Written Answers Nos. 987 - 1005
988. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider the installation of point to point speed cameras for sections of road with particular problems with speeding motorists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37978/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, speed enforcement is central to the Road Safety Strategy 2013 - 2020, building on the work of previous Road Safety Strategies in this regard. A key component of the Strategy is the safety camera network and related enforcement activity by An Garda Síochána. The safety camera network service provider, Go Safe, provides 6,000 speed monitoring hours and 1,475 traffic survey hours per month across the country and is geared to identifying areas where speeding is taking place and addressing this issue. There are no plans at present to include point to point components in the safety camera network.
990. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the number of Garda CCTV systems and community-based CCTV systems currently operational in counties Longford and Westmeath; if funding will be made available for the installation of further CCTV systems in the midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36804/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraCCTV systems installed for the purposes of crime prevention and as aids to policing in areas to which the general public routinely have access, such as town centres, fall into two distinct categories: Garda CCTV systems and community-based CCTV systems.
Garda CCTV systems are planned and implemented on the basis of the Garda Commissioner's identified operational needs and priorities. I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are Garda CCTV Schemes in operation in Athlone and Mullingar. In addition I understand that, while there are currently no plans to increase the number of Garda cameras in operation in these areas, the situation will be monitored in the light of overall policing requirements.
The Community-based CCTV Scheme was launched in 2005 to provide financial assistance towards the capital costs of establishing a Community CCTV system. To date, two major rounds of the Scheme have been advertised, in 2005/2006 and 2007. There is a Community-based CCTV Scheme in operation in Longford Town.
Funding provided under the previous rounds of the Community-based CCTV Scheme has been fully allocated and at present there are no proposals to further extend the Scheme. However, the matter will continue to be kept under ongoing review in the context of overall policy considerations and the availability of resources.
991. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to maintain the existing Garda Síochána panel in place since 2008 for the purposes of future Garda recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36824/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra1007. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new gardaí to be recruited in the new recruitment campaign he recently announced. [37051/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra1008. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality with regard to the new recruitment campaign recently announced, if priority will be given to applicants who successfully completed the interview and aptitude test in the past just before they stopped recruiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37052/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 991, 1007 and 1008 together.
In view of the fact that the existing Garda recruitment panel is now approximately five years old, the Commissioner has determined, with my consent, that the maximum number of recruits has been recruited from that panel. People not called from that panel may, of course, re-apply to join the Garda Síochána once they meet the eligibility criteria. The number of recruits to be drawn down from this new competition will be determined taking a number of factors into account including the current and projected strength of the force, the expected retirement rate and the availability of resources.
992. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the increase in public order offences and anti-social behaviour in the Grand Canal Square and Hanover Quay areas, a significant business and tourist centre; and the actions being taken to address this growing problem. [36859/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with good community policing principles, An Garda Síochána engage constructively with community and business interests in the area in question to address relevant issues of concern. This includes liaison with the Pearse Street Local Policing Forum, as well as the South Quays Business Watch initiative. During the recent period of good weather, the area of the Grand Canal Dock attracted large numbers of young people who engaged primarily in swimming and diving in the Grand Canal Dock. An Garda Síochána met with local businesses on 4 July to discuss their concerns surrounding the activities of a small minority of these young people and additional foot and mountain bike patrols were put in place in the Grand Canal Dock area and the services of the Garda Water Unit were also availed of. A further meeting with local businesses was held on 23 August and I am advised that those who attended were complimentary of the proactive patrolling and common sense manner in which An Garda Síochána policed the area during this period. An Garda Síochána will of course continue to respond to concerns surrounding anti-social behaviour and other policing issues in the area, using the range of powers available to them and through engagement with local community and business interests.
993. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of police reservists who commenced work as police reserves with the force who are still with the force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36875/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that as of 31 July 2013, there were 1,207 Reserve Gardaí of which there are 1,090 attested and 117 in training. A total of 354 have left the Garda Reserve since its establishment in 2006. A total of 40 Reserve members of An Garda Síochána have moved on to become trainee full-time members.
994. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason police reservists have been discriminated against in An Garda Síochána in that they cannot join the main police force when they exceed 35 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36876/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current maximum age for recruitment as a full time member of the Garda Síochána is set at 35 years and applies without discrimination to everyone, including members of the Garda Reserve. There are currently 1,207 Reserve Gardaí of whom 1,090 are attested and 117 are in training. Some 40 former Reserve members have joined the full time force since the Reserve was established.
995. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on reports that €700,000 of taxpayers' money has been spent trying to deport a person (details supplied) who was based in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36884/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am unaware where the figure mentioned by the Deputy has emanated from and there is no question of a sum of this nature having been incurred in effecting the removal in question. I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department that the cost of the flights involving the person referred to by the Deputy amounted to approximately €5,600. The costs incurred by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) are not to hand but based on other similar type operations they are unlikely to be significantly more than the figure quoted above. The execution of Deportation Orders, including the Order in relation to this person is a matter for the GNIB.
On a more general note, the removal of persons from the State is an essential element of the enforcement of immigration legislation. All persons who are subject to Deportation Orders are required to leave the State and their failure to do so is an offence and renders them liable for forcible removal. There can be no question of the State abrogating its responsibilities in this respect.
996. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current number of persons waiting for free legal aid in County Tipperary; the number of persons waiting for free legal aid throughout the country; the average length of time these persons have been waiting for free legal aid in County Tipperary and nationwide; the reason for the delay; the efforts that are being made to reduce the numbers waiting and the waiting times; the advice he would give to citizens who are waiting for free legal aid where their court cases are progressing without approval of free legal aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36895/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that there is no waiting period associated with the granting of criminal legal aid as under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid on the applicant's appearance in Court. In relation to civil legal aid, it should be noted the demand for legal services from the Legal Aid Board (“the Board”) has increased significantly since the down-turn in the economy. While there was a 10% drop in demand at the general law centres in 2012 compared to 2011, nevertheless the demand for general legal services (excluding asylum) in 2011 was 93% greater than it was in 2006. Demand across the organisation in 2013 is running at the same level as it was in 2012. Demand for services at Nenagh Law Centre has remained relatively high. In the 12 months to the 1 September 2013 it received 629 new applications. In common with the vast majority of the Board’s law centres it is a relatively small office staff wise. At the moment there are approximately 114 persons awaiting a triage appointment in Nenagh while there are approximately 77 persons who have had a triage appointment and are awaiting further services. I can also advise the Deputy that as of 1 September 2013 there were approximately 5,383 persons nationwide who were awaiting legal services from the Board. A significant number of these will have had a first appointment with a solicitor (see the first bullet below in relation to the ‘triage’ approach).
The Board has not been subject to the sort of cuts to its grant-in-aid that other public service bodies have had to experience and I have been able to maintain the Board’s grant-in-aid at the same level for 2013 as it was in 2012 (and 2011). Notwithstanding the pressures on resources, the Government has further supported the Board by approving exemptions from the moratorium to enable the organisation to recruit front-line staff for direct service delivery. The Public Appointments Service concluded a solicitor recruitment competition for the Board earlier this year from which a number of permanent appointments have been made and a number of temporary positions have also been filled.
As the Deputy may be aware, on 12 September 2013, I signed into law a new statutory instrument in respect of civil legal aid provided by the Legal Aid Board which, inter alia, provides for an increased contribution from persons availing of the services offered by the Board. I intend for any funds raised by these measures to be retained by the Board to better fund the provision of services to those in need of them and reduce waiting times for those services. At a time when the State is facing significant demands on its resources an increase in contributions allows the Board to achieve its objectives without money being diverted from other programmes. The increased contributions should result in increased funding of up to €700,000 per annum being available to the Board once the increases have full impact.
