Written Answers Nos. 228-247
228. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of disqualified drivers who failed to surrender their licence in 2018 and were summoned to court for the offence; the number of drivers who were convicted of this offence; the value of the fines imposed by the court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10470/19]
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 informed me that Court outcomes indicate that eight people were summoned to Court for failing to surrender their driving licences and in relation to the summons, no convictions are recorded.
229. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of drivers who were summoned to court in 2018 for the offence of driving while disqualified; the number who were convicted of this offence; the penalty imposed by the court in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10471/19]
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, and this includes the provision of information on the courts system.
I have requested information from the Courts Service and An Garda Síochána in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy directly as soon as I have the information to hand.
231. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if funding will be made available in 2019 for the refurbishment of a Garda station (details supplied); if so, when this work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10500/19]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, there has been unprecedented investment in An Garda Síochána in recent years in support of the Government’s commitment to ensure a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement and provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime.
The allocation to An Garda Síochána for 2019 is €1.76 billion and very significant capital investment is also being made in An Garda Síochána, including investment of €342 million in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021; and investment of €46 million in the Garda Fleet over the same period.
Considerable capital investment is also being made in the Garda estate. The Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
The Garda Station Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021 is an ambitious 5-year programme based on agreed Garda priorities, which continues to benefit over 30 locations around the country. The clear goal of this investment is to address deficiencies in the Garda estate and provide fit-for-purpose facilities for Garda members and staff as well as the public interacting with them.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the programme, which is based on agreed Garda priorities, does not include plans for refurbishment of Ronanstown Garda Station.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that a determination on the need to refurbish Ronanstown or any other Garda station will be considered by An Garda Síochána in the context of the overall accommodation priorities, bearing in mind the ongoing expansion of the Garda workforce and in the context of the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
232. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding mental health awareness training within the Irish Prison Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10646/19]
View answerI have been advised by the Irish Prison Service that mental health training for staff was introduced by the Irish Prison Service in September, 2016.
A bespoke Mental Health Awareness Programme has been developed and is delivered by training staff, nurses and assistant psychologists. The programme makes staff aware of some of the more fundamental causes of mental health issues and also the appropriate actions to take if a member of staff recognises any of the symptoms.
Since September 2016, over 1,500 staff have been trained and the programme continues to be rolled out to remaining staff.
233. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a full-time doctor will be appointed to a location following a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10647/19]
View answerI have been advised by the Irish Prison Service that all persons in custody are provided with a range of healthcare services based on an equivalence of care to that which is provided under the General Medical Scheme in the community. Those services are based on a primary care model which includes general practitioner services made available to all persons in custody.
The Irish Prison Service is currently giving consideration to the model of delivery of General Practitioner services at a prison level, including at Castlerea Prison. Currently, an effective General Practitioner service is provided by engaging a locum doctor who attends the prison five mornings per week, and also provides on-call General Practitioner cover at the weekend. This service is engaged by way of its contract agreement for the provision of locum General Practitioner services across the prison estate.
234. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if electronic tagging for repeat offenders is being introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10655/19]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that provisions in respect of electronic monitoring of persons on bail are currently contained in section 6B of the Bail Act 1997, but were not commenced. Section 7 of the Criminal Justice Act 2017, amends these existing provisions for the electronic monitoring of persons on bail to facilitate the focused and targeted use of monitoring in appropriate cases. The Act provides that electronic monitoring may be imposed as a bail condition if the prosecution applies to the court for such a condition.
Extensive preparations are underway to ensure these provisions can be implemented and more importantly, to ensure they can be effective. My Department is chairing a Working Group on Electronic Monitoring which includes the Irish Prison Service, the Probation Service, the Courts Service, An Garda Síochána and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The Working Group submitted a report to my Department's Management Board and these recommendations were considered.
Following on from this, my Department has been engaging with the Office of the Government Procurement (OGP) to try and identify a suitable expert to advise the Department on Electronic Monitoring pre-market consultations. Discussions between the Department and the OGP in this regard remain ongoing.
235. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of members of the drug squad allocated to Tallaght and Rathfarnham Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10691/19]
View answerThe information is in the following tables:
|
National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau 2015-2019 |
|
|
Year |
Strength |
|
2015 |
107 |
|
2016 |
105 |
|
2017 |
114 |
|
2018 |
112 |
|
2019 |
111 |
|
Drugs Unit Personnel by Division 2008 -2019 |
||||||||||||
|
DIVISION |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
Dec-18 |
Jan-19 |
|
D.M.R. EAST |
10 |
9 |
13 |
15 |
13 |
13 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
11 |
9 |
9 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH |
25 |
31 |
34 |
32 |
31 |
27 |
16 |
25 |
21 |
19 |
19 |
20 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL |
15 |
16 |
15 |
18 |
20 |
13 |
20 |
20 |
30 |
14 |
15 |
18 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH |
28 |
26 |
30 |
31 |
30 |
23 |
17 |
16 |
17 |
14 |
16 |
17 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL |
22 |
18 |
19 |
16 |
13 |
11 |
19 |
19 |
13 |
9 |
12 |
12 |
|
D.M.R. WEST |
32 |
35 |
36 |
35 |
28 |
26 |
24 |
26 |
20 |
17 |
11 |
11 |
|
D.M.R. NSS |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
CARLOW / KILDARE |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
KILDARE |
0 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
11 |
|
LAOIS / OFFALY |
10 |
10 |
13 |
6 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
|
MEATH |
3 |
10 |
10 |
7 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
8 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
|
LONGFORD / WESTMEATH |
12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
WESTMEATH |
0 |
7 |
9 |
9 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
WICKLOW |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
11 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
CAVAN / MONAGHAN |
11 |
10 |
11 |
8 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
|
DONEGAL |
8 |
10 |
8 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
8 |
7 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
|
LOUTH |
8 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
2 |
9 |
|
SLIGO / LEITRIM |
8 |
8 |
2 |
7 |
8 |
6 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
14 |
6 |
6 |
|
WATERFORD / KILKENNY |
15 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
0 |
8 |
11 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
7 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
TIPPERARY |
14 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
12 |
8 |
9 |
|
WATERFORD |
0 |
12 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
WEXFORD |
13 |
12 |
12 |
11 |
6 |
4 |
1 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
9 |
|
CORK CITY |
26 |
25 |
27 |
24 |
26 |
29 |
28 |
15 |
20 |
17 |
18 |
18 |
|
CORK NORTH |
8 |
8 |
9 |
7 |
9 |
9 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
CORK WEST |
6 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
|
KERRY |
11 |
11 |
10 |
10 |
6 |
8 |
10 |
9 |
7 |
9 |
10 |
12 |
|
LIMERICK |
14 |
19 |
22 |
20 |
12 |
11 |
12 |
14 |
12 |
11 |
12 |
8 |
|
CLARE |
6 |
6 |
9 |
9 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
|
GALWAY |
8 |
13 |
12 |
12 |
11 |
12 |
8 |
12 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
|
MAYO |
6 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
|
ROSCOMMON / GALWAY EAST |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
ROSCOMMON / LONGFORD |
0 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
5 |
|
TOTAL |
341 |
355 |
378 |
361 |
310 |
270 |
253 |
258 |
256 |
236 |
222 |
236 |
236. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to amend the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 to allow non-birth Irish mothers who are registered as parents in their country of residence to apply for an Irish passport on behalf of their child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10757/19]
View answerI have been advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department that there are no immediate plans to amend the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956.
The administration of the foreign birth register, as set out in Section 27 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, is a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
I am aware that questions have been raised with regard to clarifying the entitlement to an Irish passport of children born abroad to same sex couples, one of whom is an Irish citizen. My Department is currently examining these issues and is engaging with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with a view to clarifying the position in this complex area.
237. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of non-EU student visas issued in 2017 and 2018; the average length of time it has taken to process these visas; his plans to improve the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10760/19]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that decisions regarding the grant or refusal of study visas are made in a number of INIS Visa Offices overseas and the Visa Office in Dublin.
11,407 study visas were approved in 2017, and 11,443 in 2018. This represents an overall approval rate (the number of successful applications out of the total number of applications) of 86.1% and 88.8% for each year respectively.
The processing time at each office and location worldwide is determined by a number of factors such as the volume and complexity of applications, the completeness and sufficiency of information or documentation provided by the applicant, whether investigation is required or not, individual circumstances, peak application periods, seasonal factors, and the resources available. While every effort is made to process applications as quickly as possible, processing times inevitably vary as a result.
