Written Answers Nos. 204-220^
204. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the degree to which Garda Síochána deployment continues to reflect demographic changes; if any particular initiatives are in mind to address potential trouble spots as being at risk from criminal activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35724/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management keeps this distribution under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of resources.
This Government is committed to the ongoing recruitment of trainee Gardaí, and to this end the first intake since 2009 of new recruits commenced training at the Garda College, Templemore, in September of last year. To date there has been four intakes of Garda Trainees into the Garda College, giving a total intake of 400. A further 150 recruits will enter college by year end, bringing total recruitment of Garda Trainees to 550. So far 290 of the new Garda Trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána. I am pleased that the budget allocation for 2016 will allow the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí in addition to the 550 that will be recruited by year end.
The recruitment of additional trainee Garda is essential to renew An Garda Síochána and to ensure the delivery of effective policing services throughout the country.
205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she expects the strength of An Garda Síochána to be replenished over the next five years; the way in which this will impact on urban and rural areas, with particular reference to specific locations that are indicating increased levels of crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35725/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to the ongoing recruitment of trainee Gardaí, and to this end the first intake since 2009 of new recruits commenced training at the Garda College, Templemore, in September of last year. To date there has been four intakes of Garda Trainees into the Garda College, giving a total intake of 400. A further 150 recruits will enter college by year end, bringing total recruitment of Garda Trainees to 550. So far 290 of the new Garda Trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána. I am pleased that the budget allocation for 2016 will allow the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí in addition to the 550 that will be recruited by year end.
The recruitment of additional trainee Garda is essential to renew An Garda Síochána and to ensure the delivery of effective policing services throughout the country. With this in mind I hope to be in a position to make an announcement shortly in relation to a new recruitment campaign for 2016.
As regards the impact of new members on urban and rural areas, the Deputy will appreciate that it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management keeps this distribution under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of resources.
206. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of women who are currently members of An Garda Síochána; the extent to which this number, as a percentage of the total force, has as fluctuated annually over the past eight years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35726/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by the Garda Commissioner that the information sought by the Deputy is as set out in the following table.
Strength of An Garda Síochána
|
Year |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
*2015 |
|
Strength |
14,412 |
14,547 |
14,377 |
13,894 |
13,424 |
13,159 |
12,799 |
12,799 |
|
Female |
3,130 |
3,402 |
3,446 |
3,402 |
3,363 |
3,335 |
3,306 |
3,319 |
|
% |
21.7% |
23.4% |
24% |
24.5% |
25.1% |
25.3% |
25.8% |
25.9% |
*end of August 2015
207. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána promotional positions waiting to be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35727/15]
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 promotional 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 below, together with current actual strength (as of the end of August 2015). Where current actual strength is below the approved maximum strength, the Garda authorities hold promotion competitions for the filling of the posts.
|
Rank |
Actual strength |
Approved max. strength |
|
COMMISSIONER |
1 |
1 |
|
D/COMMISSIONER |
0 |
2 |
|
A/COMMISSIONER |
7 |
8 |
|
C/SUPERINTENDENT |
44 |
45 |
|
SUPERINTENDENT |
162 |
166 |
|
INSPECTOR |
251 |
300 |
|
SERGEANT |
1,865 |
2,000 |
208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which adequate prison accommodation remains available or is likely to become available in the short to medium term; if this is likely to meet requirements in full; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35728/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that as of 9th October 2015 there were 3,693 prisoners in custody with a bed capacity of 4,126, which equates to an occupancy rate of 90%. I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that it is continuing to reduce the capacity of our prisons to align with the Inspector of Prisons recommended bed capacity of 3,982 in so far as this is compatible with public safety and the integrity of the criminal justice system. Significant decreases in prison numbers have taken place over recent years. The overall daily average number in custody for 2014 was 3,915 compared to 4,390 in 2011, a decrease of 10.8%. The Deputy may wish to note that the number in custody reached a peak of 4,621 on 23rd February 2011. On the 9th October 2015, there were 928 less prisoners in custody, a decrease of 20%.
