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Wednesday, 28 Apr 2021

Written Answers Nos. 813-831

Garda Stations

Questions (813)

Michael Creed

Question:

813. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice the number of vacant Garda residences attached to Garda stations; the number of other Garda properties surplus to requirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21545/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and control of An Garda Síochána and for the effective and efficient use of Garda resources.  Further, the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation, including official Garda residences, is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.

The Garda estate comprises of 569 Garda Stations and a significant number of non-Station facilities (e.g. Garda Headquarters, Garda College in Templemore and Harcourt Square). In addition to these operational facilities, official accommodation properties are attached to 197 operational Garda Stations.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to provide a precise figure on the number of vacant official accommodation properties as the figure can fluctuate due to a variety of factors (retirements and relocation of members etc). However, I am informed that a survey of official accommodation carried out in 2018 indicated that in the order of half of these properties are occupied at any given time.

Garda management is aware of the benefits that having official accommodation occupied brings to a local area by way of accessibility to members of An Garda Síochána and a community presence and seeks to have accommodation occupied wherever possible. However, I am informed that the age profile and associated condition of many official accommodation properties means that this wish must be balanced with the competing demands upon resources for the enhancement of the Garda estate.

I am further informed that the Garda authorities are not aware of any operational properties in the Garda Estate that are deemed surplus to requirements.

Visa Applications

Questions (814)

Michael Creed

Question:

814. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice if she has received work visa applications in respect of persons (details supplied) who have work permits; and when such visa applications will be determined. [21546/21]

View answer

Written answers

I can confirm that no visa applications have been received by the Visa Division of my Department in respect of the persons referred to by the Deputy.

To come to Ireland to work, a person would need an employment permit, which is processed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE): https://enterprise.gov.ie/en. 

In addition to the employment permit, a visa-required person must also have an Irish visa prior to seeking entry to the State.  Therefore, a visa-required person should wait until the employment permit has been issued to them by DETE before they apply for the appropriate employment visa.

Upon creating an on-line visa application, the summary sheet must be printed and signed by the applicant and then submitted to the relevant visa office, along with supporting documentation and the relevant fee, within 30 days. Only upon receipt of the necessary documentation and fee, can the visa application be processed.  

Visa applications must be made using the on-line AVATS facility at: www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome2.aspx.

If the persons referred to by the Deputy have been issued Employment Permits from DETE it is open to them to submit an application for an Employment Visa.

Naturalisation Applications

Questions (815)

Patrick Costello

Question:

815. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the status of a naturalisation application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21623/21]

View answer

Written answers

An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 16 August 2019. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. If any further documentation is required, it will be requested from the person in due course.

While an application can be assessed as being at an advanced stage, there are still some checks to be finalised and a recommendation to be made to me as Minister prior to a final decision being made. These checks, depending on the complexity involved, can take a considerable period of time.  

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Bench Warrants

Questions (816)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

816. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice the number of outstanding bench warrants in each of the years 2016 to 2020, by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21627/21]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is statutorily responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána including the maintenance of certain databases.

I have asked the Garda authorities for the information requested and I will write directly to the Deputy when it is available.

However, to be of assistance, I can provide the latest figures for each Garda Division provided to me in response to a previous question.

The table below, furnished to me by the Garda authorities, shows the number of outstanding bench warrants as of 31 December 2020 for each Garda Division.  

