Written Answers Nos. 237-254
237. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a review of legal aid services will be carried out in order to ensure that repeat offenders do not continue to make use of these services; his plans to introduce a type of three strike clause which would ensure that a person who reaches three separate convictions cannot then avail of free legal aid services in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5474/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme is a vital element of the criminal justice system. The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 provides that free legal aid may be granted in certain circumstances for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under the 1962 Act, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid. An applicant must establish to the satisfaction of the court that their means are insufficient to enable them to pay for legal representation themselves. The court must also be satisfied that, by reason of the "gravity of the charge" or "exceptional circumstances", it is essential in the interests of justice that the applicant should have legal aid. An applicant's previous convictions are not a criterion for access to legal aid under the Act. I have no function in these matters which are determined by the judiciary.
These provisions must have regard to the right to a fair trial, including the provision of legal aid where appropriate, which is a Constitutional right upheld by the courts in a number of judgments. The Supreme Court ruling in the case of State (Healy) v Donoghue [1976]I.R. 325 effectively determined that the right to criminal legal aid is, in circumstances which are quite wide in practice, a Constitutional right. Article 6(3)(c) of the European Convention on Human Rights states that "Everyone charged with a criminal offence has [the right] to defend himself in person or through legal assistance of his own choosing or, if he has not sufficient means to pay for legal assistance, to be given it free when the interests of justice so require". As the Deputy will be aware, an accused person is entitled to a presumption of innocence and legal representation and any obstacles to obtaining necessary legal aid which were found to be unreasonable could give a defendant an avenue for appeal or prohibition of the prosecution. The overriding concern is to ensure that no risk arises in relation to the prosecution of persons charged with criminal offences before the courts.
My Department is preparing a draft General Scheme of a Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Bill, the key purpose of which is to transfer the administration of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme to the Legal Aid Board and to give effect to Government Programme commitments in respect of criminal legal aid, including introducing a more rigorous and objective means testing system for criminal legal aid, provision for contributions, and new sanctions. It is my intention to seek approval of Government for the General Scheme of the Bill and submit it to the Oireachtas for pre-legislative scrutiny as early as is practicable.
238. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the specific roles given to each Department under the national disability inclusion strategy 2017 to 2021; the status of the 114 actions set out in the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5485/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra240. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the actions contained within the national disability inclusion strategy 2017 to 2021 which have been implemented; and the actions that remain to be implemented. [5487/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 240 together.
The National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) 2017 – 2021, which I launched on 14 July 2017 takes a whole of Government approach to improving the lives of people with disabilities both in a practical sense, and also in creating the best possible opportunities for people with disabilities to fulfil their potential. It is intended that it will make a significant difference over its lifetime to the position of people with disabilities in Irish society.
The Strategy contains eight themes as follows:
- Equality and Choice
- Joined up policies and public services
- Education
- Employment
- Health and Wellbeing
- Person centred disability services
- Living in the Community; and
- Transport and Accessible Places.
Underpinning these themes are a set of high level objectives, and 114 measurable and time-specific actions that relate to the areas of education, employment, provision of public services, health, transport, and personal safety and autonomy. The key commitments to action it contains may be summarised as follows:
- Extension of Irish Sign Language remote interpretation service;
- Resourcing of the Sign Language Interpreting Service (SLIS) to increase the number of trained Sign Language and Deaf Interpreters, to put a quality-assurance and registration scheme in place and to provide on-going professional training and development for Interpreters;
- Legislation that will ensure that all public bodies provide Irish Sign Language users with free interpretation when accessing or availing of statutory services;
- Examination of the recommendations of the Make Work Pay Working Group with a view to introducing meaningful reforms;
- Full implementation of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy;
- A review of transport supports to determine the type of cross-departmental transportation options that will best help people with a range of disabilities to get to work, and implementation of the most viable proposals;
- Development of proposals to address access to, or affordability of, necessary aids/appliances/assistive technology required for everyday living, for those people with disabilities whose entry, retention or return to work could be jeopardised due to being unable to afford these items;
- Introduction of a scheme that will significantly reduce the notice time for travelling for mobility-impaired customers requiring assistance;
- Development of proposals in relation to attaching conditions regarding wheelchair accessibility on passenger coach and train licensed services;
- Examination of the recommendations of the report of the Personalised Budgeting Taskforce, with a view to introducing individualised funding/personal budget;
- Development of Codes of Practice to support implementation of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2016;
- Full implementation of the Access and Inclusion model of supports for children with disabilities to allow every child participate meaningfully in Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme; and
- Full implementation of the Transforming Lives programme.
