Written Answers Nos. 1 - 33
7. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on measures to eliminate the gender pay gap; when he expects a Bill on this matter to progress through the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29666/18]
View answerTackling the gender pay gap is an important element in the Programme for a Partnership Government and finds expression, in particular, in Articles 1.21 to 1.23 of the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020. It is a task that I am determined to progress.
I am pleased to say therefore that the Government recently approved the General Scheme of the Gender Pay Gap Information Bill which will require employers with 50 or more employees to publish gender pay gap information periodically. The General Scheme is published on my Department's website and has been sent to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality for pre-legislative consideration. I look forward to engaging with members on this Bill - I think this is action that all sides of the House can support and I am keen that we proceed on the basis of real consensus.
The other relevant actions in the National Strategy for Women and Girls to specifically addressing the gender pay gap are to undertake a package of measures, to initiate dialogue between union and employer stakeholders on the matter, to increase understanding of the gender pay gap and its causes and to develop practical tools to assist employers to calculate the pay gap within their organisations.
A public consultation was undertaken on the matter in Autumn 2017 on the gender pay gap and this attracted a good response, with some 38 submissions received from employers, unions, civil society, professional bodies and individuals from varied backgrounds. In January of this year, a symposium brought together over 130 participants including politicians, senior policymakers, business representatives, trades unions and academics. Consultations have taken place with ICTU and Ibec about the gender pay gap especially in the context of the Gender Pay Gap Information Bill and there will be further contact both in that context and more broadly in relation to this matter.
We know that tackling this issue is good for equality and that it makes good business sense, bringing greater profitability to the economy as a whole.
That is why I am determined to pursue this matter with a view to ensuring we make the necessary progress.
9. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the commitment in the programme for partnership Government that CCTV cameras would be erected at all major junctions on motorways in an effort to combat rural crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29671/18]
View answerThis Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources required to carry out the organisation’s duties and this is evidenced by the increased allocation of resources to An Garda Síochána in recent times. Some €1.65 billion has been allocated to the Garda Vote for 2018. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution and allocation of Garda resources.
The Deputy will be aware that the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government is to support investment in CCTV systems at key locations along the road network and in urban centres. This commitment is being progressed in a number of ways, including in particular through the Community CCTV grant-aid scheme administered by my Department.
The intention is to support local communities who wish to install CCTV systems in their localities, including access roads to their areas where necessary and appropriate. Under the scheme, which is being administered by my Department, 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. Full details of the grant aid package are available to download from my Department's website - www.justice.ie.
That scheme supplements the existing network of CCTV Systems in operation in the State including both existing Garda and Community based CCTV schemes. For example, there are some 35 Garda CCTV schemes in operation throughout the State comprising some 523 cameras. There are also some 45 Community-based CCTV schemes in operation encompassing some 367 cameras to which An Garda Síochána have access, established under the previous grant-aid scheme funded by my Department between 2005 and 2013.
Joint Policing Committees play an important role in the establishment of Community CCTV schemes - indeed their approval is one of the statutory requirements for establishment of any community CCTV scheme. In this regard the Deputy may find it useful to engage with his local Joint Policing Committee.
In addition to the Community CCTV scheme and as the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Safety Camera Contract, GoSafe will provide an annual minimum of 90,000 hours of monitoring and surveying vehicle speed across 1,031 designated safety camera zones.
Further, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology is fitted in a number of official Garda vehicles which are allocated around the country and used on a daily basis to assist in the prevention and detection of crime, particularly on our roads network.
The Garda Síochána Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016 – 2021 ("MRP") has identified a number of areas for expansion of ANPR including:
- increasing the number of ANPR units deployed;
- the addition of more ‘watch-lists’ in order to remove a greater number of dangerous drivers and defective vehicles from the roads;
- examining the introduction of fixed ANPR sites at strategic locations across the roads network, in addition to using portable ANPR units while patrolling;
- working with the National Roads Authority, Port Authorities, Local Authorities and private car park operators in order to access data from their ANPR systems, as well as CCTV systems operating on the motorway network.
The MRP also sets out key strategic objectives for road policing which will inform and guide An Garda Síochána's road policing plans over the next 5 years. Under the Programme, the Commissioner will undertake a number of road safety traffic enforcement initiatives, including expanding the use of technology and increasing checkpoints.
Finally and more generally, the 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. Some €342 million, including €217 million under the Government's Capital Plan, is being invested in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021 to enable An Garda Síochána to utilise appropriate technologies in delivering professional policing and security services for the community.
13. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new Garda recruits assigned to County Kildare in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29662/18]
View answerI should say at the outset that the distribution of Garda personnel is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner.
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 on 31 May 2018, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of the Kildare Division was 365. There are also 18 Garda Reserves and 30 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.
As I have stated in the House on other occasions the 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 make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021, including 15,000 Garda members.
