Parliamentary questions

Legal Services Regulation

Jim O'Callaghan

161. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when sections 149 to 161, inclusive, of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 will commence; if there are impediments to their taking effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25778/16]

Legal Services Regulation

Jim O'Callaghan

174. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the Legal Services Regulation Act, SI 65 of 2015, which was signed into law in December 2015, will be given a commencement order regarding sections 149 to 161, inclusive, dealing with the regulation of legal costs. [26030/16]

Garda Recruitment

Jim O'Callaghan

182. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of the 3,200 new members of An Garda Síochána to be recruited on a phased basis over the next four years that will be recruited in 2017; the expected cost of the 2017 recruitment in 2017; and the full year cost of same. [26201/16]

Garda Reserve

Jim O'Callaghan

186. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the full year cost of increasing the Garda Reserve by 300. [26319/16]

EU Issues

Jim O'Callaghan

195. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the EU ESTA proposal; if she has discussed it with her UK counterpart; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26400/16]

Tax Code

Jim O'Callaghan

318. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if, in addition to increasing the inheritance tax threshold for children in budget 2017, he will increase the threshold for siblings, which is currently at the low sum of €30,000, in circumstances where this penalises, in particular, siblings who have no children who wish to leave monetary assets to other siblings who also have no children and no source of income in order that the surviving sibling may be provided for in their old age. [26040/16]

Planning Issues

Jim O'Callaghan

643. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will request that powers be conferred upon the Inspector of the Street Furniture Unit of local authorities to remove items placed on the public footpath which are deemed to cause a hazard to and block the mobility of limited mobility residents, in particular those who rely on the assistance of a carer and walking frame, wheelchair or similar device, in view of the serious problem of items such as garden furniture being placed on very narrow public footpaths which impede the access of limited mobility neighbours and which on occasion result in it being necessary for such persons to venture onto the public road and be exposed to the serious risk of an accident. [26039/16]

Preschool Services

Jim O'Callaghan

1909. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if consideration can be given to reduce the preschool pupil teacher ratio from 11:1 to 10:1; and if changes will be made to the system in order that preschools are paid not just for contact hours, but also for administration time or if they are not to be paid for administration, then that the administrative burden should not be placed on the preschools for filling in forms. [26186/16]

Garda Recruitment

Jim O'Callaghan

47. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost in 2017 of recruiting an additional 700 gardaí. [23587/16]

Garda Reserve

Jim O'Callaghan

56. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of reserves in each Garda division in tabular form; the number in each division for the same date in each year from 2011 to 2015, inclusive. [23825/16]

Drugs Seizures

Jim O'Callaghan

79. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of drug seizures in each Dublin metropolitan Garda district for each of the years 2013, 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016; and the quantity, type and value of drug seizures involved. [24263/16]

Crime Data

Jim O'Callaghan

80. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of different instances in which counterfeit euro notes have been seized by or have come into the possession of the Garda for each of the years 2013 to 2016 to date; the total notional value of euros involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24264/16]

Legal Aid Service Waiting Times

Jim O'Callaghan

81. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average waiting times persons are experiencing in receiving free legal aid broken down by category such as family law, repossessions and so on; the actions she will take to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24265/16]

Prisoner Releases

Jim O'Callaghan

82. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners currently on temporary release by prison in tabular form; the type of offence the prisoners were convicted of; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24266/16]

Direct Provision Data

Jim O'Callaghan

83. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total population currently residing in direct provision centres; the number of persons in tabular form, by centre; the capacity and the percentage occupation of each centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24267/16]

Garda Data

Jim O'Callaghan

84. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of outstanding warrants nationwide on the PULSE system; if she is concerned at the number of outstanding warrants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24268/16]

Probation and Welfare Service Data

Jim O'Callaghan

85. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons currently supervised in the community under a post-release supervision order under Part 5 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001; the number of persons currently in breach of conditions under this Part; the number of cases pending; the number of convictions; if she will provide a regional breakdown of these figures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24269/16]

EU Budget Contribution

Jim O'Callaghan

156. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if the dramatic increase in Ireland's growth levels of 26% in 2015 will have any consequential impact upon our contribution to the EU budget, which is based heavily on our gross national income and gross domestic product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22831/16]

Garda Retirements

Jim O'Callaghan

60. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 70 of 30 of June 2016, the projected number of retirements from An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2017 to 2021. [21883/16]

Garda Equipment

Jim O'Callaghan

86. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware of a widespread belief among members of An Garda Síochána that their uniform is unfit for purpose; if she plans to address this; if she or An Garda Síochána management have had any discussions with Garda Síochána representative groups on the matter; if the representative groups have made proposals that would provide a better uniform and make savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21431/16]

Garda Equipment

Jim O'Callaghan

87. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a study or review of the Garda Síochána fleet was undertaken by an external consultant (details supplied); if she has or will publish the review; the details of the recommendations made in the review; if she has acted on them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21432/16]

Garda Station Opening Hours

Jim O'Callaghan

88. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána stations in the Dublin metropolitan region which are not open on a 24-hour basis but which have a garda present for the purposes of minding the station during the hours when it is closed in tabular form. [21434/16]

Garda Strength

Jim O'Callaghan

177. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of appointed detectives in each Garda Síochána division at the present time and for the same date in each of the years 2011 to 2015, in tabular form. [21274/16]

