Written Answers Nos. 177-194
177. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to extend the remit of the Ombudsman for Children to include complaints from children in direct provision. [20321/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am happy to advise the Deputy that the remit of the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Children has already been extended to cover all those living in State provided accommodation and both Offices have been in a position to accept complaints since 3 April 2017. It should be noted that complaints in relation to the protection process itself (which is a legal process) are not within the remit of either Ombudsman.
The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) made arrangements for representatives from the Offices of both Ombudsmen to make presentations on the work of those Offices to accommodation centre staff and State service providers during the Autumn series of regional Inter-Agency meetings. Representatives from the Offices of the Ombudsmen were also (and continue to be) facilitated in holding pre-publicised information sessions with residents in centres.
The Deputy will be aware that the Direct Provision policy itself is structured through mainstream State services. That is, health services are provided directly by HSE; education is provided directly through local schools; community welfare supports are provided through the Community Welfare Services; and child welfare and associated supports are provided by local Tusla teams. Residents of RIA accommodation centres engage with these services in the same way as Irish citizens and therefore have the same rights to appeal decisions or make complaints through the relevant Departmental channels and through the relevant Ombudsmen where appropriate and necessary.
178. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which the Council of Europe guidelines on child-friendly justice are implemented here. [20322/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Council of Europe Guidelines on Child Friendly Justice cover a range of issues under the remit of the Department of Justice and Equality.
For example, there are numerous references in the guidelines to the need to have regard to the best interests of the child and to hear the child's views during proceedings. The fundamental principles outlined in the guidelines particularly in relation to determination of the best interests of the child are to a significant extent incorporated in the Children and Family Relationships Act.
The Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 contains new provisions regarding the best interests of children in family law proceedings which have been in operation since 18 January 2016. Section 3 of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964, as amended by section 45 of the 2015 Act, provides that the best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration for the court in proceedings where the guardianship, custody or upbringing of, or access to, a child is in question. The best interests of a child are to be determined in accordance with the new Part V of the 1964 Act, inserted by section 63 of the 2015 Act. Part V, entitled “Best Interests of the Child”, contains two important sections.
- Section 31 sets out an extensive list of factors and circumstances to be taken into account by a court when determining the best interests of a child. These include the views of the child that are ascertainable (whether in accordance with section 32 or otherwise). The court can ascertain the views of the child in person or through an expert. Section 31(6) provides that in obtaining the ascertainable views of a child, the court shall facilitate the free expression by the child of those views and endeavour to ensure that any views expressed by the child are not expressed as a result of undue influence, and may make an order under section 32.
- Section 32 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 facilitates the hearing of the voice of the child by enabling the court to appoint an expert to determine and convey the child’s views to the court, so that the child’s voice can be heard in the proceedings. These provisions allow the courts to take account of the evolving capacity of children and also give the courts the flexibility to ensure that all children’s views can be heard.
In addition to the Children and Family Relationships Bill, the Domestic Violence Bill 2017 was published on 3 February 2017. Section 23 of the Bill provides that children will have the opportunity to make their views known to the court where an order is sought on behalf of a child or relates in part to a child. The court will also have the option of appointing an expert to assist the court to ascertain the views of the child.
In relation to Guideline 38 - “Children should have access to free legal aid, under the same or more lenient conditions as adults.”
In Ireland, children cannot normally be a party to civil proceedings in their own name. They must sue by their “next friend” and defend by their “guardian ad litem”. In both cases this is a parent or other adult who consents to act in such capacity. Regulation 5(6)(a) of the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2016 provides that where rules of court require that a person (such as a child) sues by their next friend or defend by their guardian ad litem, then the application for civil legal aid must be made by that person on behalf of the child. Regulation 5(6)(b) requires that where a person is granted a legal aid certificate on behalf of another person, then the person applying for the certificate must sign an undertaking to pay to the Board any payment which a person granted legal aid in their own right would have to make. However, Regulation 5(6)(e) provides that the Board can waive the requirements of Regulations 5(6)(a)-(d) where it thinks it appropriate to do so.
The Legal Aid Board can and does provide services to children in their own right in circumstances where it is appropriate to do so (for example, to an unaccompanied child seeking international protection in the State). While civil legal aid in Ireland is not free, the Board would consider an application for a waiver of the contribution from a child who is being provided services in their own right.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is currently working on legislation to reform current Guardian ad litem arrangements. Further information regarding these reform proposals can be provided by Minister Zappone.
