Written Replies Nos. 75 to 85
75. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Skills the actions being taken in his Department on third level reform, as outlined in his Department's strategy statement for 2016 to 2019. [9928/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Higher Education System is undergoing a programme of unprecedented modernisation and reform. Through implementation of the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030, the aim is to develop the higher education system to equip people with the knowledge and skills necessary to live fulfilled and rewarding lives, and to meet the social and economic challenges facing Ireland.
The implementation of a System Performance Framework, Strategic Dialogue and the agreement of compacts with the Higher Education Institutions underpins a changed relationship between the State and the higher education system, and this provides for a new level of accountability for public funding against national objectives.
I published the second Systems Performance Report in December 2016 and this reviewed the performance of the higher education system for the years 2014 and 2015, in critical areas such as access and its responsiveness to skills needs of the economy. I am developing a new Systems Performance Framework for the period 2017 – 2021 which will set out the ambition, goals and objectives for higher education for this five year period.
Far-reaching restructuring of the higher education landscape is already progressing, with ongoing institutional merger projects designed to enhance the quality and sustainability of the education provided to students attending those institutions. Successful restructuring can be seen, particularly in the process for reforming initial teacher education, and in the process for the development of technological universities.
The Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education, under the chairmanship of Peter Cassells, was established to develop a strategy for funding the third level sector. The Report which was published in July 2016, clearly outlines the funding challenges in the higher education sector and offers a number of approaches and recommendations for consideration for the medium term.
As committed to in the Programme for Government, the report has been referred to the Education Committee as part of the process for formulating a plan for the future of the sector. The Department is looking forward to working with the Education Committee as it analyses all of the options put forward by the Expert Group and hears the voice of all stakeholders.
While Cassells deals with the medium and long term funding needs of higher education we also have to consider the immediate challenges and in that context the Department placed a particular focus on this area in Budget 2017 securing additional funding for the sector for the first time in recent years.
This year an additional €36.5 million will be made available with €160 million additional over the next three years. This will allow the sector keep pace with demographic increases and introduce targeted initiatives in areas such as disadvantage, skills, research and flexible learning. Among those who will benefit from the additional third level funding being made available are students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lone parents and Travellers.
In Budget 2017 the Minister for Public Expenditure and I announced a policy review with the aim of designing and implementing a sustainable and predictable multi-annual funding model for higher and further education and training involving increased Employer and Exchequer contributions from 2018. This review will be undertaken as part of the overall response to meeting the anticipated skills needs in the economy over the coming years, in line with the policy framework set out in the National Skills Strategy.
This review will include an analysis of the business case for enhanced investment in the higher and further education and training sectors. In this context it will identify key elements of the new funding model and of the expected impacts including those on employers. The review will include consultation with stakeholders.
The policy review will complement the ongoing work by the Oireachtas Committee in relation to the Cassells report. A review of the funding model for higher education (RGAM) is also being carried out and the new model is due to be in place for the 2018 budget allocation. Completion of the review will underpin delivery across the sector and enhance progression on the goals set out in the Action Plan for Education.
76. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the level of consultation he has had with An Taoiseach and Minister for Defence regarding the future use of the former Dún Uí Neill Army barracks in County Cavan, in view of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10127/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board is the owner of the former Dun Ui Neill barracks campus, on which the Cavan Further Education and Training Campus is now based.
In February 2013 the sale of the Barracks to County Cavan Vocational Education Committee (now the ETB) was completed.
I have had no consultation with An Taoiseach and Minister for Defence with regards to the future use of Dún Uí Neill Barracks in view of Brexit.
77. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the patron for the new primary school in Ballincollig will be announced; and if he will ensure that the new school will open in September 2017. [10113/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 28 November 2016 applications were invited for the patronage of four new primary schools to be established in 2017 and 2018, including the new primary school to open in Ballincollig, Co. Cork to which the deputy refers. The closing date for receipt of applications for this process was 6 January 2017. Patrons submitted with their application a parental preference template in which parents have been requested to declare their preference for their child(ren) to be educated through that patron's school model and also their preference with regard to education through the medium of English or Irish.
Applications received are currently being assessed by my Department. The assessment process is detailed and rigorous and numerous applications have been received in respect of each of the four proposed new primary schools. The final assessment reports will be forwarded for the consideration of the New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG), which will submit a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision.
