Written Answers Nos. 522-539
522. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding adequate health facilities in respect of a prisoner (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20630/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by the Irish Prison Service that it ensures the delivery of appropriate healthcare services to persons in custody by way of the primary healthcare model. It is the policy of the Irish Prison Service that all prisoners are provided with services and standards equivalent to those available in the general community, and in line with arrangements in place for medical card holders under the General Medical Scheme.
The Irish Prison Service is constrained by the principle of medical confidentiality, and is not in a position to comment further on the individual circumstances of the person referred to. However, the Director General has assured me that the Irish Prison Service will continue to provide all appropriate and necessary healthcare services to the person concerned during his period in custody.
The Irish Prison Service has also advised me that the person referred to has made a number of applications for temporary release. However, I am advised that this person did not meet the necessary criteria for the granting of temporary release and as such the applications were not approved.
523. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the case of a former Garda Síochána detective (details supplied) who lost his job at a Limerick Garda station and is now seeking to regain his job within the Garda Síochána; her views on whether the former garda is no longer fit to be a member of the Garda Síochána, in view of the fact that a board of inquiry was established and, in September 2013, formally recommended his dismissal after he admitted five serious breaches of Garda discipline, including disobeying orders, falsehood, improper practice, and abuse of authority; in view of this case, and several others, her views on whether there is urgent need to have all such cases dealt with by a truly independent and well-resourced Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and not by internal means; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20653/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisciplinary matters, up to and including dismissal of a member of An Garda Síochána, are governed by the Garda Síochána Acts 2005-2007 and the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007. They are a matter in the first instance for the Commissioner. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that it is the policy of An Garda Síochána not to comment on any internal disciplinary matter.
524. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of prisoners under 21 years of age; the number in each of the institutions in which they are held; the number of such prisoners who are on restricted regimes; the number of hours each day for which such prisoners are confined to their cells; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20658/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by the Irish Prison Service that on 30th April 2015 there were 212 prisoners under the age of 21 in custody in our prisons.
A breakdown of their age and location is set out in Table 1.
Of this, 19 prisoners under the age of 21 years were subject to a restricted regime. A breakdown of their age and regime is set out in Tables 2 and 3.
The restriction of a prisoner's regime can occur due to a number of factors including the protection of vulnerable prisoners. This is provided for under Rule 63 of the Prison Rules, 2007. A prisoner may, either at his/her own request or when the Governor considers it necessary, in so far as is practicable and subject to the maintenance and good order and safe and secure custody, be kept separate from other prisoners who are reasonably likely to cause significant harm to him/her. There were 15 prisoners under the age of 21 who had their regime restricted for this reason.
In addition, the Governor may decide, for the maintenance of good order in the prison, to remove a prisoner from general association or structured activity to reduce the negative effect that a prisoner or prisoners may have on the general population. This is provided for under Rule 62 of the Prison Rules, 2007. There were 2 prisoners under the age of 21 who had their regime restricted for this reason. There were also 2 prisoners with restricted regimes for discipline reasons (Rule 67).
In July 2013, the Director General of the Irish Prison Service established a high level group to look at measures which can be introduced to reduce the number of prisoners currently held on restricted regimes with a view to ensuring that all receive, as a minimum standard, out of cell time of 3 hours per day to engage in exercise or activity. Since April 2015, prison governors have implemented individual case management plans for all prisoners who are accommodated on a 22 or 23 hour lock up regime.
