Written Answers Nos. 98-112
98. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the number of cells in the prison estate that do not have in cell sanitation; the prisons in which these cells are situated; the plans in place to ensure all cells have full in cell sanitation in the very near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16186/22]
View answerThe provision of safe and secure custody and dignity of care to people in prison in Ireland is a priority for the Irish Prison Service and for me, as Minister for Justice.
The Service has committed to the provision of in cell sanitation throughout the prison estate as part of its Capital Strategy. I am pleased to note that very significant progress has already been made in that regard and only Limerick and Portlaoise Prison continue to have some cells without in-cell sanitation. All newly constructed prison accommodation has in-cell sanitation and shower facilities.
A major refurbishment of Mountjoy Prison was completed in 2014 which included the provision of in cell sanitation and upgrade of the cellular accommodation. In 2016 a new purpose designed modern prison opened in Cork replacing the old prison facility.
The Deputy will be glad to know that a major construction project is currently nearing completion at Limerick Prison which will provide new accommodation for male and female prisoners. The completion of this project will replace accommodation in the old jail, some of which dates from its opening in 1821, as well as ending the practice referred to as ‘slopping out’ at Limerick Prison. I understand the new accommodation will be operational towards the end of this year and will include rehabilitation and support facilities.
When all of the works are completed in Limerick, the only area without in-cell sanitation will be the E Block of Portlaoise Prison. This currently accommodates 19 people, representing approximately 0.5 % of the prison population. To address this final element, the Irish Prison Service is conducting exploratory work to assess the feasibility of installing in-cell sanitation at that block. Preliminary engineering surveys have been completed which is a necessary prerequisite to assess how best the project can be undertaken in a cost effective manner cognisant of the age, condition and fabric of the building. I am advised that a contract has been awarded for the construction of a sample cell at E block and the outcome of this project and future operational requirements will help inform next steps in this regard. I hope to progress this necessary work as soon as possible.
99. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice the progress that is being made on the green town project; the number of vulnerable families that the programme is assisting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16196/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Greentown pilot programme represents an important deliverable under the Youth Justice Strategy 2021-27. This internationally recognised initiative is being led by the REPPP Project (Research Evidence into Policy, Programmes and Practice) at the School of Law in the University of Limerick (UL). The REPPP project is a strategic research partnership between UL and my Department. The REPPP originally produced the Greentown Report, which studied the influence of criminal networks on children in Ireland, and was published in December 2016.
The report identifies crime networks as a separate and plausible risk factor underlying criminal offending by certain children. It outlines how the influence of criminal networks increases the level of offending by a small number of children and entraps them in offending situations.
The report recommended the design of a programme to include interventions with children and their families to help them withstand the influence of criminal networks. The REPPP project team implemented a bespoke design process to produce a model for an Irish evidence-informed intervention programme. This new Greentown Programme has been designed with the input of leading international expertise on crime and criminal networks, together with Irish scientific, policy and practice expertise in child protection and welfare, drugs and community development.
Trial site applications of the Greentown Programme, developed by the REPPP, commenced in two locations in late 2020 and will run for three years. Confidentiality and security of the persons and families concerned are paramount for the success of the programme and therefore the location of the trial sites cannot be disclosed. The number of vulnerable families that the programme is assisting at any given time is around 25, which equates to approximately 40 young people and family members being directly impacted. The programme is also working with other community bodies in the trial sites and has assisted, for example, in setting up community collaborations in the area of self-development courses.
The learning from the trial sites will be incorporated into mainstream Youth Diversion Projects (YDP) practice as well as other community programmes.
Furthermore, I can inform the Deputy that funds are already secured for the initial trial sites from the Dormant Accounts Funds, with a total of €4.2m allocated over three years.
100. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice the action she is taking to combat domestic violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16191/22]
View answerI would like to assure the Deputy that I am committed to tackling domestic violence in all its forms.
The prioritisation of this hugely important work is evident in the policy and legislative developments implemented by this Government and those that are currently being progressed.
Additionally, increased budget allocations have been secured this year to further our work to tackle domestic violence and to better support victims of this heinous and unacceptable behaviour.
