Written Answers Nos. 43-61
43. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average fee charged by auctioneers on the sale of residential homes in each of the years 2013 and to date in 2017; if work has been done to analyse the cost of auctioneer fees; her views on whether there is an issue with the level of fees being charged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26398/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that the Property Services Regulatory Authority was established on 3 April 2012 under the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011 to control, supervise and regulate Property Services Providers, i.e. Auctioneers/Estate Agents, Letting Agents and Management Agents.
The Authority, which is independent in the performance of its functions, operates a comprehensive licensing system in respect of all Property Services Providers (PSPs), administers a system of investigation and adjudication of complaints against PSPs and maintains three public registers in relation to Licensed Property Services Providers, Property Sales Prices and Commercial Leases.
The statutory functions of the Authority do not extend to the regulation of fees charged by auctioneers for services provided to their clients, and I am advised by the Authority that it does not currently, nor does it have any plans to collect or analyse data in this regard. As Minister for Justice and Equality I am not aware of any particular difficulty with the level of fees currently being charged by licensed Property Services Providers. The rate of fees payable would, however, be a matter for agreement between the client and the licensee.
44. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the expenses incurred by her Department relating to insurance of all types of in each of the past five years; the cost of each insurance policy held by her Department over the same time period per annum; if she will provide the same data for all bodies under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26290/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and the majority of bodies under the aegis of my department operate under State Indemnity, a self-insurance model set out in the Public Financial Procedures whereby the State bears the financial risk associated with the cost of claims. The State Claims Agency currently manages claims and risks on behalf of many State Authorities, including my department's claims.
The position in relation to insurance policies taken out by bodies under my Department's aegis is outlined in the following table:
|
Body/agency |
Type of Insurance |
2012 € |
2013 € |
2014 € |
2015 € |
2016 € |
2017 € |
|
GSOC |
Building Insurance |
6,832.58 |
9,569.58 |
5,516.98 |
6,069.52 |
6,252.08 |
n/a |
|
Garda Síochána Inspectorate |
Vehicle Insurance |
1,965 |
1,645 |
1,700 |
1,700 |
2,523 |
n/a |
|
Legal Aid Board |
Property/contents cover |
31,684 |
24,912 |
6,676 |
7,041 |
6,172 |
n/a |
|
Fire Insurance (through landlords fire insurance) |
25,568 |
34,031 |
47,406 |
23,278 |
28,839 |
3,110 |
|
|
Irish Human Rights Equality Commission |
Professional Indemnity |
- |
- |
- |
24,937.90 |
25,531.25 |
19,350 |
|
Directors & Officers Liability Insurance |
- |
- |
- |
660.00 |
660.00 |
660.00 |
|
|
2015-16 Combined Traders Insurance 2017 Combined Charity Insurance |
- |
- |
- |
5,074.52 |
7,676.94 |
8,131.55 |
|
|
2015 Premises Insurance 2016 & 2017 Ground, 1st & 3rd Floors |
- |
- |
- |
1,841.23 |
2,403.22 |
2,476.53 |
|
|
National Disability Authority |
Directors & Officer/Crime/Employment Practices |
1,151.01 |
1,575.00 |
1,575.00 |
1,701.00 |
1,571.40 |
1,701.00 |
|
Engineering |
598.00 |
765.00 |
765.00 |
893.50 |
836.40 |
1,023.75 |
|
|
Computer |
583.00 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Travel/Personal Accident |
1,192.77 |
1,113.50 |
1,113.50 |
1,375.00 |
1,270.70 |
1,375.00 |
|
|
Combined (Office & Commercial) |
- |
5,333.33 |
6,520.27 |
7,500.00 |
7,970.80 |
8,145.56 |
Information provided in respect of Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) outlines insurance costs from 2013 onwards, however, the Deputy may be aware that the OSI only came under the remit of my Department from 1 January 2017.
