Written Answers Nos. 400-419
400. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who are currently suspended from duty; to provide a breakdown of how long they have been suspended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41081/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, disciplinary matters within An Garda Síochána are governed by the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) and the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007, as amended by the Garda Síochána (Discipline) (Amendment) Regulations 2011, and are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the number of full-time Gardaí who are suspended and the duration of their suspension to date.
|
Length of time member suspended |
Number of members suspended |
|
Less than 1 year |
27 |
|
Between 1 and 2 years |
37 |
|
Between 2 and 3 years |
20 |
|
Between 3 and 4 years |
18 |
|
More than 4 years |
6 |
|
*Total |
108 |
Figures are as of 22 September 2023, are operational and subject to change.
*This figure does not include Garda Reserves.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no maximum duration that a member of An Garda Síochána can be suspended for, as each case is different and has to be decided on its merits. Each suspension is reviewed on a regular basis for any changes in circumstances. Some members are before the courts and are awaiting dates for trials and therefore discipline investigations have to be put into abeyance, pending conclusion of the criminal proceedings. In other cases discipline investigations are ongoing or the case may be subject to a hearing before a Board of Inquiry or Appeal Board, which all impact on suspensions.
I am advised that in all cases where a member of An Garda Síochána is suspended, they are informed of the reason(s) for the suspension. The suspended member is informed of the availability of the Garda Employee Assistance Service and given contact details by a Liaison Officer. Upon suspension, the member is served with a notice which sets out the conditions attached to the suspension and the entitlements or otherwise of the suspended member.
401. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the total cost, by month, from May 2023 to date, of television advertising in relation to her Department's public information campaign in relation to threatening to share intimate images; to estimate the cost, by month, for the remainder of 2023; the total number of individual advertisements that appeared on television, by month; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41088/23]
View answerIn September 2021, following on from the commencement of Coco’s Law, my Department launched the first phase of a campaign to raise awareness of the strong legislation in place to combat intimate image abuse and to make victims aware of the support and assistance available.
The first phase of this campaign focused on the sharing of intimate images without consent and included elements to both highlight the fact this is a criminal offence regardless of the motivation for doing so and information for victims about reporting to Hotline.ie if this happened to them so that Hotline.ie could engage with online platform providers to have their image taken down and the matter referred for investigation.
As the Deputy will be aware, this campaign was expanded upon under the preventative pillar of Zero Tolerance, our Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The second phase of the campaign is entitled ‘Serious Consequences’ and is focused on raising awareness that it is also illegal to threaten to share intimate images.
The 'Serious Consequences' campaign was launched in May of this year and the first burst ran until the end of June, with adverts running on TV, radio, in cinemas, on video on demand, digital audio, social media and using digital out of home advertising. A second burst of public information is currently underway.
For reasons of commercial sensitivity, I am not in a position to provide information on the number of individual advertisements that appeared on television, by month or the breakdown by month. However, I can confirm that the total spend on TV advertising for 'Serious Consequences' this year will be €679,955.29.
402. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice for an update on the provision of a domestic violence refuge in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41105/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Government will establish a statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The agency will have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. Pending establishment of the Agency, responsibility for domestic violence services continues to be managed by Tusla.As this will continue to be the case until services formally transfer to the new DSGBV agency, I have referred the question posed by the Deputy to Tusla for direct reply.
403. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice for an update on the provision of a domestic violence refuge in County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41106/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Government will establish a statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The agency will have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. Pending establishment of the Agency, responsibility for domestic violence services continues to be managed by Tusla.As this will continue to be the case until services formally transfer to the new DSGBV agency, I have referred the question posed by the Deputy to Tusla for direct reply.
404. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1391 of 27 July 2021, if she will provide an update on the parental alienation research mentioned; if she will clarify how far advanced the research is; when the results will be published, given the urgency and number of families affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41133/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, my Department published a research report and policy paper on parental alienation on our website last May. A link to both can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/20df3-parental-alienation-research-report-and-policy-paper/.
My officials also briefed Oireachtas members and stakeholder groups on the paper’s recommendations.
Both the paper and the report recognise that parental alienation is a highly contested and divisive concept. While there is little concrete information on the exact extent of accusations of parental alienation within the Irish courts, the research report found that, similar to other courts internationally, there appears to be increasing claims of parental alienation in family law proceedings. It appears to arise particularly in custody and access disputes and in cases where allegations of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence feature.
