Written Answers Nos. 107-122
107. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider including Rathcoole in Operation Thor in an effort to increase night-time patrols; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19219/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Operation Thor entails a broad range of activities to tackle organised crime gangs and other prolific offenders as well as working with communities to prevent crime. This comprehensive operation has been rolled out nationwide, including in the Rathcoole area, and is supported by the enhanced Government investment in Garda resources, including the recently announced additional allocation of €88.5 million in 2017. The additional investments in policing make it possible to maintain and extend a range of intensive policing operations, including the continued targeting of burglaries and related crime via Operation Thor. The operation has led to concentrated Garda activity with more than 52,400 crime prevention patrols and in the order of 74,300 targeted checkpoints nationwide. There have also been in the region of 4,400 arrests and 4,900 charges covering a range of offences which, in addition to burglary have included handling stolen property, possession of firearms and drugs offences.
The Deputy will appreciate that it is the Garda Commissioner and her management team who are responsible for the deployment of all Garda resources, including personnel, as well as for policing strategies in particular localities, and I have no direct role in these matters. However, it is encouraging to note that since the launch of the Operation, the burglary figures in particular have shown a significant downward trend. Indeed, the CSO official recorded crime statistics for Q4 of 2016, which were released recently, show a 30% decrease in burglary for the twelve months of 2016 when compared to the same period in 2015, which parallels the implementation of Operation Thor.
I have also made it a particular priority to strengthen our legislative provisions through the enactment of the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Act 2015 which is targeted at repeat burglars who have previous convictions and who are charged with multiple offences of residential burglary. I am very pleased that this new legislation is now available to support the work which is being carried out by An Garda Síochána under Operation Thor.
Underpinning all of these measures is the Government's commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. The Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Appointments will also be made to the Garda Reserve of approximately 300, and in this regard I was pleased to be able to launch a new recruitment campaign for Reserve members of An Garda Síochána recently.
108. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 53 of 16 February 2017 and further replies of 7 March 2017, 28 March 2017 and 6 April 2017, the number of drink driving offences that were listed in each court in each of the years 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19220/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA report on the number of drink driving offences listed by court area between January 2015 – March 2017 has been provided by the Courts Service and is set out in the table. It is important to note the following:
Note 1: Report displays offences that have been struck out not served;
Note 2: If an offence was listed in more than one court area it will appear twice on the report, or if an offence was adjourned to another year it will appear twice on the report. For example, an offence listed in 2015 and subsequently adjourned to 2016 will be counted once for each year.
|
Court Area |
Jan – Dec 2015 |
Jan – Dec 2016 |
Jan – Mar 2017 |
|
ACAILL |
1 |
1 |
|
|
AN CLOCHAN LIATH |
19 |
17 |
13 |
|
AN DAINGEAN |
26 |
24 |
10 |
|
AN FAL CARRACH |
17 |
13 |
9 |
|
ARDEE |
26 |
30 |
18 |
|
