Vol. 1043 No. 6
6. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice to outline her proposals for family law reform, with particular reference to the need for an indicative timescale; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44100/23]
This question relates to the very welcome reforms that the Minister is proposing to take regarding family law reform. There is a need for an urgency greater than we have anticipated up to now. I ask the Minister to accelerate the programme to meet the needs of the situation.
I thank Deputy Durkan for raising the very important matter of proposals for family law reform with particular reference to the need for an indicative timescale. As the Deputy is aware, we are leading an ambitious programme of family justice reform. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, and I published the family justice strategy in November of last year. It sets out a vision for a family justice system of the future. This system will focus on the needs and rights of children and will assist their parents in making decisions that affect all of the family. We intend to achieve this through the implementation of more than 50 actions across nine goals, with timescales up to the end of 2025 and progress updates published annually. The strategy is foundational in nature. It outlines the steps needed to move towards a streamlined, user-friendly family justice system which supports and protects children and their families. As the strategy was developed, we listened to and acknowledged the many issues and concerns about how the current system operates.
The actions stress the importance of children’s welfare and the need to ensure their best interests are considered in conjunction with their constitutional rights. To that end, my Department has commenced a review to examine the role of expert reports in the family law process, the commissioning and availability of these reports, and their content and use. Later this year, a working group will be established to review the effectiveness of the current arrangements for hearing the voice of the child in private family law cases.
The family courts legislation is a key part of the strategy, and an important element of the family justice reforms. It will provide for the establishment of family courts as divisions of the existing court structures, each dealing with family law cases appropriate to its jurisdiction. The Bill completed Second Stage in the Seanad earlier this year and work is ongoing in my Department and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to prepare for Committee Stage in consultation with relevant Departments, State bodies and other stakeholders. These initiatives mark the beginning of the reform of how the family justice system operates. My vision is to make the system work better for everyone engaging with it, particularly for those most in need of additional support and protection, including victims of domestic and sexual violence, vulnerable parents and most of all children.
I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I recognise that the end of the year is a particular landmark. The question I am trying to pursue is the extent, if any, to which the Minister of State can intervene to speed up the process. This would bring on board certain aspects of the proposals to ensure that the issues referred to by many in this House are addressed. I refer to the fact that children are forcibly removed from their parents, mostly women who are mothers, but from some men. This creates a situation whereby children are psychologically damaged as a result of being forced apart from their parents by what I would call the clumsiness of the system at present.
I can assure the Deputy that the review is a priority for the Department. The voice of the child in court proceedings is essential to everything this Department does in terms of reviews. In relation to parental alienation, as the Deputy will be aware, my Department published a research report and policy paper on parental alienation on our website last May. Officials from the Department also briefed Oireachtas Members and stakeholder groups on the recommendations of the paper.
Both the paper and the report recognise that parental alienation is a highly contested and divisive concept. While there is little concrete information on the exact extent of accusations of parental alienation within the Irish courts, the research report found that, similar to other courts internationally, there appears to be an increase in claims of parental alienation in family law proceedings. It appears to arise particularly in custody and access disputes and in cases where allegations of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence feature. Despite the highly contested nature of the concept, there was consensus in the public consultation that the means to address parental alienation lie in improvements to the Irish family law courts and family justice system. The family justice strategy puts children at the centre of the system and emphasises the need to ensure they are listened to and heard and their views are given due regard. I can assure the Deputy that these are priority issues for us.
7. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the measures undertaken by her Department to reduce citizenship application processing times, particularly in respect of applications submitted in 2021 and 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43951/23]
My question relates to applications of citizenship. What should be a joyful process and a wonderful experience has become mired in delay. What measures has the Department taken to reduce the backlog? The response to a recent question from a colleague on the Government side of the House confirmed that there is a backlog of 15,000 on the waiting list. How far back is that? It mentions 2021 and 2022. Does it go back even further?
