear objectives are set, such as high visibility in the community, ease of contact by members of the public, and enhanced support for crime prevention strategies. All Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. In addition, the National Community Policing Office, attached to the Garda Community Relations Bureau, captures best practice in community policing initiatives and disseminates these practices through its communication network.
An Garda Síochána's Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021, published in June 2016, places a strong emphasis on developing and supporting the community policing ethos of the organisation and enhancing the current delivery model so that Gardaí spend more time in the community, gaining public confidence and trust and providing a greater sense of security. It will result in the introduction of multi-skilled Community Policing Teams in every District.
These Community Policing Teams will be made-up of Gardaí from a number of different units who will work with the local community to prevent and detect crime. In addition, each Community Policing Team will be supported by a Community Safety Forum. The Forum which will comprise local Gardaí, members of the public and community groups will promote crime prevention strategies. This clear and consistent approach to community policing will ensure a better service and enhanced Community safety.
In terms of progress on this important initiative, I am informed by the Commissioner that a draft Community Policing Framework which outlines the manner in which Community Policing Teams and Community Safety Fora will be established has been completed and is subject to internal review before being approved by the Executive for implementation. The Commissioner anticipates that a number of Community Policing Teams will be established on a pilot basis early next year.
I am informed by the Commissioner that on the 31 October 2017 the latest date for which figures are readily available the strength of the Cork City Division was 662, 27 of whom were Community Gardaí. There are also 44 Garda Reserves and 67 civilians attached to the Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Units, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
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 achieve this the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real, tangible progress on achieving this goal.
I am informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, close to 1,400 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 32 of whom have been assigned to the Cork City Division. I look forward to attending the graduation of another 200 trainee Garda on Friday which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - a net increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
I am also pleased that Budget 2018 maintains this high level of investment in the Garda workforce and ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. A further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College. This will see Garda numbers reach the 14,000 mark by the end of 2018.
In addition, a further 500 civilians will also be recruited to fill critical skills gaps across the organisation and to facilitate the redeployment of Gardaí from administrative and technical duties to front-line operational duties. There are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training early in 2018.
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 Cork City Division, in the coming years.
I am informed by the Commissioner that the number of dedicated Community Gardaí in the service of An Garda Síochána and the Community Garda Strength of the Cork City Division, in each of the years 2009 to 31 October 2017, the latest date for which figures are currently available, is as set out in the following table.
Strength of Community Gardaí
|
Year |
Total Strength |
Cork City Division |
|
2009 |
1058 |
31 |
|
2010 |
1182 |
32 |
|
2011 |
1112 |
31 |
|
2012 |
1034 |
31 |
|
2013 |
939 |
32 |
|
2014 |
852 |
28 |
|
2015 |
807 |
24 |
|
2016 |
718 |
26 |
|
2017* |
662 |
27 |
*Up to 31 October 2017
88. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce legislation to allow groups of persons who have been wronged to take collective action cases in the courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51733/17]
View answerIn replying to this Question from Deputy Ó Laoghaire, account must be taken of the fact that he has, in his capacity as a Member, introduced a Private Member's Bill in support of the introduction of group or class actions before the courts, in this House on 9 November 2017. The Bill, entitled the Multi-Party Actions Bill 2017, was taken for Second Stage in the Dáil on Tuesday 14 November 2017. On that occasion the Deputy and other Members of the House had an opportunity to have a very useful and informative exchange of views on the various issues that can arise in relation to the introduction of the option of group litigation. Ministers of State Catherine Byrne and David Stanton also participated in that debate on my behalf and laid out the Government's initial views and concerns in relation to changing the law in this complex area. As the Deputy will be aware, on 16 November 2017, the Dáil agreed that his proposed Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice and Equality pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3) and 141. I also understand that, subject of course to the consideration of the Select Committee, it is envisaged that the proposed Bill will be given the benefit of pre-legislative scrutiny as part of that process.