I believe this additional resource for the Board will assist it in tackling those waiting times. I am conscious that the increase in the minimum contribution as a percentage is significant. However, I believe the contributions payable still compare favourably with other jurisdictions. Provisions remain in place to allow the contribution to be waived in hardship cases. In response to the changed environment the Board has taken steps to try and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of its legal services. Those steps include the following:
- The Board has been piloting a ‘triage’ approach to service delivery and this approach is operative in most of its centres at this stage. The pilot is in response to lengthening waiting times. The aim of the ‘triage’ approach is that every applicant gets to see a solicitor within a period of one month for the purpose of getting legal advice (consultations are broadly limited to 45 minutes). If the applicant requires further services they remain on the ‘waiting list’. There is or has been a ‘backlog’ of applicants to be seen for triage purposes hence it is taking time to reduce the waiting time for such an appointment to one month. A first review of the operation of the pilot indicated that clients were satisfied with this particular service initiative. This was because they got early access to a solicitor for advice on their legal disputes that provided clarity about the options open to them and the process through which their disputes might be resolved.
- In August 2012 the Board introduced a new case management system in its law centres. This is a ‘start to end’ system which will in the medium term deliver efficiencies in terms of the administration aspect as well as in relation to the delivery of the legal services. It will take time for the full benefits of this system to materialise.
- In November 2011 I transferred responsibility for the management and administration of the State funded family mediation service to the Board. A key reason for this transferring was to improve the synergies between the State funded family mediation services and the State funded civil legal aid services (most of the demand for legal services is in the area of family law). Improving the synergies will be for the benefit of the customer and will help move away from a ‘litigation first’ approach that may on occasion be too common. Already there are very positive signs from a pilot initiative operating in Dolphin House (where the Dublin District Family Court sits) involving the co-location of the courts and a mediation service with a legal service located there also. Similar initiatives have now been introduced in Cork and Naas and are being evaluated;
- While the Board’s asylum related legal services were previously funded from a separate grant, since 2012 I have funded the Board on the basis of a single ‘grant-in-aid’. With the drop in demand for asylum, the Board has taken steps to integrate the delivery of its asylum related services into the general law centre service delivery model thus effectively transferring resources from the asylum area to the general legal service area where the demands have increased;
- I am aware that the Board has maintained a high level of usage of private solicitors for family law cases in the District Court. Cases in the District Court are often those that need the most immediate remedy;
- I am also aware that the Board continues to engage with other key players in the justice / legal area such as the Courts Service and the Health Service Executive, with a view to trying to ensure that State funded resources that impact on its area of business are used to best effect.
I am very conscious of the difficulties that delays in accessing legal aid can give rise to and I am aware that the Board is also keenly aware of those difficulties and is working to ensure the delays are minimised to the greatest extent possible. I understand that if an applicant is a respondent in court proceedings and the Board is not in a position to provide representation before the next court date, the person is furnished with a letter confirming details of his application for legal services and the anticipated time when he or she will be given an appointment. The person is advised to attend court and present this letter to the Judge. The following table sets out the waiting times as of the 1 September 2013 for centres not operating the triage approach (second column) and the waiting times for centres operating the triage approach (third and fourth column). The fourth column indicates the additional time that a person who has had a triage appointment is likely to have to wait for a second consultation. The Board does not calculate ‘average’ waiting times. The waiting times can go up and down, largely depending on demand.
