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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 22 Jun 2016

Vol. 914 No. 2

Other Questions

Domestic Violence Policy

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

15. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures she will bring forward to tackle domestic violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17097/16]

I ask this question against the backdrop of the Women's Aid impact report launched last week. As the Minister is aware, there were 22,341 reports of domestic abuse against women and children made in 2015, amounting to 61 per day or almost one every 20 minutes. That is just what is being reported. What measures will the Minister bring forward to tackle domestic violence and will she make a statement on the matter?

Like the Deputy, I attended the launch of the Women's Aid impact report last week. The statistics quoted and all the statistics are very disturbing. I stated at the launch that I thought when I began working on equality issues many years ago, as people became better informed as we dealt with issues of violence, alcohol and drugs, perhaps this scourge might even disappear. Unfortunately, the opposite has been the case and it remains a very serious social issue and a personal health issue for the people, primarily women, who are involved. We need to put all our attention on tackling this scourge of domestic violence.

It is important that people report incidents and that we have better laws, with gardaí better trained to respond. It is a priority issue for An Garda Síochána. We also have the national strategy and I met all the stakeholders to discuss and develop that. It is very comprehensive for the years ahead. We also need stronger legislation and the consolidated domestic violence Bill is currently being worked on. I hope we will be able to publish that later this year, as that would be helpful. There are a number of outstanding issues and Women's Aid has highlighted elements relating to offences, suggesting some improvements. If we can, we will respond to the points made. I have stated that increased funding will be necessary in this area and the HSE is considering further support for helplines, which is important. I have been in touch with officials about that.

I was concerned about the points raised at the launch of the report, particularly the facilities in Dolphin House. I have arranged for a meeting between representatives of the Courts Service of Ireland and Women's Aid to see if we can do something further to accelerate an improvement in conditions. There will be extra staff and some cases are being taken to a different location. I hope we can accelerate improvements there in advance of the development of the new Hammond Lane facility, which will be state of the art, in dealing with family law cases.

I appreciate the Minister's comments, particularly regarding stronger legislation that is required. I was going to ask when the Bill will be published and the reason for the delay but, to be fair, the Minister has answered that. She rightly spoke about encouraging women to report incidents of domestic violence. Even in the time we are having this debate, there is no doubt that at least another five or six women are reporting such incidents, so it is absolutely a major crisis.

One aspect that the Minister is examining and which shocked me is what is happening in the courts in Dolphin House. There is a waiting period of at least four months for women reporting issues of domestic violence before it comes to a hearing. In those four months many of the women must live in the home of the perpetrator, with children stuck in an absolutely impossible position. In many cases, these people are intimidated. Does the Minister intend to act, on the suggestion of Women's Aid, to extend eligibility for safety orders to young women in dating relationships?

The Courts Service has established a committee to drive forward the development of the family court complex. Last year I worked with the then Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Deputy Simon Harris, and we secured that site for this new family court development. It is extremely important and will make a significant difference.

Additional staff have now been sanctioned for the Dublin District Family Law Court office and that will facilitate the transfer of child care cases from Dolphin House to the new temporary child care court facility in Chancery Street until the new family law complex is open. That will help.

In respect of the inclusion of dating relationships in the legislation, that is something I am examining. It raises complex issues, but I will examine it and if at all possible I will include it in the legislation. I am taking advice on that. It is certainly an issue I am considering. In the vast majority of cases where emergency orders are necessary, they are dealt with as emergencies, but I am very conscious of the delays and am concerned about it, as is the President of the District Court, and we would like to take action to ensure that situation changes.

I thank the Minister for clarifying that. We can speak about what happens in Dublin and in respect of the court here, but this is a problem right around the country. In particular, the fact that Teach Tearmainn, with which the Minister would be familiar, is not open to full capacity to deal with women who suffer from violence and have to leave their homes is a huge shame. Women are being stripped of their dignity and their children are too, because children are often unsuspecting independent witnesses to what goes on between their parents. There is a problem in terms of women who have to leave their homes because of domestic violence. They are not considered homeless by the local housing authorities, so the refuges need to be working at full capacity and we need more of them.

One other question I would like to ask the Minister relates to the full resources that are needed for the national 24-7 domestic violence helpline. What assistance can the Minister give here?

As I said in relation to the phone line, my Department has been in touch with the HSE in respect of the funding of that for this year. I understand that funding is under consideration at present and there is an intention to support the phone line. I will monitor that and try to get a date for the Deputy. I will communicate with her on that.

Deputy Eugene Murphy is not in the House, so I do not propose to take Question No. 16.

Question No. 16 taken after Question No. 18.

Garda Strength

Pat Casey

Ceist:

17. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána stations and the number of gardaí in County Wicklow on 30 April 2011 and on 30 April 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17092/16]

As this is my first time addressing the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, I wish her well in both of her roles. My question relates to Garda stations, the number of gardaí in Wicklow, the change in numbers between 2011 and April 2016 and the impact that has on crime figures.