I thank the Deputy for raising the important matter of the measures undertaken by the Department to reduce citizenship application processing times in particular in respect of applications submitted in 2021 and 2022. My Department is focused on improving the naturalisation process for applicants and reducing the backlog of cases as soon as possible. Additional staff have been assigned and services are being digitised and streamlined. Thanks to these measures, the number of cases processed has increased by more than 30% against pre-pandemic figures. Further digitisation is in train, which is making the application process more user-friendly and efficient.
To date in 2023, a decision has been made on 7,643 adult applications and 3,956 minor applications, with 9,723 certificates of naturalisation having issued. Of the cases on hand, 4,210 have received a positive decision and are now in the process of making their final payment or being scheduled to attend a ceremony. Insofar as applications made in 2021 and 2022 are concerned, of the 11,974 applications received in 2021, 9,185 applicants have received a decision to date along with 4,074 of the 17,177 applications from 2022.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that as a result of the significant measures being taken to improve processing rates, the vast majority of the outstanding applications from 2021 and 2022 are now in the final stages of processing. These applications are being prioritised for conclusion, although I should note that each individual application is potentially different and therefore some may take longer to process than others. In parallel with the measures being taken to improve processing, the Deputy will be glad to know that more of the very successful citizenship ceremonies are being held this year, with ten having taken place so far and an additional seven planned for December. I regard these welcoming occasions as an essential contribution to celebrating difference and diversity in our country.
I certainly welcome the citizenship ceremonies. However, my question is very specific in relation to the delay caused by the backlog. I would be grateful if the Minister of State could be more specific. I welcome the fact that there are extra staff but I understand that this section lost staff because of the passport crisis. What resources are being used within the Department to handle these applications? The backlog is unacceptable. I have a specific case in mind which is always helpful.
That person has been waiting since March 2021 and is in limbo land - although we have abolished limbo - given the travel restrictions and all the consequences that follow from not having citizenship. I ask the Minister of State to be more specific with me. What staff have been put in place? Are there sufficient staff to handle it? Are we prioritising the latest applications as opposed to the backlog so that the figures look better and we are processing more? What has been set aside specifically to deal with the backlog?
Regarding the backlog, I fully appreciate applicants for citizenship wish to have their decision made as quickly as possible and without any delay. There certainly has been a backlog but it is one we are working through as quickly as possible. The nature of the naturalisation process is such that for a broad range of reasons some cases take longer than others to process. In some cases, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time. However, it is important to note that the current backlog in citizenship application processing has arisen largely due to the legacy of restrictions imposed on staff attendance in the office during the pandemic and the recent increase in applications. It is expected almost 20,000 applications will be received this year, up almost 20% on last year and significantly up on recent years. The median processing time for applications is 19 months, which is not good enough. The efficiency measures I mentioned are intended to achieve a significant reduction in this timeline. This will be monitored and managed closely.
I do not have the exact figures on staffing but this is being given priority within the Department. In terms of staffing and in the terms of digitisation and other changes in processes, we are trying to speed this process up as quickly as possible.
I appreciate that this is a legacy issue. I know some cases are complicated. However, let us be blunt and straight here; it is a legacy issue. As well as staff not being available because of the Covid pandemic, staff were also reassigned to other matters. Have they been brought back into this section? When does the Minister of State expect the backlog to be cleared? In the example I quoted, the person has been waiting since March 2021, which is over two and a half years. This person is working away but is totally restricted. I now understand that the e-vetting will start for that person. How long will the e-vetting take? Will the e-vetting take into account that that person has now been waiting - through no fault of their own - since March 2021? Will that person now wait another two years to get the citizenship? What resources are necessary? Specifically, are the later applications in 2022 and 2023 being prioritised to give a faster processing time while the backlog is not being dealt with adequately? Surely priority should be given to the backlog and adequate resources assigned.
If the Deputy wants to give me details of the specific case, I can look into that particular situation.
Just generally, how long does the e-vetting take?
