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Thursday, 10 May 2018

Written Answers Nos. 121-149

Departmental Funding

Questions (121)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

121. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding available through his Department for a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20770/18]

View answer

Written answers

I understand from the details supplied by the Deputy that the property in question belongs to the parish. My Department, therefore, has no function relating to works the parish may wish to undertake outside of the vested school site and funding is not available from my Department for this purpose.

Garda Strength

Questions (122)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

122. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda numbers within the Donegal division; the increase in those numbers in each year since 2014; if further provision has been made for the remainder of 2018 for increasing Garda numbers particularly in the context of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20527/18]

View answer

Written answers

As 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 Garda Commissioner that, as of the 31 March 2018, the latest date for which figures are available, the strength of the Donegal Division was 388. There are also 14 Garda Reserves and 36 Garda civilian staff attached to the Donegal 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.

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. 32 members of this cohort have been assigned to the Donegal Division. 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; some 400 of whom have already done so. In total, 800 Garda trainees are scheduled to attest during the year, some 200 of whom attested in March. Further, Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, are on track to reach 14,000 by the end of this year.

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 Donegal Division.

I am advised by the Commissioner that the allocation of resources is been kept under constant review in line with operational and security demands including any possible policing requirements post Brexit.

I am further advised that An Garda Síochána is acutely aware of the ongoing complex negotiations regarding Brexit and is committed to ensuring the organisation is prepared for all possible outcomes and any possible policing implications and challenges arising. I understand that a high level team composed of managers from across the organisation has been established by the Commissioner and that scoping exercises in anticipation of Brexit have been conducted by An Garda Síochána.

My Department is engaged on an ongoing basis with An Garda Síochána as part of the deep and detailed work being undertaken right across Government and the public sector in response to the UK decision to leave the EU.  Furthermore, An Garda Síochána is represented at a senior level in the ongoing discussions between my Department and the UK Home Office in relation to the operation of the Common Travel Area.

The Deputy will be aware that there is close and ongoing cooperation between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI on all aspects of policing, with a particular focus on combatting security threats and cross-border crime. The Commissioner and the Chief Constable of the PSNI, who are responsible for operational policing cooperation, have repeatedly emphasised the scope and the value of the close and high quality cooperation between the two police services in combating crime, protecting community safety and saving lives. The two police services operate a joint Cross-Border Policing Strategy which has as its aims to improve public safety throughout Ireland, to disrupt criminal activity and to enhance the policing capability of both police services on the island.

I would also point to the Annual Cross Border Conference on Organised Crime and the Biennial Cross Border Organised Crime Threat Assessment, jointly produced by An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).  The conference provides the opportunity to assess and address changing trends in crime, and to build upon and enhance the operational actions already being undertaken.  The Threat Assessment provides an insight into organised criminal activity on both sides of the border together with an assessment of the cross border nature of such criminality.  All of this serves to inform operational strategies and resource allocation decisions.

I am confident that this cooperation will continue post Brexit and I and my officials are in regular contact with counterparts in the UK and with the EU Commission to ensure that crime and security cooperation along the border is not undermined by Brexit.  In its approach to the Brexit negotiations, the Government has ensured that a very high priority has been given to protecting the gains of the Peace Process and the avoidance of a hard border - nationally and by our partner Member States and by the EU Commission.

For the Deputy’s information I have set out below in tabular form the number of Gardaí, as provided by the Commissioner, assigned to the Donegal Division as of 31 December 2014 - 2017 and the 31 March 2018.

DONEGAL DIVISION GARDA STRENGTH 2014 – 31 March 2018*

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018*

397

392

382

386

388

Garda Strength

Questions (123)

Seán Haughey

Question:

123. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sergeants and inspectors in the Dublin north Garda division; the locations of the stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20538/18]

View answer

Written answers

As 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.

Appointments to the ranks of Sergeant and Inspector are a matter for the Commissioner under section 14 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.

I am advised by the Commissioner that the overall strength of the Sergeant and Inspectors rank was 1,861 and 254 as of 31 March 2018, the latest date for which figures are available. I am further advised by the Commissioner that there is currently competitions in train for promotion to the rank of Sergeant and Inspector with the aim of bringing the strength to 2,000 and 300 respectively, as agreed under the Employment Control Framework. I am assured by the Commissioner that following completion of these competitions the needs of all Garda Divisions including the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North Division will be fully considered when determining the allocation of Sergeants and Inspectors.