I thank Deputy Casey for his good wishes. As he will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda regions, divisions, and districts. Garda management keeps this distribution under continuing review, taking into account crime trends and policing priorities. It is very important that we do that. The inspectorate report has spoken about the need to continually monitor and review how gardaí are allocated to different areas depending on crime trends. Crime trends vary considerably around the country and we cannot just make those decisions based on precedent or history.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner, in summary, that there were 19 stations on 30 April 2011, with 350 members assigned to the Wicklow division. On 30 April 2016 there were 17 stations in the Wicklow division, with 311 gardaí assigned to the division. As the Deputy will understand, a significant amount of information on the area is available, down to station and sub-district level, which he has requested. For ease of reference I have provided him with a breakdown of the detailed information. That is available to him for the record. I will not go into all of that detail here.

I and the Government are committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence. I have shown that through my actions as Minister for Justice and Equality in reopening Templemore training college and giving a commitment to accelerate the increase in Garda numbers to 15,000. Deputy Casey's party also supported this commitment and was very keen to see it in the programme for Government. I am hoping that for the September intake we will be in a position, depending on my discussions with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to accelerate the intake into Templemore and to see more gardaí coming through so that we can repair the damage that was done during the period of recession, when Garda numbers were reduced, Templemore was closed and investment stopped. All of that has changed thanks to the better economic situation, and we are now investing very heavily in An Garda Síochána once again, as evidenced by recent actions.

I acknowledge the good work the Garda is doing in exceptionally difficult and constrained times. I know the Minister is talking about the distribution of gardaí. There is still only a limited number of gardaí available for the country as a whole, and Wicklow has suffered by a reduction of 40 since 2011. More worryingly, Wicklow received ten new recruits, two of whom have resigned. Hopefully that is not a worrying trend.

Wicklow has a very large urbanised area to the north and has a very large rural area bordering Dublin, where criminals are organised and mobile and are using both the N11 and the N81 to access rural areas. The reduction in the number of gardaí in Wicklow has resulted in a corresponding increase in recorded crime, with an increase of more than 10% in the number of serious drugs offences and sexual offences and a massive 27% increase in weapons and explosives offences.

As the Deputy said, ten of the newly attested gardaí have been assigned to the Wicklow division. As I said in my original answer, it is extremely important that we allocate gardaí to different areas. It is the Garda Commissioner who makes that decision; I have absolutely nothing to do with decisions on the number of gardaí in particular areas or transfers. These are entirely a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I want to be very clear about that. It is extremely important that those decisions are made on the basis of looking at crime trends, examining decreases or increases in respect of crime trends, and making sure decisions are taken on that basis. As I said, Wicklow got ten new gardaí as a result of the increased recruitment. I have no doubt that the situation in relation to the crime trends the Deputy describes will be monitored, because we are very conscious of the mobile gangs that move along that corridor and try to commit crime.

The retirement of senior personnel and the knowledge that goes with them is also a concern. As an immediate response, would the Minister consider increasing the retirement age of gardaí from 60 to 63 on a voluntary basis? I think I have heard this mentioned before. That would help address the situation immediately and the force would retain that knowledge. The cost-benefit balance would be good because there would be no lump sum payment and no pension payment of 50%. As part of the programme for Government, we are trying to say we want to reinvest in the public services. Maybe that is an option the Minister could consider.

Quite a number of people make recommendations about bringing back retired gardaí, for example. It is not possible to bring back retired gardaí to do the job of current members of An Garda Síochána, but the Commissioner is examining whether there are ways in which the skill and experience gardaí have built up over the years, as the Deputy rightly described, might be used in a range of areas. That is very important if it is feasible. Extending the retirement age would have implications across the public sector. In that context, it would be a decision for the whole Government, particularly the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to consider.

What we are doing now is accelerating the recruitment. That is the important issue. We also have to work on the increasing civilianisation of An Garda Síochána. That is very important as well. In that regard, advertisements were placed in the newspaper just two weeks ago for more staff so that we can continue the civilianisation in Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport. That will free up some gardaí to do other important duties.

Garda Reports

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

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]

Last month this House debated the report of the O'Higgins commission. During the course of that debate, I referred to the fact that the central and most important message from the report was the consistent reference to management and supervision failures within An Garda Síochána. It is instructive to note that since then, the Policing Authority has expressed its views on the O'Higgins report. Does the Minister share the views expressed by myself and by the Policing Authority on the systemic performance and management failures within An Garda Síochána and does she share the dismay expressed by the authority at the familiarity and repetition of these performance failures?

Whatever the problems that need to be addressed we should never fail to show our appreciation for the front-line work of An Garda Síochána. We see their dangerous and courageous work daily and we see it at present in the north inner city. It is extremely important that we express our full support for the work they do but that does not mean they are immune from criticism. Many reports over the years, ranging back to the Morris tribunal, have underlined the need for cultural change within An Garda Síochána. In the comments I have made on the Garda Inspectorate report No. 11 and on the O'Higgins report, I have acknowledged the change that is needed and the faults that have been there traditionally, particularly in the area of culture.

