Written Answers Nos. 1201-1220
1201. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice the number of days education and training workshops in the Irish Prison Service were closed due to the unavailability of prison service staff other than teaching staff, from 1 January 2022 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38675/23]
View answer1202. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice the number of days the gym facilities in the Irish Prison Service were closed due to the unavailability of prison service staff, from 1 January 2022 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38684/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1201 and 1202 together.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that it provides a wide range of rehabilitative programmes to those in custody. These programmes include education and vocational training as well as healthcare, psychiatric, psychological, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. These programmes are available in all prisons and all prisoners are eligible to use these services
I am further advised by the Irish Prison Service that the information sought on the number of days gym facilities and training workshops were closed due to the unavailability of prison service staff is not readily available. Such statistics could only be compiled by the examination of individual records in each prison which would involve the commitment of a disproportionate amount of staff time that would impact adversely on the work of the prisons. However The Irish Prison Service is currently developing a new Work Training Management System (WTMS) that will allow for the retrieval of this information going forward and this new WTMS is expected to be operational in 2024.
A key challenges for the Irish Prison Service is ensuring that prisoners have regular and consistent access to the Prison Education Centre and Work and Training programmes. Unfortunately the re-deployment of staff on a daily basis to cover court escort activity & hospital in & out patient appointments can have an adverse impact on the opening of schools and work and training programmes.
To address this, the Irish Prison Service is committed to strengthening the numbers of staff assigned to the Prison Service Escort Corp. Increased Government funding provided in the budget for the recruitment of additional prison officers in 2023 will support this resulting in improvements in opening times and access to prisoner services.
The table below provides the number of full day closures of prison education centres due to Officer shortages in 2022 and up to 31st August 2023.
|
- |
||
|
Prison |
Full Day Closures 2022 |
Full Day Closures as at 31.08.23 |
|
Arbour Hill |
0 |
1 |
|
Castlerea |
1 |
36 |
|
Cloverhill |
29 |
0 |
|
Cork |
3 |
3 |
|
Dochas |
8 |
1 |
|
Limerick |
37 |
15 |
|
Loughan |
0 |
0 |
|
Midlands |
5 |
0 |
|
Mountjoy |
4 |
4 |
|
Portlaoise |
0 |
0 |
|
Progression Unit |
8 |
1 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
0 |
0 |
|
Training Unit |
0 |
0 |
|
Wheatfield |
27 |
13 |
1203. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice the number of incidents the Garda air support unit was requested to attend in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [38716/23]
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 deployment of specialist units. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda Air Support Unit is a national resource based at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin. The unit is under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the operational control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services.
The unit provides a 24-hour proactive and reactive service in support of operational Gardaí on the ground and specialist units. Details of the Garda Air Support Unit operational provisions are published annually in An Garda Síochána annual reports.
The below table, provided to me by Garda authorities, outlines the number of incidents the Garda Air Support Unit attended in the years 2021, 2022, and as of 31 August 2023.
|
Year |
Incidents Attended |
|
2023 (as of 31 August 2023) |
1,058 |
|
2022 |
1,497 |
|
2021 |
1,843 |
1204. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice the estimated cost in 2024 if 940 additional gardaí were recruited. [38717/23]
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 all recruitment, training and human resource matters. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
However I can assure the Deputy that my Department remains committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources they need to deliver on their mission of Keeping People Safe. This commitment has been reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion in Budget 2023. This increase is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment, facilities and vehicles.
I have been informed by Garda Authorities that the estimated payroll and subsistence cost of recruiting 940 Gardaí in 2024 would be €24.079 million.
This sum includes a basic training allowance for 33 weeks along with 19 weeks of salary, an estimation of certain fixed allowances and variable unsocial hours’ allowances, employer’s PRSI, and subsistence following deployment during training to an operational station.
I am further informed that this estimate does not include other potential costs including the cost of equipment and accommodation. The estimated figures do not take account of potential overtime costs in excess of estimated briefing time payments or potential future pension costs.
It should be noted that these calculations are estimates only as a range of variables must be accounted for, including the actual date of recruitment and locations of any new Garda. For the purposes of these estimates, it is assumed that all recruits commence training on 1 January 2024.
1205. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice the status of a citizenship application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38730/23]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.
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.
My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be the freeing up of more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, improving service to our customers and reduction of waiting times.
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.
