Written Answers Nos. 544-558
544. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current strength of An Garda Síochána, with particular reference to the number of gardaí available for duty on any particular day; if an augmentation of numbers in the force is considered imperative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34350/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the various Garda Divisions. I have no role in these operational matters.
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 am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 31 May 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there is a total of 13,927 Garda members.
I am further informed that it is not possible to provide a figure for the number of Gardaí on duty at any one time due to the fluctuating nature of crossovers, rosters, and other necessary changes.
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.
Further detailed information in relation to Garda numbers is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country.
The information can be found at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/.
545. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which the CAB continues to have adequate resources available to ensure its continued effectiveness against organised crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34353/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a statutory body with staff drawn from An Garda Síochána, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners (including Customs), the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Justice.
Under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996, the Chief Bureau Officer is responsible for the management and control of the administration and business of the Criminal Assets Bureau, including the staffing of the Bureau. Under the Act, the Chief Bureau Officer is responsible to the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána for these functions. As Minister for Justice I have no direct role in these functions, nor can I comment on them.
As evident in the almost 13% increase in funding since 2021, the Government is committed to ensuring that adequate resources are provided to support the work of the Criminal Assets Bureau in targeting the proceeds of crime. Resourcing requirements for 2024 will be determined as part of the normal Estimates process.
The Bureau’s remit is to target the assets, wherever situated, of persons which derive or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. Since its inception, the Bureau has been at the forefront of fighting organised crime in this jurisdiction, disrupting the activities of criminal gangs through the removal of their ill-gotten gains and has been recognised as a world leader in asset investigations, tracing and forfeiture.
The Bureau works closely with Gardaí and all law enforcement agencies at national and international levels and continues to focus its efforts on targeting assets deriving from all types of criminal conduct.
I am advised by the Bureau that figures relating to asset recovery under the Proceeds of Crime Acts by CAB for the years 1996 to 2021 are available publicly in the annual reports published on the Bureau's website:
www.cab.ie/annual-reports/.
546. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which it is expected that deployments of gardaí throughout the country are likely to be enhanced in the coming year in such a way as to ensure that those locations under threat from crime are adequately policed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34354/23]
View answer549. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of extra gardaí likely to become available throughout the regions, including community gardaí, arising from recent graduations from the Garda college; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34359/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 549 together.
Whilst Ireland is a comparatively safe country in international terms, I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities. The Budget 2023 allocation of over €2 billion will allow for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff, with recruits entering Templemore every 11 weeks. The Deputy will appreciate the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members.
I am however assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review. I am advised that this is considered in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure the optimum use of these resources.
The number of recruits have continued to grow in each class following the re-opening of college after Covid-19. A total of 92 recruits entered the training college in late November 2022, 135 in February 2023, 154 in May with a further intake expected this month.The Deputy will also note that almost 5,000 people applied to join An Garda Síochána in this year’s recruitment campaign. This is in line with the last pre-Covid campaign in 2019, which shows demand to join An Garda Síochána is as strong as ever. This most recent campaign, which closed on 14 April, will provide a stream of candidates for future intakes.As of the end of May 2023, there were 13,927 Garda members across the country. This represents an increase of almost 9% since 2015. In addition, the civilianisation programme has freed up almost 900 Garda members from back office work for front line policing work since 2015.I can assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to reaching its current targets of 15,000 Gardaí and 4,000 Garda staff and I will be engaging with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, over the coming months, to secure the resources in 2024 to ensure that we continue to make progress towards those targets.
I can confirm to the Deputy that I can confirm that there are currently 370 recruits in the Garda College in Templemore and that the next attestation is due to take place later this month.
For the Deputy's information, detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers, including details of probationer allocations, are published on gov.ie and are regularly updated by my Department, from information supplied by An Garda Síochána. Probationer statistics can be accessed using the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/7c2e6-probationer-gardai/.
547. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which body cameras are likely to be made available throughout An Garda Síochána; the circumstances under which this will happen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34355/23]
View answerI am committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have the resources, the equipment and the technology necessary to do their jobs in protecting people from harm and saving lives.
As part of this commitment, I am working to ensure Gardaí have body worn cameras and to extend the powers governing Garda use of CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR).
Such technology will enhance frontline policing capability and help prevent crime and prosecute those involved in criminal activity.
Body worn cameras, in particular, will help improve front-line capability with the accurate recording of incidents, expedite analysis, enhance situational awareness, and protect police from harm.
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 procurement and allocation of Garda equipment. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
Following Government approval, the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 was published in August 2022 and completed committee stage last week. The Government have now agreed to prioritise this legislation to enactment. Once enacted, the legislation will provide a legal basis for the deployment and use of body-worn cameras by An Garda Síochána.
