Written Answers. - Consultancy Contracts.
Jerry Cowley
Ceist:
1170
Dr. Cowley
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the details of all working groups, advisory groups, consultancies and so on, established or commissioned by his Department since January 2001; the membership of each; the date expected to report; and if it is planned that these should be published or not.
[20311/03]
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
Coroners Rules Committee, established November 2001.
Membership – Chairman, John Haskins, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Myra Cullinane, Coroners Society of Ireland, Dr. Brian Farrell, Coroners Society of Ireland, Supt. John Howard, An Garda Síochána, Brendan Mc Namara, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Gerard Mc Donagh, Coroners Society of Ireland, Máirín Ni Dhuinn, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Fergal O'Dubhghaill, Office of the Attorney General, Angela O Floinn, Department of Health and Children, Dr. Conor O'Keane, Faculty of Pathology Ireland, Noel Synnott, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Rosaleen Thomas, The Samaritans.
Date of Expected Report – September 2003 Publication – Not yet decided
Policy Research Relating to the Victim Support Organisation, established June 2002.
Membership – Farrell Grant Sparks Consulting.
Report/Publication – Reported January 2003. Not to be published
Steering Group to assist with the Codification of the Licensing Laws, established March 2003.
Membership – Representatives from the following Departments and agencies: Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, An Garda Síochána, Revenue Commissioners, Courts Service, Attorney General's office.
Report/Publication – It is envisaged that an outline of a codification Bill will be made available by mid-2004.
Legal Advisory Group on Defamation, established September 2002.
Membership – Mr Hugh Mohan SC, Chairperson Paula Mullooly, Solicitor, McAleese and Company, Eoin O'Dell, Registrar, School of Law, Trinity College, Sinead McSweeney, Special Adviser to the Minister, Regina Terry, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Publication – Report published 20 June 2003.
The Justice Group (comprising the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, The Land Registry, The Legal Aid Board, The Irish Prison Service and The Courts Service, established 3 September 2002.
Membership – Bearing Point (formally KPMG Consulting) were engaged as the Justice Group's implementation partner.
Report/Publication – Project end date is set for 24 October 2003.
WRC Social and Economic Consultants, established 12 February 2001.
Membership – Carmel Duggan, Tom Ronayne, Ruth Jardine, Pádraig de Burca, Maria Hegarty and Mary Murphy.
Publication – A final report will be published on completion of the projects funded under the Equality for Women Measure for which WRC are providing technical support.
In accordance with the commitment in the programme for government that all "substantive criminal law will be codified into a single crimes act" an expert group was established on 17 January 2003 to undertake a scoping study of the possible approaches to such codification.
Membership – Professor Finbar McAuley, Chairperson, Jean Monnet, Professor of European Criminal Justice, UCD and Law Reform Commissioner, Paul Anthony McDermott, BL, Lecturer, Criminal Law, UCD, Mary Keane, BL, Deputy Director General, Law Society, Professor Paul McCutcheon, Head of the School of Law, University of Limerick, Matthew Feely, Office of the Attorney General, Elizabeth Howlin, Solicitor, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and Geraldine Larkin, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Publication – The group is expected to report early next year. The question of publishing the results of the study has not yet been considered.
Working Group on Courts Funds, established April 2001.
Membership – John Cronin, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Sean McGlynn, Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, Ed Carroll, Office of the Attorney General, Sean Quigley, The Courts Service and Jim O'Farrell, Department of Finance.
Report/Publication – A report was forwarded to the Committee of Public Accounts in July 2001. A supplementary report was submitted in January 2002.
Childminding Subgroup, established 6 November 2002.
Membership – Pat Murray (Chairman) and Sarah O'Halloran, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Jenny Eades, Area Development Management Limited, Colette McAndrew, Health Board Representative, Mary Giblin, City/Council Childcare Committee – BMW Area, Michelle Butler, City/Council Childcare Committee – SandE Area, Caroline O'Connor Hughes, Childminders Advisory Officer, Anita White, Childminders Advisory Officer, Patricia Murray, Childminding Ireland, Mary Heavey, Childminding Ireland, Pat McCaughan, Network (Lagan Family Daycare Centre), Heino Schonfeld, Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education, Mary Hennessy, Farm Relief Services.
Report/Publication – The Childminding Subgroup has completed its code of practice which was approved by the NCC in June 2003. The document is now in its final stages and will be circulated to all health boards in due course.
The Advisory Sub-Group (for children with special requirements and minority ethnic groups including travellers), established 7 February 2001.