Division

Outstanding Warrants

D.M.R. Eastern

762

D.M.R. North Central

5811

D.M.R. Northern

4490

D.M.R. South Central

1848

D.M.R. Southern

3115

D.M.R. Western

5317

Kildare Division

868

Kilkenny/Carlow

668

Laois/Offaly

233

Meath Division

448

Waterford Division

394

Westmeath Division

281

Wexford Division

419

Wicklow Division

467

Cavan/Monaghan

892

Donegal

789

Galway Division

833

Louth Division

620

Mayo

230

Roscommon/Longford Division

170

Sligo/Leitrim

282

Clare

178

Cork City

1015

Cork North

325

Cork West

169

Kerry

462

Limerick

989

Tipperary

489

I am informed that these figures were collated based on PULSE data as of 4 February 2021.  As they constitute real time operational data, they are liable to change.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question number 816 of 28 April 2021 where you asked for the number of outstanding bench warrants in each of the years 2016 to 2020, by county; and in tabular form.
You will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available and Minister McEntee undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact you again when the requested information was available.
As you will appreciate, difficulties in relation to the execution of warrants, including bench warrants, are a long-standing issue for many police services around the world; notably relating to persons actively seeking to evade detection and where limited identification information might be available to support enforcement. I am assured, however, that An Garda Síochána execute warrants as expeditiously as possible, giving priority to the execution of warrants relating to serious crimes.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the appended table shows the number of outstanding bench warrants by Garda division in each of the years 2016 to 2020. The figures for each year represent a view of the data at each year end and as such should not be taken as being cumulative figures of currently outstanding bench warrants.
I trust this information is of assistance.
Appendix
The table below shows counts of outstanding bench warrants per Garda Division that were outstanding on the 31st of December for each of the years listed.

Region

Division

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Dublin Region

D.M.R. Eastern

650

704

896

985

782

D.M.R. North Central

5845

6042

6195

6173

5853

D.M.R. Northern

3168

3387

3936

4861

4552

D.M.R. South Central

2226

2026

2243

2253

1890

D.M.R. Southern

3224

3245

3617

3331

3250

D.M.R. Western

4624

4762

5322

5668

5385

Eastern Region

Kildare

701

739

1007

1157

888

Kilkenny/ Carlow

543

582

973

1000

706

Laois/Offaly

206

182

336

329

283

Meath

515

536

631

620

464

Waterford

358

350

512

485

407

Westmeath

360

403

663

485

284

Wexford

404

397

596

635

489

Wicklow

380

393

749

536

526

North Western Region

Cavan/ Monaghan

680

691

876

894

920

Donegal

539

574

752

796

839

Galway

692

641

915

1143

841

Louth

591

579

665

809

651

Mayo

324

306

270

268

234

Roscommon/Longford

219

205

300

233

173

Sligo/Leitrim

166

212

316

316

291

Southern Region

Clare

177

163

354

333

207

Cork City

753

750

1435

990

1042

Cork North

255

251

424

389

343

Cork West

149

161

229

210

173

Kerry

669

737

649

550

467

Limerick

606

624

1285

1433

1184

Tipperary

341

431

766

906

524

Total

29,365

30,073

36,912

37,788

33,648

The figures for each year represent a view of the data at each year end and as such should not be taken as being cumulative figures of currently outstanding bench warrants.
Additional Information
Figures were collated based on PULSE data as of 1:30am on the 17th May, 2021. They are operational and may be liable to change.

Garda Data

Questions (817)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

817. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice the number of outstanding European arrest warrants for Irish citizens in each of the years 2016 to 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21628/21]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the total number of European Arrest Warrants pertaining to Irish citizens, issued by Ireland or received by Ireland during the years 2016 to 2020 inclusive and which remain outstanding (are still active) at this time, are set out in the table below.

There are various reasons why European Arrest Warrants are outstanding. The most common explanations are that the proceedings pertaining to an individual warrant have yet to be concluded, the individual concerned is also serving a domestic prison sentence in this State or another state, the individual concerned has yet to be located and arrested, or more recently that surrender is postponed due to complications arising from the current Covid 19 pandemic.

EAW's received for Irish Citizens

Year:

Total:

Active:

2020

32

20

2019

26

5

2018

25

4

2017

28

4

2016

25

1

EAW's issued for Irish Citizens

Year:

Total:

Active:

2020

81

65

2019

60

22

2018

64

15

2017

46

11

2016

60

4

Legal Aid Service

Questions (818, 819)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

818. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice the actions being taken to address lengthy waiting lists for mediation services provided by the Legal Aid Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21700/21]

View answer

Thomas Pringle

Question:

819. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons on waiting lists for mediation services provided by the Legal Aid Board in County Donegal; the average length of time waiting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21701/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 818 and 819 together.

The Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means in the State, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2017. The Act was amended by Section 54 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, which gave the Board the additional responsibility to provide a family mediation service.

Section 3(3) of the Act provides that the Board shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be independent in the exercise of its functions.

However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made with the Legal Aid Board, and I am informed that, civil legal aid and advice is provided primarily through a network of law centres by solicitors employed by the Board. There are 30 full time and 12 part time law centres. 

Family mediation services are provided through 8 full time offices and 9 part time offices. The Legal Aid Board has established a number of co-located centres in Portlaoise, Kilkenny, Jervis House in Dublin, Dundalk, Letterkenny, Limerick and Tallaght. These centres operate a full time law centre and either a full or part time mediation centre. Court-based family mediation services are available in a number of courts around the country including Dolphin House in Dublin, Ennis, Carlow and Mullingar.

