Written Answers Nos. 111-135
111. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the duration remaining on a contract with a company (details supplied) for the provision of digital radio services to An Garda Síochána and other emergency services; if no concession agreement exists in respect of this contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17950/19]
View answerThe current contract for the provision of radio services to An Garda Síochána and other emergency services is due to expire on 16 June 2019. This contract covers the provision of national narrowband secure digital radios network services as a managed service and as such no concession agreement was included in the contract.
Officials of my Department are engaged in a in a procurement exercise to establish a new replacement framework for the delivery of a nation-wide, narrowband, secure, managed digital radio service for voice and data purposes and for the supply of associated services. It advertised its intention to procure replacement services in January 2017 and is currently in the process of a competitive procedure with negotiation with Stage 2 RFT documents due to be published to pre-qualified candidates in Quarter 2 2019.
Officials of my Department are also in negotiations, which are at an advanced stage, to agree a variation agreement with the current supplier that would extend the current contract for a period of up to eighteen months.
112. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date on which the tender process will open for competition in respect of finding a provider for digital radio services to An Garda Síochána and other emergency services in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17951/19]
View answerOfficials of my Department are engaged in an OJEU procurement exercise to establish a new replacement framework for the delivery of a nation-wide, narrowband, secure, managed digital radio service for voice and data purposes and for the supply of associated services. It advertised its intention to procure replacement services in January 2017 and is currently in the process of a competitive procedure with negotiation with Stage 2 RFT documents due to be published to pre-qualified candidates in Quarter 2 2019.
113. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has consulted with An Garda Síochána and other emergency services in the context of their changing needs in respect of digital radio services; if new requirements have been identified by them in advance of a new provider being contracted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17952/19]
View answerOfficials of my Department are engaged in a procurement exercise to establish a new replacement framework for the delivery of a nation-wide, narrowband, secure, managed digital radio service for voice and data purposes and for the supply of associated services. My officials solicited the views and requirements of all agencies currently using, and those who may use this network in the future, for inclusion in the RFT documents. A project group comprised of representatives from An Garda Síochána and other emergency services bodies has overseen and inputted into the drafting of RFT documents including technical and operational requirements.
114. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding pension provision for community employment scheme supervisors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18050/19]
View answerThis issue relates to a claim by community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors who have been seeking, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme.
The matter was the subject of extensive discussion at the Community Sector High Level Forum which was reconvened to examine certain issues pertaining to the Community Employment sector and in particular to ensure that the matter was fully examined having regard to both costs and precedent.
A detailed scoping exercise was carried out by my Department in 2017 in order to comprehensively examine and assess the full potential implications of the issues under consideration.
The scoping exercise clearly illustrated that this matter presents very significant issues for the Exchequer, with a potential cost exposure for the State of between €188 million per annum and €347m depending on the size of the sector which is difficult to ascertain, were consequential demands to be made to fund employer pension contributions for all similar State funded Community and Voluntary organisations. This excludes any provision for immediate ex-gratia lump sum payment of pension for those imminently retiring, as sought, which could, depending on the size of the sector, give rise to a further Exchequer cost exposure of up to €318 million.
The Forum met in the period subsequent to the conduct of the scoping exercise where relevant matters in respect of this issue were discussed in comprehensive detail with the members of the Forum. These discussions provided a clear understanding to each of the parties of their respective positions in relation to this matter and in this context the formal engagement process between the parties was accordingly concluded on this basis.
It continues to be the position that state organisations are not the employer of the particular employees concerned and accordingly it is not for the State to provide funding for occupational pension scheme provision.
115. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the additional funding request submitted by a school (details supplied) due to an estimated increase in cost of impending works associated with EPA health and safety requirements, per planning approval subsequent to approval of original application for a replacement building; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that following four years of engagement in the planning process, the importance of this project in serving the pupils and staff of the school and the educational requirements of the residents and young families of the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18068/19]
View answerIn May, 2015, my Department approved an all-in-devolved grant for the provision of a mainstream classroom and a resource room for the school referred to by the Deputy.
