Written Answers Nos. 779-790
779. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to parliamentary Question No. 114 of 30 May 2017, if he will clarify the meaning of operational grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27368/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to comment on individual prisoner matters.
I will however advise the Deputy that when considering prisoners for sentence management decisions such as transfers, temporary release, transfer to Open Centres and other concessions, my officials in the Irish Prison Service consider a wide range of issues, as outlined in my response to PQ 114 of 30 May 2017.
All of the factors outlined in that response are considered ‘Operational’ and any one of those factors, or a combination of them, can lead to a decision to approve or reject an application on Operational grounds.
780. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda graduates from Templemore college by station and division in each of the past five years and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27370/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, and I as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Commissioner that Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of resources and the best possible policing service is provided to the general public.
This Government is committed 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. To make this a reality for all, 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. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves.
This plan is progressing apace. I am informed by the Commissioner, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, that just under 1,000 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am also informed that another 600 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - an increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
In so far as the allocation of newly attested Gardaí is concerned, this is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am assured by the Commissioner that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of resources. However, it is important to keep in mind that newly attested Gardaí have a further 16 months of practical and class-room based training to complete in order to receive their BA in Applied Policing. To ensure that they are properly supported and supervised and have opportunities to gain the breadth of policing experience required, the Commissioner's policy is to allocate them to specially designated training stations which have the required training and development structures and resources in place, including trained Garda tutors and access to a permanently appointed supervisory Sergeant who is thoroughly familiar with their responsibilities under the training programme.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources she needs to allow her to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Garda Division.
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Commissioner in relation to the number of Garda graduates from Templemore College by station and I will write to her on receipt of same.
For the Deputy's information I have set out below, as provided by the Commissioner, the number of new Garda recruits assigned to each Garda Division from 2015 to date in 2017.
Due to the moratorium on recruitment there were no attestations in the period 2012 to 2014.
|
Number of newly attested Garda allocated |
||||
|
DIVISION |
DIVISIONAL HQ |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
D.M.R. EAST |
DUN LAOGHAIRE |
9 |
19 |
14 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH |
BALLYMUN |
19 |
33 |
23 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL |
STORE STREET |
22 |
43 |
28 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH |
CRUMLIN |
18 |
35 |
28 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL |
PEARSE STREET |
19 |
44 |
29 |
|
D.M.R. WEST |
BLANCHARDSTOWN |
30 |
35 |
23 |
|
KILDARE |
NAAS |
15 |
20 |
15 |
|
LAOIS / OFFALY |
PORTLAOISE |
9 |
20 |
17 |
|
MEATH |
NAVAN |
5 |
19 |
7 |
|
WESTMEATH |
MULLINGAR |
5 |
5 |
12 |
|
WICKLOW |
BRAY |
9 |
0 |
4 |
|
CAVAN / MONAGHAN |
MONAGHAN |
10 |
7 |
4 |
|
DONEGAL |
LETTERKENNY |
8 |
5 |
4 |
|
LOUTH |
DROGHEDA |
25 |
17 |
7 |
|
SLIGO / LEITRIM |
SLIGO |
5 |
5 |
3 |
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
KILKENNY |
10 |
10 |
10 |
|
TIPPERARY |
THURLES |
5 |
15 |
11 |
|
WATERFORD |
WATERFORD |
14 |
10 |
6 |
|
WEXFORD |
WEXFORD |
15 |
10 |
7 |
|
CORK CITY |
ANGLESEA STREET |
5 |
5 |
10 |
|
CORK NORTH |
FERMOY |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
CORK WEST |
BANDON |
5 |
0 |
5 |
|
KERRY |
TRALEE |
9 |
0 |
6 |
|
LIMERICK |
HENRY STREET |
8 |
16 |
9 |
|
CLARE |
ENNIS |
10 |
5 |
0 |
|
GALWAY |
GALWAY |
4 |
5 |
0 |
|
MAYO |
CASTLEBAR |
3 |
0 |
5 |
|
ROSCOMMON/LONGFORD |
ROSCOMMON |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
TOTAL |
296 |
393 |
292 |
|
781. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps being taken to increase security and defence in view of the London attacks; if full funding and legislative provisions have been put in place to implement the Schengen information system (SIS); and if a timeframe can be given for full operationalisation of SIS here. [27396/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current assessment of the threat here is that while a terrorist attack here is possible, it is unlikely and there is no specific information in relation to any threat to Ireland from international terrorism.
The level of threat is kept under constant and active review by the Garda Authorities. The House will understand the detail of security arrangements that are in place should not be disclosed. An Garda Síochána has considerable operational capacities in countering terrorism and in responding to critical incidents. There is, in particular, a highly-trained and well-equipped special intervention capability in the Emergency Response Unit that is supported by the regional Armed Support Units and the range of other resources across the Garda organisation. The considerable skills and resources of the Defence Forces are also available in support to the civil power when and where needed.
They are engaged in intensive, ongoing work aimed at preventing any attack taking place here. In this regard they work closely with the Defence Forces. Detailed preparations have also been made in the event of an attack. Other agencies also have plans in place to deal with the outcome of major incidents.
As the Deputy will be aware, the former Taoiseach chaired a meeting on 25 May to review the State's arrangements and level of preparedness in the event of a major terrorist attack here. The former Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, as well as a number of other Ministers with relevant responsibilities, attended along with the Garda Commissioner, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and senior officials. The meeting was briefed on the current threat assessment by the security authorities.
It is also important to note that overall national emergency management arrangements are in place, involving all the different agencies of the State. Co-ordinated by the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning and the Office of Emergency Planning, all the various agencies and bodies continue to work closely together in supporting co-ordinated responses to any incident that might arise.