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 93 members have been assigned to the Kildare 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.
As the Deputy will be aware, the increase in Garda numbers last year represented the first significant increase since numbers started falling in 2009 and this has driven the level of recruitment that has seen the number of Gardaí assigned to the Kildare Division increased from 301 to 365, an increase of 64 or 21% as of 31 May, the latest dates for which figures are readily available, as compared to the end of 2014.
Funding is in place to ensure that the 2021 vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 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 2018, 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.
Undoubtedly, the investment in resources and the ongoing recruitment process will support all Garda activities and enable the Commissioner to provide additional resources to all Garda Divisions, including the Kildare Division in the coming years.
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.
By way of assistance to the Deputy, I have set out in the table the number of new Garda Recruits allocated to the Kildare Division in each of the years 2015 and to date in 2018 as supplied by the Commissioner.
Probationer Garda Allocations by Division - 2015 to 2018
|
DIVISION |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
Total |
|
KILDARE |
14 |
19 |
47 |
5 |
85 |
15. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress in deploying gardaí to a greater extent in community and frontline policing. [29328/18]
View answerI should say at the outset that the distribution of Garda personnel is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner.
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.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána. It provides a means of recognising that every community – both urban and rural – has its own concerns and expectations. That is why it is important to recognise that the role of a community Garda is not a specialist role in An Garda Síochána; rather it is the case that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. The official categorisation as a Community Garda simply refers to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. It is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her having regard to the profile of the area and its specific needs.
A major programme of reform is already underway in An Garda Síochána. In July 2016, the Government approved a major Five Year Reform and High-level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána, which agreed to an overall vision for a Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 to include 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Garda Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. The projected 4,000 civilians represents a medium-term target of 20% of the full-time workforce in An Garda Síochána, in effect doubling the civilian staff count over the term of the programme. This is to be achieved through twin policies of "civilian by default" and redeployment. "Civilian by default" refers to the filling of new posts other than operational policing posts and non-operational policing posts that become vacant by civilian staff unless policing expertise is required.
The redeployment element is informed by the Garda Inspectorate's 2015 "Changing Policing in Ireland" report which estimated that approximately 1,500 administrative and technical roles currently undertaken by Gardaí may be suitable for civilianisation subject to further examination. The Government’s plan aims to return as many of these Gardaí as possible to policing duties over the next five years, to ensure a visible policing presence on the frontline and to ensure the best possible policing services to the people of Ireland.
Progress is being made in relation to civilianisation with almost 300 new civilian posts approved to date. The bulk of these posts are aimed at addressing critical skills gaps and capacity issues across the organisation, with a proportion approved to make a start on the redeployment of Gardaí to policing duties. Progress is also being made in relation to redeployment with the latest figures to the end of May indicating over 100 Garda members have been redeployed to policing roles. I have made it clear to the Commissioner that I expect progress in this area to continue and accelerate.
As I have stated in the House on other occasions the 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. 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. 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.
As the Deputy will be aware the increase in Garda numbers last year represented the first significant increase since numbers started falling in 2009. Undoubtedly, the investment in resources and the ongoing recruitment process will support all Garda activities and enable the Commissioner to provide additional resources to all Garda Divisions in the coming years.
16. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of refugees Ireland has accepted under the refugee protection programme; when the original figure of 4,000 refugees will be reached; the reason for the delays in resettlement and relocation; his views on whether the family reunification programme will experience delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29600/18]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that, in terms of numbers, Ireland committed to accept 1,040 refugees under the UNHCR resettlement strand of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme and currently 820 refugees have arrived. The remaining individuals have been identified and are due to arrive in the coming months. Under the asylum seeker relocation strand of the Programme Ireland was allocated 2,622 persons and has relocated 1,022 asylum seekers from Greece to Ireland.
As the Deputy is aware, the Irish Government pledged to accept a total of 4,000 persons into the State under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). There was a time limit of two years on the relocation mechanism which accounted for the bulk of the numbers committed to under the original Government commitment; approximately 2,622 persons or 66% of the overall numbers. However, EU-wide the relocation mechanism only succeeded in registering and relating 35,000 people of the original 160,000 envisaged under the relevant EU instruments. This meant that the relocation mechanism was unable to provide to Ireland the numbers that had been allocated to this country.
As the EU relocation instruments were legal in nature, Ireland had to wait until the expiry of these instruments before seeking to fill the gap in numbers using other mechanisms. Ireland has since done so by making additional pledges for programme refugees and providing a new mechanism for family reunification under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme Humanitarian Admission Programme (IHAP).
The Minister for Justice and Equality, Mr Charles Flanagan, T.D. has pledged to select a further 945 refugees from Lebanon between 2018 and 2019. Of these, 345 will be selected this year and the remainder in 2019. IHAP will also provide for the admission of up to 530 immediate family members of Irish citizens, persons with convention refugee or subsidiary protection status and persons with programme refugee status. I understand the first call for proposals, which ended on 30 June 2018, was well subscribed and these will be examined by Departmental officials to see if they meet the programme’s criteria in the coming months. Two further calls for proposals are planned for this year and additional calls may be announced in 2019.