As the Deputy may be aware, I am currently leading work on a new whole of government strategy to combat domestic, sexual, gender-based violence.
This new plan, which has been developed in partnership with the sector to ensure it is targeted, comprehensive, will have a particular focus on prevention, and on ensuring victims are better supported. It will set an overall goal of zero tolerance in our society for domestic violence.
Last month I briefed those working in the sector on the progress of the strategy as part of that ongoing consultation, and a wider public consultation run by my Department recently concluded.
I will finalise the strategy for submission to government in light of submissions received in this final consultative phase.
The strategy and aims will be high level in tone and content. I am also working on finalising an accompanying implementation plan to set out how each of these aims will be achieved, which Departments and agencies are responsible for them and the timeframe for delivery, so that it is targeted, ambitious and deliverable.
I intend to bring both the finalised strategy and the implementation plan to Government in the coming weeks.
The Deputy may be aware that last year Minister O’Gorman and I commissioned an independent audit of how responsibility for domestic, sexual and gender based violence is segmented across Government.
On foot of this, it has been agreed that my Department will assume responsibility for services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence, in addition to policy responsibility and overall cross-Government coordination of implementation.
A detailed plan setting out how this will work is in preparation and as part of that, I will bring proposals to Government with a view to establishing in law a national agency tasked with responsibility for Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
The agency, once established, will be responsible for overseeing all of the actions set out in the Third National Strategy and for delivering domestic violence services.
It will bring together the expertise that already exists within TUSLA and in the Department of Justice and will report to me as Minister for Justice.
The agency will work closely with relevant Departments and Agencies and with the sector to ensure the services it provides are meeting the needs of victims of DSGBV and of the sector that support them.
It is anticipated that the new Agency will be up and running within 18 to 24 months.
Bringing the responsibility for policy and service delivery together under one Ministry, establishing the Agency in law, and introducing oversight from the Department of the Taoiseach recognises the need to have a dedicated and expert focused approach to this important work.
Providing safe accommodation for victims is an important strand of our work and in February, Minister O’Gorman and I published the review by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, of accommodation for victims of domestic violence
The review highlights gaps in geographical coverage and inadequate provision of safe accommodation, including refuges, to meet population needs. It recommended an approach to address this with immediate, medium and long term actions required and it provides a list of priority areas where additional services would address the most immediate need.
I fully acknowledge the need to dramatically increase the provision of refuge spaces across the country and it is my intention to bring us to a situation where there is a refuge space for everyone who needs one
I have established a high level Inter-Departmental Group to review the current system for the provision of refuge spaces and to identify changes that can be made to the system to deliver additional spaces in the shortest timeframe possible.
In addition to the locations identified by Tusla, the Group will be engaging with local authorities, Government Departments and State agencies to look at sourcing refuge provision in a number of other areas.
My intention is that the timelines for delivery of these places, as well as further targets for nationwide delivery of refuge accommodation, will be outlined in the third national strategy with further detail contained in the accompanying action plan.
101. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she will respond to recent allegations from organisations representing sex workers of Garda intimidation and abusive behaviour against sex workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16253/22]
View answerI am aware of the organisation referred to by the Deputy and I have received correspondence from them but not relating to the specific issue the Deputy clarified he is referring to.
That said, I can assure the Deputy that it is the role of An Garda is to serve and protect and to uphold the law.
As the Deputy will be aware, in 2017 the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 was introduced. It removed those who offer their services as a prostitute from the existing offences of soliciting for the purpose of prostitution and criminalised the purchase of sex.
A key purpose for the 2017 Sexual Offences Act was to provide additional protection to persons involved in prostitution, especially vulnerable persons and victims of human trafficking. It allows those engaged in prostitution to provide information to Gardaí, for instance if they were subjected to violence by clients, without fear of prosecution for selling sexual services.
Last year An Garda Síochána formally established the Organised Prostitution Unit which is attached to the Garda National Protective Services Bureau. The establishment of this specialised unit reinforces the service's commitment to protecting vulnerable persons including victims of human trafficking involved in prostitution here. At the time of its launch last year An Garda Síochána specifically recognised that a significant number of serious attacks on individuals involved in prostitution go unreported and they encouraged them to report all such attacks, so they can be investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice.
