Written Answers Nos 86-96
86. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the accommodation brief for the refurbishment and extension to a school (details supplied) has been decided upon; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13474/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, a building project for the school to which she refers is included in my Department's 6 Year Construction Programme.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the project brief is currently being finalised which, once completed, will facilitate the project to be progressed into the architectural planning process.
87. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the conveyancing process relating to the acquisition of a site for a school (details supplied) has been completed; if the site is now in the ownership of his Department; when a design team will be appointed for both projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13475/18]
View answerI can confirm that my Department is in the process of acquiring a site to accommodate the schools to which the Deputy refers. The school patrons have been informed of the proposed location of the schools.
Officials in my Department are liaising with all relevant parties in order to progress the site acquisition. When the site acquisition process has been progressed further, my Department will be in a position to progress the project into architectural planning. I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to expedite the site acquisition process.
88. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) has been cleared for pre-qualification of contractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13476/18]
View answerThe major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2b (Detailed Design), which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.
The Stage 2b submission has been reviewed by my Department and on 9 February 2018 comments issued to the school and its Design Team on the stage 2b submission. My Department also requested confirmations from the Design Team that it carries out one final review of all of its tender documentation to ensure compliance with DoES requirements. The Design Team has been requested to submit written confirmation from each Design Team member including the PSDP that they have completed this review and are satisfied that the Tender Documents are complete, correct and in compliance with DoES and Building Control (Amendment) Regulations (BC(A)R) tender documentation requirements. A response is awaited.
A letter recently issued to the school and its Design Team advising them of a timeframe for the progression of this project including the Pre-Qualification of Contractors.
89. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the revised stage 2 (b) report for a school (details supplied) has been received in his Department; if the project can now proceed to tender stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13477/18]
View answerThe building project referred to by the Deputy is for a new 24 classroom school including a Special Needs Unit, with a floor area of approx. 4,748m2.
The project is currently at Stage 2B of Architectural Planning - Detailed Design Stage, which includes applications for all statutory consents, including Planning Permission, Disability Access Certificate and Fire Safety Certificate and also the preparation of tender documentation. Planning Permission for this project was received in August 2017.
The Stage 2B report has been received by my Department, the review is complete, with some minor issues to be addressed by the Design Team.
90. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the pre-qualification process of contractors has commenced for a school (details supplied); if it has the closing date for receipt of expressions of interest to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13478/18]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the building project to which she refers has been devolved for delivery to the local Education and Training Board (ETB). It is a matter for the ETB and its Design Team to progress the pre-qualification of contractors for the project, the approval for which was very recently given.
A contractor pre-qualification process normally takes in the region of 8 weeks provided no clarifications are sought by potential bidders. A Report on the outcome must be submitted to the Department. Once the Report is reviewed, and assuming that there are no issues with it, approval will given for the project to proceed to tender.
91. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the pre-qualification process of contractors has commenced for a school (details supplied); if it has the closing date for receipt of expressions of interest to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13479/18]
View answerThe major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2b (Detailed Design), which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. All statutory approvals have been secured.
The Stage 2(b) submission has been reviewed by my Department and a letter recently issued to the school and its Design Team advising them of a timeframe for the progression of this project including the Pre-Qualification of Contractors.
92. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the proposed extension of parental leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13287/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Partnership Government includes a commitment to increase paid leave for parents during the first year of a child’s life, as research shows that parental care is of particular importance during this time. The Government has established an interdepartmental working group to develop proposals to give effect to this commitment and I expect it to make its report at the end of next month.
The Government’s commitment to introduce a paid parental leave entitlement is also in keeping with the policy approach put forward by the European Commission's proposal for a work-life balance directive. The key proposal in the Directive is that parental leave should be made available to parents on a paid basis, and it is currently under discussion at working group level.
93. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to review or restructure the delivery model of Garda youth diversion projects; if he will report on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13257/18]
View answer99. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to concerns held by the Garda youth diversion programme independent network, IGYD, regarding the future funding of the programmes following a call for proposal by the Irish Youth Justice Service; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that IGYD is of the view that the upcoming call for proposals will have detrimental impacts on young persons, communities and youth services; the reason these changes to funding of Garda youth diversion programmes are occurring; if he will engage with the IGYD to address these concerns and ensure the future of these programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13449/18]
View answer101. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if special provision has been made in the procurement process to facilitate existing service providers to tender collectively as a consortium in relation to the Garda youth diversion projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13489/18]
View answer102. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if social benefit clauses have been written into the notice of tender to ensure that the additional wrap-around services which Garda youth diversion clients avail of due to their delivery in a wider youthwork setting will be provided for under the new service delivery model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13491/18]
View answer104. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the procurement document in relation to Garda youth division projects will make special provision for or give weighting to tendering bodies that undertake to sub-contract existing service providers to ensure continuity of service in existing divisional areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13495/18]
View answer105. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to defer the publishing of the procurement notice until all parameters regarding the transition from the existing service providers have been explored and every reasonable option to enable them to form alliances or consortia to competitively tender has been examined and communicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13497/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 93, 99, 101, 102, 104 and 105 together.