Any remaining shortfall in numbers will be filled by Ireland using a variety of mechanisms.
17. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community policing officers working in Cork city and county; the funding line of these officers; and the supports in place for policing in the community. [29497/18]
View answerI should say at the outset that the distribution of Garda personnel is exclusively the statutory responsibility of the Garda Commissioner.
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.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána. It provides a means of recognising that every community – both urban and rural – has its own concerns and expectations. That is why it is important to recognise that the role of a community Garda is not a specialist role in An Garda Síochána; rather it is the case that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. The official categorisation as a Community Garda simply refers to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. It is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her having regard to the profile of the area and its specific needs.
By way of assistance to the Deputy, I am informed by the Commissioner that on 31 May 2018, the latest date for which information is readily available the strength of the Cork City Division, was 678 of whom 28 are designated as Community Garda. I am also advised that the strength of the Cork North Division was 324 of whom 5 are designated as Community Garda and the strength of the Cork West Division was 297 of whom 4 are designated as Community Garda. 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.
As I have stated in the House on other occasions the 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 make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021, including 15,000 Garda members.
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 53, 25 and 24 members have been assigned to the to the Cork City Division, Cork North Division and the Cork West Divisions respectively. In An Garda Síochána in total, taking account of retirements, numbers increased to 13,551 at the end of 2017 – a net increase of over 600 since the end of 2016.
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. Rebuilding the organisation is underway providing the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across all Garda activities including Community Policing.
18. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 will be amended to include cyberbullying, persistent bullying and threats against a person as an offence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29511/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Law Reform Commission published a comprehensive report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety in September 2016. This report contained a number of recommendations to further strengthen the criminal justice and regulatory response to harm perpetrated online. There is a growing concern around the safety of individuals online, particularly young people. Negative behaviours such as cyber-bullying and distributing intimate images without consent are areas that need to be tackled. It was intended that my Department would bring forward legislative proposals to give effect to the criminal law aspects of the LRC report. However, due to competing legislative priorities, progress was not as rapid as I had hoped.
In 2017, Deputy Howlin introduced a Private Member’s Bill to address the same criminal law issues outlined in the 2016 LRC report. The Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill completed second stage in the Dáil in January 2018 and was not opposed by Government. I recently obtained cabinet approval to discontinue work on the Government Bill and to support Deputy Howlin’s Bill to ensure that legislation can be enacted as swiftly as possible. The main provisions of the Bill as published include extending the existing offence of sending threatening or indecent messages to apply to all threatening, false, indecent and obscene messages using any form of online or traditional method of communications. This is particularly relevant to the Deputy's question as this will criminalise sending threatening messages on any platform.
The Bill also proposes extending the existing offence of harassment as contained in section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997 to include all forms of communication, including through online or digital communications.
My officials have arranged to meet with Deputy Howlin in the coming weeks with the intention of identifying and bringing forward any necessary Government amendments to ensure the Bill can be effective. Any further amendment to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997 can be considered at that juncture. I would of course be very happy to consider any proposals that Deputy Kenny, or indeed any Deputy might have in this regard, and I look forward to debating the provisions of the Bill on the floor of the House in due course.
19. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the actions he has taken regarding the digital age of consent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25683/18]
View answerThe position is that Article 8 of the General Data Protection Regulation specifies a ‘digital age of consent’ of 16 years but allows Member States to provide for a lower age, but not below 13 years. It means that providers of information society services must make reasonable efforts to obtain the consent of the holder of parental responsibility over the child where such services are offered directly to children below the specified age threshold.
Section 31(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018 specifies a 'digital age of consent' of 16 years. Subsection (3) of section 31 provides for a review of the age set out in subsection (1) within 3 years of the coming into force of the Act.
In the case of children below the digital age of consent, Article 8(2) of the GDPR requires providers of information society services to make reasonable efforts to verify that consent is given or authorised by the holder of parental responsibility over the child, taking into consideration available technology. The Data Protection Commission will be responsible for the supervision and enforcement of this provision.
Section 32 of the Data Protection Act 2018 provides that the Data Protection Commission (DPC) shall encourage the drawing up of codes of conduct intended to contribute to the proper application of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) with regard to the protection of children, including in relation to the manner in which the consent of the holders of parental responsibility over a child is to be obtained for the purposes of Article 8 of the GDPR.
The DPC - which acts with complete independence in the performance of its tasks and exercise of its powers - has advised that it has recently engaged with a number of stakeholders in the child protection and children’s rights areas and intends to carry out a public consultation around issues pertaining to the specific standards of data protection applicable to children and the rights of children as data subjects. This work will commence when the new school year starts in September 2018.
