Written Answers Nos. 88-109
88. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the case of a person (details supplied) will be dealt with by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10451/18]
View answerThe Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal administers the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted on Prison Officers. Under the terms of the Scheme, the Tribunal is entirely independent in the matter of individual decisions on applications for compensation under the Scheme. The Deputy will appreciate that in these circumstances I cannot comment on individual cases.
If the Deputy or the applicant contacts the Tribunal directly with further details, they will be able to provide an update.
89. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in County Kildare by station in 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10452/18]
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 the strength of the Kildare Division on 31 January 2018, the latest date for which information is currently available, was 357. There are also 20 Garda Reserves and 29 Garda civilian staff attached to the Kildare 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.
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, just under 1,600 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, of whom 80 have been assigned to the Kildare Division. I am pleased to say that Garda numbers, taking account of retirements, increased to 13,551 at the end of 2017 - a net increase of over 600 since the end of 2016.
I am also pleased that funding is in place to maintain this high level of investment in the Garda workforce to ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. This year a further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College. Also 800 Garda trainees are scheduled to attest during the year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, 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 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 Division, including the Kildare Division.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the strength of An Garda Síochána by county is not readily available as Gardaí are assigned to Divisions which do not necessarily accord with county boundaries. For the Deputy’s information I have attached in tabular form the Garda strength by station of the Kildare Division for 2016 - 2018 (as of 31 January).
STRENGTH OF KILDARE DIVISION 2016-2018
|
District |
Station |
31 December 2016 |
31 December 2017 |
31 January 2018 |
|
KILDARE |
ATHY |
26 |
30 |
31 |
|
CASTLEDERMOT |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
|
KILDARE |
38 |
38 |
37 |
|
|
MONASTEREVIN |
4 |
5 |
5 |
|
|
NEWBRIDGE |
46 |
52 |
52 |
|
|
RATHANGAN |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
|
TOTAL |
121 |
132 |
132 |
|
|
LEIXLIP |
CARBURY |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
CELBRIDGE |
11 |
11 |
11 |
|
|
KILCOCK |
9 |
10 |
10 |
|
|
LEIXLIP |
43 |
59 |
60 |
|
|
MAYNOOTH |
13 |
13 |
13 |
|
|
TOTAL |
83 |
100 |
101 |
|
|
NAAS |
CLANE |
7 |
7 |
8 |
|
KILCULLEN |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
NAAS |
100 |
118 |
113 |
|
|
ROBERTSTOWN |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL |
112 |
128 |
124 |
|
|
KILDARE TOTAL |
316 |
360 |
357 |
90. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 will be amended to allow for a greater number of persons with disabilities to work in the public service; if the public service employment target of 6% of persons with disabilities takes into account the existing rates of disabilities associated with an ageing workforce; if graduates with disabilities that have yet to enter the workforce will also be targeted in this measure in view of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10453/18]
View answerUnder Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005, public bodies are expected to achieve a statutory target of 3% for the number of staff employed with disabilities.
Implementation of Part 5 of the Act is monitored on an ongoing basis by the National Disability Authority. The Authority reports each year on progress made towards the statutory target for employment in the public sector.
The Authority's most recently published report shows that at the end of 2015, 3.6% of staff employed in public sector bodies were people with disabilities. This is an increase from 3.5% in 2014 and is the fourth successive year of exceeding the 3% target.
The provisions under Part 5 of the Act are strengthened in the context of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities.
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.
One of the key priorities in the Strategy is to increase the statutory target from 3% to 6% on a phased basis by January 2024. This target was further underpinned in the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 which I launched last year. I can inform the Deputy that Department of Justice and Equality officials are preparing legislation to amend the 2005 Act to provide for this increased statutory target. Issues such as the categories of person to be included in the target have yet to be examined in that context. It is my intention that these provisions will be included in the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016 during its passage through the Oireachtas.
91. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the operation of the Irish diaspora loan fund; the number of applications since 2012; the number of successful applications to the fund since 2012; the number of residency applications from those successful applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10516/18]
View answerThe operation of the Irish Diaspora Loan Fund (IDLF) is not a matter for my Department. I presume, however, that the Deputy is referring to applications submitted by the IDLF to the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) which was introduced by the Government in April 2012 to encourage inward investment so as to create business and employment opportunities in the State, and which is administered by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department.
I am unable to provide the Deputy with the details of the operation of the IDLF or the specific projects submitted by the IDLF due to the commercially sensitive nature of the information provided, which was received on the basis of strict confidentiality. However, I am advised that the IDLF commenced submitting applications to the IIP in 2016. Five applications have been submitted to date, of which three have been approved, for approximately 10 individuals. The other two are currently at the final stages of processing.
92. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if grants or funding are available to community groups to assist in the area of tackling isolation and loneliness; if there are any grants or funding available to assist promoting integration among different groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10693/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, I launched the Communities Integration Fund in 2017 which provides small grants for community groups to assist in promoting the integration of migrants. 131 projects were grant-aided across the country last year under this initiative.
I plan to announce this year's call for applications for funding under this grant scheme later this month. I hope that the initiative will act as a catalyst for groups across the country to take action to promote community integration among migrants and non-migrants.
93. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has been provided with a copy of the findings of the external audit of the management of wards funds recently conducted by the Courts Service; and if so, if he will provide a copy of same. [10710/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be 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 external audit of the management of wards' funds recently conducted has now been completed and will be published shortly. The Courts Service has advised that copies of the report will be furnished to my Department, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality, the Public Accounts Committee, and the Justice for Wards Group.
94. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the reports of attacks submitted by a person (details supplied) have been investigated; if action is being taken; if the family will be assured of their safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10712/18]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that it is An Garda Síochána who are responsible for the investigation into any suspected criminal activity in the first instance and I, as Minister for Justice and Equality, have no direct role in such matters.
However, to be of assistance I have made arrangements for the Deputy's concerns to be brought to the attention of the Garda authorities for whatever action they deem necessary.
This notwithstanding, if anyone has concerns in relation to their personal safety, I would strongly encourage them to contact their local/nearest Garda station as soon as possible. Members of An Garda Síochána will be best placed to advise them on how best to proceed in such instances.
Alternatively, information can be provided to An Garda Síochána by way of the Garda confidential line, Tel: 1800 666 111, which is a monitored freephone line that allows members of the public to contact An Garda Síochána with information of a confidential nature.
95. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current or expected status of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10713/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that they have received a request for permission to remain in the State from the person concerned.
This case is among a number of such cases which are currently being held by my Department pending the outcome of the appeal to the Supreme Court of the Court of Appeal judgment in Luximon v. Minister for Justice and Equality which was heard in the Supreme Court on 30 November 2017. A decision will issue in this case when the matters before the Courts have been finalised.
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.
96. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if residency in the case of a person (details supplied) has been examined; if the bona fides of the case have been established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10716/18]
View answerI have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned was refused a residence card on 6 April 2017 as they were not in compliance with the provisions of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015.
I also understand that INIS received a request for a review of that decision on 15 May 2017. The Deputy will appreciate that review applications are dealt with in strict chronological order and there will be no avoidable delay in issuing a decision.
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.
97. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and-or expected status, including eligibility for long-term residency, naturalisation and stamp 4 in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10717/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 16 December 2010. That Order remains valid and in place.
The person concerned made a request, pursuant to the provisions of section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to have that Order revoked. Following the detailed consideration of the request made, a decision was taken to affirm the Order and that decision was communicated to the person by letter dated 16 June 2017.
The person concerned lodged judicial review proceedings in the High Court, challenging the decision to affirm the Deportation Order. The High Court gave its Judgment in the matter on 23 January 2018. The Deputy might wish to note that the High Court did not set aside the decision to affirm the Deportation Order but instead directed that certain specified matters be re-examined. I am advised that this Judgment is being examined by the relevant personnel in the INIS at the present time. Once this process has been completed, the case of the person concerned can be given more detailed consideration.