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that there is now a Divisional Protective Services Unit (DPSU) established in every Garda division across the country. This ensures that when vulnerable victims of crimes, such as domestic abuse and sexual violence, present to Gardaí they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance.
I can assure the Deputy that any victim of a serious assault who comes forward to report it will treated with respect and dignity. I reiterate the call by An Garda Síochána for anyone was a victim of an assault, or who might become a victim in the future, to please come forward and report it regardless of the circumstances in which the assault occurred. It will be taken seriously and the person reporting the assault will be treated sensitively and respectfully.
It may also interest the Deputy to know that officials in my Department are also working on a legislative amendment to expunge previous convictions for ‘sale of sex’, or prostitution offences. This is a significant step in recognising and responding to the needs of victims of sex trafficking, and those forced to provide sexual services, which will include people trafficked into Ireland for that purpose.
Separately, last year the Government approved plans to revise the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) to make it easier for victims of human trafficking to come forward, be identified, and facilitate their access to advice, accommodation and support. Officials in my are currently drafting the heads of a bill and I expect to be in position to publish the general scheme of the Bill shortly, with legislation to be enacted later this year.
Finally, I would point out that if the organisation referred to by the Deputy feels the service and treatment they received from An Garda Síochána falls below what is expected, it is of course open to them to contact the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). GSOC is the independent body charged with receiving complaints from the public concerning members of An Garda Síochána. Contact can be made with GSOC at their offices at: 150 Upper Abbey Street, Dublin 1 and by telephone on Lo-Call Tel: 0818 600 800.
102. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice if an update will be provided on the work her Department is undertaking to formalise the status of persons arriving in Ireland from Ukraine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16089/22]
View answerThere is a coordinated whole-of-Government response to support people arriving in Ireland who have fled the violence in Ukraine. Government Departments and services are working together to implement Ireland's commitments under the EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC), which has been activated for the first time to grant temporary protection to displaced persons from Ukraine.
The Directive has legal effect under Section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015.
Those eligible for Temporary Protection (granted initially for one year, but renewable) will have immediate access to the labour market, social welfare, accommodation and other State supports as necessary. A whole-of-Government response is being mobilised to implement the practical arrangements to give effect to these commitments. So far, approximately 85 per cent of Ukrainians who have entered the State have been welcomed at Dublin Airport. Beneficiaries are being provided with their permission letter on arrival at the airport in the 'one-stop-shop' established by my Department for that purpose, to ensure early access to all necessary supports. Approximately 7,300 temporary protection permissions have already been issued by my Department since the activation of the EU Directive on 4 March.
Arrangements have also now been put in place to provide permission letters to those who arrived at Dublin Airport prior to 9 March (when permission letters started to issue) and to those who have arrived at other ports of entry to the State.
For people who are staying in State provided accommodation, staff from my Department are visiting these accommodation locations and will provide permission letters there.
Alternatively, permission letters can be obtained by visiting the Ukraine Support Centre in Cork Street, Dublin 8. The centre is open Monday to Friday from 9.15am to 5.00pm. On Saturdays, the centre is open from 9.15am to 3.00pm. There, people can also receive assistance from the Department of Social Protection to obtain PPSN numbers, social welfare income supports, and to receive referrals to other State services.
Arrangements are also being put in place that will allow people to obtain their permission letters from the Ukraine Support Centres in Hanover Street in Cork City and in Limerick. Further details on this will be announced shortly.
A centralised Government information portal is available at: www.gov.ie/ukraine, which is regularly updated.
My Department’s Irish Immigration website also contains a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, which can be viewed at:
www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-for-ukraine-nationals-and-residents-of-ukraine/
103. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in Cork City; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16199/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). This includes the distribution and stationing of Garda members throughout the State.
I am assured that Garda management keeps the 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.