Arising from the consultation, the DPC will work with the industry, government and voluntary sector respondents and their representative bodies in a process to encourage the drawing up of a code of conduct to which entities which collect and process children’s data would demonstrably adhere.
20. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of canines operating in An Garda Síochána; the amount it costs to train same; and the supports for canines on duty and retired. [29409/18]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate the provision and allocation of resources for An Garda Síochána is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda Dog Unit is based at Kilmainham Garda Station, in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) and has a national remit. Dog units have also been established in the Southern Region based at Togher Garda Station, Cork, and Henry Street Garda Station, Limerick.
I am informed that there are currently twenty-five dogs attached to the Garda Dog Unit, comprising general purpose (search), drugs and explosive detection dogs. Of these 20 dogs are located in the DMR, 2 in Cork and 3 in Limerick.
I am further informed that the duration and cost of training for the dogs in the Garda Dog Unit varies depending on what purpose the dog in question will be used for. For example, training for general purpose Garda dogs takes fourteen weeks, while training for explosives/drug Garda dogs is eight weeks. I understand that training of Garda dogs is provided in house and that the cost of salaries and other associated expenses involved in training are not itemised in the overall expenditure of the Garda Dog Unit.
I am also advised by the Garda authorities that dogs allocated to the Garda Dog Unit are retired when, on veterinary advice, it is considered that they are unable to perform their prescribed duties. In those circumstances, where possible, the retired Garda dog remains with the relevant Garda handler, as having been housed with the handler during their active lives, they are used to the environment and the people. Any consequential cost is borne by An Garda Síochána.
21. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff outside An Garda Síochána the new Garda Commissioner plans to bring to the role. [29496/18]
View answerFirstly let me say that I am pleased that the rigorous selection process conducted by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) on behalf of the Policing Authority has come to a successful conclusion with the recent decision by Government to appoint Mr. Drew Harris as the next Garda Commissioner. Mr Harris will take up office for a period of five years commencing in September.
This is the first occasion that the independent Policing Authority has exercised its function in relation to the filling of this important position. I thank the Authority and the Public Appointments Service for their intensive work over the past ten months on this process. The selection process was an open, international one, designed with the objective of attracting the widest possible pool of candidates from diverse backgrounds to ensure that the successful candidate would be tested against international standards in police leadership. I understand it worked well in attracting a strong field of high calibre candidates. All those who put themselves forward were subject to robust scrutiny by an independent expert interview board which determined Mr Harris to be the best person for the office at this time.
The incoming Commissioner will take up office at a time of major reform and investment which will redefine An Garda Síochána as an organisation. In addition, the start of his tenure will coincide with the publication of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland which will chart a new course for policing in the decades ahead. Mr Harris has the necessary ability and vital policing, security and change management experience required to lead An Garda Síochána at this critical juncture. He will bring his talents to the challenge of transforming An Garda Síochána so that it becomes a model of policing excellence, equipped to deal with the huge range of challenges facing police services worldwide. He can be assured of my support and that of the Government in his endeavours.
In that regard I have indicated previously that the Government is open to the incoming Commissioner appointing a small personal team. Bearing in mind that senior roles in An Garda Síochána, and indeed across the public service, are required to be filled by way of transparent, competitive, merit-based processes, what has been suggested by the Policing Authority and the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is that the incoming Commissioner could, if he wished to do so, appoint a small number of individuals on a temporary contractual basis to support him. I have no doubt that the Deputy would concur that the role of Commissioner is a very demanding one, not only in view of the policing and security environment, but also in view of the major reform programme underway and the impending report of the Commission. In such circumstances, the appointment of a small team of advisers could be a valuable support to the new Commissioner in dealing with the challenges of the role at this critical juncture, but this will ultimately be a matter for him to decide.
I want to reiterate, however, lest there be any confusion, senior positions in An Garda Síochána, whether sworn or unsworn, will continue to be made in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act and the Regulations governing such appointments. What is in question here is the appointment of a small number of additional advisors on a contract basis to support the new Commissioner, if he so wishes.
I look forward to working with the incoming Commissioner on our shared objective of ensuring the security of the State and the safety of the public. I am sure that the Deputy and all members of this House will join me in wishing Mr Harris every success as Commissioner and assuring him of our support as he takes on this most challenging of roles.
22. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which and when he plans to legislate for the prohibition of micro-targeting of minors under the Data Protection Act 2018. [29660/18]
View answerDuring discussions on section 30 of the Data Protection Act 2018 in the Select Committee, and once again during Report Stage discussions, I pointed out that the processing of personal data for marketing and profiling purposes takes place under the so-called “legitimate interests” ground in Article 6.1(f) of the GDPR, and that the Court of Justice had already addressed the issue of whether national law could impose additional conditions on processing carried on under the corresponding provision of the 1995 Data Protection Directive in Joined Cases C-468/10 and C-469/10. In its ruling, the Court of Justice had underlined the importance of free movement of personal data under the 1995 Directive and concluded that Member States were not permitted to impose additional conditions that would have the effect of amending the scope of any of the grounds in Article 7 of the Directive. Those grounds are now set out in Article 6.1 of the GDPR.
