Joe Flaherty
Question:193. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Justice if she will confirm an opening day for the extension to Longford Garda station. [8666/22]
View answerAn Garda Síochána
Questions (193)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware, 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, including all Garda stations. Further, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. Works in relation to Garda accommodation are therefore progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the OPW.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the works in Longford Garda Station are ongoing and it is anticipated that these works will be completed shortly. I am further informed that an opening day will be considered when the works are completed.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (194)
Joe Flaherty
Question:194. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who were on restricted duty when the figures were last compiled in June 2021; and the number of officers assigned to County Longford at that time. [8667/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the number of members on restricted/light duties are collated on a quarterly basis. In the period April 2021 to June 2021 there were a total of 616 Garda members recorded as being on restricted/light duties during that quarter. Of this total figure, 6 members were based in Co. Longford.
For the Deputy's information, the table at the following link, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Gardaí assigned to the Roscommon/Longford Division at 30 June 2021.
Community Development Projects
Questions (195)
Mark Ward
Question:195. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the status of plans to redirect money and assets seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau back into the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8715/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, Budget 2022 provides for the establishment of the new Community Safety Innovation Fund. It is intended that this fund will support investment in projects which will improve community safety. The fund, which is expected to grow in the coming years, will have an initial outlay in 2022 of €2m.
It is important to note that the assets seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau are not surrendered to the Exchequer immediately. Under the Proceeds of Crime Acts, a court determination is required and a period of at least seven years must elapse before disposal of any asset for the benefit of the Exchequer. This time limit may be reduced if both parties consent, however, it is often the case that legal challenges increase the time between seizure and disposal. Further challenges are presented by virtual assets, such as cryptocurrency, that are not tied to a physical location. We must also recognise that seizures by CAB fluctuate. To tie the fund to the geographic area where the assets were seized would not provide a stable, steady, funding source. In addition, some CAB targets primarily operate in different areas to those in which they reside. With that in mind, money will be provided to the Community Safety Innovation Fund from the Central Fund of the Exchequer. This will allow projects to apply for funding that is available regardless of the area they operate in or the level of seizures by CAB in their locale.
A call for funding proposals will issue shortly seeking applications for community safety projects and similar initiatives from bodies involved in community safety, such as the new Local Community Safety Partnerships – pilots of which are in place in North Inner City Dublin, Waterford and Longford – and the Drogheda Implementation Board, as well as similar entities nationwide.
Applications will be assessed against stated criteria outlined in the call for proposals to ensure funding is allocated to encourage innovative ways to improve community safety from applicants who understand local community safety needs best.
These criteria for allocating funding are now finalised, with the fund due to be launched imminently.
Victim Support Services
Questions (196)
Martin Kenny
Question:196. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice the breakdown of the funding provided by her Department to crime victim support services between 2016-2021, in tabular form. [8785/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware from replies to his previous questions on funding, my Department provides funding to promote and assist the development of specific support services to victims of crime within the criminal justice system, which of course includes victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
While there are a number of organisations funded that specialise in supporting victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence, there are other services funded under the Victims of Crime Scheme that offer a wide range of support to people who become a victim of crime.
Some of these organisations offer support to victims of any type of crime, such as the Crime Victims Helpline or Victim Support at Court, while others provide specialist services for victims of specific types of crime, such as AdViC or Support after Homicide, who work with families that have lost someone close to them as a result of a homicide.
These services provide important information and support, such as emotional support, court accompaniment, and accompaniment to Garda interviews, to sexual assault treatment units and referral to other services.
The information in the tables provided is the breakdown of all the services funded under the Victims of Crime Scheme, as distinct from the previous replies sent to the Deputy which focused on particular categories of services. The previous answers included payments from the Victims of Crime Scheme, as well as additional payments made to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) and Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) from the Department’s budget to combat DSGBV.
I would also ask the Deputy to note that the figures now provided for 2021 are the final figures paid to each organisation. The Deputy will be aware that it was flagged in previous replies that the 2021 figures were, at that time, the allocated figures.