|
*Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Motor |
- |
28,402 |
27,919 |
27,750 |
34,500 |
42,167 |
|
Combined: Property, Computer, Employers Liability, Public Liability, Professional Indemnity. |
- |
66,356 |
59,529 |
59,372 |
53,900 |
52,647 |
|
|
Engineering |
- |
288 |
288 |
288 |
338 |
369 |
|
|
Travel |
- |
630 |
735 |
735 |
735 |
735 |
|
|
Personal Accident |
- |
669 |
558 |
558 |
586 |
586 |
|
|
Brokerage fees |
- |
16,000 |
16,000 |
16,000 |
16,000 |
16,000 |
In respect of An Garda Síochána, the information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled and will be provided to the Deputy once received.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 44 for answer on 1st June, 2017, in which you requested the expenses incurred by my Department in relation to insurance of all types in each of the past five years; the cost of each insurance policy held by my Department over the same time period per annum and if I would provide the same data for all bodies under the aegis of my Department.
As all the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available, I undertook to contact you again.
You will appreciate that decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the information sought is in the following table:
|
Period of Cover |
Premium |
|
13/2/13 to 13/2/14 |
€561.00 |
|
13/2/14 to 13/2/15 |
€561.00 |
|
13/2/15 to 13/2/16 |
€617.00 |
|
13/2/16 to 13/2/17 |
€735.00 |
|
13/2/17 to 13/2/18 |
€845.00 |
Government Departments and other State agencies (including An Garda Síochána), whose claims are delegated for management by the State Claims Agency (SCA), do not have conventional insurance cover. Instead, these State bodies operate under State indemnity, a self-insurance model whereby the State bears the financial risk associated with the costs of claims.
The State Claims Agency also covers the insurance of all State vehicles. However, a separate insurance policy is maintained by Garda Fleet Management Section to cover third party insurance for vehicles which travel outside the State on official business.
I trust, that the above is of assistance.
45. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the training which is in place for gardaí to deal with situations that may arise with elderly persons suffering with dementia and vulnerable persons suffering with mental illness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26327/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the training of its members and civilian staff and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have requested the specific information sought by the Deputy from the Commissioner and I will write to him upon receipt of same.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to your Parliamentary Question No. 45 for answer on Thursday, 1 June 2017, the text of which was as follows:-
"To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the training which is in place for gardaí to deal with situations that may arise with elderly persons suffering with dementia and vulnerable persons suffering with mental illness; and if she will make a statement on the matter."
At the time the then Minister responded that she would request the information sought by you from the Commissioner and she would write directly to you on receipt of the same.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the during Phase 1 of the Applied Policing Programme, trainee gardaí are exposed to and challenged with the issues surrounding elderly persons suffering from dementia and also vulnerable persons suffering from mental illness.
The training programme is delivered using a problem based learning approach (PBL), and includes a module on Policing with the Communities. As part of this module under Unit 4 Vulnerable Community - the trainees receive lectures on the needs of the elderly and how best to respond to them and under Unit 5 - Mental Illness Awareness, trainees focus on the area of the elderly and mental illness.
I am further informed by the Commissioner that in addition to this and as part of the BA programme, the trainees attend a 2.5 days of workshops run in conjunction with Garda College instructors and the HSE National Suicide Prevention Office. These workshops are considered the best practice programmes in the world for dealing with persons who present with suicidal thoughts. These programmes are produced by Living Works, a Canadian based company.
The vulnerability of suspects, witnesses and injured parties is also embedded in all training courses for Investigative Interviewing with Level 3 Investigative Interviewing addressing the area of memory through the use of enhanced cognitive interview skills. The areas of personality disorders and mental health are also covered on these training courses
I hope this information is of assistance to you.
46. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the events for which charges were levied by An Garda Síochána in exchange for policing services as provided under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 in each of the years 2010 to 2016, and to date in 2017, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26338/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
Section 30 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides a statutory basis for the Garda Commissioner, as Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote, to charge for police services on a non-public duty basis for commercial events such as sports fixtures and concerts.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 46 for answer on 1st June, 2017 in which you requested details of the events for which charges were levied by An Garda Síochána in exchange for policing services as provided under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017, by county, in tabular form.
As the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available, I undertook to contact you again.
In accordance with Section 30 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, at the request of a person or commercial entity, the Garda Commissioner may provide and charge for police services for events on private property or in areas open to the public. The objective in charging for police services is to recover the cost of providing the service.