Obviously, there are a lot of moving parts in any process when dealing with a backlog, such as how many applications will be made in a particular year and, of course, as the Deputy mentioned, staffing as well, but it is being given priority. We are moving to a digitisation of e-vetting, replacing a largely paper-based process with a simple email link. This is speeding up the process significantly. Some who have started the e-vetting have probably been processed a bit more quickly than those who were in the system already. However, those who are in the backlog are being processed as quickly as possible as well. It is not a case of prioritising one group over another. E-vetting is a quicker process and those who got in a bit earlier did not have the opportunity at the time to use the e-vetting process. However, we are clearing the backlog as quickly as possible.
9. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice to detail the actions her Department has taken to date to ensure the provision of appropriate facilities and interview suites in Courts Service buildings for those who are vulnerable or who have invisible or visible disabilities. [44122/23]
What actions has the Department taken to date to ensure the provision of appropriate facilities and interview suites in Courts Service buildings for those who are vulnerable or who have invisible or visible disabilities?
I thank the Deputy for asking this very important question on the action the Department is taking to ensure provision of appropriate facilities and interview suites in Courts Service buildings for those who are vulnerable or who have invisible or visible disabilities.
The Government has invested substantial additional resources into the Courts Service in recent years to support the modernisation programme it is implementing. The Deputy will appreciate that the management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service. I can, however, assure her that the Government will support the Courts Service in its work to create an environment where justice can be administered efficiently and accessibly for all citizens.
I am therefore very pleased to say that the Courts Service has made a clear commitment to ensuring appropriate facilities are available for vulnerable people and those living with disabilities. New buildings are designed with a wide range of facilities for users including vulnerable witness suites, victim support suites, hearing loop systems and accessible spaces. It is Courts Service policy that all newly constructed or refurbished buildings fully reflect the specific requirements and aspirations of relevant law and good industry practice, including key building standards with respect to the needs of disabled persons, as well as guidance from the National Disability Authority on universal design principles.
The Courts Service has adopted the approach that full accessibility should be provided even in refurbished heritage buildings, which otherwise may be exempt in some respects. The approach taken is that facilities for all users and each of the separate circulation zones in a courthouse should be fully accessible.
Increased use of technology and remote courts has also eased some of the challenges associated with travel to court buildings for users with physical disabilities, and these facilities are to be expanded further. Similarly, the Courts Service modernisation programme and the growing digitisation of services have the potential to make access easier, while taking full account of the need to ensure that digital access is itself provided in an accessible manner.
I am conscious that we all need to become more aware and have an understanding of disability in general but invisible disabilities in particular. I am talking mainly about autistic people. Autistic people gave evidence at a recent disability committee meeting about their experience with the Courts Service. They felt there were absolutely no supports in place for them and they find it very difficult to fit into that system. Dealing with the legal aspect, if they have to apply for free legal aid, that is a very complicated process involving a lot of information and can be very overwhelming. They just lack the skills and require assistance. Many people who are autistic also have attention-deficit disorder. With all the evidence and everything that is happening, it can be very overwhelming; there are many things going on at once.
Even to enter a courtroom, they need familiarisation beforehand. I do not think that process is happening but I hope it can be done if people make the Courts Service aware that they are autistic. Having an advocate there can help them. The anxiety that can build as they wait for their case to come up can be quite overwhelming.
I again thank the Deputy for her very important question.
In addition to its approach to physical facilities the Courts Service is also continuing to invest in initiatives to improve the experience of all court users. I will mention two projects in particular, the first is the "just a minute", JAM, card. The Courts Service provided JAM card training to all of its staff in 2021. As the Deputy is aware, this card allows people with a hidden disability or communication barrier to tell others that they need extra time and understanding in a private and easy way.
The Courts Service has carried out very impressive work to provide trauma-informed training to a wide range of staff and members of the Judiciary. To date, 457 Courts Service staff have completed the training, resulting in plain language information being written with a trauma-informed lens. The design of the new Dublin Family Courts at Hammond Lane is also benefiting from this approach, while front-line staff supporting people making domestic violence applications are supporting people in a different way to reduce the requirement to retell their stories.
The judicial studies committee, established in 2020 by the Judicial Council, has devised and delivered an avoiding retraumatisation programme in collaboration with SSR, the Dutch Judicial Training Institute. The focus of this training was to give judges a deeper and more realistic understanding of victims’ experiences.