The Office of the Attorney General subsequently advised my Department that insofar as section 30 purports to make it an offence for any company or corporate body to process the personal data of a child for the purposes of direct marketing or profiling, such a prohibition appears to go beyond the margin of discretion afforded to Member States in giving further effect to the GDPR and would conflict with Article 6(1)(f), read in conjunction with Recital (47). Put simply, it is not an option for a Member State to unilaterally prohibit a category of processing activities which might otherwise be lawful under Article 6.1(f). Since commencement of section 30 could, therefore, give rise to a substantial risk of infringement proceedings against the State pursuant to Article 258 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, I requested my Department to clarify the matter with the European Commission.
The European Commission have confirmed that processing of personal data for direct marketing purposes may be regarded as carried out for a legitimate interest and that Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR does not exclude processing for such purposes in relation to a child, but stresses the importance of balancing the legitimate interest of the controller with the interests and fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data, in particular where the data subject is a child. The reference to a child in Article 6(1)(f) and recital (47) underlines that such assessment must be performed with particular care where personal data of a child are processed. They have pointed out that the processing of personal data of a child for the purposes of direct marketing is therefore not as such unlawful. They have also indicated that subject to Article 22 (automated decision-making), processing of personal data of a child for the purposes of profiling is not generally prohibited, albeit the processing must take into account that children merit specific protection as clarified in recital (38). Moreover, the European Commission have indicated that the term "micro-targeting" is not mentioned in the GDPR and that it is a concept unknown to the GDPR.
Apart from this apparent conflict with the GDPR, the Office of the Attorney General has pointed out that section 30 gives rise to difficulties under Article 38.1 of the Constitution and under Article 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Article 38.1 provides that no person shall be tried on any criminal charge save in due course of law. In order for a domestic offence provision to comply with Article 38.1, it must be clear, precise and foreseeable in its application. This is not the case here since it is not clear what might constitute the processing of personal data of a child for the purposes micro-targeting. Whereas the GDPR refers to both direct marketing and profiling, the concept of micro-targeting does not appear in the GDPR and its scope remains uncertain and undefined. It is also a requirement under Article 7 of the Convention that offence provisions must be sufficiently clear and precise so as to enable individuals to ascertain which conduct constitutes a criminal offence and to foresee the consequences of engaging in such conduct.
I hope that the preceding information will indicate to the Deputy that there are serious matters that require consideration, including in relation to the risk of infringement proceedings against Ireland, in the context of any commencement of section 30.
23. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to the Cavan and Monaghan Garda division at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29632/18]
View answer71. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to increase Garda personnel in 2019 in the Cavan and Monaghan Garda division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29633/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 71 together.
The Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of personnel 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 on 31 May 2018, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of the Cavan/Monaghan Division was 344. There are also 11 Garda Reserves and 39 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 62 members have been assigned to the Cavan/Monaghan 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.
Taking account of projected retirements, reaching a strength of 15,000 by 2021 will require some 1,600 more Garda members to be recruited on a phased basis over the next two years. This is an ambitious programme of accelerated recruitment. To ensure a continuous pipeline of candidates the Public Appointment Service on behalf of the Commissioner ran a new recruitment drive last month.
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 Cavan/Monaghan Division, as new Garda recruits continue to come on stream.
24. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a scheme for the delivery of CCTV cameras at the junctions of motorways will be established. [28906/18]
View answerThis Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources required to carry out the organisation’s duties and this is evidenced by the increased allocation of resources to An Garda Síochána in recent times. Some €1.65 billion has been allocated to the Garda Vote for 2018. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution and allocation of Garda resources.
The Deputy will be aware that the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government is to support investment in CCTV systems at key locations along the road network and in urban centres. This commitment is being progressed in a number of ways, including in particular through the Community CCTV grant-aid scheme administered by my Department.
The intention is to support local communities who wish to install CCTV systems in their localities, including access roads to their areas where necessary and appropriate. Under the scheme, which is being administered by my Department, 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. Full details of the grant aid package are available to download from my Department's website - www.justice.ie.
That scheme supplements the existing network of CCTV Systems in operation in the State including both existing Garda and Community based CCTV schemes. For example, there are some 35 Garda CCTV schemes in operation throughout the State comprising some 523 cameras. There are also some 45 Community-based CCTV schemes in operation encompassing some 367 cameras to which An Garda Síochána have access, established under the previous grant-aid scheme funded by my Department between 2005 and 2013.