The waiting times for family mediation services as of 26 April 2021, are set out in the table below provided by the Board. I am informed that there is no waiting list for Ennis or Dolphin House, both of which provide a walk-in service. Information on the number of applicants awaiting an appointment and the length of time they are waiting in weeks is maintained by the Legal Aid Board on an office by office basis rather than by county. The Board advises that the number waiting may include some applicants who have already been offered appointments and have not been able to accept them for one reason or another. I am further advised that the current average waiting time for a mediation appointment across the country is 17 weeks.

The Board operates a co-located law and mediation centre in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. As can be seen from the table below, the number of people awaiting a mediation appointment in this centre, as of 26 April 2021, stands at 13 and the longest time for a person awaiting a mediation appointment is 12 weeks. 

The Board offers short notice appointments to applicants that can accept a cancellation. Applicants with a pending Court date are offered priority appointments where possible.  Currently under Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions, the Board offers online and telephone appointments.  Many applicants have availed of mediation sessions through these mediums. However, I understand that some are choosing to wait until face to face mediation sessions can be facilitated. 

In Budget 2021, I provided an increased provision of over €2 million for the Legal Aid Board in 2021 bringing total funding of the Legal Aid Board to €44.6 million, a 6% increase. This will enable the Board to recruit additional staff and meet other costs to enhance delivery of all of its services across the country.

My Department also continues to work with the Legal Aid Board and other key stakeholders across the Justice Sector as part of a planned return to normal business levels under the Government’s “Covid-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 – the Path Ahead”. 

In terms of broader reform, preparations are also being made by my Department for the formal establishment by Ministerial Order of the Mediation Council. The relevant details will be made known for public consultation and Oireachtas approval under the relevant provisions of the Mediation Act 2017.

Waiting times – 26 th April 2021 (in weeks)

Location

No. waiting

Waiting time in weeks

Athlone 

10

6

Blanchardstown

54

28

Carlow*  

15

16

Castlebar

10

8

Cork

39

16

Dundalk**

42

32

Galway

30

12

Jervis St**  

84

32

Kilkenny**  

7

4

Letterkenny**  

13

12

Limerick

33

20

Mullingar* 

8

12

Portlaoise**  

14

12

Sligo

6

12

Tallaght   ** 

86

32

Tralee

12

12

Waterford

16

12

Wexford  

28

32

*Court based

** Co-located law and mediation centre

Naturalisation Applications

Questions (820)

Joe Carey

Question:

820. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Justice the status of a naturalisation application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21730/21]

View answer

Written answers

An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 5 December 2019. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. If any further documentation is required, it will be requested from the person in due course.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Visa Applications

Questions (821)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

821. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if a decision will issue in respect of an appeal for a visa in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21753/21]

View answer

Written answers

The visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office in Abu Dhabi on 9 August 2020. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicant at that time.  An appeal of this decision was launched on 11 October 2020.

To be fair to all applicants, appeals for applications of this type are processed in the order in which they are received. While every effort is made to process these applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume of appeals received, their complexity, the possible need for the visa office to seek further information in relation to certain appeals and the resources available to process them.

All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on the Immigration Service website. When making an appeal, the applicant should take into account the reasons for refusal listed in the refusal letter. The appeal should include any further information or additional documentation they wish to have considered, and should be sent for the attention of the Visa Appeals Officer, in the relevant Visa Office, where the matter will be considered afresh.

Full consideration will be given to any appeals received.  However, as I have said, the onus is on applicants to satisfy the Visa Officer that visas should be granted. Processing times and decisions at the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the web page for the relevant office.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), 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 is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.  

Policing Co-operation

Questions (822)

Mark Ward

Question:

822. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice her plans to provide a multi-agency mental health crisis de-escalation team that will include members of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21754/21]

View answer

Written answers

I have requested a report on the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, unfortunately the report was not to hand in time. I will write to the Deputy on receipt of the report.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question Number 822 which was for answer on 28 April 2021, where you asked about my plans to provide a multi-agency mental health crisis de-escalation team that will include members of An Garda Síochána. You will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact you again when the information was available.
As you will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and operations of An Garda Síochána, including operations with other state agencies. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
The Garda Commissioner advises me that a pilot mental health crisis intervention team is being prepared in Limerick Garda Division. This pilot project is in line with the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing, which recommended the creation of a specialist uniform unit who will work conjointly with health professionals to provide a rapid and integrated 24/7 response to persons with mental health issues.
The Commissioner further advises me that this pilot project is being progressed in close collaboration with the HSE, and will include the creation of a crisis intervention team and specific training for members of this pilot team. It is hoped to begin the rollout of this pilot team early next year.
I trust this information is of assistance.

