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Tuesday, 27 Feb 2018

Written Answers Nos. 345-357

Garda Station Refurbishment

Questions (345)

Marc MacSharry

Question:

345. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if provision has been made in budget 2018 for essential renovations to a Garda station (details supplied) in County Sligo in view of the fact that funding was originally allocated for the renovations in budget 2017 and the work did not commence that year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9908/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.

This includes identifying and progressing any necessary remedial or refurbishment works required at individual stations. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Síochána Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016 – 2021, which is an ambitious 5 year building Programme reflecting the priorities of An Garda Síochána, will benefit some 30 locations throughout the State.  This Programme is in addition to the investment of some €100 million for the construction of 3 new Divisional Regional headquarters in Dublin (Kevin Street), Wexford (completed) and Galway.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that, while the Programme does not include provision for the Garda station to which the Deputy refers, An Garda Síochána is currently liaising with the OPW in relation to options for improving the accommodation situation in the station.

Courts Service

Questions (346)

Mick Wallace

Question:

346. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 144 of 14 February 2018, the dates for which each special exemption order were granted. [9917/18]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has provided the information in the table below regarding the dates for which each special exemption order was granted further to parliamentary question number 144 of 14 February 2018.

I have been advised by the Courts Service that, on their further examination, it has emerged that some of the information provided to my Department and subsequently included in my response to Parliamentary Question 7681/18 (Question No. 144) of 14 February 2018 is incorrect and I wish to make a correction for the Dáil record. The correct information is that the number of special exemption orders granted for the Abbey Inn, Bridge Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry on 20 April 2016 is 6. 

Special Exemption Orders Granted in Court District No. 17 from 20 April 2016 to 1 May 2016  

DATE GRANTED

DISTRICT COURT GRANTED

PREMISES

NO. OF EXEMPTIONS GRANTED

DATES FOR WHICH SPECIAL EXEMPTION ORDER GRANTED 

20/04/2016

TRALEE

THE ABBEY INN, BRIDGE STREET, TRALEE, CO.   KERRY

6

20/21 April 2016,

27/28 April 2016, 

21/22 April 2016,

24/04/2016, 01/05/2016,

02/05/2016

21/04/2016

KILLORGLIN

THE OLD FORGE INN, KILLORGLIN, CO. KERRY

8

01/05/2016, 08/05/2016, 15/05/2016, 29/05/2016, 05/06/2016, 19/06/2016, 03/07/2016,

05/06 June 2016

21/04/2016

LISTOWEL

J.D. O’MAHONY’S, MAIN STREET, BALLYBUNION,   CO. KERRY

4

24/04/2016, 01/05/2016, 08/05/2016, 

01/02 May 2016

27/04/2016

TRALEE

THE BLASKET BAR, CASTLE ST., TRALEE, CO. KERRY

10

01/05/2016, 08/05/2016, 15/05/2016, 22/05/2016,

01/02 May 2016, 

03/04 May 2016,

10/11 May 2016,

17/18 May 2016,

24/25 May 2016, 

07/05/2016

27/04/2016

TRALEE

QUARTERS NIGHT CLUB, GODFREY PLACE, TRALEE,  CO. KERRY

4

02/05/2016, 08/05/2016, 15/05/2016, 22/05/2016

27/04/2016

TRALEE

THE MERMAIDS, LISTOWEL, CO. KERRY

15

01/05/2016, 08/05/2016, 15/05/2016, 22/05/2016, 29/05/2016, 12/06/2016, 19/06/2016, 26/06/2016, 03/07/2016, 10/07/2016, 24/07/2016, 31/07/2016, 07/08/2016, 02/05/2016, 01/08/2016