The Programme for Government outlines the commitment of this Government to finding alternatives to custody as a means of reducing overcrowding. We continue to ensure that violent offenders and other serious offenders serve appropriate prison sentences while at the same time switching away from prison sentences and towards less costly non-custodial options for non-violent and less serious offenders.
Alternatives to custody continue to be pursued and legislation has already been passed. This includes the Criminal Justice (Community Service) (Amendment) Act 2011 which requires the sentencing judge to consider the imposition of community service where a custodial sentence of 12 months or less is being considered.
The Fines (Payment and Recovery) Act 2014 provides that the Court imposing a fine shall take into account a person's financial circumstances. It further provides, inter alia, that where a person fails to pay a fine by the due date, the Court may make an attachment order to earnings as a means of recovering the unpaid fine. As a result of this legislation, it is expected that we will see a reduction in the number of committals to prisons on short sentences.
In conjunction with the Probation Service, the Irish Prison Service has continued the national roll out of the Community Return Programme, an incentivised scheme for earned temporary release under which carefully selected offenders can be granted structured temporary release in return for supervised community service. In addition to this programme, Community Support Schemes have been set up in Cork Prison, Mountjoy Campus, West Dublin Campus and Limerick Prisons, the aim of which is to reduce recidivism rates by arranging for additional support structures and provide for a more structured form of temporary release.
In tandem with efforts to reduce the numbers in custody, huge improvements have been made to prison conditions in recent years. Overcrowding has been eliminated in Mountjoy Prison and priority has been given to addressing capacity issues in Cork, Limerick and the Dóchas Centre.
The Irish Prison Service Strategy Statement 2012/2015 identified the elimination of slopping out in the prison estate as a priority. A new accommodation block was opened in the Midlands Prison in December 2012. The opening of this new accommodation allowed the Prison Service to reduce the capacity of both Cork and Limerick Prison resulting in the closure of the antiquated B wing of Limerick Prison. The closure of the B wing effectively halved the number of prisoners who do not have in cell sanitation in Limerick Prison.
The IPS capital programme has identified the replacement of B Division as a priority and plans are being advanced in this regard. The building programme for the Prison on completion, will replace both the A & B Wings with a 150 cell block and will end the practice of slopping out in Limerick Prison.
All of the wings in Mountjoy Prison have been completely refurbished thereby facilitating the elimination of the practice of slopping out in the prison. A completely new replacement prison in Cork is almost complete and will be operational in early 2016. The enabling works for the redevelopment of Limerick Prison are scheduled to begin in 2016 with the main construction phase to start in early 2017. Significant building and refurbishment projects are also scheduled for 2016 in Castlerea Prison.
209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which adequate resources remain available to the Criminal Assets Bureau; the bureau continues to combat organised crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35729/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that the Criminal Assets Bureau currently has 71 staff members. This incorporates staff on secondment from the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection, members of An Garda Síochána and staff from my own Department.
The Bureau is headed by the Chief Bureau Officer who is a Chief Superintendent with An Garda Síochána and assisted by the Bureau Legal Officer. In addition, legal advice and solicitor services are provided to the Bureau by the Criminal Assets Section of the Chief State Solicitor's Office.
In addition, a further 156 asset profilers trained by the Bureau are providing a criminal asset profiling service across the Garda Divisions in relation to persons or suspects operating within the area, with particular reference to those involved in drug dealing and serious criminal activity.
In 2015 a budget of €7.073m has been allocated to the Bureau. This compares with €7.037m in 2014 and €6.94m in 2013.
Further detailed information concerning the resources allocated to the Bureau and its activities can be found in the Annual Reports of the Bureau which are available on my Department's website. For the Deputy's information, the resources provided to the Criminal Assets Bureau in terms of budget and staffing numbers in recent years are set out in the table below.
I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to making sure the necessary resources are made available to the Criminal Assets Bureau from within the available public finances. In this regard the resources of the Bureau are, and will continue to be, kept under ongoing review by both the Criminal Assets Bureau and my Department.
