Neasa Hourigan
Question:528. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice the status of his plans to bring forward a general scheme of a criminal legal aid Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24095/23]
View answerLegislative Measures
Questions (528)
Written answers
I can advise the Deputy that the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme is under review and a General Scheme of a Criminal Legal Aid Bill is being prepared. The key purpose of this will be to transfer the administration of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme to the Legal Aid Board and to otherwise update the administration of criminal legal aid.
This Bill, when enacted, will also put on a statutory footing a number of Criminal Legal Aid Schemes such as the Garda Station Legal Advice Revised Scheme, which is currently administered by the Legal Aid Board.
The General Scheme will also provide for amendments of section 26 of the Civil Legal Aid Act of 1995 to incorporate changes to legal advice provisions for complainants to extend the range of sexual offences to which they apply.
My Department has consulted with the Courts Service, the Legal Aid Board, An Garda Síochána, the Law Society and the Bar Council and a final draft of the General Scheme is being prepared with a view to its submission for the Government’s approval shortly.
Courts Service
Questions (529)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:529. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice his plans for the restoration of fees, arising from the FEMPI cuts, for barristers under the criminal legal aid scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24096/23]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to Criminal Legal Aid fees, it is the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform that has responsibility for restoration of barrister fees arising from the FEMPI cuts.
While my Department is responsible for administering the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme we cannot make any changes to the fees without the consent of Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
I can assure the Deputy, my Department will continue to engage on this issue with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (530)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:530. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice the number of members and staff of An Garda Síochána, per grade, that resigned or were dismissed in each of the years 2018 to 2023 inclusive, in tabular form. [24137/23]
View answerWritten answers
I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (531)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:531. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice the number of members and staff of An Garda Síochána, per grade, that resigned on health grounds in each of the years 2018 to 2023 inclusive, in tabular form. [24138/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including HR matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the number of Garda members and Garda staff who resigned on health grounds in the years 2018 to 2022, and up to 22 May 2023. Please note that these figures are operational and may change.
I am further informed that to break down these figures by rank or grade would risk identifying the individual cases and therefore I am unable to provide this information to the Deputy.
|
Ill Health Retirements |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 up to 22 May 2023 |
|
Garda Members |
6 |
11 |
9 |
6 |
18 |
5 |
|
Garda staff |
12 |
9 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
An Garda Síochána
Questions (532)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:532. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice the number of members of An Garda Síochána holding full-time equivalent posts at the rank of Sergeant, Inspector, Superintendent, Assistant Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner, in each of the years 2018 to 2023 inclusive, in tabular form. [24139/23]
View answerWritten answers
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 recruitment and distribution of Garda members between the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am however assured that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under continued review, in line with crime and population trends, to ensure their optimum use.
To be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that the table below sets out the number of Garda members in the posts as at 31 December each year and at 30 April 2023.
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 (30 April) |
|
|
Commissioner |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Deputy Commissioner |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Assistant commissioner |
9 |
8 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
|
Chief Superintendent |
45 |
47 |
46 |
48 |
46 |
45 |
|
Superintendent |
165 |
168 |
168 |
168 |
167 |
168 |
|
Inspector |
297 |
379 |
438 |
410 |
465 |
442 |
|
Sergeant |
1996 |
1966 |
1980 |
1881 |
2073 |
2042 |
|
Total |
2514 |
2570 |
2643 |
2518 |
2762 |
2708 |
An Garda Síochána
Questions (533)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:533. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice the number of members of An Garda Síochána, by grade and by division, in administrative posts who are in receipt of overtime payments; and the value of those payments from 2018 to 2023 inclusive, in tabular form. [24140/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for all HR matters relating to personnel within An Garda Síochána. As Minister I have no direct role in such matters.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that they do not hold specific records in the overtime reporting system on the role of the recipient. Therefore, it is not possible to provide the requested information at this time.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (534)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:534. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice the number of complaints received by GSOC from 2018 to 2023 inclusive, in tabular form; and the number of those complaints that have resulted in a criminal complaint. [24141/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is statutorily independent in its operation and administration. Specifically, under section 67(4) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, GSOC is independent in the exercise of its functions under the Act.
As Minister, I have no role in these functions, including investigations conducted by GSOC, or any reports submitted by GSOC to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Any decisions regarding prosecutions are matters for the DPP, who is completely independent in the exercise of her functions.