The consideration of this Bill, as in its introduction by Deputy Ó Laoghaire and in its referral by the Dáil to the Select Committee will, of course, continue to be informed by the Report on Multi-Party Litigation that was published by the Law Reform Commission, on foot of an earlier Consultation Paper, in September 2005 [LRC 76-2005]. The more up to date consideration of this Bill before the Select Committee offers an opportunity to take into account any developments and issues that have come to light in the twelve years since publication of the Law Reform Commission's Report. This includes as they may relate to the various areas of law and policy involved which span consumer protection, competition, the environment and the provision of financial and other services. Account can also be taken of any issues arising from the fact that the draft rules of court for group litigation recommended by the Law Reform Commission in its 2005 Report are now being put forward in the form of primary legislation.
As the Deputy will also be aware from the debate at Second Stage, I am also requesting that the question of the introduction of a Multi-Party Action procedure be considered in the context of the Review of Civil Justice Administration recently commenced by the President of the High Court, Mr. Justice Peter Kelly. These developments will, therefore, be among those matters that will continue to be taken into account by the Government in its consideration of the Multi-Party Action Bill 2017 as now for consideration before the Select Committee.
89. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which adequate resources remain available to ensure education and rehabilitative training in respect of all prisoners; if adequate prison space is available to facilitate this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51738/17]
View answer268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners availing of rehabilitative training and education while in prison; the extent to which this number has fluctuated in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52033/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 268 together.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that it provides a wide range of rehabilitative programmes to those in custody that include education, vocational training, healthcare, psychiatric, psychological, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. These programmes can offer purposeful activity to those in custody while serving their sentences and encouraging them to lead law abiding lives on release. These programmes are available in all prisons and all prisoners are eligible to use the services.
The Department of Education and Skills provides an allocation of 220 whole time teacher equivalents to the Prison Service through the Education and Training Boards. Education in prisons is delivered in partnership between the Education and Training Boards and the Irish Prison Service with a focus on providing education which is quality assured, student centred and which facilitates lifelong learning. The partnership endeavours to meet the needs of students through helping them cope with their sentence, achieve personal development and prepare for life after release. A broad and flexible curriculum is provided which ranges from basic literacy classes and peer led tutoring to Open University. There is an increasing focus on Quality and Qualification Ireland "QQI" accreditation as the modular structure best meets the needs of students in prison. On some occasions, prisoners may have to wait for a place to become available on an educational programme.
In October this year an average of 45.8% of the prison population participated in educational classes compared with 43.7% in the same month in 2012.
The guiding principles which underpin the prisons' work and training service are to make available, work, work-training and other purposeful activities to all those in custody. Training activities are chosen to give as much variety as possible and also to give opportunities for those in prison to acquire practical skills which will help them secure employment on release.
In October this year an average of 25% of the prison population participated in work training activities compared with 24% in the same month in 2012.
Other areas where there has been significant progress in prison education are in physical education, in the provision for higher education, in the arts and in preparing prisoners for release and supporting their transition to life, and often to education, on the outside. A top priority for the Irish Prison Service is ensuring help for those with reading and writing problems and peer mentoring programmes are currently active in all of our prisons.
Prison Management are keen to ensure that all prisoners have access to education and training, including those who are segregated. Education classes are provided to those who are segregated, as appropriate, and they are provided with reading materials, education and art resources.
The guiding principles which underpin the prisons' work and training service are to make available, work, work-training and other purposeful activities to all those in custody. Training activities are chosen to give as much variety as possible and also to give opportunities for those in prison to acquire practical skills which will help them secure employment on release.
The Irish Prison Service has also been expanding the number of accredited courses and opportunities available to prisoners in Work Training in recent years. Enhanced partnership arrangements with accrediting bodies such as City and Guilds and the Guild of Cleaners and Launderers and the centralising of coordination and quality assurance arrangements have enabled us to extend the number of available courses and activities with certification
Over the prison estate, Work Training has over 120 workshops with a capacity for 1200 prisoners.
Over the prison estate, Education has over 200 classrooms with a capacity for 1664 prisoners.
90. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the fact that transcripts delivered to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission or GSOC on its investigation into certain matters arising from the O'Higgins commission were incomplete; if he has sought an update from GSOC regarding this investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51748/17]
View answerI want to make clear at the outset that my Department provided to GSOC all the records within its power or procurement related to the O'Higgins Commission of Investigation.
On 11 January 2017, GSOC was granted a Court Order for access to certain records of the O’Higgins Commission of Investigation, including relevant transcripts of Commission hearings relating to allegations which arose following the publication of the Report of the O’Higgins Commission of Investigation. This order was perfected on 19 January 2017.
In view of the necessity to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the Commission’s records, the Department had engaged the services of a barrister to examine the records and identify and schedule those covered by the court order. He did so and identified and scheduled for disclosure all the records which were in the Department’s possession from the Commission of Investigation.
The Department wrote to GSOC on 20 February enclosing copies of the documents from the Commission’s records deposited with the Minister which came within the terms of the order for disclosure. An examination of the Commission’s email correspondence did not disclose anything coming within the terms of the order and GSOC were so informed on 23 February.
On 23 February GSOC wrote to the CSSO saying that there were certain pages missing from the transcript for 24 June 2015 and advised that the missing pages were available from the stenographer. The Department received the missing pages on 28 February 2017 from the stenographer. On 1 March they were provided to GSOC following confirmation by the Department’s barrister that they came within the scope of the High Court Order. Separately, the barrister confirmed that the pages concerned were not among the records of the O’Higgins Commission of Investigation which were deposited with the Minister.
I want to assure the Deputy that there was no question of transcripts being withheld from GSOC by the Department. As soon as the Department was alerted to the fact that there were missing transcripts, it took appropriate action to ensure that they were procured and provided to GSOC.
GSOC issued a statement on 22 November in which it said that the investigation is ongoing.
91. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to address the difficulties which have arisen in Dublin due to the overtime budget of the gardaí having been already spent and the anxiety this is causing in the communities. [51730/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the allocation and management of the overtime budget is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner having due regard to the available resources and his operational needs.
In this context, I would inform the House that I presented a supplementary estimate to the Select Committee last Thursday which provides for additional expenditure of some €58.1 million in gross terms for the Garda Vote, including an additional €50.489 million for the pay subhead of which over €42 million was for overtime.
This will bring the overtime budget for 2017 to over €130 million. By any standards, this is a significant sum, particularly when compared to the spend in previous years - €91 million in 2016, €56 million in 2015 and some €37.7 million in 2014.
Further, Budget 2018 provides for just under €100 million in overtime next year.
Indeed, some €1.65 billion has been allocated to the Garda Vote for 2018. This is an increase of approximately 2% over the allocation for 2017 and includes, as I have stated, almost €100 million for Garda overtime. Some €1.61 billion was allocated to the Garda Vote for 2017 and €1.55 billion in 2016.
I am sure that the Deputy will agree that it is incumbent on Garda management to manage these substantial sums effectively for each financial year and I am satisfied that Garda management is acutely aware of the need to utilise the resources being made available to them in the most efficient and effective manner to ensure high visibility policing in our communities. This entails proper budgetary planning to ensure that the overtime requirements for any given year can be met in a managed and coherent way from the available resources.
I am informed by the Commissioner that all Assistant Commissioners and Executive Directors were requested to ensure that the usage of overtime for the roster ending on 3 December did not exceed the annual budget of €131 million which includes a Supplementary Estimate of €42.5 million.
I am further informed that there was no question of all overtime in the Dublin Metropolitan Region being cancelled for the remainder of 2017.
It is important to note that overtime worked in December actually falls due to be paid from the 2018 budget and, as I have indicated, just under €100 million has been made available for overtime in 2018.
I have also been assured by the Commissioner that any misunderstanding that arose internally in relation to the availability of necessary overtime in the period leading up to Christmas has been clarified by the relevant Assistant Commissioner.
It is also important to note that overtime cannot be taken in isolation to the other resources available to An Garda Síochána.
For example, a further 800 Gardai will have been recruited by the end of this year and Budget 2018 also provides for this level of continuing recruitment. Provision has also been made for significant civilian recruitment which will allow for the redeployment of Gardaí from behind desks to the front-line to do what they have been trained and are being paid to do.
92. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there has been a recent review of the Garda youth diversion project as a model; if not, if he will examine same; if there is potential to extend it to petty offenders over 18 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51735/17]
View answerI take it that the Deputy is referring to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, the operation of which is supported by the nationwide network of Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs).
As the Deputy will be aware, the statutory framework relating to young offenders and the Garda Diversion Programme is set out in the Children Act 2001. The Act essentially provides that any young person who is responsible for committing a crime must be considered for admission to the Diversion Programme. The Diversion Programme has been very successful in its primary purpose of diverting young offenders away from the criminal justice system.
With regard to mechanisms for review, a Committee to review the effectiveness of the Diversion Programme reports annually, as is provided for in section 44(6) of the Children Act. More broadly, a Group was established by the former Garda Commissioner to undertake a comprehensive review of the existing Diversion Programme, and its report is awaited. In addition, I am advised that following on from work by the Garda Professional Standards Unit (GPSU), a comprehensive review is being undertaken of all youth referrals under the Diversion Programme between 2010 and 2017. I understand that a full report on the matter will be prepared for the information of the Acting Commissioner.
As the Deputy may also be aware, the Programme for Government supports the expansion of Garda Youth Diversion Programmes for young people. This follows on from a recommendation of the Penal Policy Review Group that a programme similar to the existing Youth Diversion Programme be introduced for young people above the age of eighteen years, with an initial focus on eighteen to twenty-one year olds.
I am advised that there is ongoing engagement between the Irish Youth Justice Service and An Garda Síochána, with a view to scoping out the implications of introducing an extended Diversion Programme. Part of this work involves an analysis of the nature and scale of offending by persons in that age cohort. The outcome of the reviews of the existing programme, to which I have referred, will also be considered in this regard.
93. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if some of the 500 civilian staff who will support the redeployment of gardaí to front-line policing in 2018 will be prioritised for rural areas in which Garda stations have been closed in view of the commitment to same in the expenditure report 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51709/17]
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.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, at the request of the Policing Authority, is carrying out a review of the dispersal and use of resources available to An Garda Síochána in the delivery of policing services to local communities. The Authority has informed the Inspectorate that the review should take account of:
- the changing environments in rural, developing urban and suburban areas;
- the views of local communities;
- the allocation to and deployment of Garda resources at the local policing level, including the use of the Garda Reserve, Garda facilities and Garda equipment; and
- relevant recommendations made in previous Inspectorate reports.
The review will be comprehensive including a consultative process with local communities. It is the view of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate that the review should be completed within the first half of 2018.
There is also currently an extensive programme of reform underway affecting all aspects of the administration and operation of An Garda Síochána. As part of its Five Year Reform and High-level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána, the Government has agreed an overall vision for a Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 to include 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Garda Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. This very substantial investment in personnel is driven by our commitment to ensure all citizens have the reassurance of a visible, responsive and effective policing service.
The projected number of 4,000 civilians will effectively double the current figure and represents a medium-term target of a Garda organisation 20% comprised of 20% civilians. That will bring An Garda Síochána, currently 14% comprising civilians, more in line with international norms and ensure that trained Gardaí are not engaging in administrative and technical duties which could be done by suitably qualified civilian staff.
The 20% target will be achieved through a twin-track approach of, firstly, a “civilian by default” policy to be adopted in relation to the filling of all new posts other than operational policing posts and for non-operational policing posts that become vacant and, secondly, the redeployment of Gardaí and backfilling by suitably qualified civilians where necessary. The Garda Inspectorate has estimated that approximately 1,500 Gardaí may be suitable for re-deployment and the Government’s plan aims to return as many of these Gardaí as possible to front-line duties over the next five years. Work is in train on the development of a redeployment plan with the first batch of 43 Gardaí to be redeployed already identified with a further 120 in the process of being identified.