The Deputy will also note that there are 2 tables provided in respect of 2021 funding. This is because in November of last year I provided additional funding for 18 organisations to address gaps in service provision identified on foot of a mapping exercise. The mapping exercise was undertaken to identify areas not covered by support services, both in terms of geographical gaps and categories of victims not adequately covered. The funding provided as a result of this mapping exercise is included in a separate table entitled ‘2021 Additional Funding’.
Victims of Crime Scheme Funding 2016 – 2021
2016
|
Organisation |
Total paid 2016 |
|
Adapt (Kerry) |
€22,000 |
|
Adapt (Limerick) |
€60,000 |
|
AdVIC |
€26,500 |
|
Amen |
€13,200 |
|
Ascend |
€10,195 |
|
Barnardos |
€23,800 |
|
Beacon of Light Counselling Centre |
€17,500 |
|
Bray Women's Refuge |
€9,000 |
|
CARI |
€60,000 |
|
Carlow Women's Aid |
€19,000 |
|
Clare Haven Services |
€13,000 |
|
Cope Galway Waterside House |
€4,000 |
|
Crime Victims Helpline |
€100,000 |
|
Cuan Saor Women's Refuge Ltd. |
€20,700 |
|
Dignity for Patients |
€10,500 |
|
Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (Sligo)(formerly Waves) |
€8,500 |
|
Domestic Violence Response Galway |
€14,000 |
|
Donegal Domestic Violence Service |
€17,000 |
|
Drogheda Women's Refuge and Children's Refuge Centre |
€10,000 |
|
Dublin 12 Domestic Violence Service |
€7,000 |
|
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre |
€22,000 |
|
Dundalk Counselling Service |
€20,000 |
|
Federation for Victim Assistance |
€106,000 |
|
Finglas Cabra Local Drug Task Force |
€4,000 |
|
Greystones Family Resource Centre |
€800 |
|
Hope Counselling |
€1,000 |
|
Irish Tourist Assistance Service |
€47 |
|
Kilkenny Women's Refuge Ltd |
€6,500 |
|
Laois Domestic Abuse Service |
€18,000 |
|
Le Cheile |
€2,954 |
|
Letterkenny Women's Centre (Counselling) |
€6,500 |
|
Living Life Voluntary Counselling Centre |
€15,000 |
|
Longford Women's Link |
€20,000 |
|
Mayo Women's Support Services |
€8,204 |
|
Meath Women's Refuge |
€30,000 |
|
Missing in Ireland Support Services |
€5,500 |
|
Mna Feasa Domestic Violence Project |
€25,000 |
|
Oasis House Women's Refuge Waterford |
€10,000 |
|
Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service |
€10,000 |
|
One in Four |
€90,000 |
|
Rape Crisis Network Ireland |
€45,000 |
|
Roscommon Safe Link |
€17,000 |
|
Safe Ireland |
€5,500 |
|
Saoirse Housing Association |
€15,000 |
|
Sexual Violence Centre, Cork |
€23,000 |
|
Sonas |
€14,000 |
|
Support After Crime |
€129,000 |
|
Support After Homicide |
€60,000 |
|
Tearmann Housing Association |
€16,000 |
|
Victim Support at Court |
€72,000 |
|
Westmeath Support Service against Domestic Abuse |
€16,000 |
|
Wexford Women's Refuge |
€8,000 |
|
Women's Aid Dublin |
€94,000 |
|
Women's Aid Dundalk |
€16,500 |
2017
|
Organisation |
Total Paid |
|
Adapt (Kerry) |
€18,400 |
|
Adapt (Limerick) |
€61,000 |
|
AdVIC |
€43,000 |
|
Amen |
€18,800 |
|
Aoibhneas Women & Children Refuge |
€9,300 |
|
Ascend |
€16,500 |
|
Barnardos |
€38,000 |
|
Beacon of Light Counselling Centre |
€18,000 |
|
Bray Women's Refuge |
€15,000 |
|
CARI |
€72,000 |
|
Carlow Women's Aid |
€25,000 |
|
Clare Haven Services |
€13,000 |
|
Cope Galway Waterside House |
€6,500 |
|
Crime Victims Helpline |
€108,820 |
|
Cuan Saor Women's Refuge Ltd. |
€23,000 |
|
Dignity for Patients |
€11,000 |
|
Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (Sligo)(formerly Waves) |
€11,000 |
|