As Deputies may be aware, my Department is obliged to carry out a Call for proposals process during 2018 in relation to the provision of Garda Youth Diversion Project (GYDP) services, to fully comply with requirements related to the co-funding of projects by the European Social Fund Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020.
I can assure Deputies that the new approach to GYDP provision which is being developed in preparation for the Call for Proposals will not reduce the level of service that already exists, or the importance of community involvement in its delivery. On the contrary, the intention is to build on, update and improve a very valuable service, so that it is available to every child or young person in the country who requires it. While certain aspects of the new approach have been determined, work is ongoing to complete the full details to be included in the Call for Proposals, which is expected to issue later this year. I firmly believe that community ownership and participation of the projects is an essential dimension that must be preserved and strengthened in the working out of this process.
To ensure State-wide coverage of GYDP services for young people, (which does not exist at present), the intention is that, in general, service provision will be aligned with Garda Divisions or other appropriate local areas with a distinct community identity as may be agreed during the consultation process. Issues of community identify and numbers of potential participants on GYDPs in the area will be key considerations here.
The provision of GYDP services in all parts of the State has obvious advantages, particularly in terms of providing services for significant numbers of young people who cannot currently access them. I might add that an independent evaluation report of the operation of an integrated approach to delivery of GYDP services within County Kerry, commissioned by the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) is expected shortly. This report will help with the further development of the Call for Proposals documentation.
GYDPs provide an effective and essential support to the operation of the statutory Garda Diversion Programme by An Garda Síochána. The principal focus of GYDPs is on young people who receive a Garda caution under the Diversion Programme for involvement in criminal or anti-social behaviour and are referred to a local GYDP (primary referrals). GYDPs also accommodate a certain proportion of young people who are considered to be at risk of involvement in offending or anti-social behaviour (secondary referrals).
In relation to secondary referrals, it has to be considered if, in principle, it is appropriate to refer a child to a Garda project where no criminal act has been identified. For some, a better option might be referral to available mainstream youth services that could appropriately support them. That being said, it is accepted that referrals to GYDPs must take account of local needs and issues in relation to access and availability of mainstream youth services. Following the Call for Proposals process, GYDP services will still accommodate a certain proportion of secondary referrals and the proportion of these may vary from area to area depending on identified local needs.
My Department is very much aware of concerns expressed by youth justice workers and their representatives. I can assure Deputies that careful consideration is being given to all issues raised by stakeholders involved in GYDPs as part of a wide-ranging consultation process, which is currently ongoing. This process includes arrangements for an extensive series of meetings with community based organisations and project workers which will facilitate closer communication and exchange of information in relation to these matters. The consultation process will help to inform further development of the approach in advance of the Call for Proposals being issued, including in relation to the matters referred to by the Deputies.
In addition, the consultations will include arrangements to hear the views of young people, including participants or former participants on GYDPs.
GYDPs deliver valuable services for young people who have committed a crime or may be at risk of offending as well as providing important support for An Garda Síochána at local level. I can assure Deputies that in the context of the Call for Proposals my Department is committed to ensuring continuity of service for participants on GYDPs and maintain a community driven approach to their operation, as well as minimising any disruption for workers and service providers. In this regard, I am advised that the Call for Proposals process will facilitate existing service providers forming consortiums, which could apply to provide services under the new GYDP model.
94. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 155 of 15 February 2018, the number of gardaí in respect of all other counties by division, district and rank; the number of Garda vehicles based full time in counties by vehicle type, division and-or district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13264/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I am informed by the Commissioner that in regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Garda Division. Where a deficiency in resources is identified the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly.
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.
Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, just under 1,800 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. 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 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 a further 600 Garda trainees are scheduled to attest during the remainder of 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.
I am informed by the Commissioner that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in the format requested, as resources are assigned on a Divisional basis which does not necessarily accord to county boundaries. For the Deputy's information, I have set out in the following table and link the number of Gardaí, as advised by the Commissioner, assigned by Division, District and Rank as of 31 January 2018, and the strength of the Garda Fleet by Division as of 16 March 2018, the latest dates for which figures are currently available.
