Barry Cowen
Ceist:125. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of peace commissioners appointed on a county basis per annum in 2011,2012,2013 and to date in 2014. [38894/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraPeace Commissioners Appointments
Ceisteanna (125)
Freagraí scríofa
Peace Commissioners are appointed by the Minister for Justice and Equality under Section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924.
There were 116 Peace Commissioners appointed in 2011, 91 in 2012, 73 in 2013, and 47 have been appointed to date in 2014. The table below illustrates the distribution of appointments by county for each of these years.
An application for appointment may be submitted by a person who is interested in obtaining an appointment or a third party may submit a nomination in respect of a person considered suitable for appointment. Nominations are generally received from public representatives. A local Garda Superintendent can also request an appointment in a particular area in the public interest.
The distribution of appointments by county is as follows:
|
County |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Carlow |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
9 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
|
Clare |
2 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
Cork |
16 |
9 |
9 |
5 |
|
Donegal |
4 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
|
Dublin |
23 |
14 |
13 |
7 |
|
Galway |
5 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
4 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
4 |
6 |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Laois |
1 |
6 |
1 |
7 |
|
Leitrim |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
4 |
6 |
7 |
0 |
|
Longford |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
|
Meath |
4 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
|
Sligo |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
12 |
7 |
3 |
4 |
|
Waterford |
0 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Westmeath |
3 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
6 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
4 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
Proposed Legislation
Ceisteanna (126)
Terence Flanagan
Ceist:126. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the children and family relationships Bill (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38901/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The General Scheme of the Children and Family Relationships Bill is a set of proposals to reform and modernise family law. It is intended to give children legal certainty and security in their family structures, and to ensure that children's rights are vindicated in areas concerning parentage, guardianship, custody and access.
The General Scheme proposes, in summary, to:
- modernise the law regarding the parental rights of children living in diverse family forms;
- establish that the best interests of the child are paramount in decisions on custody, guardianship and access;
- set out how parentage is to be assigned in cases of assisted reproduction;
- extend automatic guardianship to non-marital fathers who have lived with the child's mother for at least 12 months, including 3 months following the child's birth;
- enable civil partnered or cohabiting couples to be eligible jointly to adopt a child;
- allow civil partners, step-parents, those cohabiting with the biological parent and those acting in loco parentis for a specified period to apply for guardianship and custody;
- enable members of the wider family to apply for access to the child;
- put in place a series of provisions on making parenting work.
There were, according to Census 2011, 49,005 households of cohabiting couples with children under 15 in 2011 and I am of the view that our laws must be modernised to reflect the realities of modern family diversity. I understand that people will have different personal views and concerns regarding the proposed legislation. However, it is important that children's rights should be safeguarded regardless of the family type in which they are living. This is what this legislation is seeking to achieve.
Garda Deployment
Ceisteanna (127)
Noel Harrington
Ceist:127. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views that the resident garda in a rural Garda station (details supplied) in County Cork will be replaced when they retire in the near future. [38903/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that Durras Garda Station forms part of the Bantry Garda District in the Cork West Garda Division. The personnel strength of Bantry Garda District and Cork West Garda Division at the end of August 2014, was 47 and 274 respectively. There are also five Garda Reserves and three civilians attached to Bantry Garda District and 28 Garda Reserves and 22 Civilians attached to Cork West Garda Division. Resources are further augmented, where necessary, by a number of Garda National Units such as the Garda National Drugs Unit (GNDU), the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI), the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and other specialised units.
The member of An Garda Síochána stationed at Durras Garda Station recently retired. The Divisional Officer for the Cork West Garda Division is currently reviewing the overall deployment of resources in the Division and will consider the vacancy in this review.
Road Traffic Accidents Data
Ceisteanna (128)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:128. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of road traffic accidents reported to gardaí at Listry Bridge on the R563 in Kerry in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38934/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The area referred to by the Deputy is in the Killarney district of the Kerry division. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that there has been one material damage traffic collision recorded with Listry Bridge as its location on the R563 between the 1st January 2010 to the 30th September 2014. I also understand that there have been 11 other collisions recorded with other Listry addresses during the period in question.
Crime Data
Ceisteanna (129)
Michelle Mulherin
Ceist:129. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the volume of complaints from victims of petrol stretching received by Mayo gardaí in the past couple of months, if the need for additional police resources has been assessed in order to allow investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators in a timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38939/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Further to my reply to Parliamentary Question number 115 of 2 October 2014, I can advise the Deputy that An Garda Síochána are continuing to investigate the recent complaints received from victims of petrol stretching in the Mayo area.