Domestic Violence Response Galway |
€15,500 |
|
Donegal Domestic Violence Service |
€17,000 |
|
Drogheda Women's Refuge and Children's Refuge Centre |
€11,500 |
|
Dublin 12 Domestic Violence Service |
€8,500 |
|
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre |
€25,000 |
|
Dundalk Counselling Service |
€22,000 |
|
Esker House |
€13,000 |
|
Family Resource Centre Ltd |
€5,360 |
|
Federation for Victim Assistance |
€119,000 |
|
Greystones Family Resource Centre |
€1,000 |
|
Hope Trust (Counselling) |
€1,000 |
|
Irish Tourist Assistance Service |
€50,000 |
|
Kilkenny Women's Refuge Ltd |
€9,000 |
|
Laois Domestic Abuse Service |
€22,500 |
|
Le Cheile |
€5,049 |
|
Letterkenny Women's Centre (Counselling) |
€7,500 |
|
Living Life Voluntary Counselling Centre |
€15,000 |
|
Longford Women's Link |
€21,000 |
|
Mayo Women's Support Services |
€14,176 |
|
Meath Women's Refuge |
€34,000 |
|
Missing in Ireland Support Services |
€20,000 |
|
Mna Feasa Domestic Violence Project |
€27,500 |
|
Oasis House Women's Refuge Waterford |
€10,000 |
|
Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service |
€12,000 |
|
One in Four |
€118,000 |
|
Rape Crisis Network Ireland |
€45,000 |
|
Roscommon Safe Link |
€18,000 |
|
Safe Ireland |
€16,000 |
|
Saoirse Housing Association |
€16,000 |
|
Sexual Violence Centre, Cork |
€26,000 |
|
Sonas |
€10,500 |
|
Support After Crime |
€143,000 |
|
Support After Homicide |
€60,000 |
|
Tearmann Housing Association |
€17,000 |
|
Victim Support at Court |
€81,728 |
|
West Cork Women's Project |
€8,000 |
|
Westmeath Support Service against Domestic Abuse |
€17,000 |
|
Wexford Women's Refuge |
€12,800 |
|
Women's Aid Dublin |
€100,000 |
|
Women's Aid Dundalk |
€17,500 |
|
YANA |
€2,400 |
2018
|
Organisation Name: |
Total Paid |
|
Adapt (Kerry) |
€23,000 |
|
Adapt Domestic Abuse Services (Limerick) |
€61,000 |
|
AdVIC |
€37,000 |
|
Amen |
€15,761 |
|
Aoibhneas |
€9,300 |
|
Ascend |
€16,500 |
|
Barnardos |
€38,000 |
|
Beacon of Light Counselling Centre |
€17,000 |
|
Bray Women's Refuge |
€15,000 |
|
CARI |
€75,000 |
|
Carlow Women's Aid |
€23,000 |
|
Clare Haven Services |
€13,000 |
|
Cope Galway Waterside House |
€6,200 |
|
Crime Victims Helpline |
€101,424 |
|
Cuan Saor Women's Refuge Ltd. |
€23,000 |
|
Dignity 4 Patients |
€11,000 |
|
Domestic Violence Advocacy Centre (Sligo)(formerly Waves) |
€11,000 |
|
Domestic Violence Response Galway |
€15,000 |
|
Donegal Women's Domestic Violence Service |
€17,000 |
|
Drogheda Women's Refuge and Children's Refuge Cent |
€11,500 |
|
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre |
€25,000 |
|
Dundalk Counselling Service |
€22,000 |
|
Esker House Women's Refuge |
€10,912 |
|
Federation for Victim Assistance |
€89,812 |
|
Finglas Cabra Local Drug Task Force |
€4,000 |
|
Greystones Family Resource Centre |
€3,000 |
|
Hope Trust |
€1,000 |
|
IrishTourist Assistance Service |
€50,000 |
|
Kilkenny Women's Refuge Ltd (Amber) |
€10,000 |
|
Laois Domestic Abuse Service |
€22,500 |
|
Le Cheile |
€6,000 |
|
Letterkenny Women's Centre (Counselling) |
€7,500 |
|
Living Life Voluntary Counselling Centre |
€15,000 |
|
Longford Women's Link |
€21,000 |
|
Mayo Women's Support Services |
€22,000 |
|
Meath Women's Refuge |
€34,000 |
|
Missing in Ireland Support Services |
€20,000 |
|
Mna Feasa Domestic Violence Project |
€24,141 |
|
OASIS HOUSE WOMEN'S Refuge |
€10,000 |
|
Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service |
€12,000 |
|
One in Four |
€113,000 |
|
Rape Crisis Network Ireland |