The budget provided by Government to the Garda Commissioner continues to increase to unprecedented levels, with an allocation in excess of €2 billion for 2022, which includes funding for the recruitment of up to 800 additional Garda trainees and up to 400 Garda staff. This significant investment demonstrates the Government's commitment to increasing the Garda workforce to enable the organisation to keep our communities safe, including in Cork City and County, and to preventing crime in all its forms.
I can inform the Deputy that as of 28 February, the latest date for which figures are available, there are 733 Garda members assigned to Garda Stations in Cork City, an increase of 12.6% per cent since the end of 2015, when there were 651 Gardaí assigned to the Cork City Division. In addition, as of 28 February, there are 122 Garda staff supporting the members in Cork City, an increase of 106.7% since the end of 2015 when there were 59 Garda staff in the Division.
I am further advised that, as of 28 February, 8 Probationer Gardaí have been assigned to the Cork City Division in 2022.
The Deputy will be aware that a Garda recruitment campaign closed earlier this month and I am advised that there was a strong interest, with over 10,000 applications received. I hugely welcome this significant response to the recent Garda campaign, indicating, as it does, the widespread respect for the important position that Gardaí occupy in our society, as well as the unique contribution that Gardaí can make to the lives of individuals across the country.
104. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in implementing recommendations of the Report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality on Reform of the Family Law System; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16235/22]
View answerFamily justice is a priority for me as Minister and is a major element of my Justice Plan.
The Report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality on Reform of the Family Law System made 38 Recommendations across a range of areas in family justice. Key among these recommendations is the introduction of legislation for the establishment of a dedicated and integrated Family Court within existing court structures.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to enact a Family Court Bill to create a new dedicated Family Court within the existing court structure and provide for court procedures that support a faster and less adversarial resolution of disputes in specialised centres. In September 2020, Government approved my proposal for the drafting of a Family Court Bill along the lines of the General Scheme, which has been published. Work is ongoing on the drafting of the Bill, with a view to its publication as soon as possible in 2022.
My Department is in the process of finalising a Family Justice Strategy, which will set out a high-level vision and key medium and longer-term objectives for the development of a national family justice system in parallel with the establishment of a dedicated Family Court structure as envisaged by the forthcoming Family Court Bill.
To develop the new strategy, a Family Justice Oversight Group was established by my Department. The Group comprises the key State actors in this space, namely the Department of Justice, Courts Service, Judiciary, Legal Aid Board, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. To assist its work, this Group has engaged in a phased consultation process where relevant stakeholders, the public, children and young people who engage with the family justice system gave their views on how a modernised family justice system should look. As part of the consultation process, two advisory groups have also been established comprising a subset of (1) NGOs and (2) practitioners and academics to further engage on issues emerging from the initial consultation phases.
A number of issues are being considered for inclusion in the emergent Family Justice Strategy, including: how the courts work; the availability of and access to support services; and the potential use of less adversarial approaches to the resolution of disputes, where possible and appropriate; information dissemination and awareness raising; and oversight of the implementation of any proposed reforms.
Another important area being considered by the Group is additional training for those working within the family justice system that would benefit all those who engage with the system. It is intended that the Family Court Bill will provide that specialist knowledge and ongoing professional training in the area of family law would be required for a judge to be appointed as a Family Court judge.
My Department has also engaged academic experts to conduct research for the purposes of a review of the operation of the provisions of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964 relating to guardianship of children whose parents are not married or in a civil partnership. I expect that this review will be completed and published later this year.
Among other recommendations made by the Committee was that consideration be given to whether laws should be amended to take into account situations where one parent is wrongfully influencing their child or children against the other parent, thereby creating unfair and unwarranted alienation that can be destructive and life lasting. In that regard and to better inform further discussion on parental alienation, my Department arranged for research to be carried out.
The aims of the research included to:
- Identify the various definitions and characteristics of parental alienation being used internationally.
- Investigate what is known about the prevalence of this issue (in Ireland or internationally) through examination of the literature.
- Identify and outline the various approaches and responses being taken in other jurisdictions to deal with the issue of parental alienation (legislative and otherwise).
- Describe, outline and evaluate any studies which have examined the effectiveness of these various international approaches and assess the relevance of these studies to the Irish context.