Waiting times at law centres on the 1 September 2013
|
Law Centre |
General – Law centres not operating triage (months) |
Waiting time for a triage appointment (months) |
Further waiting time where triage appointment previously given (months) |
|
Blanchardstown |
3 |
- |
|
|
Brunswick St |
- |
4 |
5 |
|
Clondalkin |
- |
1 |
13 |
|
Finglas |
- |
10 |
5 |
|
Gardiner St |
- |
0 |
19 |
|
Tallaght |
- |
1 |
12 |
|
Popes Quay |
- |
9 |
3 |
|
South Mall |
14 |
- |
|
|
Athlone |
- |
4 |
7 |
|
Castlebar |
- |
2 |
6 |
|
Cavan |
- |
2 |
2 |
|
Dundalk |
5 |
- |
- |
|
Ennis |
15 |
- |
- |
|
Galway- Francis St |
- |
7 |
8 |
|
Galway – Seville H |
- |
0 |
11 |
|
Kilkenny |
- |
1 |
11 |
|
Letterkenny |
- |
10 |
6 |
|
Limerick |
10 |
- |
- |
|
Longford |
- |
3 |
4 |
|
Monaghan |
4 |
- |
- |
|
Navan |
- |
5 |
2 |
|
Nenagh |
- |
1 |
5 |
|
Newbridge |
- |
6 |
11 |
|
Portlaoise |
- |
7 |
10 |
|
Sligo |
- |
3 |
9 |
|
Tralee |
6 |
- |
- |
|
Tullamore |
6 |
- |
- |
|
Waterford |
7 |
- |
- |
|
Wexford |
9 |
- |
- |
|
Wicklow |
- |
1 |
8 |
997. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and expected residency status-eligibility for naturalisation or for both in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36904/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply, as follows, to Parliamentary Question No. 31554/13 of the 2 July, 2013. The position is unchanged since then:
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person referred to is the subject of a Deportation Order. The person concerned has no application for residency pending and there is no evidence that the person's passport was seized by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service. The person concerned has had his case considered under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended and under Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended. Refoulement was not found to be an issue in this case. In addition, no issue arises under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (UN Convention against Torture) Act, 2000. Consideration was also given to private and family rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
The Deportation Order was signed on 3 May 2012. One of the requirements of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must present to the Garda National Immigration Bureau on an appointed date, to date the person concerned has not presented and is therefore classed as an evader. The person concerned remains in the State illegally.
The effect of the Deportation Order is that the person concerned must leave the State and remain thereafter out of the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the 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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
998. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current total strength of An Garda Síochána including the Garda Reserve; if he will provide in tabular form the strength of each district and division broken down by rank for the years 2010 to 2012, inclusive, and to July 2013; and in view of the success of the Haddington Road agreement, when he intends to follow through with his commitment to commence recruitment into An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36929/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe tables show the strength of the Garda Reserve and the strength of each Station, District and Division, broken down by rank, for the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and as of 31 July 2013.
Before recruitment can commence, there are a number of procedural issues that need to be finalised prior to the formal commencement of the process which is expected to get underway in the coming weeks, with the first students entering the Garda College in Templemore, Co Tipperary in mid-2014. The competition will be run by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Garda Commissioner. An announcement will be issued as soon as recruitment starts, both on their website (www.publicjobs.ie) and directly to those who have registered an expression of interest in joining the Garda Síochána.
|
The tables are available as Q382.xls, which can be accessed at the top of this web page. |
999. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason An Garda Síochána had to pay over €12 million to the Revenue Commissioners and if he will provide details of this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36935/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe situation referred to by the Deputy arose in 2011 and it was concerned with the finalisation of a taxation issue on a small number of Garda allowances. Following a determination by the Revenue Commissioners, it transpired that the allowances in question should have been subject to PAYE, PRSI and other relevant deductions. The payment made to the Revenue Commissioners was a circular one and the funding in question reverted immediately to the Exchequer.
1000. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the detrimental impact the inclusion of civil registration records in a forthcoming EU Data protection directive will have on genealogical, historical, and biographical research, will the principle of public ownership and the right of genealogical heritage be included in any measures dealing with access to records of a genealogical potential; and if an exception to these rules of data protection will be made for genealogy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36936/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position is that the European Commission tabled a Proposal for a General Data Protection Regulation to replace the current Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC) in January 2012. I launched a public consultation process in March 2012 seeking the views and input of interested bodies and individuals on the proposed Regulation in order to assess its implications and possible impact on various sectors and areas of activity. Discussions on this detailed and complex proposal are still ongoing at EU level. The possible implications of the proposed Regulation for genealogical, biographical or historical research has recently been raised with me and my Department in general terms. I would therefore welcome the submission of views on any specific concerns that may exist in relation to this important area of activity.
1001. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the fact that 130 survivors are in the care of the former laundry proprietors, the steps being taken to ensure that Magdalen survivors receive and handle their individual compensation without undue influence or interference from former proprietors; if consideration has been given to the appointment of an advocate in both survivors' and public interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36971/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 25th of June last following publication of "The Magdalen Commission Report" the Government approved the implementation of a cash payment scheme based on duration of stay in laundries as recommended by Mr Justice John Quirke (recommendation 3). In addition, the Government agreed to accept in principle, the other recommendations in the report. An inter-departmental group was established to give further detailed consideration to the steps necessary to implement those recommendations, ascertain the cost implications insofar as possible and report back to Government. The issue of concern to the Deputy forms part of the Quirke report (recommendation 10) and is being considered by the inter-departmental group. I expect to receive their report later this month.