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 at: 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
1206. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Justice the status of a visa application by a person (details supplied). [38762/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on the 13 December 2022. Supporting documentation was subsequently received in the Washington office on the 15 December 2022. The application was then forwarded to the Dublin Visa Office on the 4 January 2023, where it awaits examination and processing.
Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. This policy document may be accessed at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf
This Policy Document contains a stated business target that visa applications for family reunification for immediate family members of Irish citizens and Category A sponsors, such as Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders, should be dealt with within 6 months of application.
However, it must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.
It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
The applicant will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.
Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday:
www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
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.
1207. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice for an update on an application with INIS (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38766/23]
View answerThere is no record of the applications referred to by the Deputy, being received by my Department. However there is a small batch of applications for that period that are yet to be registered and I am assured that these will be dealt with shortly.
If the Deputy wishes to provide the postal tracking reference number and the date of posting of the applications via my Department's Oireachtas mail facility, I will arrange for a further search of the applications on hand and provide a further response to the Deputy.
When an application for a certificate of naturalisation is received by the Citizenship Division of my Department, they are subject to an initial check and examination. On completion of the initial checks, my Department will assign an application number and issue an acknowledgment to the address given at the time of making the application.
In early 2023, a registration unit was established within Citizenship Division to ensure applications are registered and acknowledged promptly. In 2022 it took on average seven months for this part of the process to be completed. Under the new system it has been reduced to a matter of weeks but may vary based on the number of applications received.
I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it. My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be the freeing up of more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, improving service to our customers and reduction of waiting times.
1208. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of each category of firearms training courses provided to armed Garda personnel in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form; the frequency with which these courses are held; and the duration of each course. [38775/23]
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 responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As a Minister, I have no role these independent function.
There is a requirement for Firearms Card Holders within An Garda Síochána to complete two Live Refresher training sessions, in whatever gun they hold, and one FATS (Firearms Automated Training System) training session per year. All other firearms courses are delivered as required by the organisation.
The below table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of each category of firearms training courses provided to armed Garda personnel in 2022 and to date in 2023, and the duration of each course.
|
Course Type |
No. of courses 2022 |
No. of courses 2023 |
Duration (Days) |
|
Basic M3 Shotgun |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
Basic Sig Pistol |
26 |
17 |
5 |
|
Basic MP7 Machine Gun |
2 |
2 |
5 |
|
Basic Walther Pistol |
3 |
1 |
5 |
|
Firearms Conversion Course |
16 |
2 |
3 |
|
FATS (Firearms Automated Training System) |
626 |
440 |
0.5 |
|
Intermediate Sig |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
H&K Refresher |
9 |
6 |
0.5 |
|
M3 Shotgun Refresher |
3 |
3 |
0.5 |
|
MP7 Machine Gun Refresher |
72 |
60 |
0.5 |
|
Pistol Refresher |
1,218 |
881 |
0.5 |
|
Steyr Rifle Refresher |
2 |
0 |
0.5 |
|
Uzi Machine Gun Refresher |
4 |
4 |
0.5 |
Information is operational and subject to change. 2023 figures are accurate as of 7 September 2023.
1209. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications for Irish citizenship received by INIS in each month from January 2019 to August 2023 inclusive, in tabular form; the number therein of those applications in each month where acknowledgement letters have been issued to the applicant, the applications have been processed, citizenship has been granted, the application was refused, the application remains undecided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38815/23]
View answerI am very 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 are working hard to improve the position.
Table 1 below sets out the monthly number of applications received since January 2019. However statistics are not maintained in such a way as to provide the further information requested by the Deputy.
I can advise the Deputy that to the end of August 2023, 8,498 naturalisation certificates have already issued in 2023 and that approximately 5,199 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 a citizenship ceremony. The number of applications currently on hand at the end of August is 30,400, of which approximately 13,761 were received in the first eight months of this year.
In addition some 43,144 Certificates of Naturalisation issued for the period 2019 to 2023 YtD, provided below in Table 2.
I can confirm that the Citizenship Division are in the process of sending invitations to applicants for the next Citizenship Ceremonies that are scheduled for 2 October 2023 , with further invitations to issue for Ceremonies to take place before the end of the year.
Significant changes are underway within the naturalisation process as the Citizenship Division examines how it can become more efficient. As a result of these changes, the vast majority of files from 2021 and 2022 are now in the final stages of processing and it is expected to make decisions on them this year, wherever possible. It is further hoped that the vast majority of 2022 files will be processed in less time that the current average processing time of 19 months.
