Written Answers Nos. 170-180
170. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the Garda R and J Districts in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17140/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
The areas referred to by the Deputy are part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (D.M.R.) North Division and I am informed by the Commissioner that the strength of the D.M.R. North Division on 28 February 2018, the latest date for which information is currently available was 666 of whom 201 were assigned to the Garda R District (Coolock District) and 161 to and J District (Raheny District). There are also 43 Garda Reserves and 39 Garda civilian staff attached to the Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Unit, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
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 to deter crime. To achieve this the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real, tangible progress on achieving this goal.
Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, just under 1,800 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, of whom 140 have been assigned to the DMR North Division. Garda numbers, taking account of retirements, increased to 13,551 at the end of 2017 – a net increase of over 600 since the end of 2016.
I am pleased that funding is in place to maintain this high level of investment in the Garda workforce to ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. This year a further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College. In total, 800 Garda trainees are scheduled to attest during the year, some 200 of whom attested last month. Further, Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, are on track to reach 14,000 by the end of this year.
In addition, a further 500 civilians will also be recruited to fill critical skills gaps across the organisation and to facilitate the redeployment of Gardaí from administrative and technical duties to front-line operational duties. There are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training in 2018.
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 needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Division, including the DMR North Division.
For the information of the Deputy the number of Gardaí assigned to the Coolock District and Raheny District in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and on the 28 February 2018, the latest date for which figures are currently available, is set out in the table.
2015
|
District |
Station |
Total Strength |
|
Coolock |
Coolock |
103 |
|
Malahide |
29 |
|
|
Swords |
65 |
|
|
TOTAL |
197 |
|
|
Raheny |
Raheny |
67 |
|
Clontarf |
65 |
|
|
Howth |
27 |
|
|
TOTAL |
159 |
2016
|
District |
Station |
Total Strength |
|
Coolock |
Coolock |
105 |
|
Malahide |
31 |
|
|
Swords |
72 |
|
|
TOTAL |
208 |
|
|
Raheny |
Raheny |
66 |
|
Clontarf |
67 |
|
|
Howth |
27 |
|
|
TOTAL |
160 |
2017
|
District |
Station |
Total Strength |
|
Coolock |
Coolock |
103 |
|
Malahide |
31 |
|
|
Swords |
68 |
|
|
TOTAL |
202 |
|
|
Raheny |
Raheny |
68 |
|
Clontarf |
69 |
|
|
Howth |
26 |
|
|
TOTAL |
163 |
171. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the rational for amalgamating local youth justice projects into one youth justice programme which will encompass six areas of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17145/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, my Department is obliged to carry out a call for proposals process during 2018 in relation to the provision of Garda Youth Diversion Project (GYDP) services, to fully comply with requirements related to the co-funding of projects by the European Social Fund Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020.
To ensure State-wide coverage of GYDP services for young people, (which does not exist at present), the intention is that, in general, service provision will be aligned with Garda Divisions or other appropriate local areas with a distinct community identity as may be agreed during a wide ranging consultation process which is currently ongoing. Issues of community identify and numbers of potential participants on GYDPs in the area will be key considerations here. No final decisions have yet been made in respect of any area.
The provision of GYDP services in all parts of the State has obvious advantages, particularly in terms of providing services for significant numbers of young people who cannot currently access them. In this regard, an independent evaluation report of the operation of an integrated approach to delivery of GYDP services within County Kerry, commissioned by my Department is expected to be finalised shortly. This report will help with the further development GYDP services in the context of the Call for Proposals.
GYDPs deliver valuable services for young people who have committed a crime or may be at risk of offending as well as providing important support for An Garda Síochána at local level. I can assure the Deputy that in the context of the Call for Proposals my Department is committed to ensuring continuity of service for participants on GYDPs and maintain a community driven approach to their operation, as well as minimising any disruption for workers and service providers. In this regard, and in line with the overall objective of providing GYDP services to all children and young persons who require them, I am advised that the Call for Proposals will require applicants to provide for continuity of GYDP services for young people currently participating in the service. Furthermore, the Call for Proposals process will facilitate existing service providers forming consortiums, which could apply to provide services under the new comprehensive approach that is being developed.
GYDPs provide an effective and essential support to the operation of the statutory Garda Diversion Programme by An Garda Síochána. The principal focus of GYDPs is on young people who receive a Garda caution under the Diversion Programme for involvement in criminal or anti-social behaviour and are referred to a local GYDP (primary referrals). GYDPs also accommodate a certain proportion of young people who are considered to be at risk of involvement in offending or anti-social behaviour (secondary referrals).