I fully appreciate the importance of this project to the school community and to all relevant stakeholders. However, the project proceeded to tender without reverting to my Department at the appropriate time as required under the terms and conditions of the scheme. In addition, the Board of Management had tendered for an unapproved scope of works.
In that context, and earlier this month, the Board was advised that it was required to revert to the original approved works. It is now a matter for the Board of Management to progress the project accordingly.
116. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason no procedures are in place to enable the transfer of an allocated SNA from a primary school to a secondary school for a child; if his attention has been drawn to the anxiety experienced by families (details supplied); his plans to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17868/19]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support enrolled in the school.
The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in Department Circular 0030/2014, which is available on my Department's website at www.education.ie, in order that students who have care needs can access SNA support as and when it is needed.
In considering applications for SNA support for individual pupils, the NCSE take account of the pupils' needs and consider the resources available to the school to identify whether additionality is needed or whether the school might reasonably be expected to meet the needs of the pupils from its current level of resources.
SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource.
SNA allocations to all schools can change from year to year as children with care needs leave a school, as new children with care needs enrol in a school and as children develop more independent living skills and their care needs diminish over time.
The SNA allocations for the 2018/19 school year were announced in May 2018 to provide certainty to schools, parents and SNAs at the earliest opportunity. It is expected that this timeframe will also be adhered to this year with the allocations for September 2019 being announced in May 2019.
117. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the financial resources and other supports that can be provided to new independent Gaelscoileanna in the Dublin 10 and 12 areas (details supplied). [17871/19]
View answerMy Department establishes and supports new schools where a demographic need for a new school has been identified. Pre-opening capitation funding and start-up grants are available to new Irish-medium and English-medium schools established in this way, and ongoing funding and resources are provided in line with national norms.
I am taking the Deputy’s reference to “new independent Gaelscoileanna” to mean new Irish-medium primary schools established by private parties. There is no mechanism by which new independent primary schools established by private parties are recognised and/or supported by the Department.
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise. The GIS uses data from a range of sources, including the Central Statistics Office, Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and the Department's own databases. With this information, my Department carries out nationwide demographic exercises at primary and post-primary level to determine where additional school accommodation is needed.
Major new residential developments in an area also have the potential to alter demand in that area. In that regard, as part of the demographic exercises, my Department engages with each of the local authorities to obtain the up-to-date data on significant new residential development in each area.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, depending on the circumstances, be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:
- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools
- Extending the capacity of a school or schools
- Provision of a new school or schools.
As the Deputy may be aware, following completion of nationwide demographic exercises, the Government recently announced plans for the establishment of 42 new schools over the next four years (2019 to 2022) to meet demographic needs.
While a new school wasn’t announced for the Ballyfermot_D10 and Dolphin’s Barn_D12 areas, as with other school planning areas nationwide, the demographic data is being kept under ongoing review by the Department to take account of updated data.
Regarding the language of instruction of a planned new school, a patronage process is run by my Department after it has been decided, based on demographic analysis, that a new school is required. This patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons. Parental preferences for each patron, along with their preference for the language of instruction (Irish or English) of the new school, from parents of children who reside in the school planning areas concerned, together with the extent of diversity currently available in these areas, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of this process. It is through this process that a new primary school can be an Irish-medium Gaelscoil or an English-medium school.
Separately, the Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity Process also provides an opportunity to increase the number of Gaelscoileanna nationwide. This new process is aimed at accelerating the delivery of multi-denominational and non-denominational schools towards the Government target of 400 such schools by 2030. The process, which involves the live transfer of existing schools, is designed to provide additional multi-/non-denominational schools in Irish or English and an opportunity is available to English-medium schools seeking to make a transition to Irish-medium provision in that context, in line with the expressed wishes of parents and the local school community.
Separately to the main Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity Process, school communities can directly engage with their school patron regarding transfer of patronage to become a multi-denominational school, including a multi-denominational Irish-medium school. Any school which is seeking a transfer of patronage should contact their school patron directly.
118. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide for more diversity of choice for parents of primary school children in an area (details supplied); if divestment or other proposals are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17877/19]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government includes a commitment of reaching 400 multi-/non-denominational schools in Ireland by the year 2030. The Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity Process is aimed at assisting in achieving this target by transferring existing schools from denominational to multi-/non-denominational patronage in line with the wishes of the school community. The first Identification Phase of the phase 1 pilot process is nearing completion for 16 initial areas nationwide, which in the case of Tipperary ETB includes a report on the Roscrea area. It is envisaged that these reports will be published on my Department's website www.education.ie in the first half of this year.
The Newport/Birdhill/Ballina is does not form part of the 16 areas selected by ETBs for the initial roll-out of this process. However, separately to the main Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity Process, school communities can directly engage with their school patron regarding transfer of patronage to a multi-denominational patron. For example, the ‘early movers’ provision fast-tracks patronage reassignment. The first 'early mover' reconfiguration has successfully taken place, with Two-Mile Community National School in Kerry opening in September 2017.
Any school which is seeking a transfer of patronage under the 'early movers' provision should contact their school patron directly.
119. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17899/19]
View answerThe purpose of my Department’s Home Tuition Grant Scheme is to provide funding towards the provision of a compensatory educational service for students enrolled in school, with a significant medical condition which has, and is likely to cause, major disruption to their attendance in school on a continuing basis.
Home tuition is not an alternative to a school placement and is provided in very limited and specific circumstances.
As tuition takes place outside the usual school structure it is important that home tutors are qualified to provide an educational programme. Accordingly, it is a condition of the scheme that parents/legal guardians recruit a tutor who is qualified in the sector in which tuition is being provided, and is registered with the Teaching Council for the duration of the approved tuition, up to and including issue of final payment.
When a child is deemed eligible for home tuition, a sanction letter issues to the parents/legal guardians, which include the name(s) of the approved tutor(s), sanctioned start and finish dates for the tutor and grant rate per hour. Approval dates for tutors may be contingent on a number of factors including conditions attached to their Teaching Council registration.
The Scheme provides for an appeal process regarding decisions made in the allocation of Home Tuition support. Appeals may be submitted in writing to my Department’s Special Education Section outlining the reasons for the appeal, along with supporting documents or reports, as appropriate.
The parent referred to by the Deputy has submitted an appeal to my Department in recent days. My officials will consider the appeal and contact the parent directly in due course.
120. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school inspectors employed in each of the years 2008 to 2018. [17900/19]
View answerThe following table gives details of the staffing cohort at my Department's Inspectorate division from 2008 to 2018 as requested by the Deputy.
Staffing in the Inspectorate
|
Grade |
31-Dec-08 |
31-Dec-09 |
31-Dec-10 |
31-Dec-11 |
31-Dec-12 |
31-Dec-13 |
|
Chief Inspector |
1.00 |
0.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
Deputy Chief Inspector |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
Assistant Chief Inspector |
11.00 |
7.00 |
6.00 |
8.00 |
8.00 |
8.00 |
|
Divisional Inspector |
40.00 |
29.00 |
28.00 |
26.00 |
23.80 |
24.00 |
|
Primary District Inspector |
34.53 |
32.73 |
33.00 |
32.00 |
34.00 |
33.00 |
|
Senior Inspector |
35.60 |
31.60 |
32.00 |
26.80 |
22.80 |
22.60 |
|
Post Primary Inspector |
30.00 |
31.00 |
30.80 |
31.40 |
32.50 |
32.10 |
|
Early Years Inspector |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Total |
153.13 |
132.33 |
131.80 |
126.20 |
123.10 |
121.70 |
[Table cntd.]