I am also advised that, separately, the person concerned applied in November 2015 to be readmitted to the protection process. This application, following careful consideration, was refused. The person has sought a review of the refusal of that application and this is under consideration at present. The Deputy might wish to note that the decision to arise from consideration of this request will be to either grant or refuse permission to make another application for international protection.
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 that 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.
98. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status and eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10718/18]
View answerI have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned was refused a residence card on 31 March, 2017 as they were not in compliance with the provisions of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015.
I am also informed that the person concerned sought a review of the decision to refuse the residence card on 19 April, 2017. The Deputy will appreciate that applications for review are dealt with in strict chronological order. I understand that there will be no avoidable delay in making a decision.
Insofar as the person's eligibility for naturalisation is concerned, I am informed that INIS has no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to. It is, however, open to any individual to lodge an application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, which governs the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation.
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.
99. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when consideration will be given to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10719/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned.
These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.
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.
100. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce amendments to SI 646/2017 in view of the concerns of members of an association (details supplied) with the time lock aspect of this law and the effects on its members; if the association will be provided representation at the firearms consultative panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10749/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that Statutory Instrument 646 of 2017, entitled Firearms (Storage of Firearms and Ammunition by Firearms Dealers) Regulations 2017, was recently signed into law by me and has recently been circulated to firearms dealers.
These Regulations give effect to minimum standards for the safe and secure storage of firearms and ammunition in the premises of firearms dealers. They recognise that firearms dealers are entitled to be in possession of large quantities of firearms but require them to conduct business from a premises that has been constructed to a high standard. The Regulations also recognise the different categories of firearms dealers and scales the requirements depending on the quantities of ammunition and firearms being stored. For example, the time lock requirement does not apply to those dealers who deal only in small quantities of ammunition.
The Regulations were developed following consultation with a sub-group of the Firearms Consultative Panel (FCP) consisting of registered firearms dealers. The inclusion of the requirement for time locks was originally suggested by this sub-group to act as a significant deterrent and discouragement to criminal attack. The Commissioner of An Garda Síochána has endorsed the security measures contained in this Regulation and has advised that the inclusion of a requirement for a time-lock on the strong room door will deter criminal activity and require the use of greater resources by any person attempting to access firearms or ammunition illegally. Similar security measures have been applied successfully elsewhere, e.g. in banks, pharmacies and the jewellery sector.
In order to minimise the financial impact, a lead-in time of twelve months for compliance has been included in the Regulation in order to permit dealers sufficient time to comply with the legislation.
I wish to advise the Deputy that I have no plans to amend these regulations which have been introduced as a public safety measure.
Finally, I am currently reviewing membership of the Firearms Consultative Panel and contact will be made in the near future with groups who have previously communicated with the Department on this matter.
101. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the treatment of persons in custody regulations apply to persons detained at all ports of entry; if not, the protections available to persons detained by An Garda Síochána at all ports of entry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10753/18]
View answerThe provisions of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 (Treatment of Persons in Custody in Garda Síochána Stations) Regulations, 1987 and 2006 provide rules and procedures regarding how a person must be treated whilst in custody in Garda Síochána stations. Thus, the said Regulations of 1987 and 2006, apply to persons who have been arrested at ports of entry to the State and are subsequently detained at a Garda Síochána station.
Section 5 of the Immigration Act 2003 (as amended) addresses the issue of removal from the State of persons refused leave to land. In particular, section 5(2)(a) of the Immigration Act 2003 as amended by Section 80 of the International Protection Act 2015 applies to persons who have been arrested and are detained pending their removal from the State. A person arrested pursuant to the said section 5 may be brought to a prescribed place, including a Garda Síochána station. However, section 5, as amended, also provides for particular circumstances where a person arrested for the purpose of removal from the State is detained for a period not exceeding 12 hours, within a port or in a vehicle, for the purposes of bringing the person to the port from which the ship, railway train, road vehicle or aircraft on board which they are to be removed from the State is due to depart.
Detentions under the provisions of section 5 of the Act of 2003 are subject to the provisions of section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 and section 4 of Criminal Justice (United Nations Convention against Torture) Act 2000.
102. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeframe for his planned reforms to the gambling control laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10755/18]
View answerThe Government, on 10 January, 2018, approved the updating of the 2013 General Scheme of the Gambling Control Bill. The proposed updating follows on from the review work undertaken in the Department of Justice and Equality and consultations with interested stakeholders. Changes to the Scheme will be subject to further consultations with the Office of the Attorney General and other relevant Departments.
The critical update approved by the Government was for the establishment of an independent regulatory authority for gambling. This decision was taken on the basis that such a body would be best placed to conduct the complex range of licensing, regulating, monitoring, inspecting and enforcement tasks, etc. of the growing gambling industry in all of its facets. This independent approach would also mirror the approach taken in most EU Member States and beyond.
In the context of reviewing and updating the General Scheme in all necessary aspects, I received Government approval to establish a Working Group, chaired by myself, comprising all stakeholder Departments, relevant Offices and the Office of the Attorney General. The Working Group held its first meeting on 2 February 2018, with a further meeting scheduled for 28 February. I hope that the Group can submit a final report to Government in mid to late 2018, with a revised General Scheme to follow thereafter.
The Deputy may also be aware that the General Scheme of the Civil Law and Courts (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017 received Government approval in July 2017. This Bill will, inter alia, provide for a number of specific changes to the current antiquated Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. These changes are limited in nature and primarily address the better regulation of fund raising activities at local level for charitable and philanthropic purposes.
103. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the work of the joint agency task force dealing with cross-Border criminality; the number of initiatives undertaken to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10756/18]
View answerIn November 2015, the British and Irish Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive agreed a series of measures in the agreement A Fresh Start, The Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan, as part of a concerted and enhanced effort to tackle organised and cross jurisdictional crime. These measures included the creation of a Joint Agency Task Force.
This Task Force is led by senior officers from An Garda Síochána, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Revenue Commissioners and HM Revenue and Customs. A number of other organisations, including the National Crime Agency and the Criminal Assets Bureau are also involved in operational activity. The objective of the Task Force is to build on existing law enforcement frameworks and to increase the collective effectiveness of operational law enforcement actions.
The Strategic Oversight Group of the Task Force is chaired jointly at senior management level by the two police services in order to provide strong strategic direction and oversight to front-line operational activities. This group also includes senior revenue and other personnel from relevant agencies.
Following the establishment of the Strategic Oversight Group, a Cross Border Strategic Assessment was conducted with input from the multi-agency partners to review the extent and impact of organised crime.
Senior officers from An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland jointly chair the Task Force Operations Co-ordination Group which is bringing forward the operation actions in six priority areas that have been the focus of the work of the task force: Rural Crime; Immigration-related Crime; Excise Fraud; Drugs; Financial Crime, and Human Trafficking. These priorities are, of course, kept under review. There has been very considerable operational activity, with a variety of different operations undertaken across all of the priority areas since the establishment of the Task Force.
Under the provisions of the Agreement, a report of the work of the Task Force is provided by the Strategic Oversight Group to the six monthly meetings of Justice Ministers in the framework of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Co-operation on Criminal Justice Matters. Two such reports covering the first twelve months of the operation of the Task Force have been prepared and submitted to the two Justice Ministers over the course of 2016.
While there has been a hiatus in the normal reporting arrangements given the current impasse in the Northern Ireland institutions, the Deputy will be reassured to note that this has not impacted on the operational work of the Task Force which maintains its focus on tackling serious cross-Border crime.
104. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the waiting times and numbers of persons on the waiting list at each of the free legal aid centres, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10758/18]
View answerThe provision of civil legal aid in the State is delivered by the Legal Aid Board pursuant to the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2017.
I am conscious that there are significant demands on the Board and that this gives rise to waiting times for certain services at most of the Board’s law centres. However, waiting times have been markedly reduced over the past couple of years due to measures introduced by the Board and the Deputy will be glad to know that the Board’s budget was increased to €40.275m in 2018.