Funding for the recruitment of up to 500 civilians was provided in Budget 2017 to facilitate the Commissioner in addressing capacity and critical skills gaps across the organisation including in corporate supports, change management, human resources and financial management at the national, regional and Divisional level. These appointments are intended to facilitate deeper civilianisation in the coming years. In addition, Budget 2018 will facilitate the recruitment of an additional 500 civilians next year to continue to support the civilianisation agenda.
I am confident that the reform plan, including greater civilianisation that is being pursued by An Garda Síochána, supported by the Government and overseen by the Policing Authority, has the capacity to deliver a first class, modern policing service for the 21st Century. It will not be done overnight but as I have made clear, the implementation of the ambitious reform programme, including civilianisation, must continue and, indeed, must move at a greater pace, to ensure the best possible policing services to the people of Ireland.
94. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which the right to work will be restricted for refugees in the category of work and-or timeframes; and the date on which the new provisions will apply to allow refugees to begin to work. [51751/17]
View answerAll persons granted refugee status in Ireland have the right to work on the same basis as Irish nationals. Under Section 16(3)(b) of the International Protection Act, 2015, an applicant for international protection (asylum seeker/applicant for subsidiary protection) is prohibited from accessing or seeking to access the labour market while their application is being determined.
On 30 May last, the Supreme Court judgment in the case of N.V.H. v. The Minister for Justice and Equality found that in an international protection system with no temporal limits as to when the application process will be concluded, an absolute prohibition on the right to work for international protection applicants is contrary to the right to seek employment under the Constitution. The Court recognised that this is a matter for the Executive and Legislature to consider and accordingly adjourned consideration of the Order the Court should make for a period of six months.
Following the approval of Government, I established an Inter-Departmental Taskforce in July to examine the wide-ranging implications of the judgment, and to consider appropriate solutions. The Taskforce was comprised of representatives from nine Government Department, along with the Office of the Attorney General.
On 21 November 2017, the Government approved the recommendations of the Taskforce, including the key recommendation that the State should respond to the judgment by opting-in to the EU (Recast) Reception Conditions Directive (2013/33/EU).
This solution was presented to the Supreme Court on 30 November 2017. The Court in making its Final Orders agreed to a stay on the execution of the Order until 9 February 2018. My officials are actively engaged in ensuring compliance with the Order.
My Department is also in the process of arranging for the Motions to be brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Following the approval of both Houses, the opt-in procedure with the formal notifications to the European Council and the European Commission will commence. The European Commission then has four months from receipt of this letter to confirm our participation. During these four months, the State will be required to demonstrate to the Commission how it is compliant with each Article in the Directive.
The EU Directive provides, inter-alia, that international protection applicants shall have access to the labour market no later than nine months from the date the application for international protection was lodged, if a first instance decision has not been taken and if the delay cannot be attributed to the applicant.
The Government has established an Implementation Group to oversee the opt-in procedure and the practical arrangements for facilitating access to the labour market for eligible applicants. The Group will be drawn from the membership of the Taskforce, supplemented by the participation of relevant operational areas in my own Department and in other Departments as required.
95. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has given consideration to the best form of study to establish the true level of sexual violence in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51697/17]
View answerThe terms of reference and membership of a scoping group to consider the availability of data and make recommendations on a study to identify the prevalence of sexual abuse and violence in Ireland today and emerging trends was considered by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy at a meeting on 16 November. Ms Dorothy Watson, Associate Research Professor, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and adjunct Professor of Sociology at Trinity College Dublin has accepted an invitation to Chair the Group. Professor Brendan Whelan, expert in survey methods and ex-Director of the ESRI has also accepted an invitation to join the group. The following organisations have nominated a senior official to the group:
- Department of Health;
- Department of Children and Youth Affairs;
- Tusla; and the
- Central Statistics Office.
My Department will also be represented on the group.
A tender process is in train to secure the membership of two academics with appropriate expertise in qualitative and quantitative data gathering in respect of sexual abuse and violence.
The group will consult with key external groups and organisations as appropriate.
Once the final membership of the group is available its membership and terms of reference will be published.
96. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in west Cork as of 1 November 2017; the number of community gardaí in the division; and the number of Garda Reserve and new recruits assigned to the division since recruitment resumed in 2014. [51638/17]
View answerI should say at the outset that the distribution of Garda personnel is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner.