We established the independent Policing Authority and this is one of the most significant developments since the foundation of the State. It is a major reform to have an independent body, such as the Policing Authority, examining how An Garda Síochána functions and asking the Commissioner to report on a whole range of areas. Together with the programme of reform the Garda Commissioner is implementing, this will build up confidence but there is a range of issues that need to be addressed. Management and culture are two important issues but investment is also needed. The Deputy asked earlier about support for An Garda Síochána and through pay and other areas which need investment we can ensure it gets the necessary support.

The Policing Authority is marked by its independence and the calibre of those appointed to serve on the board. Josephine Feehily is at the helm and there is a range of high-standing experienced members. It has begun its work in earnest and we all welcome the focus it has put on victims of crime. The O'Higgins report referred specifically to victims of crime and the need for them to be dealt with more centrally in the criminal justice system.

It is very important that people express support for An Garda Síochána. It is important that the political system does this and that the public has confidence in An Garda Síochána. It is also important that in order to improve An Garda Síochána and its young recruits, there is proper management and supervision within the force. It is instructive to note that the O'Higgins report and the comments on the report by the Policing Authority are consistent about supervision and management problems at senior levels in An Garda Síochána. There may need to be a change in culture in the force to recognise that when people raise questions, they are entitled to raise them and the issues have to be tackled. The only way that will change is if there is a change in attitude of senior management in An Garda Síochána. Is the Minister satisfied that senior management is truly committed to the change that she and I know is required to achieve the objectives?

I have had a number conversations with the Commissioner and senior officers on this issue. Those issues jumped to the fore when we were discussing the O'Higgins report. I believe the Garda Commissioner and the senior force are committed to the necessary changes and this is shown in the five-year modernisation and renewal programme published by the Garda Commissioner. This change does not, however, happen overnight, although I agree that it needs to be driven from the top. People at senior level need to be motivated to bring about the change that is necessary. I believe there is a commitment to do it and I have supported the Garda Commissioner in taking every step possible to make sure that the necessary management change is brought about. Investing in IT is part of that as it will enable the work of gardaí to be managed better. We have made a very significant investment in that area but it is about a combined approach.

One of the difficulties for An Garda Síochána is that the political system concentrates on the force and gets interested in its failings in the aftermath of specific reports. As a result of that political concentration, the Garda can move from crisis to crisis. It is important to have an appraisal and a proper assessment of An Garda Síochána away from crises, such as those dealt with by the Morris and O'Higgins reports. We need to change management and supervision to ensure that the victims of crime are not let down as they were in the case of the material dealt with in the O'Higgins report.

The Minister will also be aware that there were a couple of recommendations in the O'Higgins report, one of which was to change the terms and conditions of the sergeant in charge. Will the Minister urge the Commissioner to conduct an immediate review and change of the terms and conditions of sergeants in charge? It is one of the few recommendations in the O'Higgins report on which we can act promptly.

I take the points made by Deputy O'Callaghan and he is absolutely correct in his analysis. There have been very significant changes relating to training and supervision over the past two years. Supervision is now much more carefully built in. This is particularly the case in respect of new recruits but we need to see it throughout the force. It has been difficult for An Garda Síochána with the recruitment being stopped and with the gaps that there are in a variety of areas, including specialist areas. Supervision and management have been difficult because of staff shortages. It is no excuse but we need that situation to develop and with the new recruitment and investment, the force will be in a better position to make sure that happens. There have been significant changes in training, which are also extremely important. Work has already begun on the role of sergeants.

Garda Strength

I will now take Question No. 16, which I passed over earlier. The new Standing Order states that a Deputy must be present to have a question taken but as it is a new Standing Order and because Deputy Eugene Murphy was delayed, I will allow it.

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

16. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána stations and the number of gardaí in each in counties Longford and Roscommon on 30 April 2011 and on 30 April 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17088/16]

I appreciate the generous understanding of the Chair but I got caught up in something and did not get to the House on time. I want to ask the Minister for Justice and Equality about the number of Garda Síochána stations and the number of gardaí in each of the counties in the Longford-Roscommon and Galway divisions on 30 April 2011 and on 30 April 2016.

As I said earlier in response to a similar question on a different area, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda regions, divisions and districts. It is kept under review and now that more gardaí are being recruited, there are new people available to go to new areas. In summary, there were 31 stations on 30 April 2011 with 303 members assigned to the Longford-Roscommon division. On 30 April 2016, there were 22 stations in the Longford-Roscommon division with 298 gardaí assigned to the division, a small drop in the number of gardaí there. There is a lot of information available down to district and sub-district level and I have arranged for it to be made available to the Deputy and to be put on the record.

I want to see a strong and visible police presence. This is dependent on recruitment and on the increasing civilianisation of gardaí and freeing gardaí from administrative tasks, which is extremely important to give our communities reassurance and to deter crime.