|
Grade |
31-Dec-14 |
31-Dec-15 |
31-Dec-16 |
31-Dec-17 |
31-Dec-18 |
|
Chief Inspector |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
|
Deputy Chief Inspector |
1.00 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
2.00 |
2.00 |
|
Assistant Chief Inspector |
8.00 |
8.00 |
9.00 |
10.00 |
10.00 |
|
Divisional Inspector |
25.00 |
24.00 |
24.60 |
26.60 |
26.00 |
|
Primary District Inspector |
32.00 |
35.00 |
33.00 |
31.00 |
27.80 |
|
Senior Inspector |
24.60 |
22.60 |
24.70 |
24.70 |
26.00 |
|
Post Primary Inspector |
21.30 |
26.30 |
27.50 |
28.50 |
30.50 |
|
Early Years Inspector |
0.00 |
9.00 |
12.00 |
14.00 |
17.00 |
|
Total |
112.90 |
126.90 |
132.80 |
137.80 |
140.30 |
121. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if representatives of a campus (details supplied) will be notified regarding a new date on which he will meet them to discuss the Maynooth PP project and the provision of extra rooms from the school term commencing September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17905/19]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that I met yesterday with local principals, the ETB and public representatives including the Deputy herself to discuss this project to which she refers. I can add that the matters referred to by her were discussed at that meeting which was attended by the local Education and Training Board (KWETB) as well as other school representatives. I can also inform the Deputy that tenders for the completion of the project are issuing today to short-listed tenderers.
122. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new apprenticeships established in each of the years 2016 to 2018. [17976/19]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
New Consortia Apprenticeship Programmes
|
New Consortia Apprenticeships Programmes |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
New Apprenticeships Established |
2 |
7 |
9 |
123. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for ongoing delays in the development of the new Louth and Meath Education and Training Board headquarters facility in Drogheda, County Louth; the planned date for commencement of the building project on the site in Drogheda; the progress made to advance the project in 2018 and to date in 2019; the funds expended on the head office project in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019, including professional and consultancy fees, surveying, legal fees and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17989/19]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the project to which he refers has been devolved for delivery to the local Education and Training Board (LMETB).
A number of design issues have arisen with this project. These have included issues relating to the need for additional security features for the proposed building that became apparent at tender stage and which required a change in brief with consequent design alterations. Currently, the capacity of the building is being reviewed to ensure it meets LMETBs needs into the future.
I can assure the Deputy that every effort to progress the project has been made in 2018 and 2019 and will continue to be made. A number of meetings between officials from my Department and LMETB and its design team, with a view to addressing the relevant issues, have taken place in the last year. However, it is still too early at this stage to give a commencement date for construction.
To date, approximately €260k has been spent on costs related to the project including design team fees, planning and statutory consent fees and surveys for the project. Approximately €200k of this was expended in 2015 with the remainder spent last year.
124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if residency will be updated or extended in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17855/19]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware from my response in September last year that it was open to the person concerned to write to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department in relation to their request for permission to reside in this State. I understand there is no record of correspondence from the person concerned and it would appear the person's presence in the State is unlawful.
The Deputy will appreciate that, under the relevant provisions of the Immigration Act, 2004, a non-national may not be in the State other than within the terms of a permission from the Minister for Justice and Equality. In order to allow for a full examination of the person's circumstances the person concerned should to write to Unit 2, Domestic Residence and Permissions Division, INIS, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 without delay and provide a detailed account, including documentary evidence, of their personal circumstances since the expiration of their permission to reside in this State.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
125. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí located in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17922/19]
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.
Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 2,600 Garda recruits have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, of whom 90 were assigned to the Cavan/Monaghan Division and 78 were assigned to the Meath Division.
The Government has increased the budget 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 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.
I believe that the injection of this large number of experienced officers into the field, along with the new recruits, will be really beneficial in terms of protecting communities. This and on-going recruitment will clearly provide the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí to deliver a visible effective and responsive policing service to communities across all Garda Divisions including the Cavan/Monaghan Division and the Meath Division.
The Garda strength by rank of the Cavan/Monaghan Division and the Meath Division, from 2009 to 28 February 2019 as provided by the Garda Commissioner is available on my Department’s website through the following link: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_February_2019.xlsx/Files/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_February_2019.xlsx
For more general information on Garda Facts and Figures please see this link: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
126. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new Garda recruits assigned to each Garda division since recruitment resumed in Templemore in 2014, by year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17923/19]
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.
In relation to the allocation of newly attested Gardaí, it is important to keep in mind that they have a further 16 months of practical and classroom 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.
Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 2,600 Garda recruits have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide including some 207 who attested on 8 March, the first attestation of this year.