Despite the highly contested nature of the concept, there was consensus in the public consultation that the means to address parental alienation lie in improvements to the Irish family courts and family justice system. My Department is currently leading on an ambitious programme of family justice reform, including the implementation of the Family Justice Strategy and the progression of the Family Courts Bill 2022. The Strategy puts children at the centre of the system, and emphasises, amongst other things the need to ensure they are listened to and heard and their views given due regard (in line with constitutional obligations and rights).
Reflecting this, the policy paper puts forward six recommendations to address the issue of parental alienation. They centre on progressing elements of family justice reform, building the system's capacity to adequately hear the voice of children, and improve the knowledge, skills and experience of all those involved in order to make the best determinations in relation to each case on its own merits. This is especially important in high-conflict cases, in which allegations of parental alienation can often arise.
405. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Justice to provide a breakdown, in tabular form of all funding received by Drogheda Implementation Board; the source of the funding and detailing if it is new funding specifically for Drogheda or funding from previously existing government funding streams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41140/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, I announced earlier this year that the Drogheda Implementation Board would be extended for another year until September 2024. The extension of the Board’s term will allow it to maintain the positive momentum already built to improve community safety in Drogheda and to strengthen co-operation between State agencies in the town and surrounding areas.
There is a distinction between funding provided to the Drogheda Implementation Board and wider funding that is earmarked for Drogheda in general. As the Deputy will appreciate, my Department is not in a position to provide a breakdown of funding from sources other than from my Department.
The Drogheda Implementation Board receives core funding administered by my Department via the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Dormant Accounts Fund. This core funding covers the salary costs of the Coordinator of the Drogheda Implementation Board and administrative costs.
In 2023, there was an additional provision of a Small Grants Fund which provided €150,000 in small grants to 21 community projects in the Drogheda and Laytown/Bettystown area. The projects cover a wide variety of thematic areas aligned to recommendations of the Guerin Report and the Drogheda Report Implementation Plan.
I have provided a breakdown below of my Department’s specific funding related to recommendations in the Drogheda Scoping Report and the Drogheda Implementation Board below as well as outlining some key wider achievements reported on to date in the Drogheda area. All funding tabulated below is newly allocated funding focused on the Drogheda and Laytown/Bettystown area.
|
Year |
Organisation |
Funding Amount |
Source |
|
2021 |
The Red Door Project |
€96,972.31 |
Dormant Accounts Fund |
|
Moneymore Childcare Centre |
€38,027.69 |
Dormant Accounts Fund |
|
|
Moneymore Consortium |
€15,000 |
Dormant Accounts Fund |
|
|
2022 |
Drogheda Implementation Board |
€167,884 |
Dormant Accounts Fund |
|
The Red Door Project |
€83,804.21 |
Dormant Accounts Fund |
|
|
The Red Door Project |
€19,675.56 |
Department of Justice Crime Prevention Budget |
|
|
The Red Door Project |
€98,014 |
Community Safety Innovation Fund |
|
|
Foroige |
€150,000 |
Community Safety Innovation Fund |
|
|
Moneymore Childcare Centre |
€9854.57 |
Dormant Accounts Fund |
|
|
2023 |
Drogheda Implementation Board |
€268,407 |
Dormant Accounts Fund |
|
Red Door Project 2023 |
€69,659.93 |
Dormant Accounts Fund |
Since its establishment, the Drogheda Implementation Board has delivered on and overseen a number of positive developments for Drogheda including:
• a new Drugs Treatment Court Liaison Case Worker situated within the Red Door Project, via Dormant Accounts funding
• a new Prison Link worker situated within the Red Door Project for 2 years, funded by the Community Safety Innovation Fund 2022
• a new dedicated Youth Officer post to deliver on the Drogheda Implementation Plan, funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY)
• funding for short-term, targeted counselling interventions for primary school aged children impacted by trauma in three schools on the Southside of Drogheda
• additional funding for an alternative learning programme for young people aged 13-16 who have have dropped out of the school system through the Community Safety Innovation Fund 2022 (New Choice Project, run by Foroige)
• capital investment from SOLAS to the LMETB to develop a tertiary education and community facilities block on the Drogheda Institute of Further Education campus, which will greatly enhance the delivery of third level education programmes in Drogheda
• the establishment of a large-scale Electrical Apprenticeship hub with 360 apprentice places per annum and 20 permanent jobs for the town
Further details on wider funding and activities will be available in the upcoming public facing progress report.
406. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice to provide a timeline for the legislative process for the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023. [41159/23]
View answerThe Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023 was published on 17 July 2023. It is expected to begin its progress through the Dáil next week.
The Bill will implement important reforms in relation to knowledge of consent, ensure anonymity for victims and the accused in sexual offence trials and will clear the final legislative hurdles for ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.
The Bill will also put a revised National Referral Mechanism (NRM) in place for identification and support of victims of trafficking and will implement recommendations by the Independent Review Group into the Defence Forces to amend the Defence Act 1954 to ensure that persons subject to military law who commit sexual offences in this jurisdiction will be dealt with by An Garda Síochána and the civilian courts rather than by courts-martial.
Pre-legislative scrutiny was carried out on the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2022 on 6 December last and the report of the Committee was published on 8 March 2023. The addition of the Defence Act 1954 amendments was agreed further to publication of the Independent Review Group Report at the end of March, and has entailed close cooperation between my Department, the Department of Defence and the Attorney General’s Office in the period since then.
In terms of the progression of the Bill through the Houses, as the Deputy is aware, timetabling is a matter for the Houses.
407. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if she will introduce legislation to give effect to the Government commitment to legislate for an independent commission on information retrieval as part of our legacy commitments in relation to the Troubles. [41162/23]
View answerThe Stormont House Agreement, concluded by the two Governments and the Northern Ireland Parties in December 2014, provides for a framework of measures to address the legacy of troubles-related violence in Northern Ireland. The framework of measures agreed include the establishment of the Independent Commission on Information Retrieval (ICIR).
Given the cross-border nature of the ICIR, in September 2015, the Government signed an International Agreement with the British Government on the establishment of the Independent Commission for Information Retrieval (ICIR). The development of proposals for legislation to establish the ICIR in this jurisdiction have been progressed, in close cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, and Heads of Bill are well advanced. However, the ICIR would require legislation to be enacted in both jurisdictions with parallel provisions in order for it to come into effect.
As the Deputy will be aware, the UK Government unilaterally moved away from the framework of measures in the Stormont House Agreement when it published the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill last year. That Bill has recently been enacted into law. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act does not provide for an Independent Commission for Information Retrieval as set out in the Stormont House Agreement and therefore our legislation cannot be progressed at this time.
The Government has been clear and consistent in our opposition to the UK Legacy legislation, as have all political parties in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Commission for Human Rights, many victims groups and others. I have raised the Government’s concerns around this legislation with British counterparts, as have the Tánaiste and Taoiseach on multiple occasions. The Government believes that the Act, which is a unilateral departure from the Stormont House Agreement, is not fit for purpose, and raises fundamental issues around compatibility with international human rights obligations.
The Government are aware of calls for consideration of the initiation of an inter-state case against the United Kingdom before the European Court of Human Rights in relation to the UK Legacy Act. The Tánaiste has sought legal advice on this matter and when that advice is received the Government will consider what subsequent action will be taken.
408. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice the reason a person's (details supplied) family reunification application was refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41167/23]
View answerThe visa applications referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office in Abu Dhabi on 14 August 2023. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicants at that time. An appeal of this decision was launched on 31 August 2023.
Appeals for applications of this type are processed in the order in which they are received, to be fair to all applicants. While every effort is made to process these applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume of appeals received, their complexity, the possible need for the visa office to seek further information in relation to certain appeals and the resources available to process them.
All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on the Immigration Service website. When making an appeal, the applicant should take into account the reasons for refusal listed in the refusal letter. The appeal should include any further information or additional documentation they wish to have considered, and should be sent for the attention of the Visa Appeals Officer, in the relevant Visa Office, where the matter will be considered afresh.
Full consideration will be given to any appeals received on behalf of the applicants, however the onus is on applicants to satisfy the Visa Officer that visas should be granted. Processing times and decisions at the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the webpage for the relevant office.
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.
409. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if her Department will carry out a review of the Family Law Act 2019 with a view to reducing the time period after which couples can get divorced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41193/23]
View answerThe Family Law Act 2019 made a number of amendments to the law relating to divorce in Ireland. The enactment of the Act followed the signing into law of the Thirty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Dissolution of Marriage) Act 2019 which amended Article 41.3.2° of the Constitution to remove the minimum living apart period for spouses seeking a divorce.