In relation to Guideline 39 - “Lawyers representing children should be trained in and knowledgeable on children’s rights and related issues, receive ongoing and indepth training and be capable of communicating with children at their level of understanding.”
Over 80% of the work the Legal Aid Board does is in the field of family law. In that respect, Legal Aid Board solicitors are knowledgeable in the field of family law including child care law. The Board provides continuing professional development for its solicitors including an annual conference which normally is on a family or child care law issue.
In relation to Guideline 43 - “Adequate representation and the right to be represented independently from the parents should be guaranteed, especially in proceedings where the parents, members of the family or caregivers are the alleged offenders.”
In respect of child care proceedings, the Legal Aid Board normally provides representation to parents who are Respondents to such proceedings. It is not normal for a child to be a party to such proceedings. However, in circumstances where this is the case they will be separately represented and in such cases representation will be paid for by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) rather than the Board.
Insofar as the guidelines are concerned with respecting and protecting the rights of children coming into contact with the criminal justice system and its adaptation to the specific needs and treatment of children while in that system, specific legal provision for these children is made in the Children Act 2001 (as amended). The Act establishes a separate legal framework for dealing with young offenders incorporating principles relating to the exercise of criminal jurisdiction over children by the courts. These include, inter alia, the principles that children have rights and freedom before the law equal to those enjoyed by adults, in particular, a right to be heard and to participate in any proceedings of the court that can affect them; that any penalty imposed on a child for an offence should cause as little interference as possible with the child's legitimate activities and pursuits; that any penalty should take the form most likely to maintain and promote the development of the child and should take the least restrictive form that is appropriate in the circumstances; and that a period of detention should be imposed only as a measure of last resort.
I am delighted to say that on 6 April 2017, I signed three legal instruments under the Prisons Act, 2015. The effect of these three Orders was to close down St. Patrick’s Institution and subsume the only remaining wing of the St. Patrick’s building – ‘B’ wing - into Mountjoy Prison, all with effect from 7 April 2017. The signing of these orders follows the making of orders by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Minister Katherine Zappone, T.D., which allows for the committal of newly sentenced 17 year old children directly to Oberstown Children Detention Campus with effect from 31 March, 2017. Previously, responsibility for 16 year old boys was transferred from the Irish Prison Service to the children detention facilities at Oberstown in May 2012 and responsibility for all 17-year-old male remands was transferred in March 2015. The overall effect of these recent legal instruments by both Ministers is that (i) from 31 March, 2017 no further new committals of children could be made by the Courts to the adult prison system and (ii) that on 7 April, 2017, St. Patrick’s Institution was fully closed down, subsumed into Mountjoy Prison and no longer has a legal existence of its own.
Ending the practice of sending children to the adult prison system was a long standing Government commitment and was a key commitment in the programme for Government 2011-2016. St Patrick’s Institution has been the subject of much criticism by various bodies and persons involved in the area of human rights and children’s rights. The signing of these orders has consigned the name of St Patrick's Institution to the history books and is a significant and progressive step forward in the treatment of children in Ireland.
In addition, under the framework of the Inter-governmental Agreement on Cooperation in Criminal Justice Matters, the Youth Justice Services in Ireland and Northern Ireland meet on a regular basis to exchange information on experiences and best practice on a range of youth justice issues. Such activity is encouraged by Part V of the CoE Guidelines.
The Garda Síochána Act, 2005 (as amended) also makes provision for children to make complaints in their own right without the requirement for the consent of a parent. I am informed that in this way children can access the police complaints system independently. Thereafter GSOC’s interaction with children is governed by its Child Welfare and Protection Policy. GSOC have trained specialist interviewers who are deployed as appropriate to take statements from and conduct investigations into complaints made by children. GSOC works closely with its partner agencies i.e. Garda Síochána and TUSLA to ensure children receive a co-ordinated response with an emphasis on providing services which are in the best interests of the child. In conducting its investigations into complaints made by or on behalf of children GSOC takes cognisance of the European Directive on Victims of Crime and conducts assessments with regard to vulnerability and any specific protection needs. As part of its remit as an oversight body GSOC has also made recommendations to the Garda Síochána in relation to how juveniles are treated by the Garda Síochána.
179. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to establish a high-level interdepartmental group tasked with ensuring that the rights of children online are balanced and protected. [20324/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe establishment of a standing Inter-Departmental Committee to cover all aspects of Internet Governance was a recommendation of the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group's Report, published in 2014. In order to oversee the implementation of the various recommendations in the Report, an interdepartmental implementation group was established under the chairmanship of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and work is ongoing in this regard. The group includes representatives from the Departments of Children and Youth Affairs, Education and Skills and Health and my own Department.