27/04/2016

TRALEE

JACKS BAR, CROMANE, KILLORGLIN, CO. KERRY

5

30/04/2016, 07/05/2016,

05/06/2016, 17/07/2016, 

04/05 August 2016

27/04/2016

TRALEE

MCSORLEY’S, COLLEGE STREET, KILLARNEY, CO. KERRY

7

28/29 April 2016,

05/05/2016, 30/04/2016, 07/05/2016, 01/05/2016, 08/05/2016, 02/05/2016

27/04/2016

TRALEE

AN DROICHEAD BEAG, DINGLE, CO. KERRY

8

28/29 April 2016,

05/05/2016, 30/04/2016, 07/05/2016, 01/05/2016,  08/05/2016, 02/05/2016,

08/09 May 2016

27/04/2016

TRALEE

THE SQUARE PINT & INDIGO CAFÉ, KENMARE, CO. KERRY

5

30/04/2016, 07/05/2016,

01/05/2016, 08/05/2016,

02/05/2016

27/04/2016

TRALEE

SEA LODGE HOTEL, WATERVILLE, CO. KERRY

5

01/05/2016, 05/06/2016, 12/06/2016, 11/06/2016,

12/13 June 2016

27/04/2016

TRALEE

TATLER JACK, KILLARNEY, CO. KERRY

2

01/05/2016, 02/05/2016

27/04/2016

TRALEE

THE WESTERING INN, BROSNA, CO. KERRY

1

02/05/2016

 

Court Orders

Questions (347)

Mick Wallace

Question:

347. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of all special exemption orders granted by Court District No. 17 from 16 February to 16 March 2015; and the date granted, date granted for, premises and district court, in tabular form. [9918/18]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has provided the following information regarding special exemption orders granted in Court District No. 17 from 16 February 2015 to 16 March 2015.

Special Exemption Orders Granted in Court District No. 17 from 16 February 2015 to 16 March 2015

DATE GRANTED

DISTRICT COURT GRANTED

PREMISES

NO. OF EXEMPTIONS GRANTED

DATES FOR WHICH SPECIAL EXEMPTION ORDER GRANTED 

18/02/2015

Tralee

The Hillgrove Hotel, Dingle

3

22/02/2015, 01/03/2015, 08/03/2015

18/02/2015

Tralee

The Abbey Inn, Tralee

4

19/20 February 2015,

21/02/2015, 22/02/2015,

25/26 February 2015

18/02/2015

Tralee

The Blasket Bar, Tralee

3

21/02/2015, 22/02/2015

25/02/2015

19/02/2015

Listowel

The Golf Hotel, Ballybunion

1

01/03/2015

19/02/2015

Listowel

The Mermaids, Listowel

17

21/02/2015, 28/02/2015, 07/03/2015, 14/03/2015,   21/03/2015, 28/03/2015, 11/04/2015, 15/03/2015, 22/03/2015, 29/03/2015, 05/04/2015, 12/04/2015

