Written Answers Nos. 85 - 100
86. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of burglaries and-or other crimes reported in each Garda district or division throughout County Kildare in the past five years to date; the actions proposed to combat any increase in such incidents of crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23064/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of the official recorded crime statistics, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. The success of the Garda measures to tackle burglary being implemented through Operation Thor is borne out by latest CSO crime figures which show a very significant decline in property related crime. The decrease in burglary for the twelve months ending 31 March 2016 is 18.4% compared to the previous twelve month period. The figures for the first three months of the year show an even greater decrease with 36.47% less burglaries than in the first three months of 2015. I have asked the CSO to forward the available statistics in relation to the specific information requested directly to the Deputy.
The recently announced package of additional resources to support Garda operations in 2016 includes provision for the ongoing implementation of Operation Thor. An additional €50 million is to be provided for this intensive policing and crime prevention activity, including Operation Thor. So there will be no let-up in the pressure which the Gardaí are bringing to bear on the organised gangs engaged in burglary, including the mobile gangs who have targeted rural communities in various parts of the country. These strong policing measures are backed up by the specific legislation targeting repeat burglars with previous convictions which was enacted in the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Act 2015. I am very pleased that these provisions are now available to Gardaí in relation to prosecutions arising from Operation Thor.
Underpinning all of these measures is the Government’s intention to increase Garda numbers to 15,000 by way of recruitment into An Garda Síochána. While in the short term substantial funds are being provided for overtime working, we are working on measures to accelerate the planned programme of recruitment so that additional new Gardaí are provided as quickly as possible, alongside further civilian and specialist staff recruitment.
87. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount allocated to Ireland under the European Union Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund in 2014 and 2015; the amount that has been drawn down by the Irish authorities in 2014 and 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23157/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra88. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the way the funding received from the European Union Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund in both 2014 and 2015 has been spent to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23158/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.
Ireland's allocation under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund is €19.519 million and the eligibility period for expenditure extends to the end of 2022. In addition, Member States receive lump sums of €6,000 per person resettled or relocated which rises to €10,000 for certain categories of resettled persons.
No expenditure under the Fund has taken place to date but my Department will publish a call for proposals in early September. The above-mentioned €19.519 million remains available to us.
My Department has submitted a claim of €1.96 million for lump sums in respect of persons resettled up to 15 October 2015 (which is the end of the financial year of the Fund).
89. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when an action plan will be developed and implemented for the comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities; the amount that will be allocated to the roll-out of such actions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23159/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra90. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to report on the collaborative work taking place between her Department and the Departments of Health and Social Protection on the comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23161/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 90 together.
The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities, which was launched in October 2015, sets out a ten-year approach to ensuring that people with disabilities who are able to, and want to, work are supported and enabled to do so and constitutes an action plan to deliver on these objections. People with disabilities are only half as likely to be in employment as others of working age. The reasons for this are complex, and include level of education and skills, fears around loss of benefits, employer know-how, low expectations, and limited re-entry to work following onset of a disability, as well as a higher incidence of ill-health.
The Strategy is a cross-government approach that brings together actions by different Departments and State agencies in a concerted effort to address the barriers and challenges that impact on employment of people with disabilities. In tandem with that, it seeks to ensure there will be joined-up services and supports at local level to support individuals on their journey into and in employment.
The Strategy's six strategic priorities are to:
- Build skills, capacity and independence;
- Provide bridges and supports into work;
- Make work pay;
- Promote job retention and re-entry to work;
- Provide coordinated and seamless support;
- Engage employers.
The Government has already taken a number of key decisions as recommended in the Strategy including:
- The public service employment target of people with disabilities will be increased on a phased basis as set out in the Strategy from 3% to 6% over the life time of the Strategy;
- Special public service competitions for people with disabilities will be arranged and we will open up alternative recruitment channels for people with disabilities;
- The establishment of a national help line and disability information service launched on 2 January 2016 to provide expert guidance and peer support to employers in relation to the employment of staff with disabilities.
The key implementation issues relate to coordinating Departmental efforts in this area, rather than to additional funding. Implementing the Strategy will require continuing interdepartmental cooperation and a joined-up approach to supports and services for jobseekers and workers with disabilities. There is ongoing collaboration in the delivery of the Strategy between my Department and other Departments. Given the complex cross-government nature of the Strategy an oversight implementation group has been established under the independent chairmanship of Fergus Finlay. This group is tasked with monitoring the progress of the six strategic priorities of the strategy ensuring that each Government Department is fulfilling its obligations and meeting its targets. There will be a review and renewal every three years, and the group will publish its first Annual Report before end-2016.
91. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons to date that have been resettled under the various resettlement and relocation programmes in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23181/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s decision to establish the Irish Refugee Protection Programme on 10 September 2015 was a direct response to the EU migrant crisis.
