Written Answers Nos. 1266-1282
1266. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will investigate the allegation of inaction on a case (details supplied) regarding an employment contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38835/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.
1267. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if all gardaí have up-to-date Garda vetting in line with child protection guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38837/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Garda Commissioner for a report on the matter raised by the Deputy and I will be in touch with him when this has been received.
1268. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in the County Wicklow Garda district; if he will provide a breakdown of these gardaí by rank and duties and by the station in which they are based; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38838/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation and I have no direct function in the matter. This allocation of resources is constantly monitored in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. For operational reasons, it is not the practice to list the specific duties of each member of the Garda Síochána in a Garda Division. More generally, Section 7 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 outlines the functions of the Garda Síochána.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 31 July 2012, the personnel strength of Wicklow Garda Division, broken down by station and rank, is as set out in the following table.
|
District/Station |
C/Supt |
Supt |
Insp |
Sgt |
Gda |
|
Baltinglass District |
|||||
|
Baltinglass |
- |
- |
1 |
5 |
29 |
|
Blessington |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
16 |
|
Carnew |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
3 |
|
Donard |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Dunlavin |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
|
Hollywood |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Shilleagh |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Tinahealy |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
|
Bray District |
|||||
|
Bray |
1 |
1 |
5 |
16 |
100 |
|
Enniskerry |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
5 |
|
Greystones |
- |
- |
- |
4 |
31 |
|
Newtownmountkennedy |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
3 |
|
Wicklow District |
|||||
|
Arklow |
- |
- |
1 |
4 |
29 |
|
Ashford |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
8 |
|
Aughrim |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
|
Avoca |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
|
Rathdrum |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
3 |
|
Roundwood |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
3 |
|
Wicklow |
- |
1 |
1 |
6 |
40 |
1269. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which he expects to introduce the new capacity legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38839/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government Legislation Programme, published today, indicates that the Mental Capacity Bill is expected to be published in this session.
The Bill, which is at an advanced stage of drafting, will reform the law on mental capacity taking into account the Law Reform Commission's Report on Vulnerable Adults and the Law. The Bill will replace the Wards of Court system with a modern statutory framework to support persons with impaired decision-making ability.
The enactment of new mental capacity legislation is one of the core elements of the remaining work to be completed to enable ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
1270. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to put the 40% gender target for State boards outlined in the programme for Government on a mandatory footing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38841/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1272. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline, in tabular form, both the number and the percentage of women and men on State boards under the aegis of his Department in each of the past ten years; if he will provide the most up-to-date figures available regarding the number and percentage of women and men on State boards under the aegis of his Department in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38861/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1283. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he is taking to ensure that State boards have at least 40% of each gender, as provided for in the programme for Government; the percentage at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39157/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1270, 1272 and 1283 together.
Since 2003, and in accordance with a Government decision, statistics have been collated on the representation of women on State Boards to monitor progress towards the Government target of at least 40 per cent representation of each gender on State Boards. This target was reiterated by the current Government in the Programme for Government for National Recovery 2011-2016.
The following table shows the percentage of women and men on the State Boards of the Department of Justice and Equality for each year from 2003 to 2011. The figures for 2012 are not yet available from my Department. I hope to bring a Memorandum to Government on women’s representation on State Boards in 2011. This will facilitate a discussion on the commitment in the Programme for Government and of the requirement to enhance the position of women on State Boards.
Department of Justice and Equality State Board Figures
|
Year End |
Total* |
Male |
Male % |
Female |
Female % |
|
2011 |
291 |
185 |
63.6 |
106 |
36.4 |
|
2010 |
285 |
198 |
69.0 |
87 |
31.0 |
|
2009 |
199 |
139 |
70.0 |
60 |
30.0 |
|
2008 |
317 |
223 |
70.3 |
94 |
29.7 |
|
2007 |
297 |
202 |
68.0 |
95 |
32.0 |
|
2006 |
289 |
188 |
65.1 |
101 |
34.9 |
|
2005 |
307 |
192 |
63.0 |
115 |
37.0 |
|
2004 |
263 |
151 |
56.1 |
112 |
43.9 |
|
2003 |
276 |
167 |
61.0 |
109 |
39.0 |
*Total number serving on State Boards at year end. This figure does not include any Board vacancies.
1271. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his position on European Commissioner Viviane Reding’s draft proposal to apply a mandatory gender quota to boards of public companies in the EU; and if he will provide details of any formal communications of this position issued by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38842/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that discussions are still ongoing at European Commission level in relation to a proposal by Commission Vice-President Reding to strengthen the role of Women on Corporate Boards. A policy orientation discussion was held during the Danish Presidency and this was attended by Minister of State Kathleen Lynch T.D. When the Commission's proposals are tabled, I will examine them and will consult with my colleague, Minister Richard Bruton, with regard to the formulation of an Irish policy position.
1273. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of the number of gardaí in each district and rank in County Donegal for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38872/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1274. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and rank of positions within the gardaí in each district in County Donegal that are not currently filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38873/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1273 and 1274 together.
The Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation and I have no direct function in the matter. This allocation of resources is constantly monitored in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.
While regulations have previously provided for the numbers permitted in each rank, these have been upper ceilings for those numbers, rather than target strengths, and are set at a national rather than local level. It is therefore not generally practical to indicate precise levels of vacancies at the different ranks in specific locations.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of each Garda District in the Donegal Garda Division, by rank, on 31 December 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and on 31 July 2012, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the tables below. There are also 24 Garda Reserves and 30 Civilians attached to the Donegal Garda Division. These resources are augmented, when appropriate, by Gardaí from national units.