The Minister of State spoke about training for court staff, which is very important because the discrepancy across staff can be immense. Some are very understanding and some are not. That includes judges, solicitors and people working in the Courts Service. In July of last year, the Joint Committee on Justice published a report on courts and courthouses, which covered some of the issues the Minister of State talked about and I welcome that. For example, the JAM card is very important. The early stages of the modernisation programme have prioritised ordinary users of the courts system - those are its words, not mine. Under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities we have to ensure that all people have access to justice and the legal system. Therefore, we have to take into account that some people are vulnerable and need assistance in that.
The Irish Prison Service has been before the Joint Committee on Disability Matters and said there is a quite a high number of people within our prison system who have disabilities, hidden disabilities, are autistic or have mental health issues. It raises questions about whether they should be there. First, had they received proper support in the community they might not be there in the first place. Perhaps some of the issues in the court would have resulted in them being there when they should not be there at all. That is something we have to take into account.
I hear the Deputy's genuine concerns on this issue in regard to disabilities both obvious and hidden. As I say in terms of physicality we are putting in that programme to ensure our courts are accessible but also in terms of training for people to be able to deal with vulnerable witnesses, vulnerable victims and all vulnerable court users so they can be dealt with in a sympathetic manner. That training will continue to be rolled out. Ensuring access to justice for everybody, in particular for those people who are vulnerable or who have disabilities, is a priority for both the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and myself.
11. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the total number of gardaí in Meath at present; the total number newly employed; and the total number who resigned in each of the years 2020 to 2022 and to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44011/23]
I want to ask the Minister the total number of gardaí in County Meath at present, the total number newly recruited and the total number who resigned in each of the years 2020 to 2022 and to date in 2023. If possible will the Minister supply figures on retirement as well to give us a sense of turnover, and whether there are plans to increase recruitment? Will the Minister make a statement on the matter?
The unprecedented allocation of more than €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána in this year's budget demonstrates a 23% increase since 2020. That demonstrates the Government's and my commitment to ensuring gardaí have the provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and above all, personnel that it needs to carry out its vital policing work. Since the reopening of the Garda College in 2014 a total of 143 new recruits have been assigned to the Meath division. This has contributed to the number of gardaí in the Meath division growing by almost 15% since 2015. A further Garda attestation will take place this Friday, with a further allocation of gardaí due then. At the end of August this year there were 318 Garda members assigned to the Meath division. This includes 259 gardaí, 44 sergeants and ten inspectors. In addition, 45 Garda staff were assigned to the Meath division which represents a very significant increase of 73% in the same period. I hope these numbers will continue to increase as we have allocated additional funding for civilian staff in this year's budget too.
I am advised that as less than ten gardaí have resigned in County Meath in each of the years referenced, it is not the practice to report in this kind of detail because it could allow for individuals to be identified. However, we have taken all three years collectively. Over the three years, 13 members of An Garda Síochána have resigned from the Meath division. I am grateful to all of those men and women who have given exceptional service to this community. It is 13 members more than I would like or that the Deputy would like to see leaving. What is important is that we understand why people have left, be it in the past year or the past three years. That is why An Garda Síochána is conducting exit interviews, to see what more we can do to respond to the reasons for leaving. Some will have left for their own personal reasons but others will have left because of challenges in the job because it is an extremely difficult and challenging job. My role is to make sure that I provide the resources and put the supports in place to support gardaí. It is also notable that many of the major crime categories in County Meath have fallen in the most recent crime statistics. Most notably burglary has fallen by 38%. Overall I am committed to providing a steady pipeline of Garda members for the whole country and that of course includes my own county and the Deputy's County Meath.