Table 1 - Total number of prisoners under 21 years of age in custody.
|
Prison/Place of Detention |
17 yrs |
18 yrs |
19 yrs |
20 yrs |
Total |
|
Castlerea Prison |
0 |
1 |
13 |
15 |
29 |
|
Cloverhill Remand Prison |
0 |
9 |
7 |
12 |
28 |
|
Cork Prison |
0 |
5 |
8 |
6 |
19 |
|
Limerick Prison (F) |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Limerick Prison (M) |
0 |
4 |
4 |
8 |
16 |
|
Loughan House |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Midlands Prison |
0 |
4 |
10 |
15 |
29 |
|
Mountjoy Prison (F) |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
Mountjoy Prison (M) |
0 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
Portlaoise Prison |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
St. Patrick's Institution |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Training Unit |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Wheatfield |
9 |
12 |
28 |
22 |
71 |
|
Total |
10 |
37 |
74 |
91 |
212 |
Table 2 - Age of prisoners under 21 years of age on restricted regimes.
|
Age |
Number of Prisoners. |
|
17 |
1 |
|
18 |
2 |
|
19 |
7 |
|
20 |
9 |
|
Total |
19 |
Table 3 - Breakdown of restricted regime for prisoners under 21 years of age.
|
Regime |
Number of Prisoners |
|
19 Hours |
1 |
|
20 Hours |
9 |
|
21 Hours |
3 |
|
22 Hours |
3 |
|
23 Hours |
3 |
|
Total |
19 |
525. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of hours the library in each prison is scheduled to open each week; the percentage of scheduled opening times these libraries were actually open during 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20660/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the number of hours the library in each prison is scheduled to be open, and the percentage of hours they are open, is set out in the following table. The libraries for Arbour Hill, Dóchas, Mountjoy, Wheatfield East Wing and the Training Unit are open as the demand requires.
|
Scheduled Opening Hours (per week) |
% hours open January - December 2014 |
|
|
Arbour Hill |
On demand |
As required |
|
Castlerea |
28.75 |
100 |
|
Cloverhill |
35.5 |
34 |
|
Cork |
31.5 |
64 |
|
Dóchas |
On demand |
As required |
|
Limerick |
21.25 |
85 |
|
Loughan House |
6 |
95 |
|
Midlands |
21 |
96 |
|
Mountjoy |
On demand |
As required |
|
Portlaoise C Block |
49 |
93 |
|
Portlaoise E Block |
49 |
93 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
11 |
99 |
|
St Patrick's Institution/Mountjoy West |
Library reopened in August 2014 and is scheduled to open for 14 hrs per week |
100 |
|
Training Unit |
On demand |
As required |
|
Wheatfield East Wing |
On demand |
As required |
|
Wheatfield |
16 |
68 |
Libraries in prisons are regarded by prison management as key elements in the process of normalisation and rehabilitation for prisoners. Library services in prisons are mainly provided by Local Authority library personnel deployed to prisons. In some cases, libraries are managed by prison officers or prisoners, with professional librarian oversight. While it is the case that a shortfall in staffing numbers on a particular day can impact negatively on service provision, the Irish Prison Service is actively pursuing the option of having all libraries in prisons managed by long-term, suitably trained prisoners, with professional oversight in order to maximise the service. Prisoners have been trained up and are active in supporting library services in Arbour Hill, the Midlands Prison, Training Unit, Castlerea Prison, Limerick, Portlaoise, Mountjoy, Wheatfield and the Dóchas Centre. In Cork, Shelton Abbey and Loughan House prisoners assist in the running of the libraries.
526. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners actively following a course with the Open University at present, in total and in each institution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20661/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the Education Unit in each of the prisons offers a broad and flexible programme of education to prisoners, ranging from basic literacy classes to Open University courses.
Education Units in prisons are involved in the development and implementation of a wide variety of courses catering for the needs and interests of prisoners. While Open University courses represent the higher end of academic achievement in prisons, the majority of courses on offer lead to certification, mainly State examinations or FETAC accreditation.
With regard to Open University, there is a uniform application procedure with associated guidelines and prisoners must demonstrate the proven academic ability required to complete a third level course of study, prior to funding being approved.