Membership – Colette Murray (Chairperson), Pavee Point, Pauline O'Shaughnessy, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Frances Byrne, One Parent Exchange and Network (OPEN), Pierrot Ngadi, Irish Refugee Council, Peter Kearns, Forum for People with Disabilities, Deirdre Uí Ghrádaigh, An Comhcoiste Reamhscolaiochta, Rachel Ní Riada, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Elva O'Callaghan, NCCRI, Tracey Bolger, ISPCC, Jenny Eades ADM Limited, Maria Corbett, Children's Rights Alliance, Mary Jo Guilfoyle, Jack and Jill Foundation, Irene Gunning, IPPA.
Report/Publication Not expected.
Working Group on School Age Children, established June 2001.
Membership – Pauline Moreau, (Chairperson) Department of Justice, Equality, and Law Reform, Richard Byrne, Department of Education and Science, Rosheen Callender, SIPTU, Irene Cassidy, National Parents Council, Catherine Hazlett, Department of Social and Family Affairs, Marguerite Hunter Blair, Playboard, Anne Gallagher, ADM Limited, Hilary Kendlin, Ballymun Partnership, Liz Kerins Centre for Social and Educational Research, Dublin Institute of Technology, Heidi Lougheed, IBEC, Rose Mc Caffrey, Cavan County Childcare Committee, Marlene McCormack, IPPA, Denise McCormilla, Border Counties Childcare Network, Bernadette McDonnell, Department of Health and Children, Ann Marie McMorrow, Childminding Ireland, Betty Murphy, IFA, Brian Nolan, Community and Voluntary Pillar, Olivia Nolan, Cross Border Women's Network, Hazel Percival, NYCI, Kerri Smith, Barnardos, Mary Lee Stapleton, National Children's Nurseries Association, Marie Ui Ainin, An Comhchoiste Reamhscolaiochta Teo, Pauline Walmsley, Cross Border Rural Childcare Project.
Report/Publication – The working group has reported to the NCCC. It is hoped that the report will be formally launched at a seminar on school age child care shortly.
Expert Group on Crime Statistics, established January 2003.
Membership – David Kennedy (Chairperson), John Brosnan, Director of Corporate Affairs, Irish Prison Service, Mary Burke, Director – National Crime Council, Brendan Callaghan and Alec Dolan, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Joe Egan, Assistant Commissioner, An Garda Síochána, Jim Finn, Circuit and District Court Operations, Nicola Hughes, National Crime Council, Domhnall Murray, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ian O'Donnell, Institute of Criminology, Faculty of Law, UCD, Aidan Punch, Central Statistics Office, Gerry Hayes (Secretary), Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Publication – It is intended to publish the group's findings.
Committee on Video Conferencing, established January 2003.
Membership – Justice Susan Denham (Chairperson) The Supreme Court, Anne O'Gorman, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Denis O'Neill, Irish Prison Service, Diarmuid MacDiarmada, Courts Service, Shay Kirk, Courts Service, John Coyle, Courts Service, Pat McGonagle, Law Society, Mary Rose Gearty, Bar Council, Assistant Commissioner Tony Hickey, An Garda Siochána, Anne Barron, Office of the Attorney General, Dan Kelleher, Irish Prison Service.
Report/Publication – It is expected that an interim report will be submitted to the Minister before the end of this year and a final report in the second quarter of 2004. Both reports will be published by the Minister.
Prison Health Working Group, established 2002.
Membership – Representatives of the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Health and Children, Irish Prison Service, Eastern Regional Health Authority, health boards.
Report/Publication – The group was set up to implement the report of the group to review the Structure and Organisation of Prison Health Care Services which was published in 2001. It is expected that Health Care Standards will be published later this year.
Development of Manuals for new sex offenders rehabilitation programmes 2002, established January 2002.
Membership – Francesca Lundstrom, Research Consultant
Report/Publication – concluded summer 2003. Manuals are for use in programmes run by the Irish Prison Service.
Co-ordination Group on Offender Integration, established December 2002.
Membership – Representatives of the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Health and Children, Social and Family Affairs, Environment and Local Government, Irish Prison Service, Probation and Welfare Service, An Garda Síochána, Courts Service, Dublin City Council, health boards, FÁS and the National Crime Council.
Report/Publication – Work of the group is ongoing. Progress will be reported in the annual reports of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Irish Prison Service.
Computer System for the Probation and Welfare Service
PricewaterhouseCoopers were retained by the Probation and Welfare Service in November 2002 to overview and advise on the implementation of a computer system in the Probation and Welfare Service. The project board has eight members comprising representatives of the Probation and Welfare Service, departmental officials and a representative from Pricewaterhouse Cooper. It is expected that the board will complete its work by the end of 2004. It is not planned to issue a report on the project except for internal use.
Interdepartmental Group on Asylum and Immigration Issues, established May 2003.
Membership – Representatives from the Department of Social and Family Affairs, Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, An Garda Síochána and my Department.