As a part of these investigations An Garda Síochána continue to liaise closely with the injured parties, the effected garages and with Revenue's Customs Service who take the enforcement lead nationally in relation to this issue.
In relation to the issue of resources the Garda authorities have informed me that they are satisfied that adequate resources are in place in An Garda Síochána's Mayo Division to fully investigate this matter.
Peace Commissioners Data
Ceisteanna (130)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:130. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide the names and contact details of all peace commissioners, in the Finglas, Ballymun, Glasnevin and Drumcondra areas of Dublin. [38947/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My officials are collating the information which will be forwarded to the Deputy in the coming days.
Closed Circuit Television Systems
Ceisteanna (131)
Michelle Mulherin
Ceist:131. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in the context of the forthcoming budget 2015, if she will put in place a national scheme for the provision and upgrading of a modern CCTV system with dedicated staff for monitoring same to assist with policing for towns and villages throughout the country which have experienced a reduction in Garda numbers and-or where Garda stations have closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39006/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
CCTV 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 An Garda Síochána's identified operational needs and priorities. Accordingly, decisions in relation to the introduction or extension of such systems are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am advised by the Garda authorities that current Garda CCTV arrangements are kept under ongoing review in the context of An Garda Síochána's operational requirements. I am further informed that there are currently no plans to extend existing Garda CCTV systems.
A community-based CCTV Scheme was launched in 2005. This scheme provided financial assistance to qualifying local organisations towards meeting the capital costs associated with the establishment of a local community CCTV system. Two major rounds of funding were advertised under that scheme.
The current position is that all available funding provided under the previous two rounds has been fully allocated and there are currently no plans 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 funding.
Garda Misconduct Allegations
Ceisteanna (132)
Finian McGrath
Ceist:132. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the claim of further evidence available in an assault case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39012/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The case to which the Deputy refers is amongst those being considered under the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach, with a view to determining to what extent and in what manner further action may be required in each case. A panel consisting of two Senior and five Junior Counsel was established for the purpose. The counsel appointed to the panel were all selected on the basis of their experience of the criminal justice system. The review of each complaint will consist of an examination of the papers in the complaint by a counsel from the panel. Following the review of each complaint a recommendation will be made to me as Minister as to what action, if any, is required.
I can confirm that the documentation referred to has been forwarded to the panel for inclusion in the papers already submitted in the complaint.
Garda Operations
Ceisteanna (133)
Terence Flanagan
Ceist:133. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding Garda patrols (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39049/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. In this regard, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including personnel, among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
I have been advised by the Garda Commissioner that the area concerned is patrolled by Gardai assigned to the Coolock and Raheny Garda Stations. The strength of each of those stations, on the 31 August 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available was 110 and 61 respectively.
Crime Data
Ceisteanna (134)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:134. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the detailed crime statistics for County Meath for each of the past four years. [39059/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.
Road Safety
Ceisteanna (135)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:135. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department has asked An Garda Síochána to carry out a cost-benefit evaluation of its performance in promoting road safety in 2013 and to date in 2014 in view of the serious rise in casualties on roads in 2013 and the fact that deaths from road collisions are only marginally decreased to date in 2014 compared to the level in 2013. [39063/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Policing Priorities for 2014 include an emphasis on reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads and An Garda Síochána has my full support in this regard. Similarly, An Garda Síochána's Strategy Statement for 2013-2015 incorporates road safety as one of its key objectives through the use of targeted hi-visibility enforcement measures, as well as education and prevention programmes. Performance against these objectives, as for other areas of police activity, is managed and assessed on an ongoing basis by the Garda authorities and publicly reported on in the Garda Síochána Annual Report. The 2013 Reports sets out the extent of Garda enforcement and prevention operations for the year and in this context I have no plans to commission a separate assessment of the type referred to by the Deputy.
While the increase in the number of road deaths in 2013 over 2012 is worrying, fatalities remain far lower than they were just a few years ago. I am in ongoing contact with the Garda authorities in relation to enforcement activity and can assure him that is remains determined and focused on the areas of greatest risk. I am also continuing to work closely with my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and other relevant agencies and institutions to advance road safety generally as part of the Government's overall Road Safety Strategy.