I thank the Minister. I am not looking for a particular advantage for County Meath. What I am looking for is fairness and equity. It has been confirmed again this morning that County Meath has the lowest number of gardaí per head of population. That is a longstanding issue. I will ask the Minister about the rationale as to how we ended up in that position. It is fair to say that the number of gardaí in County Meath, which is not unique in this regard, has decreased under the tenure of this Government. In 2020, when this Government came into office, there were 335 sworn gardaí in County Meath. There are now 318. That has a real impact. Notwithstanding the Minister’s point in regard to figures, there is decreased visibility of gardaí in communities. There is certainly a sense of an increase in antisocial behaviour. Has the Minister targets for County Meath and elsewhere? What is the target in regard to recruitment over the period ahead? When will we see these gardaí in County Meath?
As the Deputy knows, the deployment of gardaí is a matter for the Garda Commissioner who obviously looks at the requirements in each individual county. Our county and County Kildare are comparable in that they both saw a massive increase in population in a very short space of time. That resulted in some of the figures we now see in terms of the number of gardaí per population. Over the number of years we have responded in increasing those numbers. As I said, we have seen an increase of 15% of Garda members since 2015. People might want to ignore that in the past three years the Garda College was closed. While it might be attributed to me or to this Government being in power, the Garda College was closed because it had to be, to make sure that we kept people safe. The Garda College is now open. Most importantly we now have a steady number of gardaí coming out. In fact, this week, I will be in Templemore again where we have a steady number of gardaí who will be going throughout the country. I have no doubt there will be members going to County Meath. In the last round we received five members. While that might not seem a huge number, it was five out of a total of 89. Obviously County Meath received its fair share in acknowledgement of the fact that our numbers are low. However, it is historic. The population has increased over time. The Garda College was closed in between those dates but real progress is being made. As Minister I want to see numbers increase everywhere. As a local TD I want to make sure that we have our fair share, as well as everybody else.
It is a statement of fact that in 2018 we had 318 sworn gardaí in County Meath. Five years later we are back to that point. That is just a statement of fact. I welcome the additional funding in the budget. However, we know recruitment is significantly behind the targets. It was 800 for 2022 and 300 were recruited, 1,000 for this year. I heard the Minister on the radio this morning saying she would hope for 800. A question comes up repeatedly in regard to this. Are there objective criteria for resource allocation? I take the point on population growth. However, is there an issue of rurality, or the influence of Chief Superintendents and the business case that they can make, or is it an issue of crime statistics or of population? What is it that determines allocation? I appreciate it is a matter for the Garda Commissioner but has the Minister raised this with the Garda Commissioner? Are there objective criteria for resource allocation?
It is a statement of fact that the Garda College was closed. That has resulted in skewed figures not just in County Meath but all over the country. Last year I allocated enough money for 1,000 new recruits. With the intake this week and at the end of the year we will see it will be closer to 800 if not slightly above 800 in the college, in training, or gone through the college. It is not 1,000 but it is not too far off. In similar recruitment campaigns before Covid-19, about 5,000 applied in that last campaign. In the most recent campaign, 5,000 people applied as well. We are actually not that far off. I am trying to be as ambitious as possible acknowledging that Covid-19 put a dent in the really positive numbers that we saw coming through the college coupled with a particular period in time where we have retirements because of when people went into the college about 30 years ago. However, nothing is off the table when it comes to increasing our Garda numbers. Very shortly, I hope to have something from the Garda Commissioner around increasing the age at which people can join. I have been engaging with my colleague in the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform around retirement age and how we can increase that and keep many of the gardaí we have. As was discussed with the Deputy’s colleague Deputy Daly earlier, it is about how can we make sure that the gardaí we have are taken off non-core duties which other civilian staff can do and how can we continue to invest in civilian staff and the Garda Reserve as well. When all of this comes together, and it is all coming together, we will see not just an increase in County Meath but an increase in Garda numbers and visibility across the country, which is what all of us want here.
12. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the Garda recruitment campaign; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44098/23]
My question was answered to some degree by the reply the Minister gave in respect of the previous question. I welcome what the Minister said, particularly about the additional €172 million for An Garda Síochána. How many extra gardaí does the Minister expect to have in the college by the end of this year?