For the Deputy's information, I have set out in tabular form the number of Sergeants and Inspectors in the DMR North Division by Station as of 31 March 2018, the latest date for which figures are currently available.

Number of Sergeants and Inspectors in the DMR North Division

DISTRICT

STATION

SG

IN

BALBRIGGAN

BALBRIGGAN

8

2

LUSK

1

SKERRIES

1

Total

10

2

BALLYMUN

BALLYMUN

12

4

DUBLIN AIRPORT

4

SANTRY

7

Total

23

4

COOLOCK

COOLOCK

8

3

MALAHIDE

4

SWORDS

10

Total

22

3

RAHENY

CLONTARF

6

HOWTH

3

RAHENY

8

1

Total

17

1

DMR NORTH TOTAL

72

10

Garda Data

Questions (124)

Seán Haughey

Question:

124. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí that undertook each category of Garda driving training course in each of the years 2016 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the frequency with which each category of driving test is held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20539/18]

View answer

Written answers

As you will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána including by arranging for the training of the members and civilian staff of An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

I have requested the specific information sought by the Deputy from the Commissioner and I will write to him directly on receipt of same.

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

Road Traffic Offences Data

Questions (125)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

125. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 119 of 16 May 2017 and 505 of 16 January 2018, the number of persons arrested for drink driving by An Garda Síochána by age, gender, county and Garda district in each of the years 2007 to 2017. [20587/18]

View answer

Written answers

I have requested a report from An Garda Síochána in relation to the statistics sought by the Deputy and I will be in contact with the Deputy directly on receipt of this report.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question 119 of 16 May 2017, in which you asked for the number of persons convicted and arrested for speeding by age, gender, county and Garda district for each year from 2007. I refer also to Parliamentary Questions 505 of 16 January 2018 and 125 of 10 May 2018, in which you sought an update on same.
As you will recall, having provided data from the Courts Service in relation to the first part of your query (the number of persons convicted), I undertook to have further enquiries made in relation to the latter part (the number of persons arrested), and officials in my Department contacted An Garda Síochána in this regard. A copy of the data provided by An Garda Síochána is in the table. As can been seen, divisional boundaries have realigned over the course of the period under review. I am informed by the Garda authorities that, in respect of historical data, detections are recorded on PULSE as per Divisional boundaries in existence in the time of detection, and that to amalgamate these figures into the current divisional boundaries would require a manual trawl through each incident on PULSE.
Furthermore, I am informed by An Garda Síochána that information in terms of the age and gender of the persons arrested/prosecuted for drink driving offences is not readily available and that the collation of such data would require the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time.
It will be noted from the attached table that there is one arrest that has not been associated with a Garda Division and is recorded as ‘Unknown’.
With respect to this record, I am advised by the Garda authorities that this is due to a data field being left blank at the time that the incident was created on PULSE. It has not been possible to identify the location of this arrest at this time as the data extract from PULSE utilised to create the statistics provided did not contain sufficient information to identify individual records. To identify the location of these arrests would require a full data extract from PULSE for the year in question and a manual trawl of records which is not feasible at this time. I am advised that this issue is being reviewed by Garda IT and will be addressed.
I am assured that the omission of the data field in question would not affect the processing of the incident.
I hope these statistics will be of assistance.
Breakdown, by Garda Division, of the number of persons arrested for driving while intoxicated 2007 – 2018 (as of the 01/05/2018).

Divisions

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Unknown*

1

0

0

0

0

0

Carlow/Kildare

270

204

49

Cavan/Monaghan

1079

939

710

562

508

457

Clare

527

441

343

328

258

203

Cork City

974

904

646

601

592

511

Cork North

640

594

529

459

380

328

Cork West

433

464

349

339

258

271

D.M.R. Eastern

415

353

354

338

283

255

D.M.R. North Central

492

560

427

332

264

259

D.M.R. Northern

1191

1216

1118

836

694

556

D.M.R. South Central

739

623

490

374

345

296

D.M.R. Southern

909

783

668

548

466

402

D.M.R. Western

1519

1392

1103

910

721

601

Donegal

951

732

626

516

406

408

Galway Div

917

828

811

754

567

471

Galway West

27

28

Kerry

544

557

438

453

377

343

Kildare Div

516

497

494

400

348

334

Kilkenny/Carlow

565

472

522

434

380

412

Laois/Offaly

628

536

355

347

293

265

Limerick

847

853

662

544

473

390

Longford/Westmeath

78

62

Louth Div

601

609

610

415

305

228

Louth/Meath

91

61

Mayo

451

461

388

302

255

232

Meath Div

615

588

551

437

371

283

Roscommon/Galway (East)