The number of prisoners following a course with the Open University at the present time, in total and in each institution is set out in the table.
|
Prison |
Number of students |
|
Arbour Hill |
7 |
|
Castlerea |
2 |
|
Cork |
2 |
|
Dóchas |
3 |
|
Limerick |
3 |
|
Loughan House |
5 |
|
Midlands |
3 |
|
Mountjoy |
2 |
|
Portlaoise |
7 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
1 |
|
Training Unit |
3 |
|
Wheatfield |
9 |
|
Total |
47 |
527. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will address a matter (details supplied) from a member of An Garda Síochána regarding his pension entitlements. [20682/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor data protection reasons, I am not in a position to discuss any individual member's pension entitlements. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that, in general, when a member retires from An Garda Síochána pension payments will be composed of part State pension and part An Garda Síochána pension.
If on retirement, a member does not have insurable employment or does not have an entitlement to a payment from the Department of Social Protection the member will qualify for a Supplementary Garda pension, payable until such time as he/she qualifies for a State Pension. The maximum supplementary Garda pension together with the standard Garda pension would be equal to half his pensionable pay on retirement.
528. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the date extra powers in the area of public order will be granted to attested members of the Garda Reserve; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20730/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 fully support the important role of the Garda Reserve in the delivery of the policing service. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that she is currently finalising arrangements to extend the powers and functions of Reserve members with a view to implementation at an early date.
529. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware of the delays experienced by users of the Garda National Immigration Bureau; her plans to address these delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20731/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume the Deputy is referring to the services provided by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) public office in Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.
The GNIB provides registration functions for all Non-EEA persons who intend to reside in the State for longer than 90 days. These functions are provided from the Burgh Quay offices in respect of the Dublin Metropolitan Region. The office also provides a range of other immigration related services with approximately 130,000 people per annum attending in person at the office. These include applications for re-entry visas administered by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department which are issued to visa-required nationals resident in Ireland to ensure they can return to this State after leaving the jurisdiction for visit purposes. This office is probably one of the busiest Public Offices with some of the longest opening times in the State.
The nature of the services provided is such that it is demand led and accordingly, there are peaks and valleys in the numbers of callers at different times of the year. For the purpose of the efficient processing of the registration of up to five-hundred people who attend at this registration office every day, GNIB personnel who are employed there operate a shift system, which ensures it is open from 8am to 9pm each Monday to Thursday and 8am to 6pm each Friday (excluding bank holidays) and remains open through lunchtime. A numbered ticket issuing system is operated at this registration office, to ensure that those attending are dealt with on a 'first come first served' basis. In addition those attending are advised of the approximate time that they will be dealt with, which allows them to leave the office and return at the appropriate time if they so wish. A GNIB officer is also deployed to meet with each person on arrival at the office to ensure that they are in possession of all of the necessary documentation required for registration, so that unnecessary delays are avoided. Specific times are set aside for certain categories of persons such as students. Indeed, for the peak student period in autumn last year the office opened on Saturdays. Tickets are not issued to non-nationals whose registration relates to their presence in Ireland for study related purposes until after 9am so as to facilitate those non-nationals whose permission to reside in the State is work related.
In addition, the GNIB with the assistance of the Garda Press Office has recently established a Garda website notification system for the purpose of assisting persons who are required to attend at Burgh Quay for registration. On three separate occasions during each day an announcement is posted on the Garda Website alerting customers to the number of available tickets remaining at the Burgh Quay public office for that day.
It is a requirement of the registration function that persons seeking to register present in person to their local registration office. This is necessary for establishment of identity and as an anti-fraud measure and is the practice of immigration services worldwide. The registration process includes an interview with the person, the examination of relevant documentation, photographing and biometric capture and the issuing of a registration certificate. It also includes the placing of the appropriate permission to remain endorsement on the passport of the person concerned. It should also be noted that for most persons, renewal of their registration is at most a yearly requirement and that for the majority of customers the GNIB provides a 'same day service at its Burgh Quay office.
The Deputy will be aware that a major reform of the delivery of immigration services is underway including the transfer of registration functions from the GNIB to the INIS. This presents opportunities to streamline both registration and visa re-entry services and INIS is working on introducing on-line services as part of this process including a booking system for appointments.
530. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of bankruptcies that have been annulled or set aside in each year since 2011 and to date in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20751/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Insolvency Service of Ireland has provided the figures for the numbers of bankruptcies annulled or set aside in the years from 2011 to date in 2015 and these are in the table. The figures show that there are very few annulments each year.
It is the High Court who decides on any 'overturning' of a bankruptcy which can occur in a number of different ways. These include:
(1) "Show cause" applications, pursuant to Section 16 of the Bankruptcy Act 1988, where a bankrupt person has 3 days from being served with the adjudication order (or up to 14 days if the Court extends time) to "show cause" to the Court against the validity of the adjudication and must show the Court that the requirements of section 11 (1) of the Bankruptcy Act, as amended, have not been complied with;
(2) Annulment applications, pursuant to Section 85(c) of the Bankruptcy Act, as amended, where the person 'in the opinion of the Court ought not to have been adjudicated bankrupt'. Generally, this means that there must have been some fundamental error or misunderstanding existing at time of the bankruptcy order that if known at the time would have rendered the order void;
(3) Appeal to the Supreme Court/Court of Appeal - as with any order of the High Court.
|
Year |
Number of Annulments per year |
|
2015 |
1 |
|
2014 |
5 (4 annulments and one set aside) |
|
2013 |
None |
|
2012 |
4 |
|
2011 |
2 |
531. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of bankruptcies in each year from 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date which resulted in the bankrupt persons surrendering their principal private residence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20752/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Official Assignee in Bankruptcy in the Insolvency Service of Ireland that from the years 2011 to 2013 a total of 10 family homes or Principal Private Residences were surrendered. I am advised that an annual breakdown for that period is not available.
From the period 1 January 2014 to 8 March 2015, 177 bankrupt persons surrendered their family home or Principal Private Residence. A further 23 family homes or Principal Private Residences were repossessed by a secured creditor during that time.
Family Home Analysis - all figures relate to both Principal Private Residences and Family Homes
|
Bankrupts who have surrendered their family home/Principal Private Residence |
Repossessed by Secured creditor |
|
|
2011 - 2013* |
10 |
|
|
1st January 2014 - 8 March 2015 |
177 |
23 |
|
Breakdown of 177 surrenders as follows |
||
|
Family Home surrendered and accepted by bank prior to bankruptcy |
34 |
|
|
Family Home abandoned by debtor - not surrendered to creditor |
67 |
|
|
Family Home surrendered post bankruptcy or receiver in place |
31 |
|
|
Receiver appointed/surrender being finalised by the Official Assignee/other |
45 |
|
|
Total |
177 |
* Annual breakdown for this period is not available.
532. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on a matter (details supplied) regarding the progress of capacity legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20828/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Assisted Decision-Making Capacity Bill is scheduled for Dáil Committee Stage on 17 June with a view to enactment later this year.
The Bill proposes a modern statutory framework to support decision-making by adults with capacity difficulties. Its aim is to enable these persons to exercise decision-making autonomy to the greatest extent possible. To this end, the Bill provides for the replacement of the adult Wards of Court system with a less intrusive system. It also offers a continuum of options to support people in maximising their decision-making capability. Its enactment will be a key element in enabling Ireland to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
533. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the new information regarding the Stardust fire tragedy (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20829/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a meeting with the Stardust Victims Committee last year, I appointed an official in my Department to liaise with the Committee and they have engaged with representatives of the Committee in relation to these matters.
A researcher associated with the Committee has submitted material relating to these events to my Department and a meeting was held with that Researcher, and another person associated with the Committee, on 23 April. The material previously submitted and the matters raised at that meeting are being examined. The Committee has been informed that they will be contacted when this examination is completed.
The specific material referenced by the Deputy was forwarded directly to my Department on 19 May and is also being examined. I wish to inform the Deputy that, in correspondence with my Department, the Stardust Victims Committee have indicated that they wish the examination currently underway to be limited in scope to materials previously provided and do not wish for the material referenced by the Deputy to be examined in that context.