I am informed by GSOC that the the figures in the first table outline the number of complaints received by GSOC per year, the number of those resulting in a criminal investigation by GSOC, the number of referrals to GSOC by An Garda Síochána under section 102 of the Garda Síochána Act, and the number of these referrals that resulted in a criminal investigation.
These figures are drawn from information published in Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) statutory Annual Report 2018 – 2021. They are also drawn from the 2022 Annual Report which GSOC expects to publish in summer 2023.
I am advised by GSOC that 2023 figures should be treated as indicative only and do not represent official, published, statistical information from GSOC.
I am also advised by GSOC that information on cases, by its nature, is dynamic, and subject to update on foot of further information that may emerge during the course of an investigation.
|
Complaints received |
Criminal Investigations opened arising from complaints received |
Referrals made by AGS to GSOC under s102 of the Act |
Criminal Investigations opened as a result of referrals made under s102 |
|
|
2018 |
1,921 |
415 |
38 |
6 |
|
2019 |
1,756 |
485 |
40 |
4 |
|
2020 |
1,955 |
572 |
43 |
10 |
|
2021 |
2,189 |
557 |
59 |
7 |
|
2022 |
1,826 |
349 |
41 |
7 |
|
2023 ** |
480 |
144 |
14 |
2 |
I am informed by GSOC that the second table outlines the number of files sent to the DPP for the years in question:
|
Files sent to the DPP per calendar year following completion of criminal investigation.* |
|
|
2018 |
17 |
|
2019 |
23 |
|
2020 |
27 |
|
2021 |
21 |
|
2022 |
27 |
|
2023 ** |
15 |
* Please note that files sent to the DPP in a given year may have resulted from a complaint and / or referral received in previous year(s). A file is sent only on completion of an investigation, and investigations may take longer than one calendar year to complete.
** Figures for period of 1 January – 17 May 2023 inclusive.
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that section 102 of the Act provides for independent investigation of any matter that appears to indicate that the conduct of a member of the Garda Síochána may have resulted in the death of, or serious harm to a person. The provision forms an important element of the State’s framework for the guarantee of compliance with its obligations under Article 2 and 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The power to refer is delegated by the Garda Commissioner to superintendents whose responsibility it is to decide if it is appropriate to refer an incident, in order that it be investigated independently.
I am further advised that GSOC conducts criminal investigations on foot of both complaints and referrals, as well as in the context of public investigations.
On completion of a criminal investigation, if GSOC is of the opinion that the conduct under investigation may constitute an offence, a file is prepared and sent to the DPP.
Immigration Policy
Questions (535)
Catherine Connolly
Question:535. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No 234 of 11 May 2023, if he will clarify, of the "450 approvals for beneficiaries", the number of applications to which this number relates; the number of the 528 applications that remain to be processed and completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24162/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Afghan Admission Programme offers temporary Irish residence to people whose freedom or safety is at risk, whether resident in Afghanistan or certain neighbouring countries having fled from Afghanistan since the 1 August 2021 and who have close family members in Ireland. The Programme closed for applications on the 11 March 2022.
A total of 528 applications in respect of 1,492 potential beneficiaries were received under the Afghan Programme
The 450 approvals for beneficiaries that have issued so far relate to 165 applications. No refusals have been issued yet.
There are currently 363 applications on hand. Decisions will issue on these remaining cases in the coming months.
Family Law Cases
Questions (536)
Catherine Connolly
Question:536. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide details of any analysis carried out or commissioned by his Department, or bodies under the aegis of his Department, regarding the pilot (details supplied) undertaken by the Legal Aid Board in relation to online family mediation during the Covid-19 pandemic; if this pilot is still underway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24175/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means in the State, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2017. The Act was amended by Section 54 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, which gave the Board the additional responsibility to provide a family mediation service.
Section 3(3) of the Act provides that the Board shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be independent in the exercise of its functions.
However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made with the Legal Aid Board, and I am informed that the Legal Aid Board piloted online family mediation in order to deliver its services in the context of the COVID 19 pandemic and to adhere to social distancing restrictions. Since the ending of public health restrictions, the Legal Aid Board’s family mediation service has reverted to primarily in-person mediation.
I am further informed that a review took place in 2021 which was largely positive and, as a result, all mediators are now able to provide online mediation, where required. The Board’s Strategy 2021 – 2023 confirms that it will offer mediation through the use of technology to those that are not within easy reach of its services, where it is appropriate to do so. I understand that the consent of both parties is required before online mediation is offered.
I understand also that the Legal Aid Board surveys its clients to ascertain their views of the Board’s service, including in relation to online mediation.
