Tuesday, 21 Mar 2023

Written Answers Nos. 1118-1137

An Garda Síochána

Questions (1119, 1120)

Martin Kenny

Question:

1119. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who have resigned from An Garda Síochána, per month, in 2022, by county and rank, in tabular form. [13958/23]

Martin Kenny

Question:

1120. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who have resigned from An Garda Síochána, by county and per month in January abd February 2023, in tabular form. [13959/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1119 and 1120 together.

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will contact the Deputy directly once this information is to hand.

Question No. 1120 answered with Question No. 1119.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (1121)

Martin Kenny

Question:

1121. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice the current pay scale for rank-and-file members of An Garda Síochána. [13960/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, which is reflected in an allocation of over €2 billion in Budget 2023.

This level of funding will provide a steady pipeline of new Gardaí in the coming years, supporting the recruitment of up to 1,000 Garda members and 400 new Garda staff.

The attached document outlines the current pay scales for rank and file members of An Garda Síochána as of 1 March 2023.

Current payscales

An Garda Síochána

Questions (1122)

Martin Kenny

Question:

1122. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice the current pay scale for Garda civilian workers. [13961/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will appreciate, Garda staff are civil servants and therefore civil service salary scales apply. Salary scales are set out in the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform's most recent pay circular published on www.gov.ie. The circular sets out all the pay scales for Civil Service staff, ranging from cleaner to Secretary General level.

I can however assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, which is reflected in an allocation of over €2 billion in Budget 2023.

This level of funding will provide a steady pipeline of new Gardaí in the coming years, supporting the recruitment of up to 1,000 Garda members and 400 new Garda staff.

Online Safety

Questions (1123)

Holly Cairns

Question:

1123. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the number of prosecutions made under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017; the number which led to successful convictions; and the specific crimes involved. [14017/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, prosecutions are a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The DPP is wholly independent in her functions under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended) and, as Minister, I have no role in the operations, decision making process, governance or oversight of the Office of the Director.

As a result I am unable to provide any statistical information related to the work of, or decisions taken by, the DPP.

Likewise, 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: [e-mail] and will be able to provide any information that is available to the Deputy in respect of the convictions enquired about.

In order to be of assistance to the Deputy I have referred the question to the Courts Service for its direct reply.

Online Safety

Questions (1124)

Holly Cairns

Question:

1124. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if the steps he is taking to ensure that Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017 are sufficient to address the instances of deep fake image-based sexual abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14018/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 criminalises the non-consensual distribution of intimate images.

It is a criminal offence to share, or threaten to share, an intimate image of another person without their consent. This includes sharing intimate images purporting to be of another person - often referred to as ‘deep-fakes’.

The legislation defines “intimate image, in relation to a person to mean any visual representation (including any accompanying sound or document) made by any means including any photographic, film, video or digital representation—

(a) of what is, or purports to be the person’s genitals, buttocks or anal region and, in the case of a female, her breasts,

(b) of the underwear covering the person’s genitals, buttocks or anal region and, in the case of a female, her breasts,

(c) in which the person is nude, or

(d) in which the person is engaged in sexual activity.

The penalties – up to seven years in prison and an unlimited fine - are high to reflect the seriousness of the offences and the damage and hurt they cause.

I would encourage anyone who believes they may have been a victim of this crime to report it to Hotline.ie and to contact An Garda Síochána.

In September 2021, my Department launched a national awareness campaign in relation to the new law and intimate image abuse. It was centred on a 30-second video showing various motivations as to why an intimate image was shared, with the tagline “whatever your motivation, sharing an intimate image without consent is a crime”. The campaign ran on TV, radio, cinema and across social media at various times in 2021 and 2022.

The next phase of the campaign, which will focus on raising awareness of the illegality of threatening to share intimate images, is currently in production and will air in the coming months.

Raising awareness of the illegality of 'deep fake' intimate image abuse will be considered for future elements of the campaign.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (1125)

Holly Cairns

Question:

1125. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the steps he is taking to reform the Garda vetting process, including ensuring individuals to conduct one vetting check every three years which is valid for any relevant professional or voluntary roles within that time period, measures to enable individuals use the same vetting check for multiple bodies and organisations, an optional simplified renewal process whereby individuals need only add any address changes since their last vetting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14019/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including responsibility for the Garda vetting system. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. However, I am advised that the primary purpose of the employment vetting carried out by the National Vetting Bureau is to seek to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. It is carried out by An Garda Síochána in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016. This important work needs to be carried out thoroughly and correctly. I can also advise the Deputy that the Garda Vetting Review Group was established in April 2021, and meets regularly to discuss potential amendments to vetting legislation. This group includes members of the National Vetting Bureau in An Garda Síochána, officials from my Department, from Tusla, and from other relevant stakeholders. The primary focus of the Group is strengthening the vetting legislation in an effective manner, including any changes which may be possible in relation to multi-purpose vetting or re-vetting. I expect to receive the Group’s report by Easter.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (1126)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1126. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda cars and vans attached to each Garda district within DMR as of 15 March 2023, in tabular form. [14039/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The the Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. Budget 2023 provides funding of €2.14 billion for An Garda Síochána, of which €10m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet.

