Written Answers Nos. 111-130
111. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí suspended for periods of more than one year; the duration of each suspension; the rank of the member involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3204/19]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that disciplinary matters within An Garda Síochána are governed by the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007 and are a matter for the Garda Commissioner.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will write directly to the Deputy.
|
Length of time member suspended |
Number of members suspended |
|
Between 1 and 2 years |
5 |
|
Between 2 and 3 years |
5 |
|
Between 3 and 4 years |
1 |
|
Between 4 and 5 years |
3 |
|
Between 5 and 6 years |
2 |
|
Between 6 and 8 years |
2 |
|
Between 8 and 10 years |
2 |
112. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new Garda vehicles that were allocated to Wexford Garda division in 2018; and the number of vehicles removed from the division in 2018. [3252/19]
View answerThere has been very significant investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. The Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet, to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet to ensure that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime. This is in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015.
The Deputy will appreciate that it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including responsibility for the distribution of Garda funding and resources, including allocation of Garda vehicles, among the various Garda divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I understand however that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following tables identify the number and type of new Garda vehicles that were allocated to and removed from Wexford Division in 2018.
Wexford Division – 2018 New Allocations
|
|
Cars |
Vans |
4X4 |
Total |
|
Wexford Division |
2 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
|
Enniscorthy District |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
New Ross District |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Wexford District |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
Wexford Division – 2018 Removals
|
|
Marked Cars |
Unmarked Cars |
Total |
|
Wexford Div |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
Wexford |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
New Ross |
1 |
0 |
1 |
113. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of regular grade civil servants his Department has hired in advance of a no-deal Brexit; the number of specialist grade civil servants hired in advance of same; the budget made available in advance of Brexit for hiring of staff in advance of the UK withdrawal from the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3325/19]
View answerThe Government remains firmly of the view that the only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal is to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement, as endorsed by the European Council and agreed with the British Government. Our focus remains on securing the deal that has been reached. However, in light of ongoing uncertainty in Britain, we continue to work to prepare for the UK’s exit and contingency work has intensified. The whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being progressed through a range of cross-Departmental coordination structures. In relation to a no-deal Brexit, these include Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary Groups and a Legislation Committee, chaired by the Departments of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs and Trade.
While it remains difficult to fully assess the impact that Brexit will have on my Department from a resource perspective, my officials continue to engage in and monitor the progress of Brexit negotiations as well as engage in contingency planning as appropriate. My Department has assigned two additional Assistant Principal Officers from within its current staffing allocation to positions within the International Policy Division and the Permanent Representation in Brussels to support this work.
In respect of any future demands, my Department will ensure that resources are assigned in a timely manner to address any of the matters that may arise in the context of Brexit and which impact on the work and functions of my Department.
114. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of bicycles stolen nationally in each of the years 2016 to 2018. [3391/19]
View answer115. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of arrests made in relation to bike theft in each of the years 2016 to 2018; and the number of these arrests that led to court proceedings for the same period. [3392/19]
View answer117. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of stolen bikes that were seized by An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2016 to 2018; and the number that were returned to owners by An Garda Síochána in the same period. [3394/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 115 and 117 together.
I have requested the information from the Garda authorities and I will contact the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
116. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the outcome of bike theft court cases in each of the years 2016 to 2018. [3393/19]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts service has provided the Report below which sets out the outcomes for bike theft court cases in each of the years 2016 to 2018.
The Court Service has advised that it's important to note that the Report is for offence Section 112(3) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 which is a coded offence, specifically relating to bicycle theft. Offences may have been prosecuted under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 which is general theft but they cannot say which, if any, related to theft of bicycles. Similarly, some offences could have been prosecuted using uncoded free text code against which they cannot report.
In looking at the outcomes, it's also important to remember that the offences may have been prosecuted in conjunction with other offences e.g. criminal damage, which might impact on the sentences imposed.
Report on the outcomes for bike theft court cases in each of the years 2016 to 2018
|
Order |
No of Orders Jan – Dec 2016 |
No of Orders Jan – Dec 2017 |
No of Orders Jan – Dec 2018 |
|
Community Service Order |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Dismiss |
4 |
7 |
9 |
|
Dismiss Probation Act |
11 |
6 |
8 |
|
Disqualification |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Fine |
21 |
25 |
21 |
|
Imprisonment/Detention |
11 |
34 |
30 |
|
Imprisonment/Detention Part Suspended |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Imprisonment/Detention Suspended |
8 |
10 |
4 |
|
No Order |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Other |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
Peace Bond |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
Poor Box |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Probation Order |
21 |
17 |
19 |
|
Strike Out |
44 |
50 |
52 |
|
Taken Into Consideration |
48 |
98 |
102 |
|
Withdrawn |
8 |
22 |
11 |
|
Total |
189 |
282 |
274 |
Note: If a person received more than one order it will appear twice on the report e.g. if a person received a fine and imprisonment it will appear twice on the report.
118. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has directed An Garda Síochána or if it has already decided to undertake a review of cases not progressed in relation to adult offenders in view of the report into the failures of An Garda Síochána to progress juvenile cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3411/19]
View answerAs I stated last week, the failure to properly manage cases involving youth crime is very concerning. I welcome the fact that the Garda Commissioner has acted to tackle these problems urgently and take all appropriate action.
As the Commissioner outlined in his engagement with the Policing Authority last week, a number of steps have already been taken within An Garda Síochána and actions are in train to prevent a recurrence of these failures. The Policing Authority will continue to play an active role in monitoring the situation.
I am aware that members of the Policing Authority asked the Commissioner if similar failures might apply in relation to adult crime cases. I understand that this issue will form part of further examination by the Policing Authority and officials in my Department have already been in contact with the Authority in that regard.
119. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the audit of juvenile justice cases (details supplied) by Garda division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3426/19]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the examination by the Policing Authority of Garda handling of Youth Crime has highlighted some disturbing issues. It is completely unacceptable that crimes were not properly pursued in many cases. This situation must be thoroughly addressed, not only for the victims and the proper administration of Justice, but also for the future welfare of children who may have committed crimes.
The Commissioner has indicated that disciplinary investigations will be considered by Divisional Officers in relation to individual members. The Deputy will appreciate that this is a matter for the Commissioner and his management team and any process of that kind has to be allowed to take its course and cannot be pre-judged.
The Garda authorities have taken a number of technical and organisational steps to prevent recurrence of the failures identified. While there have been significant improvements, there is more to be done to achieve a comprehensive solution. The Commissioner has also established a National Bureau for Child Diversion to improve future management of this whole area.
The Policing Authority, which was established to provide independent oversight of policing, has indicated that it will follow through with further detailed examination of this matter and the actions being taken by the Commissioner. I will also continue to monitor the situation closely.
The issues in question relate to youth crime cases deemed unsuitable for the Garda Diversion Programme. Therefore, it is important to recognise that there are no negative implications for the effectiveness of the Diversion Programme itself, which has been in operation successfully for many years, helping young offenders turn away from crime.
The specific details by Garda Division referred to by the Deputy have been requested from the Garda authorities, and I will contact the Deputy directly when a response is to hand.
120. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the estimated full-year cost of recruiting an additional 12 field inspector posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3120/19]
View answerIn my Department, there are a number of staff assigned to work as Labour Inspectors, within the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Labour Inspectors deliver an enforcement, and information service in relation to employer obligations and employee rights/entitlements/protections. In this regard, details of the estimated full year cost of recruiting an additional 12 Labour Inspectors in the WRC, as requested by the Deputy, are set out below in tabular format.
|
Grade |
Gross Salary Cost* |
Gross ‘Out of Office Hours’ allowance |
Employer PRSI |
Total Cost (1) |
Total Cost (12) |
|
Labour Inspector (Executive Office equivalent) |
€37,528.43 |
€8,147.62 |
€4,567.61 |
€50,243.66 |
€602,923.92 |
*based on the average salary Executive Officer (PPC) payscale. These figures do not account for the proposed pay adjustment under the Lansdowne Road Agreement due October 2019 (1.75%). The estimated additional cost including employer PRSI for the adjustment in October 2019 is €2,637.75 (12).
The Deputy should note that, the Workplace Relations Commission has 7 Inspector Team Managers (Higher Executive Officer equivalent) overseeing the work of the 34 Labour Inspectors (Executive Officer equivalent). The recruitment of 12 additional Labour Inspectors referenced in the request, may create an additional cost in terms for the recruitment of additional Inspector Team Managers (ITM). The average cost for an ITM is in the region of €68,190.78, inclusive of employer PRSI.
121. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 485 of 6 November 2018, if the IDA has received the material to market a site (details supplied); if site visits have arisen from the marketing of the site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3123/19]
View answerSince meeting with representatives of the site's new owners last September the IDA has been provided with new marketing information for the Liffey Business Campus. The Agency's staff also met with the new owners in December. Additional marketing material is currently being prepared and the IDA are continuing to actively market the site to both existing and potential clients through its network of offices in Ireland and overseas.
Data on site visits is collated on a county by county basis only. Information on visits to particular locations is not available for reasons of client confidentiality and commercial sensitivity.
More broadly, County Kildare continues to maintain a strong base of overseas firms in the Technology, Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors. IDA client companies such as Intel, Pfizer, and Procter and Gamble are all located in Kildare and continue to perform well. The County has seen a 4.5% increase in foreign direct investment-driven employment over the last 12 months and I am hopeful that positive trend will continue.
122. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if approval will be given to grant an employment permit for a person (details supplied); and when a permit is likely to be issued. [3136/19]
View answerThe Employment Permits Section of my Department informs me that it has no record of any application for an Employment Permit in respect of the named individual.
123. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of regular grade civil servants her Department has hired in advance of a no-deal Brexit; the number of specialist grade civil servants hired in advance of same; the budget made available in advance of Brexit for hiring of staff in advance of the UK withdrawal from the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3314/19]
View answerIn July 2018, and again in September 2018, a number of decisions were made at Cabinet relating to Brexit preparedness and contingency planning, including the phased recruitment of staff, as required.
The Government has already sanctioned €4m for the commencement of a phased process for the recruitment of additional staff to carry out the greatly increased volumes of import controls and export certification arising from Brexit.
In my Department, a dedicated Brexit Unit was established in 2016. This Unit is led at Assistant Secretary level within the EU Affairs and Trade Policy Division, and its key function is to coordinate and represent the Department’s response to Brexit and to support me in my position at the Cabinet Committee dealing with Brexit. The designated official, at Assistant Secretary level, is supported by a staff complement of eight (one Principal Officer, three Assistant Principal Officers, two Higher Executive Officers, One Administrative Officer and one Clerical Officer). The Unit also leads on engagement with a broad range of stakeholders to inform and validate our response to Brexit.
Also within this Division, two officials (Assistant Principal Officer and Administrative Officer) working in the Trade Policy Unit are assigned to Brexit related trade matters as part of their portfolios.
In the Division with responsibility for Indigenous Enterprise, there are two officials (Assistant Principal Officer and Administrative Officer) working solely on Brexit mitigation measures to support business impacted by Brexit. This team also has a strong relationship with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and in 2018 launched a new Brexit Loan Scheme for businesses in response to Brexit. Other officials across this Division have Brexit related responsibility attached to their roles, and work closely to prepare businesses in Ireland for Brexit.
My Department has a lead role in helping to ensure that businesses are Brexit prepared. In this regard and as part of the 2019 Workforce Planning, approval has been given to set up a new Getting Business Brexit Ready Unit which will have a staff complement of one Assistant Principal Officer, one Administrative Officer and one Executive Officer. The Assistant Principal Officer and Administrative Officer have now been appointed and the Executive Officer will be appointed shortly.
The UK’s decision to leave the European Union continues to impact significantly on all policy fields across my Department.
Given the wide mission of my Department, staff across a number of other Divisions and business units, are involved in a range of business preparedness supports and Brexit related matters, as it relates to their policy area.
My Department is continually prioritising the Brexit challenges and actively keep the staffing requirements under review.
In respect of the budget made available for hiring of staff in advance of the UK withdrawal from the EU, the Department was allocated an additional €250k in 2017, €200k in 2018, and €1.15m in 2019. The additional funding has, and is, being used to strengthen the capacity of the Department to deliver on its strategic goals during a time when Brexit and other global challenges are impacting on many policy areas and business units in the Department.
124. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the status of the selection of a new environmental health officer panel as outlined by the Brexit no-deal contingency plan. [3130/19]
View answerWhile the focus of the Government remains on securing an orderly and agreed Brexit, given the increased risks of the UK leaving without a deal contingency planning for a "No Deal" Brexit has intensified, which will require arrangements to be in place by 29 March 2019.
My Department has, to date, approved just over €6m to the HSE for additional Environmental Health Service (EHS) staff (61 personnel) and the Public Analyst Laboratory Dublin. This is to facilitate additional official food controls (import controls, export certification and associated laboratory work) which will fall to the HSE as a result of Brexit.
As staff recruitment is a matter for the HSE, I have asked it to respond directly to the Deputy.
125. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3112/19]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
126. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if phase 3C of Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare is included in the plan to provide 2,600 acute hospital beds under the NDP 2018 to 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3125/19]
View answer127. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if the proposed new endoscopy unit and other services at Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare is included in the HSE capital plan for 2019; if so, when tenders will be invited for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3126/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together.
The Health Service Executive is currently developing its Capital Plan for 2019. The requirements of Naas General Hospital and other health capital projects, currently at various stages of development, are being considered as part of this process.
128. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the waiting time for an assessment of a child with a special need within the public service, for example, for speech and language, occupational therapy and so on in counties Cork and Kerry. [3132/19]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
129. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the capital allocation for the construction of the new children’s hospital; the final outturn for same in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the breakdown for each of the satellite centres in each year; and the allocation for each in 2019, in tabular form. [3133/19]
View answerThe Health Service Executive is currently developing its Capital Plan for 2019. The requirements of the new children's hospital and other health capital projects, currently at various stages of development, are being considered as part of this process.
|
Year |
€m |
|
2016 outturn |
30.64 |
|
2017 outturn |
67.75 |
|
2018 outturn |
107.85 |
|
2019 requirement |
250.00 |
The estimated construction and fit out costs for the two OPD Urgent Care Centres at Tallaght and Connolly are €53.4m (ex VAT). With regards to your queries in relation to the costs and allocations in respect of each urgent care centre, I have asked the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board to respond to you directly.
130. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3134/19]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
