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Crime Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018

Tuesday, 20 March 2018

Ceisteanna (331, 332)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

331. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 283 of 13 February 2018, if he is satisfied with the assurance provided to him by An Garda Síochána that all unlawful killings are properly investigated; if An Garda Síochána has provided similar assurances in relation to the investigation and recording of other crimes such as domestic violence incidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12298/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

332. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when his attention was drawn to the details of issues identified by civilian analysis in An Garda Síochána; when his attention was further drawn to the fact that they had attempted to engage with the Policing Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12299/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 332 together.

As I have previously advised the Deputy, An Garda Síochána is working in conjunction with the Central Statistics Office (CSO) to resolve an issue which was identified by An Garda Síochána in relation to the classification of homicide offences. The expert oversight by the CSO of crime statistics in line with best international practice ensures that the public can have confidence in the data which informs the development of effective policies by my department.  

An Garda Síochána initiated a review of homicide classifications, initially for the period 2013-2015 but later extended the review to cover the period from 2003-2017. 

This is obviously a complex process which takes considerable time but it is important that both An Garda Síochána and the CSO are confident that their data is robust and accurate.  While the review is underway, the CSO has suspended the publication of quarterly crime statistics, with the most recent published figures being for Q4 2016. I am informed that the review team includes two experts from the Garda Síochána Analysis Service (GSAS) who appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality recently. The review is not yet complete, however the details will be made public by AGS on completion. 

I have already outlined my concern about reports that unlawful deaths were not properly investigated.  Any substantiated allegations of this kind would be very serious and a cause of serious public concern.  The issue that has arisen in respect of homicide classification is complex and it is essential to clearly establish the facts.  

The Deputy will be aware that this issue was already in the public domain prior to my appointment as Minister, when the issue emerged at the public meeting of the Policing Authority in April 2017. 

While neither I, nor any of my officials, have received the document from the Garda analysts provided to members of the Justice Committee, I have been briefed regularly since my appointment on the issues relating to crime statistics. I received a report from An Garda Síochána dated 22 September 2017 outlining that 524 cases had been reviewed, 41 of which warranted further investigation and that of those 41, twelve cases required reclassification.  Three of those twelve cases were already classified as homicides but were reclassified from murder to manslaughter or vice versa. My Department has regularly discussed this issue with senior Garda management in the intervening period.

On 5 February last, in the course of a wide ranging meeting with An Garda Síochána on policing issues, I was briefed on the issue by the Acting Commissioner and his Senior team, including the head of the GSAS.  I subsequently met the Chair and CEO of the Policing Authority together with senior Garda management to discuss the progress made to date in resolving this issue and progress yet to be made.  I once again strongly underlined the need to have matters addressed on an urgent priority basis, while acknowledging the labour intensive complex work involved in cases stretching back over many years.  An Garda Síochána outlined the methodology of the peer review, and other aspects of the ongoing process, to the Policing Authority at their last public meeting on 22 February 2018.

The Policing Authority, along with officials in the Department of Justice and Equality, are working with the CSO and An Garda Síochána to ensure that all incidents of domestic violence are properly recorded. To this end, I can inform the Deputy that a High Level Liaison Group between An Garda Síochána and the CSO to monitor the quality of crime data for statistical purposes has been established. The Group is chaired alternately by An Garda Síochána and the CSO at Assistant Commissioner/Assistant Director General level.

I continue to support the Authority’s important work in relation to this matter and I understand that this issue will continue to be examined both in public meetings and in the ongoing work that takes place in between such meetings until the Authority is fully satisfied. This oversight is appropriate and welcome, as the Policing Authority was established by the Government as an independent body to oversee the performance of An Garda Síochána in relation to policing services in Ireland. Its key objective is to promote trust and confidence in policing and to help shape policing services for Ireland in the future.  I have full confidence in the ability of the Authority to do the work with which they are tasked.

I am, of course, concerned about the statements made by the two Garda analysts to the Justice Committee recently; particularly the suggestion that the non-recording or incorrect recording of incidents of domestic violence may put other women in danger and I commend the analysts for their work in identifying these issues. 

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to preventing and addressing domestic violence in Ireland. In 2016, Government approved the Second National Strategy on Domestic Sexual and Gender-based Violence with actions aimed at changing societal attitudes through awareness raising to help prevent domestic and sexual violence, improving services to victims and holding perpetrators to account.  The strategy commits An Garda Síochána to implementing a Risk Assessment Matrix for victims of domestic violence; and to focus on recidivists of domestic violence to prevent and detect crime through early intervention working with organisations supporting victims. In 2017, An Garda Síochána published its Domestic Abuse Intervention Policy, which places victims at its centre and will enhance the capability of members of An Garda Síochána when dealing with domestic violence. The policy will inform the training and continuous professional development of Gardaí.

The National Protective Services Bureau has been established, led by a Chief Superintendent as well as the establishment of a nationwide network of Garda Victim Services Offices with dedicated staff in each of the 28 Garda Divisions . The National Garda Services Bureau is tasked with improving services to victims, improving the investigation of sexual and domestic violence incidents, and identifying and managing risk. 

I am also advised that it is intended to establish Divisional Protective Services Units (DPSUs) in each Garda Division, mirroring the responsibilities held by the National Protected Services Bureau. This has been rolled out on a phased basis starting with 3 Divisions - Louth, Dublin Metropolitan Region West and Cork City. The next phase of DPSUs have provisionally been identified and will be launched in the coming months.

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