Report/Publication – It is not intended that the group will produce a report.
Interdepartmental Group to Develop the Effectiveness and Accessibility of Data, established March 2002
Membership – Representatives of the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Social, Community and Family Affairs, Foreign Affairs, the Revenue Commissioners, Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Publication – No formal report was prepared by the group as its main purpose was to enhance inter-agency co-operation in the area.
Accenture was awarded a consultancy in March 2002 under the auspices of my Department and divisions of the Department directly involved in the asylum process and related immigration processes.
Publication – This project was completed in October 2002 when a final report was submitted. It is not intended to publish the report in question.
Furthermore, on 3 May 2001, a contract was placed with Gerry Gardner, IT consultant, to examine at a strategic level the options for the development of an electronic fingerprinting system for asylum seekers.
On 26 April 2002, a contract was awarded to 3G Identification Limited to put forward solutions for the implementation of the resultant proposals for the fingerprinting system and national preparatory work for the EU Eurodac fingerprinting system. This contract was subsequently extended for the provision of a framework for the fingerprinting of all non-EEA nationals on registration for immigration purposes in the State.
In addition, the group established to examine matters arising from the "Report raising concerns of the activity of An Garda Síochána Officers during 1998" was appointed in April 2002.
Membership – Dermot Nally, former Secretary to the Government, Eamon Barnes, former Director of Public Prosecutions and Joseph Brosnan, former Secretary of my Department.
Report/Publication – The group submitted its report on 23 June 2003 and I will make a statement in relation to the findings of the group in Dáil Éireann shortly.
Know Racism Steering Group, established 24 October 2001.
Membership – Joe McDonagh (Chairperson), Anastasia Crickley (Vice-Chairperson and Chairperson of NCCRI), Mohammed Haji, Association of Refugees and Asylum Seekers (ARASI), Deepak Inamdar, EU Migrants Forum, Dr. Abdullah El-Tom, Chairperson African Cultural Project, Patrick Yu, Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities, Sr. Ann Scully, Community and Voluntary Pillar, Jackie Harrison (IBEC), Oliver Donohoe, (ICTU), Aidan Ryan (IFA), Kieran Leddy (IFA), Fintan Farrell and Thomas McCann of the Irish Traveller Movement and Citizen Traveller, Dr. Ursula Barry, Women's Educational Research and Resource Centre, Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy, Focus Ireland, Niall Crowley and Vincent Edwards of the Equality Authority, Philip Watt and Kensika Monshengwo of NCCRI, Noel Waters and John Haskins of the Reception and Integration Agency, Insp. Mary Gormley, Garda Racial and Intercultural Office, John Rowan and John Biggar, Department of Foreign Affairs, Brian Ó Raghallaigh and Mary Kennedy of the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, Margaret Kelly, Department of Education and Science, Chris Fitzgerald, Health Promotion Unit, Department of Health and Children, Stephanie O'Donnell, Garrett Byrne and Liam Conlon of my Department.
Report/Publication – The programme has published a report on activities for 2001 and 2002 which is available from Know Racism. A final report on activities will also be produced at the conclusion of the programme.
Working Group on the Review of the Parental Leave Act, 1998, established February 2001.
Membership – John Kenny (Chairperson), Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Eilis Barry, Equality Authority, Carol Baxter, National Women's Council of Ireland, Tony Carberry, Department of Finance, Joan Carmichael, (ICTU), Evelyn Daly, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Flood, (IBEC), Enda Flynn, Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, Brid Gannon, (IBEC), Esther Lynch (ICTU), Deirdre McRory, Department of Finance, Malachy McGlynn, Irish Co-operative Organisation Society Limited, Noreen Walsh of my Department, Liam Smyth, (Secretary) and Lisa Keyes of my Department.
Report/Publication – The working group concluded the review on 29 November 2001. Their report entitled, Report of the Working Group on the Review of the Parental Leave Act, 1998, was published in April 2002.
In 2001, the International Organisation for Migration was contracted to carry out a comparative study of international legislation and practice in the field of migration by the immigration and citizenship policy division. The report was finalised in April 2002 and it was published on 7 July 2002.
In 2002, Transition Management were contracted to carry out a review of the International Organisation for Migration's pilot voluntary return programme. The report was finalised in January 2003 and there are no current plans for its publication.
Ralaheen Limited is currently engaged on a project in relation to the 3% target for the employment of people with disabilities in the public service. On completion of the project a report will be made to my Department. I would expect to publish the results of the research during 2004.
Consultative Group on Male/Female Wage Differentials, established May 2001
Membership – John O'Callaghan and Kathleen Connolly of my Department, Ronan O'Reilly, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Cormac Carey, Department of Finance, Mark Manto, NDP Gender Equality Unit, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Esther Lynch, ICTU, Peter Flood, IBEC, Malachy McGlynn, Irish Co-Operative Organisation Society, Barbara Cashen, Equality Authority, Gerard Healy, CSO, Carol Baxter, National Women's Council of Ireland.