€38,034 |
|
Roscommon Safe Link |
€20,000 |
|
SAFE Ireland |
€20,000 |
|
Saoirse Housing Association |
€21,000 |
|
Sexual Violence Centre Cork |
€26,000 |
|
Sonas |
€13,500 |
|
Support After Crime |
€143,000 |
|
Support After Homicide |
€60,000 |
|
Tearmann Housing Association |
€17,000 |
|
Victim Support at Court |
€137,208 |
|
Westmeath Support Service against Domestic Abuse |
€17,000 |
|
Wexford Women's Refuge |
€17,642 |
|
Women's Aid Dublin |
€100,000 |
|
Women's Aid Dundalk |
€17,500 |
|
You Are Not Alone (YANA) |
€1,371 |
2019
|
Organisation Name: |
Total Paid |
|
Adapt Domestic Abuse Services (Limerick) |
€61,000 |
|
AdVIC |
€37,000 |
|
Amen |
€20,000 |
|
Aoibhneas |
€9,300 |
|
Ascend |
€14,090 |
|
Barnardos |
€38,000 |
|
Beacon of Light Counselling Centre |
€17,000 |
|
Bray Women's Refuge |
€15,000 |
|
CARI |
€75,000 |
|
Carlow Women's Aid |
€23,000 |
|
Clare Haven Services |
€13,000 |
|
Cope Galway Waterside House |
€6,200 |
|
Crime Victims Helpline |
€116,000 |
|
Cuan Saor Women's Refuge Ltd. |
€23,000 |
|
Dignity 4 Patients |
€11,000 |
|
Domestic Violence Advocacy Centre (Sligo)(formerly Waves) |
€11,000 |
|
Domestic Violence Response Galway |
€15,000 |
|
Donegal Women's Domestic Violence Service |
€17,000 |
|
Drogheda Women's Refuge and Children's Refuge Cent |
€11,500 |
|
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre |
€25,000 |
|
Dundalk Counselling Service |
€20,000 |
|
Esker House Women's Refuge |
€13,000 |
|
Federation for Victim Assistance |
€70,000 |
|
Greystones Family Resource Centre |
€3,000 |
|
Hope Trust |
€1,000 |
|
Irish Tourist Assistance Service |
€50,000 |
|
Kerry Women’s Refuge and Support Services (Adapt) |
€23,000 |
|
Kilkenny Women's Refuge Ltd (Amber) |
€10,000 |
|
Laois Domestic Abuse Service |
€22,500 |
|
Le Cheile |
€7,500 |
|
Letterkenny Women's Centre (Counselling) |
€7,500 |
|
Living Life Voluntary Counselling Centre |
€15,000 |
|
Longford Women's Link |
€21,000 |
|
Mayo Women's Support Services |
€22,000 |
|
Meath Women's Refuge |
€34,000 |
|
Missing in Ireland Support Services |
€20,000 |
|
Mna Feasa Domestic Violence Project |
€25,000 |
|
OASIS HOUSE WOMEN'S Refuge |
€10,000 |
|
Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service |
€12,000 |
|
One in Four |
€113,000 |
|
Rape Crisis Network |
€45,000 |
|
Roscommon Safe Link |
€18,000 |
|
SAFE Ireland |
€20,000 |
|
Saoirse Housing Association |
€21,000 |
|
Sexual Violence Centre Cork |
€26,000 |
|
Sonas |
€10,800 |
|
Support After Crime |
€143,000 |
|
Support After Homicide |
€60,000 |
|
Teach Tearmainn Housing Association Company Ltd. |
€5,000 |
|
Tearmann Housing Association |
€17,000 |
|
Victim Support at Court |
€105,000 |
|
West Cork Women’s Project |
€8,000 |
|
Westmeath Support Service against Domestic Abuse |
€17,000 |
|
Wexford Women's Refuge |
€16,000 |
|
Women's Aid Dublin |
€114,500 |
|
Women's Aid Dundalk |
€17,500 |
|
You Are Not Alone (YANA) |
€3,000 |
2020
|
Organisation Name |
Funding Paid 2020 |
|
Adapt Domestic Abuse Services (Limerick) |
€61,000.00 |
|
AdVIC |
€47,000.00 |
|
Amen |
€20,000.00 |
|
Aoibhneas |
€9,300.00 |
|
Ascend |
€16,500.00 |
|
Barnardos |
€73,000.00 |
|
Beacon of Light Counselling Centre |
€17,000.00 |
|
Bray Women's Refuge |
€15,000.00 |
|
CARI |
€75,000.00 |
|
Carlow Women's Aid |
€23,000.00 |
|
Clare Haven Services |
€13,000.00 |
|
Cope Galway Waterside House |
€6,200.00 |
|
Crime Victims Helpline |
€116,000.00 |
|
Cuan Saor Women's Refuge Ltd. |
€23,000.00 |
|
Dignity 4 Patients |
€11,000.00 |