Strength of Garda Fleet, broken down by Division as at 16/03/2018
|
- |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Others |
Total |
|
Fleet Total |
1,947 |
456 |
117 |
104 |
118 |
2,742 |
|
CAVANMONAGHAN |
44 |
13 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
60 |
|
CLARE |
39 |
11 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
52 |
|
CORK CITY |
98 |
20 |
8 |
3 |
9 |
138 |
|
CORK NORTH |
38 |
10 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
52 |
|
CORK WEST |
40 |
10 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
53 |
|
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
DMR EAST |
43 |
10 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
58 |
|
DMR HARCOURT SQUARE |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
DMR NORTH |
80 |
27 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
112 |
|
DMR NORTH CENTRAL |
52 |
10 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
69 |
|
DMR SOUTH |
63 |
17 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
83 |
|
DMR SOUTH CENTRAL |
45 |
13 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
62 |
|
DMR TRAFFIC |
17 |
1 |
31 |
3 |
1 |
53 |
|
DMR WEST |
71 |
17 |
2 |
0 |
7 |
97 |
|
DONEGAL |
50 |
12 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
69 |
|
GALWAY |
62 |
18 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
92 |
|
GARDA CENTRAL VETTING UNIT |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
H.R.M. Incl. Training |
52 |
20 |
18 |
10 |
5 |
105 |
|
HEADQUARTERS |
30 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
38 |
|
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SECTION |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY |
2 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
KERRY |
39 |
12 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
55 |
|
KILDARE |
40 |
11 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
57 |
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
59 |
15 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
81 |
|
LAOISOFFALY |
44 |
10 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
60 |
|
LIMERICK |
60 |
16 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
84 |
|
LOUTH |
40 |
9 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
55 |
|
MAYO |
36 |
13 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
53 |
|
MEATH |
42 |
11 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
55 |
|
NATIONAL UNITS |
404 |
43 |
2 |
17 |
49 |
515 |
|
ROSCOMMONLONGFORD |
38 |
12 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
54 |
|
SLIGOLEITRIM |
36 |
12 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
50 |
|
SPECIAL TACTICS & OPS COMMAND |
30 |
5 |
2 |
19 |
9 |
65 |
|
TECHNICAL BUREAU |
9 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
14 |
|
TELECOMMUNICATIONS |
5 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
10 |
|
TIPPERARY |
52 |
11 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
68 |
|
WATERFORD |
42 |
13 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
63 |
|
WESTMEATH |
43 |
16 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
70 |
|
WEXFORD |
49 |
11 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
63 |
|
WICKLOW |
45 |
11 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
63 |
Number of Gardaí assigned by Division, District and Rank as of 31 January 2018 is at the following link:
95. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the non-ratification of the optional protocol to the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; his plans to ratify the optional protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13282/18]
View answerWhile there was a commitment given, in the 2015 Roadmap, to ratify the Optional Protocol at the same time as the Convention, the current focus has been on ratifying the Convention itself as a first step. The Convention and the Optional Protocol cover a broad range of commitments some of which require substantive cultural change. Work is continuing on the reforms needed for Ireland's compliance with the Convention's requirements. For this reason, a phased approach is seen as the most practical and realistic way of moving ahead. Accordingly the Optional Protocol is not being ratified at this time but will be ratified as soon as possible, at the latest following completion of Ireland's first reporting cycle which will identify any actions needed with regard to compliance with the Convention.
96. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the supports available for those with refugee status who have been approved for family reunification by his Department; the supports assisting those in emergency reception and orientation centres to move to permanent accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13426/18]
View answerPersons granted international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) can access State provided supports and services on the same basis as nationals. This includes full access to the labour market, education, healthcare and social housing assistance, where the established eligibility criteria are met. Eligibility is assessed by the relevant local authority. Beneficiaries with independent means can source and provide their own private accommodation.
Persons in Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres (EROCs) have been admitted into the State under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP), either as resettled refugees from Lebanon or as relocated asylum seekers from Greece. The IRPP was established in 2015 as a "whole-of-Government" response to the migration crisis. An inter-Departmental Taskforce was established to implement the programme across all relevant Government Departments and services.
Under the Taskforce, a Housing Sub-Group was established to co-ordinate the provision of medium to long-term housing accommodation for the people arriving under the IRPP. The Sub-Group contains representatives from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the City and County Management Association, my own Department and the Irish Red Cross. The Sub-Group prepared an approach for resettling people arriving under the IRPP according to a series of objective criteria including the population size of the county into which they were to be resettled. The local authorities with responsibility for major urban areas, including the Dublin local authorities, are excluded from this approach due to pressure on local authority housing supply in those areas.