I am informed by the Commissioner that the Cohort model of resource allocation is currently utilised for the general allocation of personnel within An Garda Síochána, including newly attested probationer Gardaí from the Garda College. The allocation and transfer of Garda Personnel using the Cohort Model is determined by a number of factors, including crime and non-crime workload, minimum establishment, population, area, policing arrangements, operational strategies and transfers applications, including welfare issues. When allocations are taking place, comprehensive consultation is carried out with Local Management during which all factors are taken into consideration. Where a deficiency in resources is identified the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly.
The information requested by the Deputy, as provided by the Garda Commissioner, is available on my Department’s website through the following link: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/08_Allocation_of_Probationer_Garda%C3%AD_by_Division_and_Station_2014_to_March_2019.xlsx/Files/08_Allocation_of_Probationer_Garda%C3%AD_by_Division_and_Station_2014_to_March_2019.xlsx
The Government remains committed to the recruitment of additional Gardaí and accordingly has increased the budget 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 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.
I believe that the injection of this large number of experienced officers into the field, along with the new recruits, will be really beneficial in terms of protecting communities. This and on-going recruitment will clearly provide the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí to deliver a visible effective and responsive policing service to communities across all Garda Divisions.
For additional and more general information on Garda Facts and Figures please see the following link: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
127. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 566 of 26 March 2019, when a reply will be provided. [17932/19]
View answerAs I indicated in response to the original question, I have sought a report from the Garda Commissioner in relation to the issue raised. I will respond to the Deputy when I receive a response.
128. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 568 of 26 March 2019, when a reply will be provided. [17933/19]
View answerAs I indicated in response to the original question, I have sought a report from the Garda Commissioner in relation to the issue raised. I will respond to the Deputy when I receive a response.
129. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons waiting on mediation through the free legal aid system by county; the length of time they are waiting; the waiting times for same in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17941/19]
View answerMediation is a process for resolving disputes where those in dispute meet with a third party who helps them to negotiate an agreed resolution. The Family Mediation Service is provided by the Legal Aid Board.
The waiting times for family mediation services as of 31st March 2019 are set out on an office by office basis, in the table below, the details of which have been provided to me by the Legal Aid Board. These details are maintained by the Legal Aid Board in terms of numbers waiting and the waiting times involved on an office by office basis rather than by county.
I am also informed by the Legal Aid Board that short notice appointments will be provided to those who can take a cancelled appointment at the last minute. Those clients who have a pending court date are accommodated, if possible, with priority appointments.
The Legal Aid Board has advised me that the number waiting for mediation may include some clients who have already been offered appointments and have not been able to accept them for one reason or another.
Schedule1:
|
County |
Town |
Number Waiting at end March |
Approx Waiting times (weeks) |
|
Cork |
Cork |
56 |
19 |
|
Donegal |
Letterkenny |
17 |
14 |
|
Dublin |
Jervis Street |
72 |
12 |
|
|
Tallaght |
42 |
14 |
|
|
Blanchardstown |
55 |
16 |
|
Galway |
Galway |
26 |
12 |
|
Kerry |
Tralee |
7 |
8 |
|
Kilkenny |
Kilkenny |
2 |
8 |
|
Laois |
Portlaoise |
32 |
20 |
|
Limerick |
Limerick |
26 |
10 |
|
Louth |
Dundalk |
50 |
48 |
|
Mayo |
Castlebar |
13 |
8 |
|
Sligo |
Sligo |
9 |
8 |
|
Waterford |
Waterford |
9 |
8 |
|
Westmeath |
Athlone |
30 |
10 |
|
Wexford |
Wexford |
34 |
14 |
130. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if extra funding is being provided for Garda resources in the Cavan-Monaghan Garda division in 2019 in view of the recent ATM robberies. [17942/19]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion. Very significant capital investment is also being made in Garda ICT, the Garda fleet and the Garda estate - in total, the Garda capital allocation has increased from €61 million to €92 million in 2019, a 50% increase.
This unprecedented current and capital investment in An Garda Síochána is in support of the Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country, to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime.
Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána.