|
Domestic Violence Advocacy Centre (Sligo)(formerly Waves) |
€11,000.00 |
|
Domestic Violence Response Galway |
€15,000.00 |
|
Donegal Women's Domestic Violence Service |
€17,000.00 |
|
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre |
€25,000.00 |
The following was received from the Department on 2 March 2022.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (197)
Martin Kenny
Question:197. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide information on cost breakdown and tender process in relation to the new uniform for members of An Garda Síochána. [8786/22]
View answerWritten answers
I have sought the information concerned from An Garda Síochána but did not receive it in time. I will write to the Deputy with the information when I have received it.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 197 of 16 February 2022 where you asked: ‘To ask the Minister for Justice if she will provide information on cost breakdown and tender process in relation to the new uniform for members of An Garda Síochána’
As you will recall, I sought the information you requested from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no direct role in such decisions.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the pre-contract award published estimated value of the contract in question was €21 million excluding VAT over the possible six-year contract term. The two stage restricted procedure competition was conducted in conjunction with the Office of Government Procurement (OGP).
As the Deputy may be aware, contracting authorities are obliged to publish contract award notices on both the eTenders website www.etenders.gov.ie and the Official Journal of the EU (OJEU) for all contracts above certain thresholds. The published contract award notice of the contract in question lists a total value of just over €16 million excluding VAT over the possible six-year contract term.
As the Deputy can appreciate, the provision of a further breakdown in costs may not give the necessary due regard to commercial sensitivity and the need to avoid compromising the rights or competitive situation of those involved.
I trust this information is of assistance.
Departmental Bodies
Questions (198)
Martin Kenny
Question:198. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice the breakdown of the assets and moneys sized by the Criminal Assets Bureau, by county, between 2016 and 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8787/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act, 1996. The Bureau has staff drawn from An Garda Síochána, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners (including Customs), the Department of Social Protection and my Department.
The Bureau’s remit is to target assets, wherever situated, which derive or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. Since its inception, the Bureau has been at the forefront of fighting organised crime in this jurisdiction – disrupting the activities of criminal gangs through the removal of their ill-gotten gains - and has been recognised as a world leader in asset investigations, tracing and forfeiture.
The Bureau works closely with Gardaí and all law enforcement agencies at national and international levels. The Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2005 makes provision for the Bureau to seize assets that were generated in foreign jurisdictions. This Act enables the Bureau to cooperate fully with other international asset recovery agencies.
