Written Answers Nos. 102-117
102. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he, former Ministers in his Department or senior Department staff had contact with the Director of Public Prosecutions or An Garda Síochána regarding the Jobstown protest trials and investigations; the nature and content of these contacts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51741/17]
View answerI have not contacted the DPP or An Garda Síochána in relation to this matter, and I am not aware of my predecessors having done so.
I am informed that on 12 February 2015 officials of my Department requested a report on the Jobstown protest on foot of a parliamentary question submitted by Deputy Ruth Coppinger. On 19 February 2015 a response was returned by An Garda Síochána via email and it contained factual information as to the event, the numbers of persons arrested and the offences for which arrests were made. The report informed the reply to Deputy Coppinger's Question No. 21 of that same date which made clear that the investigation of the offences was a matter for the Garda authorities and that any charges would be a matter for the DPP, who acts independently in accordance with law.
Following the completion of the proceedings and media report that An Garda Síochána were reviewing the matter, on 7 July 2017 officials of my Department emailed An Garda Síochána requesting a report for the Minister in relation to the Jobstown investigation and trial.
On 26 July 2017 An Garda Síochána submitted the report via email to the then Secretary General of my Department. The Report included an account of what happened on the day of the protest, a summary of the subsequent investigation and court proceedings and an outline of plans to review the policing of the protest.
There were also communications between my Department and the DPP in respect of technical legal aid payment matters that would arise in any such case, but this was not at a senior official level.
103. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in County Louth 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. [51657/17]
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 Louth Division on 31 October 2017 was 312 of whom 12 are Community Gardaí. There are also 26 Garda Reserves and 26 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, 53 of whom have been assigned to the Louth 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 Louth Division, in the coming years.
STRENGTH OF THE LOUTH DIVISION 31 OCTOBER 2017
|
DISTRICT |
DISTRICT |
DISTRICT |
|
ARDEE |
ARDEE |
25 |
|
|
CASTLEBELLINGHAM |
2 |
|
|
COLLON |
5 |
|
|
LOUTH |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
33 |
|
DROGHEDA |
CLOUGHERHEAD |
2 |
|
|
DROGHEDA |
104 |
|
|
DUNLEER |
6 |
|
|
TOTAL |
112 |
|
DUNDALK |
BLACKROCK |
3 |
|
|
CARLINGFORD |
4 |
|
|
DRUMAD |
7 |
|
|
DUNDALK |
146 |
|
|
HACKBALLSCROSS |
4 |
|
|
OMEATH |
3 |
|
|
TOTAL |
167 |
|
LOUTH TOTAL |
|
312 |
104. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for constitutional referenda in 2018. [47720/17]
View answer116. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans in respect of constitutional referenda in 2018. [51729/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 116 together.
On 26 September 2017, the Government decided on an indicative timetable for a number of referendums to be held in 2018 and 2019. Under this timetable, and subject to passage of the necessary Bills by the Houses of the Oireachtas and formal confirmation of the polling date, it is proposed to hold referendums in October 2018 on the offence of blasphemy (Article 40.6.1) and on a woman's life within the home (Article 41.2). These referendums were the subject of recommendations made by the Convention on the Constitution and are included in the Programme for a Partnership Government.
105. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on when he and the Taoiseach will meet representatives from an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51498/17]
View answerI received a request from the Committee in question for a meeting on 11 October 2017. As the independent assessment process was ongoing at that time, it was not appropriate for me to meet the Committee at that stage.
The Judge’s assessment report was formally submitted to my Department on 17 October 2017. The report was considered by my Department and was sent to the Office of the Attorney General for advices. I brought the report to the Cabinet meeting on 7 November 2017, following receipt of those advices. The report was accepted by the Government and furnished to the Committee immediately afterwards. I published the report later on 7 November and also laid the report before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the same date, given that the assessment process was initiated on foot of a Dáil Motion in January.
Having carefully considered the two previous independent reports on the tragedy and considered all material made available to him, the Judge concluded that no further new enquiry is warranted.
The incident in question was undoubtedly one of the greatest tragedies in the history of this country and the Government established this independent assessment process to ensure that all available relevant evidence, including any new material that may have come to light, could be assessed as a matter of urgency. I acknowledge the terrible pain and loss of the relatives of the victims and the fact that the report does not come to the conclusion that they would have wished for.