We are having success in terms of the targeted operations. I put the figures relating to Operation Thor in the public arena some time ago. I made €5 million available for overtime in that very targeted operation to deal with the spate of burglaries we have been seeing, and it had extremely good effects in many areas throughout the country. We have extra recruitment now and I hope to accelerate that process in September so that we will have more gardaí available to be assigned, at the discretion of the Commissioner, to the areas where the crime trends show the need for them.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

Division of Roscommon / Longford 30 April 2016: Total = 298

Division

District

Station

Members

ROSCOMMON / LONGFORD

CASTLEREA

BALLAGHADERREEN

8

BALLINLOUGH

2

BOYLE

25

CASTLEREA

35

ELPHIN

2

FRENCHPARK

3

KEADUE

1

ROOSKY

4

STROKESTOWN

5

TULSK

1

CASTLEREA

Total

86

GRANARD

DRUMLISH

2

EDGEWORTHSTOWN

11

GRANARD

28

SMEAR

1

GRANARD

Total

42

LONGFORD

BALLYMAHON

9

KENAGH

1

LANESBORO

6

LONGFORD

73

LONGFORD

Total

89

ROSCOMMON

ATHLEAGUE

1

CLONARK

5

ROSCOMMON

74

TAUGHMACONNELL

1

ROSCOMMON

Total

81

Division of Roscommon / Longford 30 April 2011: Total = 303

Division

District

Station

Members

ROSCOMMON / LONGFORD

BOYLE

BOYLE

30

COOTEHALL

1

ELPHIN

2

KEADUE

1

ROOSKY

3

STROKESTOWN

4

TARMONBARRY

2

Total

43

CASTLEREA

BALLAGHADERREEN

7

BALLINLOUGH

2

BALLINTUBBER

1

CASTLEREA

35

FRENCHPARK

3

LOUGHGLYNN

1

TULSK

1

Total

50

GRANARD

ARDAGH

1

BALLINALEE

1

DRUMLISH

2

EDGEWORTHSTOWN

8

GRANARD

30

SMEAR

1

Total

43

LONGFORD

BALLYMAHON

6

KENAGH

1

LANESBORO

6

LONGFORD

61

NEWTOWNCASHEL

1

Total

75

ROSCOMMON

ATHLEAGUE

2

BALLYFORAN

1

CLONARK

1

KNOCKCROGHERY

7

ROSCOMMON

80

TAUGHMACONNELL

1

Total

92

Given that her portfolio is an enormous one, I acknowledge that the Tánaiste, as the senior Minister in the Department, is here. It is important that she is here. I also acknowledge what the Tánaiste said about the superintendents and the Commissioner, but the Tánaiste needs to communicate this message back. In 2010, 183 gardaí were in service in County Roscommon. I understand the figure is now down to 169. This is a 7.7% drop and means there are 14 fewer gardaí. In the Galway division, which is part of the Galway region, covering Ahascragh, Ballinasloe, Ballygar, Creggs, Ballymoe, Glennamaddy, and Williamstown, in 2010 we had 54 gardaí, but it is now down to 46 gardaí. That is a 14.8% decrease. It is clear that rural Ireland is losing out.

I will give a few examples. In 2010, the town of Boyle had 30 gardaí. It is now down to 26 gardaí, which is a 13.3% drop. In 2010, the town of Ballinasloe had 46 gardaí. It is now down to 41 gardaí, which is a 10.9% drop. This is a crisis. Will the Tánaiste go back with a very strong message on policing in rural Ireland? It is not being addressed, the numbers are falling away and Garda stations are closing.

We had a cycle of boom and bust and an economy that was in deep trouble. It is clear that this had an impact on recruitment. Templemore was closed. I am the Minister that reopened Templemore, restarted recruitment and started reinvesting in An Garda Síochána. We want to provide as much support as possible to rural communities. The types of initiative that have been taken, for example, in Kilkenny, where we see the Garda and businesses working together on crime issues, have been very effective. I have seen that in other counties as well.

The Garda Commissioner examines crime trends. In some areas, crime figures have decreased considerably. We must align our allocation of gardaí and the designation of gardaí to different stations with the needs of the areas. I take the Deputy's points and have no doubt the Commissioner will consider them carefully. However, she looks at the needs of all Garda divisions when deciding the allocation of newly attested gardaí and, in fact, five of the newly attested gardaí have been assigned to the Longford-Roscommon Garda division to date.

I thank the Tánaiste for her reply. However, my understanding is that no new recruit came west of the River Shannon. Perhaps they came to Longford but, as far as I understand, no new recruit came west of the River Shannon.

I acknowledge the Tánaiste's reply. However, in the Roscommon-Galway division, seven Garda stations have been closed. Even if it were the case that just one or two of them were closed, I would not agree with it. Termonbarry is a beautiful village on the N5, a major route to the west and the River Shannon near it. Its Garda station is closed. Ballymoe is a busy part of County Galway; its Garda station is closed. I can also mentioned Knockcroghery, Ballyforan, Loughglinn, Ballintober and Cootehall. Take the closure of Cootehall Garda station, which is in the Boyle region. The number of gardaí in the Boyle Garda station, which was a 24-hour service that has now been cut back as well, has dropped by four, along with the closure of Cootehall Garda station in the same region. These are the issues and I ask the Tánaiste to bring back a strong message to the superintendents and the Commissioner. We need a change in policy and we need more gardaí in rural Ireland, particularly in Roscommon-Galway, the constituency in which I live.