Legislative Reviews

Questions (823)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

823. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice if she will review the application of the Criminal Procedure Act 1967, if necessary by an amendment to section 4(b) thereof (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21892/21]

View answer

Written answers

There is no plan at this time to amend section 4(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act 1967 in the manner referred to by the Deputy. However, I can inform the Deputy that the legislation governing criminal procedure is kept under constant review by my Department, and updates are made from time to time when the need becomes apparent.

One such example is the Criminal Procedure Bill, which is progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas at the moment, which will introduce a number of important reforms, including providing for preliminary trial hearings in criminal trials for the first time.

Questions Nos. 824 and 825 answered with Question No. 797.

Garda Data

Questions (826)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

826. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of fixed charge penalty notices issued in 2020 and to date in 2021 for public order related offences by Garda division in tabular form. [21975/21]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are three public order related Fixed Charge Notice offences: Intoxication in a Public Place; as well as two which relate to Disorderly Conduct in a Public Place (at night-time and at other times).

I am informed that from 1 January 2020 to 26 April 2021, a total of 6,829 Public Order Fixed Charge Notices were issued. 

The breakdown by Garda division is as follows:

Garda Division  

Total  

Cavan/Monaghan

304

Clare

146

Cork City

152

Cork North

156

Cork West

69

D.M.R. Eastern

111

D.M.R. North Central

127

D.M.R. Northern

159

D.M.R. South Central

119

D.M.R. Southern

260

D.M.R. Western

472

Donegal

379

Galway Div

487

Kerry

233

Kildare Div

424

Kilkenny/Carlow

469

Laois/Offaly

231

Limerick

263

Louth Div

197

Mayo

191

Meath Div

208

Roscommon/Longford Div

144

Sligo/Leitrim

190

Tipperary

411

Waterford Div

281

Westmeath Div

160

Wexford Div

316

Wicklow Div

170

For the Deputy's information, the above figures are taken from the Garda PULSE system, as of 27 April. The figures are operational and liable to change.

Garda Data

Questions (827)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

827. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of minor assault offences reported to gardaí in the Navan district in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [21976/21]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by Garda authorities that the total count of minor assault incidents reported within Navan District since 1 January 2019 is as follows:

2019 

 2020

 2021 (year to date, as of 23 April)

 111

 112

 15

The above figures are taken from the Garda PULSE system, as of 23 April 2021.

For the Deputy's information, these figures have been taken from PULSE as of 05:00 on 23 April 2021 and are subject to the qualification that they are operational and liable to change.  Crime counting rules have been applied and only primary incidents are counted.

Garda Transport Provision

Questions (828)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

828. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of new Garda roads policing vehicles that came into the fleet in 2020 and to date in 2021; and the number of roads policing unit vehicles that were withdrawn from the fleet during same period. [21977/21]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána.  Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of 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 these decisions. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure their optimum use.

The below tables, furnished to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Roads Policing Vehicles that were allocated and removed in 2020 and to date 2021.

Allocated

 

Cars 

Vans

Motorbikes

4x4

Total

 

2021*

10

0

0

0

10

 

2020

33

0

26

0

59

Removed

 

Cars 

Vans

Motorbikes

4x4

Total

 

2021*

4

0

0

0

4

 

2020

19

0

15

1

35

* as of 23 April 2021

I am further advised that 25 new vehicles have been purchased for the Roads Policing Unit with expected allocation in the second quarter of 2021 following fit-out.

Legislative Measures

Questions (829)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

829. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the steps being taken to change the law to ensure that persons responsible for killing spouses or civil partners do not benefit from the estates of the deceased person. [22114/21]

View answer

Written answers

At the outset, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere condolences to all families who have been affected in such devastating circumstances.

I am aware that the Deputy proposed a Private Members Bill seeking to ensure that perpetrators of domestic homicides could not benefit through inheritance. I know that Bill has lapsed, but I can inform the Deputy that work is progressing in amending Section 120 of the Succession Act, which will achieve the same objective.