Notwithstanding the Commissioner's responsibility for the distribution of Gardaí, I have provided for the record a breakdown, in tabular form, of the detailed information requested by the Deputy as of 31 October 2017, the latest date for which information is readily available.
The Garda strength of the Cork West Division on 31 October 2017 was 291 of whom 4 are Community Gardaí. There are also 10 Garda Reserves and 24 Garda civilian staff attached to the Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Units, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
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 achieve this the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real, tangible progress on achieving this goal.
I am informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, close to 1,400 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 15 of whom have been assigned to the Cork West Division. I look forward to attending the graduation of another 200 trainee Garda on Friday which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - a net increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
I am also pleased to say that Budget 2018 maintains this high level of investment in the Garda workforce and ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. A further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College. This will see Garda numbers reach the 14,000 mark by the end of 2018.
In addition a further 500 civilians will also be recruited to fill critical skills gaps across the organisation and to facilitate the redeployment of Gardaí from administrative and technical duties to front-line operational duties. There are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training early in 2018.
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 Cork West Division, in the coming years.
STRENGTH OF THE CORK WEST DIVISION 31 OCTOBER 2017
|
DISTRICT |
DISTRICT |
DISTRICT |
|
BANDON |
BALLINEEN |
2 |
|
|
BALLINHASSIG |
2 |
|
|
BANDON |
82 |
|
|
INNISHANNON |
1 |
|
|
KILBRITTAIN |
1 |
|
|
KINSALE |
16 |
|
|
TIMOLEAGUE |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
105 |
|
BANTRY |
BANTRY |
37 |
|
|
CASTLETOWNBERE |
5 |
|
|
DRIMOLEAGUE |
1 |
|
|
DURRUS |
1 |
|
|
GLENGARRIFF |
1 |
|
|
KEALKIL |
1 |
|
|
SCHULL |
4 |
|
|
TOTAL |
50 |
|
CLONAKILTY |
BALTIMORE |
1 |
|
|
CLONAKILTY |
39 |
|
|
DRINAGH |
1 |
|
|
DUNMANWAY |
10 |
|
|
SKIBBEREEN |
12 |
|
|
TOTAL |
63 |
|
MACROOM |
BAILE BHUIRNE |
2 |
|
|
BÉAL ÁTHA AN GHAORTHA |
2 |
|
|
BOHERBUE |
1 |
|
|
COACHFORD |
1 |
|
|
CROOKSTOWN |
11 |
|
|
MACROOM |
40 |
|
|
MILLSTREET |
13 |
|
|
RATHMORE |
1 |
|
|
STUAKE |
1 |
|
|
TARELTON |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
73 |
|
CORK WEST TOTAL |
|
291 |
97. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in County Donegal as of 1 November 2017; the number of community gardaí in the division; the number of Garda Reserve and the gardaí in the division as a whole; and the number of Garda Reserve and the number of new recruits assigned to the division since recruitment resumed in 2014. [51653/17]
View answerI should say at the outset that the distribution of Garda personnel is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner.
Notwithstanding the Commissioner's responsibility for the distribution of Gardaí, I have provided for the record a breakdown, in tabular form, of the detailed information requested by the Deputy as of 31 October 2017, the latest date for which information is readily available.
The Garda strength of the Donegal Division on 31 October 2017 was 384 of whom 2 are Community Gardaí. There are also 18 Garda Reserves and 33 Garda civilian staff attached to the Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Units, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
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 achieve this the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real, tangible progress on achieving this goal.
I am informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, close to 1,400 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 24 of whom have been assigned to the Donegal Division. I look forward to attending the graduation of another 200 trainee Garda on Friday which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - a net increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
I am also pleased that Budget 2018 will maintain this high level of investment in the Garda workforce and ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. A further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College. This will see Garda numbers reach the 14,000 mark by the end of 2018 .
In addition, a further 500 civilians will also be recruited to fill critical skills gaps across the organisation and to facilitate the redeployment of Gardaí from administrative and technical duties to front-line operational duties. There are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training early in 2018.