It is a matter for the Commissioner to efficiently manage the very significant resources which have been provided and to determine the allocation of budgets to all regions, including the Northern Region and all Divisions, including Cavan/ Monaghan Division, based upon operational requirements. This includes the allocation of resources in response to emerging crime trends.
I share the Deputy's concern about the recent ATM robberies, the majority of which have taken place in Northern Ireland. These are crimes that have a significant impact on both businesses and communities and I condemn the criminals behind them in the strongest terms.
I can further assure the Deputy of the strong ongoing cooperation between Gardaí and the PSNI, including in relation to their investigations into these robberies and to the high priority attached to combatting cross-border organised crime, in particular through the Joint Agency Task Force established under the Fresh Start Agreement.
131. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda stations that have been closed in the Cavan-Monaghan Garda division in the past decade in tabular form; if An Garda Síochána has plans for the remaining stations in State ownership; his plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17945/19]
View answerI have been advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that two former Garda Station buildings in County Cavan have been sold. These are Finea and Tullyvin.
No former Garda stations in County Monaghan have been sold.
The former Garda station at Shantonagh, Co. Monaghan was a leased property and this lease was surrendered following the closure of the station.
The following table sets out the position with the remaining former Garda stations that remain in State ownership.
|
Former Garda Station |
County |
Closed |
Status |
|
Bawnboy |
Cavan |
2013 |
Reopening as part of the Programme for a Partnership Government |
|
Redmills |
Cavan |
2013 |
Future use under consideration |
|
Stradone (New) * |
Cavan |
2013 |
Refurbished and extended. Currently in use by An Garda Síochána. |
|
Clontibret |
Monaghan |
2012 |
Future use under consideration |
|
Corrinshigagh |
Monaghan |
2013 |
Future use under consideration |
|
Newbliss |
Monaghan |
2013 |
Future use under consideration |
|
Smithborough |
Monaghan |
2012 |
Future use under consideration |
* The old Garda station at Stradone, Co. Cavan closed in 2002. This property is surplus to requirements and is being prepared for disposal.
132. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the death of a person (details supplied); his views regarding unanswered questions of the family regarding the circumstances surrounding the death in Garda custody; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18051/19]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the circumstances of the death of the person concerned, which occurred in St James's Hospital, were investigated by GSOC in view of the fact that the person had been in Garda custody earlier on the day of his death. This was in accordance with standard operating procedure. Subsequent to the GSOC investigation, a file was prepared for the DPP and a recommendation to prosecute the arresting Garda member was made. Following a trial in 2011, the Garda member was acquitted on all charges.
The matter raised in the Deputy’s question is the subject of recent correspondence to me from a member of the deceased person’s family. That correspondence is being considered in my Department. When I have ascertained the relevant facts I will respond to the family. I am not, therefore, in a position at this stage to provide any further information to the Deputy.
133. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the most recent occasion on which IDA Ireland visited counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath; the number of new jobs that have been created by the IDA in the past 12 months; the steps it is taking to attract companies to the counties; the success it has had with the strategy for the counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17935/19]
View answerRegional development, not just in the Border area but across Ireland, remains a key priority. Together with my Department and its enterprise Agencies, I am focused on strengthening investment and job creation all over the country.
The annual results of the IDA demonstrate that we are making significant progress. In 2018, for example, 56% of all net new jobs created by the Agency were in locations outside Dublin. Similarly, every region in Ireland, including the Border Region, posted net gains in jobs last year. There are now over 132,000 people employed across 681 firms in IDA client companies outside the capital. In fact, 58% of all IDA-supported employment is now outside of Dublin. This represents the highest number of people employed in the regions by IDA clients in the Agency’s history.
While there were no new foreign direct investment (FDI) supported jobs created in Cavan in 2018, Monaghan experienced an 8% increase in FDI employment, with 12 jobs added by companies in the County. Similarly, Meath saw a 4.5% increase in IDA supported employment, with the creation of 67 new jobs last year.