I wish also to inform the Deputy that allegations raised by the Stardust Relatives' and Victims Committee and their representatives in relation to certain matters are the subject of an ongoing investigation by An Garda Síochána. I am informed, by the Garda Commissioner, that this is a complex investigation and, you will understand, I cannot do anything that might cut across this investigation.
534. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the degree to which best international policing practices are adopted throughout each European country, including this jurisdiction, with a view to maximising the capability to address the threat of organised criminal gangs; if any specific procedures applicable in other jurisdictions can be applied here in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20834/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a range of mechanisms established at European level through which information in relation to Member States' approaches to tackling organised crime and the policing practices deployed are exchanged across the European Union.
Such mechanisms include European bodies such as Europol (European Police Office) and CEPOL (European Police College) and also information exchange through established law enforcement networks and other networks such as the Asset Recovery Office Network. Information exchange also takes place under the auspices of the relevant Working Groups established under the Justice and Home Affairs Council.
In addition, Ireland and its European partners are subject to a range of information sharing and evaluation mechanisms arising from obligations under European law and under UN, OECD and Council of Europe treaties.
Through these mechanisms good practices are identified and shared amongst the Member States and, where appropriate, may be adopted or may be adapted to suit the national situation.
In addition, at European level, the EU policy cycle against serious and organised international crime, which was set up in 2010, is an intelligence led methodology for better coordinating Member States actions as well as EU support measures in this area. The 2014 - 2017 EU Crime Priorities in this regard have been adopted and the necessary Operational Plans developed to take forward this work.
More generally, the Deputy will also be aware that the Garda Inspectorate Report on Crime Investigation, which forms an important component in the overall justice reform programme, includes extensive recommendations with respect to tackling crime, taking on board international best practice.
An Garda Síochána has established an Implementation Steering Group to focus on the implementation of the short, medium and long-term recommendations in the Report and I expect this programme of work will contribute significantly to how An Garda Síochána prevent and investigate crime at all levels.
535. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the various forms of reported crimes appear to be on the increase; if adequate resources remain available to her Department to confront such issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20835/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of Garda resources, including personnel in Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. I am advised that Garda management keep the distribution of resources under continuing review so that the best possible use is made of these resources. In this regard I am advised that local Garda management closely monitors crime trends and the policing needs of communities in each Garda Region and relevant operational strategies including patrols and checkpoints are put in place as necessary.
Insofar as the question of the available resources are concerned, since the resumption of Garda recruitment in September last year a total of 300 new recruits have entered the Garda College in Templemore and the Commissioner now has the capacity to deploy new Gardaí for the first time since 2009. The Government is committed to ensuring that recruitment to An Garda Síochána continues seamlessly and I have received sanction from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for further intakes of a total of 250 additional Garda recruits during 2015. Similarly, investments are being made in vehicles and IT, and in the recruitment of specialist professional staff. Policing and community safety will undoubtedly benefit from this injection of resources in all Garda Divisions.
While operational crime data is of course available to An Garda Síochána at all times, insofar as the official recorded crime statistics are concerned, the position is that responsibility for the compilation and publication of crime statistics is a matter for the Central Statistics Office, as the independent national statistical agency. As the Deputy may be aware, the CSO has previously indicated that it is carrying out a detailed analysis of certain issues raised by the Garda Inspectorate in relation to the recording, classification and reclassification of crime, to see whether and to what extent they may have implications for the crime statistics which that Office produces. This process is currently ongoing and the CSO has indicated that it expects to recommence publication by end June 2015.
536. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration has been given to the proscribing of membership of criminal gangs; if such gangs have been proscribed in other jurisdictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20836/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe question of providing for an offence of membership of a criminal gang, in a manner similar to the approach taken in the Offences Against the State Acts with regard to membership of a proscribed organisation, has arisen from time to time.