14

20

Roscommon/Longford Div

363

319

263

249

216

196

Sligo/Leitrim

456

363

358

262

234

175

Tipperary

750

691

565

504

407

317

Waterford Div

496

436

379

351

287

325

Waterford/Kilkenny

20

33

11

Westmeath Div

466

401

370

285

242

252

Wexford Div

615

557

471

383

372

379

Wexford/Wicklow

62

19

Wicklow Div

565

461

454

337

275

214

table cont.

Divisions

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018YTD(1/1 - 30/4)

Unknown*

0

0

0

0

0

0

Carlow/Kildare

Cavan/Monaghan

365

360

332

409

449

124

Clare

187

209

195

226

229

71

Cork City

410

404

361

366

402

114

Cork North

311

326

311

332

352

114

Cork West

269

205

228

239

255

76

D.M.R. Eastern

160

164

141

115

170

49

D.M.R. North Central

199

176

171

225

200

71

D.M.R. Northern

487

425

384

406

386

117

D.M.R. South Central

214

165

195

178

179

55

D.M.R. Southern

319

331

250

277

252

89

D.M.R. Western

408

418

403

402

445

137

Donegal

353

329

356

390

442

108

Galway Div

499

469

552

555

562

165

Galway West

Kerry

320

313

328

318

355

114

Kildare Div

336

293

281

341

439

155

Kilkenny/Carlow

308

279

263

282

286

83

Laois/Offaly

196

218

210

248

354

95

Limerick

297

326

352

383

391

99

Longford/Westmeath

Louth Div

173

189

166

212

201

72

Louth/Meath

Mayo

181

201

194

225

304

88

Meath Div

278

243

237

291

337

106

Roscommon/Galway (East)

Roscommon/Longford Div

174

177

159

173

233

67

Sligo/Leitrim

130

162

147

155

191

46

Tipperary

330

362

330

314

477

151

Waterford Div

253

248

225

269

268

67

Waterford/Kilkenny

Westmeath Div

182

195

197

248

249

54

Wexford Div

271

238

255

287

337

87

Wexford/Wicklow

Wicklow Div

197

169

194

201

176

49

Prison Service

Questions (126)

Clare Daly

Question:

126. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 156 of 8 February 2018, the way in which the Circular OPS 12/2011, Consolidated Guidelines for Prisoners Released on Temporary Release, contains a reference to recommendations from a report (details supplied); and if he will make the report available to persons who had co-operated with previous enquiries into the matter. [20602/18]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the Director General commissioned an external operational report into the circumstances surrounding the removal of a person from the Dochas Centre. A review of the draft report highlighted legal and procedural flaws in the way the enquiry was conducted and a second external investigator was appointed in an attempt to bring the enquiry to a satisfactory conclusion. Unfortunately, as was outlined in Parliamentary Question 156 of 8 February 2018,  it proved neither practical or feasible to continue with the enquiry.

I am also advised by the Irish Prison Service that notwithstanding the legal and procedural flaws which were highlighted in the aforementioned draft operational report, some aspects were reviewed on their own merits to see if they would benefit the operation of the Prison Service. Some of these aspects were incorporated into Circular OPS 12/2011 'Consolidated Guidelines for Prisoners Released on Temporary Release'. This Circular was supported by the 'Consolidated Temporary Release Procedures' which issued in March 2012. The areas of the report which were incorporated include that prisoners should have the terms and conditions of Temporary Release explained to them, that the prisoner must acknowledge the conditions of Temporary Release and sign their Temporary Release form, the prisoner must consent to being granted a period of TR, and that a written record of the decision must be placed on the Prisoner Information and Management System.