Family Law Cases
Questions (537)
Catherine Connolly
Question:537. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the actions being taken to address lengthy waiting lists for the mediation service provided by the Legal Aid Board; if he will provide details of any guidelines in place regarding target waiting times for mediation services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24176/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means in the State, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2017. The Act was amended by Section 54 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, which gave the Board the additional responsibility to provide a family mediation service.
Section 3(3) of the Act provides that the Board shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be independent in the exercise of its functions.
However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made with the Legal Aid Board. The Board operates a total of 30 full-time law centres along with a number of part-time centres, and three specialist legal offices. It also operates 17 family mediation centres. Eight of the law centres and family mediation offices are co-located.
I am further informed that the Legal Aid Board’s Family Mediation Strategy outlines a target waiting time of 14 weeks to access the services of a mediator. I understand that as of April 2023 the average waiting time is 17 weeks.
I understand that waiting lists for mediation are regularly triaged at national level and, where clients who are based in a particular region give their consent, they are offered online mediation from another office with a shorter waiting list.
I am informed that a competition has recently been announced by the Legal Aid Board to fill a number of mediator vacancies.
Ministerial approval was also given in July 2022 to establish a Private Practitioner Mediator Panel who would take mediation cases on referral from the Legal Aid Board. A Panel has been established and I am informed that the referral of cases will begin shortly.
Family Law Cases
Questions (538)
Catherine Connolly
Question:538. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the timeline for the full commencement of the Mediation Act 2017; the timeline for the establishment of the mediation council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24177/23]
View answerWritten answers
On 8 December 2017, the then Minister for Justice signed the Commencement Order bringing all sections of the Mediation Act 2017 into effect on 1 January 2018 (S.I. 591 of 2017).
The formation of the Mediation Council of Ireland is a key component of the Mediation Act 2017 and the overall development of mediation throughout Ireland. The Council will play a crucial role in promoting public awareness of mediation, maintaining and developing mediation standards – including continuous professional development – and establishing a national register of mediators.
Before a Ministerial Order can be made to designate a body as the Mediation Council of Ireland, the Mediation Council will first need to be established in its full membership of not less than eleven members, of which six, including the chair, must be public interest members. The Council must also act under its own agreed terms of association as intended by the Oireachtas under the relevant legislation.
I, as Minister for Justice, am obliged to publish any draft Order for a 30-day period of response and to bring it before both Houses of the Oireachtas for resolutions of approval before the Order can be completed. This places a high burden on all concerned to have a properly established cohesive entity in place that is sufficiently representative of mediation interests involved in the mediation sector that meets the minimum requirements set by the relevant legislation.
Following renewed efforts by the mediation sector in the last year or so to advance with the proposed Mediation Council’s establishment to a stage whereby I, as Minister for Justice, can be in a position to designate the body, a plenary meeting of the sector was held in February 2023 with officials from my Department in attendance. That meeting identified issues around structure, membership and finance that arise in the establishment of a Mediation Council. My Department will engage further with the sector through 2023 to support work leading to a Mediation Council being put in place.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (539)
Michael Moynihan
Question:539. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications received for the 2023 Garda recruitment campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24215/23]
View answerWritten answers
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 all human resource matters and recruitment. As Minister, I have no direct role in such matters.
As the Deputy will also be aware An Garda Síochána launched a new recruitment campaign on 24 March and closed on 14 April 2023.
This year’s campaign, which was shorter in duration than the 2022 campaign, attracted 4,973 applicants. While there was some pent up demand last year due to the pause in Garda recruitment due to COVID, this level of interest is in line with 2019, the last pre COVID recruitment campaign, and demonstrates the demand to join An Garda Síochána is as strong as ever.
The initial stage of the application process for this year’s campaign differs to the 2022 campaign with all applicants filling out an application in the first instance, rather than just declaring an interest. This gives a clearer picture of how many people are fully committed to applying this year.
I would like to encourage anyone called as part of the 2022 or 2023 competition not to defer but to make sure they are fully fit and ready to take up the opportunity.
Wildlife Conservation
Questions (540)
Holly Cairns
Question:540. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if his Department and public bodies or agencies that operate under his remit have policies in place to install artificial structures that provide shelter and habitat space for wild species, such as, but not limited to, insect hotels, bat boxes, nesting towers and beehives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24266/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, as part of my Department’s commitment to biodiversity, two bee hives were installed at its Dublin HQ building during 2022. The original 15,000 bees populating each hive have built up over the spring and there are now approximately 40,000 bees in each hive, bringing in nectar from the chestnut and sycamore trees and pollen from the flowers in St. Stephen’s Green.