ARKLOW |
55 |
73 |
60 |
|
ATHLONE |
62 |
50 |
52 |
|
ATHY |
26 |
24 |
24 |
|
BALLAGHADERREEN |
8 |
9 |
5 |
|
BALLINA |
64 |
95 |
41 |
|
BALLINASLOE |
48 |
58 |
30 |
|
BALLYSHANNON |
27 |
34 |
19 |
|
BANDON |
45 |
52 |
32 |
|
BANTRY |
39 |
36 |
20 |
|
BEAL AN MHUIRTHEAD |
26 |
28 |
17 |
|
BRAY |
90 |
104 |
82 |
|
BUNCRANA |
71 |
76 |
50 |
|
CAHIRCIVEEN |
14 |
16 |
6 |
|
CARLOW |
137 |
118 |
61 |
|
CARNDONAGH |
39 |
61 |
46 |
|
CARRICK ON SHANNON |
48 |
51 |
25 |
|
CARRICK ON SUIR |
31 |
25 |
14 |
|
CARRICKMACROSS |
109 |
111 |
63 |
|
CASHEL |
71 |
86 |
51 |
|
CASTLEBAR |
112 |
104 |
49 |
|
CASTLEREA |
37 |
25 |
12 |
|
CAVAN |
152 |
194 |
112 |
|
CILL RONAIN |
1 |
1 |
|
|
CLIFDEN |
28 |
24 |
11 |
|
CLONAKILTY |
30 |
59 |
23 |
|
CLONMEL |
96 |
89 |
32 |
|
CORK CITY |
557 |
615 |
353 |
|
DOIRE AN FHEICH |
20 |
16 |
10 |
|
DONEGAL |
31 |
30 |
25 |
|
DROGHEDA |
128 |
132 |
74 |
|
DUBLIN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT |
1,843 |
2,158 |
1,053 |
|
DUNDALK |
165 |
184 |
96 |
|
DUNGARVAN |
82 |
82 |
50 |
|
ENNIS |
172 |
196 |
71 |
|
FERMOY |
82 |
91 |
39 |
|
GALWAY |
291 |
289 |
134 |
|
GOREY |
142 |
172 |
109 |
|
GORT |
29 |
41 |
32 |
|
KENMARE |
24 |
16 |
5 |
|
KILCOCK |
55 |
74 |
46 |
|
KILKENNY |
166 |
123 |
48 |
|
KILLALOE |
31 |
22 |
4 |
|
KILLARNEY |
111 |
121 |
46 |
|
KILLORGLIN |
17 |
28 |
15 |
|
KILRUSH |
31 |
26 |
9 |
|
LETTERKENNY |
235 |
284 |
196 |
|
LIMERICK |
362 |
477 |
213 |
|
LISMORE |
8 |
16 |
9 |
|
LISTOWEL |
79 |
83 |
42 |
|
LONGFORD |
105 |
102 |
49 |
|
LOUGHREA |
66 |
82 |
32 |
|
MACROOM |
40 |
46 |
22 |
|
MALLOW |
179 |
142 |
63 |
|
MANORHAMILTON |
13 |
10 |
3 |
|
MEATH |
273 |
186 |
|
|
MIDLETON |
127 |
145 |
55 |
|
MONAGHAN |
89 |
146 |
87 |
|
MULLINGAR |
157 |
140 |
85 |
|
NA GLEANNTA |
8 |
15 |
10 |
|
NAAS |
197 |
249 |
141 |
|
NAVAN |
233 |
86 |
|
|
NENAGH |
106 |
120 |
70 |
|
NEWCASTLE WEST |
91 |
93 |
44 |
|
PORTLAOISE |
130 |
156 |
57 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
38 |
52 |
17 |
|
SKIBBEREEN |
25 |
17 |
7 |
|
SLIGO |
91 |
105 |
59 |
|
STROKESTOWN |
4 |
8 |
4 |
|
THURLES |
101 |
132 |
60 |
|
TIPPERARY |
50 |
60 |
34 |
|
TRALEE |
248 |
241 |
122 |
|
TRIM |
92 |
84 |
33 |
|
TUAM |
63 |
69 |
|
|
TUBBERCURRY |
24 |
21 |
11 |
|
TULLAMORE |
83 |
109 |
36 |
|
VIRGINIA |
64 |
99 |
56 |
|
WATERFORD CITY |
233 |
269 |
131 |
|
WESTPORT |
31 |
43 |
16 |
|
WEXFORD |
129 |
189 |
106 |
|
WICKLOW |
52 |
60 |
37 |
|
YOUGHAL |
22 |
30 |
11 |
|
Grand Total |
9,106 |
10,357 |
5,311 |
109. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there are schemes within her Department which provide funding for the LGBT community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19227/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn my role in the Department of Justice and Equality, I have responsibility for equality, including specifically relating to members of the LGBTI community in Ireland.
Since the marriage equality referendum, my Department has overseen the enactment of the Marriage Act 2015, gender recognition legislation and the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 which provides for the most comprehensive reform of family law since the foundation of the State. These are huge steps forward for all concerned. However, while formal and legislative equality for LGBTI people has been achieved, much remains to be done throughout society.
For this reason, my Department will commence work on a new national LGBTI Inclusion Strategy in the coming months. That Inclusion Strategy will identify specific areas of Irish society and policy in which difficulties are still seen as presenting for LGBTI people. It will dovetail with the commitment in the current Programme for Government to bring forward an LGBT+ Youth Strategy, on which work has already commenced. Both Strategies will identify specific actions to be implemented to address the outstanding challenges arising for LGBTI people in this country.