16/03/2015, 23/03/2015, 30/03/2015, 06/04/2015,   13/04/2015

19/02/2015

Killorglin

The Square Pint and Café Indigo, Kenmare

4

28/02/2015, 07/03/2015,

01/03/2015, 08/03/2015

19/02/2015

Killorglin

An Droichead Beag, Dingle

4

28/02/2015, 07/03/2015,

01/03/2015, 08/03/2015

19/02/2015

Killorglin

McSorley’s, Killarney

7

26/27 February 2015,

5/6 March 2015, 

28/02/2015, 07/03/2015,

01/03/2015, 07/03/2015,

03/04 March 2015

25/02/2015

Tralee

The Abbey Inn, Tralee

4

26/27 February 2015,

28/02/2015, 01/03/2015

04/05 March 2015

25/02/2015

Tralee

The Blasket Bar, Tralee

3

28/02/2015, 01/03/2015,

04/03/2015

25/02/2015

Tralee

Horan’s Hotel, Tralee

1

26/27 February 2015

27/02/2015

An Daingean

Tatler Jack, Killarney

2

01/03/2015,

01/02 March 2015

06/03/2015

Kenmare

Tatler Jack, Killarney

1

08/03/2015

12/03/2015

Caherciveen

O’Connell’s Harp, Caherciveen

5

22/03/2015, 29/03/2015,

05/04/2015, 12/04/2015,

05/06 April 2015

12/03/2015

Caherciveen

Tatler Jack, Killarney

3

15/03/2015, 17/03/2015, 18/03/2015

12/03/2015

Caherciveen

An Droichead Beag, Dingle

4

14/03/2015, 15/03/2015, 21/03/2015, 22/03/2015

12/03/2015

Caherciveen

The Square Pint & Café Indigo

4

14/03/2015, 15/03/2015, 21/03/2015, 22/03/2015

12/03/2015

Caherciveen

McSorley’s, Killarney

7

12/13 March 2015,

14/03/2015, 15/03/2015,

16/17 March 2015,

19/20 March 2015,

21/03/2015, 22/03/2015

10/03/2015

Killarney

Mustang Sally’s, Killarney 

3

15/03/2015, 18/03/2015, 22/03/2015  

11/03/2015

Tralee

Killarney Grand Hotel, Killarney

26

21/03/2015, 22/03/2015,

22/23 March 2015,

23/24 March 2015,

24/25 March 2015,

25/26 March 2015,

26/27 March 2015,

28/03/2015, 29/03/2015,

29/30 March 2015,

30/31 March 2015,

31/01 March/April 2015,

01/02 April 2015,

05/04/2015,

05/06 April 2015,

06/07 April 2015,

07/08 April 2015,

08/09 April 2015,

09/10 April 2015,

11/04/2015, 12/04/2015,

12/13 April 2015,

13/14 April 2015,

14/15 April 2015,

15/16 April 2015,

16/17 April 2015

11/03/2015

Tralee

Horan’s Hotel, Tralee

2

16/17 March 2015,

18/03/2015

11/03/2015

Tralee

Hillgrove Hotel, Dingle

3

15/03/2015, 22/03/2015, 29/03/2015

11/03/2015

Tralee

The Blasket Bar, Tralee

4

14/03/2015, 15/03/2015, 17/03/2015, 18/03/2015

11/03/2015

Tralee

The Abbey Inn

4

12/13 March 2015,

14/03/2015, 15/03/2015,

18/19 March 2015

11/03/2015

Tralee

J.D.O’Mahony’s, Ballybunion

3

15/03/2015, 22/03/2015

16/17 March 2015 

11/03/2015

Tralee

The Old Forge, Killorglin

8

16/17 March 2015,

05/04/2015,

05/06 April 2015,

12/04/2015, 19/04/2015,   26/04/2015, 03/05/2015, 10/05/2015

04/03/2015

Tralee

The Brogue Inn, Tralee

5

08/03/2015, 15/03/2015, 22/03/2015, 29/03/2015,   05/04/2015

04/03/2015

Tralee

Hennessy’s Bar, Tralee

22

08/03/2015,

08/09 March 2015,

09/10 March 2015,

12/13 March 2015,

14/03/2015, 15/03/2015,

15/16 March 2015,

17/03/2015,

17/18 March 2015,

19/20 March 2015,   21/03/2015, 22/03/2015,

22/23 March 2015,

23/24 March 2015,

26/27 March 2015,

28/03/2015, 29/03/2015,

29/30 March 2015,

30/31 March 2015,   05/04/2015, 06/04/2015,

06/07 April 2015

04/03/2015

Tralee

Glenduff House, Tralee

1

15/03/2015

04/03/2015

Tralee

Ballyroe Heights Hotel, Tralee

2

11/12 March 2015

26/27 March 2015

04/03/2015

Tralee

The Abbey Inn, Tralee

4

05/06 March 2015,

07/03/2015, 08/03/2015,

11/12 March 2015

04/03/2015

Tralee

The Blasket Bar, Tralee

3

07/03/2015, 08/03/2015, 11/03/2015

04/03/2015

Tralee

Horan’s Hotel, Tralee

1

05/06 March 2015

Court Orders

Questions (348, 349)

Mick Wallace

Question:

348. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the licensed premises granted temporary and annual dance licences by Court District No. 17 from 1 January to 31 December 2016. [9919/18]

View answer

Mick Wallace

Question:

349. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the licensed premises granted temporary and annual dance licences by Court District No. 17 from 1 January to 31 December 2014. [9920/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 349 together.

As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has advised that it is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is to hand.

The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.

Bankruptcy Data

Questions (350)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Question:

350. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to amend the maintenance of the bankruptcy register to allow discharged bankrupts to be removed from the register after a certain period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9939/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Bankruptcy Register is held by the Examiner’s Office, an office of the High Court.

The question of removal from the Register is complicated by the fact that under the Bankruptcy Acts, where a person is adjudicated bankrupt his or her property will, as a general rule, automatically vest on the date of adjudication in the Official Assignee, to be realised for the benefit of creditors.

While the bankrupt person is now, in normal course, discharged from bankruptcy after one year, any such property which has not yet been sold will, as a general rule, remain vested in the Official Assignee to be sold for the benefit of creditors.

The Bankruptcy Amendment Act 2015 introduced an exception to this general rule regarding the family home of the bankrupt person. Under this exception, the bankrupt person’s interest in their home will automatically re-vest in the bankrupt person, if the Official Assignee has not applied to Court for its sale before the third anniversary of the person being adjudicated bankrupt.