Legal Services Regulation

Questions (127)

Clare Daly

Question:

127. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify his reply to Parliamentary Question Nos. 509 and 573 of 16 January 2018 (details supplied), in view of press reports stating that the Legal Services Regulatory Authority has not yet got a permanent premises and will not be taking complaints until the summer of 2019. [20603/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Legal Services Regulatory Authority has been established on a firm statutory basis under the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 its establishment day for that purpose having been 1 October 2016. The Authority, which is independent in the performance of its functions under the 2015 Act, has convened regularly since its inaugural meeting on 26 October 2016 and completed a whole series of statutory public consultations and reports that have been laid before the Houses. As the Deputy will be aware, I have more recently set out these and other details of the progress being made by the Authority in the ongoing roll-out of its functions in my Written Reply to her Question No. 557 of 18 April 2017.

As I have conveyed on that occasion, the challenge has been to ensure that the roll-out of the various components of the Authority's regulatory functions in a legally robust manner can be aligned, to the satisfaction of the Authority, with its anticipated working resources as an independent regulator. While the Authority may not yet have taken possession of what is to be a permanent Head Office, its work towards the roll-out of its remaining functions has undoubtedly entered a new and more intensive phase with the appointment last autumn of its first full-time Chief Executive, Dr. Brian Doherty, and its securing at that time of enhanced, serviced office accommodation.

This is all the more evident from the Authority's recent submission under the 2015 Act of its first Strategic Plan for the years 2018-2020 which sets out its approach to the coming into operation of its remaining functions. I have recently laid the Plan before each House of the Oireachtas in the required manner while the Authority, for its part, has made it publicly available on its website www.LSRA.ie. The Strategic Plan sets out the Authority's key priorities and objectives for the next three years including indicative timelines for the coming into operation of its remaining functions as an independent regulator.  Crucially, the Plan also covers the matching development of the organisational capacities and office and staffing resources of the Authority essential to effective delivery. This, of course, includes the coming on stream of its public complaints functions which the Authority anticipates during the first half of 2019.

My Department will, therefore, continue to work closely with the Authority under its mandate of establishment as an independent regulator to enable it to come into substantive regulatory mode over the coming period as set out under its Strategic Plan for 2018-2020.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (128)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

128. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of employees within his Department in receipt of a salary below the living wage of €11.70 per hour. [20619/18]

View answer

Written answers

I can inform the Deputy that based on current staffing figures, 185 staff in my Department are in receipt of a salary below €11.70 per hour.

Departmental Agencies Staff Data

Questions (129, 130)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

129. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the disaggregation of salary scales or levels among agency workers within or through his Department. [20625/18]

View answer

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

130. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of workers employed through his Department under the status of agency worker. [20631/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 130 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department uses the services of the State's independent recruitment office, the Public Appointments Service, to the maximum extent possible.

However, in order to deliver the business of the organisation, it is necessary for my Department to occasionally engage the services of an employment agency to source agency workers to fill critical positions on a short to medium-term basis.

The following table outlines the number of agency workers currently engaged in my Department.

Position

No

Senior Laboratory Analyst

1

Pathology Technician

2

With regard to the Deputy's request for information on the disaggregation of salary scales or levels among agency workers, as above, my Department only engage agency workers in a very limited number of cases, typically to fill very particular or critical roles. As such the qualifications and/or experience of an agency worker will have a bearing on rates charged by the employment agency. In the context of the information above the same charges are applied in respect of the two Pathology Technicians currently engaged.

Garda Data

Questions (131)

Alan Farrell

Question:

131. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vehicles in the Garda fleet; the number of vehicles brought into and taken out of service, respectively by vehicle type since 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20660/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet, to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit for purpose fleet and this is in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015. In total, in the period 2013 to 2017, almost €44 million has been invested in the fleet.

As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the allocation of Garda vehicles is monitored and reviewed on a continual basis and that vehicles are allocated between districts as required by operational circumstances. I further understand that An Garda Síochána operate a comprehensive service repair and maintenance programme to ensure that all vehicles in the fleet are operating to manufacturers specifications.

The following tables outline the current strength of the Garda fleet, vehicles allocated to the fleet since 2011 and vehicles removed from the fleet since 2011, as confirmed by the Garda authorities.