The current time for processing study visa applications in the Dublin Visa Office for example is around 4 weeks. Processing times for other Visa Offices vary but are generally within this time-frame also.
More generally, a number of measures have been put in place to deal with the increased demand for visas to come to Ireland. This has included the assignment of additional staff to help process applications, and the streamlining of visa processes where possible. In addition, there is regular engagement between INIS and the education sector on student visa requirements and what can mutually be done to improve the processing time with particular attention being paid to peak demand during the busy summer period.
The central concern in deciding on visa applications, as with all visa services worldwide, is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime while at the same time facilitating travel for those who meet the criteria. Each visa application is therefore decided on its own merits taking all factors into account.
238. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 will be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10804/19]
View answerThe Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 provides a modern statutory framework to support decision-making by adults with capacity difficulties. The Act was signed into law on 30 December 2015 but has not yet been fully commenced. New administrative processes and support measures, including the setting up of the Decision Support Service within the Mental Health Commission (a body under the Department of Health), must be put in place before the substantive provisions of the Act can be commenced.
A number of provisions of the 2015 Act were commenced in October 2016 in order to progress the setting up of the Decision Support Service. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 515 of 2016), brought Part 1 (Preliminary and General) and Part 9 (Director of the Decision Support Service) of the Act, other than sections 3, 4 and 7 in Part 1 and sections 96 and 102 and Chapter 3 in Part 9, into operation on 17 October 2016. These provisions were brought into operation in order to enable the recruitment of the Director of the Decision Support Service.
The commencement of Part 8 of the Act, which provides a legislative framework for advance healthcare directives, is a matter for the Minister for Health. The Minister for Health, under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (No. 2) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 517 of 2016), brought some provisions of Part 8 of the Act into operation on 17 October 2016. The provisions commenced in Part 8 were the definition of “Minister” in section 82; the definitions of “code of practice” and “working group” in section 91(1); and section 91(2). The commenced provisions provide for the establishment by the Minister for Health of a multi-disciplinary group to make recommendations to the Director of the Decision Support Service in relation to codes of practice on advance healthcare directives.
The Minister for Health commenced the remainder of section 91 on 17 December 2018 (S.I. No. 527 of 2018) to enable the Director of the Decision Support Service to progress the preparation of the codes of practice as soon as the multi-disciplinary group submits its recommendations to the Director.
A high-level Steering Group comprised of senior officials from the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commission and the Courts Service, together with the Director of the Decision Support Service, is overseeing the establishment and commissioning of the Decision Support Service and this work is ongoing. The key preparations are being put in place under the oversight of the Steering Group to allow for further commencement orders for the provisions of the 2015 Act to be made when the Decision Support Service is ready to roll out the new decision-making support options.
The Decision Support Service is not yet operational but every effort is underway to ensure that the Decision Support Service has all necessary capacity to open for business as soon as possible. While the Decision Support Service has been working towards being operational and ready for the commencement of the main provisions of the Act in 2020, the situation is being kept under review as the preparatory work on implementation moves forward.
The 2019 Revised Estimates Volume provides for an allocation of €3.5 million in the Justice and Equality Vote for the establishment of the Decision Support Service.
239. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the implementation of legislation arising from commitments in the Stormont House Agreement and the Fresh Start agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10808/19]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that work is at an advanced stage on legislative measures to contribute to delivery on the Government's commitments, in relation to the framework of initiatives to address the legacy of the Troubles, agreed in the 2014 Stormont House Agreement.
In November 2017, the Government approved the drafting of the Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) Bill. This Bill will further facilitate co-operation with the Historical Investigations Unit (HIU), which is to be established by the British Government to investigate unsolved Troubles-related killings, and other inquiry mechanisms. It should be noted that the Authorities here are already in a position to co-operate with the HIU, once established, in its criminal investigations through existing mutual legal assistance arrangements.
In addition, the Bill will provide for measures to further enhance ongoing cooperation with the Northern Ireland Coroner in Troubles-related inquests. The general scheme of the Bill is available on my Department's webpage and drafting is at a very advanced stage. I expect to be in a position to publish this Bill before the summer recess.
