Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 19 Jun 1996

Vol. 467 No. 2

Written Answers. - Use of Garda Time.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

138 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the calculations of the Garda Síochána of the percentage of garda time that is spent by gardaí in court and court-related procedures and administration and administrative-related procedures; the consideration, if any, that has been given to reduce the amount of garda time spent on these issues and to maximise garda time in combating crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12975/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The detailed allocation of Garda personnel and resources is a matter for the Garda authorities. They have informed me that the compilation of the information sought by the Deputy would involve an inordinate amount of staff time which could not be justified.

Every effort is made to ensure that the number of gardaí available for outdoor policing duties is maximised. There are already approximately 700 clerical civilian staff employed in the Garda Síochána at present. The implementation of the information technology plan for the force costing £26 million will also lead to the release of additional gardaí from administrative tasks to operational policing duties in both urban and rural areas.

A number of other measures have already been implemented by the Garda authorities to control the amount of time spent by gardaí on court appearances. These 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 and the number of Garda requests for remands is kept to a minimum.

In addition, I will 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 have to 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.

I should also refer to the working group which I established towards the end of last year 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. This working group, which was chaired by Judge Susan Denham, presented its first report recently. It is now continuing its work to review the day to day operation of the courts in accordance with its terms of reference and I look forward to receiving further reports in this regard. I understand from the Garda authorities that the Commissioner has made recommendations to the working group concerning Garda involvement in the courts systems.