Criminal Assets Bureau Budget and Staff Levels 2011 - 2015
|
Year |
Budget Allocation |
Staff levels |
|
2015 |
€7,073,000 |
71 |
|
2014 |
€7,037,000 |
71 |
|
2013 |
€6,940,000 |
71 |
|
2012 |
€7,727,000 |
69 |
|
2011 |
€7,727,000 |
70 |
|
2010 |
€8,227,000 |
68 |
210. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which policing methods are in accord with best international practice, with a view to maximising the opportunity for rapid response in urban and rural settings, making best use of technology and motor vehicles, and facilitating a visible presence as a deterrent to crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35730/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda College continues to develop and deliver training to the Garda organisation in accordance with Garda policy aimed at ensuring enhanced delivery in line with resources and international best practice.
The new student/probationer training programme has been radically restructured into three phases. Phase I is for 32 weeks at the Garda College, at the end of which successful students will be attested (i.e. become members of the Garda Síochána with full police powers). Phase II is for 65 weeks based in Garda stations, and Phase III consists of seven weeks of exam preparation, exams and assessments (total 104 weeks). The new programme will now result in an award of a Bachelor of Arts (Level 7) in Police Studies.
Approximately 14,000 training days were delivered to Gardaí through the College in 2014. These training programmes include continued professional development for members. The College has excellent links with other third level institutions including University of Limerick and Waterford Institute of Technology. Recently the Garda College has obtained accreditation with the University of Limerick for its Senior Investigative Officers (S.I.O.) Programme at a level 9 Special Award.
In addition, I understand An Garda Síochána is supporting a number of staff in managerial positions to undertake the Executive MBA with the University of Limerick commencing in autumn 2015.
More generally, it is also the case that the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, in its reports on An Garda Síochána, benchmarks the performance of the An Garda Síochána with best international policing practice.
The Government Capital Plan 2016-2021 sets out the strategic objectives for investment in the Justice Sector over the life time of the plan. The substantial investment of €46 million for new Garda vehicles over the life time of the Plan, illustrates this Government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that the Garda fleet is modern, effective and fit-for-purpose. Funding will be provided for both regular Garda patrol vehicles as well as specialist, high-power vehicles for targeted operations. Access to new and modern vehicles is vital in ensuring Gardai can be mobile, responsive and visible in both urban and rural communities. This investment builds on the nearly €29 million invested in new Garda vehicles since 2012. So far this year 370 new Garda vehicles have come on stream and I have secured a further €700,000 for the purchase of specialist vehicles to support Gardaí in tackling highly mobile criminal gangs. As regards investment in Garda technology and ICT the Plan provides an additional €205 million. This will bring the overall Garda ICT funding to €330 million over the lifetime of the Plan and will deliver on my commitment to progress important reforms of An Garda Síochána on foot of last year’s comprehensive report from the Garda Síochána Inspectorate on crime
211. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the use of light motorcycles or mopeds has been considered for policing purposes in urban areas, as in other jurisdictions globally, whereby the ability of police to be visible and mobile simultaneously has been maximised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35731/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision and allocation of Garda transport is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of identified operational circumstances and the availability of resources. I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that there are no plans in the short term to purchase light motorcycles or mopeds.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that currently the Garda fleet has 105 motorcycles of which 64 are 700cc or less and 41 are 1200cc or greater. The suitability of all vehicles for operational requirements is kept under review.
212. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which particular efforts continue to be made to address the issue of recidivism, having particular regard to the extent to which some criminal gang members remain at large having clocked up scores of offences in some cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35732/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recent years, my Department has published a number of studies on recidivism rates for offenders who were given a community sanction or a custodial sentence. These studies will allow the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service access to a comprehensive bank of data in relation to the rate of recidivism among ex-prisoners and offenders. This will help to inform future policy on the management of offenders and will facilitate the formulation of strategies aimed at reducing recidivism. The next recidivism studies are expected to be published by the end of this year.