I am pleased to say that a draft report was received by my Department at the end of November and is now being reviewed. It is also my intention to commence a public consultation on the topic in the coming weeks. Both the research and consultation will, I expect, create a deeper understanding of the issue, and inform my Department’s consideration of policy and law in this area.
The best interests of the child will of course be paramount in any considerations.
105. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the action her Department will take to address the issue of non-engagement by undersheriff's offices in regard to Circuit Court judgments. [16236/22]
View answer560. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the action her Department will take to address the issue of non-engagement by undersheriff offices in regard to Circuit Court judgments. [16079/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 560 together.
Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has advised me of the following.
Sheriffs (or County Registrars acting as Sheriffs) are officers of the Court and are independent in the exercise of their functions and duties under statute and rules of court. They are responsible to the Court for the enforcement of Court Orders. Procedures governing the execution of Court Orders are set out in the Enforcement of Court Orders Acts, 1926 to 1940 and the Rules of Court made thereunder.
I am advised by the Courts Service that the work of Under Sheriffs was curtailed by the pandemic with restrictions on non-essential travel limiting their ability to operate normally. As much of their work involves site visits and meetings with clients, such journeys posed an increased health and safety risk to them and their staff.
With the lifting of restrictions, Under Sheriff operations have begun to return to normal with most Under Sheriffs now operating as before the pandemic. That said, Under Sheriffs and the Courts Service remain conscious that Covid-19 infection numbers remain elevated, and so continue to adhere to public health guidelines to ensure all persons involved are not exposed to unnecessary risk of contracting this illness.
106. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if she will amend the regularisation of long-term undocumented migrants scheme to include everyone in need of regularisation in order that Ireland does not need to correct these mistakes in future generations to come; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16259/22]
View answerI was pleased to open the landmark Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants Scheme for applications on 31 January 2022. Applications will be accepted for six months until 31 July 2022, when the scheme will close.
This once-in-a-generation scheme is designed to give long-term undocumented people without a current permission to remain in the State, the chance to regularise their status, access the labour market and begin their path to citizenship.
The criteria for the scheme, including the period of four years undocumented residence at the date of the opening of the scheme for primary applicants, have been designed in line with the Programme for Government commitment, and are not open to change.
Anyone who does not meet the specified undocumented residency criteria for the scheme will not be eligible to make an application.
Anyone in the State without permission who needs to regularise their residency, but does not meet the terms of the published Scheme, should contact my Department or their local immigration office and to take all appropriate steps to regularise their status. Any application submitted should explain their current circumstances and future intentions in the State and provide any documentation they feel will support their application.
A full consideration of all aspects of their case will be carried out before a decision is made to grant permission to remain in the State or to make a Deportation Order. This will include a consideration of their private and family life rights, in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights.
In all cases, people must engage with the authorities if they wish to be permitted to remain here legally. A pragmatic approach is taken in relation to each case, which is considered on its individual merits.
107. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the status and details of the progress of the scoping inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16243/22]
View answer132. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice when she expects to receive the final report of the scoping inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16011/22]
View answer138. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if she proposes to establish an independent inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied) and the actions of State agencies in respect of this case before and subsequent to their death. [16103/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 107, 132 and 138 together.
I wish to assure the Deputies that I recognise the ongoing pain and anguish of the O'Farrell family on the tragic death of Shane and I sincerely sympathise with them on their loss.
As the Deputies will be aware, a highly respected retired Judge has been conducting a scoping exercise into the tragic circumstances surrounding Shane O'Farrell's death. The purpose of this exercise is to advise as to whether any further investigation or inquiry beyond those already carried out is necessary and, if so, to advise on the form of such investigation or inquiry and its terms of reference.
My Department maintains regular contact with the Judge and has assured him that any assistance he requires to complete his final report will be made available. I am informed that the Judge had sought comments on various sections of his draft report from the parties named in it and he has confirmed that he has received responses from most of the relevant principal parties. Once this process is concluded, I understand the Judge should be in a position to finalise his report.
Once I have received the final report, the advice of the Attorney General will be sought on publication and any other issues arising.