In seeking to further the goal of increasing the protection of children online, the Government gave its approval in December 2016 for the drafting of a General Scheme of a Bill which will provide for new and amended criminal offences along the lines set out in the September 2016 Law Reform Commission Report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety. The Commission has proposed extending some existing offences and creating some new criminal offences. The Heads of a Bill are currently being prepared by my Department.
180. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to ensure that information on time spent outside of Ireland is sought and considered in the Garda vetting process. [20325/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda National Vetting Bureau carries out employment vetting checks and this is done primarily in respect of areas of employment where persons may have substantial, unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults and is done in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016. Vetting is also carried out in respect of certain other State employments, such as for An Garda Síochána or the Defence Forces.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the National Vetting Bureau conducts vetting checks in respect of the information held in the criminal records database in this jurisdiction. The National Vetting Bureau also has in place a reciprocal arrangement with the Police Service of Northern Ireland in respect of addresses in Northern Ireland which are held or have been held by vetting applicants. The National Vetting Bureau does not make any requirements of vetting applicants to provide evidence of criminal record from any other jurisdiction. Any requests that may be made by employers or registered organisations to have applicants provide evidence of criminal record from other jurisdictions would be a matter for the organisations concerned.
181. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to ensure that child victims of crime have immediate access to adequate, free and confidential supports services. [20326/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA range of Government Departments and Agencies, including for example, An Garda Síochána, Tusla, the HSE, the Courts Service and my Department in tandem with non Government organisations all currently provide a range of support services for child victims of crime.
Insofar as my remit is concerned my Department provides funding support, through its Victims of Crime Office, to services supporting child victims of crime in areas such as court accompaniment, accompaniment to specialist children and adolescent sexual assault treatment services and for bereavement counselling. I am pleased that I have been able to continue to secure an increased funding allocation for this office in recent years to further develop these services.
In tandem with this, a range of special measures and supports can be availed of by child victims of crime in relation to criminal proceedings. This includes, for example, in the Garda interviewing of child victims and in the presentation of evidence by such victims in the court process.
In further strengthening assistance in this policy area, the implementation of the European Union Directive 2012/29/EU, which is known as the Victims Directive, which is currently being transposed into Irish law by the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016, will further extend and enhance the level of supports being provided to child victims of crime.
In particular, in recognising that child victims of crime are particularly vulnerable, specific provisions are included in the Bill catering for additional rights and supports to be made available to such victims within the criminal justice setting.
The enactment of this legislation remains a priority for me and I look forward to the full support of the Oireachtas in its progression as expeditiously as possible.
182. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider establishing a children's house model providing multidisciplinary services to children in one location including social services, police and forensic medical experts to support and treat child victims of crime. [20329/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that models of multi disciplinary one stop shop type services based in one location known as a children's house model operate in other jurisdictions as a means of supporting child victims of crime and their families.
Currently in Ireland a range of Government Departments and Agencies, including for example, An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, Tusla and the HSE, in tandem with non Government organisations provide a range of services and supports to child victims of crime.
Existing legislation and practice in Ireland already provides for a range of special measures for child victims of crime within the criminal justice sphere, for example, in the area of Garda interviewing of child victims and in the presentation of evidence by such victims in court proceedings.
In further strengthening the responses and support to child victims of crime the Deputy will appreciate my priority at present is the effective implementation of the EU Directive 2012/29/EU which is known as the EU Victims Directive. This Directive establishes minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime across the European Union. Child victims of crime are to be considered and treated as full bearers of the rights set out in the Directive and implementation of the measures - which include particular protection measures for children during criminal proceedings - will enhance the level of supports being provided to such victims.
As the Deputy may be aware the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016 which was published on 29 December, 2016 and is due to be progressed through Committee Stage in the Dáil shortly will transpose into Irish law the EU Victims Directive. The introduction of this legislation also fulfils a commitment in the Programme for Government to enact legislation to strengthen the rights of victims of crime and their families. In tandem with this, and pending the enactment of the legislation, all of the criminal justice agencies have been working to ensure that the measures contained in the EU Victims Directive have been put in place on an administrative basis since it came into effect in November 2015.
Finally I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that the Victims Bill provides that highest level of protection possible for all victims of crime, and particularly those who have the greatest need for protection such as child victims. In this regard child victims benefit from all of the rights provided under the Bill and specific provision is being made for a range of additional rights which will strengthen the supports available to child victims of crime.