Joint Policing Committees play an important role in the establishment of Community CCTV schemes - indeed their approval is one of the statutory requirements for establishment of any community CCTV scheme. In this regard the Deputy may find it useful to engage with his local Joint Policing Committee.
In addition to the Community CCTV scheme and as the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Safety Camera Contract, GoSafe will provide an annual minimum of 90,000 hours of monitoring and surveying vehicle speed across 1,031 designated safety camera zones.
Further, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology is fitted in a number of official Garda vehicles which are allocated around the country and used on a daily basis to assist in the prevention and detection of crime, particularly on our roads network.
The Garda Síochána Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016 – 2021 ("MRP") has identified a number of areas for expansion of ANPR including:
- increasing the number of ANPR units deployed;
- the addition of more ‘watch-lists’ in order to remove a greater number of dangerous drivers and defective vehicles from the roads;
- examining the introduction of fixed ANPR sites at strategic locations across the roads network, in addition to using portable ANPR units while patrolling;
- working with the National Roads Authority, Port Authorities, Local Authorities and private car park operators in order to access data from their ANPR systems, as well as CCTV systems operating on the motorway network.
The MRP also sets out key strategic objectives for road policing which will inform and guide An Garda Síochána's road policing plans over the next 5 years. Under the Programme, the Commissioner will undertake a number of road safety traffic enforcement initiatives, including expanding the use of technology and increasing checkpoints.
Finally and more generally, the 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. Some €342 million, including €217 million under the Government's Capital Plan, is being invested in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021 to enable An Garda Síochána to utilise appropriate technologies in delivering professional policing and security services for the community.
25. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the implementation of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29665/18]
View answerThe National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) Steering Group has been tasked with the development and oversight of the implementation of the actions contained in the strategy.
Since the launch of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy in June 2017, the NTRIS Steering Group has met five times - on 2 August 2017, 18 October 2017, 13 December 2017, 28 March 2018 and 4 July 2018.
To date, work has begun on approximately 130 of the 149 actions included in the Strategy. The Steering Group will continue to monitor progress on these actions and to focus on actions where progress has not yet commenced.
3 sub-committees have been set up to report back to the Steering Group on specific issues:
- The sub-committee on the issue of data collection on ethnic grounds has met three times. Departments have been asked to indicate whether or not they are collecting ethnic data and, if so, the categories of such data being collected. To date, there has been a good response from various civil and public service organisations, and the information received is being collated.
- The sub-committee to deal with the issue of the retention of Traveller and Roma children in education has met four times. At the meeting on 8 March 2018 it was agreed that a pilot project would be undertaken in each of the TUSLA Education Welfare Services regions – South/South East – Wexford, West/North West – Galway, North Dublin/North Leinster – North County Dublin and South Dublin/Kildare/West Wicklow – Tallaght, Clondalkin. Each area will have the additional resource of an Educational Welfare Officer (EWO), Home School Liaison Coordinator (HSLC) and 2 Traveller/Roma Education Workers. The team will work together with parents, children and young people, schools, Traveller and Roma communities and service providers to improve Traveller and Roma children’s attendance, participation and retention in education.
- The third sub-committee was set up to deal with the problem of feuding in the Traveller Community, and has met three times. A proposal from the Traveller Mediation Service for addressing this issue through an expanded mediation service is currently being examined with a view to a possible increase in funding.
In addition to this information, I have asked my officials to forward the Deputy a detailed tabular report on progress on all of the actions in the NTRIS.
26. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a review of family reunification rules in respect of local authority tenants who require a letter of permission from their local authority to allow a family member reside with them should the family member receive permission to enter the country will be undertaken in view of the fact some tenants are facing difficulties in receiving such a letter with issues such as potential overcrowding being cited by the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28911/18]
View answerThe allocation of social housing and the applicable rules are the matter for the relevant local authorities under the auspices of the Department of Housing. Persons granted International Protection in Ireland have the right to family reunification under the International Protection Act 2015. The practical arrangements for the housing of persons due to arrive to Ireland as a result of the right to family reunification under the Act is outside my remit and no rules have been issued by my Department in that regard. However, my Department officials work with relevant local authorities on individual cases.
Alternatively, the Deputy’s question may be referring to a recent International Humanitarian Admissions Programme (IHAP) launched by my Department. In processing proposals under this programme, priority will be given to proposals where an ability to house the proposed beneficiaries has been demonstrated. I must emphasise that this is a pragmatic measure that only affects the priority given to a proposal but does not impact on whether a proposal is accepted or not.
27. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for reform to the way in which complainants in sexual assault and rape cases are dealt with by the justice system; his views on representation of complainants and the prohibition of cross-examination on post-incident sexual history or on the use of contraception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29667/18]
View answerThe review of the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences I have announced is intended to identify the scope for practical and or legislative steps which would support victims of sexual offences, while fully respecting the rights of the accused. Following a series of preliminary consultations with relevant stakeholder organisations and consideration of their submissions, a targeted review will now be taken forward by my Department in consultation with a number of Criminal Justice agencies. Issues of the kind raised by the Deputy can be examined by the review, and the views of individuals and organisations will be fully considered.