I am advised by the Bureau that figures for 2021 are not yet available pending publication of the CAB Annual Report for 2021. Similarly, figures to date in 2022 are currently unavailable. For the Deputy's information, the CAB Annual Reports are available to view at the following link:
www.cab.ie/annual-reports/
The table below, provided by CAB from their published Annual Reports, indicates the total value of assets and cash seized by the Bureau for the years 2016-2020. CAB have confirmed that seizures are not recorded geographically and therefore a breakdown by county is not available.
|
Year |
Section 2 Interim OrdersEURO |
Section 2 Interim OrdersSTERLING |
|
2016 |
643,063.07 |
|
|
2017 |
7,020,539.20 |
|
|
2018 |
8,263,582.30 |
|
|
2019 |
64,985,550.30 |
|
|
2020 |
5,814,206.00 |
The large increase in 2019 is due to the granting of a freezing order over cryptocurrency to the value of €53,023,140.
The table below sets out the total monies returned to the Exchequer under Section 4(1) & 4A of the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996. Also included are taxes collected and social welfare recoveries for the years 2016 – 2020 which are remitted to the Exchequer via the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection.
|
Year |
Total to Exchequer from Section 4(1) & 4A Proceed of Crime Act |
Revenue Collections |
Social Welfare Recoveries |
|
2016 |
€1,412,920.41 |
€2,106,000.00 |
€297,430.12 |
|
2017 |
€1,698,721.08 |
€2,374,000.00 |
€319,720.31 |
|
2018 |
€2,271,799.92 |
€3,097,000.00 |
€302,673.36 |
|
2019 |
€1,559,726.31 |
€2,206,000.00 |
€324,055.73 |
|
2020 |
€1,838,507.25 |
€1,800,000.00 |
€314,484.60 |
Capital Expenditure Programme
Questions (199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204)
Martin Kenny
Question:199. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if a full breakdown will be provided of the capital expenditure included in Vote 24, by programme, for 2022, in tabular form. [8788/22]
View answerMartin Kenny
Question:200. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if a full breakdown will be provided of the capital expenditure included in Vote 22, by programme, for 2022, in tabular form. [8789/22]
View answerMartin Kenny
Question:201. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if a full breakdown will be provided of the capital expenditure included in Vote 44, by programme, for 2022, in tabular form. [8790/22]
View answerMartin Kenny
Question:202. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if a full breakdown will be provided of the capital expenditure included in Vote 20, by programme, for 2022, in tabular form. [8791/22]
View answerMartin Kenny
Question:203. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if a full breakdown will be provided of the capital expenditure included in Vote 41, by programme, for 2022, in tabular form. [8792/22]
View answerMartin Kenny
Question:204. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if a full breakdown will be provided of the capital expenditure included in Vote 21, by programme, for 2022 and to please provide an answer in tabular form. [8793/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 to 204, inclusive, together.
A breakdown of the capital expenditure allocation for 2022 for the Justice, Garda, Prisons and Courts votes is outlined in tabular form below.