Report/Publication – The group's Memorandum for Government will be submitted to Government in November 2003. It will subsequently be published.
Schengen Information System work is currently under way to determine how the Schengen information System will be implemented in Ireland. Bearings Point Consulting are involved in the first phase of the project, which will consider the options available to An Garda Síochána to implement Schengen. Also, the development of a computerised system was required to fully implement the penalty points system.
In September 2002, Fujitsu Consulting were awarded a contract to develop a fixed charge processing system for An Garda Síochána.
In November 2001 an interdepartmental committee was established to facilitate, oversee and assess the contracting out of piloting and maintenance of the Garda EC135 helicopter for a trial period of at least 12 months.
Membership – Officials of my Department, the Departments of Defence, Transport, and Finance as well as representatives from An Garda Síochána, Irish Air Corps, Defence Forces and the Irish Coast Guard.
Report/Publication – An interim report was furnished to the Government in April 2002. It is not planned to publish the interim report.
Reception and Integration Agency Interim Advisory Board, established 28 March 2000.
Membership – Raymond J. Rooney (Chairperson), Peter McCann, Department of Environment and Local Govern ment, Jim O'Farrell, Department of Finance, John Rowan, Department of Foreign Affairs, David Costello, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mary Aylward, Department of Health and Children, Brian Ó Raghallaigh, Department of Social and Family Affairs, Noel Waters, Director, Reception and Integration Agency, Aileen O'Donoghue (IBEC), Christina Carney (IMPACT), Joe Moran, Clann Housing, Dr. William Murphy, Bishop of Kerry, Brian Glanville, St. Brendan's Hospital, Remba Osengo, Alexis Fitzgerald, Mary Murphy, St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Report/Publication – No report was made or published by the board.
In July 2002 the RIA commissioned the firm of Pearn Kandola to carry out research into the needs of persons who will leave direct provision and move out into the local community having obtained refugee status or leave to remain in the State. This report is due to be finalised shortly. However, a date for publication has not yet been established.
Consultancy Service to assist with the establishment of a shared services centre in the Finance Division of my Department, established June 2001.
Membership – Helm Corporation Limited.
Report/Publication – Organisational Impact Study report expected October 2003 and the IT strategy report in February 2003. It is not planned to publish these reports as they are for internal use only.
Consultancy to procure and implement a financial management system for my Department, the Courts Service, An Garda Síochána and the Prison Service, established April 2002.
Membership – Accenture Oracle
Report/Publication – No reports expected other than for the internal management of the project.
Justice and Equality Sector Performance verification Group (JES PVG), established May 2003
Membership – Olive Braiden (Chairperson) Jacqui Browne, Jerry Carroll, Rosaleen Glackin, John Clinton, Moling Ryan, Steve Magner.
Report/Publication – The group is expected to report in 2005 and it is intended that this report will be published.
Justice and Equality Sector Quality Assurance Group, established May 2001.
Membership – Olive Braiden (Chairperson), Jacqui Browne, Jerry Carroll, Tom Hoara, Tom McKevitt, Catherine Treacy, Steve Magner.
Report/Publication – The group produced a report in July 2002 which was not published.
Corporate Graphics designed and printed my Department's Strategy Statement 2003-2005 and also converted and supplied the Department's Strategy Statement on PC CD in 2003.
Details of other consultancies employed by the Irish Prison Service are as follows:
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Name
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Purpose
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Report
|
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Mr. Gordan Lakes, Former Deputy Director, Prison Service of England and Wales April, 2001
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To provide advice and assistance re Irish Prison Service staffing and operations review
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No (Ongoing Consultancy)
|
|
Mr. David Evans, Former General Secretary POA (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) April, 2001
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To provide advice and assistance re Irish Prison Service staffing and operations review
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No (Ongoing Consultancy)
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|
Mr. Paddy O'Keeffe, Former Deputy Governor, Portlaoise Prison July, 2002
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To provide advice and assistance re Irish Prison Service staffing and operations review
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No
|
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Michael Whelan, Former Director of Human Resources, Guinness Brewery, May, 2001
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Advising Irish Prison Service management in connection with the Irish Prison Service SORT
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No (Once off Consultancy)
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Bearing Point (formerly KPMG Consulting) July, 2002
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For a review of the storage and procurement function in the Irish Prison Service and to make recommendations
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October 2002(no plans to publish)
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Capita Business Services August, 2003
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For a review of the trades function in the Irish Prison Service and to make recommendations
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Christmas 2003(no plans to publish)
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