My overall ambition in this year’s budget was to ensure we could support An Garda Síochána in whatever way possible. This is not just by increasing their numbers, but by supporting those who are already active and doing great work on the ground. That is why we have allocated €2.3 billion, which is the largest figure ever for An Garda Síochána. It represents an increase of €172 million overall. That money is going towards making sure that when it comes to recruitment, money is not an issue. We will recruit between 800 and 1,000. I again acknowledge that we will likely have four classes next year instead of five. This is just because of the way the timings work out. However, I do not want funding to be any sort of a problem in recruitment.
Regarding the numbers this year, when adding the various different classes that have gone through Templemore, those who are currently in Templemore, those who will start this week and those who will start at the end of December, there will be close to 800, if not beyond 800 members. While that is not the target of 1,000, it is certainly very close. We are building on that and gathering momentum. We will also have a recruitment campaign to make sure that a steady stream will come through the college at all times. As well as this, we are supporting an increase in civilian staff who will free up front-line Garda members. We are also making sure that for the first time in six years we will have a competition for the Garda Reserve, which will support the work of the gardaí on the ground.
It is really important that we keep this momentum going and that we support gardaí while they are training. That is why we have increased the training allowance for the first time in more than a decade. Members who are in the Garda College currently receive €184 per week, but they will now be getting €305 per week. That applies to anyone who is in the college from yesterday. Therefore, even though a class is finishing up this week, its members will receive that rate for the recent days from the budget. All the other classes that have come in from the last two intakes, as well as the remaining two this year, will see that increase. That is coupled with the funding they are given when they are out on duty-----
I thank the Minister.
-----or when they are training in various stations. That is our way of supporting them and making sure they have the resources to be able to get into training and to take up what is a fantastic and valuable profession.
I welcome the Minister’s comments. In particular, I welcome the reassurance for the whole country that we will have more gardaí, that they will be better looked after in terms of better training and that there will be an additional Garda Reserve presence.
I would like to ask a question without going into the detail. I appreciate the position as to why people resign as opposed to retiring. The Minister spoke about tackling that from the retention side. Has the Minister commissioned a study or report as to how we can keep people in the service? What are the reasons they give for leaving, if the Minister has them? What is the Minister’s view of the question of the retirement age? I appreciate her comment to the effect that she is looking at that matter. It would be very beneficial if she could retain people who have provided a major service and who could serve in a different capacity, given the expert knowledge and experience they possess.
In terms of the overall numbers, we knew we would most likely see a drop. We have gone below 14,000, but we are now in a position where that is steadying. After the next intake, we will most likely be in a position where we will be above 14,000 again. We are moving in the right direction.
The closure in the Garda College during Covid-19, as well as the fact that we are coming into a period where many members are retiring - simply because it is their time to do so and because they want to - we have been left with the significant drop we have seen in the past year. However, given the steady flow of numbers going through the college - the most recent intakes were 135 and 174, respectively - I am confident that we will have a significant number again, even within the next week. I am also confident that we will have a higher number again by the end of the year.
We always have to look at people’s reasons for leaving. There is an exit interview that takes place for every member who leaves. Those interviews have identified a number of reasons for people leaving. Some of those reasons are definitely personal. However, others relate to the challenges of the job-----
I thank the Minister.
-----and the systems and structures that are being put in place. There is a lot of change happening at present, and it is happening in a very short period. We have to acknowledge that. I know the Garda Commissioner acknowledges that a great deal of change happening. That is why there are continuous reviews to make sure the new systems, online procedures, new roles and people’s tasks are continuously updated. As well as this, it ensures that the feedback we get from Garda members will be fed into any changes that need to take place in order to make it as easy as possible.
However, the best way for us to support gardaí is by making sure we have more of them because this will lessen the workload. That is why when it comes to the Garda, recruitment is the number one priority, The latter will ensure that we have as many members as possible to lighten the load and lessen the burden that many members are experiencing at the moment.
I thank the Minister. I do not know if that interview summary will be published or not. If it is, it would be very helpful to see the non-personal reasons in order that we can study and analyse them. One of the impacts of the resignations is that if the numbers in a particular cohort are lower than we need, it will often impact community gardaí. I live in a town that has had a lot of trouble with drugs, crime, etc., and the community gardaí there are a huge advantage. They provide a major support service to the community and, in particular, to the people who live in communities that are under siege daily because of drug abuse and crime.