My Department is working with the Office of the Attorney General and, as the Deputy will appreciate, there are a number of complex legal issues to be addressed in this area which require thorough examination by experts in this field of law. We are currently considering the most appropriate legislative vehicle to progress this issue. This is a complex area of the law and I want to ensure that we avoid any unintended or unforeseen consequences.

In addition, the independent study on Familicide and Domestic Homicide Review is expected to be published soon. While its Terms of Reference do not cover this issue specifically it may be more coherent to advance the next steps on this important area following on from the publication of that important review.

Firearms Licences

Questions (830)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

830. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of silencers for firearms that are licensed in Ireland. [22115/21]

View answer

Written answers

Under Section 1 of the Firearms Act 1925, as amended, silencers (also known as moderators) are defined as a component part of a firearm and therefore as a firearm for the purposes of the Act.

Furthermore, Statutory Instrument No 21 of 2008 (Firearms (Restricted Firearms and Ammunition) Order 2008) as amended, defines silencers as “any devices fitted or capable of being fitted to the firearms for the purpose of moderating or reducing the sound made on their discharge”.

An Garda Síochána are responsible under provisions of the Firearms Act 1925 to 2009, for the administration and consideration of applications for the vast majority of firearm authorisations in the State. 

It is my understanding that when an applicant is applying for a Firearms Certificate, they may also make application for a silencer to be fitted to the firearm. The granting Superintendent may authorise the use of the silencer with the firearm to be licensed.  Where authorisation is given to have a silencer fitted to a licensed firearms, a letter 'S' is printed on the Firearms Certificate indicating that the authorisation is granted.

I am further advised that when considering an application for a silencer, a Superintendent of An Garda Síochána must be satisfied that granting such an application will not endanger public safety or the peace and that the applicant has a special need that is, in the opinion of the Superintendent, sufficient to justify the granting of the authorisation for the silencer.

The legislation allows the Superintendent to attach conditions to the authorisation. Each application for a silencer is considered on its own individual merits by the Superintendent in accordance with law.

I have been informed by An Garda Síochána that the total number of Silencers authorised on a Firearms Certificate as of 23 April 2021 is 15,723.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (831)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

831. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the cost of each contract entered into by her Department and the agencies under her remit to deal with Covid-19 management and reaction; and the name of the contractor in each case. [22143/21]

View answer

Written answers

It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy within the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy to provide this information as soon as it is available.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 831 to my Department, which was for answer on 28 April 2021, and in which you requested the cost of each contract entered into by my Department and the agencies under my remit to deal with COVID-19 management and reaction, and the name of the contractor in each case.
As you will recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to contact you again. Please find a response to this question provided below for your consideration and my sincere apologies for how long it has taken to gather this material.
Department of Justice
The Department of Justice is making COVID-19 specific funding available to assist organisations working to support victims of crime, including victims of domestic, sexual and gender based abuse, in response to the increased demand for services during the pandemic. It has secured an additional €400,000 to continue this COVID-19 specific support in 2021.
This COVID-19 specific funding which is being maintained and increased in budget 2021 has provided additional resources, support, enforcement and services to key organisations in the area of domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
Other COVID-19 related costs incurred by my Department are outlined in the table below.

Contractor

Description

Arup Consultants

12,177.00

Public Office Assessments

Bunzl

10,771.33

PPE

Codex

6,013.45

Hygiene Products

Derrycourt

883.89

Touchpoint cleaning

Doggett Group

37,352.64

COVID Safety Signage and Perspex Screens

Grosvenor

12,227.73

Touchpoint Cleaning

Look Sales Ltd

59,319.51

PPE

NorthEast Hygiene

40,495.47

Hand Sanitiser Stations and Supplies

Quadra H&S Consultants

3,750.00

Remote Working Assessments

Total

182,991.02

An Garda Síochána
An Garda Síochána provides all 28 Garda Divisions and Specialist Units with PPE equipment on a weekly basis, which is issued from the Central Stores facility in Santry, Dublin. In turn, each Division then distributes the PPE supplies to all Garda Stations within their aegis to ensure Garda Members and staff have adequate supplies to meet operational requirements. A Divisional Inspector is responsible for the distribution of PPE in each Division and stocks are replenished on request, as shortages arise.
Due to worldwide shortages of PPE throughout 2020, a number of companies were used to supply the items required. An Garda Síochána has not had a requirement to purchase additional PPE in 2021.