It is expected that the assessment process will be completed and that a determination in relation to the patronage of the new schools will be made in the coming weeks. The assessment reports and the recommendations of the NSEG will be available on the Department's website www.education.ie following the announcement.
I can confirm that this new primary school in Ballincollig will open in September 2017.
78. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria used when determining the new DEIS designations; the census information in addition to departmental data that was used; and his plans to put in place an appeals process. [10112/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDEIS is my Department's main policy initiative to tackle educational disadvantage. The DEIS Plan for 2017 sets out our vision for future intervention in the critical area of social inclusion in education policy.
A key element of DEIS Plan 2017 is the availability of a new identification process for the assessment of schools for inclusion in DEIS using centrally held CSO and DES data.
The key data sources are the DES Primary Online Database (POD) and Post-Primary Online (PPOD) Databases, and CSO data from the National Census of Population as represented in the Pobal HP Index for Small Areas which is a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area. Variables used in the compilation of the HP Index include those related to demographic growth, dependency ratios, education levels, single parent rate, overcrowding, social class, occupation and unemployment rates. This data is combined with pupil data, anonymised and aggregated to small area, to provide information on the relative level of concentrated disadvantage present in the pupil cohort of individual schools. This data is applied uniformly across all the schools in the country. Further information on the development of the identification process is available in the DEIS Review report which can be found on my Department's website at http://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/.
In its initial application, the new identification model has identified that there are schools in disadvantaged areas, not previously included in DEIS, whose level of disadvantage is significantly higher than many schools already in the programme. Accordingly, we are moving as a first step to include these schools within the DEIS School Support Programme.
Schools included in the list published by the Department on 13th February are those whose level of concentrated disadvantage has been identified as being at the same level as the current DEIS category for schools serving the highest concentrations of disadvantage.
The new DEIS Plan provides for a verification process and any school wishing to seek verification of the information used to assess the level of disadvantage of its pupil cohort may submit an application for same to social_inclusion@education.gov.ie.
79. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the fact that teachers who work in ASTI schools but chose not to join a union have not received pay increments, with collective bargaining being cited as the reason, in view of the fact it is not the role of the employer to couple pay parity with union membership; if it is constitutional to treat non-union teaching staff in this way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10494/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDecisions in respect of union membership are matters for the individual teacher concerned and my Department does not have a position on this issue. Where teachers have questions as to the benefits of membership of a particular union, those questions should be addressed to the relevant union.
The current position is that the Lansdowne Road Agreement as set out in Section 2 of Circular 0045/2016 applies to teachers employed in Designated Community Colleges, Community and Comprehensive Schools and Voluntary Secondary Schools who are TUI members. The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2013 and 2015 as set out in Section 3 of the Circular applies to all other teachers employed in such schools. The circular is available on my Department’s website and can be accessed at:
http://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0045_2016.pdf
In addition, a comprehensive FAQ document is also available on my Department’s website:
http://www.education.ie/en/Education-Staff/Information/Public-Service-Stability-Agreement-Haddington-Road/FAQs-on-the-Lansdowne-Road-Agreement-Post-Primary-Teachers.pdf
As is the norm with public service collective agreements, the Lansdowne Road Agreement was negotiated with trade unions which are recognised as representing staff in the public service (including teachers). It is normal practice in the public service that the decision of the trade union recognised as holding representative rights for a particular grade or sector will determine the position for all relevant staff in that grade/sector. This context does not allow for acceptance or rejection of collective agreements by staff on an individual basis.
Accordingly, there is no proposal at this time to treat teachers separately based on the fact that they are not a member of a trade union. However, since the announcement of the ASTI ballot result my Department has received a number of queries from both ASTI members and teachers who are not members of a trade union about union membership. Therefore, having regard to the circumstances of the dispute with the ASTI, this is an issue that I will keep under review going forward.
80. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration will be given to waiving or reducing the certification fee for EU nationals who are long-term residents here who wish to apply for naturalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10523/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011). The application fee, stipulated at €175, is payable on application for a certificate of naturalisation and a certification fee is payable on the issue of a certificate of naturalisation. The standard certification fee is set at €950, while a reduced fee of €200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of recognised refugees and stateless persons the certification fee is nil. There is no provision for the discretionary waiver or reduction of fees.
The standard fees payable by an applicant are designed to reflect the effort and cost involved in processing applications for a certificate of naturalisation.