I will keep the question of the establishment of the children's house model under review.
183. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has discussed with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport plans to improve the driving-related convictions being recorded on licences in courts. [20330/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraRoad traffic legislation falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Shane Ross, T.D. Minister Ross commenced Section 33 of the Road Traffic Act 2016 on 13 April 2017.
The Deputy will be aware that Section 33 of the Act of 2016 amends section 22 of the 2002 Road Traffic Act to ensure that drivers convicted in court produce their driving licence in order that penalty points can be recorded on the driver file. The Act of 2016 provides for a new requirement for the presiding judge to ask a driver convicted in court for a driving offence to produce his/her licence to the court. The court will then record the licence details, or the fact that it was not produced, with failure to produce a licence an offence. This provision will tighten up existing procedures to enable penalty points to be matched to driving licence records following conviction in court.
Minister Ross and I are in ongoing contact in relation to road safety and road traffic enforcement matters and our officials meet regularly, via a number of different groups and fora, including the Ministerial Committee on Road Safety, which both Minister Ross and I attended at its most recent meeting on 27th March.
184. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to link the Courts Service database to the national vehicle driver file. [20331/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Master Licence Record is a substantial ICT project costing an estimated €4million over a three-year period, which will entail linking the vehicle and driving licence database of the National Vehicle Driver File. The project will facilitate the application of penalty points to driving licences, thereby improving the effectiveness of road traffic enforcement measures. I can inform the Deputy that work is underway in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to progress this project. To enable the Master Licence Record, multiple system and process changes will need to be implemented across a number of organisations, including the Courts Service, which will take some time to design and develop.
The Master Licence Record project stems from recommendations contained in the Garda Síochána Inspectorate’s report ‘The Fixed Charge Processing System – A 21st Century Strategy’ (February 2014). The Criminal Justice (Fixed Charge Processing System (FCPS)) Working Group is responsible for monitoring and overseeing progress on all FCPS recommendations, including progress on the Master Licence Record project. This Working Group is a multi-agency group, comprising representatives from the following Government Departments and public bodies: Departments of Justice and Equality and Transport, Tourism and Sport; An Garda Síochána; Courts Service; Road Safety Authority; Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions; the Revenue Commissioners; the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government; and the Office of the Attorney General. The Working Group met most recently on 26 April 2017 and the provision of a progress report on the Master Licence Record project is a standing agenda item at the Group's meetings.
A progress report was recently submitted to me from the Working Group on 2016 activity. 22 of the 37 Inspectorate recommendations have been fully implemented to date, with 5 additional recommendations on track for delivery by Summer 2017. Work on the remaining recommendations is ongoing and the majority of these recommendations are medium-long-term in nature, including the implementation of the Master Licence Record project.
185. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps being taken to rectify problems in the recording systems in breath-testing used by An Garda Síochána to identify drink-driving. [20423/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I have indicated to the House previously, An Garda Síochána has confirmed that it has put solutions in place to deal with the procedural and practice issues that have been detected to ensure that the errors that have been identified in relation to breath tests/Mandatory Alcohol Testing do not recur. I am informed that An Garda Síochána initially put in place new paper based recording and verification processes, and, in November 2016, a new specific data recording IT upgrade was installed on the Garda PULSE system. The net effect of the new IT upgrade was that personnel now have to record the serial number of the device used for each breath test plus the meter reading before and after the checkpoint was concluded. Data from the device is now used to verify the total number of breath tests conducted at each checkpoint.
The Deputy will also be aware that in addition to outlining the issues, how they had come to light, and the remedial steps taken so far the Commissioner has:
- announced the restructuring of traffic policing with the creation of a new Roads Policing Unit to be led by Assistant Commissioner Mick Finn;
- announced the creation of a dedicated team under newly-appointed Assistant Commissioner Michael O’Sullivan to investigate in detail the MATs issue, including with a view to identifying and holding responsible for their actions any Garda members, whether at junior, supervisory or management level, who acted improperly; and
- committed to forwarding the report of this investigation to the Policing Authority and Department of Justice and Equality when completed.
Assistant Commissioner Finn has outlined new arrangements agreed with the Medical Bureau on Roads Safety (MBRS) to the effect that body would supply An Garda Síochána with its data on breath-testing devices on a quarterly basis, in order to ensure an independent benchmark against which Garda data can be measured. The MBRS will shortly be tendering for new breath testing equipment. New equipment which is available in the market place has the capacity to record the time, GPS location and number of persons breath-tested, and has the capacity to download the information automatically, reducing the chances of errors occurring in the data.