Since this question was last raised by the Deputy, IDA Ireland has released the site visit data for the first quarter of 2019 and Counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath have each hosted one site visit so far this year. In 2018, County Meath reported a twofold increase in site visits with six visits last year. County Cavan hosted two site visits, whilst there were three site visits to County Monaghan, compared to one visit in 2017.
As the Deputy is also aware, as part of Budget 2019, I allocated an additional €10m for the next phase of the IDA Regional Property Programme (RPP). The RPP includes plans for an Advanced Technology Unit (ATU) at Knockaconny, County Monaghan and a design and delivery team has been appointed for this Unit.
The IDA has a dedicated regional manager for the North East/North West Region and an office in the Cavan Innovation and Technology Centre. As part of its strategy to promote the area, it is focusing on sectors including agrifood, manufacturing, tourism and internationally traded services. The Agency's staff regularly engage with key stakeholders on the ground in Cavan and Monaghan, including with local authorities, public bodies, the education sector and companies from both its own client base but also from the indigenous sector. County Meath, meanwhile, is being actively marketed by the IDA as a location for second sites for multinationals in the Dublin region, with a focus on building clusters in existing sectors like high-value manufacturing and international services.
We are working hard, across Government, to further unlock the economic potential of all counties including those in the Border. The Enterprise Agencies under my remit will continue to engage with their clients, and with one another, to create more jobs and source new investment in 2019.
134. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the 200 jobs announced for Athlone by a company (details supplied) in July 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17955/19]
View answerSince becoming Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, I have made regional development my top priority. Indeed, enterprise development and job creation in the regions of Ireland is a key policy priority of this Government.
We want to have a situation where all regions are enabled to realise their potential as contributors to economic development, and thereby reduce regional disparities. The Government welcomes all new job announcements by businesses, and the announcement by Mr Price to create 200 jobs in Athlone in July of last year is very good news for Athlone and the Midlands. I look forward to the impact these jobs will have in the Midlands region.
My Department remains committed to achieving an overall jobs uplift of between 10 and 15 per cent in each region by 2020 and to bring and/or maintain unemployment levels in each region to within at least one percentage point of the State average.
The most recent CSO Labour Force Survey employment figures (Q4 2018) for the Midlands continue to show very good progress in employment levels. From Q1 2015 (baseline year) to Q4 2018, a total of 20,000 more people are in employment in the Midlands, and unemployment has more than halved in over the same period from 14.9 percent to 6.6 percent.
It is also important to note that as well as meeting the numerical targets, it is also about creating jobs that are of good quality and sustainable over the longer term.
To that end, on the 6th of February last in Mountmellick, I launched a new Regional Enterprise Plan to 2020 for the Midlands, one of nine new Regional Enterprise Plans that build on the progress achieved under the previous Regional Action Plan for Jobs 2015-2017.
The Midlands Plan is focused around seven Strategic Objectives as follows:
1. Ensure that the Midlands is well positioned to address the challenges posed by the transition to a low carbon economy and renewable energy
2. Leverage opportunities in big data and data analytics from ILOFAR
3. Position and support the growth of the Midlands as an advanced manufacturing centre of excellence
4. Enhance the collective offering of the Midlands as a place to live, work and invest in
5. Strengthen the attractiveness of the Midlands as a destination to visit
6. Harness the potential of the food and beverage industry in the Midlands
7. Ensure the availability of skills and talent to realise the Midlands’ economic potential and address upskilling requirements
I'm pleased to report that the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan Steering Committee has begun the process to drive delivery of the actions within the new Plan.
135. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the actions she has taken to protect jobs at a company (details supplied); if she has spoken with the management of the company regarding safeguarding jobs in Irish stores after the UK parent entity was placed into administration; if gift vouchers in Irish stores will be fully redeemable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17967/19]
View answerI am informed that the Irish stores of the company referred to in the details supplied by the Deputy operate under a separate Irish company established following an examinership process here in 2016. As such, the Irish stores are not directly affected by the decision to place the UK Group's holding company in administration. According to a statement on the company's website, the Group's operating companies continue to trade as normal and all orders, returns, refunds and gift cards are being honoured. I am, of course, concerned at any developments that could potentially affect the employees and customers of the company's Irish operations and will keep the situation under review.
