Written Answers Nos. 581-595
581. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will support matters (details supplied) regarding the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37931/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank Deputy McGrath for forwarding correspondence relating to the provisions in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015 regulating the disclosure of third party counselling records for the purpose of criminal proceedings involving sexual offences. I have previously received this submission and at my request an official recently met with representatives of the authors to discuss the matters raised.
The proposals for amendments contained in the correspondence are being further reviewed and any appropriate amendments will be accommodated during the passage of the Bill. I would expect that these will also be matters which can be further discussed when the Bill comes before the House.
582. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the savings to date generated by the closure of 139 Garda Síochána stations since 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37958/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe closure of 139 Garda Stations during 2012 and 2013 under the Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme gives rise to estimated direct savings of €556,000 per annum. I acknowledge that these savings are modest. However, it is important to recall that the primary objective of the Programme was to identify opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency and streamline practices within An Garda Síochána.
In its review of the Garda Station Network, Garda management concluded in relation to certain stations, many of which were only open part-time and manned by a single Garda, that 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 the Garda Síochána policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the overall operation of Garda stations. The Programme supports the provision of a modern 21st century policing service for both urban and rural areas and allows front line Gardaí to be managed and deployed with greater mobility, greater flexibility, and in a more focused fashion, particularly with regard to various targeted police operations. As a result of the Programme, communities have benefited from increased Garda visibility and increased patrolling hours which has enabled An Garda Síochána to deliver an improved policing service to the public.
In tandem with the rationalisation of stations this Government has been determined to ensure that An Garda Síochána has the resources to deliver highly-mobile and responsive Garda patrols in both rural and urban communities. Since 2012, this Government has invested over €34 million in new Garda vehicles, with over 640 new vehicles coming on stream in 2015, ranging from more Garda patrol cars to high-powered vehicles for armed units. This will ensure Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive, on the roads and in the community. This investment in a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose Garda fleet will continue under the Government’s Capital Plan 2016-2021 which provides an additional €46 million for new Garda vehicles over the life time of the Plan.
This substantial level of investment will be accompanied by the continued renewal of Garda personnel with 600 new Garda to be recruited next year on top of the 550 to be recruited by the end of this year. The totality of this investment will ensure that Gardaí have the necessary tools and manpower to tackle the scourge of highly-mobile criminal gangs and to disrupt crime, particularly burglaries, across both rural and urban communities.
583. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in determining an application for leave to remain in the State submitted in May 2012 by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37974/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the position remains the same as was set out in my reply to question number 84, which the Deputy tabled for answer on Wednesday 23 September 2015.
I have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person in question was registered in the State as a student from 1 October 2002 to 31 October 2009. I understand that they remained in the State without permission until an application was received from them in May 2012 seeking to regularise their illegal status in the State. To date the person does not appear to have made further contact with INIS and has not informed them of a change of address. This person should be advised to contact the Residence Division, INIS regarding their current immigration status.
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 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 Question 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.
584. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department will consider introducing the necessary resources for a pilot programme in County Tipperary to tackle the current crime epidemic, whereby closed-circuit television surveillance will be introduced in towns and villages and on motorway ramps on the M7 and M8; if she is aware that such surveillance will aid An Garda Síochána in tackling crime levels and in providing security for persons who are currently very anxious regarding crime rates, and could be a pilot project that would later be rolled out in other areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37979/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the value that communities, especially rural communities, place on CCTV. With this in mind, I have instigated a review of the effectiveness of the Community CCTV Scheme in conjunction with the Garda authorities. The outcome of that review will inform future decisions on the continuation of the Scheme.
The Deputy may also be aware that my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, has recently made an announcement in relation the provision of CCTV in rural areas, which is to be funded from the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.
CCTV schemes certainly have a part to play in the detection and prevention of criminal activity, but of paramount importance is a visible and responsive policing service. There is no doubt that this Government is determined to ensure that An Garda Síochána has the resources to deliver highly-mobile and responsive Garda patrols in both rural and urban communities. This Government has invested over €34 million in new Garda vehicles since 2012 with over 640 new vehicles coming on stream in 2015, ranging from more Garda patrol cars to high-powered vehicles for armed units. This will ensure Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive, on the roads and in the community. This investment in a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose Garda fleet will continue under the Government’s Capital Plan 2016-2021 which provides an additional €46 million for new Garda vehicles over the life time of the Plan.
Operation Thor, a new multi-strand national anti-crime and anti-burglary operation which was launched yesterday by the Garda Commissioner will make full use of this continuing investment. Operation Thor, which has been in planning for several months, builds on previous and current Garda operations and entails a broad range of activities to tackle crime, particularly burglaries in both urban and rural communities nationwide and criminal gangs using the national road network. A further allocation of in excess of €5 million has been committed to Operation Thor. This allocation, which includes funding for Garda overtime will support a combination of additional patrols, checkpoints, rapid armed response and public awareness measures.