I wish to conclude by re-stating in clear terms that the Government has never been opposed to the possibility of a further inquiry into this case if that is what is recommended. However, the Deputy will understand that I cannot pre-empt any view or advice that the Judge considers appropriate in his final report.
108. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the status and details of the progress of the GSOC investigation into the death of a person (details supplied); when the investigation will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16244/22]
View answerI would like to again extend my deepest sympathies to all those impacted by this tragic event in Hartstown, and in particular to the Nkencho family. Any fatal shooting is deeply distressing, and I know that the local community continue to experience real trauma as a result of these events.
As the Deputy will be aware, the shooting of Mr George Nkencho is being fully investigated by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), which is the independent statutory body established to investigate such incidents. This is the case with every incident involving the Gardaí that results in the death or serious harm of a person.
As GSOC is statutorily independent in its operation and administration, it would not be appropriate for me, as Minister, to comment on or interfere with an ongoing and advanced investigation. I am confident, however, that GSOC is treating this matter with the utmost priority and with the gravity that it deserves. It is important for the family and all those involved in this tragedy that the investigation is carried out thoroughly and follows up all lines of inquiry as speedily as possible in the circumstances.
As the Deputy may be aware, I met with the Nkencho family last year to hear from them directly. I assured them of GSOC's independence and expertise and that they are the most appropriate body to complete a full and impartial investigation into all of the circumstances relating to the tragic death of Mr Nkencho.
109. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice the status of the Community Safety Innovation Fund; the way that communities can access funding under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16239/22]
View answer134. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice when she will launch the community safety innovation fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16241/22]
View answer569. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the status of the community safety and innovation fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11509/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 134 and 569 together.
As the Deputies will be aware, Budget 2022 provides for the establishment of the new Community Safety Innovation Fund, which will enable local communities to seek funding for innovative projects which will improve community safety in their areas.
Community Safety is about people being safe, and feeling safe, within their communities. This goes beyond traditional, high visibility policing. The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland report recognised that preventing crime and harm and making our communities safer does not rest with An Garda Síochána and my Department alone, but requires a whole-of-government approach.
The new fund will reflect the success of the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and other agencies by using money seized from the proceeds of crime to support investment in community safety projects. The fund, which is expected to grow in the coming years, will have an initial outlay of €2m.
The fund will be open to bodies involved in community safety and will support them in addressing local needs and opportunities for innovation not provided for in other funds managed by Departments and agencies.
Such a fund will ensure that the best proposals to improve community safety will get the funding they need and will encourage the development of innovative ways in which to improve community safety from those people who understand local community safety needs best. Additionally, it will allow best practice initiatives on community safety to be shared as new proposals get developed.
Justice Plan 2022 commits to opening a call for funding proposals. This call 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 the development of innovative ways in which to improve community safety from those people who understand local community safety needs best.
These criteria for allocating funding are now finalised, with the fund due to be launched in the coming weeks.
110. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if she will examine the provision of an open step down prison for women in Ireland recognising the positive rehabilitative and reintegrative outcomes which they bring. [16226/22]
View answerI wish to assure the Deputy that I am very cognisant that female offenders represent a particularly vulnerable group within the prison system.
The Prison Service is acutely aware of the challenges that these vulnerable women face and there is evidence that the impact of imprisonment is considerably greater on women and their wider families and as a result, modern prison facilities for women offenders are developed in a very different model from male prisons.
The Dóchas Centre, which accommodates the majority of female prisoners in Ireland, was purposely built and specifically designed for women. A particular focus of the design of the prison was to ensure that the women accommodated there had access to a regime that mirrored, as much as possible, living in ordinary accommodation and thus supported the women's reintegration to society, which is a key objective.
The issue raised by the Deputy was considered in the context of the Probation Service/Irish Prison Service joint Women Strategy 2014-2016, which sought to improve the outcomes for women offenders. A joint working group between the two agencies recommended that the most practical and cost effective way to address the needs identified was to develop a step-down facility for women. In this regard, the Probation Service and Prison Service worked collaboratively towards the identification of a suitable venue for a women’s step down unit in Dublin, via a procurement process run by the Office of Government Procurement.