In addition, I understand that Section 231(4)(j) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 permits the collection of policing costs with regard to events that require local authority licences under the terms of the Act.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that they seek the recovery of policing costs associated with commercial events that have been organised with the objective of making a financial gain and without specific community or charitable benefit.
However, An Garda Síochána does not seek to recover its costs for charitable events or for statutory national public events such as policing the St. Patrick’s Day parade as these duties are funded by the public purse. Charitable events relate to events organised with the objective of providing a charitable service to the community.
The following table sets out the moneys recouped by An Garda Síochána for policing services at various events over the period January 2010 to May 2017.
I understand from the Garda authorities that it would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources to collate the data necessary to compile a list of events by county.
I trust, however, that the following is of assistance.
|
Category |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
Jan - May 2017 |
|
Sporting Fixtures |
1,176,701 |
2,032,427 |
1,954,323 |
972,856 |
1,467,782 |
1,498,910 |
1,420,910 |
521,275 |
|
Concerts/ Festivals |
1,378,294 |
1,326,765 |
738,284 |
1,009,692 |
1,311,371 |
1,165,786 |
1,277,640 |
149,150 |
|
Other Events |
794,994 |
708,822 |
1,431,949 |
887,190 |
1,677,556 |
1,979,333 |
2,514,397 |
1,071,141 |
|
Total |
3,349,989 |
4,068,014 |
4,124,556 |
2,869,738 |
4,456,709 |
4,644,029 |
5,212,947 |
1,741,566 |
47. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if other means will be accepted for a naturalisation application in view of the difficulty a person (details supplied) is having obtaining a passport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26360/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned had their permission to remain in the State renewed for a further one year period to 14 December, 2017. This decision was conveyed in writing to the person concerned by letter dated 13 December, 2016. This permission was renewed to enable the person concerned obtain a valid passport or alternatively submit evidence as to what effort they have made to secure a passport. To date no such correspondence has been received.
It will be open to the person concerned to apply to the Citizenship Section of my Department for a Certificate of Naturalisation when they are in a position to meet the lawful residency criteria applicable to the lodgement of such applications. Details on the criteria to be met by persons lodging such applications are available from my Department's Website (www.justice.ie).
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of 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.
48. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26362/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy.
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet all the statutory requirements. An online residency calculator is available on the website www.inis.gov.ie, which may be of assistance in establishing if the residency requirements are met.
49. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the action being taken to deal with the numerous gaps, flaws and variations found in the data saved on the Garda PULSE system identified in the recent audit report by the special rapporteur on child protection in respect of removal of vulnerable children under section 12 of the Child Care Act. [26441/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that An Garda Síochána have commenced a full examination of all recommendations contained in Dr. Geoffrey Shannon’s Report and will engage fully with Tusla and other relevant State agencies, and where necessary with Dr. Shannon himself, in the course of establishing the recommendations that are to be implemented and how soon they can be implemented.
As the Deputy is aware, the Report raises concerns that some incidents appeared to have been 'lost' from the PULSE the system. I am advised by the Garda authorities that an error has been identified which affected the recording of a small number of incidents and that a solution has been proposed to prevent any further occurrence of this error. In relation to other issues about PULSE which were highlighted in the Report, I understand that the Garda National Protective Services Bureau will prepare specific guidance for the recording of incidents on PULSE on foot of Dr. Shannon's conclusions and recommendations.
More generally, the Deputy will recall that the Government has already dedicated substantial resources for investment in Garda IT infrastructure. A total of €330 million has been provided between 2016 and 2021 (including €205 million in the Capital Plan) and this investment will undoubtedly support a wide range of improvements to Garda systems, including PULSE.
50. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the action being taken to deal with the finding of the recent audit report by the special rapporteur on child protection that there is little or no evidence of child protection training for the majority of gardaí. [26442/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra51. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the action being taken to deal with the finding of the recent audit report by the special rapporteur on child protection that there is an explicit and deeply held culture of placing more emphasis on on-the-job learning than on core training in An Garda Síochána. [26443/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra52. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the action being taken to deal with the finding of the recent audit report by the special rapporteur on child protection which suggested an inadequate response on the part of Garda management in the area of changes in ethnic and cultural diversity and that there is a lack of training to help gardaí deal with those changes. [26444/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 50 to 52, inclusive, together.