The Strategy is a ‘living document,’ with consultation on a mid-term review to take place towards the end of this year, and revised iterations of the Strategy being published periodically, containing update and more ambitious actions in the light of progress to date.
The Strategy is a cross-government approach that brings together actions by different Departments and State agencies including:
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Department of Education and Skills
- Department of Health
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- Health Service Executive
- National Disability Authority
- Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- National Transport Authority and
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
The focus in implementing the Strategy is on continuing interdepartmental cooperation and a joined-up approach, which is overseen by the Steering Group. Implementation is being supported by independent analysis and advice from the NDA, and also by periodic review and oversight by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy as appropriate.
Given the significant number of actions contained in the Strategy, I do not propose to provide updates on each. However at the most recent meeting of the Steering Group, which I chair, on 8 December 2017, I was advised as follows in relation to the 109 actions due to start, be progressed, or be completed in 2017:
- Some 64 actions were recorded as being on track;
- Minor delivery issues, including incomplete reporting were recorded against 22 actions;
- Significant delivery issues were reported against nine actions;
- Six actions were recorded as being completed; and
- Status information was due to be received on a further eight actions.
While I am broadly satisfied with the progress made so far, it is imperative that the Steering Group continues to focus on analysing the actions which recorded significant delivery issues, and gaining an understanding of why these initiatives been delayed, and accurately identifying the barriers and removing them.
While implementation is of course a critical stage of the process, it is also essential that we measure the overall impact of the Strategy itself, and determine whether the lives the lives of people with disabilities have improved as a result of the implementation of the actions contained in the strategy. Accordingly, it is essential that a suite of indicators is developed that will enable measurement of change in key areas addressed by the Strategy. This critical piece of work is being advanced by the National Disability Authority, and the Group will sign off on agreed indicators at our next meeting on 13 April.
239. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the recommendations that have been implemented further to the report of the make work pay group published in April 2017; the recommendations that have yet to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5486/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Make Work Pay report was published on 6 April 2017, following the deliberations of an interdepartmental group established under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities. The interdepartmental group considered a range of approaches across relevant departments to deliver on this commitment and made 24 recommendations under the broad headings of: reconfiguring the system of supports to ensure that work pays; promoting early intervention; communicating effectively that work pays and future proofing.
A number of the report’s recommendations have already been implemented including:
- people with a long-term disability payment who move off the payment to get a job will retain their Free Travel Pass for a period of five years (the report recommended retention for 3 years);
- a fast–track return to Disability Allowance, or Invalidity Pension for people where employment does not work out;
- and development is underway on a new “Ready Reckoner”, to calculate the net benefits and financial implications of working.
Other actions, such as strengthening the capacity of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection’s (D\EASP) Intreo Service to support people with disabilities to get and maintain employment are ongoing and people with disabilities may, on a voluntary basis, make an appointment with a case officer to explore their options and develop a personal progression plan.
In addition, amending legislation dispensing with the requirement, for disability allowance, blind pension and rent supplement under supplementary welfare allowance, that work must be of a rehabilitative nature has been included in Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registrations Bill 2017.
On the publication of the MWP report, the Taoiseach, Minister for Health and I gave a clear commitment to consult widely in relation to a number of recommendations. This has led to initial consultation with the D\EASP’s Disability Stakeholders Group followed by the procurement of an independent facilitator and the holding of a number of facilitated focus groups. Following this, the D\EASP will now engage in an extensive consultation process in the first quarter of 2018 with people with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, and sectoral representatives, in relation to early engagement with people with disabilities on the recommendations 9 and 10 of the MWP report.
While the Government has decided to implement some of the recommendations, others require further reflection or a period of consultation with disability groups and other stakeholders. These include developing and extending interdepartmental and interagency protocols, including protocols with the range of State funded Disability Service Providers; developing a proactive communications/information strategy; and future proofing to ensure that the recommendations are reviewed on a regular basis.