Justice (Vote 24)
|
Area of Expenditure |
Amount €0000 |
Additional Information |
|
ICT |
5,350 |
Mainly relates to the Department's ICT Modernisation Programme |
|
Capital Buildings |
25,383 |
Completion of new Forensic Science Laboratory in Backweston, Co. Kildare |
|
Capital Carryover from 2021 to 2022 |
5,122 |
Completion of new Forensic Science Laboratory in Backweston, Co. Kildare |
|
Total |
35,855 |
Garda (Vote 20)
|
Area of Expenditure |
Amount €0000 |
Additional Information |
|
ICT |
72,000 |
Relates to ongoing support ICT costs and the Garda ICT Modernisation Programme |
|
Capital Buildings |
61,000 |
Relates to the Garda capital building and refurbishment programme including the completion of the Military Road, Dublin 8 building project in 2022 |
|
Transport |
12,000 |
Investment in the Garda transport fleet |
|
Communications Technology |
1,500 |
Upgrade of existing systems and investment in new Garda communications technology |
|
Total |
146,500 |
Prisons (Vote 21)
|
Area of Expenditure |
Amount €0000 |
Additional Information |
|
ICT |
2,000 |
Upgrade of ICT systems in the prisons |
|
Capital Buildings |
29,800 |
Relates to the capital building and refurbishment programme in the prisons including the completion of the redevelopment of Limerick Prison project |
|
Transport |
1,000 |
Investment in the prison transport fleet |
|
Capital Carryover from 2021 to 2022 |
3,601 |
Completion of the project in relation to the redevelopment of Limerick Prison |
|
Total |
36,401 |
Courts (Vote 22)
|
Area of Expenditure |
Amount €0000 |
Additional Information |
|
ICT |
15,592 |
Relates to ongoing support ICT costs and the Courts Modernisation Programme |
|
Courthouse Capital Works |
5,635 |
Relates to the capital building and refurbishment programme in the Courts Service including the purchase of certain sites |
|
Public Private Partnership (PPP) costs |
38,740 |
PPP annual repayment costs – CCJ €23.783m and regional locations €14.957m |
|
Capital Carryover from 2021 to 2022 |
3,648 |
ICT investment €0.75m and courthouse capital works €2.898m |
|
Total |
63,615 |
There is no capital provision in the Policing Authority (Vote 41) and the Data Protection Commission (Vote 44).
Question No. 200 answered with Question No. 199.
Question No. 201 answered with Question No. 199.
Question No. 202 answered with Question No. 199.
Question No. 203 answered with Question No. 199.
Question No. 204 answered with Question No. 199.
Probate Applications
Questions (205)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:205. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the measures that will be taken to tackle the ongoing delays in granting probate or processing applications of probate at the Probate Office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8798/22]
View answerWritten answers
Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
The Probate Office is an Office of the High Court. Therefore, I have referred your question to the Courts Service for their direct reply.
Ministerial Staff
Questions (206)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:206. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the annual cost of the salaries of any recently appointed ministerial Garda drivers to her Department; the cost of the annual salary of the existing civilian Garda drivers in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9034/22]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that there are two civilian drivers in my Department. The payroll costs of those drivers in 2020 and 2021 are set out in the table below.
|
2020 |
2021 |
Grand Total |
|
|
Grand Total |
€125,750.14 |
€74,963.08 |
€200,713.22 |
As I hope the Deputy will appreciate, for policy and security reasons An Garda Síochána do not comment on matters of security.
Medicinal Products
Questions (207)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:207. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of reducing the monthly drugs payment scheme threshold from €100 to €72 for single-headed households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8806/22]
View answerWritten answers
The estimated annual cost of reducing the monthly Drug Payment Scheme threshold from €100 to €72 for single-headed households is €5.23m.
The estimated annual cost, in respect of families, for such a threshold reduction would be €18.67m. Therefore, the estimated annual cost for all claimants would be €23.9m.
The following caveats apply in respect of this data:
- The source data used for determining costs was the claiming month of March 2021 and was annualised to determine the full year cost.
- The costing excludes the increase for any individuals who were below the threshold level as of March 2021, or €114 per month.
- The costing excludes any impact resulting from an aging demographic.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (208)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:208. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports that there may be, in a very small number of cases between receiving a Covid-19 vaccine and shingles in some studies, likely connected to the stress around receiving the vaccine; if such linkage was shown in Ireland; the additional steps that can be taken to make persons more at ease when they are being administered a vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8460/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), as the regulatory authority in Ireland for medicines, medical devices and other healthcare products is responsible for monitoring the safety and quality of all medicines including vaccines that are licensed in Ireland.
As part of its remit, the HPRA operates the national adverse reaction database, to which members of the public and healthcare professionals are encouraged to submit any suspected adverse reactions to. All suspected adverse reaction reports received by the HPRA are entered into the national database for national monitoring and subsequently submitted to the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA's) adverse reaction database for inclusion in global signal detection and monitoring activities.