The report to which the Deputy refers was commissioned by the Garda Commissioner and is a comprehensive examination of the use of section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991 by An Garda Síochána to remove a child from the care of its family where a Garda believes there is an immediate and serious risk to the health and welfare of the child. Clearly this is a very serious decision but an essential element of our child protection system.
While the report found that individual Gardaí go to great efforts to treat children with sensitivity and compassion, it identified serious shortcomings in our child protection system and made a number of recommendations. These include:
- A new Garda Protocol to set out the circumstances in which section 12 may be used,
- A set of Risk Principles to act as guidance in operational decision making by Gardaí,
- Data Capture/Data sharing and review of data held on Pulse,
- Specialised child protection units to be established in the Gardaí – including having social workers assigned to these units,
- Implementation of Children First Act to provide clear guidelines or co-operation between Gardaí and other State Agencies,
- Comprehensive training to be provided to Gardaí reflecting law and international best practice, and
- GRIDO (Garda Racial, Intercultural and Diversity Office) should be expanded and reviewed to ensure that positive work undertaken by the Office is relevant to all members of An Garda Síochána. All members should be required to undergo diversity training.
We now need to act with haste and ensure that we have a clear Roadmap on implementing these recommendations. The Commissioner has commenced an examination of all the recommendations that relate to An Garda Síochána and is committed to engaging with Tusla and other relevant State agencies with a view to taking this work forward without delay. For my part I will certainly give whatever support I can to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in addressing these recommendations and also to the Garda Authorities in their work in putting in place the very necessary reform, policies and procedures to ensure that we can have confidence in our child protection system.
As the Deputy might be aware, this morning I met with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Ms. Katherine Zappone, T.D., to discuss the matter. The meeting was also attended by senior management in Tusla, An Garda Síochána and the relevant Departments.
The Minister for Children and I have agreed that Tusla and An Garda Síochána will work together using the Strategic Liaison Committee to oversee the timely implementation of the recommendations in Dr. Shannon’s report.
Reassurance was provided on the developments underway or already in place across both organisations to ensure a clear and consistent response to children at risk. A range of measures have already been put in place since 2015, to enhance inter-agency cooperation, provide appropriate Garda training and the expansion of the Tusla out-of-hours service. Both Tusla and An Garda Síochána are in full agreement to build on this work and to develop further opportunities to enhance close working and communication such as increased linkage between Tusla and the Garda Youth Diversion Programme.
The Taoiseach has requested the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy to review progress in three months including the findings of the report by Tusla of the 91 cases in Dr. Shannon’s report.
53. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of crimes recorded on PULSE in 2016 in which the initial classification of the crime was subsequently changed to another type of crime, for example, a burglary being reclassified as criminal damage. [26451/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the publication of recorded crime statistics. The latest CSO quarterly Recorded Crime Statistics release was published on 29 March 2017 and shows crime trends for the twelve months ending 31 December 2016.
I am advised that the degree of reclassification of crime incidents, as referred to by the Deputy, is not included in the CSO quarterly reports. However, the approach to classification and re-classification of data has been considered in two reports by the CSO which analysed the quality of recorded crime data on the PULSE system. I understand that the latest such report, which is available on the CSO website, was published in September 2016 and sampled crime data from 2015.
I am pleased that the CSO have indicated that they intend to conduct further reviews of crime data quality and I believe that this will provide us with an important degree of re-assurance in relation to the accuracy and integrity of our crime statistics.
54. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the contracts awarded relating to information technology and consultancy by An Garda Síochána between January 2012 and January 2016 in tabular form. [26459/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner, 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.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 54 for answer on 1st June, 2017, in which you requested details of the contracts awarded in relation to information technology and consultancy by An Garda Síochána between January 2012 and January 2016, in tabular form.
As the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available, I undertook to contact you again.