As the independent assessment process is now complete, I am now in a position to meet the Committee and my Department has proposed a meeting with them later this month. It is not envisaged that the Taoiseach will be in attendance.
106. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who have gained employment as a result of the comprehensive employment strategy for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46701/17]
View answerThe Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities was launched in October 2015. The Strategy sets out a ten-year approach to ensuring that people with disabilities who are able to, and want to, work are supported and enabled to do so. It is a cross-government approach that brings together actions by different Departments and state agencies in a concerted effort to address the barriers and challenges that impact on employment of people with disabilities. In tandem with that, it seeks to ensure there will be joined-up services and supports at local level to support individuals on their journey into and in employment.
The Strategy's six strategic priorities are:
- Build skills, capacity and independence
- Provide bridges and supports into work
- Make work pay
- Promote job retention and re-entry to work
- Provide coordinated and seamless support and
- Engage employers
The Strategy is overseen by an implementation group, which was established under the independent chairmanship of Fergus Finlay. This group is tasked with monitoring the progress of the above six strategic priorities, ensuring that each Government Department is fulfilling its obligations and meeting its targets.
The Strategy contains commitments in relation to:
- An increase in the public service employment target of people with disabilities on a phased basis from 3% to 6%.
- Special public service competitions for people with disabilities and the opening up of alternative recruitment channels for people with disabilities.
- The provision of an NDA-assisted employer helpline to provide expert guidance and peer support to employers in relation to the employment of staff with disabilities. (This was established in January 2016). The Strategy will be reviewed and renewed every three years.
The Chair's first annual report is available here:
http://justice.ie/en/JELR/Report_of_the_Chair_of_the_Comprehensive_Employment_Strategy_Implementation_Group-2016.pdf/Files/Report_of_the_Chair_of_the_Comprehensive_Employment_Strategy_Implementation_Group-2016.pdf
The first few years of the Strategy are necessarily a foundation phase, and accordingly, it was never seen as likely that any significant increase in the employment of people with disabilities would be recorded at this early stage of implementation. Rather the intention has been to ensure that the barriers to employment are broken down systematically, and that necessary supports are put in place across the range of public services that affect the lives of people with disabilities.
Unfortunately the Department does not have statistics with regard to the number of people who have gained employment directly as a result of the Strategy as such employment tends to be spread over a range of areas.
107. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress of the proposed new Macroom Garda station; when the project will go to tender; the timeframe for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51708/17]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. This includes identifying and progressing any necessary remedial or refurbishment works required at individual stations. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021, which is an ambitious 5 year Programme based on agreed Garda priorities continues to benefit over thirty locations around the country. The Programme includes over €60million of Exchequer funding as well as a major Public Private Partnership (PPP) project which will deliver stations at Macroom, as well as at Sligo and Clonmel. With regard to the development of a new District Headquarters station at Macroom, the OPW has acquired a site for the station's development.
Acquisition by the OPW of sites for the proposed Sligo and Clonmel stations is well advanced and, once completed, the development of the PPP bundle will be progressed under the auspices of the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) and will involve collaboration between the Department of Justice and Equality, An Garda Síochána and the OPW.
108. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the contacts his Department has had with An Garda Síochána on Operation Mizen will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51742/17]
View answerI have asked my Department to examine what material is held on file that may be relevant to the Deputy’s request with a view to identifying material that might be provided to him and I will revert directly to him in this regard.
As has been explained previously to the Deputy, Operation Mizen was established by An Garda Síochána as a national co-ordination office to support the policing response to maintain public order and to ensure the safety of all involved in the protests against water charges. Contrary to assertions made previously by the Deputy, Operation Mizen was not a surveillance programme operated by An Garda Síochána.
One aspect of the Garda Authorities' approach in this context was to make use of open source information, that is to say, information available publicly to anyone, anywhere from the internet and social media platforms.
109. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the acquisition and selection of a site for the new Garda regional headquarters in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51495/17]
View answerThe Garda Station Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021, which is an ambitious 5 year Programme that will benefit over thirty locations around the country, includes over €60million of Exchequer funding as part of the Capital Plan as well as a major Public Private Partnership project. Under the Programme, a new Garda station is to be provided in Sligo, together with stations in Macroom and Clonmel, by means of Public Private Partnership.
In order to secure a suitable site for the Sligo development, the Office of Public Works placed advertisements in local and national newspapers in January 2017 seeking expressions of interest from property owners or developers with returns received in February 2017. The Office of Public Works, together with Local Garda Management, reviewed the submitted proposals in early April 2017 and a number of suitable sites have been identified as possible options for the development.