1002. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider a wide ranging review of the current Garda vetting process and its structures in view of the fact that over 3,500 applications from community employment, and Tús schemes are delayed and that there has been an increase of 43% in the volume of CE applications for Garda vetting in 2013; his views on whether the Garda vetting process is slowing down the employment progress of some applicants; and if his Department will consider measures to streamline the process or to increase the staffing of this section of his Department. [36974/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda authorities that there have been 3,332 applications so far this year related to the Department of Social Protection and Fás. Approximately 2700 of these have been dealt with by the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) and notifications have been returned to the relevant organisations. Of the remainder, 543 will be completed shortly. There are 90 remaining applications in respect of which further inquiries are necessary and these await clearance.
More generally, the number of vetting applications each year has risen from 187,864 in 2007 to 327,903 in 2012. It is expected that there will be upwards of 350,000 applications this year. The current average processing time for applications is approximately 9 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. In the interest of fairness and equity, Garda vetting applications are processed in chronological order based on the date of receipt in the GCVU. 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.
It is essential that the GCVU has the resources required to perform this most critical of roles effectively and I have given this matter particular priority. In that regard I have been actively engaged with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. As a result of that engagement, I am pleased to say that the Commissioner has confirmed to me that there are now 134 whole-time equivalent staff (130 civilians and 4 members of the Garda Síochána) assigned to the GCVU, some 41 of whom have been redeployed from elsewhere in the public service since the end of March 2013. Some of these redeployed staff have only recently completed their training in the vetting process, and the full impact of their work will be seen in the coming weeks. Furthermore, I have also recently received sanction for the redeployment of 40 additional staff to the GCVU. This brings the total number of staff in that service to over 170 which, when compared to the average staff allocation of 78 at the Unit over the past two and a half years, represents an increase of 117%.
In the context of streamlining the process, an e-vetting solution is being developed. This will facilitate the processing of all applications in an e-format, thus removing the time-consuming current process of managing all applications received at the section in manual format. The initial phase of testing this e-vetting system will take place in the fourth quarter of 2013. It is expected that all of these measures will contribute to further improvements in the vetting service.
1003. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will address the delay in receiving Garda clearance (details supplied). [36993/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraBy way of background to the Deputy's question, I wish to advise that the number of vetting applications received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) each year has risen from 187,864 in 2007 to 327,903 in 2012 and it is expected that there will be upwards of 350,000 applications this year. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current average processing time for applications is approximately 9 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. In the interest of fairness and equity, Garda vetting applications are processed in chronological order based on the date of receipt in the GCVU and 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.
It is essential that the GCVU has the resources required to perform this most critical of roles effectively and I have given this matter particular priority. In that regard I have been actively engaged with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. As a result of that engagement, I am pleased to say that the Commissioner has confirmed to me that there are now 134 whole-time equivalent staff (130 civilians and 4 members of the Garda Síochána) assigned to the GCVU, some 41 of whom have been redeployed from elsewhere in the public service since the end of March 2013. Some of these redeployed staff have only recently completed their training in the vetting process, and the full impact of their work will be seen in the coming weeks. Furthermore, I have also recently received sanction for the redeployment of 40 additional staff to the GCVU. This brings the total number of staff in that service to over 170 which, when compared to the average staff allocation of 78 at the Unit over the past two and a half years, represents an increase of 117%.
Development of an e-Vetting solution is underway. This will facilitate the processing of all applications in an e-format, thus removing the time-consuming current process of manually managing all applications received . The initial phase of testing this e-vetting system will take place in the fourth quarter of 2013. When this is achieved, this system will streamline the overall vetting process in this jurisdiction, and further contribute to reductions in processing times for all vetting applications.