2008
|
- |
C/Supt |
Supt |
Insp |
Sgt |
Gda |
Total |
|
Ballyshannon |
1 |
13 |
79 |
93 |
||
|
Buncrana |
1 |
1 |
11 |
78 |
91 |
|
|
Glenties |
1 |
1 |
8 |
47 |
57 |
|
|
Letterkenny |
1 |
1 |
5 |
33 |
151 |
191 |
|
Milford |
1 |
1 |
9 |
45 |
56 |
2009
|
- |
C/Supt |
Supt |
Insp |
Sgt |
Gda |
Total |
|
Ballyshannon |
1 |
1 |
12 |
78 |
92 |
|
|
Buncrana |
1 |
1 |
9 |
73 |
84 |
|
|
Glenties |
1 |
1 |
7 |
47 |
56 |
|
|
Letterkenny |
1 |
1 |
6 |
28 |
145 |
181 |
|
Milford |
1 |
0 |
7 |
47 |
55 |
2010
|
- |
C/Supt |
Supt |
Insp |
Sgt |
Gda |
Total |
|
Ballyshannon |
1 |
1 |
14 |
83 |
99 |
|
|
Buncrana |
1 |
1 |
10 |
69 |
81 |
|
|
Glenties |
1 |
1 |
8 |
47 |
57 |
|
|
Letterkenny |
1 |
1 |
4 |
28 |
141 |
175 |
|
Milford |
1 |
0 |
7 |
46 |
54 |
2011
|
- |
C/Supt |
Supt |
Insp |
Sgt |
Gda |
Total |
|
Ballyshannon |
1 |
1 |
14 |
78 |
94 |
|
|
Buncrana |
1 |
1 |
10 |
64 |
76 |
|
|
Glenties |
1 |
0 |
8 |
48 |
57 |
|
|
Letterkenny |
1 |
1 |
4 |
23 |
135 |
164 |
|
Milford |
1 |
0 |
7 |
44 |
52 |
2012
|
C/Supt |
Supt |
Insp |
Sgt |
Gda |
Total |
|
|
Ballyshannon |
1 |
1 |
13 |
77 |
92 |
|
|
Buncrana |
1 |
1 |
10 |
63 |
75 |
|
|
Glenties |
1 |
0 |
8 |
48 |
57 |
|
|
Letterkenny |
1 |
1 |
4 |
21 |
135 |
162 |
|
Milford |
1 |
0 |
5 |
44 |
50 |
1276. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the criminal law codification project will proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38917/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criminal law codification project envisages the replacement of the existing primary sources of criminal law, both statute and judicial interpretation, by a comprehensive code. The purpose of the code is to enhance the clarity and accessibility of the criminal law. It is not intended to provide for substantive law reform. A draft partial code was prepared by the Criminal Law Codification Advisory Committee and published on my Department's website on 23 June 2011.
While I am favourably disposed towards the concept of codification, I have to have regard to the fact that enactment of a criminal code would involve a substantial legislative programme over a number of years which has implications for the use of scarce State resources. Having reviewed the project in the light of the current constraints facing the Government, I will be bringing proposals to Government shortly in relation to the project. An announcement will be made after the Government has considered the matter.
1277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the application for naturalisation has been processed to date in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38971/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that an application for a certificate of naturalisation was received on behalf the person referred to by the Deputy, from their parent, in June, 2011.
The application is at an advanced stage of processing and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
As well as being a significant event in the life of its recipient, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation as provided for in law is also a major step for the State which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
1278. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inquires that have been received by him in relation to the immigrant investor programme and the start-up entrepreneur programme since their announcement in budget 2011; and if he will make a statement on a matter (details supplied). [39137/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1279. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of successful applications that have been granted by him in relation to the immigrant investor programme and start-up entrepreneur programme since their inception; and if he will make a statement on a matter (details supplied). [39138/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1280. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications that have been received by the evaluation committee in his Department in relation to the immigrant investor programme and the start-up entrepreneur programme since their inception: and if he will make a statement on a matter (details supplied) [39139/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1278 to 1280, inclusive, together.
The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service has informed me that there continues to be a significant number of enquiries from potential applicants and their representatives for both programmes. To date, one application for the Immigrant Investor Programme has been received as well as eleven applications for the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme. I have recently approved one application under the Immigrant Investor Programme and two applications under the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme on foot of recommendations from the Evaluation Committee. I understand that six of the applications received for the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme remain under consideration by the Evaluation Committee. Statistics are not maintained in respect of individual enquiries.
1281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and-or expected position in relation to residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39141/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 26 February, 2008 following a comprehensive and thorough examination of her asylum claim, her application for subsidiary protection and a detailed examination of the representations she submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).
In April, 2008 the person concerned initiated judicial review proceedings challenging the decision to make a Deportation Order in respect of her. Those proceedings were struck out in favour of the Respondent on 17 June, 2009 and accordingly, the Deportation Order stood.
An application by this person in respect of the Zambrano judgement has now been received. This will be considered shortly. Once a decision has been made, this decision and the consequences of the decision will be conveyed in writing to the person concerned.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
1282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a person (details supplied) in County Waterford could be transferred to accommodation near Drogheda, County Louth where they attend school. [39142/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe family referred to in the details supplied applied for access to RIA accommodation during the summer holidays in 2012 and were facilitated with accommodation in Tramore, County Waterford from 17 July, 2012. As is standard practice, the accommodation centre manager in Tramore was available to link this child with a school in the Tramore area over the summer and this remains the case. If the person referred to in the details supplied consults with the centre manager, arrangements will be made for the child to be enrolled in a local school in Tramore.
