Written Answers Nos. 448-470
448. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the budget allocation he plans putting in place in 2018 and 2019 in order to establish a UNCRPD implementation working group and oversight committee which will ensure the swift implementation and integration of the UNCRPD here. [25433/18]
View answerArticle 33 of the UNCRPD requires State Parties to designate a focal point within government for matters relating to the implementation of the Convention, and establish a framework, including one or more independent mechanisms, to promote, protect and monitor implementation of the CRPD. It also requires the involvement and participation of civil society, in particular, persons with disabilities, in the monitoring process.
The monitoring framework for the Convention will include the involvement of both the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) and the National Disability Authority (NDA). IHREC, as Ireland’s National Human Rights Institution will, with the assistance of the NDA, play a key a role in supplying periodic independent reports to the UN.
The Equality Division in the Department of Justice and Equality will be the designated focal point as it has policy responsibility for the equality aspects of disability matters. The Division already provides the Secretariat to the National Disability Strategy Implementation Group (NDSIG) which I Chair and where the UNCRPD will be discussed regularly.
It is not possible to arrive at a precise budgetary figure as a key issue in relation to the implementation of the Convention is the coordination of efforts across a range of Government Departments. Individual actions across different Departments have associated cost implications which are included in the votes of the relevant Departments.
I have always placed a strong emphasis on securing adequate funding with €1.76 Billion allocated by the Department of Health for disability services in 2018 representing an increase of 4.4% on 2017. Furthermore, in December of 2017, I announced the securing of an additional €10 million funding for respite care.
449. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of unlicensed taxi drivers apprehended by An Garda Síochána in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25460/18]
View answerI 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.
450. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25710/18]
View answer540. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the case of a person (details supplied) who was refused leave to remain here will be re-examined in view of the shortage of guidance counsellors and the fact that careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists were added to the ineligible categories of employment for employment permits list after the person commenced their studies and the fact that their degree qualifies them to work here. [25542/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 450 and 540 together.
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person's application for permission to remain in the State has been considered and that the person concerned has been notified of the decision.
The original application was received from the person concerned on 2 November 2017 and a decision letter issued on 17 January 2018.
On 22 March 2018 a review of the original application was requested as an exceptional measure. A decision letter in response to this exceptional request for a review of the original application was issued on 28 May 2018.
The policy in relation to the eligible and ineligible categories of employment for employment permits is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
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.
451. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the funding allocated for high-quality training on domestic and sexual violence to An Garda Síochána in 2017 and 2018; the number of gardaí who received such training in these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24274/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the training of personnel within An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister have no direct role in the matter.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
|
- |
2017 |
2018 |
Comment |
|
Detective Training |
1 |
10 |
Sexual and Domestic Violence training forms part of the Detective Training Course |
|
Specialist Interviewing (child & vulnerable persons) |
4 |
This training is specific to interviewing victims of all crime, including sexual and domestic violence crimes |
|
|
Level 3 Interviewing for witnesses and suspects |
6 |
6 |
Interviewing for witnesses and suspects of all crime, including sexual and domestic violence crimes |
|
Enhanced Cognitive Interviewing |
12 |
12 |
Cognitive Interview (CI) is a method of interviewing eyewitnesses and victims about what they remember from a crime scene, including sexual and domestic violence crimes |
|
*DPSU Training Domestic Abuse Module |
40 |
0 |
Training in all aspects of Domestic Abuse, including legislation and procedure. |
452. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if GISC's responsibility for the management of the Garda information technology service desk out of hours and on weekends was rolled back in 2016 with responsibility moving to a company (details supplied); and if so, the reason therefore. [24329/18]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government recognises that Gardaí must have the modern technology and resources necessary to detect and investigate crimes, and to prevent loss and harm to citizens and their property on a 24/7 basis.
In support of this, €342 million, including €217 million in additional funding under the Capital Plan, is being invested in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021 to enable An Garda Síochána to deploy the latest cutting-edge technologies in the fight against crime. This significant investment will additionally facilitate progress on important reforms arising from the Garda Inspectorate's report on Crime Investigation.
