Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2015
252. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality regarding charging organisers of certain public events for policing services, if she will provide the names of the various community groups and organisations, in tabular form, by county, since the year 2010, which have been subject to such a fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27420/15]
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 for events such as sports fixtures, concerts and festivals.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they seek to recover all of the policing costs associated with commercial events organised with the objective of making a financial gain without a specific community or charitable benefit. In relation to events held with the objective of providing a service to the community and/or making a financial gain with surplus proceeds going to the local community, a contribution towards the policing costs is requested. Exceptions to these arrangements are made in respect of events run solely for charity purposes or national events taking place such as the main St. Patrick's Day parade and charges are not levied in these cases.
I am further informed by the Garda Authorities that a breakdown by county of community groups and organisations who have paid for such services since 2010 is not readily available and would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources to compile.