While there is currently no specific subhead in my Department's funding specifically allocated to LGBTI community, funding is available from my Department for organisations under various other headings including integration and victim support. Relevant applications under such schemes may be made by organisations representing LGBTI persons.
110. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost to date of the national revaluation programme; the estimated cost of Reval 2017; and the estimated cost of the entire national revaluation programme when completed. [19243/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Valuation Office is currently undertaking a systematic national programme of revaluing, for rates purposes, all industrial and commercial properties in the State on a rating authority basis. This is one the main statutory functions of the Commissioner of Valuation. The revaluation programme is the first of its kind since the mid-nineteenth century and has been a policy objective of successive governments for several decades. The programme has gained considerable momentum following the enactment of the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015. The purpose of revaluation is to bring more equity, fairness and transparency into the local authority rating system and to distribute the commercial rates liability more equitably between ratepayers. Following this revaluation, subsequent revaluations of each rating authority area will then be carried out on a cyclical basis no sooner than five years and no later than ten years after the first revaluation, in accordance with Section 25 of the Valuation Act 2001.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his functions. I am informed by the Commissioner that the costs incurred in the period 2005 to 2014 in respect of the revaluation programme was €33 million. The estimation of the costs incurred for 2015 and 2016 is of the order of €8 million in total. The estimated cost to date of the national revaluation programme is, therefore €41 million. I am advised that the estimated costs to date are apportioned on a pro-rata basis for the various work programmes undertaken by the Valuation Office, including ongoing statutory and non-statutory work carried out by the Office and that these estimates are derived from the overall expenditure incurred in running the Valuation Office, taking account of staffing and other relevant costs. As the Deputy will be aware, the staffing costs of an organisation such as the Valuation Office would typically account for 75 - 80% of the total cost of running the organisation.
In calculating the approximate costs associated with the REVAL 2017 phase of the programme, the estimation of costs for work completed for that project in 2016, including salary costs, is €4.5 million. The Deputy will be aware that the 2015 Act has enabled the Valuation Office to adopt a series of new approaches to revaluation not supported by the previous legislation, including the outsourcing of work, the use of "self assessment" principles known as "Occupier Assisted Valuation" and more extensive use of statistical analysis. These are being piloted during the REVAL 2017 phase of the overall programme. Accordingly, the costs for the period 2017 and 2018, to the anticipated completion of REVAL 2017, and the costs arising until the anticipated completion of the overall national revaluation programme in 2021, are likely to be significantly determined by the success or otherwise of these pilot projects and the Valuation Office is not in a position to provide an estimate of such costs until the outcome of these pilot projects is apparent.
111. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to reopen the Garda station in Bansha, County Tipperary; her plans for the building if it is not being reopened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19249/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and resources, including decisions in relation to Garda stations and I, as Minister, have no direct role in these matters.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
112. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she is satisfied that An Garda Síochána is adequately equipped and specifically skilled to carry out investigations into complex cases of fraud and has sufficient resources in place to deal with these types of cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19253/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the day to day operation of An Garda Síochána, including in relation to personnel and resources, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
113. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she is satisfied that in the course of investigations into cases of fraud further instances of fraud uncovered are also being thoroughly examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19254/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that the conduct of Garda investigations is a matter for the Garda authorities and I, as Minister, do not have a direct role in this regard. However, I am advised that all instances of possible criminal behaviour which come to Garda attention are thoroughly investigated.
Garda measures to combat all forms of crime, including fraud, are supported by enhanced Government investment in policing resources, including a special overtime allocation of €88.5 million in 2017 to support large-scale operations, as well as very significant commitments to upgrade and enhance Garda technology and systems amounting to €330 million between 2016 and 2021, including €205 million under the Capital Plan, to enable An Garda Síochána to deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime.
Underpinning all of these measures is the Government's commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. The Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Appointments will also be made to the Garda Reserve of approximately 300, and in this regard I was pleased to be able to launch a new recruitment campaign for Reserve members of An Garda Síochána recently.
114. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans for self-catering facilities in other direct provision centres in view of the fact that a self-catering system at the Mosney direct provision centre has been provided; and the date before which the extension of these facilities will be completed. [19328/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra172. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will increase the number of self-catering facilities for families in direct provision facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20316/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 172 together.