1004. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality following on from the death in Castlebar of two elderly gentlemen in their homes, the proposals he and An Garda Síochána have to tackle the problem of fear among the elderly population that they are not safe in their own homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36999/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware a person has since been charged in connection with these crimes and is currently before the courts and it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment other than to extend my sympathy to all their family and friends. The Garda authorities are extremely aware of the concerns which exist on the part of many elderly persons as to their safety in their homes and are responding through a range of enforcement, prevention and community policy measures.
In particular, An Garda Síochána has implemented a robust and effective response to the incidence of burglary and aggravated burglary, especially through Operation Fiacla which is focused on identifying and targeting mobile gangs involved in burglaries. Operation Fiacla is intelligence driven and specific burglary initiatives have been implemented in each Garda Region to target suspect offenders. As of 31 August, 6,329 persons have been arrested and 3,541 persons have been charged with burglary offences under Operation Fiacla. The latest quarterly figures from the Central Statistics Office for burglary show a welcome reduction of 9.1% in burglary and related offences which is a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of the measures which the Garda Commissioner has put in place to successfully disrupt those who seek to prey on law abiding householders.
In so far as the particular needs and concerns of the elderly are concerned, An Garda Síochána’s Older People Strategy was launched in 2010. The Garda Older People strategy promotes actions including the development of effective communication links between Gardaí and older people, the delivery of proactive, timely and effective responses by An Garda Síochána for older people, actions to increase trust and confidence by lessening the fear of crime, and indicators to determine and respond to the needs and expectations of older people on an ongoing basis.
These objectives are pursued through various community policing initiatives and crime prevention programmes carried out in partnership with local communities such as Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert. There are currently in excess of 3,700 Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert groups established countrywide. The Garda authorities indicate that there is a significant willingness amongst the public to participate in such initiatives which help to promote responsible community involvement and assist in promoting good crime prevention practice.
I should also mention the Crime Prevention Ambassadors initiative which was recently set up with pilot schemes currently operating in the Cavan/Monaghan and Meath Garda Divisions. This initiative is delivered in partnership with the Aging Well Network and Community Alert and involves older persons in given communities volunteering to act as Crime Prevention Ambassadors within their local areas. Each Crime Prevention Ambassador is provided with a resource pack which includes crime prevention literature and briefings from Crime Prevention Officers and Community Gardaí to equip them with the necessary knowledge which they in turn disseminate within local communities. Of course crime prevention advice specifically for the older persons is also available directly from all Garda stations, or to download on the Garda Website www.garda.ie.
Another example of the practical measures being taken under the strategy are the Caller Cards issued under the Bogus Caller Card Initiative to all Garda Divisions for distribution amongst older persons groups and individuals. The Caller Cards resulted from a best practice study under the Garda Older Person Strategy. The initiative provides older people with printed Caller Cards to give to callers offering a service from door to door, requesting them to leave their contact details so that they can get back to them if they require that service. The initiative is intended to empower the older person to take control of these situations and discourages bogus callers. The Garda authorities have my full support in this ongoing work to respond to the needs and concerns of older people and to confront crime in all its forms. I have every confidence that An Garda Síochána will continue to deliver an effective police service which meets the needs of all in our community, including older people.
1005. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to the recent cuts to the charitable lotteries fund which has put immense pressure on the services provided by the Asthma Society of Ireland, if he will consider reversing these cuts; if he will meet with a delegation from the Association of Charity Lotteries in Ireland regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37002/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Charitable Lotteries Fund was established in 1997 to provide assistance to the promoters of certain private charitable lotteries that have products similar to products sold by the National Lottery. The Fund was originally drawn from the National Lottery surplus but, as with other National Lottery funded subheads, it is now drawn also from exchequer funds. The decision was taken in 2012, because of the urgent need to make savings in Government expenditure, that this Scheme could not be sustained in the current circumstances. Beneficiaries were advised in October 2012 that it would be phased out on a gradual basis over a 3 year period, with the first reduction taking effect in late 2013. This is in order to give affected organisations, including the Asthma Society of Ireland, as much time as possible to adjust to the change and to consider how they may increase the funding they receive through other fundraising projects. As the decision to phase out the Scheme is currently the subject of a legal proceedings initiated by The Rehab Group and Rehab Lotteries, I am not in a position to meet organisations or comment further at this time.