The Deputy will be aware that formal citizenship ceremonies have been introduced at no extra cost to applicants. These have been universally well received by participants as the ceremonies provide a sense of dignity and occasion that serves to underscore the importance to both the State and the applicant of the granting of Irish citizenship.
All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 are kept under ongoing review by my Department; however, there are no plans to reduce or abolish these fees.
81. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the integration programme for refugees arriving here from Greece and-or Italy under the Irish refugee protection programme and the work that is ongoing in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10526/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy knows, the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established by Government Decision on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the humanitarian crisis that developed in Southern Europe as a consequence of mass migration from areas of conflict in the Middle East and Africa. Under this programme, the Government has pledged to accept a total of 4,000 persons into the State by the end of 2017; 2,622 through the EU relocation mechanism established by two EU Council Decisions in 2015 to assist Italy and Greece, and 1,040 (519 by the end of 2016 and the remainder in 2017) under the UNHCR-led refugee resettlement programme currently focussed on resettling refugees from Lebanon.
The Deputy's questions covers two separate cohorts arriving under the Irish Refugee Protection Porgramme (IRPP):
- Firstly, those arriving as UNHCR programme refugees from Lebanon who are catered for by the Office for the Promotion for Migrant Integration (OPMI) and
- Secondly, those arriving from Greece and Italy as relocated asylum seekers.
In relation to the first cohort arriving under the IRPP, programme refugees, I refer to my comprehensive reply to the Deputy's recent Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 21 February 2017 which sets out in considerable detail the nature of the integration programmes available to this group. In relation to the second cohort arriving under the IRPP, relocated asylum seekers, which I take to be the core focus of this Parliamentary Question, I wish to inform the Deputy that the integration programmes available to this cohort will be broadly the same as those for programme refugees but there will be some differences arising from the different nature and initial entitlements of the two cohorts.
As the Deputy is aware from my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 21 February 2017, work in relation to the arrival of UNHCR programme refugees begins about 9 months in advance of resettlement. With the relocation cohort this period of advance planning is not available because of the circumstances of the relocation group and the process set out in the relocation instruments. Instead the IRPP has about 3 months to plan for the arrival of relocated asylum seekers. When this cohort arrive they do not, as asylum seekers, possess the same rights and entitlements as refugees. Nonetheless, the IRPP endeavours to the greatest extent possible to treat them in a broadly equivalent manner so as to commence the integration process in the quickest possible timescale. The IRPP does this as the likelihood of persons in this cohort achieving a grant of international protection is very high because (a) the selection process embedded in the relocation instruments is predicated on the fact that eligible nationalities must, across the EU, have a 75% or higher chance of obtaining status and (b) the overwhelming majority of persons being relocated to Ireland are fleeing the war in Syria.
In advance of their arrival in Ireland, relocated asylum seekers will have been interviewed while in Greece or Italy by an IRPP team to both assess their needs and vulnerabilities prior to arrival in Ireland and to initially orient them to Irish life and society. Following their arrival in Ireland, and during their initial period of reception, relocated asylum seekers will be accommodated in an Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC). As the name suggests, an EROC is largely about reception and orientation for those who are to be subsequently resettled. In the EROC they will receive broadly the same integration services as available to programme refugees with due account being taken of the fact that certain things may not be able to happen until individuals receive a decision on their application for a grant of international protection. This decision is usually forthcoming within twelve weeks. IRPP staff meet individuals and families at regular intervals to help assess their ongoing needs and requirements. The client group also receive an orientation and language training programme while in the EROC. A Friends of the Centre group will be established in Ballaghaderreen, the newest EROC to be opened and, working with the Irish Red Cross, the IRPP intends to explore with volunteers what additional community supports can be of benefit from an integration perspective to the cohort.
In terms of resettlement in the community, the overall model to be used will be identical to the model used for programme refugees, as will the suite of integration supports. Details of this model are set out in the response to the Deputy's previous Parliamentary Question referred to above.
In relation to integration, the Deputy may also be aware that the Migrant Integration Strategy, which was published on 7 February 2017, offers a blueprint for the Government's action to promote migrant integration for the period to 2020. It sees integration as a two-way process which involves action by migrants and non-migrants alike. It promotes action by Government, business, employers, migrants, NGOs and local communities. The Strategy requires all Departments to insert integration as a theme in strategy statements, business plans and staff training. It is using networks as a means of encouraging greater participation by migrants in all aspects of Irish life.
