Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 1996

Vol. 463 No. 3

Written Answers. - Garda Work Proposals.

Michael P. Kitt

Ceist:

288 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Justice the proposals, if any, she has to free up Garda time as regards administrative work, paperwork, highly inefficient court procedures and others; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6191/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I am recruiting 350 gardaí to the force this year and a further 350 in 1997. There are approximately 700 clerical civilian staff employed in the Garda Síochána at present which maximises the number of gardaí available for outdoor policing duties. An information technology plan for the force is also being implemented at present at a cost of £26 million which is expected, in due course, to lead to the release of additional gardaí from administrative tasks to operational policing duties in both urban and rural areas.

The Garda authorities have already implemented certain measures to control the amount of time spent by the gardaí in relation to court appearances. These measures include:——

—increased use in the Dublin Metropolitan Area of the summons as an alternative to the charge procedure.

—computerised summons application and issuing procedures which allow for court dates to be fixed for a rostered working day of the Garda concerned.

—computerised scheduling of court cases so that cases relevant to a particular Garda are listed together for hearing.

—the vehicle rectification scheme in the Dublin Metropolitan Area which allows motorists to repair vehicle faults within a specified period as an alternative to prosecution and consequent attendance in court.

—the number of Garda requests for remands is kept to a minimum.

I will also be making changes on the legislative front to reduce the amount of Garda time spent in court. A Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which is at an advanced stage of preparation, will make changes in criminal procedure particularly with a view to reducing the amount of time gardaí spend in court. The proposed Bill will streamline arrangements in relation to remands in custody and will provide for the giving of certain Garda evidence by certificate thus reducing the amount of Garda time spent in court.

Towards the end of last year I established a working group to review the operation of the courts system and to consider the establishment of a Courts Commission which would act as an independent and permanent body with financial and management autonomy. The Working Group, which is being chaired by Mrs. Justice Susan Denham, has advisory and recommendatory functions and will ultimately be submitting a report to me on its findings. I understand from the Garda authorities that the Commissioner has made recommendations to the working group concerning Garda involvement in the courts system. This submission is expected to be taken into account by the working group when compiling its report.