The Outlook Programme, which opened on 10 May 2019, now provides this step-down facility. The vision of the Programme is to promote the rehabilitation and re-integration of women leaving prison and those who have accommodation needs requiring support in the community. This is achieved through the provision of a wrap- around service that supports, independent living skills, training and employment opportunities and pro-social behaviour in order to reduce risk of re-offending
The Programme which is run in joint partnership with the Probation Service and managed by Focus Ireland, supports women serving sentences of imprisonment who pose a low risk to society to gradually re-integrate into the community.
Since it’s opening on 10 May 2019, 34 women have accessed the Outlook Programme, this includes 30 women who accessed the Programme directly from the Dochas Centre, as well as 4 community based referrals, made by the Probation Service. The Outlook Programme has capacity for 10 women. While residing at the Outlook Programme, women are required to comply with strict Temporary Release conditions and if they fail to comply with same, they risk being returned to custody.
In addition, as the Deputy will be aware, the Prison Service is currently in the process of a major redevelopment of Limerick Prison which includes the construction of a new prison facility for women prisoners.
The new accommodation block for women offenders in Limerick which will replace the use of the female wing at that prison. The design of the new facility is based on the principle of rehabilitation and normalisation reflecting contemporary design standards. A mix of accommodation units are being provided based around an external courtyard setting. The development will provide accommodation for 50 women prisoners and is scheduled for completion in late 2022, subject to no further delays as a result of the Covid pandemic. When open, this new facility will represent a complete change in the standard of accommodation and rehabilitative supports for women prisoners.
111. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice when she plans to roll out a community safety partnership in every county; and the role the community safety innovation fund will play in their development. [16091/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, I announced the establishment of three pilot Local Community Safety Partnerships in November 2020. These pilots schemes have been set up in Longford, North Inner City Dublin and Waterford. The pilots will run for a period of two years, and learnings from the pilot LCSPs will inform the eventual rollout of the model to every local authority area.
The Community Safety Partnerships will be rolled out nationally following enactment of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill, completion of the three pilots and related monitoring and evaluation processes. I made a commitment to ensure a robust evaluation from the outset of this process. The overall aim of the evaluation is to provide actionable evidence to help inform the development of the LCSPs and their rollout across the country.
Minister McGrath and I agreed the establishment of the Community Safety Innovation Fund to reflect the success of the Criminal Assets Bureau and other agencies by using money seized from the proceeds of crime to support investment in community safety projects. I secured an initial funding allocation for the Innovation Fund of €2 million in Budget 2022, and it is expected that the fund will continue to grow in the coming years, subject to the standard Budgetary processes.
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 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 the development of innovative ways in which to improve community safety. These criteria for allocating funding are now finalised, with the fund due to be launched in the coming weeks.
112. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice the current strength of the Garda Reserve; the number of female and male members respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16086/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), for the management of An Garda Síochána as well as the allocation and distribution of resources. This includes responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members and members of the Garda Reserve. As Minister, I have no responsibility in these matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as at 23 March 2022, there are 408 members of the Garda Reserve of which 105 (26%) are female and 303 (74%) are male.
Separately, the Deputy may wish to be aware that the Garda Commissioner recently published the Garda Reserve Strategy 2021-2025, which has a focus on how to optimise the Garda Reserve and includes a commitment regarding future recruitment of the reserve. The first strategic objective of the Garda Reserve Strategy is to recruit Reserve Gardaí on an initial five-year tenure, while eliminating perceived barriers and promoting inclusive recruitment.
I am informed that preparatory work is ongoing by management in An Garda Síochána for an upcoming recruitment competition to the Garda Reserve. I understand An Garda Síochána has also set up an internal working group to review the legislative and policy requirements around the reserve ahead of this competition.
It is currently anticipated that a Garda Reserve recruitment process will be launched later in 2022, predicated upon agreement with the Public Appointments Service as to the timeframe for the recruitment campaign.
Consideration will be given as part of the process to ensuring that the Garda Reserve can serve as a pathway to future recruitment competitions for Garda members, where individuals have a desire to progress to that position.
