Written Answers Nos. 174 to 181
174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which organised criminal activity continues to impact on crime prevention with particular reference to the intimidation of witnesses and or jurors or others; the extent to which prosecutions have been taken to address such issues in each of the past three years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39591/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that there is in place a significant body of legislation underpinning the work of An Garda Síochána in targeting serious and organised crime. Included in this legislative framework is provision for an offence relating to intimidation of witnesses and jurors.
Section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act 1999 makes it an offence to harm or threaten, menace or in any other way intimidate or put in fear a person who is assisting in the investigation by An Garda Síochána of an offence or a witness or potential witness or a juror or potential juror in proceedings for an offence, or a member of his or her family, with the intention to obstruct, pervert or interfere with an investigation or the course of justice.
In 2009, with the introduction of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009, the penalty upon conviction on indictment for this offence was increased to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 15 years or both. The following table shows the position with regard to the number of proceedings commenced and convictions secured for offences under section 41 of the 1999 Act for the period 2009 to 2012.
|
Year |
Proceedings |
Convictions * |
|
2012 (to date) |
3 |
0 |
|
2011 |
56 |
7 |
|
2010 |
43 |
12 |
|
2009 |
31 |
12 |
*Figures are provisional and may change in light of the outcome of court proceedings
I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána will continue to rigorously pursue those involved in all forms of criminal activity and in doing so will enforce the provisions of the law relating to any evidence of witness and/or jury intimidation.
175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which any increase in violent crime resulting in death or serious injury continues to be monitored by him with a view to identifying possible contributory factors and addressing any issues arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39592/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I share the Deputy's concerns about violent crime, it is important to note the latest crime statistics show a reduction in most categories of recorded crime including homicide, sexual offences, assault and public order offences. As the Deputy will appreciate, violent crime manifests itself in a number of different ways, and An Garda Síochána analyses and addresses each using appropriately targeted measures. In particular, the Policing Plan for 2012 includes as a strategic goal the objective of confronting serious crime in all its forms, including crimes against the person as well as organised and violent crime.
The Gardaí employ multi-disciplinary, intelligence-led approaches to ensure the activities and resources of individuals and groups involved in all criminal enterprises, including armed and other violent crime, are effectively targeted. At the present time, the Garda authorities have in place a number of intelligence led operations focusing on violent organised crime groups, as a direct result of which a number of individuals are before the courts charged with serious offences, up to and including murder.
Violent crime also manifests itself in the context of public disorder and street violence, often associated with excessive drinking. The Gardaí proactively target areas which are 'hotspots' for such criminality and take appropriate action, using the strong legal powers available to them under the Public Order Acts and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts. Dealing with the violence that arises from excessive drinking is not simply about policing, however, and requires actions by parents, by educators and by those who sell alcohol, not only in public houses, but right across the retail sector. For my part I intend to work to improve our regulatory framework with a view to curbing the level of excessive drinking.
I am in regular contact with the Garda Commissioner who is in a position to advise me in relation to An Garda Síochána's expert analysis of the crime problems faced in our society and will respond appropriately to any issues which the Commissioner might bring to my attention.
176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which he has received communication from the Garda authorities relating to possible closure of any further Garda stations throughout the country; if it is intended to have due regard for the ever pressing need to maintain a strong and visible Garda presence in both urban and rural areas thereby presenting a deterrent to those involved in crime at whatever level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39593/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach year by the end of October the Commissioner prepares a Policing Plan for the coming year. In preparing the Policing Plan, the Commissioner reviews all aspects of the Garda Síochána’s policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the operation of Garda stations, both in terms of opening hours and possible closures. The policing plan for 2013 has not yet been submitted, and it would be premature to speculate as to what specific measures it may contain, but I expect that it will address the further rationalisation of the Garda station network.
177. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total strength of An Garda Siochana, at all ranks, male and female; the extent to which it is expected to maintain present levels of policing and strength even in the current difficult economic circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39594/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 31 July 2012, the break down of An Garda Síochána, by rank and gender, was as set out in the following table. These resources are augmented with 911 Garda Reserves and over 2,000 civilians.
|
Rank |
Male |
Female |
|
Commissioner |
1 |
0 |
|
Deputy Commissioner |
1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Commissioner |
9 |
0 |
|
Chief Superintendent |
37 |
4 |
|
Superintendent |
141 |
15 |
|
Inspector |
246 |
21 |
|
Sergeant |
1650 |
285 |
|
Garda |
8090 |
3046 |
As the Deputy will be aware, public expenditure must be reduced to a sustainable level. This means, among other things, reducing expenditure on public service pay, whether by reducing headcount or otherwise. This is particularly so in those public service bodies where pay forms an especially large part of overall expenditure, such as the Garda Síochána where 90% of expenditure is on pay and pensions. The current and projected Garda budgets will therefore necessitate a significant reduction in Garda expenditure. This will undoubtedly require further reductions in Garda numbers. This has been well known for some time, dating right back to when the last Government was in office and the question of exact level of the reductions required will depend on the potential for alternative savings which could mitigate the scale of the reduction in head count required. In this context, the Department of Justice and Equality is engaging in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on this matter and it would not be appropriate to comment further on this at this point in time.
178. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the degree to which modern technology has been made available to all Garda stations throughout the country; the number, if any, of such stations in urban and rural areas still awaiting such provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39595/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Garda authorities that there are 424 Garda network locations in the country and they have also indicated that the current arrangements meet their requirements. The extension of the Garda network to additional locations is reviewed on an ongoing basis in the light of operational demands. Considerable resources are required to link stations to the Garda network and all non-networked stations have secure voice communications to a networked station.
The networked locations account for approx 90% of all incidents recorded on PULSE, which is complemented by the Garda Information Services Centre in Castlebar where details of incidents are phoned in by investigating members attached to networked and non-networked stations. In addition, the Deputy will be aware that the nationwide delivery of the National Digital Radio Service to the Garda Síochána was completed in 2011. Building on the delivery of this service, the Garda Síochána are pursuing further opportunities to enhance their communications systems, including an expansion of Computer Aided Dispatch systems to all Garda Regions.
179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied regarding the availability of the necessary number of personnel to provide adequate police cover in all areas throughout the country without exception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39596/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 31 July 2012, the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána was 13,547. These resources are augmented by 911 Garda Reserves and over 2,000 civilian staff.
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.
The Garda Commissioner is also committed to introducing reforms and efficiencies in the Garda Síochána with the objective of continuing to deliver an effective policing service within current budgetary constraints, such as the development of new Garda rosters and the rationalisation of Garda Districts and the Garda station network.
180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners who have unsuccessfully applied for educational and or training position places in each of the past three years to date; the degree of emphasis placed on the need for rehabilitative opportunities particularly for first time prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39597/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statistics requested are not readily available and would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort that could not be justified where there are other significant demands on resources. As I have said before in response to previous Questions, the Irish Prison Service provides a wide range of rehabilitative programmes that include education, vocational training, healthcare, psychiatric, psychological, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. These programmes are available in all prisons and all prisoners are eligible to use the services.
On committal, all prisoners are interviewed by the Governor and are informed of the services available in the prison. At this point prisoners may be referred to services or they can self refer at a later date. Where Governors consider, on the information available, that a prisoner needs a particular intervention they will initiate a referral. Programmes are available to all prisoners but some programmes may not be suitable for prisoners on shorter sentences.
181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which feuding between criminal gangs continues to be monitored by the Garda with a view to intervention and prosecution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39598/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Policing Plan of An Garda Síochána for the year 2012 sets out the continued commitment of An Garda Síochána to pro-actively target groups and individuals engaged in criminal activity, including organised criminal activities. In targeting such activity An Garda Síochána continue to develop and implement strategies to dismantle and disrupt criminal networks, utilising advanced analytical and intelligence methods to facilitate targeted operations and enable early intervention and prevention of such crimes.
I am assured by the Garda authorities that members of An Garda Síochána are utilising all available legislation to target organised criminal activity including the provisions contained in the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009. I am also informed that since enactment of the legislation on 23 July 2009, the legislation has been used on 175 occasions where arrests have been made relating to organised crime.
Up to the 31 August 2012, eight individuals have been charged under the legislation, six for offences relating to participating or contributing to organised crime and two for directing the activities of a criminal organisation. In February this year, the two persons charged with an offence of directing the activities of a criminal organisation pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of participation and were both sentenced to 9 years imprisonment.
In addition, arising from the arrests made under this legislation, other charges have been preferred for a range of offences including firearms offences; sale and supply of drugs and drug trafficking; violent disorder; demanding money with menaces and threats to kill. I can assure the Deputy that the activities of organised criminal gangs, including the interactions between them, continues to be monitored appropriately by An Garda Síóchána.