The Board is extremely conscious that delays in service can lead to difficulties not just for the client but also for children, the wider family and the community, as well as the courts system. In this regard, the Board provides a priority service in respect of a number of areas such as domestic violence, child abduction, child care, and asylum and related matters. All other applications are placed on the waiting list.
I would advise the Deputy that the details of waiting times in each law centre are published on a monthly basis on the Legal Aid Board website. However, to be of assistance, I have included these figures in my response.
Legal Aid Board waiting times – 31 December 2017
|
Waiting for 1st Consultation |
Waiting for 2nd Consultation |
|||
|
Law Centre |
Max Waiting Time (wks) |
Number |
Max Waiting Time (wks) |
Number |
|
Athlone |
8 |
21 |
17 |
33 |
|
Blanchardstown |
8 |
29 |
0 |
0 |
|
Castlebar |
10 |
40 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
9 |
20 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clondalkin |
25 |
57 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork Popes Quay |
20 |
69 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork South Mall |
23 |
82 |
18 |
68 |
|
Dundalk |
16 |
41 |
0 |
0 |
|
Ennis |
17 |
49 |
20 |
28 |
|
Finglas |
16 |
57 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway Francis St |
22 |
64 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway Seville House |
8 |
17 |
7 |
15 |
|
Jervis Street |
5 |
20 |
26 |
69 |
|
Kilkenny |
13 |
35 |
0 |
0 |
|
Letterkenny |
12 |
51 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
16 |
61 |
0 |
0 |
|
Longford |
20 |
44 |
15 |
23 |
|
Monaghan |
22 |
52 |
0 |
0 |
|
Navan |
24 |
81 |
4 |
7 |
|
Nenagh |
18 |
52 |
0 |
0 |
|
Newbridge |
17 |
33 |
0 |
0 |
|
Portlaoise |
19 |
79 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
9 |
20 |
0 |
0 |
|
Smithfield |
14 |
93 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tallaght |
21 |
56 |
9 |
3 |
|
Tralee |
34 |
128 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tullamore |
5 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
10 |
38 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
26 |
74 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
12 |
45 |
0 |
0 |
I am informed that some law centres operate a ‘triage’ approach, which involves giving an applicant a short consultation (45 minutes) for legal advice. Those persons remain on the Board’s waiting list if they require further legal services and the wait time for this is indicated by the second column (waiting for 2nd consultation).
105. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will request the Legal Aid Board to clarify the position regarding the future of a centre (details supplied); and if this service will continue in the local area in view of its large case load. [10759/18]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995, the Legal Aid Board is independent in the exercise of its functions. In particular, Section 30 of the Act provides that responsibility for determining how legal services should be provided, is solely a matter for the Legal Aid Board. Their responsibility in this regard includes decisions in relation to the location of law centres.
I am, however, advised by the Board that it has, for a number of years, sought alternative accommodation in the local area for the Law Centre in question, which is currently located in a rented premises, with a view to providing a facility appropriate to the needs of all its clients, including having particular regard to the provisions of the Disability Act 2005. However, no suitable alternative premises has been found to date. Should further accommodation opportunities in the area concerned arise in the short term, I understand that the Legal Aid Board will give these due consideration. I am further advised that other accommodation options are also being explored in the event that suitable accommodation cannot be secured in the immediate area.
106. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of parental supervision orders, as provided for by section 11 of the Children Act 2001, issued by the courts in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10761/18]
View answer107. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of instances of non-compliance with parental supervision order, as provided for by section 112 of the Children Act 2001, recorded by the courts in each of the past ten years; the penalties imposed, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10762/18]
View answer108. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of compensation orders, as provided for by section 113 of the Children Act 2001, issued by the courts in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10763/18]
View answer109. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of instances of binding over parents or guardians, as provided for by section 114 of the Children Act 2001, issued by the courts in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10764/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 106 to 109, inclusive, 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 courts statistics are not compiled in such a way as to provide the information sought by the Deputy. The Courts Service has further advised that this information could only be obtained by the examination of individual court files in court offices around the country, which would require the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources.