In terms of recommendations that relate to the reconfiguration of the system of payments and supports to ensure that work pays, and in particular the proposed raising of the Medical Card earnings disregard from its current level of €120 per week for people on Disability Allowance or Partial Capacity Benefit associated with Invalidity Pension, the Department of Health is working with the HSE and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection in order to assess the number of people that would stand to benefit under this measure and to examine the best administrative route to implementing this change. This work is expected to be completed shortly and it is the Minister for Health’s intention to implement the recommendation in early 2018.
A further recommendation in this area, dispensing the requirement that work be of a ‘rehabilitative nature’ for the Disability Allowance earnings disregard, has been implemented by the HSE.
The Department of Health is continuing to advance policy proposals in relation to a new Transport Support Scheme. The draft General Scheme and Heads of Bill for the Scheme have been circulated to the key government departments and have been the subject of consultation between the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. It is hoped to circulate a revised Memo for Government and General Scheme shortly, seeking approval for the drafting of the Bill for the new Transport Support Payment.
241. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times the oversight implementation group tasked with monitoring the progress of the comprehensive employment strategy for persons with disabilities has met since 2015. [5488/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra242. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of each Department’s targets and obligations under the comprehensive employment strategy for persons with disabilities for each of the years from 2015 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5489/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra243. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the six strategic priorities set out in the comprehensive employment strategy for persons with disabilities for the years 2015 to 2018. [5490/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra244. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the chair of the implementation group tasked with monitoring the progress of the comprehensive employment strategy for persons with disabilities will publish an annual report for 2018. [5491/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra245. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress that has been made in each Department further to the comprehensive employment strategy for persons with disabilities 2015 to 2025 commitment of increasing the public service employment target from 3% to 6%. [5492/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 241 to 245, inclusive, together.
The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015 – 2024 was launched in October 2015. The strategy sets out a ten-year approach to ensuring that people with disabilities who are able to and want to work are supported and enabled to do so.
It is underpinned by a cross-government approach that coordinates actions by different government departments and state agencies in a concerted effort to address the barriers and challenges that impact on the employment of people with disabilities. In tandem with the actions assigned to these departments and agencies, the strategy seeks to ensure there will be joined-up services and supports at local level to support individuals on their journey into and in employment.
The Strategy contains six strategic priorities:
- Build skills, capacity and independence;
- Provide bridges and supports into work;
- Make work pay;
- Promote job retention and re-entry to work;
- Provide coordinated and seamless support; and
- Engage employers
The strategy framework is accompanied by a detailed, phase-one three year action plan which has over 80 time-bound commitments that constitute the building blocks for the implementation of the full strategy. Implementation is subject to regular monitoring, and there will be a review and renewal every three years, with work on the first reiteration of the strategy expected to start in late 2018.
The Government has already taken a number of key decisions as recommended in the Strategy including:
- The public service employment target of people with disabilities will be increased on a phased basis as set out in the Strategy from 3% to 6% over the lifetime of the Strategy. The Department of Justice and Equality has recently developed proposals in relation to how this can be achieved and work will get underway in very early course.
- Special public service competitions for people with disabilities will be arranged and we will open up alternative recruitment channels for people with disabilities;
- A national help line and disability information service was established in January 2016 to provide expert guidance and peer support to employers in relation to the employment of staff with disabilities.
The Comprehensive Employment Strategy Implementation Group has met 13 times since the launch of the Strategy to review the progress of implementation. The Chair published his first Annual Report in early 2017 and will publish his second shortly. It will be available at http://justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/WP15000115 .
246. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress that has been made in relation to a new pre-school facility that is being proposed at a centre (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5508/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra247. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the funding scheme under which the funds for a new pre-school facility at a centre (details supplied) in County Roscommon have been secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5509/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together.
I wish to inform the Deputy that as no appropriate childcare facilities are available in the Ballaghaderreen area, a new childcare facility is being developed at Abbeyfield Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre to provide a childcare service for to the significant number of children living with their parents in the Centre.
My Department is providing appropriate premises commensurate with childcare requirements defined under Childcare Regulations.
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs which has responsibility for the delivery of childcare services is ensuring, through Roscommon County Childcare Committee, that an appropriate structure is in place to govern and manage the childcare facility along with employing childcare staff.