You will appreciate that decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the information sought is in the following table:
|
Year |
Company |
Contract |
Reason |
Tender |
|
2016 |
Gartner |
ICT Research & Advisory (Lot 3) |
ICT Research |
OGP Framework |
|
2016 |
IT Executive Focus |
ICT Research & Advisory (Lot 2) |
ICT Skilled Resources Tender |
OGP Framework |
|
2014 |
Bearing Point |
Security Review |
ICT Security Review |
Restricted Tender |
|
2012/2013 |
Bearing Point |
Technical Skilled Schengen Resource |
EU Presidency 2013 |
Tender |
|
2012 |
TETRA Ireland Consultant |
NDRS Resource |
Support NDRS |
OGCIO Framework |
I trust that the above is of assistance.
55. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who have had their driver licence numbers recorded in court following the commencement of section 33 of the Road Traffic Act 2016 requiring the presiding judge to ask a person convicted in court for a driving offence to produce their licence, by District Court, since 13 April 2017; the number of persons that failed to produce their licence; the number of prosecutions commenced for the offence of the non-production of a licence in court, by District Court, since 13 April 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26460/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.
I have requested a report from the Courts Service in relation to the matters raised and I will contact the Deputy directly on receipt of this report.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 55 for answer on Thursday, 1 June 2017 in which you sought the following:
"the number of persons that have had their driver licence numbers recorded in court following the commencement of section 33 of the Road Traffic Act2016 requiring the presiding judge to ask a person convicted in court for a driving offence to produce their licence, by district court, since 13 April2017; the number of persons that failed to produce their licence and the number of prosecutions commenced for the offence of the non-production of a licence in court, by district court, since 13 April 2017".
As you may recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available, and an undertaking was made to contact you directly on receipt of the report from the Courts Service.
I am advised that the Courts Service is not in a position to differentiate between licence numbers recorded following production of a driving licence in Court and those recorded where the driving licence number was provided to the Courts Service as part of the original summons application process. I am further advised by the Courts Service that the following table details the number of persons convicted for specific road offences from 13 April 2017 to 13 May 2017.
The following table, provided by the Courts Service details the following information:
Column 1: Number of persons convicted for specific road traffic offences
Column 2: Number of persons where licence has been recorded
Column 3: Number of persons where no licence has been recorded.
I hope you find this information useful.
Report on the Number of Persons Convicted for Specific Road Traffic Offences from 13 April 2017 to 13 May 2017.Column 1: Number of persons convicted for specific road traffic offencesColumn 2: Number of persons where licence has been recordedColumn 3: Number of persons where no licence has been recorded
|
Court Area |
No. of Persons Convicted |
No. of Licences Recorded |
No. of Persons no licence recorded |
|
ARKLOW |
7 |
4 |
3 |
|
ATHLONE |
12 |
6 |
6 |
|
ATHY |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
BALLINA |
6 |
1 |
5 |
|
BANDON |
6 |
3 |
3 |
|
BALLINASLOE |
30 |
7 |
23 |
|
BALLAGHADERREEN |
5 |
0 |
5 |
|
BALLYSHANNON |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
BANTRY |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
BRAY |
12 |
2 |
2 |
|
BUNCRANA |
5 |
2 |
3 |
|
CAHIRCIVEEN |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
CARLOW |
14 |
6 |
8 |
|
CASHEL |
8 |
4 |
4 |
|
CAVAN |
28 |
6 |
22 |
|
CASTLEBAR |
6 |
2 |
4 |
|
CLIFDEN |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
CLONMEL |
5 |
2 |
3 |
|
CLONAKILTY |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
CORK CITY |
34 |
10 |
24 |
|
CARRICK ON SHANNON |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
CARRICKMACROSS |
6 |
1 |
5 |
|
CARRICK ON SUIR |
4 |
1 |
3 |
|
CASTLEREA |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
AN DAINGEAN |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
DUBLIN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT |
266 |
86 |
181 |
|
DUNGARVAN |
8 |
5 |
3 |
|
DONEGAL |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
DROGHEDA |
7 |
2 |
5 |
|
DOIRE AN FHEICH |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