Of equal importance is the ongoing work to counter radicalisation. It is important to ensure that in the context of attacks such as those in London and Manchester, our Muslim community is not unfairly stigmatised. The Gardaí have developed a strong model of community-level interaction with minority communities in the State, including our Muslim community, and will maintain that interaction in order to serve those communities and to ensure that vulnerable individuals within those communities can be supported appropriately.
The authorities here will continue to work closely with their EU and other international counterparts in responding to the shared threat to national and international security. The work of Garda liaison officers who are permanently based in other jurisdictions and in international bodies such as Interpol and Europol, greatly facilitate the prompt exchange of information and intelligence on criminal activity. Such international liaison has led to many parallel investigations with international law enforcement agencies. An Garda Síochána also shares and accesses information with its EU and other partners through a number of other different sources and systems, both bilaterally and multilaterally. The Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the necessary resources to enhance their connectivity to a range of EU and other international resources and a significant programme of work is ongoing in this regard supported by dedicated funding.
In addition to our extensive work on prevention and preparedness, priority is being afforded to Ireland's joining the Schengen Information System. In December 2016, An Garda Síochána entered a contract for full end-to-end delivery of the SIS, from ICT development to full operational roll-out, and they are working intensively with their contractors on the early stages of that contract. In parallel, my officials are working with An Garda Síochána and other Government Departments and Agencies to ensure that we can fully implement all aspects of the Schengen Acquis in relation to police and judicial cooperation. It is not currently possible to give a timeframe for full operationalisation of the SIS, because there are significant external dependencies in relation to EU evaluation. Our aim is to commence that evaluation process in 2019.
782. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will grant family citizenship to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27405/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position is as stated in the response to the Deputy's Parliamentary Question No. 105 of 23 May 2017. I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that there is no record of a current application for a certificate of naturalisation from persons with the family name referred to by the Deputy. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship through the naturalisation process if and when they are in a position to meet all the statutory conditions for naturalisation under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation, as well as the relevant application forms, is available on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie. The website also contains guidance on the completion of an application for naturalisation and an on-line residency calculator which may be of assistance in establishing if the residency requirements are met.
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 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.
783. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) per annum since March 2011, in tabular form, by his Department or agency or body under the aegis of his Department; the cost per contract; the basis for each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27455/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy could not be compiled in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is available.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 783 for answer on 20 June 2017, in which you requested information on contracts awarded to Accenture by my Department or bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department each year since March 2011, including the cost per contract and the basis for each contract.
As you will recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available, and the then Minister undertook to contact you again.
Information regarding contracts entered into by my Department with Accenture, during the period in question, which relate to the development and support of the Financial Management System in the Department's Financial Shared Service Centre, is provided in Appendix A. In addition to the Department of Justice and Equality, the Financial Shared Services Centre supports a number of client organisations both within and external to the Justice Sector, namely, Department of An Taoiseach, An GardaSíochána, the Irish Prison Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Department of Community and Rural Affairs, the Courts Service, the Property Registration Authority, the National Museum of Ireland and the Policing Authority.
Separately, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department contributes to the support and maintenance costs arising from certain contracts with Accenture awarded by An Garda Síochána.
I am informed that the Criminal Assets Bureau awarded no contracts to Accenture in the period in question. With regard to no other bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department, including An Garda Síochána, and in line with D/Per Circular 25/2016 and the Protocol for the Provision of Information to Members of the Oireachtas by State Bodies under the Aegis of Government Departments, I have requested that the information be provided directly to the Deputy.
I hope this information is of assistance.Appendix A – Contracts awarded to Accenture
|
Payment made 2011 |
Payment made 2012 |
Payment made 2013 |
Year contract awarded |
Payment made 2014 |
Payment made 2015 |
Payment made 2016 |
Contract Type |
|
€722,448 |
€711,457 |
- |
2009 |
- |
- |
- |
Development and support of the Financial Management System in the Department's Financial Shared Service Centre |
|
- |
- |
€685,159 |
2013 |
€685,159 |
€685,159 |
€685,159 |
Development and support of the Financial Management System in the Department's Financial Shared Service Centre |
784. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of contracts for the procurement of information technology products and or services that were signed by An Garda Síochána for values greater than €15,000 between 1 October and 31 December 2015. [27494/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including the procurement of ICT products and services, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and I as Minister, have no role in the matter.
However, I have been informed by the Commissioner that the specific information requested is as outlined in the following table.
|
Title of Goods/Services |
Contract Awarded |
Supplier |
|
Network Storage Systems |
30 November 2015 |
Dell |
785. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of individual information technology and information technology service tenders advertised by An Garda Síochána for values greater than €15,000 between 1 October and 31 December 2015. [27495/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including the procurement of ICT products and services, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and I as Minister, have no role in the matter.
I have, however, been informed by the Commissioner that there was one tender for the design, development and support of a website published by An Garda Síochána on the website, eTenders.gov.ie, which is a central facility for advertising all public sector procurement opportunities during the period referred to by the Deputy.
786. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the purpose, value and time line associated with each information technology contract and tender signed or issued by An Garda Síochána for 2015. [27496/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra787. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of contracts signed by An Garda Síochána with a company (details supplied) in 2015 for a contractual value of greater than €15,000. [27497/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra788. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the dates on which each of the 2015 contracts with a company (details supplied) were signed; the person that signed them; and the purpose and value of each of the contracts signed with the company by An Garda Síochána in that period of time. [27498/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra789. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there was a full procurement process in respect of each of the contracts with a company (details supplied) in 2015; and the names of the underbidders in the competitions held at the time. [27499/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra790. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of money that has been paid by An Garda Síochána to a company (details supplied) and or its value added resellers from the Garda vote in the financial years 2015, 2016, and 2017. [27500/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 786 to 790, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including the procurement of ICT products and services, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and I as Minister, have no 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.