I repeat that it is important that gardaí be allocated to where there is an identified strong need. We are accelerating recruitment but it will always be a finite resource. Where communities are working together, it is obvious that they need a garda. However, a whole-of-community response is important, with, for instance, tradespeople, business people and taxi drivers all working together. I have increased the funding available and doubled it for the likes of Macra na Feirme, Crimestoppers and voluntary organisations working on text alert and various other schemes. That is important as well. I believe that what we need more than anything is a mobile and responsive police force that can respond with alacrity to calls from the public and that can prevent and interrupt crime.

Garda Operations

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

19. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which policing methods are in line with best practice internationally, with reference to the need to ensure adequate rapid deployment capability and the optimum use of resources in terms of location and response to various criminal challenges, while at the same time maintaining good relations with the public; if she will bring about particular initiatives of a helpful nature in the ongoing battle against criminal activity, including further amendments to the bail laws; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17128/16]

The purpose of the question is to compare our policing practices and deployment and rapid response capabilities, in terms of the best possible use of the numbers available, with those in other jurisdictions.

The report of the Garda Inspectorate on crime investigation gave us an analysis of An Garda Síochána's investigative processes and it is an extremely good report. If the recommendations in the report are followed, it is intended that the methods and investigative processes used by An Garda Síochána would align with best international practice. Our goal should be to have a policing service, An Garda Síochána, that meets and exceeds the best international standards. There is no reason not to have such a policing service.

After the report was published, An Garda Síochána established a strategic transformation office at Garda Headquarters to co-ordinate and facilitate the implementation of the reforms that arose from that inspectorate report. The recommendations in the report are an important component of the overall justice reform programme that has been put in place in recent years. The reform programme is being overseen by the Cabinet committee on justice reform, which is chaired by An Taoiseach. We invite the chair of the independent Policing Authority to the committee from time to time, as well as the Commissioner and her senior staff, to oversee the delivery of the reforms recommended by the inspectorate.

As I stated already, the implementation of those reforms is clearly supported by the significant investments we have made in policing resources under the framework of the capital plan, including €205 million for technology, as well as a series of investments in An Garda Síochána. We have three new headquarters and a new headquarters in Sligo. There is a significant programme of investment supporting the Garda to continue to reach the highest standards. Deputy Durkan said that this is necessary and I agree with him.

Is consideration being given to community policing? How does our situation compare with that available in other jurisdictions? To what extent do we now rely on more mobile community policing? For instance, in other jurisdictions police officers on mopeds or motorcycles have replaced police officers on the beat. To what extent can we learn from the changing policing methods in other jurisdictions, with a view to making it easier to deliver a high-quality but more effective and efficient service, as is required of all branches of service?

I encourage Members to look at An Garda Síochána's strategy statement for the coming year, which outlines the priority areas in terms of the work of, investment in and direction of An Garda Síochána. Community policing is identified as a priority in that statement. We are fortunate in Ireland with regard to the relationship between An Garda Síochána and the local community. A number of people have said that they feel that is in danger of being lost at present. The new recruitment will help to deal with the issue and it is a priority area. An Garda Síochána and the Commissioner recognise, as I have emphasised repeatedly, the importance of community policing as a front line of defence against criminal activity and in supporting communities. Of course, policing is also changing in many ways in terms of the challenges of cyber-crime, terrorism and security, and gardaí need to be appropriately equipped. We need to look in particular at the interoperability of our Irish systems with international databases, which is an ongoing challenge that I intend to address.

I thank the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality. Perhaps she will clarify if any comparisons have been made, in the context of the effectiveness of community policing, between policing the beat on foot and policing via a motor car or other mechanically propelled vehicle. Obviously it is possible for the police officer in those circumstances to cover a much wider area and to respond more rapidly and possibly more effectively. Will the Minister indicate to what extent we should consider the armed threat posed by criminal gangs to our police force and how can we augment the Garda capability in those circumstances?

With regard to the Deputy's last point, An Garda Síochána has shown again and again that it will stand up to the threat from criminal gangs and the Government will certainly support the force in doing that. The €50 million that was allocated two weeks ago to An Garda Síochána is evidence of that support. The threat from criminal gangs is severe. They are engaged in a cycle of revenge and retaliation which has to be interrupted. An Garda Síochána has shown over many years that it is capable of dealing with dissidents and with those who threatened our peace. The Garda was capable of dealing with the threat of violence in Limerick and in other places where 24 out of 25 murders were solved. I have no doubt they will do the same in the current investigations. There are over 20 people before the courts at present in relation to those investigations but An Garda Síochána wants to prevent such occurrences, to investigate them and to prosecute them.