The Bill will also extend extend An Garda Síochána’s use of CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to prevent crime and to aid with prosecution of those involved in criminal activity.
While procurement and deployment of these devices, including related timelines, will be an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner once the legislation has been enacted, I am supportive of them being brought into operation at the earliest opportunity.
548. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the average processing time for applications for citizenship/naturalisation; the extent to which plans are in hand to improve processing times for such applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34356/23]
View answerI am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to all of those who apply for it. My Department is aware that delays in processing times are frustrating and disruptive for applicants, and we are working hard to improve the position.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
There are however significant changes underway as the Division examines how it can become more efficient. One of the improvements that has become visible recently has been the reduction in wait times for files to be registered. Last year it took on average about 7 months for a file to be acknowledged. This year it is done in a matter of weeks. A related improvement is that Garda vetting is now carried out earlier in the naturalisation process to help improve processing efficiency.
To ensure older files are also progressing under the new system my Department has recently written to 13,000 applicants with electronic links to commence eVetting. When the vetting is complete, and if any additional information is not awaited from an applicant, the file will be progressed towards naturalisation.
The median processing time for applications currently stands at 19 months. The number of applications currently at hand at the end of June is 31,610, of which approximately 10,000 were received in the first six months of this year.
To date in 2023, 6,061 naturalisation certificates have already issued and I can further advise the Deputy that approximately 8,700 of the applications on hand have in fact received a positive decision and are now in the process of making their final payment and/or being scheduled to attend the next citizenship ceremony.
There are ongoing developments and improvements being made to the citizenship application process to help make it more efficient and reduce the amount of time it takes. Significant reforms have been introduced for customers to streamline the number of proofs required to establish their identity and residency as part of the application process. A new scorecard was also introduced to help applicants to complete their applications, and a new eVetting mechanism has been put in place.
Finally, I can advise the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department intends to regularly communicate with all applicants on a quarterly basis into the future, to keep them updated on the status of their application.
550. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of women currently serving in An Garda Síochána; the extent to which these numbers have fluctuated in the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34360/23]
View answerI am informed by the Commissioner that the total number of women in all ranks of An Garda Síochána as of the 31 May 2023, the latest date for which figures are currently available was 3,945 or 28% of total Garda strength. For context, this compares favourably with the total of 3,130 or 21.7% of the total strength on 31 December 2008.
For the Deputy's information the following table, as supplied to me by the Commissioner, sets out the number of women in An Garda Síochána from end December 2014 up to end May 2023, the latest date for which figures are available. Please note that these figures are operational and may be subject to change.
|
Year |
31/05/2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
|
Number |
3,945 |
3,986 |
3,949 |
3,983 |
3,863 |
3,759 |
3,592 |
3,392 |
3,324 |
3,306 |
As this table shows, the number of women in An Garda Síochána has steadily increased. This is particularly so in the last decade when the percentage of women in An Garda Síochána has risen from 18.5% in 2006 to 28% today. I understand that this is above the European average. In the same period, I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of female superintendents, inspectors and sergeants has doubled in the organisation. The Deputy may also wish to be aware that at the end of May 2023 the Senior Leadership Team of Assistant Commissioner and above is now 54% female.
In the interest of transparency, detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers are published on gov.ie and are updated regularly by my Department from information provided by An Garda Síochána. The statistics can be accessed using the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/.
551. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice her plans for any review of the criminal legal aid programme, with particular reference to its application to repeat offenders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34361/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, which is the primary legislation covering the operation of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, provides that free legal aid may be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of people who have insufficient means in criminal proceedings.
Under the Act, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid. The Constitution obliges the State to provide an accused person with the means to obtain appropriate legal representation.
In addition, the European Convention on Human Rights provides that every person charged with a criminal offence is entitled to defend themselves in person or through legal assistance of their own choosing, or if they have insufficient means to pay for legal assistance to be given it free when the interests of justice so require.
The Deputy will also appreciate that the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme must operate with due regard to these rights and that any unreasonable block on legal aid could give a convicted defendant an avenue for appeal or prohibition of the prosecution.
The overriding concern is to ensure that due process is followed and that no risk arises in relation to the prosecution of a person charged with a criminal offence before the courts.
There is no limit to the number of times that a person can be granted legal aid under the scheme. Whether or not an applicant has received legal aid previously is not a consideration in determining eligibility for legal aid and this information is not recorded by the Courts Service. An applicant's previous convictions are also not a criterion for the granting of criminal legal aid under the Act.
That said, the current scheme is under review within my Department and a key focus of any reforms will be to achieve significant efficiencies in the administration and delivery of criminal justice and to contribute to the overall objective of a cost efficient criminal legal aid scheme.