In this context, the Office of Public Works is now actively progressing the acquisition of a site and it is understood that the aim is to reach agreement on the purchase of a suitable site shortly.
Until however, the site acquisition is completed it is not possible to provide exact timelines around construction of the new station.
Pending the development of the new station, local Garda management and the Office of Public Works have been working closely to develop proposals to improve the accommodation situation in the existing station. This includes exploring options for the relocation of certain functions outside the station and reconfiguring the premises to meet the needs of front line operational personnel and to address space or health and safety concerns. Other short-term measures have been taken to address and improve the accommodation situation at the station; for example, works to fully refurbish the toilets above the public office were completed in late July 2016 and a new industrial-standard kitchen facility has been installed.
110. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the progress of the refugee programme and the work being carried out on the integration and welfare of refugees on the programme. [51753/17]
View answerThe Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established by Government Decision on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the humanitarian crisis that developed in Southern Europe as a consequence of mass migration from areas of conflict in the Middle East and Africa. Under this programme, the Government has pledged to accept a total of 4,000 persons into the State. Of these, 2,622 were by means of the EU relocation mechanism established by two EU Council Decisions in 2015 to assist Italy and Greece. A further 1,040 were to be sourced under the UNHCR-led refugee resettlement programme currently focussed on resettling refugees from Lebanon, and the balance through a variety of mechanisms. It should be noted that Ireland voluntarily opted into the two EU Council Decisions on Relocation (2015/1523) and (2015/1601), which provided for the relocation of 160,000 asylum seekers from Italy and Greece.
Under the resettlement strand of the Programme, 357 persons arrived in Ireland during 2016. Taken together with the previous year's intake, Ireland had taken in 519 of its original commitment of 520 by the end of 2016, a year ahead of schedule. Last year, the Government doubled its commitment under resettlement to 1,040 and the total to have arrived from Lebanon under refugee resettlement now stands at 785. I recently announced that Ireland will take in a further 345 refugees in 2018, bringing the total to 1,385. These additional commitments can be made because relocation will not deliver the numbers that the Commission envisioned.
Ireland committed to accept 2,622 asylum seekers under the relocation strand of the programme. This total is composed of 1,089 people from Greece, 623 people from Italy and 910 people as yet unallocated.
Ireland will meet in full its commitment to Greece. 693 of the allocation of 1,089 are already in the State, with a further 62 persons scheduled for arrival in December 2017. By early 2018, it is expected that Ireland will have relocated its entire cohort from Greece (1,089), subject of course to the Greek authorities submitting the small number of remaining case files to Ireland and the ability of local authorities to find homes in communities around Ireland.
Italy, unlike Greece, did not permit security assessments to be undertaken by other States on its territory. Accordingly, Ireland has been unable to undertake security assessments in Italy of the asylum seeker cohort eligible for relocation to Ireland. It has therefore not been possible for Ireland to take asylum seekers from Italy despite the most intensive efforts by Ireland to resolve the impasse, both bilaterally with Italian counterparts at official, diplomatic and Ministerial level, and at EU level.
In terms of the unallocated portion contained in the two EU Council Decisions referred to above, which in the case of Ireland amounts to 910 persons, Ireland could not access this component because no decision was ever taken at EU level to allocate these numbers as between Greece and Italy. In fact, by the end of the two-year EU Relocation Programme in September 2017, just 37,000 asylum seekers were eligible and registered for relocation in Italy and Greece out of an total of 160,000 comprehended in the two Council Decisions, of which 78% (approximately 29,000) had been relocated to other EU Member States including Ireland. It should be noted that proportionally Ireland has taken one of the highest numbers under the EU Relocation Programme. Once the final transfers from Greece take place early next year, Ireland will have relocated more than 3% of the EU’s total figure. This represents a strong commitment by Ireland to EU solidarity, given that we represent less than 1% of the total population of the EU.
Ireland has worked to give effect to the EU relocation Decisions and will fill any gaps arising from the relocation instruments using other mechanisms such as pledges for resettlement of programme refugees.
With regard to the integration and welfare of refugees in the Programme, following their arrival in Ireland, they are for a time accommodated in an Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC). As the name suggests, an EROC is largely about reception and orientation for those who are to be subsequently settled around the country. IRPP staff hold regular clinics in the EROCs, often at weekly intervals, at which individuals and families may discuss their needs and requirements.