With regard to the comparisons I do not think it is a question of either-or: we need both community policing and we need armed response units and we will have a new armed response unit in Dublin later this year. An investment has been made in that which is important. I believe we need a variety of policing methods in order to deal with modern criminality in all its guises.

Garda Resources

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

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]

As the Tánaiste is aware, serious gangland crime continues in Dublin. She has stated that the threat is severe and is a significant challenge to the gardaí, and not just the gardaí on the north inner city of Dublin but to gardaí throughout the city. Fortunately they are meeting that challenge and have been very active as was seen last weekend.

The deployment of Garda armed units is directed at highly dangerous threats, whether from organised crime or terrorism. An Garda Síochána’s primary armed special intervention capacity is in the emergency response unit, ERU which forms part of the special detective unit. At the request of the Garda Commissioner earlier this year, the Government and I moved very decisively and quickly to strengthen Garda resources to deal with gang-related crime in the Dublin area. Funding was approved for the establishment of a dedicated armed support unit, ASU, for the Dublin metropolitan area in order to enhance armed support capability in Dublin and to free up the resources of the ERU. The Dublin ASU will have a strength of 55, that is five sergeants and 50 gardaí. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the unit is in the process of being set up and trained as a matter of priority. Expressions of interest were sought and there were huge numbers of members of An Garda Síochána who expressed an interest in the unit, contrary to what was said at the time and I welcome that response. Additional equipment is also being acquired to equip the unit and to upgrade the equipment available to the ERU and the special detective unit. Pending the full establishment of the new unit the Garda Commissioner has put in place arrangements so that the necessary armed support is being provided on an overtime basis currently in the Dublin area.

I will now turn to funding. An additional allocation of €55 million is to be provided in 2016 including €5 million previously announced in February. This is funded from €40 million extra from the Exchequer plus €15 million from projected savings in the justice and equality sector. The armed response unit for Dublin is in the process of being set up. In the meantime other gardaí are carrying out the tasks that it will carry out on a long-term basis and I have provided the Deputy with the numbers that will be in that unit. Applications are being assessed, decisions are being made as to who will be in the unit and training will be provided.

I recognise that resources are crucial in order to meet the challenge posed by organised crime. I welcome that the Tánaiste has been apprised by the Garda Commissioner that the unit will have 55 gardaí. It is not a matter for the Tánaiste or me to get involved in operational matters with regard to whether that number is sufficient or insufficient. However, I am slightly worried that the Tánaiste states that the unit is being set up and that gardaí will be trained. There is an urgency to this matter, as I know the Tánaiste will appreciate. In those circumstances, perhaps the Tánaiste will clarify when the unit will be set up, when the training will be complete and when the people of Dublin will know that this special organised crime unit is active and is there to defend them and, more importantly, that the serious criminals involved in gangland crime will know that this House and the State is serious about meeting the threat from organised crime.

I assure the Deputy and the people of Dublin that armed support is actually in place, but not by the dedicated unit that will be the armed support unit. The function is currently performed on an overtime basis because it is essential, given the challenges we face, particularly in the north inner city of Dublin and surrounding area. Once the Government had agreed the funding the Garda Commissioner moved as quickly as possible to advertise the positions. There was a very large response that is taking some time to process. The Garda Commissioner informs me that she hopes the Dublin armed response unit will be in place later this year.

In the meantime the resources and people are there to provide the armed response that is needed. As the Deputy has acknowledged, the work is ongoing, crimes have been prevented, investigations are taking place and people are being prosecuted before the courts. I thank the Garda for the work being undertaken by gardaí in the most dangerous situations where there are those who are intent on that cycle of revenge and retaliation.

On behalf of myself and Fianna Fáil, I acknowledge and thank An Garda Síochána for the excellent work the gardaí are doing. However, it is obviously the case that senior gardaí and commissioners can be reticent when it comes to stating publicly that they need further resources. Ultimately this is a battle that will be defeated if sufficient resources are provided to An Garda Síochána. I welcome the fact that an extra €50 million has been allocated but can the Tánaiste clarify if she will be seeking more resources in Budget 2017? This is a battle that needs to be continually met and our resources need to be continually added to in order to ensure this battle is won.

I am very pleased that the extra €50 million was available two weeks ago which is expected to support the work of An Garda Síochána until the end of 2016 in three areas - gang related crime, Operation Thor and in the area of security. It is important to continue the work of Operation Thor throughout the State so that the work of criminal gangs which are intent on burglaries can be interrupted and we can prevent those crimes. With regard to security, we must be increasingly conscious from a security perspective of the threats out there and the Garda have to put resources into that area. The resources that have been brought forward by the Government are intended to ensure that this work will be supported through to the end of the year. We will have further discussions regarding next year's budget.