Garda fleet as at 9 May 2018

Cars  

Vans  

Motorcycles  

4 x 4  

Others  

Total  

1925

460

128

109

117

2,739

 

Vehicles allocated to the Garda fleet 2011 to 9 May 2018

Year  

Cars  

Vans  

Motorcycles  

4 x 4  

Others  

Total  

2011

165

4

6

10

4

189

2012

57

23

5

0

0

85

2013

219

85

0

0

1

305

2014

410

21

20

0

6

457

2015

426

49

1

2

15

493

2016

322

145

60

37

33

597

2017

204

42

2

11

27

286

2018 (as at 9 May)

33

19

10

19

3

84

 

Vehicles removed from the Garda fleet 2011 to 9 May 2018

Year  

Cars  

Vans  

Motorcycles  

4 x 4  

Others  

Total  

2011

247

22

33

1

3

306

2012

269

7

9

3

6

294

2013

259

28

13

4

8

312

2014

266

33

25

14

12

350

2015

278

45

41

11

16

391

2016

256

66

14

17

20

373

2017

229

61

20

19

18

347

2018 (as at 9 May)

86

18

8

9

4

125

Garda Data

Questions (132)

Alan Farrell

Question:

132. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda personnel; the stations to which new recruits have been posted since 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20661/18]

View answer

Written answers

As 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.

I am further informed by the Commissioner that on the 31 March 2018, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of An Garda Síochána was 13,667. There are also 567 Garda Reserves and more than 2,270 civilians attached to An Garda Síochána.

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, some 400 of whom have already done so. In total, 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 this year.

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.

In so far as the allocation of newly attested Gardaí is concerned, this is a matter for the Commissioner.  I am assured by the Commissioner that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of resources. However, it is important to keep in mind that newly attested Gardaí have a further 16 months of practical and class-room based training to complete in order to receive their BA in Applied Policing.  To ensure that they are properly supported and supervised and have opportunities to gain the breadth of policing experience required, the Commissioner's policy is to allocate them to specially designated training stations which have the required training and development structures and resources in place, including trained Garda tutors and access to a permanently appointed supervisory Sergeant who is thoroughly familiar with their responsibilities under the training programme.

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.

For the Deputy's information I have set out in the following table the Garda stations to which new recruits have been allocated to from 2016 to date in 2018 as advised by the Commissioner. 

