Written Answers Nos. 403-422
403. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda stations that have closed in the years 2012 to 2014 and to date in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13258/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations is a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in the context of annual policing plans, as provided for in section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
I am advised that An Garda Síochána completed a comprehensive review of its district and station network in 2012 and 2013. The objective was to identify opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency and streamline practices within the organisation. The review concluded that a revised district and station network commensurate with the organisation resource base would best meet public demand.
The Garda Station and District rationalisation programme was implemented in An Garda Síochána during 2012 and 2013 which brought about the closure of 139 Garda Stations and the amalgamation of 32 Districts.
The Commissioner at the time stated that the revised structures will continue to support the Garda community philosophy through the clustering of services at policing hubs. This centralisation of services will facilitate the introduction of enhanced patrolling arrangements which, in turn, will provide increased Garda visibility as well as maintaining existing Garda links with communities throughout the country. The objective is to ensure that the best possible policing service will continue to be provided to our communities. The Garda Commissioner also advised that closure of stations has resulted in some additional 61,000 patrolling hours being available for operational policing.
404. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the closure of Garda stations has resulted in an increase in crime in the areas where the closures took place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13259/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have sought the views of the Garda Commissioner in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy and I will contact the Deputy when those views are to hand.
405. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the overall crime level has risen since 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13260/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that 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. The most recent multi-annual overview published by the CSO covers the period 2008-2012 and reported reductions in 10 of the 16 crime categories listed over that period. The annual figures published by CSO for 2013 report reductions in 11 out of the 14 categories featured in the annual statistics. Within this broad overall trend, certain categories of offences have fluctuated over time.
The Deputy will also be aware that following on the Report of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate on Crime Investigation, the CSO is to carry out a detailed analysis of certain issues raised in the Inspectorate Report to see whether and to what extent they may have implications for the official crime statistics which that Office produces. The CSO has previously indicated that this process has resulted in a delay in publishing the official statistics for 2014.
406. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if any measure has been introduced to replace the Garda mobile units initiative that was discontinued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13261/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the Garda authorities and I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.
407. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed to update a stamp 4 in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13276/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a letter of application for residence in the State as a family member of an EU citizen was submitted on behalf of the person concerned on 05 January, 2015. However, the relevant application form was not submitted at that time and the person concerned was requested by letters dated 22 January 2015, 28 January 2015 and 18 March 2015 to submit the completed application form together with the necessary documentation in support of their application. A reply from the applicant is still awaited.
However, the applicant by letter dated 28 January, 2015 has been granted temporary permission to reside in the State for six months up to 04 August, 2015 pending a decision on the case. The person concerned has not raised the issues surrounding their registration with the appropriate Division, EU Treaty Rights Unit, Residence Division in INIS. However, I am advised that a reminder letter will issue to the Garda National Immigration Bureau and the applicant should again attend the local immigration office to obtain the appropriate permission to remain in the State.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The 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 INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
408. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the proposed family leave Bill will be published; if it will deal with the issue of maternity leave and premature births where babies have to be detained in hospital in intensive care; if she will specify that maternity leave should not commence as a result of a premature birth, that is, before 35 weeks, and permit this period to be treated as care leave while the child or children are in hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13279/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Family Leave Bill will be published in 2015 and as previously announced, this Bill will provide for the consolidation into one piece of legislation of the current provisions regarding maternity, adoptive, parental and carer's leave. This will also provide an opportunity to consider other issues with regard to the operation of such leaves, including the question raised by the Deputy.
Currently section 7 of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provides for postponement of maternity leave when the child is hospitalised. A request for such a postponement can only be made when at least 14 weeks of the maternity leave has been taken and the employer agrees to the postponement. I should make the point that it is a requirement of EU law that at least 14 weeks maternity leave is taken after the birth of a child.
The current entitlement with regard to maternity leave is 26 weeks together with 16 weeks additional unpaid maternity leave. This is above the European average and there is also a provision of 18 weeks parental leave for each parent per child. This leave is unpaid.
409. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the correct procedure to be followed to update stamp 4 in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13291/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a letter of application for residence in the State as a family member of an EU citizen was submitted on behalf of the person concerned on 05 January, 2015. However, the relevant application form was not submitted at that time and the person concerned was requested by letters dated 22 January 2015 and 18 March 2015 to submit the completed application form together with the necessary documentation in support of their application. A reply from the applicant is still awaited.
However, the applicant by letter dated 22 January, 2015 has been granted temporary permission to reside in the State for six months up to 04 August, 2015 pending a decision on the case. The person concerned has not raised the issues surrounding their registration with the appropriate Division, EU Treaty Rights Unit, Residence Division in INIS. However, I am advised that a reminder letter will issue to the Garda National Immigration Bureau and the applicant should again attend the local immigration office to obtain the appropriate permission to remain in the State.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The 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 INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
410. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she has examined the potential delivery of a new, for purpose, forensic laboratory for Forensic Science Ireland; the considerations that will be taken into account in delivering such a facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13292/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI fully recognise the very significant contribution of Forensic Science Ireland within the criminal justice system and the vital role it has in providing evidence for the courts. The organisation operates to the highest standards and, given the nature and importance of the functions involved, it is essential that this is, and will continue to be, the case.
In that context the provision of a new facility for Forensic Science Ireland is being actively pursued.
411. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the record of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow who was convicted of an offence but subsequently cleared of this alleged offence cannot be cleared and that person's good name restored. [13295/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraGarda vetting is currently provided by the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) to registered organisations in response to a written request where the employment involves substantial unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults.
As part of the vetting process, the person concerned, in an application for vetting dated 6th September 2012, gave their written authorisation to An Garda Síochána to furnish a statement that there are no convictions recorded against him in the State or elsewhere or a statement of any convictions recorded against him as the case may be or a statement of all prosecutions, successful or unsuccessful, pending or completed in the State or elsewhere as the case may be to the registered organisation concerned. A report issued by the Garda Central Vetting Unit indicated a conviction for assault. This report was later amended to indicate that the conviction had been successfully appealed.
There is no legislation to delete or erase records in respect of prosecutions or court outcomes. All such records are retained by An Garda Síochána. Therefore, while it is noted from the details supplied that the person concerned successfully appealed a conviction of assault, the conviction and subsequent outcome of his appeal would continue to be recorded. However, an Administrative Filter for Garda Vetting Disclosures was introduced with effect from 31st March 2014. In line with that procedure a decision to disclose or not disclose non-conviction data is now made on the basis of an assessment of the relevance and / or the proportionality of disclosing the information in the context of the position of employment in question.
It should be noted that the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) has no input into any decision made in any specific organisation. When such disclosures concern information relating to a prosecution, it is the responsibility of the organisation in question to use the information provided appropriately, fairly and only as one factor in an overall recruitment decision. Decisions on the suitability for the recruitment/engagement of the person concerned rest at all times with the recruiting organisation.
412. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding legal gun ownership; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13300/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn light of public safety concerns highlighted by An Garda Síochána, a joint Department of Justice and Equality/ An Garda Síochána Working Group was established by the Department of Justice and Equality to review firearms licensing. The report of this Working Group was published on 13 November 2014 and submissions on the report were sought from stakeholders and the public by 31 January 2015. The consultation process gave individuals and groups an opportunity to contribute to the development of firearms policy and legislation and will enable consideration to be given to the future direction of such legislation. The submissions received are currently being examined and incorporated into a report for me.
The Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality has also sought submissions and held hearings with interested parties in relation to the Working Party report and will publish its own report on the matter. I have already given a commitment that I will not make any decisions until I have met the key stakeholders, including the organisations who represent those who use firearms for sporting purposes. I intend to meet the key stakeholders in the near future.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for a report in relation to the matters raised concerning statistics regarding licensed firearms and will write to the Deputy as soon as I have further information.
413. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the funding mechanism available from her Department to support community text alert schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13325/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda Text Alert Scheme, which was developed with the support of Muintir na Tíre, Neighbourhood Watch and the Irish Farmers Association, was introduced in September 2013 and there are now in excess of 500 local groups involving over 100,000 subscribers. The scheme provides an additional and effective means for Gardaí to distribute crime prevention information and advice and there are in the region of 200,000 text messages sent under the scheme each month.
Guidelines for establishing and operating a Community Text Alert Service have been published and are available on the Garda Website www.garda.ie and information and advice on establishing such a scheme is available from local Community Gardaí. Neither my Department nor An Garda Síochána provide funding for the setting up of Text Alert Schemes.
The position is that for many years my Department has supported community crime prevention by provided funding for the Community Alert programme, which is operated by Muintir na Tíre in partnership with the Garda authorities, and supports over 1,300 local groups including many of the above text alert schemes. My Department does not provide direct funding to local groups, but funding is provided in relation to the employment and associated costs of the national service, including regional Development Officers. The long-standing view has been that this is the best use of the resources available to my Department to support effective community crime prevention actions.
414. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 135 of 9 April 2014, when the information requested will be supplied. [13350/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to him in Parliamentary Question No. 424 of 14th January, 2015.
I understand from the Garda authorities that the installation of the relevant CCTV system has been undertaken in partnership with Cork City Council which has financed the scheme and, accordingly, the expenditure involved has not been charged to the Garda Síochána. I have also been informed that planning approval for the project was granted.
In addition I have been advised that the cameras in question have been installed in accordance with section 38(3)(a) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. In that context they are monitored by the Garda Síochána and operated in accordance with the Garda Code of Practice for CCTV facilities.
415. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the progress of the new Court of Appeal in reducing the high level of appeals waiting to be heard in the Supreme Court; if she is satisfied with such progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13365/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Courts Service is responsible for the management and administration of the Courts. The scheduling of court cases and the allocation of court business is a matter for the Presidents of the courts and the presiding judge who are under the Constitution independent in the exercise of their judicial functions.
The Judges of the Court of Appeal have developed new procedures for dealing with the caseload of the court which are designed to ensure that cases are managed from the date of the appeal. In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the Court of Appeal sits every day in the Criminal Courts of Justice to hear criminal appeals with two courts sitting on Monday of each week. In relation to criminal appeals, upon lodgement of the necessary written submissions by an appellant a hearing date can now be scheduled within 3 - 4 months. In relation to the civil business of the court, the Supreme Court transferred a caseload of 1,345 civil matters to the Court of Appeal, including 258 cases that were already certified as ready for hearing. A further 275 new cases have been lodged. Newly lodged cases are being listed on an ongoing basis within 3-4 months of the date of lodgment and dates have been allocated in respect of over 150 of the certified appeals transferred to the court. Additional sittings are to be held before the end of July 2015 to allocate dates for the remaining certified cases transferred to the court. Any party to a transferred appeal may apply to the court for a hearing date pursuant to the terms of a Practice Direction put in place by the court for such purpose.
I am also informed that the Supreme Court has made significant progress in dealing with its backlog and, in particular in the last eighteen months, has been engaged in a proactive review and management of its total caseload under the direction of the Chief Justice. In 2014 the Court disposed of a total of 794 appeals which represents a very sizeable increase on previous years. Subsequent to the establishment of the Court of Appeal in October last year the Supreme Court transferred 1,345 appeals to that Court. The Supreme Court retained 827 appeals for determination and it also dealt with a further 18 applications under the provisions of Article 64 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court currently retains a caseload of 712 appeals for determination. The Court continues in this transitional phase to actively manage its legacy caseload and, in addition, applications under its new Constitutional jurisdiction. I am informed that the Court hopes to dispose of the remaining legacy caseload as quickly as is possible in the circumstances subject to the level of new jurisdiction applications which it receives in the medium term.
416. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the efforts being made to address the concerns of the family and supporters of a person (details supplied) who was murdered in July 1985; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13366/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, Mr. Dominic McGinn, Senior Counsel, was appointed to carry out an independent examination of the report of the Serious Crime Review Team relating to the Garda investigation into the death of Fr. Niall Molloy.