Garda Station Closures

John McGuinness

Ceist:

21. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda stations and the number of gardaí in each of the counties Kilkenny and Carlow on 30 April 2011 and on 30 April 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17094/16]

I am glad to hear the Minister for Justice and Equality refer to the relationship between Kilkenny businesses and the local Garda which is making a huge impact in tracking crime and alerting people to the possibility of crime throughout the city and county. Text alerts are also proving effective. There is a community involvement. My question seeks to establish the number of gardaí and Garda stations because there has been a significant drop of 21 in south Kilkenny, nine in Carlow and ten in the Kilkenny district.

I thank Deputy McGuinness. I was briefed on the situation in Kilkenny and the kind of work being done with the community, business organisation and local gardaí who have interrupted and prevented several crimes in the area, particularly the mobile gangs which were targeting Kilkenny at one point.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner, in summary, that there were 29 stations on 30 April 2011 with 312 members assigned to the Carlow-Kilkenny division. On 30 April 2016 there were 25 stations in the Carlow-Kilkenny division with 291 gardaí assigned to the division. As the Deputy will understand, there is a significant amount of information available down to station and sub-district level which he has requested. For ease of reference I have provided a breakdown of the detailed information requested.

I have dealt with the background issue. We are recruiting. There are more gardaí available. We are freeing up gardaí from work that can be done by civilians. The Garda Commissioner takes the crime trends and the needs of an area into account in determining the precise resources needed. The kind of work we have seen, particularly in Kilkenny, is a very good model to be copied elsewhere in terms of safety and security in urban and rural areas.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

Division of Carlow Kilkenny 30 April 2016: Total = 291

Division

District

Station

Members

KILKENNY/CARLOW

CARLOW

BALLON

1

BORRIS

2

CARLOW

76

HACKETSTOWN

1

MUINEBHEAG

10

MYSHALL

1

RATHVILLY

1

TULLOW

15

CARLOW

Total

107

KILKENNY

CALLAN

5

CASTLECOMER

11

FRESHFORD

1

KILKENNY

111

URLINGFORD

2

KILKENNY

Total

130

THOMASTOWN

BALLYHALE

0

BENNETSBRIDGE

1

GLENMORE

1

GORESBRIDGE

2

GRAIGUENAMANAGH

4

KILMACOW

1

KILMOGANNY

1

MOONCOIN

11

MULLINAVAT

2

PILTOWN

1

STONYFORD

0

THOMASTOWN

30

THOMASTOWN

Total

54

KILKENNY/CARLOW

Total

291

Division of Carlow Kilkenny 30 April 2011: Total = 312

Division

District

Station

Members

KILKENNY / CARLOW

CARLOW

BALLON

1

BORRIS

2

CARLOW

78

HACKETSTOWN

1

LEIGHLINBRIDGE

2

MUINEBHEAG

11

MYSHALL

1

RATHVILLY

1

TULLOW

18

Total

115

KILKENNY

BALLYRAGGET

1

CALLAN

6

CASTLECOMER

14

FRESHFORD

1

JOHNSTOWN

3

KILKENNY

100

URLINGFORD

1

Total

126

THOMASTOWN

BALLYHALE

1

BENNETSBRIDGE

1

GLENMORE

1

GORESBRIDGE

2

GRAIGUENAMANAGH

6

INISTIOGE

1

KILMACOW

1

KILMOGANNY

1

MOONCOIN

11

MULLINAVAT

3

PILTOWN

1

STONYFORD

1

THOMASTOWN

41

Total

71

Total

312

The numbers can deceive. There is a major problem in the rural parts of the county, as raised by another Deputy earlier. The same pertains in Kilkenny. The amount of burglary, trespass and other crime across north and south Kilkenny is significant. We have to find a different model to deliver a better policing service so that people can feel secure and safe. In Kilkenny city, where €300,000 worth of cocaine and other drugs were confiscated in the past week, the local gardaí are to be complimented on the intelligence they had, their work with the national headquarters and their determination to track down and prevent those drugs from getting onto the streets of the city and county of Kilkenny. I acknowledge that the Minister said earlier that requires constant regular reviewing, investment, updating of information technology systems and so on. I would like to see that happen in Kilkenny.

I take the Deputy’s points about Kilkenny. It is worth reading the Thor figures for the whole country, including the Kilkenny areas. We have seen reductions. That builds on the experience we have had before. Where there are dedicated police operations, such as Thor, where there are mobile patrols, intelligence and police working closely with the other stakeholders and the community is involved, we can get reductions. We can beat this and have in many areas. There is more work to be done. This continues; the fight against crime does not stop. The Deputy is right that it involves using a variety of methods, modern technology and increased use of closed circuit television, CCTV, particularly at strategic locations throughout the country. We are examining that and I expect to make an announcement about it later this year. It is a question of making sure all the different elements come together and we need more gardaí too.

On the investment front, I encourage the Minister to consider providing a new Garda station in Kilkenny, and to examine the network in the county. The population of Kilkenny city, like that of many urban centres, has increased and only recently a temporary extension was added to the station. There is a need to accommodate the modern technology and all that is necessary for the gardaí and law enforcement. That is lacking in the Garda station in Kilkenny city. Will the Minister consider that in particular and the possibility of ringfencing some funding for the extension of CCTV in urban centres? It is very successful but it takes up space within a Garda station. There is a need for the investment in the system and in the accommodation. The front-line gardaí are doing an excellent job. I would like to see continued review and investment and I particularly draw the Minister’s attention to the needs of the Garda station in the city.