In this regard, it is important to understand the issues which arise in seeking to simply outlaw membership of a criminal gang in such a manner. Most significant is the fact that a criminal gang is not likely to have the permanency of organisation and structure that a subversive organisation or other more fixed group would have. Relationships in criminal gangs tend to be more fluid with shifting memberships, alliances and a membership which may depend on circumstance.
However, criminal legislation has been updated in recent years, with a view to ensuring that it provides a comprehensive range of provisions for the prosecution and punishment of crime, in particular the activities of organised crime.
Part 7 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 (as amended by the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009) establishes a number of offences targeting the activities of those involved in organised crime. These offences include participation in a criminal organisation and directing a criminal organisation. The latter offence specifically targets those in criminal organisations who give the orders without requiring their direct participation in the commission of criminal offences. On conviction, this offence carries a penalty of up to life imprisonment.
The Criminal Justice Act 2006 also makes it an offence to conspire with one or more persons to do an act that constitutes a serious offence, irrespective of whether such act actually takes place or not.
Evidential provisions as to the existence of a criminal organisation were introduced aiding prosecution for the offences under the Act.
Provision was also introduced so that where a serious offence is committed as part of or in furtherance of a criminal organisation, it shall be treated as an aggravating factor for the purpose of determining sentence.
At international level, the question of how best to deal with participation in and/or directing a criminal organisation through the criminal law has been the subject of debate in the development of common international standards. Relevant international instruments to which Ireland is a party are the European Union Council Framework Decision 2008/841/JHA on the fight against organised crime and the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime.
Ireland has given effect to these instruments through domestic criminal law including the legislation outlined above.
537. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she expects membership of An Garda Síochána to increase over the next 12 months, bearing in mind natural retirements or resignations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20837/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána on the 31 March 2015 the latest date for which figures are readily available was 12,734.
The Deputy will be aware that the first intake since 2009 of 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College, Templemore, on 15 September 2014. As part of Budget 2015, a further intake of 200 recruits in two batches was announced. On 15 December 2014, the first 100 of these batches commenced their training. The remaining 100 entered the college in early February. This brought to 300 the number of recruits in the Garda College and is a measure of the Government's commitment to ensure that recruitment to An Garda Síochána continues seamlessly. The September intake were attested as members of the Garda Síochána in April 2015 and assigned to Garda Stations throughout the Country and the December intake will attest in Summer 2015. In addition, I have received sanction from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for two further intakes of 125 Garda recruits later this year. That will bring the number of new recruits to 550 by the end of 2015.
With regard to retirements, it is difficult to establish an average figure for Garda retirements, particularly as the annual rate of retirements has been affected in the past by one-off factors such as the grace period which lasted until the end of February 2012. While it would not be unreasonable, therefore, extrapolating from recent experience, to expect that retirements might range somewhere between 300 and 400, it is not possible to give a scientific estimate.
538. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the strength of An Garda Síochána in County Kildare is likely to be further augmented, in order to confront organised criminality and other crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20838/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 the personnel strength of Kildare Garda Division on 31 March 2015 the latest date for which figures are readily available is 299. There are also 40 Garda Reserves and around 28 Civilians attached to the Kildare Division.
300 Garda recruits have been taken into the Garda College and the first group have already attested and are now full members of An Garda Síochána. On the recent attestation of Garda recruits five were assigned to the Kildare Garda Division. In addition I have secured sanction for the recruitment of a further 250 Garda recruits later this year and the selection process for that is under way.
Similarly, investments are being made in vehicles and IT, and in the recruitment of specialist professional staff. Policing and community safety in all areas will undoubtedly benefit from this injection of resources.
539. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of posts remaining to be filled in An Garda Síochána in each division throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20839/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána on the 31 March 2015 the latest date for which figures are readily available was 12,734.
As 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 the table, together with current actual strength (as of the end of March 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 |
7 |
8 |
|
C/SUPERINTENDENT |
44 |
45 |
|
SUPERINTENDENT |
165 |
166 |
|
INSPECTOR |
259 |
300 |
|
SERGEANT |
1,902 |
2,000 |