DUNDALK |
9 |
1 |
8 |
|
AN CLOCHAN LIATH |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
ENNIS |
27 |
6 |
22 |
|
AN FAL CARRACH |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
FERMOY |
13 |
2 |
11 |
|
GALWAY |
35 |
3 |
32 |
|
GORT |
9 |
1 |
8 |
|
GOREY |
22 |
12 |
10 |
|
KILLALOE |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
KILCOCK |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
KILKENNY |
15 |
3 |
12 |
|
LETTERKENNY |
16 |
1 |
15 |
|
LIMERICK |
84 |
7 |
77 |
|
LISMORE |
5 |
3 |
2 |
|
LONGFORD |
16 |
8 |
8 |
|
LOUGHREA |
9 |
4 |
5 |
|
MACROOM |
4 |
1 |
3 |
|
MALLOW |
14 |
2 |
12 |
|
MIDLETON |
15 |
5 |
10 |
|
MEATH |
24 |
3 |
21 |
|
MONAGHAN |
5 |
1 |
4 |
|
MULLINGAR |
15 |
4 |
11 |
|
NAAS |
23 |
8 |
15 |
|
NENAGH |
9 |
6 |
3 |
|
NEWCASTLE WEST |
23 |
4 |
19 |
|
PORTLAOISE |
34 |
14 |
20 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
6 |
0 |
6 |
|
SKIBBEREEN |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
SLIGO |
9 |
1 |
8 |
|
STROKESTOWN |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
THURLES |
17 |
6 |
11 |
|
TIPPERARY |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
TRALEE |
11 |
3 |
8 |
|
TUAM |
15 |
4 |
11 |
|
TUBBERCURRY |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
TULLAMORE |
18 |
6 |
12 |
|
VIRGINIA |
15 |
4 |
11 |
|
WEXFORD |
8 |
6 |
3 |
|
WICKLOW |
9 |
6 |
3 |
|
WESTPORT |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
WATERFORD CITY |
18 |
7 |
11 |
|
YOUGHAL |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
TOTAL |
1,068 |
301 |
770 |
56. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the wording of summonses has been changed for the third payment option to allow An Garda Síochána to commence prosecutions for non-production of licences in court; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26461/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.
However, I have made enquiries with the Courts Service, who have advised me all the necessary changes to the Courts Service Criminal Case Tracking System (CCTS) to facilitate the introduction of the third payment option have been completed. The introduction of the third payment option did not require any changes to the wording of summonses.
I am further advised that Section 33 of the Road Traffic Act, 2016 which amends Section 22 of the Road Traffic Act, 2002 and provides for the presiding judge to ask a driver convicted in court for a driving offence to produce their licence to the court for recording, commenced on 13 April 2017. This amendment requires a change in the wording of summons in relation to the production of driving licenses. This change has not yet been completed but is being included with a number of other high priority changes associated with the CCTS which are now in progress and will be implemented in the next system release. A date for this release is not yet available.
57. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a list of all contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) by An Garda Síochána between January 2011 and May 2017. [26463/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner, 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.The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 57 for answer on 1st June 2017, in which you requested a list of all contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) by An Garda Síochána, from January 2011 to May 2017.
As you will recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available.
You will appreciate that decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the information sought is outlined in the following table in Appendix A.
I trust that this is of assistance.
Appendix A
|
Contract |
Contract Awarded |
|
GoAML Project |
2016 |
|
Enterprise Mobile Management |
2016 |
|
AFIS Support 2017-2019 |
2016 |
|
Rosters and Duty Management Project |
2016 |
|
Enterprise Architecture Resources |
2015 |
|
Exchange 2010 Upgrade Project |
2015 |
|
Strategic Transformation Office |
2015 |
|
AFIS Support 2014-2016 |
2014 |
|
Windows 7 Migration Project |
2014 |
|
SAN - Oracle Consolidation Project |
2013 |
|
AFIS Support 2011-2013 |
2011 |
58. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a truck and cement tank will be released from a centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26464/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter raised and I will contact the Deputy directly on receipt of this report.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to your recent Parliamentary Question (No. 58 of 1 June 2017) where you sought the following information:
"...when a truck and cement tank will be released from a centre (details supplied)".