Contractor

Description

Water Technology

403,049.05

Hand Sanitiser

Office Depot

47,355.00

Hand Sanitiser

Creative Activity

292,032.75

Hand Sanitiser

JBS

44,418.31

Hand Sanitiser

Portwest

12,133.76

Disposable Gloves

Bunzl

66,324.55

Disposable Gloves

MA Healy & Son

70,126.57

Disposable Gloves

JJ McQuillan & Son

103,327.95

Disposable Gloves

JBS

91,635.00 (donated to HSE)

Disposable Gloves

JBS

1,958,987.88

Disposable Gloves

E Fox Engineers

11,474.50

Disposable Gloves

Fannin Healthcare

16,912.50

Disposable Gloves

Creative Activity

129,061.44

Disposable Gloves

Safety Tech

7,373.85

Disposable Gloves

Med Surgical

1,722.00

Disposable Gloves

Sparks Labs

5,019.18

Disposable Gloves

E Fox Engineering

6,226.88

Disposable Gloves

Lennox Labs

19,165.49

Disposable Gloves

Cadmar Tech

1,390,027.39

Disposable Gloves

Pat Coakley

1,783.00

Disposable Gloves

TPI

58,000.00

Disposable Gloves

Daniel Technologies

7,970.40

Disposable Gloves

HSE

277,242.00

Face Masks

Lennox Labs

23,062.50

Face Masks

JW Balfour

91,020.00

Face Masks

Creative Activity

79,400.00

Face Masks

Purepharm

22,298.01

Face Masks

Fleming Medical

59,778.00

Face Masks

Consolidated

91,327.50

Face Masks

E Fox Engineers

4,383.72

Face Masks

The Printed Image

1,101,000.00

Face Masks

Portwest

111,977.86

Face Masks

Critical Healthcare

1147,344.00

Face Masks

Apex Scientific

48,848.96

Face Masks

Elite Safety Tech

157,944.30

Face Masks

Med Surgical

292,740.00

Face Masks

Healthcare Essentials

901,691.60

Face Masks

JBS

79,566.71

Face Masks

Poplar Linens

1,248,680.00

Face Masks

PRBCG

412,865.50

Face Masks

Creative Activity

57,498.83

Goggles

JJ McQuillan & Sons

13,759.07

Goggles

Everyday Welding Supplies

183,715.87

Goggles

Portwest

32.10

Goggles

Scene Safe

22,755.00

Goggles

Elite Safety Tech

91,020.00

Goggles

Bunzl

7,853.56

Goggles

JJ McQuillan & Sons

1,600.00

Visors/Face Shields

E Fox Engineers

1,476.00

Visors/Face Shields

Safety Tech

71,094.00

Visors/Face Shields

Calt Dynamics

369.00

Visors/Face Shields

Portfolio Group

147,231.00

Visors/Face Shields

Creative Activity

109,777.50

Visors/Face Shields

JBS

22,386.00

Visors/Face Shields

JBS

1,033,628.77

Disposable Anti-Bacterial Wipes & Sprays

JJ McQuillan & Sons

3,082.60

Disposable Anti-Bacterial Wipes & Sprays

Fannin Healthcare Ltd

4,298.85

Disposable Anti-Bacterial Wipes & Sprays

Water Technology

90,611.15

Disposable Anti-Bacterial Wipes & Sprays

MA Healy & Sons

13,812.90

White Suits/Shoe Covers

Anderco

362,766.24

White Suits/Shoe Covers

Portwest

253.87

White Suits/Shoe Covers

Scene Safe

6,724.11

White Suits/Shoe Covers

JW Balfour

169,125.00

White Suits/Shoe Covers

Elite Safety Tech

11,931.30

White Suits/Shoe Covers

Med Surgical

236,160.00

White Suits/Shoe Covers

JJ McQuillan & Sons

2,413.00

White Suits/Shoe Covers

Bunzl

46,949.10

White Suits/Shoe Covers

JBS

107,799.07

White Suits/Shoe Covers

Creative Activity

854.85

White Suits/Shoe Covers

JW Balfour

86,100.00

Gowns

JBS

9,453.78

Plastic Aprons

Creative Activity

1,838.00

Plastic Aprons

Total

13,813,668.63

Criminal Assets Bureau
The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) acquired the services outlined in the table below in response to Health & Safety requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CAB acquires sanitiser, disposable masks, gloves, and disinfectant spray and wipes from the Garda Central Stores in Santry, at no cost to the Bureau.