The issue of recidivism is dealt with in the Report of the Penal Policy Review Group which I published in September 2014. The Report proposes the adoption of a penal policy with the dual purposes of punishment and rehabilitation both in the imposition and management of criminal sanctions. It identified rehabilitation and reintegration as a core principle and significant factor in reducing crime. It considers that such aims are best achieved in a non-custodial environment as far as possible. In my view, prison is not the only sanction when it comes to those convicted of lesser non-violent offences. Re-offending can also be tackled head on by imposing a supervised community sanction, with appropriate supports, which could see punishment being served, but which would also lead, not only to rehabilitation, but to a reduced risk of re-offending.
The Deputy will also be aware that both the Probation Service and the Irish Prison Service work through a variety of programmes to address offending behaviour and to promote desistance from future criminal activity. Community Return is a scheme where carefully selected prisoners can be granted reviewable temporary release coupled with a requirement to do community service work. 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. The scheme represents a move away from releasing prisoners in an unstructured way. There has been a steady increase in the numbers of offenders participating in the scheme as outlined in the table beneath.
|
Year |
Numbers participating |
|
2011 (introduced in October) |
66 |
|
2012 |
299 |
|
2013 |
396 |
|
2014 |
461 |
Compliance rates operate at about 90% with the remainder being returned to custody to serve out their sentences in full. The scheme forms a core element of the Joint Probation Service and Probation Service Strategic Plan for 2015 to 2017. As well as allowing prisoners complete their sentence by way of performing an unpaid service to the community it has helped them to successfully reintegrate back into their community.
Tackling recidivist and prolific offending is a key focus for An Garda Síochána and the criminal justice system generally. Garda operations such as Operation Fiacla identify and target prolific offenders, including members of gangs, and arrangements are in place for the case management of such offenders so that all relevant information is co-ordinated by An Garda Síochána and available when such persons come before the courts.
The Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015 addresses issues relating to bail and sentencing for repeat burglars of dwellings. It is the Government’s intention that this Bill will be enacted during the Autumn Dáil session. The Bill emerged from a review of the criminal justice system’s response to the problem of burglaries, which I initiated earlier this year. The review highlighted that many burglaries are committed by serial offenders. The Bill targets this cohort of repeat offenders and has the potential to significantly reduce the number of burglaries being committed.
The review identified two key problems which can be tackled by legislation. One relates to repeat offenders who are granted bail despite being charged with multiple burglaries and who often commit further burglaries while on bail. The other relates to the fact that relatively short sentences can be imposed by the courts when multiple burglary offences are taken into account.
The Bill will amend the Bail Act 1997 to provide that for the purposes of bail applications, previous convictions for domestic burglary coupled with pending charges or recent convictions shall be considered as evidence that an accused person is likely to commit further domestic burglaries. The Bill will also amend the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 to require a court which decides to impose custodial sentences for multiple burglary offences committed within a 12 month window, to impose such sentences consecutively. The District Court will be empowered to impose aggregate sentences of up to 2 years in such circumstances.
213. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which legal aid for those accused of crimes continues to be reviewed, with a view to ensuring the system remains cost effective; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35733/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid. Applicants for legal aid must establish to the satisfaction of the court that their means are insufficient to enable them to pay for legal representation. The Act specifies that the court must also be satisfied that, by reason of the "gravity of the charge" or "exceptional circumstances", it is essential in the interests of justice that the applicant should have legal aid. The nature of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme is that it is demand led, driven by the incidence of crime, detection rates and the prosecution of cases through the courts system.
In seeking to reduce the expenditure on the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, the rates of fees paid to the legal practitioners were reduced by 8% in March 2009 and by a further 8% in April, 2010. There was also a reduction of 10% in July 2011 in the fees payable in the District Court. Fees payable in the Circuit and higher courts were also decreased by 10% in October 2011 following the reduction in the fees payable by the Director of Public Prosecutions to prosecution practitioners. A reduction of 50% was also applied to payments in respect of adjourned sentence hearings and travel and subsistence payments from 2011. Following these and other measures introduced in the course of 2011, a 10% reduction in expenditure was recorded in 2012 compared with 2011, down from €56.1m to €50.5. This was the first substantial reduction ever recorded under this Scheme and represents a fall of approximately €10 million, or 16% over the peak recorded in 2009. Expenditure on the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme is monitored on an ongoing basis with a view to identifying any areas where further efficiencies may be achieved.
