Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:157. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delay in a person receiving a Garda vetting clearance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19569/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraGarda Vetting Applications
Ceisteanna (157)
Freagraí scríofa
The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) provides employment vetting for approximately 20,000 organisations in Ireland, registered with the Unit for this purpose, which employ personnel to work in a full-time, part time, voluntary or student capacity with children and / or vulnerable adults. The Unit processed approximately 328,000 vetting applications on behalf of these organisations in 2012.
The current average processing time for applications is approximately 12 weeks from date of receipt. However, seasonal fluctuations and the necessity to seek additional information on particular applications can result in this processing time being exceeded on occasion. All organisations registered for Garda Vetting are aware of the processing time-frames for the receipt of Garda vetting and have been advised to factor this into their recruitment and selection process.
Following discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, sanction was granted for an additional 25 staff to be re-deployed from the Department of Agriculture to the Garda Central Vetting Unit. I am pleased to announce that these personnel transferred to the GCVU on 22 April 2013. When these staff have been fully trained on the vetting process I expect there will be a positive effect on vetting times. Since I became Minister, it has been a priority for me that processing times should be kept to a minimum consistent with maintaining the overall integrity of the vetting system. This is an absolute necessity given the very important role of the vetting system.
Refugee Status Applications
Ceisteanna (158)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed to make an application for subsidiary protection in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19596/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A person who is refused a declaration of refugee status by the Minister for Justice and Equality is, in addition to other options, notified of their entitlement to apply for subsidiary protection in the State. The details in this regard are set out in the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations, 2006 (Statutory Instrument No. 518 of 2006).
The Deputy might wish to note that I am proposing to introduce new arrangements for the processing of subsidiary protection applications with a view to improving processing in the area of international protection and in light of recent judgments in the Superior Courts. My Department, in consultation with the Attorney General's Office, is developing a new legislative and administrative framework for the processing of current and future subsidiary protection applications. This work is being given high priority and applicants will be advised of the new arrangements as soon as possible.
If an application for refugee status has been made by the person concerned, the Deputy will be aware that it is not the practice to comment on applications which have not completed this process.
Alcohol Sales Legislation
Ceisteanna (159)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:159. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of test purchases which have been undertaken by An Garda Síochána under section 14 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 since the launch of the guidelines on 1 October 2010; the number of successful convictions which have arisen from test purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19599/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Section 14 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 makes provision for the test purchasing of alcohol products. The primary objective of the scheme, which entered into force on 1 October 2010, is to enable An Garda Síochána to target those licensed premises which are suspected of engaging in illegal sales of alcohol to young people. I am informed by the Garda authorities that, up to 23 April 2013, section 14 of the 2008 Act has been invoked on 937 occasions with 120 proceedings commenced and 12 convictions recorded arising from test purchasing operations. The figures provided are operational and liable to change.
Garda Transport Provision
Ceisteanna (160)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:160. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the 213 extra Garda vehicles that were purchased last year have been delivered to their divisions; if not, the number of vehicles that remain outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19600/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the context of his identified operational demands and in the light of available resources. I am informed by the Garda authorities that all of the patrol vehicles procured in 2012 have been rolled out at this stage. In that connection I would draw the attention of the Deputy to the details I provided to him in my reply to Question No. 967 on 16th April 2013 (Ref: 17638/13).
Garda Strength
Ceisteanna (161)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:161. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of promotions at the rank of sergeants, inspectors, superintendents and chief superintendents that have been approved and filled since 1 December 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19601/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the strengths of those ranks referred to by the Deputy on 31 March 2013 were Sergeant 1,933, Inspector 294, Superintendent, 153, Chief Superintendent, 41 and Assistant Commissioner 9. These figures include promotions approved and made since 1 December 2012 to ranks of Inspector (34) and Sergeant (82) on 28 March 2013 but do not include appointments to the rank of Superintendent (14) and Chief Superintendent (4) which are expected in the very near future.