Written Answers Nos. 140-144
140. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the types and numbers of each licence currently available in the industry of night-time public houses and clubs; the cost of each type of licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2234/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI presume the Deputy is referring to the facility whereby the holder of an on-licence or theatre licence under the Licensing Acts in respect of premises to which a licence under the Public Dance Halls Acts 1935 to 2003 is also attached, may obtain special exemption orders from the District Court which permit late opening of the premises concerned for special occasions.
The position is that under section 5 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1927, as amended, the holder of an on-licence or theatre licence may apply to the District Court for a special exemption order which permits late opening for special occasions. The applicant for such an order must give advance notice to the officer in charge of the Garda Siochana for the licensing area concerned and the District Court may not grant the order unless it is satisfied that the special occasion will be conducted in a manner that will not cause undue inconvenience or nuisance to persons residing in the locality or create an undue risk to public order. Such an order, if granted, expires at 2.30 a.m. (1.00 a.m. where it extends to a Monday that is not a public holiday) unless the District Court, for stated reasons, grants the order for a shorter period. The fee applicable to special exemption orders is €410 for each special occasion for which an application is made.
Licences under the Licensing Acts are issued by the Revenue Commissioners. Details of the numbers and types of such licences are available on their web site: www.revenue.ie. Details of the numbers of special exemption orders granted by the District Court are kept by the Courts Service and published in its Annual Report.
141. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a specific date for the closure of each individual station announced by him in December; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2047/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra142. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify the time frame he has set out to each district for the closure of the 100 Garda stations he announced in December; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2048/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together.
The implementation of the reduction in the number of Garda stations and Districts as set out in the Policing Plan for 2013 will take place in full consultation with the local communities and staffing interests. Local Garda management have commenced the process of engaging with these communities through the Joint Policing Committees and other fora to advise them of the revised policing arrangements for the localities in question. The objective is to ensure that the best possible policing service will be provided at all times.
I have requested the specific information sought by the Deputy from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy directly when this information is to hand.
143. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a county breakdown of the number of gardaí across the country in 2011 and 2012 and his plans for the strength of the force in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2049/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra144. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a county breakdown of the number and location of each Garda station in the country; their general opening hours; changes in opening hours in 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2050/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to answer Questions Nos. 143 and 144 together.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána on 31 December 2010, 2011 and 2012 was 14,377, 13,894 and 13,424 respectfully. The attached spreadsheets show the strength of each Garda station throughout the country on those dates. Also shown in three separate spreadsheets are the opening hours of each Garda Station in 2010, 2011 and 2012. The Deputy should note that the opening hours of rural Garda Stations are subject to manpower availability.
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 the moratorium continues to apply to the Garda Síochána, the question of when recruitment to the Garda Síochána should resume will be kept under continuing review in the context of retirements and the availability of resources. I will remain in dialogue with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on this, but what is vital now is that the still significant resources of the Force are used with maximum efficiency and to the greatest effect. That is why the reforms being introduced by the Garda Commissioner, such as new rosters and the rationalisation of the Garda station and District networks, are essential.
The Excel spreadsheets are available as attachments at the top of the web page.