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 Donegal Division, in the coming years.
STRENGTH OF THE DONEGAL DIVISION 31 OCTOBER 2017
|
DISTRICT |
DISTRICT |
DISTRICT |
|
BALLYSHANNON |
AN CHARRAIG |
1 |
|
ARD AN RÁTHA |
2 |
|
|
BALLYSHANNON |
39 |
|
|
BUNDORAN |
6 |
|
|
DONEGAL TOWN |
22 |
|
|
MOUNTCHARLES |
1 |
|
|
NA CEALLA BEAGA |
5 |
|
|
NA GLEANNTA |
11 |
|
|
PETTIGO |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
88 |
|
|
BUNCRANA |
BUNCRANA |
45 |
|
BURNFOOT |
3 |
|
|
CARNDONAGH |
9 |
|
|
CLONMANY |
1 |
|
|
MOVILLE |
5 |
|
|
MUFF |
3 |
|
|
TOTAL |
66 |
|
|
LETTERKENNY |
BALLYBOFEY |
24 |
|
CARRIGANS |
3 |
|
|
CASTLEFIN |
4 |
|
|
CONVOY |
1 |
|
|
LETTERKENNY |
112 |
|
|
LIFFORD |
13 |
|
|
NEWTOWNCUNNINGHAM |
2 |
|
|
RAPHOE |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL |
161 |
|
|
MILFORD |
AN BUN BEAG |
15 |
|
AN CLOCHÁN LIATH |
7 |
|
|
AN CRAOSLACH |
1 |
|
|
AN FÁL CARRACH |
9 |
|
|
CARRAIG AIRT |
2 |
|
|
DÚN FIONNACHAID |
2 |
|
|
KERRYKEEL |
2 |
|
|
KILMACRENNAN |
1 |
|
|
MILFORD |
29 |
|
|
RATHMULLEN |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
69 |
|
|
DONEGAL TOTAL |
384 |
98. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when county registrars will be appointed in counties Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon in view of the fact that the positions have been vacant for some time and that the Donegal county registrar must travel to carry out the functions of the office in these counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51578/17]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to be aware that, in recent years, the number of serving County Registrars has been reduced as a result of re-organisation and the introduction of efficiency measures by the Courts Service. Specifically, the reduction has been made possible by reorganising the work of the courts including the establishment of multi-jurisdictional combined court offices which encompassed the transfer of management functions previously exercised by County Registrars to Courts Service management personnel.
The Courts Service has informed me that since December 2009, August 2014 and July 2013 respectively the functions of County Registrar in the counties referenced are being fulfilled as follows:
County Sligo is covered by the County Registrar for Donegal;
County Roscommon is covered by the County Registrar for Mayo; and
County Leitrim is covered by the County Registrar for Cavan.
The Courts Service has confirmed that the County Registrar for Donegal is not assigned to provide County Registrar functions in counties Roscommon and Leitrim and that there are no plans to do so. Additional assistance is provided for the discharge of County Registrar duties in Sligo by the assignment of other County Registrars (other than Donegal) to the county as and when required.
The Courts Service is satisfied that these arrangements are operating satisfactorily and currently there is no requirement and no proposal to recommend the appointment of a full-time County Registrar to the counties of Sligo, Roscommon or Leitrim or any combination thereof.
99. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in counties Sligo and Leitrim as of 1 November 2017; the number of community gardaí in the division; and the number of Garda Reserve and new recruits assigned to the division since recruitment resumed in 2014. [51651/17]
View answerI should say at the outset that the distribution of Garda personnel is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner.
Notwithstanding the Commissioner's responsibility for the distribution of Gardaí, I have provided for the record a breakdown, in tabular form, of the detailed information requested by the Deputy as of 31 October 2017, the latest date for which information is readily available.
The Garda strength of the Sligo/Leitrim Division on 31 October 2017 was 299 of whom 7 are Community Gardaí. There are also 18 Garda Reserves and 29 Garda civilian staff attached to the Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Units, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
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 achieve this the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real, tangible progress on achieving this goal.