Garda Strength

Jim O'Callaghan

178. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí in each Garda Síochána division at the present time and for the same date in each of the years 2011 to 2015, in tabular form. [21275/16]

Charities Regulation

Jim O'Callaghan

81. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff employed by the charity regulator per annum since its establishment; the operating costs per annum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20293/16]

Public Sector Pensions

Jim O'Callaghan

179. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has considered changes to the pension arrangements for public servants in civil partnership or same-sex marriage arrangements given the recent preliminary European Court of Justice findings in relation to a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20294/16]

Legislative Programme

Jim O'Callaghan

69. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to reintroduce the Gambling Control Bill 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19883/16]

EU Directives

Jim O'Callaghan

78. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when she will transpose the fourth European Union anti-money laundering directive 2015/849 into law. [20099/16]

Home Renovation Incentive Scheme

Jim O'Callaghan

85. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance his proposals to consider introducing incentive schemes under the home renovation scheme which would provide tax relief for making homes safe such as by ensuring that gas pipes inside a house are a different colour to water pipes and to ensure that no accidental connections to the wrong pipe occur which would cause a serious accident. [19937/16]

Home Renovation Incentive Scheme

Jim O'Callaghan

86. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing incentives in addition to the home renovation scheme which would permit persons to purchase a gas boiler directly from the supplier when replacing an old gas boiler to ensure that they get the boiler for the cheapest price, given that this would incentivise them to change their old gas boilers, thus promoting safety. [19938/16]

Home Renovation Incentive Scheme

Jim O'Callaghan

87. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing additions to the home improvement scheme for the installation of triple glazed windows which would radically improve energy efficiency in homes. [19939/16]

Building Regulations

Jim O'Callaghan

121. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his proposals to introduce improvements (details supplied) to building standards and if he will consider recommending these to the National Standards Authority of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19936/16]

Charities Regulation

Jim O'Callaghan

100. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the powers the charities regulator has to investigate or otherwise act when there are concerns about a registered charity; the number of times in the past five years such powers have been used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19521/16]

Charities Regulation

Jim O'Callaghan

101. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the sections of parts of the Charities Act 2009 yet to commence and the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19522/16]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Jim O'Callaghan

120. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing inheritance tax relief for persons who are not married and who are without children but who wish to bequeath their properties to nieces or nephews to bring them in line with the provisions in respect of bequests to children. [19120/16]

Garda Recruitment

Jim O'Callaghan

70. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her estimate of the number of new gardaí that will need to be recruited over the next five years to bring the force to a strength of 15,000, taking into account the likely number of retirements or departures from the force. [19046/16]

Ombudsman's Reports

Jim O'Callaghan

211. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied that the Ombudsman has excused her Department from the need to act regarding the audit-related complaint made to her Department and its agents by a person (details supplied) following the explicit judgment of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland in July 2012, namely that audited accounts had been changed. [18680/16]

Ombudsman's Reports

Jim O'Callaghan

212. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied that regarding the disclosures by the European Union Commission to a person (details supplied) in February 2009 and again in July 2013, the Ombudsman has excused her Department of the need to correct the record of Dáil Éireann. [18681/16]

Garda Investigations

Jim O'Callaghan

54. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide details of all costs associated with the Garda Síochána investigation into a person (details supplied) including the number of gardaí and overtime involved in the investigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17976/16]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Jim O'Callaghan

120. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the special needs assistants provided to a school (details supplied) can be maintained at their current level rather than having one special needs assistant removed from the special needs assistants available to that school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18065/16]

Labour Court

Jim O'Callaghan

544. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of appeals to the Labour Court which it has considered as being out of time and has not heard as a consequence in each of the years from 2011 to 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18047/16]

Garda Remuneration

Jim O'Callaghan

10. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures she is taking to improve the working conditions of rank and file members of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17508/16]

Judicial Appointments

Jim O'Callaghan

12. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the proposed new Judicial Appointments Commission will be in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17509/16]

Garda Reports

Jim O'Callaghan

18. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she shares the serious concern expressed by the Policing Authority at systemic performance and management failures within An Garda Síochána and the dismay expressed by the authority at the familiarity of performance failures through various inquiries and reports and the concern that good work being done by gardaí every day can be set to nought while doubts remain about these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17125/16]

Garda Resources

Jim O'Callaghan

20. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the Dublin armed support unit in An Garda Síochána is in place and operational; the number of gardaí in the unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17122/16]

Garda Inspectorate Reports

Jim O'Callaghan

35. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the action that has been taken, given the Garda Síochána Inspectorate report on policing in December 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17124/16]

Garda Recruitment

Jim O'Callaghan

53. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will bring forward an expanded recruitment programme in order to ensure that numbers in An Garda Síochána will rise to 15,000 over five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17123/16]

Garda Operations

Jim O'Callaghan

55. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the recently reported contention by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission that the timing of Garda Síochána searches of suspects' residences at 3.15 a.m. is unreasonable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17126/16]

Prison Staff

Jim O'Callaghan

75. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she is satisfied that the dismissal of a person (details supplied) from the Irish Prison Service was appropriate in light of the traumatic events to which they were exposed during their employment as a prison officer. [17409/16]

Prison Service

Jim O'Callaghan

79. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has evaluated or plans to privatise part of the operations of the Prison Service. [17006/16]