I can inform the Deputy that a new Criminal Legal Aid Bill is currently being drafted to update and strengthen the system of granting legal aid including transferring responsibility for the administration of the Scheme to the Legal Aid Board. Legislative provisions under consideration include provisions to, inter alia, regulate better the taking of statements of means, increase the sanction for false declarations, enable the Board to verify the means of applicants and to provide for prosecution of cases of abuse.
Provision to give power to the Legal Aid Board to recover the costs of criminal legal aid or to make application to a court to revoke a criminal legal aid certificate are also under consideration. These provisions must have regard to a person's rights to the presumption of innocence, to a fair trial and to be given legal aid, where appropriate.
215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration has or will be given to the proscribing of membership of criminal gangs with a reputation for violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35735/15]
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 those involved in 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.
216. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners availing of educational or rehabilitative training; the extent to which the needs of these applicants continues to be met; the number on such programmes who are first-time offenders or otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35736/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service provides a wide range of rehabilitative programmes to those in custody that include education, vocational training, healthcare, psychiatric, psychological, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. These programmes can offer purposeful activity to those in custody while serving their sentences and encouraging them to lead law abiding lives on release. These programmes are available in all prisons and all prisoners are eligible to use the services.
On committal, all prisoners are interviewed by the Governor and are informed of the services available in the prison. At this point prisoners may be referred to services or they can self refer at a later date. Where Governors consider, on the information available, that a prisoner needs a particular intervention they will initiate a referral.
The development of prisoner programmes forms a central part of the Irish Prison Service Three Year Strategic Plan 2012 - 2015. There is a clear commitment in the Strategy to enhance sentence planning through Integrated Sentence Management and the delivery of prison based rehabilitative programmes.
As well as seeking to draw on best practice in adult and further education in the community, there has been a lot of curriculum development over the years that is specific to prison circumstances, such as courses on addiction, health issues and offending behaviour.
The Department of Education and Skills provides an allocation of 220 whole time teacher equivalents to the Prison Service through the Education and Training Boards (ETB). Education in prisons is delivered in partnership between the ETBs and the Irish Prison Service with a focus on providing education which is quality assured, student centred and which facilitates lifelong learning. The partnership endeavours to meet the needs of students through helping them cope with their sentence, achieve personal development and prepare for life after release. A broad and flexible curriculum is provided which ranges from basic literacy classes and peer led tutoring to Open University. There is an increasing focus on QQI accreditation as the modular structure best meets the needs of students in prison.
Other areas where there has been significant progress in prison education are in physical education, in the provision for higher education, in the arts and in preparing prisoners for release and supporting their transition to life, and often to education, on the outside. A top priority for the Irish Prison Service is ensuring help for those with reading and writing problems and peer mentoring programmes are currently active in all of our prisons.
The guiding principles which underpin the prisons' work and training service are to make available, work, work-training and other purposeful activities to all those in custody. Training activities are chosen to give as much variety as possible and also to give opportunities for those in prison to acquire practical skills which will help them secure employment on release. Work Training Officers have recently been appointed and assigned to areas such as catering, laundry, industrial cleaning, industrial skills and gym.
The Irish Prison Service has also been expanding the number of accredited courses and opportunities available to prisoners in Work Training in recent years. Enhanced partnership arrangements with accrediting bodies such as City and Guilds, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), and the Guild of Launders and Cleaners and the centralising of coordination and quality assurance arrangements have enabled us to extend the number of available courses and activities with certification.
The manner in which records are collated does not allow us to differentiate between first-time offenders and repeat offenders.
However, from the records that are available I can inform the Deputy that 38.5% (1,458 persons) of the prisoner population participated in Education activities in June.
Similarly 26% (961 persons) of the average prison population engaged in vocational training in August. It should be noted that a prisoner may participate in more than one activity.
217. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which first-time offenders continue to be segregated from the hardened criminal fraternity while in prison; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35737/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware there is a standard operational procedure in place to ensure that upon committal, all offenders are assessed and accommodated appropriately according to their needs and specific security status. Dedicated committals units have been established in all committal prisons for this purpose.