One of the things I did last year was to work with the Garda Síochána and the Office of Public Works so that we could identify the priority Garda stations around the country that needed investment and refurbishment. We have a very clear plan and timetable in place for that and a very detailed capital investment programme because there are many Garda stations throughout the country where the standards are not good enough, that need to be refurbished and extended. We need the property and the stores where evidence can be stored properly until it is needed for a court case. That capital programme was due for review next year. I hope it can be done early next year.

I will bear in mind what the Deputy says about Kilkenny because we will review the needs of different areas in respect of capital investment. People talk about closed Garda stations but it is important to recognise that there is a significant programme of capital investment in Garda stations. There are three new headquarters being built and there is a new headquarters in Sligo.

Garda Station Closures

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

22. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of rural crime and the community gardaí (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17115/16]

Many Garda stations were closed by a previous Minister and the local garda has been taken out of our communities. The Minister knows one of the most valuable things we can have in a community is a local community-based garda who knows the people living in that community, who is a friend of that community and its different organisations. There is nothing that garda does not know about his local area. That has in many cases been taken away from us. Will the Minister address this in her new term? I congratulate her on her re-appointment and her elevation to Tánaiste.

I am very aware of the damage done to rural communities by organised gangs engaged in burglary or other criminal activity. The Central Statistics Office official records show a 26.2% decrease in burglary in the last three months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

It is important to acknowledge that where we invest and have targeted operations they can make a difference. The figures are available from around the country and they do vary. It is important to continue the investment. I take the Deputy's point about the engagement of An Garda Síochána with local communities. It is vital from an intelligence point of view and very often gives security to people.

Equally, however, we need gardaí who are mobile and have the right equipment and vehicles. We are also investing in that area. The Garda national model of community policing is a priority and continues to play a key part in responding to crime. As we recruit more gardaí and as we free up more gardaí from other duties which civilians take over, we can ensure that in most communities we will have more community gardaí. The Irish model of policing is built on the gardaí who are in contact around a given area being community police. We do not separate out the titles too much but I take the essential point the Deputy is making about the importance of community policing and developing the community policing model is in the strategy programme for the Garda this year. It is a priority.

During the term of the last Government, I proved that it was costing more to keep a Garda station closed than open. That is in the Official Report, in black and white. That was a very stark thing to find out at the time when it was being shoved down our throats that it was a question of saving money and better policing.

The statistics from which the Minister is operating are inaccurate and I will give her one clear example why that is the case. The amount of unreported crime going on in our country is amazing. I know of seven people who were victims of crime. I called them to tell them I was conducting a private survey. I wanted to know which of them had reported crimes to local Garda stations. Out of the seven, three had reported the crimes. The other four told me they would not bother. People had oil stolen from their diesel tanks and other such matters. They saw no reason to report such crimes.

I am making every effort to ensure that the statistics being used are correct. One of the things I did on receiving the report from the Garda Inspectorate was to hold a meeting with the CSO and have detailed discussions about the reliability of the statistics coming from An Garda Síochána. Quite a lot of work has been done. It is important that people have confidence in the published statistics.

I encourage people to report crimes. It is important that gardaí are aware of any crimes committed in an area. Intelligence about one crime leads to the prevention or prosecution of other criminal activity. The Garda needs to have accurate figures about what precisely is happening in communities.

I want to highlight the fact that we are grateful to the Garda which is up against it in the fight against crime. In Kerry, where I am from, mobile criminals are using our motorway network to drive from large centres of population to places in Kerry, at night or by day. They are very organised and local gardaí are making a great effort with the resources they have. I want to acknowledge publicly local gardaí, such as sergeants, superintendents, inspectors and all of those who work in the force. Unfortunately, gardaí have been seriously injured or have died in the line of duty, something this House needs to acknowledge. My final plea is to ask the Minister to ensure gardaí are adequately resourced to fight not just urban but rural crime. It is a slogan that was not used a number of years ago.

I would like to highlight a number of initiatives that have taken place regarding particular categories of crime that affect rural communities. They include the continuing work of the Garda metal theft forum, which brings key stakeholders together, including farming representatives, to address all forms of metal theft in rural and urban areas and the theft stop partnership with the IFA and Crimestoppers which aims to combat the theft of farm machinery.

An IFA-Crimestoppers initiative provides a reward fund of €10,000 to encourage reports about livestock theft and an awareness campaign to address the theft of electrical cables was launched through Crimestoppers, in partnership with An Garda Síochána and ESB networks. I met some of the rural representative organisations to discuss any other initiatives we can take in regard to rural crime. I am determined to give whatever support I can to rural communities that have been at the receiving end of crimes such as these.

Written Answers are published on the Oireachtas website.
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