Wednesday, 4 Jul 2018

Written Answers Nos. 245-252

Further Education and Training Programmes Eligibility

Questions (245)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

245. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is an anomaly between eligibility criteria for progression routes in the PAC system when applying for higher diploma programmes as compared to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection back to education system in respect of progression eligibility criteria; the steps that have been taken to address this inequality; the way in which he is advising persons when recruiting them to progression courses whilst still in their training programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29704/18]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

This matter is being considered by the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and I understand a response will issue to the Deputy.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (246)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

246. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are no college classroom places for apprenticeship plumbers and that they are obliged to remain out of education for one academic year; his plans to rectify the matter; the way in which he plans to ensure that they have the required taught hours component of their qualifications; the way in which he further plans to address the crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29706/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

532 apprentices registered for the plumbing apprenticeship in 2017, which represents an increase of 54% on the 2016 intake.  I understand from SOLAS that due to this increased level of interest it is taking some time to ensure training provision can match this demand. SOLAS has engaged with the Education & Training Boards (ETBs) and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to increase training places in the ETB’s and the Institutes of Technology (IOTs). By December 2018, up to 476 training places will be available in the ETB’s and over 528 in the IOT’s.

The minimum duration of the plumbing apprenticeship is four years, consisting of seven phases, each with a specific minimum duration in order to meet the certification requirements.  There are 96 apprentice plumbers currently waiting for Phase 2 places with 21 waiting just over six months.  These apprentices will receive a training place by October/November.  Approximately 210 apprentices are waiting for Phase 4 and 6 training places, with 56 over six months waiting. 176 of these will be notified within the next month to commence their Phase 4 and Phase 6 training in September 2018.  The remaining 34 apprentices will receive places in January 2019.

SOLAS will continue to monitor training provision and monthly apprentice registrations to ensure that apprentices complete their apprenticeships within the minimum duration.

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Questions (247)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

247. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be in a position to improve pupil-teacher ratio and class size in all primary schools in County Kildare and throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29707/18]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Improvements to the staffing schedule at primary level in Budget 2016 and Budget 2018 brings the teacher allocation ratio to the most favourable ever seen at primary level.  From this September, schools will operate on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 26 pupils with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools.

In the last two years, we have hired 5,000 additional new teachers and Budget 2018 provides for an additional 1280 teaching posts in the 2018/19 school year.

This budget measure delivers on a commitment made in the Confidence and Supply Agreement and Programme for Government to reduce primary schools class size.

Each 1 point adjustment to the primary staffing schedule is estimated to cost in the region of €16.5m per annum.  Any additional improvement would have to be considered as part of the next annual budgetary process, alongside the many other demands from the education sector.

Emergency Accommodation Data

Questions (248)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the records that are kept of families that have had to seek emergency housing provision in Garda stations throughout the country in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29491/18]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The question of housing and provision of emergency housing is not within my remit as Minister for Justice and Equality.

My Department does not have a role in this matter and records such as those referred to by the Deputy are not held or maintained by the Department of Justice and Equality.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that neither are such records maintained by An Garda Síochána.

I am informed by An Garda Síochána that incidences in which a person or persons might avail of the cover of a Garda station, particularly during inclement weather, are dealt with by local Garda management or members on duty on a case-by-case basis, with the relevant State or voluntary (including non governmental organisation) agencies and authorities.

Gambling Legislation

Questions (249)

Mick Barry

Question:

249. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce leglislation to enable problem gamblers to voluntarily self-exclude from locations in which gambling takes place as exists in other jurisdictions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29519/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality

The Deputy will be aware that, Government, on 10 January, 2018, approved the updating of the 2013 General Scheme of the Gambling Control Bill. The proposed updating follows on from the review work undertaken in the Department of Justice and Equality and consultations with interested stakeholders. Changes to the Scheme will be subject to further consultations with the Office of the Attorney General and other relevant Departments.