Section 3 of the Family Law Act 2019 amended section 5 of the Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996 to reduce the minimum living apart period specified in that Act to two years during the previous three years (from four years during the previous five years). This section came into operation on 1 December 2019.
This legal reform sought to ease the burden on people whose marriages have broken down. The reduction of the living apart period enables couples whose marriages have broken down with no reasonable prospect of reconciliation to regularise their affairs sooner.
There are no plans at present for a review of the Act or to bring forward further amendments to the minimum living apart period specified in the Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996.
410. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current position in the application of a person (details supplied) for naturalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41199/23]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
Persons making an application, for a certificate of naturalisation, for themselves or on behalf of a minor, are required to provide satisfactory evidence of their identity and nationality. This is usually in the form of a currently valid passport and may include other original supporting documents, such as a previously held or out of date passport, and birth certificate. The relevant application form and guidance notes detail the documents required.
In rare circumstances where an applicant cannot produce their current passport, or a previous passport if one was held, birth certificate or any other supporting documents, then the applicant will be required to provide a full explanation.
Such an explanation should be, where possible, be supported by satisfactory evidence that they have attempted to obtain such documentation and correspondence from the relevant authorities or embassy responsible for the issuing of passports and birth certificates in their country, clearly stating the reasons the documentation cannot be provided.
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.
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.
411. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current position in the application of a person (details supplied) for naturalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41200/23]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
Persons making an application, for a certificate of naturalisation, for themselves or on behalf of a minor, are required to provide satisfactory evidence of their identity and nationality. This is usually in the form of a currently valid passport and may include other original supporting documents, such as a previously held or out of date passport, and birth certificate. The relevant application form and guidance notes detail the documents required.
In rare circumstances where an applicant cannot produce their current passport, or a previous passport if one was held, birth certificate or any other supporting documents, then the applicant will be required to provide a full explanation.
Such an explanation should be, where possible, be supported by satisfactory evidence that they have attempted to obtain such documentation and correspondence from the relevant authorities or embassy responsible for the issuing of passports and birth certificates in their country, clearly stating the reasons the documentation cannot be provided.
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.
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.
412. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current and/or expected residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) who has been in this jurisdiction for a number of years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41225/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, for reasons of maintaining full confidentiality, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for international protection has been made in the State. An applicant for such protection status, or their legal representative, should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate, if they wish to receive an update on the status of their case.
The International Protection Office may be contacted: by email to info@ipo.gov.ie ; by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028000 or in writing to Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.
The International Protection Appeals Tribunal may be contacted either: by email to info@protectionappeals.ie ; by telephone at 01-4748400 (or Lo-Call 1890 201 458), or in writing to Corporate Services Division, The International Protection Appeals Tribunal, 6-7 Hanover Street East, Dublin D02 W320.
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 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.
413. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of drivers listed in court for speeding by District Court in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023 which resulted in the case being struck out or dismissed due to the driver making a contribution to the court poor box; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41230/23]
View answerManagement of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and through the separation of powers in the Constitution.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
To be of assistance, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Courts Service for reply.
414. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of drivers listed in court for holding a mobile phone while driving by District Court in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023 which resulted in the case being struck out or dismissed due to the driver making a contribution to the court poor box; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41231/23]
View answerManagement of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and through the separation of powers in the Constitution.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
To be of assistance I have referred the Deputy's question to the Courts Service for reply.
415. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice if Ukrainians can work longer than 20 hours if the work is being offered to them, as it would benefit businesses who are struggling to find staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41245/23]
View answerThe EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC) has been activated in response to the Ukraine crisis. Ireland participates in this measure, which is given legal effect under Section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015. Those eligible for Temporary Protection (granted initially for one year, but renewable) have immediate access to the labour market, on a full time basis and without the need for a work permit.
416. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of fatal road traffic collisions each year in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023 in which the surviving driver was injured in the crash; the number of injured drivers involved, by year; the number taken to hospital; the number of these drivers that were not tested for intoxicants each year in hospital; the reason these drivers were not tested for intoxicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41246/23]
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 roads policing. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below provides of the number of Fatal Road Traffic Collisions in which a driver or motorcyclist suffered a minor or serious injury.