Decisions in relation to the allocation and management of Garda equipment and resources, including ICT, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that in 2016 the Garda ICT Service Desk resumed responsibility from the Garda Information Services Centre (GISC) for out of hours and weekend cover.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the service desk is staffed by a combination of Garda staff and contract staff and that responsibility for the management of the service desk lies with Garda ICT.
453. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the name of the governor of Portlaoise prison; when they were appointed; and the name of the previous governor and the date of their appointment. [24350/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the names of Governors assigned to prisons across the prison estate is published on the Irish Prison Service website www.irishprisons.ie.
The current operational Governor of Portlaoise Prison John Farrell was assigned with effect from Saturday 02 June 2018.
The previous operational Governor of Portlaoise Prison Daniel Robbins was assigned on 06 October 2014 and retired on 04 May 2018. From 05 May 2018 - 01 June 2018 Ethel Gavin Acting Campus Governor was the operational Governor of Portlaoise Prison.
454. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and location of prison governor positions which are vacant; and when they will be filled. [24351/18]
View answerI have been advised by the Irish Prison Service that there are currently no Governor positions vacant in any prison across the prison estate.
455. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if it is permitted for an insurance company to pursue claimants or plaintiffs for their High Court and-or Court of Appeal costs even when the claim is successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24359/18]
View answer456. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to situations in which insurance companies are refusing to pay for the certificate for senior counsel for the claimant or plaintiff in circumstances in which a case is settled in favour of the claimant; if there is a regulation or restriction preventing this from occurring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24360/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 456 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, the determination of who is to pay costs in any given case is a matter for the presiding judge who is, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and the decision to pursue those costs is a matter for the parties to the proceedings.
In relation to payment for a Certificate for Senior Counsel, I note that the Deputy refers specifically to a Certificate for Senior Counsel in cases which are settled between parties and so, in the case of a settlement, the terms of same are agreed between the parties and the agreement to include a Certificate is therefore a matter for the parties involved.
Notwithstanding the above, the Cost of Insurance Working Group, chaired by Minister of State Michael D’Arcy TD, examined the issue of the discretion of the court to exercise in favour of the winning party - the ‘costs follow the event’ principle, as part of its examination of the cost of Employer and Public Liability Insurance.
The Cost of Insurance Working Group believes that a consistent application of this key principle – recognising that it should remain a matter for the independent judiciary to be the key decision makers in this regard – would probably be one of the most effective ways of tackling fraud and exaggerated claims, as it would give insurers the confidence to challenge more robustly cases which they have doubts about and believes that such an approach should have no bearing or impact on plaintiffs who have a deserving case.
It is also of note that under Part 10 of the Legal Services Regulation Act of 2015 a new and much more transparent and client friendly legal costs regime is being rolled-out which will place strict obligations on legal practitioners in how they determine and communicate their fees. This will also be bolstered under the Act by the coming into operation later this year of the new Office of the Legal Costs Adjudicators that will determine disputed legal costs on foot of a set of Legal Costs Principles set out in Schedule One of that Act and will maintain a publicly accessible Register of its determinations. It is also to be noted that section 169 of the 2015 Act puts the general principle of ‘costs follow the event’ on a statutory footing and will also be commenced later this year.
457. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when vehicle number recognition systems will be installed in all Garda patrol cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24386/18]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the provision of equipment and resources to An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
459. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of funding that will be provided for the second sexual abuse and violence in Ireland study; the communications he has had with other Departments from which funding for this study would be divided; the timeline for the completion of the study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24400/18]
View answerThe Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform agreed to establish a Scoping Group to consider the availability of data and make recommendations on a study to identify the prevalence of sexual abuse and violence in Ireland today and emerging trends. The terms of reference for the group are published on my Department's website. The Group met for the final time on April 9th and have completed their Report and submitted it to my Department for consideration. A number of technical issues are being considered by my Department prior to the report being considered by Government. Once the report has been examined and subsequently considered by Government it will be possible to be more specific about its recommendations and the issues raised by the Deputy. Significant progress has been made and I expect to bring proposals to Government in relation to this matter shortly.
460. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to roll out the use of body-worn cameras by gardaí as standard in view of the fact that the Metropolitan Police in London have seen a 30% decrease in complaints against officers wearing body cameras; if he or his officials in consultation with An Garda Síochána have evaluated the time and resources that can be saved by using such equipment in the context of being able to prove in a more efficient manner complaints against gardaí and-or incidents; his views on the use of body cameras in the context of personal safety of gardaí while in the line of their duty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24402/18]
View answer552. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full-year cost of providing all front-line gardaí with body cameras. [25700/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 552 together.
The Deputies will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the provision of equipment for An Garda Síochána including specialist equipment such as body worn cameras. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that a working group is currently researching and exploring options for the potential use of body worn cameras in An Garda Síochána. I understand that the working group is examining issues including current legislation, the procurement process, storage of data and solutions in other jurisdictions.
In that regard, I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the relevant project team has conducted research to gain an understanding of the scale of the project, technology and training requirements, as well as potential legal and policy implications. It is understood the work of the project team has not yet concluded.
The full-year cost of providing all front-line Gardaí with body cameras would only be confirmed once a public procurement process was concluded and a contract awarded.
461. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda staff who were co-located with staff provided by a company (details supplied) in 2016 and who functioned as corresponding resources as per the terms of the 2016 contract for the provision of skilled resources by the company. [24407/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the allocation and management of Garda equipment and resources, including ICT, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that 14 sworn and unsworn Garda members were co-located with staff provided by the company referred to in 2016.
I am further informed that a number of other contract staff would have worked with staff from the referred to company as part of extended multi-disciplinary groups in delivering services to users, but would not have been co-located when doing so.
462. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff, including Garda in-house and external staff provided by a company (details supplied) allocated to provide live support for the Garda IS infrastructure in 2016. [24408/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the allocation and management of Garda equipment and resources, including ICT, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda IS infrastructure consists of a range of technologies, platforms and associated systems. There are both "live" and “test" versions of the Garda IS infrastructure, all of which have to be supported. I am further informed that support for the Garda IS Infrastructure is provided under a number of contracts with different suppliers including the company referred to.
According to the Garda authorities, the total number of staff allocated in 2016 by the company referred to and An Garda Síochána to provide support across the range of Garda IS infrastructure was 86, comprising 23 in-house Garda staff and 63 staff provided by the company referred to.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that this does not include telecommunications staff who support data network infrastructure, or support of infrastructure supplied by external suppliers other than the company referred to.
463. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff including Garda in-house and external staff provided by a company (details supplied) allocated to work as service desk analysts on the Garda information technology service desk in 2016. [24421/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the allocation and management of Garda equipment and resources, including ICT, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
However, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of staff working on the Garda Service Desk in 2016 was 17, comprising 4 in-house Garda staff and 13 staff provided by the company referred to (9 analysts, 3 supervisors and 1 team lead).
464. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the €7,625,089 cost of the contract awarded to a company (details supplied) for the provision of skilled resources to An Garda Síochána in 2016 includes staff travel and subsistence costs. [24422/18]
View answer465. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the €7,205,435 cost of the contract awarded to a company (details supplied) for the provision of skilled resources to An Garda Síochána in 2015 includes staff travel and subsistence costs. [24423/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 464 and 465 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the allocation and management of the Garda ICT budget is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner, as the Accounting Officer for An Garda Síochána.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the cost of the contracts awarded to the company in question for provision of skilled resources in a range of roles to An Garda Síochána, namely €7,205,435 in 2015 and €7,625,089 in 2016, is based on a number of days and an associated rate for each. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that no additional amount was paid for travel and subsistence.
466. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding Garda vetting and clearance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24424/18]
View answerVetting for employment purposes is carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012-2016 and other relevant laws. The primary purpose of the arrangements that have been put in place is to support protection for children and vulnerable adults. Neither I nor my Department has any role in the processing of such applications.
The Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016 sets out the arrangements in law whereby certain past convictions may not be disclosed. This Act made a series of amendments to the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 in respect of the arrangements for the disclosure or otherwise of past convictions in the vetting process.
These provisions are applied by the National Vetting Bureau in the context of processing all vetting applications.
Under the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016 a person is not obliged to disclose certain convictions which are over seven years old, subject to specified limitations. The provisions in this regard are set out in the 2016 Act.
467. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications received in 2017 and to date in 2018 for the community CCTV scheme; the number of applications received by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24428/18]
View answer468. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications which have been granted to date for the community CCTV scheme; the number of granted applications by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24429/18]
View answer469. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of funding allocated to date through the community CCTV scheme; the amount of funding allocated by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24430/18]
View answer470. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the types of community groups and organisations availing of and inquiring with regard to the community CCTV scheme; the issues which are hindering community groups and organisations from progressing their application to installation of CCTV in their communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24431/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 467 to 470, inclusive, together.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to supporting investment in CCTV systems. In pursuance of this commitment, a new Community-based CCTV grant-aid scheme was launched by my Department in 2017 to assist groups in the establishment of community-based CCTV systems in their local areas. It is intended that the scheme will run for 3 years with funding of some €1 million being made available each year.
Under the scheme, eligible community groups can apply for grant-aid of up to 60% of the total capital cost of a proposed CCTV system, up to a maximum grant of €40,000. Upon approval, applicants receive up-front payment of 50% of the grant with the balance to be paid when the system is fully operational.
It is important to note that community CCTV is governed by section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006 (SI No 289 of 2006). This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must-
- be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee,
- have the prior support of the relevant Local Authority, which must also act as data controller, and
- have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner.
This is the legal basis for all community CCTV schemes, regardless of whether or not grant funding is sought from my Department to assist in their establishment.
In establishing the grant-aid scheme, the Department sought to make the process as user-friendly as possible while respecting these statutory requirements.
Both the application process and documentation were updated and streamlined as compared to the earlier scheme administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department, to make them more accessible to all groups wishing to avail of the scheme.
Further, the Department consulted broadly, including with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, An Garda Síochána, the Office of the Attorney General and the Local Government Management Agency. In that regard, I understand that the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner's Office has again confirmed that it is not querying and does not have any current concerns regarding the legislative underpinning of community CCTV systems.
Systems funded under this scheme will supplement the existing network of CCTV systems in operation in the State, namely the 35 Garda CCTV schemes in operation comprising in excess of 500 cameras; as well as the 45 Community-based CCTV schemes encompassing some 367 cameras to which An Garda Síochána have access, and which were established under the previous grant-aid scheme funded by my Department between 2005 and 2013.
11 applications have been received to date and my Department has been informed that a further 14 applications will be submitted in the near future.
4 applications under the scheme have been approved to date, with approved funding totalling almost €120,000. 3 of these approved applications are in relation to systems in County Wexford and 1 is in relation to a system in County Wicklow. A further 4 applications are under active consideration. The remaining 3 applications submitted to date have been returned to the applicants concerned to enable them to provide the information necessary to qualify for grant-aid.
My Department receives enquiries regarding the scheme from a broad spectrum of the public, including in particular local authorities, as well as residents associations, ad hoc community groups as well as private citizens.
Full details of the grant aid package are available to download from my Department's website www.justice.ie In addition, my officials are available to provide assistance and guidance to any interested party in relation to the scheme, with a dedicated email address available for that purpose - communitycctv@justice.ie
I am keen to ensure that all interested groups, in both rural and urban areas, take advantage of the availability of this grant-aid scheme and I encourage any interested groups to make contact with my Department with any queries or if they require assistance in relation to the scheme.