Some of the key features of supports provided to persons under the Programme include:
- IRPP staff and interpreters, along with representatives of the Irish Red Cross, meet families and individuals upon arrival at Dublin Airport and accompany them to their accommodation in the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre.
- During the days following arrival in Ireland the asylum seekers are registered with the Department of Social Protection for a public services card and receive an exceptional needs payment (ENP).
- IRPP officials provide assistance to ensure that families and individuals receive a medical card.
- IRPP liaise with the local Education and Training Board in each catchment area to ensure that groups receive a Language Training and Cultural Orientation programme.
- Local Service Providers, volunteers and NGOs visit the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres to provide services and information and to support and befriend the asylum seekers/refugees.
- A GP is assigned to the individuals and families to ensure that that their immediate medical needs are met, including referral to dental and optical services.
- Free Childcare is provided wherever possible to allow the adults to attend the Language and Orientation programme in their EROC.
- Education provision is made for school age children by the Department of Education and Skills.
- Emergency medical matters are followed up while resident in the EROCs.
- Once the asylum seekers receive refugee status and when housing is made available with the support of the Local Authority, the refugees are resettled in the community. Upon the first movement of a family to a local community, IRPP support workers remain in the area for a number of days to help the family settle in and to manage the necessary introductions to various service providers. Every local authority in which a resettlement takes place also appoints an “implementing partner” which is funded by the IRPP and the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). Under this arrangement, each family has the support of a full-time Resettlement Support Worker and an Intercultural Support Worker to assist with the transition. Local authorities also receive funding to provide for exceptional needs such as counselling, transport and other supports.
Increasingly, the Programme is focusing on initiatives which assist with labour market activation for refugees and is working with the Irish Red Cross and other bodies to facilitate access to employment. Various initiatives are also developing in the educational sphere.
The current model of integration and support under the Programme is one which will evolve and develop over the coming months and years with a view to offering refugees increasing opportunities to enhance their own lives. However, I am very supportive of initiatives such as community sponsorship to support the long-term integration process and my officials are actively working with various NGO groups with the intention of implementing such a programme in 2018. Such a programme has already been highly successful in Canada.
With regard to integration more generally, the Migrant Integration Strategy which was published on 7 February 2017 sets out the Government’s approach to the issue of migrant integration for the period from 2017 to 2020. It envisages a whole-of-Government approach involving actions by all Departments. It is targeted at all migrants, including refugees, who are legally residing in the State.
The Strategy sets as its vision that migrants are facilitated to play a full role in Irish society, that integration is a core principle of Irish life and that Irish society and institutions work together to promote integration. Integration is understood to be a two-way process that involves action by migrants as well as by Irish society.
The Strategy contains 76 actions under a variety of themes including citizenship and residency, access to public services and social inclusion, education, employment and pathways to work, health, integration in the community, political participation, promoting intercultural awareness and combating racism and xenophobia, volunteering and sport.
It is intended that the actions will be delivered by Government Departments, local authorities, public bodies, local communities, the business sector, sporting and arts organisations and NGOs.
111. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and position of gardaí and community gardaí stationed in the Dublin metropolitan region west in each of the years 2009 to 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51493/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I am informed by the Commissioner that on the 31 October 2017 the latest date for which figures are readily available the strength of the Dublin Metropolitan Region West Division was 665, 64 of whom were Community Gardaí. There are also 26 Garda Reserves and 50 civilians attached to the Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, the Armed Support Units and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. The substantial increase in Garda numbers is tangible progress on achieving this Government’s vision of an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians.
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, 119 of whom have been assigned to the D.M.R. West Division. In addition, another 200 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest this Friday 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.
I am pleased to say that Budget 2018 will support the continuation of 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, an additional 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 D.M.R. West Division, in the coming years.
I am informed by the Commissioner that the Garda strength and the Community Garda Strength of the D.M.R. West Division by rank, in each of the years 2009 to 2016 and up to 31 October 2017, the latest date for which figures are available from An Garda Síochána is as set out in the following links.
112. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied that the ward of court system is operating effectively for the benefit of wards; the progress on reform of the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51706/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the High Court has jurisdiction in wards of court matters and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the Office of the Wards of Court, which is supervised by the Registrar of Wards of Court, manages the day to day administration of wardship matters, including the maintenance of court files, the oversight of all cases pre-wardship and ensuring that the directions of the President of the High Court are carried out.