I can inform the Deputy that I will be publishing Mr. Dominic McGinn's report today, subject to a number of redactions made following consultation with the Attorney General.
417. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason there is such a delay with a Garda vetting application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when the application will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13380/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda authorities that a vetting application on behalf of the individual referred to by the Deputy was processed by the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) and returned to the Authorised Signatory in the registered organisation concerned on 9th March, 2015.
418. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total prison population; if she will provide in tabular form the number of prisoners, broken down by prison; the capacity of each prison; the percentage occupation of each prison; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13384/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware the Irish Prison Service collates and publishes the prisoner population breakdown on a daily basis and this information is available on the Irish Prison Service website www.irishprisons.ie.
I can inform the Deputy that on 30th March, 2015, there were 3,748 prisoners in custody as compared to a bed capacity of 4,126. This represents an occupancy level of 91%. A full breakdown to include, capacity, number in custody and percentage of bed capacity is set out in a table.
|
Institution |
Bed Capacity |
Number in Custody |
% of Bed Capacity |
|
Mountjoy Campus |
|||
|
Mountjoy (Male) |
554 |
557 |
101% |
|
Mountjoy (Female) |
105 |
106 |
101% |
|
Training Unit |
96 |
93 |
97% |
|
St Patrick’s |
34 |
9 |
26% |
|
West Dublin Campus |
|||
|
Cloverhill |
431 |
319 |
74% |
|
Wheatfield |
550 |
495 |
90% |
|
Portlaoise Campus |
|||
|
Midlands |
870 |
813 |
93% |
|
Portlaoise |
291 |
225 |
77% |
|
Cork |
210 |
207 |
99% |
|
Limerick (Male) |
220 |
218 |
99% |
|
Limerick (Female) |
28 |
18 |
64% |
|
Castlerea |
340 |
325 |
96% |
|
Arbour Hill |
142 |
139 |
98% |
|
Loughan House |
140 |
119 |
85% |
|
Shelton Abbey |
115 |
105 |
91% |
|
Totals |
4,126 |
3,748 |
91% |
As outlined in the Irish Prison Service Three Year Strategic Plan 2012 - 2015, it is intended to align the bed capacity of our prisons with the guidelines laid down by the Inspector of Prisons, in so far as this is compatible with public safety and the integrity of the criminal justice system. This has been completed for 9 out of the 14 prisons in the State. The number in custody on 30th March (3,748) represented 91% of the Inspector of Prisons recommended total of 3,982.
The Deputy will be aware that the average number of prisoners in custody in Ireland rose from 3,321 during 2007 to 4,318 during 2012, an increase of over 30%. Likewise the total number of committals to prison also rose sharply during the same period, from 11,934 in 2007 to 17,026 in 2012 – an increase of over 43%.
2013 saw the first significant decrease in prison numbers since 2007. There were 15,735 committals to prison in 2013 which was a decrease of 7.6% on the 2012 figure. The overall daily average number of prisoners in custody has also dropped in recent years. The average number in custody for 2014 was 3,916 a reduction of 10.8% on the 2011 average of 4,390.
The Deputy may wish to note that the number in custody reached a peak of 4,621 on 23rd February 2011. Today there are 873 less prisoners in custody which represents a decrease of 19%.
419. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form the number of prisoners currently on temporary release, by prison; the type of offence the prisoner was convicted of; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13385/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware the Irish Prison Service collates and publishes the prisoner population breakdown on a daily basis and this information is available on the Irish Prison Service website www.irishprisons.ie.
A breakdown by prison establishment of those on temporary release is set out in a table. I will write further to the Deputy in relation to statistics on the other matter raised by him.
On 30th March 2015 there were 504 prisoners (11.4%) on temporary release across the prison system. This included 133 prisoners who were serving less than 3 months solely for the non-payment of a Court ordered fine and 178 prisoners who were on structured temporary release programmes such as the Community Return Programme or Community Support Scheme.