Of the 4,000 people committed to under the September 2015 Government decision, 2,622 are to be taken in under the EU relocation scheme from Italy and Greece and 780 (520 of whom will arrive by the end of 2016 and 260 in 2017) from Lebanon under the refugee resettlement programme. A decision has yet to be taken on the mechanism under which the remaining refugees will be taken.
Under the refugee resettlement programme, Ireland is taking programme refugees from Lebanon. Under the EU relocation scheme Ireland is taking asylum seekers from EU migration hotspots including Greece.
|
Programme |
Arrivals to date |
Cases processed and awaiting transfer to Ireland in the coming weeks |
|
Resettlement |
273 |
248 |
|
Relocation |
38 |
32 (a further selection mission to accept a further 50 cases was completed in July 2016) |
92. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when an application by a person (details supplied) will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23199/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that under the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) was established as and from 4 November 2006. The PRA replaced the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the performance of its functions.
As the Deputy may be aware, the PRA operates a service for T.D.s and Senators which provides information on the current status of applications, such as the subject of this question, which was introduced in May 2006. The service provides a speedier, more efficient and more cost effective alternative to submitting Parliamentary Questions. It is operated by the PRA and is available all year round.
I can further inform the Deputy that his query has been forwarded to the PRA for attention and direct reply via the above mentioned service.
93. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if, in view of the preliminary census results for County Meath showing above trend population growth, she has cause to review the current and future Garda provision in County Meath. [23232/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I have been informed that as of the 31 May 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 287 Gardaí assigned to the Meath Garda Division.
As the Deputy will be aware, when the financial crisis hit, the Government of the time introduced a moratorium on recruitment and the four year National Recovery Plan, published in 2010, envisaged a steady reduction in Garda numbers. Thankfully, in a recovering economy, we were able to reopen the Garda College in September 2014, and a total of 851 Garda trainees have been recruited with a further 350 planned to be recruited during the remainder of this year. So far 534 of the new Garda trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream uniform duties nationwide with another 150 more planned to attest in November. Of the newly attested members, 19 have been assigned to the Meath Garda Division.
The Programme for Government, "A Programme for a Partnership Government" commits to continuing the ongoing accelerated Garda recruitment programme with a view to increasing Garda numbers to 15,000. Taking account of projected retirements, the current rate of recruitment will bring Garda numbers to around the 13,000 mark this year. We must, I believe, endeavour to make more rapid progress than this to reach our target of 15,000 and I am engaging with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, in relation to increasing the planned annual intake in coming years.
In accelerating recruitment it is, of course, essential to ensure that An Garda Síochána has the capacity to train larger numbers without any diminution in the quality of its training programme, and to provide appropriate supervision and support to newly qualified Gardaí to ensure that victims, and the public generally, are well served by their policing service. My officials are also engaging with Garda management as a matter of priority in relation to the preparation of a recruitment plan for the next five years that will deliver increased numbers of Gardaí without any compromise on the quality of those recruited or the training programme.
94. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if any of the 28 senior officers of An Garda Síochána recently promoted are involved in any investigations with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, internal investigations or were referenced in the recent O'Higgins report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23254/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe appointments made by Government to the ranks of superintendent and chief superintendent in An Garda Síochána on 12 July were made in accordance with the statutory framework as set out in the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and related regulations. In particular the appointees were drawn in order of merit from panels formed on foot of competitions held by the Commissioner in accordance with the Garda Síochána (Promotion) Regulations 2006.
In relation to whether any of the appointees are involved in any investigations being conducted by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission or otherwise, the position is that any member of An Garda Síochána who is the subject of any allegation is entitled to due process. In these circumstances it would be inappropriate for the fact that a member of An Garda Síochána may have an untested allegation made against him or her to be taken into account in a situation which could prejudice their future career. Nevertheless, it is always the case that if any member is found to be in breach of discipline, or indeed the criminal law, there are procedures in place to deal with such a situation.
The O'Higgins Report has been published and is available to the Deputy. None of the appointees were the subject of adverse findings in the Report.
95. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the way sex workers will be decriminalised by measures in Part IV of the sexual offences Bill while still retaining sanctions for a person working together with another for safety and criminalising solicitation under the Public Order Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23292/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart IV of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015 makes a number of amendments to prostitution offences contained in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993.
The primary amendment inserts a new section 7A into the Act of 1993 to provide for a new offence criminalising the purchase of sexual services. Under this section it shall be an offence, where, in the context of prostitution, a person purchases a sexual service from another person. The person offering sexual services is not liable to any offence under this section.
On foot of Government amendments introduced during Committee stage in the Seanad, persons who offer sexual services were removed from the existing solicitation and loitering-related offences under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993. This was in recognition of the exploitation associated with prostitution and the need to decriminalise the women and men involved in offering sexual services. People who solicit the sexual services of others – that is the buyers and pimps – remain subject to prosecution for the solicitation and loitering offences under the 1993 Act.