Funding for the premises is being provided by my Department through the contract with the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre. Funding for services will be provided by Department of Children and Youth Affairs through the Community Childcare Subvention Resettlement/Relocation scheme.
248. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons brought here under the EU relocation programme in 2015, 2016 and 2017 in tabular form. [5510/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that the number of persons admitted to Ireland under the EU asylum seeker relocation programme in each year from 2015 to 2017 is as set out in the following table:
|
Year |
Number |
|
2015 |
0 |
|
2016 |
240 |
|
2017 |
515 |
A further 259 asylum seekers will arrive from Greece under the relocation programme in the first three months of 2018.
It should also be noted that the above numbers do not include programme refugees that have arrived or are scheduled to arrive from Lebanon under the Irish resettlement programme with UNHCR or indeed the additional programme refugee pledges that have been made in respect of the refugee resettlement programme for 2018 and 2019.
249. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5526/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is on-going, with a view to establishing whether the conditions for naturalisation, such as good character and lawful residence, are satisfied. On completion of the necessary processing the application will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements, not only within the State but also at European Union level, and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most cases are now generally processed within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
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 the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
250. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons that work in the Office for Internet Safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5531/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office for Internet Safety (OIS) has two members of staff assigned to it. The Office coordinates the EU Safer Internet Programme for Ireland and channels EU funding to four partner bodies who in turn provide relevant internet safety services. The current EU funding runs from January 2017 to June 2019 and amounts to €770,850 (matched by equivalent funding from each body). The four partner bodies funded are:
Hotline.ie which is operated by the Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland;
PST – Professional Development Service for Teachers Technology in Education (a part of the Department of Education and Skills);
Childline which is operated by the ISPCC; and
the National Parents Council (Primary) which operates a helpline for parents.
In addition the OIS works closely with other Departments and agencies to promote internet safety, particularly in relation to combating child pornography. A dedicated website www.internetsafety.ie provides information primarily aimed at parents as well as links to a variety of other resources on internet safety. The unit also provides a series of information booklets on internet safety which are made available on the website and in hard copy.
The OIS has an oversight role in the operation of Hotline.ie. Hotline.ie is the confidential service for reporting illegal content in the internet in Ireland and it liaises closely with An Garda Síochána in carrying out its functions. In November 2014, An Garda Síochána launched an initiative on the blocking of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the internet in Ireland whereby they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a large internet service provider under which the company agreed to block access to CSAM as per a list supplied. An Garda Síochána continues to engage with other companies with a view to establishing further MOUs.
My Department also keeps the criminal law up to date in this area. In this regard, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 has put in place a number of measures to significantly strengthen existing criminal law in combating child exploitation - in particular to address the use of modern communication technologies as a tool which may lead to child exploitation. Heads of a Bill are currently being prepared to address specific criminal legislative recommendations in the Law Reform Commission's 2016 Report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety.
I recently met with my colleagues Minister Zappone and Minister Naughten in relation to online safety matters. It was agreed at that meeting that an Open Policy Debate on the issue of online safety should take place to engage stakeholders in the next stage of policy development.
Following on from that meeting the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment established a Steering Group which has met on two occasions to plan the proposed event. Officials from my Department, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs are represented on the Steering Group. The key objective of the Open Policy Debate will be to raise awareness of cross-departmental actions already taking place to deal with harmful online content and to identify gaps in the Government’s approach and steps to address them. The emphasis in the Open Policy Debate will be on children and young people.
251. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the enforcement role An Garda Síochána has in regard to unlicenced gaming activities and the availability of gaming machines in locations in which gaming is prohibited. [5544/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy when this report is to hand.
252. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the supports in place for front-line staff in An Garda Síochána that deal with extremely stressful and difficult situations in the work place. [5636/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána including the provision of employee welfare supports.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that there is a variety of supports in place for members to assist them in dealing with stressful and difficult situations that they may encounter in the workplace.