The legislative basis for making decisions on temporary release are fully set out in the Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003.
A prisoner may apply through the prison Governor for consideration for temporary release. Their family or their legal representative can also apply for consideration of such a concession. It is very important to note that it does not necessarily follow that a prisoner will receive temporary release even if the recommendation made by the prison authorities and/or therapeutic services is to that effect. Each application is considered on its individual merits and a number of factors are taken into account when making a decision on whether to grant temporary release.
The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Prison Service Three Year Strategic Plan 2012-2015 and the Joint Prison Service/Probation Service Strategic Plan 2013-2015 includes working towards the objective of ensuring that all prisoners released early from custody are placed on appropriate structured programme of temporary release.
The Community Return Scheme is an initiative whereby carefully selected prisoners, serving sentences between 1 year and 8 years, can be granted reviewable temporary release coupled with a requirement to do community service work such as painting, gardening or graffiti removal in a supervised group setting. The type of work involved is intended to assist the community and the scheme is involved with a large number of charitable organisations and local community groups.
In addition to Community Return, a Community Support Scheme has also been introduced to reduce recidivism rates of short term prisoners by arranging for additional support structures post release and by providing for a more structured form of temporary release.
Table - Breakdown by Establishment
|
Establishment |
Total |
|
Castlerea Prison |
28 |
|
Cloverhill Remand Prison |
16 |
|
Cork Prison |
117 |
|
Limerick Prison |
59 |
|
Loughan House |
12 |
|
Midlands Prison |
48 |
|
Mountjoy Prison (Female) |
31 |
|
Mountjoy Prison (Male) |
100 |
|
Portlaoise Prison |
4 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
8 |
|
The Training Unit |
25 |
|
Wheatfield Place of Detention |
56 |
|
Total |
504 |
420. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda vacancies outstanding by rank; the period of time they have been vacant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13386/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts, the various Garda national units and of course Garda Headquarters. 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. This necessary ongoing flexibility in the distribution of personnel means that it is not feasible to identify specific vacancies within specific areas of the force.
At a national level, sanction has been given by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for a maximum strength in each rank. The agreed strengths for ranks above Garda rank are given in a table, together with current actual strength (as of the end of February 2015). Where current actual strength is below the approved maximum strength, it is the Garda Commissioner who will make the necessary arrangements to have the balance of posts filled through promotion competitions. Competitions to fill vacancies at Sergeant and Inspector are currently being organised by the Garda Commissioner.
|
Rank |
Actual strength |
Approved max. strength |
|
*COMMISSIONER |
1 |
1 |
|
**D/COMMISSIONER |
0 |
2 |
|
A/COMMISSIONER |
8 |
8 |
|
C/SUPERINTENDENT |
44 |
45 |
|
SUPERINTENDENT |
166 |
166 |
|
INSPECTOR |
261 |
300 |
|
SERGEANT |
1,908 |
2,000 |
421. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí currently on sick leave and entitled to retire in the coming 12 months; the current national strength of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13387/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Gardaí on sick leave as at 27 March 2015 was 480 members. The number of Garda members who may retire, having completed 30 years service and who are at least 50 years of age in the period between 27 March 2015 and 31 December 2015 is 1,457. I have asked the Commissioner for the number who may be in a position to retire in the period to 31 March 2016 and when this information is to hand, I will write directly to the Deputy.
I am also informed by the Garda Commissioner that the strength of the Garda Síochána on 28th February 2015 was 12,763. The Deputy will be aware that there are currently 300 recruits in the Garda College. The first intake of these recruits will attest as members of the Garda Síochána in May 2015 and the December and February intakes will attest in August and October respectively.
422. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form and by county the number of gardaí assigned by station in March of each of the years 2009 to 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13388/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of 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.
The Deputy will also appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day the number of Gardaí assigned to any Division may fluctuate due, for example, to promotion, transfer, retirements and resignations. I have received the information from the Garda Commissioner on the personnel strength by Station, District and Division. I have arranged that this information which is set out in spreadsheets to be sent to the Deputy directly.