My Department, with close co-operation from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is also working on a General Scheme for a Bill to establish the Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR). The ICIR will be a cross-Border institution which will be established to receive information on Troubles-related deaths and to prepare a report on the circumstances of the death for the families of the victims. The ICIR will require legislation to be enacted in both jurisdictions with parallel provisions. The Deputy will be aware that the British Government is currently analysing the submissions received during last year's public consultation process on the Stormont House Agreement legacy framework. My officials are in contact with their counterparts in Northern Ireland on the outcomes of this exercise. Nonetheless, I would expect to seek the approval of the Government to draft our ICIR legislation in the near future.
Dealing with the legacy of the troubles on this island is a difficult and complex task. The Government remains fully committed to giving effect to the measures agreed in the Stormont House Agreement. While the political impasse in Northern Ireland has delayed the roll-out of these measures, the Government will continue to work with the British Government and the parties in Northern Ireland to seek the re-establishment of the Executive.
240. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the upsurge in the street gang activity by young persons in areas (details supplied); if his attention has been further drawn to attempts by community projects and Dublin City Council to tackle the causes and consequences of this behaviour; and if funding will be made available through the LCDC to sustain the work. [10834/19]
View answerI am very conscious of the impact that anti-social behaviour has on the quality of life for residents in our communities. Gardaí are working to tackle this, and all forms of criminality, in our communities to make them safer for all members of society.
While the allocation of all Garda resources, including personnel, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, I am advised by the Garda authorities that in early February 2019, as a result of an upsurge in anti-social activity by young persons in the Ballyfermot area, increased patrols were implemented by An Garda Síochána. Assistance was also provided by a number of the youth projects and local Councillors in the area. Due to a combined effort between An Garda Síochána and a variety of youth groups and local Councillors, working with the youths allegedly involved in this activity, I am advised that the problem appears to be currently under control, but Gardaí will continue to monitor this situation closely.
Similarly, An Garda Síochána has also identified hotspots in Drimnagh for public order offences including areas where youths congregate. I understand these locations are subject to regular and active Garda patrols.
I might add that a range of strong legislative provisions are available to An Garda Síochána to combat anti-social behaviour, including provisions under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Acts, the Criminal Damage Act and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts. There are also the incremental provisions contained in the Criminal Justice Act 2006 which provide, in Part 11, for warnings and civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by adults and, in Part 13 of the Act, for warnings, good behaviour contracts and civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by children.
In relation to funding, I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Youth Justice Service, which operates under the auspices of my Department, provides funding to support the operation of 106 Garda Youth Diversion Projects.
Funding support for youth justice community interventions is based on evidence that diversion programmes, in the form of high-quality preventative intervention, can do more to reduce crime than more costly custodial options. The projects are managed by a range of Community-Based Organisations (CBO) which are required to ensure that best practice is followed in terms of quality of service and financial accountability.
The projects aim to bring about the conditions whereby the behavioural patterns of young people towards law and order can develop and mature through positive interventions. They are primarily targeted at 12-17 year old “at risk” youths in communities where a specific need has been identified.
However, while An Garda Síochána will continue to tackle problems in relation to anti-social behaviour head-on, they cannot eradicate the problem alone.
Specifically in relation to young offenders, it is also up adults, particularly parents and guardians, to ensure that children are raised to be respectful and law-abiding. These lessons begin in the home, are further reinforced in our schools and then by society in general. We must all work together to ensure that such behaviour is never normalised and is tackled immediately
To be of assistance, I am providing the Deputy with a list of Garda Youth Diversion Programmes operating in the areas highlighted in his question. Similarly, I am also providing him with a list of projects aimed at tackling drug-related problems in communities which are funded by the Department of Health.
Garda Youth Diversion Projects in Ballyfermot, Drimnagh, Basin Street and St. Thereas’s.
Ballyfermot
ABLE
CODY
Drimnagh
Clay
BRÚ*
Basin Street
DÁN
St. Theresa’s
DÁN
The above five projects are currently engaged with approximately 85 young people which include young people from the above mentioned areas.