This did, however, give rise to concerns that the Gardaí would be left with no means of combatting any public nuisance if sexual services were to be offered, for example, in a residential area. There was also concern that the provision could be exploited by criminal gangs or others.
In order to address these concerns, an amendment was made to section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. That section addresses a number of behaviours, for instance intoxication in a public place, for which a member of An Garda Síochána can issue a direction to a person so behaving to leave the area. Failing to comply with that direction can give rise to an offence. Loitering for the purpose of offering sexual services has now been added to the behaviours covered by section 8.
The effect of the proposed amendments will be that on-street prostitution will not be an offence, but the Gardaí will still have the power to move persons offering sexual services on from a public place, when necessary.
It is currently an offence under section 11 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 to keep or manage a brothel. While I understand that this provision can prevent persons offering sexual services from working together with others, I am particularly concerned that any decriminalisation of brothel-keeping would create a legal loophole ripe for exploitation by the organised crime gangs involved in the trafficking and exploitation of women in prostitution. Women would come under pressure to claim they were working independently when that is not the case and the Gardaí would be limited in the actions they could take to close brothels and disrupt the activities of criminal gangs. For this reason I have no plans to amend provisions relating to brothel keeping at this time.
96. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when or if her Department will utilise section 6(1) of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1939 to confirm a new title for her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23352/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe name of my Department remained unchanged on the formation of the new Government on 6 May 2016. There are no plans, at this time, to change the name of the Department.
97. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to address the huge increases in insurance quotes for taxi drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23024/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that a number of sectors in the economy, including the taxi sector, have reported receiving much increased quotes for insurance cover.
As Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation. Neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products. The EU framework for insurance expressly prohibits Member States from adopting rules which require insurance companies to obtain prior approval of the pricing or terms and conditions of insurance products. The provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter for insurance companies and is based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept and adequate provisioning to meet those risks.
While the provision and the pricing of insurance policies is a commercial matter for insurance companies, this does not preclude the Government from introducing measures that may, in the longer term, lead to a better claims environment that could increase availability and facilitate a reduction in claims costs.
As you may be aware, a task force has been established within my Department to undertake a review of various aspects of policy in the insurance sector. An important element of this review is an assessment of the factors contributing to the increasing cost of insurance. Progress on the review will be overseen by a Working Group on the Cost of Insurance with representatives from all relevant Departments and Agencies, including the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and chaired by Minister of State Eoghan Murphy. The Working Group will identify issues that can be addressed on a more immediate basis and also those that require more long-term policy solutions. The first meeting of the Working Group is taking place today 20 July with further meetings scheduled for early September and in the coming months.
98. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which access to working capital continues to be made available to small and medium-sized enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23284/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, small and medium sized businesses play a central role in the sustainable recovery of the Irish economy. To facilitate this, Government policy is focused on ensuring that all viable SMEs have access to an appropriate supply of credit from a diverse range of bank and non-bank sources.
In terms of monitoring the requirements for SMEs, my Department commissions biannual surveys to ascertain the demand for credit by SMEs. This survey series, currently being conducted by Red C on behalf of my Department, is the most comprehensive survey of SME credit demand in Ireland, covering 1,500 respondents and involving over 6,000 direct telephone calls to SMEs. SMEs of all sizes and trading in all sectors, excluding property development and speculative activities, are included. The survey covers demand for credit from both bank and non-bank sources.
I would draw the Deputy's attention to the most recently published Department of Finance SME Credit Demand Survey covering October 2015 to March 2016, which can be found at www.finance.gov.ie. The results of this survey shows that, when pending applications are excluded, 89% of credit applications to banks were approved or partially approved (up 4% from the previous survey). Working capital requirements were provided as the main reason for applying for bank finance with 39% of respondents stating that they required finance for working capital (down 9%). When asked about sources of finance for working capital, internal funds/retained earnings were the main finance source of working capital with 67% of working capital coming from this source (up 4%). The survey also showed continued positive trends in terms of trading performance, profitability and employment.
My Department has been involved in a range of initiatives to encourage access to credit for small and medium sized businesses. The SME State Bodies Group provides a forum for the development and implementation of policy measures to enhance SMEs' access to a stable and appropriate supply of finance.
Some of the main policies introduced to encourage access to credit for small and medium businesses include:
- The Supporting SMEs Online Tool, a cross-government initiative, was launched in May 2014. On answering 8 simple questions, the small business will receive a list of available Government supports. The Supporting SMEs Online Tool is available at www.supportingsmes.ie.
- The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland has been established as a means of ensuring that SMEs are provided with sufficient finance for growth. The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) is an initiative designed to increase the availability of funding to SMEs at a lower cost and on more flexible terms than have recently been available on the Irish Market. The SBCI does not lend directly to SMEs. It uses a network of lending partners known as 'on lenders' to make its funds available to SMEs. More information on the SBCI can be found on www.sbci.gov.ie.