Contractor

Description

Crosbie Brothers Ltd

8,409.50

Supplied and fitted clear polycarbonate screens

Embroidery & Print World Limited

952.88

150 blank fabric masks and 150 printed masks

Franey Hardwood Products Limited

1,771.20

Mobile desk guards

Codex Office Solutions

250.28

Wall mounted hand sanitiser dispensers

Total

11,467.66

Courts Service

Contractor

2020 €

2021 (Q1) €

Description

IPP CCC GP1 LTD

321,254

178,541

Additional cleaning and jury minding

ISS Ireland LTD

197,819

51,458

Extra Cleaning Services and supplies

Accent Facilities Solutions

161,850

33,490

Extra Cleaning Services and supplies

BAM Courts Bundle Limited

143,590

21,102

Extra Cleaning Services and supplies

Woods Environmental Services

0

2,043

Extra Cleaning Services and supplies

Kilmartin Engineering

0

5,221

Fitted shelter

All In One Event Hire

1,697

0

Marquee hire

Cork County Council

387

0

Perspex screens

Padraic Tuffy Limited

79

0

Vinyl gloves

Vitalrate Limited

13,431

0

Reusable face masks

Technical Door Solutions LTD

1,462

0

Safety screens

Moynihan & Moynihan Marketing

8,708

722

Sanitising products

Ardee Coach Trim LTD

24,605

Seat markings

ATOS IT Solutions & Services LTD

175,565

20,147

Additional Digital Audio Recording

PFH Technology Group LTD

165,624

54,341

Video Conferencing Solutions

Datapac LTD

40,976

1,593

IT Hardware

SKS Communications LTD

3,593

8,585

IT Hardware

Kedington LTD

5,555

0

IT Hardware

PC Peripherals

59,793

0

IT Hardware

GBM Audio Video Systems

1,861

0

Public address system

AB Systems

332

0

Software

Brodericks Sound/Light

2,178

4,628

Sound system

Fitting Images LTD

2,810,332

38,530

Virtual courts installation & IT fit out

Brightwater Recruitment

23,026

Virtual courts support

Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation

251,371

109,312

Additional venue hire

Honourable Society of Kings Inns

330,881

Additional venue hire

Brindare LTD T/A Croke Park Stadium

0

108,565

Additional Venue hire

Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel LTD

12,614

11,094

Additional Venue hire

Mullingar Park Hotel

10,273

Additional Venue hire

The TLT Concert Hall

7,148

1,650

Additional Venue hire

Trim Castle Hotel

3,649

Additional Venue hire

Galway Salthill Failte CLG

1,125

Additional Venue hire

AOC Specialist Services LTD

93,430

88,255

Manned security footfall management

Blackwater Asset Management

80,444

50,344

Manned security footfall management

G4S Secure Solutions (IRE) LTD

50,311

27,713

Manned security footfall management

Synergy Security Solutions

25,715

16,389

Manned security footfall management

Cairborne Trading LTD

1,828

2,265

Manned security footfall management

BC Security & Training Solutions LTD

4,022

0

Manned security footfall management

South East Security & Safety LTD

2,855

0

Manned security footfall management

Pat Dennehy Sings LTD

6,946

0

Brochures & booklets printing

Business Print LTD

3,945

449

Brochures & booklets printing

CSS Signs

470

0

Brochures & booklets printing

Hunt Office Technology LTD

1,950

125

Display products

Anglo Printers Limited

7,288

0

Floor graphics

Cuspal LTD

1,321

0

Floor graphics

Absolute Graphics LTD

8,792

0

Floor graphics

Michael Haugh

987

0

Planning documentation for Croke Park

Advanced Queue Solutions

4,576

0

Posts & Webbing for queue control

Higgins Furniture Hire LTD

1,380

0

Retractable posts and sign holders

Bowspirit Marketing LTD

23,776

0

Signage

Reads Print & Design Bureau

4,076

2,372

Signage

Southern Signs (Cork LTD)

4,716

0

Signage

Signiatec LTD

233,203

30,540

Signage and safety screens

CODEX LTD

60,703

7,459

Signage, Posters, Barrier Tape etc.