Probationer Garda Allocations by Division and Station 2016 - 2018

DIVISION

STATION 

2016

2017

2018

D.M.R. EAST  

DUN LAOGHAIRE

10

18

2

BLACKROCK

9

6

DUNDRUM

13

3

D.M.R. NORTH  

BALLYMUN

20

4

SANTRY

9

BALBRIGGAN

5

18

4

COOLOCK

5

13

3

SWORDS

10

5

2

RAHENY

10

2

CLONTARF

5

4

2

D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL  

STORE STREET

21

26

14

BRIDEWELL

10

20

6

MOUNTJOY

13

23

15

D.M.R. SOUTH  

CRUMLIN

7

8

4

SUNDRIVE ROAD

2

9

TALLAGHT

10

21

10

RATHFARNHAM

5

RATHMINES

14

9

4

TERENURE

14

D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL  

PEARSE STREET

24

44

10

KEVIN STREET

8

14

5

KILMAINHAM

5

5

IRISHTOWN

5

5

2

DONNYBROOK

10

2

D.M.R. WEST  

BLANCHARDSTOWN

13

29

4

FINGLAS

9

17

CLONDALKIN

5

9

4

BALLYFERMOT

5

4

3

LUCAN

4

3

RONANSTOWN

3

10

4

KILDARE  

NAAS

5

24

2

KILDARE

9

5

NEWBRIDGE

8

LEIXLIP

5

10

3

LAOIS / OFFALY  

PORTLAOISE

15

32

5

TULLAMORE

5

10

MEATH  

NAVAN

10

15

2

ASHBOURNE

9

15

3

WESTMEATH  

ATHLONE

5

7

MULLINGAR

15

WICKLOW  

BRAY

14

5

WICKLOW

5

CAVAN / MONAGHAN  

MONAGHAN

1

7

5

CAVAN

7

10

3

CARRICKMACROSS

5

5

DONEGAL  

LETTERKENNY

5

13

4

LOUTH  

DROGHEDA

4

16

4

DUNDALK

13

18

4

SLIGO / LEITRIM  

SLIGO

5

8

KILKENNY/CARLOW  

KILKENNY

5

19

4

CARLOW

5

11

TIPPERARY  

THURLES

5

5

CLONMEL

4

11

NENAGH

5

5

4

WATERFORD  

WATERFORD

10

24

7

DUNGARVAN

3

TRAMORE

3

WEXFORD  

WEXFORD

5

15

2

ENNISCORTHY

5

11

2

NEW ROSS

8

2

CORK CITY  

ANGLESEA STREET

5

7

GURRANABRAHER

4

5

MAYFIELD

5

TOGHER

10

5

CORK NORTH  

MALLOW

5

5

MIDLETON

5

FERMOY

5

CORK WEST  

BANDON

10

CLONAKILTY

5

KERRY  

TRALEE

10

2

KILLARNEY

7

1

LIMERICK  

HENRY STREET

12

14

5

ROXBORO ROAD

5

4

4

CLARE

ENNIS

5

10

2

KILRUSH

2

GALWAY  

GALWAY

5

7

2

SALTHILL

3

MAYO  

CASTLEBAR

10

BALLINA

4

ROSCOMMON / LONGFORD  

LONGFORD

5

ROSCOMMON

5

CASTLEREA

5

391

880

206

Court Accommodation Refurbishment

Questions (133)

Alan Farrell

Question:

133. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the future of Swords courthouse; the projected timeline for planned developments within the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20662/18]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions.  

In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that there are no plans to carry out works to Swords Courthouse at this time.

However, a number of developments in relation to Courts Service accommodation requirements are outlined in the Government's recent National Development Plan 2018 -2027. They include:

- Further new or refurbished courthouses in regional cities and county towns where facilities remain substandard (including Galway City, Wicklow Town, Portlaoise, Tralee and Roscommon) and further provincial locations such as An Clochan Liath (Dungloe) to serve as the Gaeltacht court for the region, and Tuam;

- Regional Family Law Centres;

- A nationwide condition survey of all court buildings in the estate will be undertaken to determine their condition and identify works required in relation to any issues identified and meet ongoing maintenance requirements.

The precise allocation and timing of additional funding over the entire ten year period remains to be fully determined. It will be dependent on the outcome of further detailed planning and analysis of costs which will determine prioritisation of projects from a timing and budgetary perspective. The Courts Service will consider the possibility of a new courthouse development in North Dublin but this will require more detailed review and analysis.

Court Accommodation Provision

Questions (134)

Alan Farrell

Question:

134. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the future of Balbriggan courthouse; the projected timeline for planned developments within the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20663/18]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions.  

In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that there are no plans to carry out any works to Balbriggan Courthouse at this time.

However, a number of developments in relation to Courts Service accommodation requirements are outlined in the Government's recent National Development Plan 2018 -2027. They include:

- Further new or refurbished courthouses in regional cities and county towns where facilities remain substandard (including Galway City, Wicklow Town, Portlaoise, Tralee and Roscommon) and further provincial locations such as An Clochan Liath (Dungloe) to serve as the Gaeltacht court for the region, and Tuam;

- Regional Family Law Centres;

- A nationwide condition survey of all court buildings in the estate will be undertaken to determine their condition and identify works required in relation to any issues identified and meet ongoing maintenance requirements.

The precise allocation and timing of additional funding over the entire ten year period remains to be fully determined. It will be dependent on the outcome of further detailed planning and analysis of costs which will determine prioritisation of projects from a timing and budgetary perspective. The Courts Service will consider the possibility of a new courthouse development in North Dublin but this will require more detailed review and analysis.

Garda Data

Questions (135)

Alan Farrell

Question:

135. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the personnel stationed in the Garda Training College in Templemore by rank, including those seconded to Templemore; the field in which each operates; the number of non-sworn personnel; the fields in which each operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20664/18]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the training of its members and civilian staff and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. 

The information sought by the Deputy is currently being collated and I will write to the Deputy when it is available in the format requested.

Garda Stations

Questions (136)

Seán Crowe

Question:

136. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for a new Garda station in Tallaght; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is overcrowding in the station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20682/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána, including responsibility for the formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations. In addition, 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 in addition to decisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

As the Deputy will be aware, 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. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Programme does not include the provision of a new Garda station in Tallaght, and I further understand from the Garda authorities that there are no plans to undertake a major refurbishment of this Garda station.

However, I am informed by Garda authorities that the Programme does include the provision of a Property and Exhibit Store (PEMS) at Tallaght Garda Station and that the development of this property storage facility is ongoing in conjunction with the OPW.

Finally, I am informed by the Garda authorities that to assist with accommodation in the existing Garda station in Tallaght, the OPW has provided additional accommodation for An Garda Síochána in the close proximity to the station, at the Plaza Office Complex, Tallaght. I understand that An Garda Síochána took up occupation of this accommodation in October 2009.