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

I am however assured 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.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that at 28 February 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 3,382 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet. This represents an increase of over 8% since end January 2021 when there were 3,128 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet.

I am also advised by the Garda authorities that the tables below set out the number of vehicles attached to each District within the DMR at 28 February 2023, the latest date for which figures are available.

DMR EAST	Cars	Vans	Motorcycles	4 x 4	*Other	Total
BLACKROCK-W	34	4	0	1	0	39
DUNLAOGHAIRE-F	29	10	0	0	1	40
DMR EAST Total	63	14	0	1	1	79

DMR NORTH	Cars	Vans	Motorcycles	4 x 4	*Other	Total
BALBRIGGAN-Y	13	1	0	0	0	14
BALLYMUN	35	9	0	1	1	46
COOLOCK-R	25	3	0	0	0	28
RAHENY-J	26	2	0	0	0	28
DMR NORTH Total	99	15	0	1	1	116

DMR NORTH CENTRAL	Cars	Vans	Motorcycles	4 x 4	*Other	Total
BRIDEWELL	11	2	0	0	0	13
FITZGIBBON STREET	22	5	0	2	0	29
STORE STREET	34	6	0	1	1	42
DMR NORTH CENTRAL Total	67	13	0	3	1	84

DMR SOUTH	Cars	Vans	Motorcycles	4 x 4	*Other	Total
CRUMLIN-G	21	8	0	0	0	29
TALLAGHT-M	32	5	0	1	1	39
TERENURE-P	19	2	0	1	0	22
DMR SOUTH Total	72	15	0	2	1	90

DMR SOUTH CENTRAL	Cars	Vans	Motorcycles	4 x 4	*Other	Total
DONNYBROOK-E	19	7	0	0	0	26
KEVIN STREET-A	31	5	0	0	1	37
PEARSE STREET-B	18	7	0	0	0	25
DMR SOUTH CENTRAL Total	68	19	0	0	1	88

DMR WEST	Cars	Vans	Motorcycles	4 x 4	*Other	Total
BLANCHARDSTOWN-K	43	5	0	0	1	49
CLONDALKIN-L	25	5	0	0	0	30
LUCAN-Q	23	3	0	0	5	31
DMR WEST Total	91	13	0	0	6	110

*The category 'other' refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles

The Deputy may also wish to be aware that An Garda Síochána publish information on Garda fleet, including a Divisional/District monthly breakdown, on their website at:

www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html.

Road Traffic Offences

Questions (1127)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1127. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of vehicles seized by gardaí for having no insurance within Kildare Garda division in 2022, and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [14040/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the enforcement of road traffic legislation. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters.

I have been provided by the Garda authorities with the below table, outlining a yearly breakdown of the number of incidents where a vehicle was seized under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act in the Kildare Division for the offence of driving without insurance.

2022	*2023
645	104

* 2023 figures cover the period from 1 January 2023 to 28 February 2023

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that all information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the PULSE system as was available on 1 March 2023 and is liable to change.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1128)

David Cullinane

Question:

1128. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the extent of expenditure on ventilators during the pandemic, in tabular form; the number procured; the procurement process followed by batch; whether exemptions or derogations were applied on a purchase, for each; the spend and volume by vendor; the number purchased via a wholesaler and the number direct from a manufacturer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12243/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1129, 1130, 1444, 1445, 1446)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

1129. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes who are awaiting a first appointment to the adult outpatient's diabetes clinic in University Hospital Waterford; the maximum and minimum length of waiting time periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12255/23]

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

1130. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of adults patients and paediatric patients attending University Hospital Waterford for type 1 diabetes care and for type 2 diabetes care, for each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12256/23]

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

1444. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes who are awaiting their follow up/return appointment to the adult outpatients diabetes clinic in UHW hospital; the number of persons waiting for 0-6, 6-12, 12-18, 18-24, 24-36 and longer than 36 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13525/23]

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

1445. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons attending UHW with type 1 diabetes who have requested insulin pump therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13526/23]

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

1446. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric patients with type 1 diabetes who received an insulin pump while attending the UHW paediatric diabetes unit and have had to transition their care to other diabetes clinics in the past 0-6, 6-12, 12-18, 18-24, 24-36, 36-48 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13527/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1129, 1130, 1444, 1445 and 1446 together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.