Table 1: Applications received.
|
Received |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Total |
|
2019 |
1,127 |
1,341 |
1,375 |
1,063 |
1,060 |
864 |
951 |
782 |
957 |
1,044 |
886 |
857 |
12,307 |
|
2020 |
1,143 |
1,224 |
1,328 |
199 |
261 |
575 |
933 |
896 |
1,128 |
1,245 |
960 |
893 |
10,785 |
|
2021 |
728 |
983 |
1,028 |
941 |
1,080 |
1,058 |
1,046 |
967 |
1,173 |
1,203 |
1,007 |
760 |
11,974 |
|
2022 |
905 |
1,247 |
1,579 |
1,395 |
1,639 |
1,611 |
1,427 |
1,400 |
1,497 |
1,214 |
1,707 |
1,568 |
17,189 |
|
2023 |
1,428 |
1,593 |
1,896 |
1,544 |
1,794 |
1,901 |
1,812 |
1,793 |
|
|
|
|
13,761 |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
66,016 |
Table 2: Citizenship Certificates Issued.
|
2019 Total |
5,781 |
|
2020 Total |
5,472 |
|
2021 Total |
9,780 |
|
2022 Total |
13,613 |
|
2023 YtD |
8,498 |
|
Total |
43,144 |
1210. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of cameras used in the Dublin City Council area that are capable of identifying drivers breaking red lights; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38820/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
I am advised that road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of members of An Garda Síochána, as well as through a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies, in order to make our roads safer for all. A quarter of road safety enforcement is undertaken by regular Garda members.
The Minister for Transport is responsible for the Road Traffic Acts, and I understand that failure to obey a red light is a contravention of Regulation 30 of the Road Traffic Regulations of 1997, and these Regulations are made under section 35 of the 1994 Road Traffic Act.
The offence of not obeying a red light is therefore an offence under section 35, and section 81 of the Road Traffic Act provides for the use of camera apparatus to capture the constituent of an offence in the case of a number of offences under the Road Traffic Acts, which would include an offence under section 35.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that, at present, there are no systems operating in the Dublin City Council area that are capable of identifying and creating evidential records for the purpose of taking a prosecution.
However, the further use of camera enforcement is currently being explored under the auspices of the Government Road Safety Strategy.
Action 67 in the Road Safety Strategy Phase 1 Action Plan 2021–2024 sets out the need to "further develop camera-based enforcement by the Gardaí, including at junctions and for management of bus/cycle lanes, building on existing and recent legislation through establishing suitable cross-agency administrative arrangements; and, where any legislative issues are identified, to consider and develop agreed proposals to remedy them".
I am advised that the Department of Transport has arranged for the National Transport Authority (NTA) to undertake the first phase of this action, namely, to establish and chair a working group to make recommendations on how it should be progressed. It is intended that this group will report back on progress made to the Road Safety Transformation Partnership Board, comprising the relevant agency CEOs and senior officials from Departments involved in delivering the Road Safety Strategy, chaired by Minister of State Chambers.
The subsequent steps for implementation, including addressing any legislative issues that may be identified, will be determined by the Department of Transport when this phase is completed.
1211. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the amount of cash that was seized by gardaí on suspicion of being the proceeds of crime and was returned to the Exchequer in the years 2022 to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38823/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996. The Bureau’s remit is to target a person's assets, wherever situated, which derive, or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. Since its inception, the Bureau has been at the forefront of fighting organised crime in this jurisdiction and disrupting the activities of criminal gangs by depriving them of ill-gotten assets.
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.
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.
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. The Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2005 makes provision for the Bureau to seize assets that were generated in foreign jurisdictions. This Act enables the Bureau to cooperate fully with other international asset recovery agencies.
I am advised that all monies seized by CAB are remitted to the Central Fund of the Exchequer after the appropriate statutory time frame under the Proceeds of Crime Acts (currently seven years must elapse from date of seizure to remittance to the Exchequer). Therefore, assets (including cash) seized in a given year are not remitted to the Exchequer in that year. Additionally, legal challenges may also extend the length of time from asset seizure to disposal and remittance.
A 'Consent Order' may be obtained under Section 4A of the Act, which allows for agreement between both parties to remit the money earlier than the 7 year waiting period.