In addition, staff in my Department’s offices in Killarney have planted over 50 whitethorn (hawthorn) saplings to provide a safe nesting area for birds, and food and shelter for various insects. A log/brush pile in the wild flower garden provides a variety of habitat types for insects. A bee hotel was fashioned from the trunk of the Christmas tree; the trunk was turned into nesting blocks with tunnels of various hole diameters drilled into them, to encourage nests of different bee species. We have also encouraged a ‘bee bank’ for mining bees on a bank with bare soil and ensure that vegetation is removed. This area is surrounded by managed wild lawns.
My Department will continue to look for further suitable opportunities in its estate.
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the bodies and agencies under the remit of my Department and the following details have been provided to date.
The Courts Service published its first Environmental Sustainability Strategy in November 2021, with Biodiversity listed as one of four pillars of the strategy. Its goal was articulated over the following three-year period ‘to manage our estate in a way that supports biodiversity and is pollinator friendly’. To that end the Courts Service has instigated the following biodiversity initiatives on its estate:
• Insect hotels in Carrick-on-Shannon Courthouse in County Leitrim and Nenagh Courthouse in County Tipperary.
• Swift nesting boxes in Mullingar Courthouse, County Westmeath and Ennis Courthouse, Co Clare.
• An attic bat room in Mullingar Courthouse, County Westmeath and Kilrush Courthouse, Co Clare.
• Pollinator-friendly rewilding projects at the following locations:
• Carlow Courthouse, Co. Carlow
• Wexford Courthouse, Co. Wexford
• Waterford Courthouse, Co. Waterford
• Cavan Courthouse, Co. Cavan
• Tullamore Courthouse, Co. Offaly
• Cork Criminal Court, Angelsea Street, Co. Cork
• Limerick Courthouse, Mulgrave Street Co. Limerick
• Nenagh Courthouse in County Tipperary
• Carrick-on-Shannon Courthouse, Co. Leitrim
• Roscommon Courthouse, County Roscommon.
If any further information comes to hand I will forward to the Deputy.
Departmental Programmes
Questions (541)
Cormac Devlin
Question:541. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications that were received by his Department for the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) after the announcement that the scheme was closing; the deadline for processing of same; when a decision on these applications is due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24274/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, I obtained approval from the Government to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further new applications from 15 February 2023.
I appreciate that closure of the Programme has given rise to many queries on the part of individuals and organisations with an interest in the Programme. My Department is committed to managing the closure of the Programme in a way that is fair to all, and wish to convey accurate information in a timely manner.
However, the volume of applications to the Programme has accelerated rapidly in recent years giving rise to significant pressures on the IIP Unit. The level of applications received prior to the Programme’s closure has compounded these pressures, as has the very large number of queries received since the closure announcement. Some 950 new investor applications have been received in 2023 alone.
All applications recently received are currently pending examination. Each application will be examined on its own merits and it is not possible at this time to give an indication as to when individual applications will receive a decision.
The Programme’s Independent Evaluation Committee has requested that an analysis of certain issues be undertaken to assist it in the task of ensuring that the closure of the Programme is carried out in a manner that is consistent and fair to applicants. The Committee has committed to more frequent and intense engagement to progress these matters, and the patience of stakeholders is requested over the coming months while this work is completed.
The closure of the Programme will not affect existing projects or individuals already approved under the programme. My Department will continue to monitor existing approved projects in relation to the delivery and for compliance with the terms of the Programme.
The Department has published a FAQ on its website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/ .
Visa Applications
Questions (542)
Willie O'Dea
Question:542. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be made on an application for a visa by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24294/23]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on the 27 May 2022, and received by the New Delhi visa office on the 23 June 2022.
I am informed that the visa office in Delhi has been engaging with the applicant’s legal representative in relation to additional documentation, which I understand has since been supplied. The legal representative was informed that further information was being sought from other Government bodies, and I understand that liaison is ongoing.
Our office in New Delhi is experiencing unprecedented demand, with application numbers up 86% this year compared to the same period in 2019. This has resulted in a backlog of more complex applications involving family reunification. I am informed that the visa office is progressing the application, and is seeking to make a decision as soon as possible.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie) which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Departmental Data
Questions (543)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:543. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if there have been any instances in each of the past five years of there being no immigration officials present at Dublin Port as passengers boarded and disembarked. [24308/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for frontline immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
I am informed by the GNIB that the specific information requested by the Deputy is not available. However, a team of Immigration Officers are assigned to Dublin Port and are supplemented as required by officers from the DMR North Central Division. All arriving passengers will generally pass through immigration controls at Dublin Port.