I appreciate the Minister’s reply. I ask for a plan with the Garda Commissioner to determine the projected number of people we can retain. I refer not to retirements but to resignations.
I mentioned that a lot of change is happening, but change can be good as well.
Yes, it can.
One of the biggest changes in the new divisional model that is being rolled out is for teams of community gardaí in every small area across the country. That is only being rolled out. It is not yet in place in every county. We need more gardaí to populate the areas. We must ensure that for every small community there will be a community garda. Everybody will know who that person is and what their phone number is. If somebody has a problem, they will be able to ring them. These gardaí play a very special role within communities. They also then free up other core members, as well as those who are working in specialist teams, such as financial fraud, domestic abuse or crime. It is really important that we continue to increase the numbers of gardaí so we can populate these community teams. Part of that is through supporting the way in which they work, as well as providing the supports that they need. That is why we have an unprecedented budget this year. That is why we are not only investing in-----
Thank you, Minister.
-----the training allowance. This year, we are actually investing in mental health support programmes, well-being programmes and programmes to benefit their health in general. We are supporting things such as the provision of clothing and armour. We will be supporting and investing further in vehicles, ICT and other technology. All these things will help to achieve a better working dynamic and support gardaí to do their job as efficiently and effectively as possible. In turn, I hope that will mean that fewer people will want to leave or go on to something different.
Sure.
However, we have to look at this as a very dynamic working environment at the moment. The attrition rate in An Garda Síochána was approximately 3% last year. In other jurisdictions, it is approximately 5.6%. We are not doing too badly overall.
13. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice how she intends to strengthen community policing in Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43518/23]
I am asking this question on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Dillon. It relates to the extent to which the Minister proposes to ensure the strengthening of community policing in County Mayo.
The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and, of course, strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that. The best way we can strengthen community policing is by supporting additional recruitment into An Garda Síochána. We will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and that people feel safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of up to €2.3 billion in budget 2024, which will allow for between 800 and 1,000 more gardaí to be recruited next year.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. I have had many conversations with him and I know that community policing is at the heart of the Garda. Community policing is fundamental to the new Garda operating model, which is being rolled out and is already fully commenced in seven divisions. Mayo-Roscommon-Longford was one of the first divisions in which it was rolled out in September 2022, with the divisional head office and the chief superintendent located in Castlebar. As of 30 September, the latest date for which figures are available, I am advised that the dedicated community policing unit for Mayo comprises two sergeants and seven gardaí. These dedicated community policing units are assisted by Garda members across the community engagement areas, who act as community gardaí as part of their regular duties.
As part of the roll-out of the new Garda operating model, it is envisaged that in some rural areas existing personnel will form the community policing teams, CPTs. It is important to recognise that they will have dual functions as first responders and CPT members. In addition, CPTs will be augmented by community support gardaí, who will perform front-line duties and be assigned to particular community policing areas to support dedicated community gardaí. In this way, people will know who their gardaí are and be able to contact them directly. The roll-out of CPTs will complement the roll-out of new community safety partnerships, which will be established nationwide in 2024 after the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill is commenced. This will bring together gardaí, members of the community, various agencies and local representatives to work on a plan to serve communities' needs.
The most important measure I can take is to ensure that we have as many gardaí as possible to populate these community teams. In Irish society, people’s relationship with their local community gardaí is an important one.
Given the impact of Covid, which is fully understood, is it possible to indicate how deployments will be prioritised? For instance, are crime levels and security fears likely to benefit from an early response in terms of strengthening policing?
While I cannot give an answer on where members will go, the Garda Commissioner, with his senior management, will consider the number of gardaí graduating from the college, the issues arising in various counties and divisions, overall Garda strength, the overall population and communities’ needs. We will then see resources being deployed.