Question No. 1130 answered with Question No. 1129.

Hospital Admissions

Questions (1131)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

1131. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital admissions that occurred through the University Hospital Waterford emergency department due to diabetic ketoacidosis in each of the years 2017 to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12258/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Promotion

Questions (1132)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

1132. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if his Department has made a submission indicating Ireland's interest in participating in the EU4Health joint action for diabetes and cardiovascular disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12259/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Thank you for making contact on the EU4Health Joint Action for Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease.

The department participates actively in the EU4Health Steering Group and Programme Committee, and together with its aegis bodies including the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Health Research Board (HRB), works to bring possible support measures under EU4Health to the attention of health authorities and eligible stakeholders.

We are pleased to advise that Irelands application for this joint action (JA) was successful, and Ireland is now participating in several different work packages of JACARDI. The Health Service Executive are the identified competent authority in this instance with Croí an accepted affiliated entity within the JA. Currently, we are actively engaging with EU colleagues and European counterparts on those specific work packages. Budgets are now finalised between our officials and the Programme leaders.

The aim of the JA(s) is to reduce the burden of NCDs and related risk factors, both at personal and societal level, targeting or addressing the specifics of CVDs and diabetes and their health determinants, as necessary. The action will implement projects on disease prevention and health promotion, which are expected to reduce the burden of CVDs and diabetes in Member States.

I trust the above provides clarity and adequate information on Ireland's participation in the Programme.

Departmental Funding

Questions (1133)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1133. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of times funding was moved across budget lines within his Department in a process known as virement; the name and purpose of the fund the money was taken from; the name and purpose of the fund the money was transferred to; the dates upon which he approved of such transfers, since he took office; if the Department of Public Expenditure was consulted prior to the transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12271/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Deputy is aware the Virement process enables Government Departments to use savings on subheads within their Vote to offset overspends on other subheads within the Vote.

My Department engages in continuous dialogue with the Department of Public Expenditure in relation to the Health budget, including flagging any possible Virements that may be required.

Please see attached the final Virement requests from my Department to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for the years 2020 and 2021. Also attached is the provisional Virement request for 2022. A final Virement request for 2022 will be made when the Appropriation Account for Vote 38 is finalised.

Virement requests 2020

Virement requests 2021

provisional Virement request for 2022

Mental Health Services

Questions (1134)

Joan Collins

Question:

1134. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the way the €750,000 allocated in Budget 2023 for trainee counselling psychologist courses will be used (details supplied). [12285/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy is aware, €750,000 has been provided in Budget 2023 to support counselling psychology training places. This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthen access to psychology training.

I am focussed on supporting counselling psychology students in an equitable way that benefits all students in all years of the Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, and that delivers value for money. The structure of this funding is currently being finalised by officials in the Department. The approach will be based on best practice and knowledge gained from other health and social care funded training models.

Further detailed discussions are now taking place between the Department and HSE to progress this. I hope to be in a position to announce the details shortly for academic year 2023-2024.

Ambulance Service

Questions (1135, 1137, 1138, 1139, 1140)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1135. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances and ambulance staff operational or stationed at each ambulance station in the country, by station; the average response time to ambulance call out, per ambulance station in the State, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12286/23]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1137. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of times a patient was deceased by the time an ambulance reached them, in each of the past ten years, by ambulance station, in tabular form. [12288/23]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1138. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the top ten longest lengths of time a person was left waiting for an ambulance in the State in each of the past ten years. [12289/23]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1139. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the longest length of time a person was left waiting for an ambulance to arrive in each of the past ten years, by ambulance station and dispatch point. [12290/23]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1140. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the longest length of time a person was left waiting for an ambulance to dispatch to them, perhaps due to a lack of available ambulances, in each of the past ten years, by ambulance station and dispatch point. [12291/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1135, 1137, 1138, 1139 and 1140 together.

As this relates to service matters for the National Ambulance Service, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Ambulance Service

Questions (1136)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1136. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of times ambulances in each ambulance station in the country have been unable to leave hospital due to an inability to admit a patient to the emergency department, or due to the fact that an ambulance trolley was being occupied by a patient inside the hospital, in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [12287/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 1137 answered with Question No. 1135.