I am informed by the GNIB that the information requested by the Deputy is not recorded.
Domestic Violence
Questions (544)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:544. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the progress that has been made to date regarding the provision of a women’s refuge in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24339/23]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, we are committed to doubling the number of refuge spaces, bringing it to over 280 nationwide.
In addition, by putting in place the correct structures to deliver additional refuge accommodation, the Government will accelerate the number of refuge spaces that can be opened each year.
Tusla is continuing to support the process of developing a refuge for Co. Carlow and a group of local stakeholders associated with the local domestic violence network, has established the Carlow Refuge Development Advisory Group.
This group is an interim, time-bound structure that has come together to undertake some initial scoping and develop options for appraisal about how best to take forward development of the refuge.
I can advise the Deputy that the group has had a number of meetings to date and independent consultancy is supporting the work of the group since March 2023. I understand that a process was undertaken by the group to identify possible organisations interested in taking a lead on developing a refuge in Carlow.
This process will conclude in the coming weeks and a report will be submitted to Tusla by the end of June.
The key findings and recommendations from this process will inform the next steps and timeline for the development of the Carlow refuge.
The priority will be to identify actions to progress the refuge development as quickly as possible.
Departmental Strategies
Questions (545, 571)
Holly Cairns
Question:545. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an update on Action 1.7 of the Family Justice Strategy 2022-2025 to ‘Consider the outcomes of the research and consultation on parental alienation and develop appropriate proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24353/23]
View answer
Pa Daly
Question:571. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide a timeline on the publishing of the parental alienation consultation report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24868/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 545 and 571 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, last year, my Department committed to undertake a public consultation on the issue of parental alienation as part of the Justice Plan 2022. The consultation presented an opportunity for individuals and organisations to offer their views and experiences of parental alienation, its impact and how it could be responded to in the future. It was a completely open process and concluded on 24 June 2022.
All views, opinions and experiences submitted as part of that consultation have been welcomed and underwent a thorough process of review.
The Department of Justice also arranged for independent research on parental alienation to be carried out. A final report integrating the results of the public consultation and commissioned research and outlining any resulting recommendations to inform policy in this area will be published in the coming days.
This marks a another significant step towards reform of the Family Justice System and improving access to justice, as committed to by the Programme for Government and Justice Plan 2022.
Both the research report and the policy paper will be published on the Department’s website in the coming days.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (546)
Seán Sherlock
Question:546. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda graduates from Templemore in the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the district they were first posted to, in tabular form. [24363/23]
View answerWritten answers
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 recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
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 provides for a steady pipeline of new Gardaí in the coming years, supporting the recruitment of up to 1,000 Gardaí and 400 additional Garda staff this year, with new recruits to enter the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks.
The table at the link below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of new Gardaí attested by Division and Station since 2015 and to date in 2023.
Please note that this information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.
In the interest of transparency, Garda workforce figures are published on gov.ie and regularly updated by my Department, from information supplied by the Garda Authorities. The allocation of Probationer Gardaí, who have attested from the Garda College, up to the end of January 2023 can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/7c2e6-probationer-gardai/.
Prison Service
Questions (547)
Paul Murphy
Question:547. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice in relation to the fact that the Irish prison population has confirmed overcrowding issues, if he will confirm whether prisoners who are entitled to early release by international standards are being detained to disguise homeless figures; if this is not the case, the reason for their extra judicial detention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24377/23]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that legislation governing the powers of the Minister for Justice to grant temporary release is provided for in section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended.
All applications for temporary release are assessed as per the criteria outlined in section 2. I can also inform the Deputy that the objective of the Irish Prison Service is that all releases from Irish prisons and places of detention are planned releases, in order to support offenders in making informed and effective transitions from prison to the community in compliance with statutory, legal and sentencing provisions.
If a sentenced prisoner informs prison authorities that they were homeless prior to coming into custody, or that they are at risk of homelessness on release, they are referred to the prison-based resettlement service. The resettlement service works with the prisoner and the relevant local authority to identify possible accommodation solutions in preparation for their release and reintegration in to the community.
Finally, I can also advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service provides funding to enable the Irish Association for Social Integration Opportunities to provide Resettlement Coordinators in each of our closed prisons and that the number of Resettlement Coordinators across the prison estate has increased from 3 to 12 in recent years.