In relation to secondary referrals, it has to be considered if, in principle, it is appropriate to refer a child to a Garda project where no criminal act has been identified. For some, a better option might be referral to available mainstream youth services that could appropriately support them. That being said, it is accepted that referrals to GYDPs must take account of local needs and issues in relation to access and availability of mainstream youth services. Following the Call for Proposals process, GYDP services will still accommodate secondary referrals and the proportion of these may vary from area to area depending on identified local needs.
My Department is very much aware of the range of concerns expressed in relation to the Call for Proposals process. I can assure the Deputy that careful consideration is being given to all issues raised by stakeholders involved in GYDPs, including those of independent service providers, as part of the extensive consultation process which is currently ongoing. This process includes arrangements for an extensive series of meetings with community based organisations and project workers which will facilitate closer communication and exchange of information in relation to these matters. In addition, the consultations will include arrangements to hear the views of young people, including participants or former participants on GYDPs.
I can assure the Deputy that the new approach to GYDP provision which is being developed in preparation for the Call for Proposals will not reduce the level of service that already exists, or the importance of community involvement in its delivery. On the contrary, the intention is to build on, update and improve a very valuable service so that it is available to every child or young person in the country who requires it. This improvement to the service will have benefits for significant numbers of young people in the State who cannot currently access GYDP services. While certain aspects of the new service delivery approach have been determined, work is ongoing to complete the full details to be included in the Call for Proposals, which is expected to issue in the second quarter of this year. I am convinced that community ownership and participation of the projects is an essential dimension that must be preserved and strengthened in the working out of this process.
172. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the reduction in the rate of interest payable on judgment debts from 8% to 2% enacted by SI 624 of 2016 is applicable to judgments which were made prior to January 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17156/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, S.I. No. 624 of 2016 Courts Act 1981 (Interest on Judgment Debts) Order 2016 reduced the rate of interest payable on judgment debts from 8% to 2% and this order came into operation on 1 January 2017.
The question raised by the Deputy is one as to the interpretation of the S.I. concerned and the Courts Service has informed me that the interpretation given in court offices is that the reduced interest rate introduced by S.I. No. 624 does not have retrospective effect. The interest rate in effect prior to the new rate will be applied to a judgment debt for any period during which it would have had effect.
173. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procurement process for arranging flights to transport deportees from Ireland to their country of origin; and the airlines and travel agencies involved in transporting deportees. [17168/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Deportation Order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and it is only where they fail to do so that the State is forced to remove them and enforce the rule of law. The process leading to deportation is extensive with many avenues of appeal open to persons subject to Deportation Orders, including judicial review in the High Court. Where persons have been identified as a threat to national security by An Garda Síochána, it remains open to me to make Deportation Orders against such persons and I have done so in the past and will continue to do so where appropriate.
The Department of Justice and Equality primarily use the central government air travel contract for all commercial air travel. This contract was awarded to Club Travel, following a public procurement exercise carried out by the Office of Government Procurement, and came into effect on 1 August 2017. The airlines used will vary depending on such factors as cost, destination and date of travel.
If operational needs demand, the Department may charter a plane for a specific flight and this is procured through a separate tendering process, as required.
174. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of open cases with GSOC by the length of time they have been open, the stage of investigation and the average time between the opening and closing of cases in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17175/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am to inform the Deputy that the information requested is not currently to hand. I have made a request for the information and will write to the Deputy when the report is received.
175. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to provide more gardaí to Athy, County Kildare. [17192/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I am informed by the Commissioner that Athy Garda Station forms part of the Kildare Division. I am informed by the Commissioner that the strength Kildare Division on 28 February 2018, the latest date for which information is readily available, was 357. There are also 20 Garda Reserves and 30 Garda civilian staff attached to the Kildare Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Units, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
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 to deter crime. To achieve this the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real, tangible progress on achieving this goal.
Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, just under 1,800 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. 85 of this cohort have been assigned to the Kildare Division. Garda numbers, taking account of retirements, increased to 13,551 at the end of 2017 – a net increase of over 600 since the end of 2016.
I am pleased that funding is in place to maintain this high level of investment in the Garda workforce to ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. This year a further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College. In total, 800 Garda trainees are scheduled to attest during the year, some 200 of whom attested last month. Further, Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, are on track to reach 14,000 by the end of this year.
In addition, a further 500 civilians will also be recruited to fill critical skills gaps across the organisation and to facilitate the redeployment of Gardaí from administrative and technical duties to front-line operational duties. There are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training in 2018.
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 needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Division, including the Kildare Division.
176. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to reform the Garda vetting process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17229/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Vetting Bureau processes requests for vetting for prospective employees from relevant organisations, as defined in the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016, who are registered with the Bureau. Vetting applications can only be submitted via the relevant organisations.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that liaison persons in the relevant organisations are trained by the National Vetting Bureau and they undertake the observance of secure operating procedures with regard to the management of vetting applications and disclosures. The relevant organisations are tasked with verifying the name, address and date of birth of vetting applicants, which must be accompanied by photographic evidence. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the relevant organisations to certify to the National Vetting Bureau that the identity of the vetting applicant has been validated.
I am informed also that compliance with this requirement by relevant organisations is further established by the National Vetting Bureau through audits, inspections and routine requests for proof of validation of identity.
I would note to the Deputy also that it is an offence under the Acts to make a false statement for the purpose of obtaining, or enabling another person to obtain, a vetting disclosure.
177. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the administration costs for an EU citizen to become an Irish citizen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17243/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fees to be paid by an applicant for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 569 of 2011). The application fee, stipulated at €175, is payable on application for a certificate of naturalisation and a certification fee is payable on the issue of a certificate of naturalisation. The standard certification fee is set at €950, while a reduced fee of €200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of recognised refugees and stateless persons the certification fee is nil.
There is no provision in the Regulations for the discretionary waiver or reduction of fees, or for differing fees to apply to different nationalities. All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act are kept under on-going review by my Department; however, there are no plans to amend the fees.
The standard fees payable by an applicant are designed to reflect the effort and cost involved in processing applications for a certificate of naturalisation. The Deputy will be aware that formal citizenship ceremonies have been introduced at no extra cost to applicants. These have been universally well received by participants as the ceremonies provide a sense of dignity and occasion that serves to underscore the importance to both the State and the applicant of the granting of Irish citizenship.
All naturalisation applications - whether from EU citizens or non-EU citizens - are processed entirely in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act and having regard to the particular merits of the application. In view of the many variables involved in processing applications it is not possible to isolate the administrative costs associated with a specific category of naturalisation applicants.
178. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for naturalisation that are between six months and 1 year, 1 year and 18 months, 18 months and 2 years and over 2 years old; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17257/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that of the applications currently on hands: 4,800 are on hands for less than 6 months; 4,000 for between 6 to 12 months; 2,500 for between 1 year to 18 months; 850 between 18 months to 2 years; and 950 in excess of 2 years.
It should be noted that statistics of the cases on hands will always include a cohort of cases where a decision has been made and the applicant notified of same, but where the applicant has yet to swear their oath of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State, as required under the Act, and be granted their certificate of naturalisation at a citizenship ceremony arranged for the purpose. In this context in excess of 3,000 of the cases on hands have already received their decision and my Department is currently issuing invitations to these individuals to attend a citizenship ceremony on 21 May next to make their declaration before a judge and to be granted their certificate of naturalisation.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most straightforward cases are processed to a decision within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases can take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks may take a considerable period of time. As outlined, while a decision may be made within six months, the certificate cannot be issued until the applicant attends a citizenship ceremony arranged for the purpose of swearing the oath of allegiance before a judge.
Processing timescales can often be impacted due to further documentation being required from the applicant, or payment of the required certificate fee is awaited, or the applicant has not been engaging with the office. In some instances delays can arise at the final stage of the naturalisation process, for example, where additional information comes to light which requires to be considered. In other instances the applicant themselves may request that a hold be put on their application, for example, where they may have returned to their country of origin for a prolonged period, to facilitate them in making arrangements to return to reside in the State, or where they have difficulty in obtaining satisfactory evidence of their identity or nationality.
INIS devotes a considerable amount of its overall resources to the processing of these cases. It also operates a dedicated phone helpline and email helpdesk available for all applicants interested in the progress of their application, details of which are available on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie.
179. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of certificates of naturalisation issued in 2017 to persons born here. [17258/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the records indicate that 450 certificates of naturalisation issued in 2017 to persons that were born on the island of Ireland.
180. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 666 of 11 September 2017 and 329 of 27 February 2018, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Irish Prison Service has lodged an appeal with the Labour Relations Commission relative to the decision taken in the case of a person (details supplied); if he or his departmental officials had knowledge of this decision to appeal or were consulted before the appeal was lodged; if the matter will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17286/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the IPS has lodged an appeal to the Labour Court in relation to a decision taken by the Workplace Relations Commission in respect of the named Officer. I am further informed that the decision was taken on the basis of legal advice provided to the Prison Service and that my Department was made aware of this advice. As the matter is currently before the Labour Court it would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter.
As the Deputy is aware, in addition to the proceedings that are now before the Labour Court, my Department has engaged an external legal firm to independently examine other complaints set out by the Officer. This process is the subject of correspondence from the officer's legal representatives which is receiving attention.