Following publication of the Programme for a Partnership Government, which set out the Government's commitment to improving the accommodation environment for protection applicants, in particular for children and families, the Reception and Integration Agency of my Department began the process of examining ways in which this commitment could be delivered upon. The McMahon Report of the 'Working Group on Improvements to the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and Supports to Asylum Seekers' also recognised the value of home cooking for families in the protection process.
The system currently in place in Mosney is the culmination of a lengthy analysis process by staff in the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) and by the management team at the centre which involved full consultation with a representative group of residents in Mosney.
It is important to note that the system is under constant review and is a work in progress.
It is being monitored by RIA and feedback from this project along with other similar projects due to commence soon will continue to inform the operation of the entire system - practical issues arising from its roll-out in Mosney will inform the system elsewhere.
It is expected that this particular system will be rolled out in Ballyhaunis and Athlone in the coming weeks and months and thereafter in other family centres such as Millstreet. In addition to this, shared kitchen facilities to allow residents to cook for themselves are being provided in other centres such as St Patrick's in Mosney, Kinsale Road in Cork and Clonakilty Lodge in Clonakilty.
This project is in the vanguard of a system which will be rolled out to every centre in which families are resident so that self cooking can be provided for these residents and simultaneously addressing concerns previously raised in this House.
I am sure that the Deputies will appreciate that implementing a programme where residents can cook for themselves can involve structural changes or improvements. Notwithstanding this, it will be implemented as quickly as possible, with due consideration of possible fire safety, building regulation and planning issues.
115. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the point allocation system used for awarding points to persons in the Mosney direct-provision centre to purchase items in the on-site supermarket (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19329/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra116. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of points awarded to persons or groups of persons (details supplied) in the Mosney direct-provision centre to purchase items in the on-site supermarket per week. [19330/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the body that sets the prices for supermarket items in the Mosney direct-provision centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19331/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 115, to 117, inclusive, together.
Following publication of the Programme for a Partnership Government, which outlined the Government's commitment to improving the accommodation environment for protection applicants, in particular for children and families, the Reception and Integration Agency of my Department began the process of examining ways in which this commitment could be delivered upon.
The McMahon Report on the 'Working Group on Improvements to the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and Supports to Asylum Seekers' also recognised the value of home cooking for families in the protection process.
The system currently in place in Mosney is the culmination of a lengthy analysis process by staff in the Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) and by the management team at the centre. This involved consultation with a representative group of residents, a number of residents volunteering to participate in live shopping expeditions, an examination of the household shopping basket for families and single persons, an examination of responses to questionnaires completed by all residents on the range and type of foodstuffs they would like to be made available and an analysis of the findings of the Safe Food Report 'What is the cost of a healthy food basket in the Republic of Ireland in 2016?'. This analysis led to the allocation of a weekly number of points to each adult and child resident in the centre. These points are then used to obtain fresh food and other products in the Food Hall. As a result, parents are now able to cook food in their own accommodation for their own families. The Food Hall is open six days a week and stock is replenished as required. Ethnically appropriate foods and spices are also available. Non-standard items can be ordered in and made available the following day provided such items can be sourced from traceable suppliers.
The number of points awarded to family members and groups are set by RIA and are as follows:
|
Point Per Person/Child |
Aggregate Points Per Family |
|
|
First Adult in Family |
62 points per week |
|
|
Second Adult in Family |
25 points per week |
87 points per week |
|
Third Adult in Family |
31 points per week |
118 points per week |
|
Fourth Adult in Family |
25 points per week |
143 points per week |
|
Fifth Adult in Family |
31 points per week |
174 points per week |
|
Children |
||
|
Age 0-5 years |
15.5 point per week |
|
|
Age 6 – 14 |
19 points per week |
|
|
Children aged over 15 |
Same as second and subsequent adults in the family |
The points applied to each item are also determined by RIA in full consultation with management at the centre in question. It is my intention that the same level of points will be applied to comparable items in all centres in which this system will be implemented across the country.
There are a number of important issues that need to be stated in relation to the points. There is no monetary equivalent for a point and points cannot be purchased for cash. These points are only used for the acquisition of food and essential supplies. All utility bills such as light and heat, laundry costs, organised transport etc are provided from within the existing contract and residents are not charged for these services. It is also important to note that the system is under continuous review and is still a work in progress.