The 2013 Scheme included a number of proposals that made provision for the protection of those who engage in gambling activities.  Among these proposals was the establishment of a centralised self-exclusion register that would be maintained by the regulatory body proposed under the Scheme.

Allied to this work, and in the context of reviewing and updating the General Scheme in all necessary aspects, a Working Group, chaired by myself, comprising all stakeholder Departments, relevant Offices and the Office of the Attorney General has been meeting since February 2018. I expect the Group to submit its report to Government in early Autumn, with work on a revised General Scheme to follow thereafter.

My officials have engaged with counterparts in other EU jurisdictions where self exclusion measures are in place, with a view to the possible development of a proposal that would be feasible in an Irish context.  However, I have to report that the creation, maintenance and effectiveness of such registers, even in jurisdictions where national identity cards are mandatory, has not necessarily been as effective as would have been hoped.

In Ireland, where we have over 800 bookmaker shops and significant on-course betting, the difficulties in enforcing the exclusion - self or otherwise - of any person would be difficult, particularly in the absence of an identity requirement via some form of authorised identity document.

Self-exclusion registers are likely to work best where the person concerned is gambling wholly on-line. However, it is common for gamblers to have multiple accounts with different operators.

You will appreciate the critical requirement of adherence to data protection legislation when developing proposals in this area.

One final point that is worth making is that no self-exclusion scheme is likely to work where the person concerned is not committed to their exclusion from gambling activities.

Tribunals of Inquiry Recommendations

Questions (250)

Micheál Martin

Question:

250. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if all recommendations of the Moriarty tribunal have been implemented; the recommendations that are outstanding; and when they will be implemented. [29040/18]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will be aware, the Moriarty Tribunal made a number of recommendations which related to the responsibilities of different Government Departments. Insofar as my Department is concerned I can advise the Deputy that the recently enacted Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018 is a very important piece of legislation in the fight against corruption both in Ireland and abroad. The Act was signed into law by the President on the 5th of June following swift passage through both Houses of the Oireachtas and represents a complete overhaul of anti-corruption offences in Ireland, which dated as far back as 1889 and were contained in seven different statutes.

The new Act provides a single, consolidated modern piece of legislation which is more comprehensive and more accessible.  As well as being a consolidation, the Act is also responding to recommendations from the Mahon Tribunal, from GRECO, from the OECD Working Group on Bribery and from the UNCAC Implementation Review Mechanism.

I am also advised by An Garda Síochána that two separate investigations have been conducted by the Criminal Assets Bureau in relation to the Moriarty Tribunal as follows:

1. Investigation by Criminal Assets Bureau following referral of the final report of the Moriarty Tribunal by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána in March 2011.

In March 2011, the Commissioner tasked the Criminal Assets Bureau with examining the report with a view to identifying any criminal offences that may require investigation by An Garda Síochána. The examination of the matter is continuing and a final report has not yet been completed.

2. Investigation by Criminal Assets Bureau in relation to alleged obstruction of the Moriarty Tribunal:

In July 2013 the Chairman of the Moriarty Tribunal made a complaint to the Garda Commissioner concerning alleged obstruction of the Tribunal. This matter was fully investigated by the Criminal Assets Bureau and an investigation file was submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, with directions received on 29 August 2017 that no prosecution was directed.

While I do of course appreciate public concern about these matters, the consideration of criminal investigations is clearly a matter for the Garda authorities, and the DPP to decide upon, independently, if any charges should be brought and I have no role in such matters.

Garda Data

Questions (251)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

251. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí based in County Louth by location; the number, rank and status of each station; if additional gardaí have been requested to man individual stations; the number requested; if requests for gardaí on probation were included; if the opening hours and manning of these stations increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29564/18]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel and Garda station opening hours, 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. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division.

I am informed by the Commissioner that on 31 May 2018, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of the Louth Division was 312. There are also 23 Garda Reserves and 31 civilians attached to the Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Units, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.   

This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. To achieve this the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real, tangible progress on achieving this goal.

I am informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 2,000 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, of whom 76 members have been assigned to the Louth 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, 400 of whom have attested to date.  Further, Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, are on track to reach 14,000 by the end of 2018.