The Courts Service has further informed me that the wards of court system is operating effectively. However, as the Deputy may be aware, the legislation governing persons who are wards of court dates back to 1871 and it has been recognised for some time that reforms were needed to update the law in this area. Therefore the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 has been introduced to provide a modern statutory framework to support decision-making by adults with capacity difficulties.
Part 6 of the 2015 Act provides that adults currently in wardship will transition to the new decision-making support arrangements provided for in the Act on a phased basis over 3 years from the commencement of Part 6 of the Act. Once Part 6 is operational, each ward will be reviewed by the wardship court in accordance with the new system. A ward who is found to have capacity will be discharged from wardship. A ward who continues to have capacity needs will be discharged from wardship and offered the decision-making support option most appropriate to his or her needs.
The specific decision making supports available under the Act to adults with capacity difficulties will be decision-making assistants, co-decision-makers and decision-making representatives, all of whom will be supervised by the Director of the Decision Support Service.
113. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in County Kerry 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. [51641/17]
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 Kerry Division on 31 October 2017 was 313 of whom 8 are Community Gardaí. There are also 20 Garda Reserves and 37 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, 21 of whom have been assigned to the Kerry 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 Kerry Division, in the coming year.
STRENGTH OF THE KERRY DIVISION 31 OCTOBER 2017
|
DISTRICT |
DISTRICT |
DISTRICT |
|
KILLARNEY |
CAHERCIVEEN |
16 |
|
GLENBEIGH |
1 |
|
|
KENMARE |
11 |
|
|
KILLARNEY |
62 |
|
|
KILLORGLIN |
13 |
|
|
PORTMAGEE |
1 |
|
|
SNEEM |
1 |
|
|
WATERVILLE |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
106 |
|
|
LISTOWEL |
BALLYBUNION |
7 |
|
BALLYHEIGUE |
1 |
|
|
KNOCKNAGOSHALL |
1 |
|
|
LISTOWEL |
41 |
|
|
LIXNAW |
1 |
|
|
TARBERT |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL |
53 |
|
|
TRALEE |
AN DAINGEAN |
9 |
|
ANNASCAUL |
1 |
|
|
ARDFERT |
2 |
|
|
BAILE AN FHEIRTÉARAIG |
1 |
|
|
CASTLEGREGORY |
2 |
|
|
CASTLEISLAND |
30 |
|
|
CASTLEMAINE |
1 |
|
|
FARRANFORE |
2 |
|
|
TRALEE |
106 |
|
|
TOTAL |
154 |
|
|
KERRY TOTAL |
313 |
114. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Reserves who have been recruited to date in 2017; the number of Garda Reserves and the number of Garda Reserves at January 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51700/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the recruitment and training of the Garda Reserve and the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I am advised by the Commissioner that the strength of the Reserve on the 31 January 2017 was 690 as compared to 603 on the 31 October 2017. It is regrettable that there has been a substantial reduction in the strength of the Reserve in recent years from a peak of 1,164 in 2013. The fall-off arises from a range of factors, not least the lifting in 2014 of the moratorium on recruitment of trainee Gardaí which has affected Reserve numbers in two ways - firstly some serving Reserves have successfully applied to become trainee Gardaí, and secondly, resources in both An Garda Síochána and in the Public Appointment Service have been focused on delivering an accelerated programme of recruitment of full time members of An Garda Síochána.
I am sure that the Deputy will agree, notwithstanding the very valuable contribution of Reserve members throughout the country, that it was the right decision, with finite resources, to prioritise the running of recruitment campaigns to replenish the full-time ranks of An Garda Síochána over the last three years.
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. I am pleased that Budget 2018 will facilitate the strengthening of the Reserve next year with new Reserves expected to commence training early in 2018 following the undertaking of a recruitment campaign earlier this year.
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.
115. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of asylum and immigration cases who are being held up or are pending approval while awaiting the judgment of an appeal to the Supreme Court of the Court of Appeal judgment in a case (details supplied); and the status of those persons awaiting decisions dependent on that appeal. [51752/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that persons seeking permission to remain in the State may do so for a number of reasons to various Divisions of the INIS under both statutory and non-statutory provisions. As a result, as the Deputy would expect, every case is considered on its own merits in conjunction with the legislation, criteria or guidelines which are directly applicable to the individual case type.