To segregate first time committals from the general prisoner population would greatly reduce their access to services.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Prison Service provides a wide range of rehabilitative programmes that include education, vocational training, healthcare, psychiatric, psychological, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. These programmes are available in all prisons and all prisoners are eligible to use the services. On committal, all prisoners are interviewed by the Governor and are informed of the services available in the prison. At this point prisoners may be referred to services or they can self refer at a later date. Where Governors consider, on the information available, that a prisoner needs a particular intervention they will initiate a referral.
218. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which any pattern has been observed in the rate of repeat offences by first-time offenders, as compared with those who have already committed to a life of crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35738/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlthough there is no certain indicator that separates those "already committed to a life of crime" from others who desist from crime early on there are identifiable risk factors. It is a feature of offending behaviour that recidivism rates decrease as the offender age increases. Research on desistance from offending has found that there are different paths to change and desistance from offending that can be prompted, implemented and supported. The community return scheme is a good example of how a structured programme of release for offenders can assist them to change by providing the opportunity to pay back to the community in the form of unpaid productive work and by providing the necessary individual supports.
There is evidence to show that the right interventions at the right points of time can successfully lead to a reduction in the offending rate among young adults. Therefore the Probation Service and Irish Prison Service together with the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) have adopted a distinct policy for 18-21 year olds. The Garda Youth Diversion programme is a successful example of diverting young people away from crime.
I published the Report of the Penal Policy Review Group in early September 2014. The report proposes the adoption of a penal policy with the dual purposes of punishment and rehabilitation both in the imposition and management of criminal sanctions. The Review Group identified rehabilitation and reintegration as a core principle and significant factor in reducing crime and considered that such aims are best achieved in a non-custodial environment as far as possible.
The Deputy will be aware that the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in partnership with the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service has published a number of studies on recidivism rates for offenders who were given a community sanction or a custodial sentence in recent years. The next recidivism studies are expected to be published before the end of this year. These studies, along with the implementation of the recommendations of the Penal Policy Review Group, will help to inform future policy on the management of offenders and will facilitate the formulation of strategies aimed at reducing recidivism.
219. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons listed as missing; the extent to which their cases are the subject of ongoing investigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35739/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile An Garda Síochána receive an estimated 8,000 reports of missing persons a year, the majority are located within a short period of time. The number of persons currently listed as missing since 2011 is 133.
All incidents where persons have been reported missing remain under investigation until such time as the person is located. An Garda Síochána reviews all missing persons cases on a regular basis. The District Officer (Superintendent) in the area where a person has gone missing takes direct responsibility for all investigations and searches carried out. Local investigation teams are appointed by the District Officer, and all means considered necessary, including the services of specialist units, are deployed to assist in these investigations. The services of Interpol and Europol can also be availed of during such investigations, if necessary.
The Garda Missing Persons Bureau, which is responsible for all data relating to missing persons, provides assistance and advice to District Officers in all high risk missing persons cases. The Garda authorities are satisfied that adequate resources, including staff and technology, are in place and investigations are carried out in line with international best practice. All available opportunities to disseminate information regarding missing persons cases are availed of, including through media organisations and the Garda Community Text Alert scheme.
220. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the optimum number of Garda Síochána stations remains under review; whether the need for any change has been identified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35740/15]
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.
The Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme was implemented in An Garda Síochána during 2012 and 2013. The primary objective of the programme was to identify opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency and streamline practices within the organisation. In its review of the Garda Station Network that informed the rationalisation programme, Garda management concluded in relation to certain stations that Garda resources could be better deployed and more effectively used on the front line if those stations no longer had to be staffed and maintained. In reaching these conclusions, Garda management reviewed all aspects of An Garda Síochána's policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the overall operation of Garda stations.
I am advised by the Garda management that they regularly review and assesses the capabilities and the deployment of Garda resources to provide a policing service that meets the needs of the community.
While the Policing Plan for 2016 has not yet been prepared, I understand that it is unlikely at this time that there will be any further station closures in 2016.
