Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 January 2018
96. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount An Garda Síochána recouped for the provision of police services on a non-public duty basis under section 30 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 in each of the years 2015 to 2017, by headings such as sports event, music event, non-music event or other headings that are used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3872/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra97. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria used to calculate the amount charged for the provision of police services on a non-public duty basis under section 30 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005; if he has satisfied himself that these criteria are appropriate and represent full cost recovery for An Garda Síochána; his plans to review these criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3873/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra98. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the incidents of non-payment of amounts charged for the provision of police services on a non-public duty basis under section 30 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 in each of the years 2015 to 2017; the actions taken in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3874/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 96 to 98, inclusive, together.
The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote and is responsible for setting the level of fees applicable in relation to certain services. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the policing service provided in accordance with Section 30 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 is usually composed of a public duty and a non-public duty. In general, the public duty element is financed by the public purse, while An Garda Síochána seeks to recover all of the costs associated with providing the non-public duty element of the service. I am informed by the Garda authorities that, however, as it is not possible to absolutely define the demarcation line between public and non-public duty, it may not be feasible for An Garda Síochána to recover the total policing cost of any particular event.
The cost to the event holder is determined by the number of Gardaí deployed at a particular event, there is no charge for Garda reserves. The operational policing plan for a particular event is formulated by local operational management.
I understand there is currently a review under away in An Garda Síochána regarding the charging criteria and a draft policy should be completed in the first quarter 2018.
The amount recouped by An Garda Síochána for the provision of non-public duty under section 30 of An Garda Síochána Act 2015 in each of the years 2015 to 2017 is as set out below.
|
Category |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
Sporting Fixtures |
1,498,610 |
1,420,910 |
1,544,557 |
|
Concerts/Festivals |
1,165,786 |
1,277,640 |
996,879 |
|
Other Events |
1,979,333 |
2,514,397 |
2,370,402 |
|
Total |
4,644,029 |
5,212,947 |
4,911,838 |
Total amounts of non-payments are set out below.
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2015 |
€128,458 |
|
2016 |
€237,651 |
|
2017 |
€1,323,616* |
*The majority of the 2017 amount has only been invoiced in recent months.
I am further informed that reminders are issued to bodies for outstanding amounts. Failure to clear debts results in payment being sought upfront from hiring bodies for any future events.