- The Credit Guarantee Scheme encourages additional lending to small businesses by offering a partial Government guarantee to banks against losses on qualifying loans to eligible SMEs.
- The Microenterprise Loan Fund, administered by Microfinance Ireland, provides support in the form of loans for up to €25,000, available to start-up, newly established, or growing micro enterprises employing less than 10 people, with viable business propositions. Microfinance Ireland works in partnership with the Local Enterprise Offices nationally to administer this fund (www.microfinanceireland.ie).
- The Credit Review Office helps SME or farm borrowers who have had an application for credit of up to €3 million declined or reduced by the main banks, and who feel that they have a viable business proposition. They also examine cases where borrowers feel that the terms and conditions of their existing loan, or a new loan offer, are unfairly onerous or have been unreasonably changed to their detriment. This is a strictly confidential process between the business, the Credit Review Office and the bank. The Credit Reviewer and his team have overturned more than 50% of the refusals that have been appealed to the Office. Further details are available at www.creditreview.ie.
- The Government remains committed to the SME sector, as reflected in the recently published Programme for a Partnership Government, and sees it as a key engine of ongoing economic growth. In this context, the Action Plan for Jobs 2016 includes a dedicated chapter and associated integrated set of actions to support the financing for growth in the SME sector. My Department and the Credit Review Office, working with the other relevant Departments and Agencies, will continue to monitor the availability of both bank and non-bank credit on both a macro and sectoral basis in order to ensure that sufficient access to finance is available to facilitate participants in the SME sector to reach their full potential in terms of growth and employment generation. This work will be particularly important in light of the outcome of the UK's referendum on membership of the EU.
99. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the withdrawal of the drugs sniffer dog from Ireland West Airport, Knock; the reason no dog is available for the entire Border, midlands and west region; when a replacement dog will be provided for the airport and a separate dog for the Border, midlands and west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22954/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that their Customs Service currently deploys seventeen detector dog teams, nine of which have drug detection capabilities. I am advised by Revenue that as part of its risk focused approach to combatting illegal drugs importations, all ports and airports are monitored and evaluated from the point of view of potential for smuggling. Resources are deployed to areas of highest risk. Employment strength is augmented with additional personnel and resources as the need arises.
Revenue is satisfied that the total number of dog units is sufficient for current day-to-day operations but this is kept under constant review.
100. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied with the current resources being provided for the detection of drugs in the Border, midlands and west region and the State in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22955/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that it currently has approximately 2,000 staff countrywide engaged on activities that are dedicated to targeting and confronting non-compliance. These activities include anti-smuggling and anti-evasion, investigation and prosecution, audit, assurance checks, anti-avoidance, returns compliance and debt collection. There are currently 860 Revenue staff serving in the Border, Midlands, West Region, of which approximately 360 are engaged on these activities in the region.
As part of its risk focused approach to the discharge of its role in relation to illegal drugs importations, harbours and inlets along the coastline are monitored and evaluated by Revenue on an ongoing basis from the point of view of the potential for smuggling. This work is supplemented by Revenue's Customs Drug Watch Programme, aimed at encouraging members of the public, coastal and local maritime communities etc. to notify Revenue in confidence of suspect or unusual movements at sea or around the coast through a confidential 24/7 Drugs Watch free phone facility.
I know that Revenue is active in targeting and combatting drugs smuggling and is fully committed to tackling this criminal activity and those responsible for it. I am advised by Revenue that it has an enforcement presence at all key airports and ports and at other strategic locations and that it places particular emphasis on developing an intelligence-based focus at both national and regional level, deploying resources to areas of highest risk. Enforcement strength at particular locations is regularly augmented with additional personnel on a risk-assessment basis, or when particular operations are taking place against illegal activity.
Revenue works closely with other agencies in the State, including An Garda Síochána and the Health Products Regulatory Authority, in acting against the illegal drugs trade, and plays a key role as well in the implementation of aspects of the National Drugs Strategy relevant to its remit. The relevant authorities in the State also work closely with their counterparts in Northern Ireland to target organised crime groups that are involved in a range of criminal activities, including the illegal drugs trade. I believe that this work to tackle cross-jurisdictional organised crime is being supported and reinforced by the establishment, in the framework of "A Fresh Start: The Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan", of the Joint Agency Task Force, which includes the Revenue Commissioners. In addition, Revenue is involved actively in international fora, including the EU's Customs Cooperation Working Party, Europol and the World Customs Organisation, in working together with other administrations, agencies and services to counter the trafficking of drugs and drugs precursors.
I am satisfied that Revenue treats action against the trade in illegal drugs as a key priority and that it will continue to be a central element of their work.