This substantial level of investment will be accompanied by the ongoing recruitment of new Garda with 600 to be recruited next year on top of the 550 to be recruited by the end of this year. The totality of this investment will ensure that Gardaí have the necessary tools and manpower to tackle the scourge of highly-mobile criminal gangs and to disrupt the activities of burglars and prolific offenders, and improve the safety for all communities across the country.
585. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of convictions that have occurred and details of the sentences imposed following assaults or other interference with the work of members of the fire service, by county, in the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38030/15]
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. In relation to the matters referred to, I have requested the CSO to provide the available statistics directly to the Deputy.
586. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of convictions that have occurred and details of the sentences imposed following assaults or other interference with the work of members of An Garda Síochána, by county, in the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38031/15]
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. In relation to the matters referred to, I have requested the CSO to provide the available statistics directly to the Deputy.
587. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on representations received from the Cooley Peninsula Community Alert Group regarding its concerns for the safety of members of An Garda Síochána and of the community following the murders of persons (details supplied) in the north Louth area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38032/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe murders of Garda Tony Golden and Garda Adrian Donohoe, both of whom were killed in the line of duty, are a stark reminder of the considerable risks that the women and men of An Garda Síochána face in their daily work on our behalf. Our thoughts are with their families and friends in their grief. In carrying out their duties they both displayed the courage and commitment to duty which is in the best traditions of An Garda Síochána.
The allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am informed by the Commissioner that the allocation of personnel is monitored continually to ensure optimal deployment and this process is reviewed periodically in light of particular incidents of concern. In this context, the Garda Commissioner has directed the allocation of an additional 27 Gardaí, including two Sergeants, to the Louth Division as an interim measure. These Gardaí are being transferred on a temporary basis to support the work of the 283 members of An Garda Síochána assigned to the Louth Division.
This Government is committed to the ongoing renewal of An Garda Síochána and I have secured an increased allocation in Budget 2016 that allows for the recruitment of an additional 600 new Gardaí next year on top of the 550 that will be recruited before the end of this year. The work of local Gardaí in the Louth Division is augmented, of course, by a number of Garda national units, such as the Drugs and Organised Crime Unit or the Criminal Assets Bureau, in accordance with operational demands. This Government has also invested over €34 million in new Garda vehicles since 2012 with over 640 new vehicles coming on stream in 2015, ranging from more Garda patrol cars to high-powered vehicles for armed units. This will ensure Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive, on the roads and in the community. We are also investing in airborne surveillance and enhanced technology and ICT systems. This investment in Garda personnel and resources will ensure that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to deliver a highly-mobile and responsive policing service in both rural and urban communities.
Operation Thor, a new multi-strand national anti-crime and anti-burglary operation which was launched yesterday by the Garda Commissioner will make full use of this continuing investment. Operation Thor, which has been in planning for several months, builds on previous and current Garda operations and entails a broad range of activities to tackle crime, particularly burglaries in both urban and rural communities nationwide and criminal gangs using the national road network. A further allocation of in excess of €5 million has been committed to Operation Thor. This allocation, which includes funding for Garda overtime will support a combination of additional patrols, checkpoints, rapid armed response and public awareness measures.
Tackling organised crime is a priority for both the Government and the Garda and other law enforcement authorities. Of course, it is a shared priority with the authorities in Northern Ireland and there is extensive cross-border co-operation in place to tackle smuggling and other border-focused criminal activities. This work involves the police, customs and other law enforcement agencies from both jurisdictions. The interagency cross-Border enforcement groups on fuel and tobacco fraud are two examples of this joint working in action. I met recently with the North’s Justice Minister, David Ford, to discuss what more can be done to tackle cross-border crime. Minister Ford and I jointly hosted the Annual Cross Border Organised Crime Seminar in Sligo on 30 September/1 October last with over 100 delegates attending from North and South. It is one demonstration of the close and ongoing co-operation between the two jurisdictions in this regard. I am examining, in co-operation with my counterparts in the North ways to build on the excellent co-operation that already takes place in this area. It is the joint working of all the law enforcement agencies involved, on both sides of the border, which will be crucial to tackling these issues.
The totality of the Government response will ensure that Gardaí have the necessary tools and manpower to tackle the scourge of criminality in all its forms and improve the safety for all communities across the country.
588. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of convictions and the details of the sentences imposed following the deliberate ramming of vehicles being operated by members of An Garda Síochána, by county, in the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38033/15]
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. In relation to the matters referred to, I have requested the CSO to provide the available statistics directly to the Deputy.
589. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the locations where newly trained gardaí from Templemore, since it has reopened, have been allocated, by county; if priority has been given to counties where there are Garda shortages, such as in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38073/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including new probationer Gardaí, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep 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 five intakes of Garda Trainees to the Garda College, giving a total intake of 475. A further 75 recruits will enter college by year end, bringing total recruitment of Garda Trainees to 550. So far 295 of the new Garda Trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána. On attestation, new Probationer Gardaí are assigned to Garda stations throughout the country by the Garda Commissioner, where they are assigned to mainstream uniform policing duties. I am assured by Garda management that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of newly attested Gardaí. The table below sets out breakdown per Division of the locations of where the newly trained Gardaí from Templemore have been allocated. The Deputy will note that 15 Probationer Gardaí have been assigned to the Kildare Division this year, the highest allocation outside of the Dublin region.