The issues raised in the court case referred to by the Deputy, which is currently before the Supreme Court, has the potential to generate further sets of legal proceedings and, as such, the INIS deemed it prudent to postpone decision making in certain immigration cases until the matters before the Courts have been finalised.
It is not possible to quantify the precise numbers of such cases as to do so would require the deployment of a disproportionate level of limited resources to the task. However, the Deputy may wish to be aware that the case referred to was heard before the Supreme Court last Thursday (30th November, 2017) and is due to return to that Court early in the new year.
117. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach the number of active enterprises by size (details supplied); and the number of persons engaged in each size category in each of the years 2005 to 2015, in tabular form. [51960/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is available for the years 2006 to 2015. The information for 2006 and 2007 is on a different basis to the data from 2008 onwards, due to the application by the CSO of an updated definition of what constitutes an Active Enterprise, in line with EU definitions. This means that the data for 2006 and 2007 are not directly comparable with the results for 2008 and subsequent years. Further information on this discontinuity has been published on the CSO website at:
http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/methods/businessdemography/Businessdemoginformationnotice.pdf.
The following two tables show the number of enterprises and persons engaged classified by size of enterprise. Table 1 is for the years 2006 and 2007. Table 2 is for the years 2008 to 2015.
Table 1: Number of active enterprises and persons engaged by size class, 2006-2007
|
2006 |
2007 |
|||
|
Size Class |
Active |
Persons |
Active |
Persons |
|
Enterprises |
Engaged |
Enterprises |
Engaged |
|
|
Micro (<10) |
201,362 |
403,147 |
222,275 |
433,047 |
|
Small (10-49) |
18,613 |
356,116 |
19,272 |
369,811 |
|
Medium (50-249) |
2,922 |
279,446 |
3,134 |
300,618 |
|
All SMEs (<250) |
222,897 |
1,038,709 |
244,681 |
1,103,476 |
|
Large |
486 |
381,835 |
515 |
421,720 |
|
All sizes |
223,383 |
1,420,544 |
245,196 |
1,525,196 |
Table 2: Number of active enterprises and persons engaged by size class, 2008-2015
|
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|||||
|
Size Class |
Active |
Persons |
Active |
Persons |
Active |
Persons |
Active |
Persons |
|
Enterprises |
Engaged |
Enterprises |
Engaged |
Enterprise |
Engaged |
Enterprises |
Engaged |
|
|
Micro (<10) |
222,030 |
425,018 |
225,328 |
387,521 |
224,994 |
372,075 |
223,582 |
370,497 |
|
Small (10-49) |
18,620 |
357,880 |
16,018 |
305,788 |
14,828 |
282,208 |
14,438 |
274,959 |
|
Medium (50-249) |
3,020 |
292,297 |
2,593 |
247,755 |
2,407 |
229,547 |
2,398 |
230,472 |
|
All SMEs (<250) |
243,670 |
1,075,195 |
243,939 |
941,064 |
242,229 |
883,830 |
240,418 |
875,928 |
|
Large |
525 |
436,725 |
489 |
404,397 |
463 |
386,645 |
462 |
383,398 |
|
All sizes |
244,195 |
1,511,920 |
244,428 |
1,345,461 |
242,692 |
1,270,475 |
240,880 |
1,259,326 |
(Table cont)
|
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|||||
|
Size Class |
Active |
Persons |
Active |
Persons |
Active |
Persons |
Active |
Persons |
|
Enterprises |
Engaged |
Enterprises |
Engaged |
Enterprises |
Engaged |
Enterprises |
Engaged |
|
|
Micro (<10) |
227,210 |
371,116 |
226,018 |
370,112 |
219,888 |
373,342 |
229,472 |
386,725 |
|
Small (10-49) |
14,311 |
273,898 |
14,580 |
279,401 |
15,213 |
291,714 |
16,002 |
307,625 |
|
Medium (50-249) |
2,395 |
229,404 |
2,468 |
236,123 |
2,634 |
254,928 |
2,829 |
274,531 |
|
All SMEs (<250) |
243,916 |
874,418 |
243,066 |
885,636 |
237,735 |
919,984 |
248,303 |
968,881 |
|
Large |
478 |
390,351 |
505 |
94,852 |
514 |
414,307 |
540 |
434,100 |
|
All sizes |
244,394 |
1,264,769 |
243,571 |
1,288,017 |
238,249 |
1,334,291 |
248,842 |
1,402,981 |