*Note while the BRÚ projects catchment area does not include Drimnagh they would engage with a high number of young people from the area due to the nature of work done and location of the project.
|
Drugs Task Force |
Drugs Task Force Type |
Project Code |
Project Name |
Agency |
Allocation 2019 |
|
Ballyfermot LDATF |
LDATF |
BF2B-3 |
Familibase |
CDYSB |
51,201.00 |
|
Ballyfermot LDATF |
LDATF |
BF2-10 |
Ballyfermot Social Intervention Initiative |
CDYSB |
97,742.00 |
|
Ballyfermot LDATF |
LDATF |
BF2-14 |
Matt Talbot Community Trust |
CDYSB |
106,503.00 |
|
Dublin South Inner City LDATF |
LDATF |
SIC-5 |
Westland Row CBS Afterschool Project |
CDYSB |
9,295.00 |
|
Dublin South Inner City LDATF |
LDATF |
SIC2-6 |
Poolbeg Training |
CDYSB |
114,975.00 |
|
Dublin South Inner City LDATF |
LDATF |
SIC2-12 |
Whitefriar Aikido Club Juniors |
CDYSB |
3,143.00 |
|
Dublin South Inner City LDATF |
LDATF |
SIC2B-12 |
School St Youth Project |
CDYSB |
48,630.00 |
|
Canal Communities LDATF |
LDATF |
CC2-1 |
St Michael's Youth Project Ltd Skills based Co-ordinator |
CDYSB |
57,130.00 |
|
Canal Communities LDATF |
LDATF |
CC2-2 |
Bluebell Youth Project |
CDYSB |
49,365.00 |
|
Canal Communities LDATF |
LDATF |
CC2-24 |
St Michael's Family Resource Centre Regeneration Worker |
CDYSB |
42,392.00 |
|
Canal Communities LDATF |
LDATF |
CC2B-6 |
YEAH Project |
CDYSB |
60,622.00 |
|
Canal Communities LDATF |
LDATF |
CC2-5 |
Prison Outreach Worker |
D/JLR (P&W) |
47,667.00 |
|
Canal Communities LDATF |
LDATF |
CC2-9 |
Community Prison Links Worker |
D/JLR (P&W) |
47,478.00 |
|
Canal Communities LDATF |
LDATF |
CC2-31 |
Community Development Post |
DCC |
11,317.00 |
|
Canal Communities LDATF |
LDATF |
CC2-32 |
Community Development Post |
DCC |
11,317.00 |
|
Canal Communities LDATF |
LDATF |
CC2-33 |
Community Development Post |
DCC |
11,317.00 |
|
Dublin 12 LDATF |
LDATF |
D2-6 |
Drug Education Worker |
CDYSB |
53,090.00 |
|
Dublin 12 LDATF |
LDATF |
D2-20 |
ARC Under 18 Programme |
CDYSB |
7,606.00 |
|
Dublin 12 LDATF |
LDATF |
D2-11b |
Crumlin Youthreach: Literacy Project |
CDYSB |
9,701.00 |
241. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the training members of An Garda Síochána receive in relation to identifying cases of coercive control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10843/19]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the training of its members and civilian staff and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
The recently commenced Domestic Violence Act significantly strengthens the civil and legal protections available to victims. The offence of coercive control recognises that domestic violence is more than physical as it can also involve emotional abuse, humiliation or intimidation.
I am advised by the Commissioner that on the 19 February 2018 and the 26 February 2019 training was provided at Templemore Garda College to members of the Divisional Protective Services Units and Inspectors with the Domestic Abuse portfolio by Dr. Jane Monckton Smith, University of Glouchestershire, in relation to Domestic Homicide and their link to coercive control. This was part of a three day domestic abuse modular training programme for DPSUs and Domestic Abuse Inspectors that took place in the Garda College from 19/21 February 2019 and 26/28 of February 2019.
I am further advised that in terms of training and awareness, members of an Garda Síochána are currently undergoing train-the-trainer training in the area of coercive control which will aid in the creation and delivery of organisational training. In addition training lectures are being delivered to Probationer Gardaí at the Garda College in Templemore by members of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, prior to their postings. These presentations cover all aspects of domestic abuse and the key aspects of the new Domestic Violence Act, including coercive control, will be added to same. This means that every new member leaving the Garda College for their permanent stations will be familiar with the new Act.
242. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí stationed in Malahide, Balbriggan, Swords and Skerries Garda stations in each year since 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10844/19]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the manner in which the resources of the Garda Síochána are deployed is solely a matter for the Garda Commissioner and his management team and I, as Minister, have no direct role in this regard. I am informed by the Commissioner 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 resources.
Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 2,400 recruits have attested as members and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, of whom 198 have been assigned to the D.M.R. North Division.
The Government has increased the budget by for An Garda Síochána to €1.76 billion for 2019, which includes provision for the recruitment of up to 800 Gardaí this year. The Commissioner has now informed me that he plans to recruit a total of 600 trainee Gardaí in 2019 and he also intends to recruit 600 Garda Civilian Staff. This Garda Staff recruitment will allow the Commissioner to redeploy a further 500 fully trained Gardaí from administrative duties to frontline policing in 2019.
The Garda Commissioner has confirmed that the Government’s commitment to increase the overall strength of An Garda Síochána to 15,000 Garda members will be achieved by the target date of 2021. The Government fully supports the Commissioner’s management decision which will ensure that increasing numbers of Gardaí are available for frontline duties in the prevention and detection of criminal activity in 2019 and beyond.
The Garda strength of the D.M.R. North Division from 2009 up to 31 January 2019, as provided by the Garda Commissioner, is as set out in the table in the link.
For additional and more general information on Garda Facts and Figures please see the link below:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
244. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda vehicles based in Malahide, Balbriggan, Swords and Skerries in each year since 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10846/19]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that there has been unprecedented investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years.
A total of €46 million has been provided by the Government for investment in the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021, in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015. This continuing investment is intended to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet and that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime. And I am pleased to confirm that a capital allocation of €10 million is available to An Garda Síochána for the purchase of Garda vehicles in 2019.
As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of the availability of resources and his identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles among the various Garda divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in that matter. I understand however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that their optimum use.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Skerries and Balbriggan Garda Stations are in Balbriggan District. Swords and Malahide Garda Stations are in Coolock District. I am further informed that both Balbriggan and Coolock Districts are part of DMR North Division.
For the Deputy's information, the following table, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of vehicles allocated to the various Garda Districts within DMR North from 2011 to date.
|
2019 (*as at 28.2.2019) |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
|
|
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Others |
|
|
BALBRIGGAN-Y |
9 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
11 |
|
BALLYMUN |
26 |
10 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
39 |
|
COOLOCK-R |
18 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
21 |
|
RAHENY-J |
16 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
20 |
|
DMR NORTH DIVISION |
69 |
18 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
|
2018 |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Others |
|
|
BALBRIGGAN-Y |
9 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
11 |
|
BALLYMUN |
33 |
17 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
55 |
|
COOLOCK-R |
21 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
|
RAHENY-J |
16 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
20 |
|
DMR NORTH DIVISION |
79 |
25 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
110 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
|
2017 |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Others |
|
|
BALBRIGGAN-Y |
9 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
|
BALLYMUN |
33 |
19 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
57 |
|
COOLOCK-R |
22 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
|
RAHENY-J |
19 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
23 |
|
DMR NORTH DIVISION |
83 |
27 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
115 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
|
2016 |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Others |
|
|
BALBRIGGAN-Y |
8 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
BALLYMUN |
36 |
24 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
68 |
|
COOLOCK-R |
23 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
26 |
|
RAHENY-J |
19 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
23 |
|
DMR NORTH DIVISION |
86 |
33 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
127 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
|
2015 |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Others |
|
|
BALBRIGGAN-Y |
10 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
|
BALLYMUN |
36 |
21 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
61 |
|
COOLOCK-R |
26 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
28 |
|
RAHENY-J |
16 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
20 |
|
DMR NORTH DIVISION |
88 |
29 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
122 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
|
2014 |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Others |
|
|
BALBRIGGAN-Y |
8 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
|
BALLYMUN |
35 |
17 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
58 |
|
COOLOCK-R |
27 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
29 |
|
RAHENY-J |
18 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
21 |
|
DMR NORTH DIVISION |
88 |
24 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
119 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
|
2013 |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Others |
|
|
BALBRIGGAN-Y |
5 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
|
BALLYMUN |
30 |
16 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
53 |
|
COOLOCK-R |
26 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
29 |
|
RAHENY-J |
15 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
19 |
|
DMR NORTH DIVISION |
76 |
25 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
109 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
|
2012 |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Others |
|
|
BALBRIGGAN-Y |
8 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
BALLYMUN |
33 |
18 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
59 |
|
COOLOCK-R |
26 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
30 |
|
RAHENY-J |
16 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
19 |
|
DMR NORTH DIVISION |
83 |
26 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
118 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
Total |
|
2011 |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Others |
|
|
BALBRIGGAN-Y |
8 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
BALLYMUN |
35 |
17 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
63 |
|
COOLOCK-R |
26 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
30 |
|
RAHENY-J |
18 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
21 |
|
DMR NORTH DIVISION |
87 |
23 |
7 |
3 |
4 |
124 |
245. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an immigration levy is payable for non-EEA national students with children attending State schools; if so, the amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10886/19]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that INIS does not administer an immigration levy for non-EEA students with children attending State schools. It should be noted that non-EEA students generally cannot avail of family reunification, including for children, during their residence in the State as students.
246. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of asylum seekers who have died in each of the years 2003 to 2018 and to date in 2019, while being provided with accommodation by the RIA in direct provision centres by location. [10901/19]
View answerThe Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of the Department of Justice & Equality has no official role in the collation of statistics on deaths of asylum seekers living in State Provided Accommodation. All records of deaths in Ireland are held in the General Register Office, which is the central civil repository for records relating to Births, Marriages and Deaths in Ireland.
Protection applicants access health services in the same way as Irish citizens - through the GP, primary care and hospital system. RIA has no role in the provision of these services. The details of a protection applicant’s medical condition is a confidential matter between the patient and his or her medical practitioner.
In most cases, the deaths of residents occur in hospitals. Where information may be provided to centre managers by residents or friends of the deceased, it indicates that the causes of deaths ranged from cancer, heart conditions, traffic accidents to suspected cot deaths. Such information is based on informal information and is not an official record of death.
Not all persons in the protection process accept the offer of State provided accommodation which is made when they apply for international protection. In circumstances where an applicant chooses not to accept such accommodation, my Department has no knowledge of the health of such persons.
Where a person dies while they are being provided with accommodation by RIA, RIA will work closely with the centre manager to assist the family in accessing the supports provided by the State, and to ensure that any residents affected by the death are assisted in accessing services that can support them.
247. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the level of state aid that will be made available in the event of a no-deal Brexit; the provisions provided for same in the Revised Estimates; if she has sought permission from the European Commission for aid to specific sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10764/19]
View answerAcross Government Departments significant work is ongoing to ensure all necessary supports will be available to enterprise regarding a wide variety of Brexit implications. Provision in the revised estimates for financial support is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance.
In relation to state aid, my Department and its agencies together with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine have been working closely with the EU Commission and DG Competition since November 2017 through the Irish/EU Technical Working Group on State Aid. The objective of the Group is to scope and design schemes to support enterprises across various sectors, impacted by Brexit in line with State Aid rules. Much has been achieved by this Working Group. It has examined and explored a range of opportunities within State Aid rules including the development of the Future Growth Loan Scheme under GBER rules, the expansion of Ireland’s Rescue and Restructuring Scheme to include Temporary liquidity aid, and to increase the budget for the Scheme to €200 million. Through the mechanism of the Technical Working Group, Ireland has fully utilised the provisions of the State aid framework to enable the investment by Enterprise Ireland of €74 million in Brexit impacted businesses in 2018. The work of the Group is ongoing and it met most recently last week in Brussels.
In conjunction with DG Competition, the Group is currently working closely with DG Agriculture to explore the range of opportunities under the Agriculture and Forestry State aid guidelines, and as part of this State Aid approval was received in February for capital investment by Enterprise Ireland in an Irish cheese producing company, Carbery Food Ingredients Ltd, to help the company towards financing a diversification project to mitigate the impacts of Brexit.
On 24th January 2019, I met with the European Commissioner for Competition, Margrethe Vestager. The focus of the meeting centered around the severe challenges that Irish businesses will face when the UK leaves the EU and the need for appropriate and timely State supports. It was agreed that Irish officials will continue to work closely with the Commissioner's team in addressing any State aid issues that may arise to ensure a rapid and appropriate response as the ultimate shape of Brexit and its firm-level implication become known. The Commissioner emphasised that the Commission stands ready to act urgently in mitigation against the impacts of Brexit on Irish firms.