Note that a collision can involve more than one vehicle.
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023* |
|
33 |
32 |
42 |
26 |
Below is a yearly breakdown of the number of drivers and motorcyclists who suffered a minor or serious injury in a Fatal Road Traffic Collision.
Note that in a collision involving more than one vehicle it is possible for more than one driver to be injured.
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023* |
|
39 |
37 |
56 |
33 |
Below is a yearly breakdown of the number of drivers and motorcyclists who suffered a minor or serious injury in a Fatal Road Traffic Collision and were subsequently taken to hospital.
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023* |
|
35 |
36 |
45 |
31 |
Below is a yearly breakdown of the number of drivers and motorcyclists who suffered a minor or serious injury in a Fatal Road Traffic Collision, were taken to hospital and, where confirmed in the Pulse record of the collision, an intoxicant test (either for drugs or alcohol) was not carried out.
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023* |
|
18 |
26 |
17 |
16 |
* Figures for 2023 cover the period from 01/01/2023 to 24/09/2023. All information is based upon operational data from the Pulse system as was available on 25/09/2023 and is liable to change.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to provide the reasons why drivers are not tested in hospital, as the PULSE system only records reasons for not testing at the scene of the accident.
I am also advised by the Garda authorities that the most common reason for not testing these drivers is that the driver was not at the scene of the collision when Gardaí arrived. Another common reason is in situations where a test cannot be administered on medical grounds.
417. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice for an update on an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41249/23]
View answerAn application under the Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants Scheme by the person referred to by the Deputy was refused on 09 February 2023.
An appeal of this decision was also refused on 11 September 2023.
The applicant has made representations under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), detailing why deportation orders should not be made in respect of them. This application will be given full consideration.
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.
418. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice if, given the recent ballot by the GRA, she will acknowledge that morale within An Garda Síochána is low; if she will consider using the mechanism of the Workplace Relations Commission to address issues between management and rank-and-file gardaí; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41316/23]
View answerWith the enactment of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2019, members of An Garda Síochána gained access to the industrial relations machinery of the state, including the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court. In parallel, new internal dispute resolution mechanisms were introduced in An Garda Síochána at that time and the management of industrial relations in An Garda Síochána came under the direct remit of the Garda Commissioner.
The Garda roster which is currently in operation, and which has become known as the “Covid Roster”, was introduced by the Commissioner to deal with the specific policing requirements that arose during the Covid pandemic. It was always intended by the Commissioner to be a temporary roster, to be replaced in due course. This Roster reflected the fact that the country was in lockdown and that the policing requirements were more evenly spread than would be normal.
The Commissioner extended the roster on 13 occasions, with the most recent extensions intended to facilitate the conclusion of talks on a new roster.
The Government wishes to see a solution to this issue in order to support the health and well-being of members of AGS and also ensure whatever roster is in place serves the public especially the most vulnerable in society.
The only way to resolve these differences is through talking and engagement. The industrial relations machinery of the State which have a proven record of resolving the most difficult disputes is available, as are the internal Garda dispute resolution mechanisms.
419. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice the number of serving gardaí as of 1 September 2023, in comparison to September 2021; how many retirements in that period; and how many recruitments. [41317/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and the 2023 budget of over €2 billion will allow for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff, with Garda recruits entering Templemore approximately every 11 weeks. I can assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to reaching its current targets of 15,000 Gardaí and 4,000 Garda staff.
Overall, since 2015 there has been an almost 9% increase in the number of Gardaí. There was also a more than 56% increase in Garda staff for the same period. Garda Staff perform a number of vital roles that are essential to a modern police service and increase 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.
As of 30 September 2021, there were 14,345 Garda members nationwide. As of 31 August 2023, the latest information available, there were 13,910 Garda members across the country.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that between January and September 2021 there were 207 retirements, comprising of 143 voluntary and 64 compulsory retirements. I am also advised that for the same period in 2023, there were 216 retirements, comprising 165 voluntary and 51 compulsory retirements.
Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, a total of 4,116 new recruits have attested as Gardaí and been assigned to duties nationwide. This includes the 628 Probationer Gardaí who have attested since the formation of the Government in June 2020.
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 July 2023 can be found at the following link:www.gov.ie/en/publication/7c2e6-probationer-gardai/