I am informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, close to 1,400 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 13 of whom have been assigned to the Sligo/Leitrim Division. I look forward to attending the graduation of another 200 trainee Garda on Friday which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - a net increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
I am also pleased that Budget 2018 maintains this high level of investment in the Garda workforce and ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. A further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College. This will see Garda numbers reach the 14,000 mark by the end of 2018.
In addition, a further 500 civilians will also be recruited to fill critical skills gaps across the organisation and to facilitate the redeployment of Gardaí from administrative and technical duties to front-line operational duties. There are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training early in 2018.
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 Sligo/Leitrim Division, in the coming years.
STRENGTH OF THE SLIGO/LEITRIM DIVISION 31 OCTOBER 2017
|
DISTRICT |
DISTRICT |
DISTRICT |
|
BALLYMOTE |
BALLYMOTE |
30 |
|
|
ENNISCRONE |
7 |
|
|
GURTEEN |
2 |
|
|
RIVERSTOWN |
3 |
|
|
TUBBERCURRY |
10 |
|
|
TOTAL |
52 |
|
LEITRIM |
BALLINAMORE |
7 |
|
|
CARRICK-ON-SHANNON |
55 |
|
|
CARRIGALLEN |
2 |
|
|
DRUMSHAMBO |
5 |
|
|
KINLOUGH |
4 |
|
|
MANORHAMILTON |
23 |
|
|
MOHILL |
6 |
|
LEITRIM Total |
TOTAL |
102 |
|
SLIGO |
COLLOONEY |
5 |
|
|
GRANGE |
6 |
|
|
ROSSES POINT |
1 |
|
|
SKREEN |
1 |
|
|
SLIGO |
132 |
|
|
TOTAL |
145 |
|
SLIGO/LEITRIM TOTAL |
|
299 |
100. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in County Westmeath as of 1 November 2017; the number of community gardaí in the division; and the number of Garda Reserve and new recruits assigned to the division since recruitment resumed in 2014. [51665/17]
View answerI should say at the outset that the distribution of Garda personnel is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commission.
Notwithstanding the Commissioner's responsibility for the distribution of Gardaí, I have provided for the record a breakdown, in tabular form, of the detailed information requested by the Deputy as of 31 October 2017, the latest date for which information is readily available.
The Garda strength of the Westmeath Division on 31 October 2017 was 266 of whom 10 are Community Gardaí. There are also 13 Garda Reserves and 24 Garda civilian staff attached to the Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Units, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
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 achieve this the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real, tangible progress on achieving this goal.
I am informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, close to 1,400 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 27 of whom have been assigned to the Westmeath Division. I look forward to attending the graduation of another 200 trainee Garda on Friday which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - an net increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
I am also pleased that Budget 2018 maintains this high level of investment in the Garda workforce and ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. A further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College. This will see Garda numbers reach 14,000 by the end of 2018.
In addition, a further 500 civilians will also be recruited to fill critical skills gaps across the organisation and to facilitate the redeployment of Gardaí from administrative and technical duties to front-line operational duties. There are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training early in 2018.
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 Westmeath Division, in the coming years.
STRENGTH OF THE WESTMEATH DIVISION 31 OCTOBER 2017
|
DISTRICT |
DISTRICT |
DISTRICT |
|
ATHLONE |
ATHLONE |
75 |
|
|
BALLYMORE |
1 |
|
|
GLASSON |
2 |
|
|
KILBEGGAN |
2 |
|
|
MOATE |
13 |
|
|
TOTAL |
93 |
|
MULLINGAR |
BALLYNACARGY |
2 |
|
|
CASTLEPOLLARD |
3 |
|
|
DELVIN |
8 |
|
|
KILLUCAN |
4 |
|
|
KINNEGAD |
5 |
|
|
MULLINGAR |
145 |
|
|
MULTYFARNHAM |
1 |
|
|
ROCHFORTBRIDGE |
5 |
|
|
TOTAL |
173 |
|
WESTMEATH TOTAL |
|
266 |