As part of those reforms, I can also advise the Deputy that today I received Government approval for the General Scheme of the Criminal Legal Aid Bill.
The key purpose of the Bill 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. It is not intended, under the Bill, to change the existing grounds determining access to criminal legal aid.
552. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which adequate judges are being appointed to the various courts in order to minimise delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34362/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware and in accordance with Articles 13.9 and 35.1 of the Constitution, judicial appointments are made by the President, acting on the advice of the Government. The assignment of judges once appointed is the responsibility for the respective president of the various Courts. Presidents of the Courts and the presiding judges are, under the Constitution, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions.
It is a priority for my Department to ensure that the courts are resourced to administer justice efficiently and effectively for citizens in their access to justice. The Government endeavours to fill judicial vacancies at the earliest opportunity.
The final report of the Judicial Planning Working Group, which was established to consider the number of, and type of, judges required to ensure the efficient administration of justice over the next five years, was published on 27 February 2023. The final Report makes 54 recommendations, including a substantial increase in judicial numbers with 44 additional judges to be appointed in two phases.
There is a current legislative provision for 198 judicial posts. A first tranche of 24 additional judges were approved by Government on 21 February, with a further 20 planned in a second tranche to follow an assessment of impact of the first tranche of judges.
Before additional judges in Phase 2 are appointed, the JPWG report highlighted that there should be an assessment of the impact of the extra judges appointed in Phase 1 and progress against key milestones in the Change Programme.
The report outlines that these indicators should be capable of capturing improvements in efficiency and effectiveness and have regard to increased caseloads, changing demographics, economic conditions, and the impact of new legislation as well as improvements from the implementation of modernisation measures.
Officials in the Department of Justice are in the process of establishing an implementation programme including the development of indicators that will demonstrate the impact of any Judges appointed under tranche one which are required before a second tranche can be appointed.
As of 10 July 2023, 13 of the 24 additional judges in tranche one have been nominated while 11 vacancies remain to be filled.
553. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the total number of refugees/asylum seekers/undocumented persons currently in this jurisdiction for more than ten years who have, for one reason or another, been refused long-term residency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34363/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy, that of the 15,629 international protection applications pending with the International Protection Office on 1st July 2023, only 290 of these are waiting over 24 months for a determination. The types of situations where cases are in the system for a number of years will only arise in the most exceptional of circumstances. These can include cases before the courts, or where an applicant disengages with the process for an extended period of time, or cannot be contacted. Typically, where an application remains in processing for a longer period this is due to reasons outside the control of my Department.
In January 2022 I launched a once-in-a-generation scheme designed to give long-term undocumented residents the opportunity to regularise their status, access the labour market legally and begin their path to citizenship.
In total, 6,548 applications were submitted by applicants through the online application database. Of these: 5,654 (86%) were Single Applications and 894 (14%) Family Applications. This represents a total of 8,311 people.
As of 3 July 2023, 4,617 applications have been granted, 1,002 applications have been refused and 118 applications have been withdrawn by the applicants for various reasons.
The International Protection strand of the Scheme attracted over 3,240 applications. By 29 June, 2023, some 1,596 applicants had been granted a permission under the Scheme while, during the lifetime of the Scheme, a further 1,102 Scheme applicants were granted an equivalent, or higher order of, immigration permission.
Insofar as arrangements for long term residency more generally are concerned, asylum seekers and undocumented persons in the State are not eligible under the relevant scheme, however, refugees/asylum seekers whose application international permission is successful are granted an immigration permission that permits them to remain in the State.
I would encourage any person who is resident in the State without permission to contact the Department or their local immigration office in order to take appropriate steps to regularise their own and their family's status. The Immigration Services of my Department examines each case of an undocumented or illegal person in the State on a case-by-case basis and has consistently urged anyone in this position to come forward if they wish to apply to regularise their position in the State.
A pragmatic approach is taken in relation to each case, which is considered on its individual merits. In all cases, people must engage with the authorities if they wish to be permitted to remain here legally.
554. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on the €312 million generated from IRP cards over the past ten years; and where this is reinvested. [34390/23]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the IRP card income is the largest component part within the Immigration Registration fees and is classified as an appropriation-in-aid in the Department's Appropriation Account (Vote 24) each year.
The nature of appropriation-in-aid income is that it is not reinvested against any specific area of expenditure. Similar to all appropriation-in-aid income streams, and in accordance with Government accounting practices, it is reflected in the estimate for the vote and is remitted to the exchequer. In effect, it reduces the overall gross expenditure in the Vote to reflect the net spend for a particular financial year.
556. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 637 of 11 May 2021, the number of speeding fines issued on foot of evidence obtained from speed camera vans, in each county in the State, in each of the past five years and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [34398/23]
View answerAs 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 management of the Fixed Charge Processing System (FCPS). As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out a yearly breakdown per division of the Fixed Charge Notices issued for speeding where the detection arose as a result of a speed van.
I am informed that figures are based on incidents which occurred from 01/01/2019 to 31/05/2023, inclusive. I am also informed that all information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the FCPS system as was available on 03/07/2023 and is liable to change.
|
Division |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
2150 |
4305 |
3617 |
4019 |
1973 |
|
Clare |
2057 |
1521 |
1634 |
1732 |
679 |
|
Cork City |
1958 |
4435 |
9408 |
8421 |
2512 |
|
Cork North |
1710 |
3099 |
3317 |
4781 |
1463 |
|
Cork West |
3336 |
2564 |
2896 |
3458 |
663 |
|
D.M.R. Eastern |
2065 |
3095 |
2508 |
2727 |
984 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
2915 |
3130 |
3069 |
2099 |
884 |
|
D.M.R. Northern |
6040 |
8473 |
6501 |
5527 |
1424 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
2260 |
2208 |
2139 |
2150 |
709 |
|
D.M.R. Southern |
335 |
2266 |
2776 |
3563 |
1497 |
|
D.M.R. Western |
820 |
9677 |
6982 |
6272 |
2955 |
|
Donegal |
1388 |
2163 |
1803 |
2341 |
802 |
|
Galway |
4258 |
10049 |
8042 |
9505 |
2719 |
|
Kerry |
2339 |
1814 |
1575 |
1546 |
566 |
|
Kildare |
10658 |
7302 |
8575 |
7105 |
2502 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
2439 |
1899 |
1895 |
2171 |
1052 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
2488 |
2972 |
4591 |
4406 |
1893 |
|
Limerick |
5322 |
4487 |
6050 |
7095 |
2105 |
|
Louth |
852 |
1669 |
1758 |
1653 |
936 |
|
Mayo/Roscommon/Longford |
4185 |
4712 |
3423 |
2593 |
1110 |
|
Meath |
2293 |
5568 |
4880 |
4515 |
1639 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
1386 |
1057 |
1857 |
1632 |
599 |
|
Tipperary |
1474 |
3005 |
3497 |
9278 |
6074 |
|
Waterford |
2802 |
2134 |
2286 |
2262 |
788 |
|
Westmeath |
2156 |
3177 |
2776 |
5349 |
2185 |
|
Wexford |
2775 |
3126 |
2818 |
2465 |
1324 |
|
Wicklow |
2574 |
10118 |
7418 |
3990 |
2022 |
|
Total |
75035 |
110025 |
108091 |
112655 |
44059 |
557. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of fatal road traffic accidents in each county in the State in each of the past five years and to date in 2023. [34399/23]
View answerRoad safety remains a high priority for An Garda Síochána and for my Department, working closely in cooperation with the Department of Transport. Any serious injury or fatality is of great concern.
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 road traffic offences. As Minister, I have no direct role in such matters.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of a number of Roads Safety Authority of Ireland related tables including the number of road deaths (fatalities) on the roads in Ireland between each year. However, it is worth noting that figures by county are currently only available between 2001 and 2021.
To be of assistance the CSO total 'Road Fatalities' statistics can be accessed at data.cso.ie/table/ROA11 and as of 11 July 2023 covers 2000 - May 2023.
Further statistics, data on 'Persons Killed and Injured' by county can be accessed at data.cso.ie/table/ROA15 and as of 11 July 2023 covers 2001 - 2021.
558. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of fatal road traffic accidents in each of the past five years and to date in 2023, where the deceased person or persons were not wearing seatbelts. [34400/23]
View answerRoad safety remains a high priority for An Garda Síochána and for my Department, working closely in cooperation with the Department of Transport. Any serious injury or fatality is of great concern.
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 road traffic offences. As Minister, I have no direct role in such matters.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of a number of tables, based on information supplied by the Roads Safety Authority of Ireland, including the number of road deaths (fatalities) and the number of injured (casualties) on the roads in Ireland between each year.To be of assistance, the CSO 'Road Fatalities' statistics can be accessed at https://data.cso.ie/table/ROA11 and 'Persons Injured' https://data.cso.ie/table/ROA12.
I am further informed by the Garda Authorities that the below table displays a yearly breakdown of the number of deceased drivers and passengers confirmed to be not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the fatal road traffic collision.
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
30 |
26 |
26 |
27 |
20 |
10 |
Figures are based on incidents occurring from 1 January 2023 to 6 July 2023, inclusive. All information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the Pulse system as was available on 7 July 2023 and is liable to change.