The Government is committed to tackling sexual violence and I would encourage all victims of sexual assault to speak to An Garda Síochána, where they will be handled sensitively and respectfully. Reporting sexual violence is necessary in order to hold perpetrators to account. I fully appreciate that the criminal justice process can be daunting for victims and the review will examine what further supports can be given to complainants and witnesses in these cases, including legal protections.
There are some legal supports already available to complainants. The Legal Aid Board currently provides free legal advice to a person who has made a complaint to the Gardaí about rape and/or sexual assault, and in respect of which criminal proceedings have been initiated. A person who seeks to avail of this service does not have to undergo a means test or pay a contribution.
Under s.3 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Act 1981, as amended, the prosecution must apply to the court for permission to introduce evidence or cross-examine a complainant on their sexual experience. Permission will only be granted if it would be unfair to the accused person not to allow the evidence to be introduced or the question to be asked. The Legal Aid Board provides representation to the complainant where such an application is made. A person who seeks to avail of this service does not have to undergo a means test or pay a contribution.
28. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to core Garda units in the Cork city Garda division compared to 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29658/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of personnel 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 order to deliver an effective policing service, it is essential that Garda management have the flexibility to deploy Garda resources to meet operational policing needs and address critical issues as they arise. For this reason, it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her having regard to the profile of the area and its specific needs at any given time. The material requested by the Deputy is, therefore, not available in the manner requested.
By way of assistance to the Deputy, I am advised by the Commissioner that the strength of the Cork City Division in 2010 and on 31 May 2018, the latest date for which information is currently available, was 698 and 678 respectively. There are also 42 Garda Reserves and 71 Garda civilian staff attached to the Cork City 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 53 members have been assigned to the Cork City 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 Cork City Division, as new Garda recruits continue to come on stream.
29. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has had discussions with the Garda Inspectorate regarding retirement figures in An Garda Síochána; if he has assessed the possible need for a foreign recruitment drive particularly in the area of white collar crime; his plans to have discussions with the new Garda Commissioner with regard to these retirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29598/18]
View answerRetirement of members of An Garda Síochána is governed by statutory provisions which set the mandatory retirement age for all members at 60 years of age. Members of An Garda Síochána who joined the organisation prior to 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension once they have served for at least 30 years and they have reached 50 years of age. Members of An Garda Síochána who joined the organisation on or after 1 April 2004 may retire on full pension once they have served at least 30 years and have reached 55 years of age. A member has the option of continuing to serve until they reach 60 years of age subject to the Garda Commissioner being satisfied that the member is fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties of his or her position as a member of the Garda Síochána.
It is expected that there will be in the region of 300 departures each year in the next three years taking account of both voluntary and compulsory retirements. I can assure the Deputy that projected departures from An Garda Síochána are kept under continuous review and the level of recruitment is adjusted as necessary in order to achieve the desired strength.
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 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 entered already this year. 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 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 to fight all types of Criminal activity including white collar crime.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) (formerly the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation) was established on 1 September 2016. The Bureau has dedicated expert staff, including professional forensic accountants, to address white collar and other fraud and economic crimes, and includes the restructured Garda Cyber Crime Bureau, the Money-laundering Investigation Unit and a new Foreign Bribery and Corruption Unit. I am further informed by the Commissioner that as of 31 May 2018, the latest date for which figures are available there were 68 Garda and 17 Garda civilian staff assigned to the GNECB. Garda management continue to review the needs of the Bureau to enable it to fully realise to the aims of the MRP and to ensure that An Garda Síochána maximises it capability to investigate emerging forms of economic crime.
I published the Garda Inspectorate “Review of Entry Routes into An Garda Síochána” last Thursday, which proposes tailored approaches to the creation of new entry routes into the Organisation up to Assistant Commissioner level. The Review is a valuable resource for policy development to support the Garda Síochána to attract the best possible candidates and to broaden and diversify the Garda workforce, so that it reflects the composition of the communities it serves. The Inspectorate proposes in its Review is that a programme be developed to recruit experienced police officers from police services in other jurisdictions. I have sent the Review to the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland to consider in the context of its forthcoming Report which will bring forward to Government proposals on the future of policing including on the appropriate composition and recruitment methods and routes into the Garda Síochána.
30. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to increase the number of gardaí along the Border areas in County Donegal to deal with the increase in criminal activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28896/18]
View answer62. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in County Donegal in each of the past ten years; his plans to allocate additional resources to County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28894/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 62 together.
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 Commissioner that the strength of the Donegal Division on 31 May 2018, the latest date for which information is readily available, was 393. There are also 14 Garda Reserves and 35 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.