In addition to the investment in more Gardaí, 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. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí. Undoubtedly, the ongoing recruitment process will support all Garda activities and enhance visibility within our communities and will enable the Commissioner to provide additional resources across every Garda Division, including the Louth Division, as new Garda recruits continue to come on stream.

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. While not all Garda Stations are training stations it is important to note that the allocation of probationer Gardaí to a Divisional training station facilitates the reassignment of Gardaí to other stations within the Division, if required, by the Divisional Officer.

For the Deputy’s information I have set out in tabular form the number for Gardaí assigned to the Louth Division by rank, on the 31 May 2018 the latest date for which figures are currently available and details of the Division’s Garda Stations opening hours which are subject to the operational requirements of the Division.

STRENGTH OF THE   LOUTH DIVISION BY RANK 31 MAY 2018

DISTRICT	STATION	GD	SG	IN	SU	CS	AC	TOTAL
ARDEE	ARDEE	21	5					26
	CASTLEBELLINGHAM	1	1					2
	COLLON	4	1					5
	LOUTH	1						1
	TOTAL	27	7					34
DROGHEDA	CLOUGHERHEAD	1	1					2
	DROGHEDA	89	13	1	1	1		105
	DUNLEER	5						5
	TOTAL	95	14	1	1	1		112
DUNDALK	BLACKROCK	3	1					4
	CARLINGFORD	3	1					4
	DRUMAD	6	1					7
	DUNDALK	124	19	1	1			145
	HACKBALLSCROSS	4						4
	OMEATH	2						2
	TOTAL	142	22	1	1			166
LOUTH   TOTAL		264	43	2	2	1		312

Louth Garda Station Opening Hours
Louth	Monday to Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Drogheda	24 Hrs	24 Hrs	24Hrs
Dunleer	10 am to 1 pm	10 am to 1 pm	12 pm to 1 pm
Clogherhead	10 am to 1 pm	10 am to 1 pm	12 pm to 1 pm
Dundalk	24 hrs	24 hrs	24 hrs
Blackrock	10 am to 1 pm	10 am to 1 pm	12 pm to 1 pm
Drumad
Hackballscross
Omeath	6 pm to 9 pm	6 pm to 9 pm	6 pm to 9 pm
Carlingford	10 am to 1 pm	10 am to 1 pm	12 pm to 1pm
Ardee (24 hr patrol)	12 pm to 5 pm & 9pm to 10 pm Mon, Tues & Wed. 3 pm   to 5 pm Thurs. 9 pm to 10 pm Fri.	9 pm to 10 pm	Closed
Collon		10 am to 1 pm	12 pm to 1 pm
Louth Village		10 am to 1 pm	12 pm to 1 pm
Castlebellingham	No specific times. (Members supplement Ardee)

Clogherhead opens on the above hours when non-core Unit C is on duty.

Due to ongoing checkpoints Drumad and Hackballscross are currently unable to open between 5pm and 8 pm

Departmental Contracts Data

Questions (252)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

252. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times his Department has engaged polling companies and-or Irish market researchers to conduct research on its behalf in each of the past two years; the names of such companies; the costs associated with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29578/18]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

In respect of the Deputy’s question the following table outlines the number of occasions my Department has engaged polling companies and or Irish market researchers to conduct research on its behalf in each of the past two years, the names of such companies and the costs associated with same.

Year work undertaken (i.e. 2016 or 2017)	Name of Polling Company/Irish Market Researchers and brief explanation of work undertaken	Costs (incl. VAT)
2016	RED C Research & Marketing Ltd - Contribution towards the Irish National Election Study carried out following  the 2016 General Election.	€23,497.50
2017	Coyne Research - Campaign evaluation and attitudinal research as part of the ‘What would you do?’ campaign on domestic and sexual violence.	€11,193
2017	Opinions.ie.  - Website testing as part of the ‘What would you do?’ campaign on domestic and sexual violence.	€4,860