Written Answers Nos. 359-380
359. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a visa in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25866/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it appears the Deputy's question relates to an application for a certificate of naturalisation by the person referred to and not a visa.
I can inform the Deputy that a letter recently issued to the person concerned advising him that I intend to grant the application for a certificate of naturalisation and asking him to submit the prescribed fee and other documents. Upon receipt of the required fee and documents, the person concerned will be invited to attend the next available citizenship ceremony at which he will make a declaration of fidelity to the Irish Nation and loyalty to the State and receive his certificate of naturalisation.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been established specifically 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 INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
360. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide details of the criteria employed when assessing certain public events for the purpose of charging organisers for policing services; her views on whether the practice of charging small community and voluntary groups as well as non-profit organisations for policing services is acceptable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25920/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 30 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides a statutory basis for the Garda Commissioner, as Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote, to charge for police services on a non-public duty basis for commercial events such as sports fixtures and concerts.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the cost to the event holder is determined by the number of Garda personnel deployed. The operational plan for a particular event is formulated by local Garda management. The objective in charging for police services is to recover the cost of providing the service. I am further informed that An Garda Síochána does not seek to recover its costs for charitable events or for national public events such as policing the St. Patrick’s Day parade which are funded by the public purse.
361. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a commencement date for the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25952/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra382. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the provisions on adoption, guardianship and custody will commence under the terms of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26320/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 382 together.
As I indicated in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 23 April 2015, "[...] section 1 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 provides for the commencement of different Parts of the Act by different Ministers, because the Act addresses policy responsibilities of several different Ministers. My Department is working on an implementation plan for those areas which I will be commencing with a view to their commencement without undue delay. All of the necessary legal infrastructure must be in place prior to commencement, such as rules of court, court forms, regulations, and so on.
I note again for the record that I committed jointly with Minister Varadkar that Parts 2 and 3 of the Act, concerning parentage of children born through donor-assisted human reproduction, would not be commenced for a minimum period of one year from enactment, to provide an appropriate transition period and ensure that couples currently undergoing donor-assisted human reproduction treatment could continue that treatment."
I now expect to be in a position to commence the provisions in relation to guardianship, maintenance, and related consequential amendments in the autumn; commencement of the amendments to the Adoption Act is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has commenced Part 10 of the Act - a technical provision amending the Passports Act - and the commencement date for that Part is 1 July.
362. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will re-examine an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25978/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that an application was received for permission to remain in the State from the person mentioned on 26 February 2015. This application is currently being considered and will be dealt with in a timely manner. Accordingly, a re-examination of the application does not arise.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to 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 Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
363. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25987/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy is the subject of a Deportation Order. Proceedings seeking to quash that Order are ongoing before the High Court and in those circumstances I am precluded from further commenting on the matter.
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.
364. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason key evidence concerning the death of a person (details supplied) has not been made available to the Director of Public Prosecutions, the family and their legal counsel, in view of the correspondence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26004/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no role in the investigation, prosecution or trial of alleged offences. This is a long standing principle of our system of justice. The role of An Garda Síochána is to investigate alleged offences, to gather whatever evidence may be available and to submit a report to the DPP. Furthermore, the DPP is an independent prosecutorial authority and I am precluded for interfering in any way with her decisions.
I am, however, advised by the Garda Commissioner that a review of the evidence referred to by the Deputy is underway to see if they were examined as part of the original investigation, the subsequent review and their importance or relevance.
The examination of any evidence in the context of a criminal investigation is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner. I have no function in this regard. However, I understand that legal advice has been sought by the Garda Síochána in relation to permitting the family to have access to the evidence in a controlled environment.
The case 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, or other public representatives 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, all selected on the basis of their experience of the criminal justice system, was established for the purpose.
I have already indicated that I have decided to appoint a former judicial figure to advise on the preparation of notification letters to those whose cases were referred to the Panel in relation to the recommendations made by counsel. Retired High Court Judge Mr Justice Roderick Murphy has agreed to undertake this task.
Following the review of the complaint by counsel in this particular case a recommendation will be made to my Department and the outcome will be notified to the person concerned as soon as possible.
365. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the Spent Convictions Bill; and when the legislation will be brought before Dáil Éireann for progression. [26017/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraBefore the Spent Convictions Bill could be enacted, a 2013 UK Court of Appeal judgment necessitated a review of the disclosure provisions in both the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 and the Spent Convictions Bill. That review has been completed and amendments to the Vetting Act and consequential amendments to the Spent Convictions Bill are currently being drafted. It is expected that these amendments will be published in the next few weeks.
I intend to bring the amendments to the Bill before the Oireachtas as soon as possible. Pending the amendment of the Bill, an Administrative Filter for Garda Vetting Disclosures has been introduced, which provides that certain minor offences that are over 7 years old are no longer disclosed. This Administrative Filter already gives effect to the main provisions likely to be contained in the amended Act.
A copy of this Administrative Filter is attached.
Garda Vetting Procedures
Administrative Filter
In anticipation of the amendment and commencement of the National Vetting Bureau Act 2012, an administrative filter in respect of Garda Vetting Unit Disclosures will operate in accordance with the following procedural guidelines.
A. Criminal Convictions to be disclosed in all cases:
1) Offences Against the Person.
2) Sexual Offences
3) Convictions on indictment.
B. District Court Convictions which will not be disclosed:
1) Motoring Offences:
District Court convictions for motoring offences will not be disclosed after 7 years even where more recent offences have been committed. This is because it is considered that old minor motoring offences would not be relevant due to the passage of time.
2) Minor Public Order Offences:
The following convictions under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 will not be disclosed if the offence is over 7 years old even where more recent offences have been committed:
- Section 4 (Intoxication),
- Section 5 (Disorderly conduct),
- Section 6 (Threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour),
- Section 7 (Distribution or display of material which is offensive),
- Section 8 (Failure to comply with direction of Garda),
- Section 9 (Wilful obstruction).
3) Other minor offences - 1 Only:
District Court convictions for any other minor offence will not be disclosed after 7 years where the person has one such offence only (excluding motoring or public order offences over 7 years old). This provision does not apply to offences against the person or to sexual offences.
C. Probation Act Provisions
Where persons have been dealt with by a district court in accordance with the provisions of section 1(1) (i) or 1 (1) (ii) of the Probation Act 1907, the offences will not be disclosed except in cases where the circumstances of the offence gives rise to a bona fide concern that the person concerned may harm a child or vulnerable person.
Where persons have been dealt with by a court in accordance with section 1 (2) of the Probation Act, these will be disclosed in all cases. (Section 1 (2) relates solely to persons “convicted on indictment”.)
D. Offences in respect of which a person is charged but subsequently not prosecuted or acquitted.
Nonconvictions will be considered for disclosure where the circumstances of an offence gives rise to a bona fide concern that the person concerned may harm a child or vulnerable person. This information will only be disclosed if the information is of such a nature that its disclosure is necessary, proportionate and reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of children or vulnerable persons, or both, as the case may be.
The Garda Central Vetting Unit will make such decision in the context of:
- The information concerned
- The relevance of the information to the type of work/activity
- The source and reliability of the information
- The rights of the vetting applicant and any submissions made by them.
Where the GCVU makes a determination to disclose information under this section the GCVU will:
- Notify the person who is the subject of the application for the vetting disclosure concerned, in writing, of its determination and of the reasons for it,
- Provide to the person a copy of the information to be disclosed,
- Notify the person of the intention to disclose the information to an Authorised Signatory for the registered organisation concerned after the expiry of 14 days from the date of notification, and
- Allow the applicant the opportunity to make a written submission.
- There will also be an appeals process in respect of a decision to disclose the information.
The GCVU will not issue a vetting disclosure in respect of a person until this process has been completed.
366. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she or her officials have received a copy of the recently published report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26040/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that I recently received a copy of the report that is the subject of this Parliamentary Question. A number of the matters raised therein have been addressed in written correspondence with the author prior to the receipt of the latest document.
367. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she or her officials are considering setting up an independent inquiry into the Magdalen laundries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26041/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe report of the Inter-Departmental Committee to establish the facts of State involvement with Magdalen Laundries (the McAleese report) provides an independent, comprehensive, factual account of the Magdalen institutions and informed the Government decision to establish an ex gratia scheme for women who entered and worked in such institutions. To date nearly €20m has been paid out in lump sums to over 500 applicants under that scheme.
The Deputy will be aware that the terms of reference for the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes allows for the investigation of entry and exit routes to these institutions which would include Magdalen Laundries as such a route.
Neither I nor my officials are considering setting up any further inquiry into these institutions.
The Deputy will be aware that the terms of reference for the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes allows for the investigation of entry and exit routes to these institutions which would include Magdalen Laundries as such a route.
368. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality whether she or her Department believe there will be prosecutions following the McAleese report on the Magdalen laundries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26042/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe investigation and prosecution of criminal offences are matters for the Gardaí and Director of Public Prosecutions. An Garda Síochána, of course, investigate any complaint of criminal activity made to them.
It may be helpful to the Deputy to indicate that while not specifically part of the terms of reference of the McAleese Committee, the Committee did take the opportunity to record evidence and testimony that might throw light on allegations of systematic abuse. In this context 118 women who had been in these institutions agreed to complete a questionnaire on conditions (food, punishment etc.) in these institutions and/or to meet with and discuss these issues with the independent Chair. No factual evidence to support allegations of systematic torture or ill treatment of a criminal nature in these institutions was found. The majority of women did report verbal abuse but not of a nature that would constitute a criminal offence.
One woman did report an incident (not in a Magdalen institution) to the Chairperson of the Committee which if proven would constitute a serious criminal offence. In response to this, arrangements were made for the Gardaí to meet with this woman to discuss the matter but she did not wish to make a formal complaint and have the incident subject to a criminal investigation.
In a separate case, after the McAleese Committee had finished its work, a solicitor in the course of correspondence with my Department referred to an incident in a Magdalen institution, which if proven, would constitute a serious criminal offence. My Department notified the Gardaí of the alleged incident and advised the solicitor and her client to report the matter to the Gardaí for criminal investigation. However, I have no indication that the woman in question did make such a report.
369. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of student, business, working and tourist visas, respectively, issued in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26046/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA breakdown of the number of Irish visa applications granted for the years 2010 to 2014 is provided in the following table. I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it is not possible to distinguish between tourist visit visas and visas to visit family or friends. The 'visit' visa category includes short-term visas for those who wish to visit family or friends as well as those who wish to visit as independent holiday-makers.
|
Visa Category |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Business |
13,365 |
14,829 |
14,037 |
15,119 |
15,414 |
|
Visit |
31,355 |
34,723 |
34,960 |
38,684 |
39,726 |
|
Employment/internship |
816 |
1,383 |
1,336 |
1,633 |
2,316 |
|
Study |
5,123 |
4,741 |
6,939 |
9,099 |
10,462 |
370. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the process in place for filling the 31 vacancies on prison visiting committees; the timeframe within which she wishes to see these positions filled, in view of the importance of this function to ensuring that prisoners receive their human rights; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26061/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, vacancies arise and fall to be filled on Visiting Committees on an ongoing basis.
While dates of appointment vary, members of Committees are appointed by the Minister for Justice and Equality for a term not exceeding three years. At the end of their term, their membership of the Committee automatically lapses but they may be either re-appointed for a further term or replaced by new members.
I have made 26 appointments to Prison Visiting Committees since May, 2014 and am in the process of making further appointments. The current membership of the Visiting Committees now comprises a combination of old and new appointments. In determining appointments, consideration is given to a person's suitability, appropriate qualifications and a genuine interest in prison issues.
The Deputy can be assured that the current vacancies will be filled shortly.
371. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the roll-out of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund in Ireland, given that her Department is to submit its revised plan to the Commission in June 2015 following consultations with community and voluntary organisations; when this will be completed; and when Ireland will be in a position to make a call for applications to the fund. [26086/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe draft national programme under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund has been circulated to the partnership of non-governmental organisations and other relevant interests, established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 514/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council. Recipients have been asked to let the Department have their views within four weeks. Meetings can be arranged to discuss the programme, as appropriate. The European Commission have indicated the second half of September as an estimated date for adoption of the programme and, while no grants can be made until this happens, it should be possible to hold a call for applications once the Department is satisfied that the content of the programme is acceptable to the Commission.
372. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the financial supports, or otherwise, to be provided for foreign language students enrolled in English language colleges which abruptly closed; and the position for students who have completed or part completed their 24-week study requirement but cannot get their documentation signed for immigration purposes as the schools have closed down. [26087/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware the first concern of my Department in the case of genuine students affected by sudden college closures has been to reassure them about their immigration status. In that regard the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service will honour all existing immigration permissions of students in recently closed colleges and the students will be entitled to work in accordance with the rules for student migration. However, it is expected that students will make efforts to continue their studies and if they are seeking to stay on at the end of their current permission their study record would be an important consideration. Where a student is seeking to renew their immigration permission at the expiry of their current permission they should note that they will be required to demonstrate that they have enrolled on a new course at a new college. This should be done in good time prior to the expiry of the permission. It is recognised that some students may, through no fault of their own, be unable to access the usual documents required to renew their registration, notably attendance documents, however allowances will be made in such cases.
Contractually the relationship as such is between a private individual and a private company. Students, whether in Ireland or in their home country, should pursue all legal options available to them to recover any monies owed to them by one of the closed colleges.
The Deputy will be aware that on foot of proposals I brought forward, in conjunction with the Minister for Education and Skills, the Government approved the implementation of a series of reforms to the student immigration system for international education, in response to concerning practices within certain parts of the sector and a number of English language college closures. The reforms are designed to drive real, lasting change in the sector and will tackle abuse of the immigration regime and labour market, improve the overall quality of offering to international students, and improve protection for learners, whilst safeguarding the strong international reputation of high-quality Irish education providers in line with the goals of Ireland’s International Education Strategy. A key element of these new rules is the introduction of a number of measures designed to protect students including compulsory learner protection arrangements and a separate account facility to safeguard student advance payments.
373. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an outline of any voluntary repatriation programme in place; the budget allocation for such a programme; if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of persons over the past ten years who have availed of such a scheme, per annum, and a total figure for the number of persons who have availed of a scheme; the number of persons who have applied and the countries in respect of which they have applied; the number for each country and-or region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26093/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in conjunction with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department offers voluntary assisted return and reintegration programmes for asylum seekers, failed asylum seekers and other illegally present migrants.
Asylum seekers or failed asylum seekers who have not had a Deportation Order made against them are returned under the VARRP programme (voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme). Other illegally present migrants are returned under the IVARRP programme (irregular voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme), which is part funded by the EU on a 50/50 basis.
Under these programmes, the flights home for such persons are paid and where required, the IOM will assist in securing travel documents and give assistance at the airport at departure and arrival.
Persons planning to return voluntarily under these programmes can apply for reintegration assistance before they depart which they can then access once they have returned to their home country. Irish reintegration assistance is in the form of a payment in kind, for example help starting up a small business, or to revive an existing one, vocational training classes or educational courses. The value of this reintegration assistance for single individuals is up to €600 and for families up to €1,000.
To date IOM Ireland has assisted nearly 4,000 migrants to voluntarily return in a dignified and humane manner to 96 countries or origin since the opening of the IOM Dublin office in 2001. The 2015 budget allocation for the VARRP programme is €769,169 (i.e. for the 12 month period from the beginning of January 2015 until the end of December 2015). The IVARRP budget agreed with the EU Commission from the beginning of March 2014 until the end of February 2015 was €771,230. The spend is commensurate with the actual number of persons returned under the schemes.
In addition to the two IOM programmes referred to above, my Department also assists people who are illegally present in the State and wish to return home voluntarily by covering the cost of the flight, if necessary, and assisting in securing travel documents.