The Deputy will be aware that I have written to the Chairperson of the Policing Authority in accordance with section 62O(6) of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005 (as amended) to report to me on its oversight of the issues which have arisen in relation to mandatory alcohol testing over the coming period. In particular, I requested that an investigation should be conducted to examine all issues arising, addressing to the extent possible the reasons why the issues have arisen; the incidence and scale of the issues; and the solutions implemented to ensure there is no recurrence. It is expected that the Authority will engage outside expertise to carry out this work. The Deputy will appreciate that I need to await the conclusion of the Authority's work in this area before I am in a position to comment further on this matter.
The Deputy will be aware that there is ongoing engagement between An Garda Síochána and the Policing Authority in relation to this matter, including in the context of the Authority's recent public meeting with the Garda Commissioner, the focus of which was roads policing, including the issues associated with Fixed Charge Notices and breath test data.
186. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has met with the Garda Commissioner to discuss the issue of occupational stress faced by members of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20424/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra187. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the procedures in place to assist gardaí who have witnessed traumatic events; and if there is a facility in place for recording the numbers and details of these incidents. [20425/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 187 together.
I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that An Garda Síochána is committed to ensuring that members exposed to a traumatic incident receive the appropriate organisational response and with this in mind the Garda Employee Assistance Service provides a confidential professional support and referral service to both serving and former members of An Garda Síochána, students and their immediate families.
I am informed that details of all incidents that An Garda Síochána respond to are recorded on the PULSE system.
I understand that there is a Peer Supporter Programme operating in each Garda District and that following a traumatic incident a peer supporter who has received appropriate training in helping colleagues cope with the effect of a traumatic incident in the workplace will contact the member(s) who were involved in the incident and offer support.
All the Employee Assistance Officers and approximately 250 of the peer supporters are trained in Critical Incident Stress Management which is an intervention designed to prevent or mitigate any adverse psychological reactions as a consequence of being exposed to a critical incident.
I am advised that an Independent Counselling Service was introduced in An Garda Síochána on 24 June 2016 which provides counselling on a wide range of work and personal related issues including critical incidents, and trauma. The service is available on a 24/7 basis 365 days a year and provides employees with immediate support from accredited counsellors over the phone and if required follow on counselling sessions in person.
While I have not met the Commissioner specifically in connection with this matter, it has been the subject of discussion from time to time and is also the subject of engagement between my officials and Garda Management.
189. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the value of drugs seized by An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2010 to 2016, broken down by type of drug and quantity in kilograms. [20433/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that information relating to the value of drugs seized by An Garda Síochána is set out in the Annual Reports of An Garda Síochána.
The Annual Reports for the years 2010 to 2015 are available on the website of An Garda Síochána (www.garda.ie). The information provided in the Reports is prepared on the basis of records maintained by Forensic Science Ireland based on the quantity of drugs analysed annually at its laboratory.
I understand that work is continuing on the preparation of the Annual Report for 2016 which will be made available in due course.
190. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the value of drugs that were held by An Garda Síochána for evidence or court purposes or other purposes in each of the years 2010 to 2016, broken down by type of drug and quantity in kilograms. [20434/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the information sought and I will be in contact again when that report is to hand.
191. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the value of drugs that were destroyed by State agencies in each of the years 2010 to 2016, broken down by type of drug and quantity in kilograms; and the agency responsible for their destruction. [20435/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that there are a number of State agencies whose officers are empowered to exercise drug seizure powers. Not all such agencies would fall within the remit of my Department.
Having regard to my own Department's remit, I have requested a report from the Garda Authorities in relation to the destruction of drugs and will be in touch with the Deputy when the report is to hand.
192. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the naturalisation application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20458/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is ongoing and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most straightforward cases are generally processed within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
The Deputy may wish to note that 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 specifically 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 the Parliamentary Questions 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.
193. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total cost of operating the Citizens Assembly (details supplied); the reason only 100 persons were selected originally; and the demographic details of the 88 persons who cast votes. [20461/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Justice and Equality, I have no responsibility in relation to the workings of the Citizens' Assembly.
194. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the public order unit in each division. [20463/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of Garda personnel and for the management and organisation of Garda operational units. I am assured that Garda management keep this deployment under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, including with respect to concerns about public order and anti-social behaviour, so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of policing resources.
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Commissioner in relation to the number of Gardaí attached to the Divisional Public Order Units and I will write to him on receipt of same.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