I can confirm that no money seized in 2022 or 2023 has been remitted under Section 4A of the Act at present.
I am advised by the Bureau that figures relating to asset recovery under the Proceeds of Crime Act by CAB are available publicly in the annual reports published on the Bureau's website:
https://www.cab.ie/annual-reports/
1212. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank attached to each divisional drugs unit in tabular form; if any of these divisional drugs units received additional personnel in the past six months; if so, which division and the number of additional gardaí; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38824/23]
View answerI can assure the Deputy the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and the 2023 Budget of over €2 billion is allowing for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff, with Garda recruits entering Templemore regularly.
Overall, since 2015 there has been an almost 9% net increase in the number of Gardaí. These Gardaí are supported by around 3,140 Garda staff, which is over 56% more than the number of staff in 2015. This increases the availability of Gardaí to concentrate on frontline policing duties.
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 distribution and stationing of the Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that at the end of July 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 330 Garda members assigned to Divisional Drugs Units nationwide. This represents an increase of almost 5% since the end of January 2023 when there were 315 Garda members assigned to these units.
The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the total number of Garda members by rank assigned to each Divisional Drugs Unit at the end of July 2023, the latest date for when figures are available. Please note that this information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.
|
National Drugs Units at 31.07.23 |
Garda |
Sergeant |
Inspector |
Total |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
1 |
1 |
|
2 |
|
Clare |
2 |
1 |
|
3 |
|
Cork City |
15 |
2 |
|
17 |
|
Cork North |
6 |
2 |
|
8 |
|
Cork West |
6 |
1 |
|
7 |
|
D.M.R. East |
4 |
1 |
|
5 |
|
D.M.R. North |
21 |
4 |
|
25 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
26 |
2 |
|
28 |
|
D.M.R. South |
20 |
3 |
|
23 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
14 |
1 |
1 |
16 |
|
D.M.R. West |
22 |
2 |
|
24 |
|
Donegal |
4 |
1 |
|
5 |
|
Galway |
20 |
2 |
|
22 |
|
Kerry |
13 |
2 |
|
15 |
|
Kildare |
9 |
2 |
|
11 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
9 |
1 |
|
10 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
0 |
0 |
|
0 |
|
Limerick |
17 |
3 |
1 |
21 |
|
Louth |
9 |
2 |
1 |
12 |
|
Mayo |
6 |
1 |
|
7 |
|
Meath |
4 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
4 |
1 |
|
5 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
6 |
1 |
|
7 |
|
Tipperary |
10 |
1 |
|
11 |
|
Waterford |
13 |
3 |
|
16 |
|
Westmeath |
6 |
1 |
|
7 |
|
Wexford |
10 |
|
|
10 |
|
Wicklow |
6 |
1 |
|
7 |
|
Total |
283 |
43 |
4 |
330 |
The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the total number of Garda members assigned to each Garda Drugs Unit at the end of January 2023 and at the end of July 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.
|
Division |
Jan-23 |
Jul-23 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
2 |
2 |
|
Clare |
3 |
3 |
|
Cork City |
19 |
17 |
|
Cork North |
7 |
8 |
|
Cork West |
7 |
7 |
|
D.M.R. East |
6 |
5 |
|
D.M.R. North |
25 |
25 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
29 |
28 |
|
D.M.R. South |
25 |
23 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
14 |
16 |
|
D.M.R. West |
20 |
24 |
|
Donegal |
4 |
5 |
|
Galway |
10 |
22 |
|
Kerry |
15 |
15 |
|
Kildare |
12 |
11 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
8 |
10 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
1 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
22 |
21 |
|
Louth |
11 |
12 |
|
Mayo |
7 |
7 |
|
Meath |
6 |
6 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
4 |
5 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
7 |
7 |
|
Tipperary |
12 |
11 |
|
Waterford |
14 |
16 |
|
Westmeath |
7 |
7 |
|
Wexford |
11 |
10 |
|
Wicklow |
7 |
7 |
|
Total |
315 |
330 |
For the Deputy's information, detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers are published on my Department's website and can be accessed using the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/.
1213. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the estimated cost in 2024 to double the number of dogs in the Garda dog unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38825/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business by law. This includes the distribution of Garda resources to the various Garda units/Divisions. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda Dog Unit is based at Kilmainham Garda Station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. The Unit has a national remit.