The system is being monitored by RIA and feedback from this project along with other similar projects due to commence soon will continue to inform the operation of the points system. Practical issues arising from its roll-out elsewhere will continue to apprise and advise its operation.
Deputies in this house have, in the past, raised concerns about protection applicants not being able to cook for themselves. It is for this reason, and on foot of the McMahon Report, that the Government sought to address this issue in the Programme for Government. This project is in the vanguard of the roll-out a system of home cooking for residents in all family centres and addressing Deputies' concerns. I am satisfied that this system will continue to meet the reasonable needs of residents and allow them to provide for their families.
Let us not forget that the introduction and implementation of this new system has been welcomed by residents and has already had a very positive impact on the atmosphere right through the centre. Residents are free to cook what they want and when they want. The introduction of the system addresses one of the key recommendations of the McMahon report in that children will now see their parents cook a meal for their family. This pilot project has been a great success and it is intended that this system or variations thereof will be rolled out to other family centres throughout the country.
118. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider increasing the residential income maintenance payment for persons living in direct provision here; and the reason for this decision. [19332/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no plans at present to increase the weekly allowance of €19.10 per adult and €15.60 per child paid to those living in State provided accommodation while their application for international protection is being considered.
The range of services and facilities offered free of any charge to those in the protection process who avail of State provided accommodation include
- full board accommodation with related provisions and services.
- the same public health services as Irish citizens and on the same basis as Irish citizens.
- medical screening on arrival in the State.
- a medical card whereby they are eligible to receive a range of health services free of charge, including GP services and prescribed medicines.
- waiver on prescription charges.
- HSE supports which include the public health nurse service as well as a dedicated asylum seeker psychological service.
- access to primary and post-primary education on the same basis as an Irish citizen.
- English language supports.
- ECCE preschool services on the same basis as an Irish citizen.
- on-site preschool and homework clubs where available.
- access to third level education under a Department of Education scheme.
- access to a free bus service where the centre is located away from an urban area.
- access to ENPs such as payments in respect of school uniforms; needs arising from the birth of a new baby (i.e., prams-buggies, etc), which are generally provided through the Community Welfare Officer (CWO), in addition to the weekly DP allowance.
119. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a person in receipt of farm assist can apply for citizenship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19398/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is open to any individual to lodge an application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation is available on the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration (INIS) website at www.inis.gov.ie.
A pragmatic approach has been taken in recent years regarding income levels and social protection related matters including the farm assist scheme referenced by the Deputy.
120. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a matter (details supplied) with regard to a person and their position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19434/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra161. Deputy John Brassil asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry can remain in their position beyond 70 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20025/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 161 together.
The retirement age for coroners is set down in section 11 of the Coroners Act 1962 as seventy years of age. This provision was repeated in the Coroners Bill 2007. It is therefore not possible for the person in question to continue in his position having reached the age of retirement.
I would join with the Deputies in acknowledging the valuable work of the coroner for South and East Kerry during his time in office. My Department is examining potential solutions to the forthcoming situation in the South and East Kerry district, with a view to ensuring the continuing provision of an excellent coroner service.
121. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19439/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIf the person whose details were supplied has made an application for asylum or subsidiary protection in the State, the Deputy will be aware that it is not the practice to comment on such applications until they have fully completed the protection process. The confidentiality of the process is provided for under Section 26 of the International protection Act, 2015.
Since 31 December 2016, all applicants for International Protection are processed under the International Protection Act 2015 and applicants were written to in January/February 2017 with details of the new processing arrangements to apply in their case.
The prioritisation of international protection applicants for interview is provided for in the International protection Act 2015 subject to the need for fairness and efficiency. Details of the International Protection Office's approach to the prioritisation of applications, as agreed with the UNHCR, are on its website - www.ipo.gov.ie. A customer Service Centre established by the International Protection Office may be contacted by individuals with any queries - info@ipo.gov.ie.
122. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the person or body which checks the stocks of Garda breath-testing kits; the locations the unused kits are stored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19476/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda authorities that stocks of breath-testing equipment are managed through Garda Central Stores, which is located in Santry, Dublin.
The Deputy will be aware, further to Question 119 for written answer on 5 April 2017, that breath-testing equipment is purchased by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, which falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Shane Ross, T.D.