The most important measure I can take is to ensure that we have a steady flow of members passing through the college in order that as many areas as possible can benefit from the increase in Garda numbers. We are starting to see them benefiting from the momentum that has been built in recruitment. When we get new gardaí, we must ensure that they are supported however possible by making sure that they have the necessary technology, equipment and resources to do their job efficiently and effectively. We must also look after them personally. That is why, in this budget, we have specifically allocated money to help with the roll-out of new well-being programmes and whatever mental health supports they require. Theirs is a difficult job and they often have to face very difficult situations.
Might it be possible to increase the number of people entering Templemore and bring them onto the streets faster than we have been able to do heretofore?
In previous years, the highest number of people going through the college was approximately 1,000. It depends on the number of classes that can go through the college in any given year, which varies from four to five. Five classes will be in or have gone through Templemore this year. Next year, there will most likely be four starting. It is about ensuring that we fill those classes as much as we can. There is probably a maximum capacity of 2,500, which is why I have allocated funding for between 800 and 1,000 this year. This will ensure that if we can get those large numbers into each class, money will not be an issue. The recruitment campaigns must continue in order that we have a steady flow of people coming through. To that end, there will be a new recruitment campaign to build on the one we had in the past year.
14. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice what measures are being taken to ensure increased applications are received in future Garda recruitment drives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43829/23]
Is the Minister able to identify and target specific groups for recruitment to the Garda? How will she promote the Garda to them and make it an attractive place to work? How will she encourage more applicants to apply for posts?
When it comes to recruitment and retention, nothing is off the table. This is an area to which the Garda and I are committed.
A new media campaign was launched across television, radio, newspapers and social media to promote the Garda trainee campaign. The Garda has also promoted it by engaging with communities across the country, including local engagement with third level institutions and various representatives groups. Certain Garda stations also held open days. The Garda is continuously working on ways to reach out to communities and ensure that we have as diverse a representation as possible. It is important that when someone engages with An Garda Síochána, the person can see himself or herself in it and that it represents the community from which he or she comes, be it a new Irish community, the LGBT community or another group. Whatever people’s backgrounds, it is important that they can see themselves reflected in the people who are there to keep them and everyone else safe.
The training steering group that was established in the Garda identified initiatives to improve the attraction and retention of suitable eligible candidates, including the holding of exit interviews to identify people’s reasons for leaving after being in the profession for a number of years or even in the middle of training. We must determine how to support gardaí every step of the way. Budget 2024 includes an unprecedented allocation of €2.31 billion for the Garda, an increase of 23% since 2020 and an increase of €172 million since last year. A significant amount of that money will go towards ensuring that we can continue recruiting members by, for example, increasing the availability allowance for gardaí while they are in the college to support them financially, allowing for extra overtime and providing civilian staff to support the work of gardaí.
A great deal of work is being done to ensure that we have as diverse a Garda workforce as possible.
I thank the Minister for that overview. It is important that people be able to identify with the Garda and recognise their own communities therein. It is also important to be able to reach out to the many different communities, for example, new Irish communities. Will the Minister outline the various measures that are being taken to reach the likes of the new Irish communities?
For many years, we have experienced difficulties in gardaí being able to do their business as Gaeilge. While a stream for this is available, the number of applicants has been low. Many Gaeilgeoirí applied to the Garda directly.
What particular measures is the Minister putting in place to reach these two communities in particular and to ensure that there are further recruits from them?
I will briefly outline the three ways in which we are helping to attract new members. We have expanded diversity teams within the Garda, meaning that we have dedicated gardaí to reach out to various communities. This creates a link or trust that might not have existed before. Building these relationships encourages people to see a career in the Garda where they might not have previously.
There is a fantastic graduate programme, which focuses on school leavers and those in their transition or leaving certificate years in particular. A fantastic and diverse group of graduates are coming through each class. I met some of them. It is important that this continue, as many of them see themselves working in the Garda in the long term and subsequently apply to the recruitment campaigns. An Irish language strategy has been published by the Garda with the sole ambition of having as many members as possible from Gaeltacht areas or with a proficiency in the Irish language working on the front line.