As you may recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the vehicle to which you refer was involved in a fatal road traffic collision in December 2016 and there was an obligation on An Garda Síochána to preserve evidence during criminal investigations with due regard to potential future court proceedings. However, I am informed that on 1 June 2017 the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that there be no prosecution in this case and accordingly the vehicle at issue will be released forthwith. I am further informed that all parties would be advised accordingly by the Superintendent of Thomastown Garda Station.
I hope you find this information useful.
59. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 175 of 12 July 2016, the information which is available and readily accessible on the Garda information technology system in respect of all technology related cybercrime affecting businesses here; the number of convictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26508/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of the official recorded crime statistics, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I am advised that the relevant categories of recorded crime are not disaggregated along the lines referred to by the Deputy and therefore the information in question is not displayed in the official CSO crime statistics publications.
However, I have asked the Garda authorities to provide any relevant information which might be of assistance in relation to the matters referred to in the Deputy's question. I will contact the Deputy again when I have received a response from the Garda authorities.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to your recent Parliamentary Question (No. 59 of 1 June 2017) where you sought:"...the information which is available and readily accessible on the Garda information technology system in respect of all technology related cyber crime affecting businesses here....".
As you may recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to provide the information which you requested as cyber-enabled and cyber-dependent crime is recorded in many ways on PULSE, depending on the type or category of crime committed. For example, some of these cyber-crimes are recorded on PULSE under the general heading of 'Criminal Damage' using the sub-heading 'Unauthorised Accessing of Data'.
Unfortunately, I cannot be of further assistance on this occasion.
60. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department approved of the establishment of a company (details supplied); if so, the date on which this happened; the person upon whose request this was made; and the circumstances under which this was made. [26515/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra61. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when and the way in which her Department's attention was first drawn to the fact that lands owned by the OPW were being rented out by the Garda College. [26516/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 61 together.
As the Deputy will be aware I have indicated publicly my concern at the findings of the Interim Internal Audit Report in relation to the financial procedures in the Garda College Templemore. As the Deputy will also be aware, the Committee is examining the Garda Commissioner in relation to the Interim Audit Report and intends to resume that examination in the coming weeks, and will report subsequently. The Garda Commissioner has been Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote since July 2006. Very particular responsibilities lie with Accounting Officers under the law and you will appreciate that I must be careful not to interfere in any way with the work of that Committee.
In relation to the period prior to the Commissioner assuming the role of Accounting Officer, my officials have provided available information to the Committee. The Deputy will appreciate that the period prior to the appointment of the Garda Commissioner as Accounting Officer relates to over 10 years ago and that the establishment of the company to which he refers dates back to the early 1990s, with consequent difficulties in establishing precise facts in relation to detailed aspects of this matter, particularly in the absence of relevant records.
In all events, I am advised that no records have been found in the Department which relate to the matters referred to by the Deputy in relation to the establishment of the Company in question. As previously stated, the Department became aware of certain issues in relation to Templemore in September 2015 having received representations from local TDs in relation to the desire of people to continue to have access to Templemore Golf Club. Subsequently, in September 2016 the Department received the interim Internal Audit report which highlighted the issues around the lack of proper financial controls in operation in Templemore which are now being examined by the Committee.
In the circumstances, I believe that the best course at this stage is to allow the examination by the PAC continue unhindered and can assure the Deputy that I will pay very careful attention to the proceedings at the Committee and, in particular, any report that it may make. If action is required on my part as a result, I will not hesitate to take it.
While, of course, there has to be accountability in relation to what went on at the College, the immediate priority has to be ensuring the problems identified in the audit are resolved. I have been assured that the Garda Authorities recognise the gravity of the issues raised and that they are taking comprehensive steps to progress the recommendations in the Report. External governance expertise and auditors have been engaged. A Steering Committee, chaired by the Garda Síochána Chief Administrative Officer and including a representative from my Department, is overseeing the implementation of the recommendations. In addition, upon receipt of the report I referred it to the Policing Authority to oversee the implementation of the recommendations and to report back to me each quarter. I expect the Authority to submit its first report to me in July.
Furthermore, I am advised that the Commissioner has requested an Assistant Commissioner to examine the Report with a view to establishing if there are any matters of discipline or criminality that need to be addressed and, if so, how such matters should be progressed.