The increased budget allocation for An Garda Síochána in 2016 which I recently announced, provides for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí in addition to the 550 that will be recruited by year end. This will bring the total number of trainee Gardai recruited to 1,150 by the end of 2016. The ongoing recruitment of new Gardaí is crucial to An Garda Síochána and for the safety of communities throughout the State. This ramped-up recruitment underscores the determination of this Government to deliver an effective, responsive police service to protect our communities and respond to emerging crime trends.
Distribution of Probationer Gardaí 2015 by Division
|
Division |
Nos. |
Division |
Nos. |
|
DMR East |
10 |
DMR North |
19 |
|
DMR North Central |
23 |
DMR South |
19 |
|
DMR South Central |
20 |
DMR West |
30 |
|
Kildare |
15 |
Laois/Offaly |
9 |
|
Meath |
5 |
Westmeath |
5 |
|
Wicklow |
10 |
Cavan/Monaghan |
10 |
|
Donegal |
10 |
Louth |
10 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
5 |
Kilkenny/Carlow |
10 |
|
Tipperary |
5 |
Waterford |
14 |
|
Wexford |
15 |
Cork City |
7 |
|
Cork North |
0 |
Cork West |
5 |
|
Kerry |
10 |
Limerick |
9 |
|
Clare |
10 |
Galway |
5 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
Roscommon/Longford |
0 |
590. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which the manpower crisis in An Garda Síochána is being addressed, given the large number of gardaí who have resigned and retired; how many new gardaí have been promised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38102/15]
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 five intakes of Garda Trainees to the Garda College, giving a total intake of 475. It is planned that a further 75 recruits will enter college by the end of November, bringing total recruitment of Garda Trainees to 550. So far 295 of the new Garda Trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána. On attestation, new Probationer Gardaí are assigned to Garda stations throughout the country by the Garda Commissioner, where they are assigned to mainstream uniform policing duties. I am assured by Garda management that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of newly attested Gardaí.
The increased budget allocation for An Garda Síochána in 2016 which I recently announced, provides for the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí in addition to the 550 that will be recruited by year end. This will bring the total number of new Gardai to 1,150 by the end of 2016. The ongoing recruitment of new Gardaí is crucial to An Garda Síochána and for the safety of communities throughout the State. This ramped-up recruitment underscores the determination of this Government to deliver an effective, responsive police service to protect our communities and respond to emerging crime trends.
591. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013 will be enacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38138/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will understand that it is not possible for me to predict the outcome of the legislative process with regard to this, or any other Bill. However, I can say that the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013 was passed by Dáil Éireann on 21 October 2015. The Bill is scheduled to go before the Seanad for Second Stage on 10 November 2015. The aim is that the Bill will be enacted by the end of this year.
592. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the arrangements the Courts Service will put in place by to facilitate car parking during construction of the new courthouse in Drogheda in County Louth, which will have the effect of closing two car parks in the centre of Drogheda town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38157/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that work on the construction of a new courthouse in Drogheda is expected to commence within the next few weeks. This courthouse is one of seven new/refurbished courthouses being delivered by means of Public Private Partnership (PPP) as part of the Government's Infrastructure Stimulus package.
The courthouse is being constructed on a site at Linenhall Street West close to the Garda Station. The site has been the designated site for a new courthouse in Drogheda for several years. While some parking has been allowed on the site in recent years, this has always been with the understanding that it was on a temporary basis pending the commencement of construction. While limited parking will be provided post construction, the newly constructed courthouse will occupy the bulk of the site. Last May, the Courts Service informed Louth County Council that the temporary parking arrangements were being terminated to facilitate the courthouse construction. The Courts Service is meeting with local traders on 5 November next to update them on the project.
593. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of fixed charge notices issued to drivers between 31 July 2015 and 30 September 2015, for parking in a cycle track during its period of operation; for invading an advance stop line by failing to bring a vehicle to a stop behind a primary stop line; and for dangerous overtaking of a cyclist, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38159/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the statistics referenced by the Deputy from the Garda authorities and I will contact him directly as soon as they are to hand.
594. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 470 of 14 July 2015, the number of these disqualified drivers in the time period January 2013 to March 2015 (details supplied) who were disqualified specifically, for drink-driving; for dangerous driving; the other reasons for disqualification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38179/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of information on the courts system. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have made enquiries and the information is currently being compiled and verified. I shall arrange for the information requested to be forwarded to him shortly.
595. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána mountain bikes allocated to each Garda Síochána district within Dublin in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38194/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Garda authorities for the information requested and will revert to the Deputy as soon as I have this information to hand.