All reports of a suspected adverse reaction (side effect) to a COVID-19 vaccine should be referred to the HPRA. This can be done using the COVID-19 Vaccine adverse reaction reporting form at: www.hpra.ie/homepage/about-us/report-an-issue/covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reaction.
Adverse reactions can be reported to the HPRA by members of the public, carers or healthcare professionals. Reporting adverse reactions to the HPRA supports continuous monitoring of the safe and effective use of COVID-19 vaccines. When reporting, as much information as is known should be provided, and where possible, the vaccine batch number should be included.
The HPRA cannot provide clinical advice on individual cases. Members of the public should contact their health care professional (their doctor or pharmacist) with any medical concerns they may have.
The HPRA publishes regular safety updates which provide an overview of the national reporting experience for COVID-19 vaccines. These updates include an overview of reports of suspected side effects notified to the HPRA safety monitoring system and are provided as an enhanced transparency measure for members of the public and healthcare professionals.
The most recent vaccine safety updates & communication (update 15) from the HPRA can be found at the following link, along with previous safety updates: safety-update-covid-19-vaccines-overview-of-national-reporting-experience-(20012022).pdf (hpra.ie).
As the administration of Covid 19 Vaccines is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond on this element to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Questions (209)
Duncan Smith
Question:209. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health when the National Forensic Mental Health Service Hospital in Portrane will be fully operational; the overall cost of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8465/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Thalidomide Victims Compensation
Questions (210, 215)
Mattie McGrath
Question:210. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he has met with an association (details supplied) as promised; if not, if he will provide a date for the meeting; if he will provide an update following the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8469/22]
View answer
Réada Cronin
Question:215. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health his plans to compensate the victims of thalidomide who are waiting decades for damage to be addressed; if he will advise An Taoiseach to make a State apology to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8521/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 215 together.
There are a number of cases concerning thalidomide before the High Court at present and it is not possible to comment on matters that are sub judice.
However, I am anxious to assure thalidomide survivors of the Government’s ongoing commitment to provide them with the necessary health supports to meet their related needs. I have directed my office to set up a meeting with thalidomide survivors at the end of this month, strictly without prejudice to the ongoing litigation.
In addition to an ex-gratia lump sum and an ex-gratia monthly allowance for life, the supports provided by the Irish State to each Irish survivor include a medical card on an administrative basis regardless of means. This includes access to a full range of primary care, hospital and personal social services, provision of appliances, artificial limbs, equipment and housing adaptations.
There is a designated senior manager in the Health Service Executive who liaises with Irish thalidomide survivors and assists them to access supports towards their ongoing health and personal social service needs.
At the meeting with survivors I will listen to their healthcare needs. I will also talk with them about the work underway in the Department to provide these health and personal social supports on an ex-gratia basis on a statutory footing, as committed to by the Government. However, as outlined above, matters which are before the High Court will not form part of the agenda for discussion.
General Practitioner Services
Questions (211, 213)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:211. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the free general practitioner card to six- and seven-year-olds; if so, when this will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8471/22]
View answer
Paul McAuliffe
Question:213. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health when the general practitioner visit card will be extended to children under eight years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8475/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 213 together.
The Government is committed to increasing access to GP care without charges for children, an important healthcare measure that will remove a potentially prohibitive cost barrier to accessing GP care and will help to improve children’s health as they develop. At present all children up to and including the age of 5 are eligible for a GP visit card and therefore GP care without charges. The Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2020 provides, amongst other things, for the phased expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged 12 years and under in three phases: to children aged 6 and 7; to children aged 8 and 9; and to children aged 10,11 and 12. Budget 2022 provides for the initial stage of this phased expansion, the provision of GP care without fees to all children aged 6 and 7. My officials and the HSE are already engaged in preparatory work, and I expect to be in a position to bring forward proposals to the IMO, representing GPs, later this quarter. It is important to ensure that any additional pressures placed on general practice will not limit its capacity to meet the needs of all patients in the community.
Home Care Packages
Questions (212)
Seán Sherlock
Question:212. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if alternative arrangements will be initiated in respect of continued support for a person (details supplied) in County Cork when the services of their current home care provider cease. [8474/22]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.