As of 4 September, there are 24 dogs attached to the Garda Dog Unit. This is inclusive of the Southern Regional Dog Unit based in Cork and Limerick.
The cost of purchasing dogs varies from €3,000 to €6,000. Therefore it would cost in the region of €72,000 to €144,000 to purchase an additional 24 dogs for the Garda Dog Unit.
Increasing the number of dogs would also require a significant increase of personnel and raise the ongoing running costs for the Unit, which would include veterinary fees, feed and kennelling.
1214. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of cases of arson that were reported to gardaí in the U district within DMR in the year 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38826/23]
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 recording of information on the Garda PULSE system. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
The below table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of incidents of Criminal Damage (by fire) reported within the U District for 2022 and 2023, as of 3 September.
|
Year |
Incidents |
|
2022 |
23 |
|
2023 (up to 3 September 2023) |
13 |
It should be noted that this is operational data from PULSE and, as such, may be liable to change.
1215. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of full-time forensic accountants working in the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau in the year 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; if this number will be further increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38827/23]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately the information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
1216. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the Garda divisions that currently have a Garda community relations vans within their division, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38828/23]
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 purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
The below table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of vans attached to Community Engagement as of 31 August 2023, the latest date for when figures are available.
|
Division |
Vans |
|
Cork West |
1 |
|
DMR North |
1 |
|
DMR North Central |
1 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
1 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
1 |
|
Total |
5 |
For the Deputy's information an additional 179 vehicles are attached to Community Engagement nationally, which is comprised of 156 cars and 23 other vehicles.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the purchase and allocation of vehicles is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.
This information provided to the Deputy is operational and subject to change.
1217. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of road traffic collisions in each of the years 2020 to 2022 in each Garda district within Dublin; the number that resulted in a fatality or serious injury, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38829/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate the enforcement of road traffic legislation is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána.
Road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of members of An Garda Síochána, as well as through a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations, carried out in partnership with other State agencies, including Government Departments, the Road Safety Authority, the National Roads Authority, and the community, in order to make our roads safer for all.
The Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics including the number of road deaths (fatalities) and the number of injured/casualties on the roads in Ireland each year.
These statistics are prepared by the Road Safety Authority following analysis of the fatality reports provided to the RSA by An Garda Síochána and are available at the link below:
data.cso.ie/product/rsars
Provisional data is also available on the RSA website at the following link:
www.rsa.ie/road-safety/statistics/road-traffic-collision-data
1218. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons arrested and charged with driving while disqualified within Garda C district within DMR in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38830/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the recording of traffic offences. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended by section 12 of the Road Traffic Act 2006, creates the offence of ‘Driving without a Driving Licence’. I am advised by Garda authorities that there is no separate offence of ‘Driving While Disqualified’.
Section 38 creates an offence of driving without a licence and section 38(5) provides a more severe penalty for driving without a licence during the period of disqualification; however, the offence remains one of simply driving without a licence.
The below table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of charges and summonses created for the offence of ‘Driving Without a Driving Licence’ in Store Street district.
|
2022 |
2023 |
|
152 |
96 |
The figures for 2023 are up to date as of 6 September 2023. These figures are based on operational data from the PULSE system and, as such, may be liable to change.
1219. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of new Garda vehicles allocated to the Garda Technical Bureau to date in 2023; and the number of vehicles withdrawn from the Garda Technical Bureau to date in 2023. [38859/23]
View answerThe 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 in excess of €2 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 that on the 31 August 2023, the latest date for when figures are available, there were 15 vehicles assigned to the Garda Technical Bureau. This includes, 10 cars, four vans, and one 4x4. I am further advised that no vehicles were assigned or removed from the Technical Bureau in 2023. I am also advised that the figures provided are operational and may be subject to change.
1220. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of vehicles seized by gardaí for having no insurance within Meath Garda Division in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [38860/23]
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 all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
The below table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of vehicles seized by Garda authorities in Meath Garda Division for having no insurance in 2022 and to date in 2023.
|
2022 |
2023* |
|
324 |
212 |
*2023 figures cover the period from 1 January 2023 to 31 August 2023
Figures are based on incidents which occurred between 1 January 2022 to 31 August 2023, inclusive. All information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the PULSE system, as was available on 6 September 2023, and may be liable to change.
The Deputy should note this data covers vehicles seized or detained under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 (as amended).