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 37 members have been allocated 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, 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, 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, as new Garda recruits continue to come on stream.
I want to reassure you that criminal gangs that target all areas of the country and prey on rural communities are continuously monitored and relentlessly targeted by An Garda Síochána.
For the Deputy's information, I have set out in the table the number of Gardaí in the Donegal Division in each of the years 2008 to 31 May 2018, the latest date for which figures are readily available, as provided by the Commissioner.
|
DIVISION |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018* |
|
Donegal |
488 |
468 |
466 |
444 |
427 |
409 |
397 |
392 |
382 |
386 |
393 |
*As of 31 May 2018
31. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which he expects reform of An Garda Síochána to take place under the new Garda Commissioner with particular reference to the need to restore both public confidence and morale within the force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29672/18]
View answerFirstly let me say that I am pleased that the rigorous selection process conducted by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) on behalf of the Policing Authority has come to a successful conclusion with the recent decision by Government to appoint Mr. Drew Harris as the next Garda Commissioner. Mr Harris will take up office for a period of five years commencing in September.
This is the first occasion that the independent Policing Authority has exercised its function in relation to the filling of this important position. I thank the Authority and the Public Appointments Service for their intensive work over the past ten months on this process. The selection process was an open, international one, designed with the objective of attracting the widest possible pool of candidates from diverse backgrounds to ensure that the successful candidate would be tested against international standards in police leadership. I understand it worked well in attracting a strong field of high calibre candidates. All those who put themselves forward were subject to robust scrutiny by an independent expert interview board which determined Mr Harris to be the best person for the office at this time.
The incoming Commissioner will take up office at a time of major reform and investment which will redefine An Garda Síochána as an organisation. In addition, the start of his tenure will coincide with the publication of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland which will chart a new course for policing in the decades ahead. I am confident that Mr Harris has the necessary ability and vital policing, security and change management experience required to lead An Garda Síochána at this critical juncture. He will bring his talents to the challenge of transforming An Garda Síochána so that it becomes a model of policing excellence, equipped to deal with the huge range of challenges facing police services worldwide.
I look forward to working with the incoming Commissioner on our shared objective of ensuring the security of the State and the safety of the public. I am sure that the Deputy and all members of this House will join me in wishing Mr Harris every success as Commissioner and assuring him of our support as he takes on this most important of roles.
32. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress being made following the interdepartmental and agency meeting to deal with the problems caused by the illegal use of quads and scramblers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29640/18]
View answerThe issue of misuse of scramblers and quad bikes is one that is taken very seriously by the Government.
The Deputy is already aware that my officials convened a cross-agency meeting on the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes on 25 April 2018. Represented at the meeting were the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport; Housing, Planning and Local Government; and Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; An Garda Síochána; the Road Safety Authority; and the Revenue Commissioners. A separate meeting also took place with a representative from Dublin City Council on 23 April.
I asked my officials to arrange these consultations to identify whether there are additional legislative or other solutions which can assist in dealing with the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes more comprehensively. I am informed that at this meeting, the issue of the misuse of scramblers within public parks was a particular point of focus.
My officials are now consulting further with local authorities in the context of the many examples of positive engagement fostered by local authorities with local communities, as a number of initiatives and projects are of potential interest insofar as the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes are concerned.
In the context of this engagement with local authorities, the Department recently participated in the first meeting of a newly established taskforce consisting of representatives of the Dublin local authorities, local Gardaí, and professional motocross sports. I understand that an invitation was also extended to local authorities from Meath and Wicklow to join this taskforce. At the taskforce meeting, the consensus was that a multi-pronged approach to tackling this issue is necessary, to include a consideration of enforcement, education and awareness-raising, relevant legislation, and the potential provision of designated facilities, where such vehicles could be used in a safe environment.
Following on from this meeting, officials in my Department are currently reviewing appropriate criminal justice legislation in order to ensure that Gardaí have the necessary powers at their disposal in order to deal with the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes. The Department will also continue to liaise with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Road Safety Authority in relation to a planned campaign to discourage parents from purchasing these vehicles as gifts for minors. I would emphasise that the supply of mechanically propelled vehicles to persons under 16 and 17 (depending on the vehicle) constitute offences under accordance with Section 30 of the Road Traffic Act 2004. I might add that the RSA targets road safety awareness campaigns at young people throughout the school curriculum.
I will continue to actively support any positive actions that can be pursued to counteract the serious public safety issues associated with the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes.
33. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the complement of operational gardaí in the Meath Garda division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29457/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I am informed by the Commissioner that the strength of the Meath Division on 31 May 2018, the latest date for which information is readily available, was 310. There are also 16 Garda Reserves and 30 Garda civilian staff attached to the Meath 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 64 members have been assigned to the Meath 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, 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 Meath Division, as new Garda recruits continue to come on stream.
