Parliamentary questions

Garda Deployment

Sandra McLellan

253. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to prioritise increasing Garda Síochána resources on the ground in rural areas of east Limerick, given the recent surge in serious criminal activity in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27423/15]

Garda Deployment

Brendan Smith

254. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if additional measures will be implemented and if additional resources will be provided to An Garda Síochána due to the escalating problems for rural communities with the increased theft of cattle and farm machinery, particularly in the Border region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27455/15]

Asylum Applications

Bernard Durkan

255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the correct residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27474/15]

DNA Database

Dara Calleary

256. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when she will establish a DNA database, given the passing of the relevant legislation in 2014; the issues that are causing the delay in the establishing this database; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27524/15]

Organised Crime

Bernard Durkan

257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which organised crime levels remain to be monitored with a view to specifically targeting members of organised criminal gangs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27608/15]

Organised Crime

Bernard Durkan

258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which her Department and the Garda Síochána have identified the total membership of criminal gangs operating in all parts of the country; if continued action is planned to combat them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27609/15]

Organised Crime

Bernard Durkan

259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps that will be taken by way of existing or new legislation to combat the activities of criminal gangs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27610/15]

Organised Crime

Bernard Durkan

260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will indicate, in general terms, the number of criminal gangs currently known to be active; if any particular such groups are operating from outside this jurisdiction; the action taken, or proposed, to address the issue. [27611/15]

Garda Operations

Bernard Durkan

261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the operation and organisation of An Garda Síochána compares with other police forces throughout Europe and globally with a view to ensuring the most effective deployment in terms of crime prevention and detection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27612/15]

Garda Training

Bernard Durkan

262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which Garda Síochána training, equipment and management continues to be modernised in line with best practice worldwide to maximise effectiveness in combatting crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27613/15]

Crime Data

Bernard Durkan

263. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which various categories of crime continue to be recorded in each Garda division and district; if all such forms of crime continue to receive the attention of An Garda Síochána; if all such reported crime continues to attract detection and attrition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27614/15]

Garda Strength

Bernard Durkan

264. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current strength of An Garda Síochána; the extent to which it is expected to increase numbers over the next year; if particular attention will be paid to areas experiencing an increase in crime, when numbers are deployed in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27615/15]

Prison Accommodation Provision

Bernard Durkan

265. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current number of prison spaces available for both male and female prisoners throughout the prison system; the extent to which overcrowding exists; if the provision of extra spaces is contemplated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27616/15]

Prisoner Releases

Bernard Durkan

266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality The number of prisoners incarcerated for various serious crimes who have been released on completion of their sentence, or otherwise, in the past six years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27617/15]

Garda Operations

Bernard Durkan

267. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí injured in the course of their duties in the past eight years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27618/15]

Garda Promotions

Bernard Durkan

268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of promotional positions that are vacant, or waiting to be filled, at all ranks throughout An Garda Síochána; when such positions are likely to be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27619/15]

Garda Retirements

Bernard Durkan

269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current number of women members of An Garda Síochána; the number who have retired, or left the force, in the past five years; the extent to which they have been replaced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27620/15]

Crime Data

Bernard Durkan

270. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of burglaries and-or other crimes reported in each Garda district or division throughout County Kildare, in the past five years to date; the extent to which the number of reported criminal incidents has fluctuated in the period in question; the action proposed to combat any increase in such incidents of crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27621/15]

Garda Data

Bernard Durkan

271. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the total number of gardaí available for duty throughout each Garda Síochána division and district in County Kildare continues to be adequate to meet the demand, with particular reference to particular locations of increased criminal activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27622/15]

Crime Data

Bernard Durkan

272. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of criminal incidents reported to An Garda Síochána in each Garda district and division in County Kildare in the past five years to date; the extent to which deployment of extra and necessary resources is contemplated to deal with any issues arising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27623/15]

Legal Aid

Bernard Durkan

273. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which free legal aid remains available in respect of criminal cases to those who have re-offended while on bail; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27624/15]

Missing Persons

Bernard Durkan

274. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which adequate resources remain available to a dedicated section within An Garda Síochána in respect of missing persons; the total number of persons reported missing in the past four years to date; the numbers still outstanding; the numbers deemed to have been found; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27625/15]

Crime Investigation

Bernard Durkan

275. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which resources remain available to her Department for the pursuit of so-called cold cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27626/15]

Legal Aid

Bernard Durkan

276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which it is intended to improve the efficiency of the legal aid system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27627/15]

Crime Data

Bernard Durkan

277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she and her Department continue to monitor the levels of break-ins to private households and-or commercial premises in County Kildare; the degree to which the number of such crimes has fluctuated in each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27628/15]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Joe Costello

278. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress that has been made on identifying the burial place of the Tuam babies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27243/15]