Beverly Smyth

1,285

0

Social distancing office preparation

Total

5,404,791

876,932

Overall Total

6,281,723

Forensic Science Ireland

Contractor

Description

Carl Stuart

1,553.00

Activa Masks

Parkside

3,456.00

Paper towels/hand sanitisers

Acorn

3,852.00

Signage & perspex desk dividers

AJ Products

156.00

Cabinet for sanitiser

Carl Stuart

6,385.00

Temperature screener

Complete Office Equipment

8,954.00

Temperature monitors

Infection Prevention Ltd.

3,363.00

Victory Electrostatic Spray units X 2

DCB

35,153.00

Laptops for home working

PFH

43,789.90

Laptops for home working

Total

106,661.90

Irish Prison Service

Contractor

2020 €

2021 (to end March) €

Expenditure > €25k - New Arrangements

Critical Healthcare LTD

193,050

0

Shinezeal International LTD

543,424

0

Vernon Medical LTD

120,540

0

Total

857,014

0

Expenditure > €25k - Existing Arrangements

Bunzl Ireland LTD

1,353,930

516,422

Clondalkin Builders Providers

34,517

0

CPL Healthcare Limited

186,849

92,386

DELL Ireland

162,233

0

DID Electrical

49,273

965

Farrell Brothers Ardee LTD

29,053

0

HSE Mid Leinster

0

29,800

International Education Service

25,378

0

LMC FM LTD

283,415

0

Lynas Foodservice LTD

68,596

0

Mulcahy Technical Services

395,667

0

Plannet 21 Communications LTD

415,367

218,785

Smiths Detection Watford Limited

36,961

0

SPN VOIP Limited

43,189

0

Vico Distribution LTD

85,663

2,768

Zinopy Limited

30,518

0

Total

3,200,610

861,126

Expenditure < €25k:

(89 supply arrangements) Total

550,987

98,567

Overall Total

5,568,304

Legal Aid Board

Supplier

2020 €

2021 €

Total €

Nirtam Ltd TA Acorn Signs

1,761.36

0.00

1,761.36

AJ Products (Ireland) Limited

479.70

0.00

479.70

Aliexpress.com

8,683.54

2,032.25

10,715.79

ALPA Building & Design Ltd.

482.11

0.00

482.11

AMAZON UK

272.22

0.00

272.22

BlocBlinds

3,652.76

0.00

3,652.76

Codex Ltd

71.34

1,273.53

1,344.87

Michael J Corkery Ltd

77.50

0.00

77.50

Crystalsoft Ltd

9,225.00

0.00

9,225.00

Data Direct 2000 Ltd

114,586.50

0.00

114,586.50

Datapac

152,448.74

0.00

152,448.74

DCB Group

6,830.85

0.00

6,830.85

Donworth & Co Ltd

0.00

574.75

574.75

EireMed

191.22

0.00

191.22

Fitzmedical Supplies Ltd

4,132.80

0.00

4,132.80

Des Foley Carpentry Services

261.05

0.00

261.05

FutureRange

1,702.50

0.00

1,702.50

GHoffice Interiors

16,710.00

870.00

17,580.00

IACT

0.00

210.00

210.00

Jones Business Systems

0.00

77.14

77.14

Micromail Computer Books and Software

9,782.27

0.00

9,782.27

Miscellaneous (via local office)

3,216.54

99.90

3,316.44

Noonan Services Group

19,675.78

0.00

19,675.78

Optima Training & Consulting Ltd

1,580.00

0.00

1,580.00

PFH Technology Group

7,976.55

0.00

7,976.55

PlanNet 21 Communications Ltd

21,446.28

0.00

21,446.28

Peter O'Leary Office Requirements

6,296.58

85.36

6,381.94

Qualcom Systems Ltd

48,038.63

0.00

48,038.63

Radius Office

813.12

0.00

813.12

Skellig Distillers Limited

7,059.34

0.00

7,059.34

Software Paths SEE IAC003

10,080.00

0.00

10,080.00

Capgemini Ireland Limited

25,690.00

0.00

25,690.00

Sord Data Systems Ltd

46,229.55

0.00

46,229.55

TeamViewer

3,152.74

0.00

3,152.74

The Packaging Centre

338.26

0.00

338.26

Threatscape Ltd

16,639.44

0.00

16,639.44

VAT 3 Return/4th Schedule

2,320.93

117.45

2,438.38

Total

594,166.20

5,340.38

599,506.58

Probation Service
The Probation Service has drawn down from existing Government framework agreements/contracts, or obtained three quotes to deal with COVID-19 related spend. It has not entered into any large COVID-19 contracts.
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