Because bankruptcy adjudication means that the bankrupt no longer owns their former property and cannot validly enter into any transactions regarding it, and because that property generally remains vested in the Official Assignee after the person is discharged from bankruptcy, the practice has been that solicitors for a purchaser of property will search on the Bankruptcy Register to verify that the vendor has not been adjudicated bankrupt.

I am advised that some jurisdictions do provide for removal from the register following discharge, but it must be borne in mind that conveyancing law and property registration systems can vary substantially, even between common law countries.

My officials are examining this issue and will keep it under review in the context of overall development of insolvency and bankruptcy registers.  

Prisoner Data

Questions (351)

Catherine Martin

Question:

351. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the places in which prisoners serving sentences in jails last lived by the smallest geographical area available, by county or postal district. [10063/18]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that it conducts an analysis of the snapshot of the prison population on the last day of each month.   The most recent analysis of the snapshot of the prison population was conducted on 31 January 2018.  This includes a breakdown by county/place of residence declared by persons on committal. This analysis has been used to provide the information requested by the Deputy. 

According to that snapshot, the following table shows the breakdown by county/place of residence by prisoners serving sentences on that date.

County

Female 

Male   

Total

Antrim

 

1

1

Armagh

 

3

3

Carlow

 

34

34

Cavan

2

35

37

Clare

1

42

43

Cork

12

283

295

Derry

 

1

1

Donegal

 

42

42

Down

 

5

5

Dublin

37

1,123

1,160

Galway

4

85

89

Kerry

 

60

60

Kildare

2

92

94

Kilkenny

 

34

34

Laois

 

58

58

Leitrim

 

8

8

Limerick

9

187

196

Longford

1

24

25

Louth

7

92

99

Mayo

 

47

47

Meath

3

62

65

Monaghan

1

22

23

No Fixed Abode

23

143

166

Not Stated

 

14

14

Offaly

1

26

27

Outside Country

3

11

14

Roscommon

1

26

27

Sligo

 

25

25

Tipperary

 

106

106

Tyrone

 

6

6

Waterford

2

62

64

Westmeath

 

38

38

Wexford

 

62

62

Wicklow

2

49

51

Total

111

2,908

3,019

 

Prisoner Data

Questions (352)

Catherine Martin

Question:

352. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated annual costs of keeping a prisoner in jail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10064/18]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to inform the Deputy that the average annual cost of an available staffed prison space for 2016, the latest year for which a figure is available, was €69,421.

Forensic Science Ireland Laboratory

Questions (353)

Joan Burton

Question:

353. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if revised tender documents have been issued for the construction of the new State forensics laboratory; the deadline for receipt of tenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10135/18]

View answer

Written answers

The delivery of the new Forensic Science Laboratory at the Backweston campus is being managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) on behalf of my Department.

Due to recent changes in international forensic laboratory standards, it was necessary to add further material to the tender documentation. Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) and the OPW design team are currently examining the issues involved which relate primarily to laboratory interior finishes and mechanical and electrical adjustments.

Once this examination has been completed, the OPW will review all tender documentation and intends to re-issue a complete set of documents. No specified date has been set, but it is anticipated that the revised tender documents should issue in Q2 2018, with a closing date for receipt of tenders to be set at 30 days thereafter.

The Deputy should be aware that enabling works for Forensic Science Ireland that commenced in October 2017, will be completed by the end of March.

Visa Applications

Questions (354)

James Browne

Question:

354. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a visa application by a person (details supplied) will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10184/18]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a decision has been made on this application, and the applicant has been advised accordingly.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose.  This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to visamail@justice.ie.

Garda Data

Questions (355, 356, 357)

John Lahart

Question:

355. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Muslim persons serving in An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10186/18]

View answer

John Lahart

Question:

356. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Polish persons serving in An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10187/18]

View answer

John Lahart

Question:

357. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Lithuanian persons serving in An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10188/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 355, 356 and 357 together.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that since November 2006 the number of persons who have joined An Garda Síochána as members and who identify themselves as being of Polish or Lithuanian nationality is 16 and 3 respectively. Data predating November 2006 is not readily available and would take a disproportionate amount of Garda resources and time to collate.

I am advised by the Commissioner that it is not the practice of An Garda Síochána to record the religion of Garda personnel. Therefore the information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of personnel who are Muslim is not available to the Commissioner.

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