Since 1994 a Peer Supporter Programme has been in operation within An Garda Síochána to help Gardaí cope with the effect of a traumatic incident in the workplace. I understand that the programme has been found to be very helpful in assisting Garda members in the aftermath of a traumatic incident. The programme is delivered by over 850 Garda who are trained as peer supporters and are available in all Garda Districts to assist colleagues in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic incident. Following each traumatic incident, a peer supporter is activated. He/she will contact the member and offer support. In the event that the peer supporter deems it appropriate, he/she may refer the member to the Garda Employee Assistance Service.
The Garda Employee Assistance Service is available to members of An Garda Síochána and supports them in managing and resolving personal and work-related difficulties. All employee assistance officers, and in the region of 250 of the peer supporters, are trained in Critical Incident Stress management which is an intervention designed to prevent or mitigate psychological reactions to a critical incident. This intervention is delivered with the support of a mental health professional when required. Where necessary the services of the Occupational Health Department, headed by the Chief Medical Officer of An Garda Síochána, are made available to assist Garda personnel deal with stressful and extremely difficult situations in the workplace.
Since June 2016, a 24/7, 365 day Independent Helpline and Counselling Service is available to all staff within An Garda Síochána. This service is available for both work and personal difficulties. The service is not mandatory and is self-referral. It is provided by Inspire Wellbeing. Each member of the organisation may avail of six free sessions of counselling per year, an additional two will be provided if clinically approved. All appointments and consultants are arranged directly between the Service Provider and the staff member.
I am assured by the Commissioner that An Garda Síochána is committed to ensuring that members exposed to a traumatic incident receive the appropriate assistance and support to assist then in coping with the aftermath of such incidents.
253. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has satisfied himself with the one year time limit for applications of family reunification under the International Protection Bill 2015; and his views on whether an amendment allowing for more flexibility with time restraints could be warranted. [5637/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe International Protection Act 2015, which was fully commenced on 31 December 2016, brought about significant reforms to our international protection process. The most significant of these was the introduction of a single application procedure. By replacing the old multi-layered and sequential process, the single application procedure will bring certainty at a much earlier stage to those who qualify for protection. In turn, this will provide for timely reunification with immediate family members to support those granted international protection to begin their new lives here in Ireland.
The 2015 Act provides for the family reunification of immediate family members (spouse, civil partner and minor children) in line with the definition of family members in the EU Family Reunification Directive (in which Ireland does not participate). In terms of both the application time limits and the economic conditions on sponsors, the provisions in the International Protection Act are less restrictive than in many other EU Member States. In addition, unlike some EU Member States, our family reunification provisions apply equally to beneficiaries of both types of international protection – refugee status and subsidiary protection status. The new regime for family reunification under the Act is only currently getting its first cases and I have no plans to change the time limits provided for in the Act.
It also remains open to me to exercise my discretion under the INIS Non-EEA Policy Document on Family Reunification to waive the economic conditions for sponsors applying for extended family members. I will continue to examine such applications on humanitarian grounds on a case-by case basis. In addition, the new Family Reunification Humanitarian Admissions Programme (FHRAP) announced late last year will see, over a two year period, up to 530 immediate family members from established conflict zones, including Syria, that fall outside the scope of the international Protection Act 2015 come to Ireland as part of our overall commitment to accept 4,000 persons under the IRPP.
254. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of seizures and arrests made since the enactment of the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5638/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2016 introduced controls by way of Regulations on a number of new psychoactive substances, certain pharmaceutical drugs and some other substances which are required to be controlled on foot of EC Decision 2005/387/JHA.
One of the most significant effects of new Regulations made under the Act which came into force on 4 May 2017, relates to Benzodiazepines such as Diazepam (Valium), Alprazolam (Xanax) etc. Under the Regulations, restrictions in place in relation to the possession of controlled drugs now apply to these medicines. This is also the case for “Z Drugs” such as Zopiclone (Zimovane), Zolpidem (Stilnoct) and Zaleplon (Sonata) meaning that it is now an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 to 2016 to be in possession of these substances, even in amounts for personal use, without a valid prescription in accordance with the Act.
I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that their records indicate 189 incidents linked to benzodiazepines recorded in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) with proceedings commenced in 133. Outside the DMR, there were 83 incidents with proceedings commenced in 51. The statistics are provided by the Garda Síochána Analysis Services from an interrogation of PULSE and are operational, provisional, subject to change and are valid to 1st February, 2018.