It includes targeted initiatives to promote migrant entrepreneurship, to encourage migrants into the Civil Service and onto State boards and to improve English language provision in education and training. It is accompanied by a Communities Integration Fund, launched by Minister David Stanton T.D., on 7 February, which will provide funding for community initiatives to promote integration.
The IRPP integration model for relocated asylum seekers will work with existing best practice in this areas as pioneered by the OPMI but is also willing to work organically with community bodies, NGOs and civil society to see what else can be added to the integration model in order to help refugees successfully integrate into Irish society and rebuild their lives.
82. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delay in processing a person's Garda vetting application (details supplied). [10616/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will understand, the processing of vetting applications by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is an operational matter for the Garda Authorities and is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012-1016 and other relevant law. My Department has no role in the processing of individual vetting applications.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that a vetting application was received by the National Vetting Bureau from a registered organisation in respect of the person referred to by the Deputy on 18 October 2016. The application was processed and returned to the liaison person in the relevant organisation on 28 February 2017. It will be necessary for the applicant to contact the registered organisation concerned to ascertain the current position.
Any vetting process will take a certain minimum amount of time to complete and, at present, 80% of overall vetting applications are being processed by the National Vetting Bureau in five working days. However, in some individual cases, additional enquiries may be necessary and this may result in longer processing times. The Deputy will appreciate that the vetting process demands rigorous procedures to safeguard its integrity and to maintain the highest level of confidence by the public and organisations availing of the service, given that the primary purpose of the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to seek to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults.
83. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a re-entry visa for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10652/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that re-entry visas can only be issued to a person before the person leaves Ireland. If a person leaves Ireland without obtaining a re-entry visa then, irrespective of the validity of their Registration Certificate, they must apply for a visa in order to travel to Ireland. Such visa applications must be made in their home country.
The person referred to did not apply for a re-entry visa prior to her departure from Ireland nor did she apply for a visa in Vietnam in order to permit her return to Ireland.
I am further advised that an on-line application has now been made and the application will be processed in the Irish Embassy in Hanoi once the relevant supporting documents are submitted.
84. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of staff in the Irish Prison Service, IPS, including a breakdown of the location of their place of employment; the grade structure and remuneration of each grade, plus any additional allowances and benefits; the total number of personnel in the IPS headquarters in Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10654/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy the information sought is voluminous in nature and only available in excel format which is not compatible with the current Parliamentary Questions Database system. I will forward the information to the Deputy via email presently.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A:
I refer to Parliamentary Question 84 of 1 March 2017. You will recall from my reply that the information requested was voluminous in nature and only available in excel format. I undertook to provide the information to you presently.
The following tables contain the total number of staff in the Irish Prison Service including a breakdown of the location of their place of employment; the grade structure and remuneration of each grade plus any additional allowances/benefits; the total number of
personnel in the IPS headquarters in Longford:
|
WTE figures for Prison Service Staff at 28/02/2017 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Prison grades |
Cloverhill |
Wheatfield |
Training Unit |
St Pats |
Dóchas |
Mountjoy |
Portlaoise |
Midlands |
Arbour Hill |
Castlerea |
Cork |
Limerick |
Loughan |
Shelton |
PSEC |
OSG |
CPU |
EAP |
BSD |
IPSC |
HQ |
Totals |
|
CAMPUS GOVERNOR |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
GOVERNOR GRADE 1 |
1 |
1 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
GOVERNOR GRADE 2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
||||||||||||||
|
GOVERNOR 3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
11 |
||||||||||
|
DEPUTY GOVERNOR |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