Property Services Regulatory Authority Remit

Questions (137)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

137. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has reviewed the role of the Property Services Regulatory Authority to encompass a supervisory role for management owner companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20691/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) was established on 3 April 2012 under the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011 to regulate, control and supervise property service providers (i.e. auctioneers/estate agents, letting agents and property management agents) and to establish and enforce standards within the property services industry.

The statutory basis for property management companies in multi-unit developments (generally known as owners' management companies and which comprise the owners of units in the development) is provided under the Multi-Unit Development Act 2011. In general such companies are registered under the Companies Acts and are subject to company law.

The PSRA has no statutory function under the Multi-Unit Development Act 2011. This is appropriate since owners' management companies do not provide property services.

Nevertheless, complaints concerning the provision of services to owners' management companies by licensed property management agents may be referred to the PSRA. The statutory functions of the Authority include the investigation of such complaints and the imposition of sanctions where appropriate.

As outlined above, owners' management companies are not property service providers as defined in the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011 and I have no plans to review the Act in this regard.

Departmental Strategies

Questions (138, 139)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

138. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the projected increase or demand for workers and employees due to demographic changes for the years 2018 to 2028. [20702/18]

View answer

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

139. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the budgetary projection within his Department due to demographic change for the years 2018 to 2028. [20706/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together.

While the focus on the annual estimates process tends to be on the upcoming financial year, the Department is increasingly focusing on the requirements for future years and where possible this will be factored in to the estimates process. This applies for example in relation to staffing requirements across the sector. The Programme for Government commits to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement and provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. In July 2016 the Government agreed overall vision for the Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 to include 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Garda Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In relation to the Department, there is a formal workforce planning exercise every three years to identify the number of staff and the skills required to deliver the Department's strategy. The workforce plan is reviewed on an annual basis to ensure emerging issues are incorporated.  Staff demographics are considered within the workforce plan to inform effective succession planning.

The recently published National Development Plan provides for capital allocations for the Justice sector from 2018 to 2022 and the main areas of capital investment for the sector in the period to 2027 are outlined in the Plan.  It also recognises that increased population growth in the next ten years as envisaged under the National Planning Framework will also create new demands in terms of the current accommodation stock across the sector including in relation to policing , prisons and courts. Hence, the requirement for additional public capital infrastructure for the criminal justice system.

My Department is also developing its analytical capability to be better placed to predict future trends including demographic changes and thus better inform both policy developments and budgetary requirements in the years ahead.

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission

Questions (140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

140. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a report was prepared for the GSOC directorate regarding work practices and case management in the Longford office of GSOC following concerns expressed in 2016 regarding work practices. [20733/18]

View answer

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

141. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cases discontinued in the past year under section 93 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. [20734/18]

View answer

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

142. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cases advanced under section 101 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 in the past year. [20735/18]

View answer

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

143. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied that the GSOC office for its south team is adequately secure physically, technically and electronically for staff, exhibits, records and other materials. [20736/18]

View answer

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

144. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if it is permitted for GSOC staff to use GSOC vehicles and to claim expenses for personal use or for use outside of GSOC business. [20737/18]

View answer

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

145. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of members of An Garda Síochána that have been seconded from An Garda Síochána to GSOC; the responsibilities of each within GSOC; and the responsibilities they have for the investigation into certain issues at Templemore Garda Training College. [20738/18]

View answer

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

146. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if allegations have been made since 2014 of serious misconduct against staff based in or undertaking duties in the southern region of GSOC; if so, if those allegations have been investigated; the position regarding those allegations; and if members of staff have been disciplined since that point. [20739/18]

View answer

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

147. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there was a public interest investigation under section 103(4) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 into the discharge of a weapon at Cabra, Dublin 7 in November 2017; and if not, the reason therefor. [20740/18]

View answer

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

148. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if it is generally the policy that GSOC would investigate the discharge of a weapon by a member of An Garda Síochána under section 103(4) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. [20741/18]

View answer

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

149. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of investigations under section 103(4) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 into discharges of weapons by members of An Garda Síochána that have been undertaken by GSOC in the past three years. [20742/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 to 149, inclusive, together.

The information the Deputy has sought is not immediately to hand. I have requested the information and I will write to the Deputy directly when the report is received.

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