Child Protection

Clare Daly

279. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 629 of 9 June 2015, in which he states that he forwarded the information provided by this Deputy to Tusla - the Child and Family Agency for immediate attention, the reason that organisation has not responded to date in relation to this matter. [27345/15]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Clare Daly

280. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason the interdepartmental report cited just 25 deaths for Bessborough, when a Health Service Executive report, prepared in 2012, gave a total figure of 478 deaths between 1934 and 1953, taken from Bessborough's own death register. [27424/15]

Early Childhood Care Education

Helen McEntee

281. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update on the working of the interdepartmental group which is working on future investment in early years and school-age care and education services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27518/15]

HIQA Reports

Gerry Adams

282. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 482 to 505 of 16 June 2015, and further to discussing the Health Information and Quality Authority report on child services in the Louth and Meath child protection services on 30 June 2015, if he will provide replies to these parliamentary questions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27525/15]

HIQA Reports

Gerry Adams

283. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures that have been taken following the Health Information and Quality Authority report on child services in counties Louth and Meath which identified significant risks and required actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27526/15]

HIQA Reports

Gerry Adams

284. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures that have been taken at national level to address staffing and resource issues identified in counties Louth and Meath, further to the Health Information and Quality Authority report on child services in counties Louth and Meath; the engagements that have taken place between Tusla - the Child and Family Agency and the Department of Health; and if he will provide the details around the proposed submission on these matters. [27527/15]

HIQA Reports

Gerry Adams

285. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will elaborate on the way Tusla - the Child and Family Agency has taken direct ownership of action to improve the standards of service delivery, further to the Health Information and Quality Authority report on child services in counties Louth and Meath; the stage these actions are at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27528/15]

HIQA Reports

Gerry Adams

286. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide details of the special programme of improvement led directly by the chief operations officer (details supplied), further to the Health Information and Quality Authority report on child services in counties Louth and Meath; and the actions that have been undertaken to date. [27529/15]

HIQA Reports

Gerry Adams

287. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide details of the project social work team in place, to deal with the backlog, as part of the special programme of improvement, further to the Health Information and Quality Authority report on child services in counties Louth and Meath; the additional resources that have been made available; and the timeframe for completion of this programme. [27530/15]

Child Detention Centres

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

288. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position on the Oberstown campus transition; his views that the children there are adequately supported; that the staff there are adequately supported; if he will publish the McIlfatrick report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27540/15]

Child Care Services Regulation

Sandra McLellan

289. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps and measures a citizen must take to become a child care service provider; and the requirements and Government policy for opening a child care facility in any given community. [27560/15]

Child Care Services Funding

Sandra McLellan

290. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide a detailed breakdown of Government spend on child care; how this figure of 0.2% investment translates into exact figures; where and how it is being allocated currently; and if he will provide the same information for 2014. [27561/15]

National Carers Strategy

Sandra McLellan

291. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is aware that there are currently approximately 4,000 minors under the age of 15 years acting as primary carers for their parents; and his plans to provide critical urgent supports to these children. [27562/15]

Child Detention Centres

Sandra McLellan

292. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of boys and girls currently within the system in Oberstown boys school, in Oberstown girls school and in Trinity House school. [27563/15]

Child Detention Centres

Sandra McLellan

293. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of minors on remand in Trinity House from the year 2000 to 2015. [27564/15]

Child Detention Centres

Sandra McLellan

294. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the average length of time a minor is spending on remand; and the longest length of time a minor can spend on remand. [27565/15]

Child Detention Centres

Sandra McLellan

295. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the grounds that qualify a minor to be classified for being on remand. [27566/15]

Child Detention Centres

Sandra McLellan

296. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the age range and profile for minors currently living in Oberstown schools. [27567/15]

Child Detention Centres

Sandra McLellan

297. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is a clear boundary between mixing children of younger ages with those turning 18 years of age in Oberstown schools. [27568/15]

National Physical and Sensory Disability Database

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

298. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will update the national physical and sensory disability database in order to record information on persons who are over 66 years of age, as currently the database does not record information for such persons, even though 60% to 70% of the deaf and blind population are estimated to be over 65 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27004/15]

Magdalen Laundries

Maureen O'Sullivan

299. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that all has been done to address the medical needs of those survivors of the Magdalen laundries living abroad, in view of a recent response to a Topical Issue debate on this matter on 25 June 2015. [27173/15]

Universal Health Insurance

Billy Kelleher

300. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health with regards to his comments in Dáil Éireann on 1 July 2015 that the Economic and Social Research Institute report on the costs of introducing universal health insurance was a draft report, if the institute submitted the report as a draft or if it submitted it as a final estimate of what it had been commissioned to report on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27399/15]

Universal Health Insurance

Micheál Martin

301. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he or his departmental officials have received or discussed the Economic and Social Research Institute report on universal health insurance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27460/15]

Mobility Allowance Eligibility

Tom Fleming

302. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will re-instate the mobility grants for the disabled; if he will address the Equality Tribunal decision by removing the age limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27579/15]