Garda Deployment
Ceisteanna (136, 137, 138)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:136. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda hours that are assigned to the Navan area, County Meath, for the past four years; the number of Garda cars that are in use in the Navan area for each of the past four years; the number of community Garda hours that are assigned to the Navan area for each of the past four years; the number of crimes in County Meath that ended with a detention sentence for each of the past four years. [39135/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraPeadar Tóibín
Ceist:137. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda hours that are assigned to the Trim area, County Meath, for the past four years; the number of Garda cars that are in use in the Trim area for each of the past four years; the number of community Garda hours that are assigned to the Trim area for each of the past four years. [39136/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraPeadar Tóibín
Ceist:138. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda hours that are assigned to the Kells area, County Meath, for the past four years; the number of Garda cars that are in use in the Kells area for each of the past four years; the number of community Garda hours that are assigned to the Kells area for each of the past four years. [39137/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 to 138, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including personnel, among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
It is not possible to compile the information sought by the Deputy because the examination of hours would require a disproportionate amount of staff time. I have however been informed by the Garda Commissioner that Trim, Kells and Navan Garda Stations form part of the Meath Garda Division. The personnel strength of each Garda Station in the Meath Garda Division on 31 December 2011 to 2013 and on 31 August 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the following table. Resources are further augmented, where necessary, by a number of Garda National Units such as the Garda National Drugs Unit (GNDU), the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI), the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and other specialised units.
The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.
In relation to Garda cars, I have requested the information sought by the Deputy and when it is to hand I will write directly to him.
|
2014 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Station / District |
Garda |
Reserve |
Civilian |
Community Gardaí |
|
Ashbourne |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Ashbourne |
44 |
10 |
4 |
1 |
|
Duleek |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Dunboyne |
16 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Dunshaughlin |
19 |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Laytown |
23 |
3 |
1 |
- |
|
Kells |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Baile Átha Buí |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kells |
43 |
7 |
4 |
1 |
|
Oldcastle |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Navan |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Navan |
75 |
16 |
6 |
4 |
|
Nobber |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Slane |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Trim |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Ballivor |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Enfield |
4 |
- |
1 |
- |
|
Longwood |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Summerhill |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Trim |
34 |
8 |
5 |
1 |
|
2013 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Station / District |
Garda |
Reserve |
Civilian |
Community Gardaí |
|
Ashbourne |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Ashbourne |
43 |
9 |
4 |
1 |
|
Duleek |
5 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Dunboyne |
15 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Dunshaughlin |
20 |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Laytown |
22 |
3 |
1 |
- |
|
Kells |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Baile Átha Buí |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kells |
43 |
7 |
4 |
1 |
|
Oldcastle |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Navan |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Navan |
78 |
17 |
6 |
6 |
|
Nobber |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Slane |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Trim |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Ballivor |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Enfield |
5 |
- |
1 |
- |
|
Longwood |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Summerhill |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Trim |
34 |
8 |
5 |
2 |
|
2012 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Station / District |
Garda |
Reserve |
Civilian |
Community Gardaí |
|
Ashbourne |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Ashbourne |
46 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
|
Duleek |
5 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Dunboyne |
15 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Dunshaughlin |
21 |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Laytown |
23 |
3 |
1 |
- |
|
Kells |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Baile Átha Buí |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kells |
47 |
6 |
4 |
1 |
|
Oldcastle |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Navan |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Navan |
76 |
12 |
6 |
6 |
|
Nobber |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Slane |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Trim |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Ballivor |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Enfield |
7 |
- |
1 |
- |
|
Kilmessan |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Longwood |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Summerhill |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Trim |
32 |
6 |
5 |
2 |
|
2011 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Station / District |
Garda |
Reserve |
Civilian |
Community Gardaí |
|
Ashbourne |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Ashbourne |
47 |
5 |
3 |
5 |
|
Dunboyne |
13 |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Dunshauglin |
21 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Kells |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Baile Átha Buí |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Crossakeel |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Kells |
54 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
|
Oldcastle |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Navan |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Navan |
76 |
12 |
6 |
6 |
|
Nobber |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Slane |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Trim |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Ballivor |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Enfield |
7 |
- |
1 |
- |
|
Kilmessan |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Longwood |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Summerhill |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Trim |
31 |
7 |
5 |
2 |
|
Laytown |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Duleek |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Laytown |
25 |
2 |
3 |
- |