ASSISTANT GOVERNOR |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
30 |
|||||
|
CHIEF OFFICER 1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
11 |
||||||||||
|
CHIEF OFFICER 2 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
0.68 |
45.68 |
|||
|
CHIEF OFFICER 2 WORK & TRAINING |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
||||||||||||||
|
INDUSTRIAL MANAGER |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
HEALTHCARE NURSE MANAGER |
2 |
2 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
CHIEF TRADES OFFICER 1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
||||||||||||||||||
|
CHIEF TRADES OFFICER 2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
|||||||||||||
|
ASSISTANT CHIEF OFFICER |
26 |
24 |
6 |
10 |
6 |
25 |
25.5 |
25 |
7 |
13 |
15 |
16 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
17 |
234.5 |
|||||
|
ASSISTANT CHIEF OFFICER TRAINING LIAISON OFFICER |
9.6 |
9.6 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
PRISON OFFICER |
205.5 |
231 |
28 |
85 |
56 |
243 |
194 |
282 |
59 |
127 |
113.5 |
125.5 |
20 |
20 |
118 |
113 |
2 |
2022.5 |
||||
|
RECRUIT PRISON OFFICER |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
INDUSTRIAL TRAINING INSTRUCTOR |
3 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
||||||||||||||||||
|
INDUSTRIAL SUPERVISOR |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
13 |
||||||||||||
|
WORK TRAINING OFFICER |
26 |
55 |
8 |
12 |
9 |
41 |
25 |
66 |
11.5 |
24 |
24 |
21 |
10 |
9 |
1 |
342.5 |
||||||
|
PRISON ADMIN HIGHER EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
||||||||||||||||
|
PRISON ADMINISTRATIVE EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
1 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
18 |
|||||||||
|
PRISON ADMINISTRATIVE CLERICAL OFFICER |
17.6 |
7 |
1 |
17 |
3 |
12.4 |
3 |
9 |
9 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
6 |
1 |
103 |
|||||
|
TRADES OFFICER |
4 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
38 |
||||||||
|
INSPECTOR MECHANICAL |
1 |
1 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
INSPECTOR ELECTRICAL |
2 |
2 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
TUTOR |
6 |
6 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
CHIEF NURSE OFFICER 2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
9 |
||||||||||||
|
NURSE OFFICER |
11.5 |
9.5 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
12.5 |
8 |
22 |
6 |
10 |
6 |
7.5 |
2 |
2 |
107 |
|||||||
|
MEDICAL ORDERLY |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
Totals |
306.6 |
350.5 |
48 |
119 |
83 |
365.5 |
273.5 |
430.4 |
98.5 |
195 |
181.5 |
191 |
48 |
44 |
136 |
138 |
0 |
3 |
19 |
20.6 |
9.68 |
3060.78 |
|
HQ Staff |
Dir Gen |
Director |
Acc Grade 2 |
PO |
AP |
HEO |
EO |
SO |
CO |
Service Officer |
Prison Grade |
Total |
|
1 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
20 |
21.8 |
20.33 |
7 |
29.3 |
2 |
9.68 |
120.11 |
|
Civilian Grades |
Totals |
|
Doctors |
4.26 |
|
Chaplains |
14 |
|
Psychologists |
21 |
|
Fire Officer |
1 |
|
Pharmacist |
1 |
|
Service Officer |
0.8 |
|
42.06 |
85. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total fleet of vehicles approved for use by An Garda Síochána; the average mileage undertaken; the average age of the vehicles; if the engines are petrol or diesel; the total fuel costs in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10655/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for Garda resources, including the acquisition of vehicles, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I am advised by the Garda Authorities that, as at the 27 February 2017 which is the latest date for which figures are available, the Garda fleet comprises of some 2,815 vehicles of which some 2,148 have diesel engines and 667 have petrol engines. I am advised by the Garda authorities that, in 2016, it is estimated that Garda vehicles travelled in excess of 87 million kilometres.
I understand from the Garda authorities that Garda vehicles are retired when they reach 300,000 kilometeres or 10 years of age, whichever is earlier. Also, I understand that the relevant manufacturers have indicated that, for safety reasons, vehicles should be withdrawn from service at certain stages. Accordingly, this is the operational policy that is applied by the Garda authorities.
The amount spent on fuel by An Garda Síochána from 2013 is set out in the following table.
Amount spent on fuel by An Garda Síochána from 2013
|
2013 |
€ 10.71m |
|
2014 |
€ 9.42m |
|
2015 |
€ 7.78m |
|
2016 |
€ 7.26m |
|
January 2017 |
€ 0.30m |
The age profile of the fleet is set out in the following table.
Age profile of the fleet
|
< 1 Year |
561 |
|
1-2 Years |
432 |
|
2-4 Years |
792 |
|
4-6 Years |
162 |
|
> 6 Years |
868 |
|
Total |
2,815 |
The Deputy will be aware that the Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 includes provision for a significant investment of some €46 million in the Garda Fleet to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit for purpose fleet. This investment will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with additional high-powered vehicles, marked and unmarked patrol cars, and motorcycles to ensure that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.