Numbers returned over the last 10 years
|
Year |
Total |
|
2005 |
330 |
|
2006 |
238 |
|
2007 |
417 |
|
2008 |
527 |
|
2009 |
540 |
|
2010 |
461 |
|
2011 |
475 |
|
2012 |
449 |
|
2013 |
426 |
|
2014 |
242 |
|
2015 (up to 26/06/2015) |
62 |
Top countries of return for the last 3 years
|
2013 |
2014 |
2015 (up to 26/06/2015) |
|||
|
Brazil |
106 |
Brazil |
58 |
Brazil |
12 |
|
China |
46 |
China |
17 |
Malawi |
7 |
|
Mauritius |
42 |
Mauritius |
14 |
S Africa |
6 |
|
Moldova |
40 |
Moldova |
12 |
Pakistan |
3 |
|
Mongolia |
10 |
Malawi |
11 |
Venezuela |
3 |
|
Bolivia |
3 |
||||
|
Total |
244 |
112 |
34 |
374. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she or her officials have been asked to meet persons (details supplied) to discuss the reason they were not made aware of video footage and other evidence in relation to those persons' relative that is apparently stored in Portlaoise Garda station; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26141/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra375. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a witness statement in Clara Garda station in County Offaly on the disappearance of a person (details supplied) was hidden from the person's family for over 13 years; if it has been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26142/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 375 together.
I have no role in the investigation, prosecution or trial of alleged offences. This is a long standing principle of our system of justice. The role of An Garda Síochána is to investigate alleged offences, to gather whatever evidence may be available and to submit a report to the DPP. As the Deputy is aware I cannot interfere with decisions of the DPP.
The case 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, or other public representatives 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, all selected on the basis of their experience of the criminal justice system, was established for the purpose.
I have already indicated that I have decided to appoint a former judicial figure to advise on the preparation of notification letters to those whose cases were referred to the Panel in relation to the recommendations made by counsel. Retired High Court Judge Mr Justice Roderick Murphy has agreed to undertake this task.
Following the review of the complaint by counsel in this particular case a recommendation will be made to my Department and the outcome will be notified to the person concerned as soon as possible.
376. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to increase community policing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26157/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including community Gardaí, 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, as of the 30 April 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 831 dedicated Community Gardaí assigned to Garda Divisions throughout the Country.
It is, of course, the case that all Gardaí have a role to play in addressing community policing issues as and when the need arises. In that sense, community policing involves far more than a single unit within the Garda Síochána, a point highlighted by the Garda Inspectorate in their third report entitled "Policing in Ireland—Looking Forward" in which they stated that community policing is a fundamental policing philosophy and that there is a strong foundation for it in Ireland.
The Garda Síochána now operates a new model of Community Policing which aims to build upon and enhance progress made so far. I fully support this renewed emphasis on Community Policing particularly in light of the priority given to this in the Programme for Government.
The model is about renewing, reinvigorating and restructuring the community policing function within An Garda Síochána to deliver a consistent national structure to the community policing function, a more co-ordinated and efficient Garda service to the community and a spread of good practice and quality of service in community policing on a national basis.
377. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of recorded death threats and life-threatening threats made against members of An Garda Síochána in each of the past five years to date; the number of similar threats recorded as having been made against members of the general public in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26208/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the publication of recorded crime statistics. I have requested the CSO to provide the available statistics in relation to recorded instances of threats along the lines referred to by the Deputy directly to him.
378. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cases that came before the courts in 2013 and 2014 in relation to the non-payment of management fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26215/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system. The Courts Service has advised me that statistics are not maintained in relation to the non-payment of management fees.
379. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new Garda Síochána vehicles that have been assigned to Tallaght Garda station in Dublin 24 so far this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26281/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra380. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to assign additional personnel, vehicles and resources to Tallaght Garda station in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26282/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 380 together.
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 the personnel strength of Dublin Metropolitan Region (D.M.R.) South as of 30 April 2015, the latest date for which figures are available, has a total strength of 534. There are also 39 Garda Reserves and 27 Civilians attached to the Division. The number of Gardaí assigned to Tallaght Garda station is 169.
The distribution of vehicles within the DMR South Region can change frequently depending on operational requirements however I have been informed by the Garda authorities that since the end of 2014, 9 cars and 1 van have been issued to the DMR South Division in which Tallaght resides.
