Written Answers Nos. 178-191
178. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of children or young adults who have been made wards of court in the past ten years; the degree to which the process continues to provide help and support to the children in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19136/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the High Court has jurisdiction in Wards of Court matters and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that a total of 170 minors, persons under the age of 18, were brought into Wardship from 2008 to 2017.
|
Year |
No. of persons under-18 brought into Wardship |
|
2008 |
16 |
|
2009 |
10 |
|
2010 |
13 |
|
2011 |
14 |
|
2012 |
19 |
|
2013 |
20 |
|
2014 |
12 |
|
2015 |
19 |
|
2016 |
21 |
|
2017 |
26 |
The Courts Service has also informed me that there are a number of reasons why it might be necessary to take a person under 18 years of age into Wardship. The most common situation is where the minor has been awarded substantial damages by a Court and has special housing and/or care needs.
While the needs of each ward are different, all wards under a legal disability are therefore vulnerable persons. The Wards of Court Office, under the direction of President of the High Court, takes its responsibility to protect the person and property of every ward seriously, ensuring that the ward’s assets are protected and appropriately invested, approving expenditure on the ward’s behalf, dealing with the ward’s committee or guardian (usually a family member) to ensure that the ward’s personal needs are met, dealing with proposals for sale, purchase or adaptation of accommodation for the ward's benefit, liaising with healthcare professionals and drafting proposals concerning the person and property of the ward for the President of the High Court to help and support the ward.
179. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason persons working for police forces in other jurisdictions are not considered or permitted for direct entry as members of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18563/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile there are currently no mechanisms for the transfer of persons with policing experience and qualifications gained in another jurisdiction to An Garda Síochána, there are a number of routes under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 by which individuals with such experience may join the organisation.
Competitions for the positions of Garda Commissioner and Deputy Garda Commissioner are not restricted to serving members and, as the Deputy will be aware, the most recent competitions for these posts, including the competition underway for the selection of the next Garda Commissioner, were open to all individuals with relevant experience and qualifications.
Competitions for appointment to the ranks of Assistant Garda Commissioner, chief superintendent and superintendent are open to members of the PSNI once they meet the eligibility criteria set out in the relevant Regulations under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The Policing Authority assumed responsibility for undertaking these competitions on 1 January 2017 and, coinciding with that date, the eligibility criteria were extended to include any member of the PSNI not below the rank of inspector who has served not less than 2 years in that rank. Previously, they were confined to those in the rank immediately below. The 2005 Act also provides for the secondment from the PSNI to certain ranks in An Garda Síochána for a period not exceeding 3 years.
Also of relevance is the statutory provision for former members of An Garda Síochána to be re-appointed to the organisation. The most recent applications in this respect concern a number of former members who departed to serve in police services in Australia and have gained valuable skills and experience from that service and wish to re-join An Garda Síochána.
Individuals with appropriate policing experience and qualifications gained in other jurisdictions may also be suitable for appointment to various civilian roles available within the Garda organisation. Having regard to the Government's aim of 20% of the Garda workforce comprising civilians by 2021 it can be expected that these opportunities will increase.
I am very keen to explore how further opportunities can be created to open up entry routes at all levels and in line with the recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate report ‘Changing Policing in Ireland’. In this regard my predecessor requested the Inspectorate in October 2016 to examine options for opening up entry routes into An Garda Síochána at all levels and report back with recommendations. Those options could include, for example, fast track entry for policing professionals from other jurisdictions at the lower ranks and the targeted intake of experienced skilled police officers at the senior ranks. The report will also include an examination of practice in other jurisdictions. I have been advised by the Garda Inspectorate that the report is in the final review stages and will be provided to me shortly.
180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the correct procedure to update a Garda National Immigration Bureau or GNIB card in the case of a person (details supplied); the dates for which stamp 4 has been held by the applicant over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18570/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State, on a stamp 4 basis, on 11 April 2008. This permission was subsequently renewed with the latest permission granted up to 23 April 2018. It is open to the person concerned to contact their local registration office for a further renewal period, as outlined in their decision letter.
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.
181. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the efforts that will be made to include those persons who were detained in the Magdalen laundries, or mother and baby homes, and are dissatisfied with the redress scheme; if the proposed meeting will be confined to those who contacted the Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18600/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date 691 applicants have received redress amounting to €25.9m in lump sums under the Magdalen Restorative Justice Ex-gratia Scheme. In addition, qualifying applicants receive additional benefits under the Scheme which include an enhanced medical card from the HSE and 'top up' pension payments from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
I recently informed the House that I had carefully considered the Ombudsman's November 2017 report on the administration of the scheme by my Department and that I had held constructive discussions with him on my plans to implement the recommendations in his report. I have also briefed my Cabinet colleagues on these plans.
In relation to the four recommendations in the Ombudsman's report, the following is the position:
- Where there is a dispute in respect of length of stay in a Magdalen Institution, Ms. Mary O'Toole S.C. has been appointed to review these cases.
- Ms O'Toole S.C. will also advise on assistance to be given to applicants who lack capacity to accept an award.
- The reviews recommended by the Ombudsman in regard to eligibility of cases of women who worked in one of the institutions covered by the Scheme but who were officially recorded as having been "admitted to" a training centre or industrial school located in the same building, attached to or located on the grounds of one of the laundries will be taken forward following a brief scoping review by an interdepartmental group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach.
- The recommendation to establish guidance on the development and operation of redress schemes will be examined in consultation with Government colleagues, including the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has responsibility for the on-going Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. The Third Interim Report of that Commission was published on 5 December 2017 with its final reports due to be completed by February 2019.
182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18619/18]
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 ongoing and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
A letter issued to the person concerned on 5 March 2018 requesting certain information. Upon receipt of the requested information, the case will be further processed.
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.
All persons making an application for a certificate of naturalisation are required to provide satisfactory evidence of their identity and nationality. This is usually in the form of a currently valid passport and may include other original supporting documents, such as a previously held or out of date passport, birth certificate and marriage certificate.
In rare circumstances where an applicant cannot produce their current passport, or a previous passport, birth certificate or other supporting documents the applicant will be required to provide a full explanation. Such explanation should, where possible, be supported by satisfactory evidence that they have attempted to obtain such documentation and correspondence from the relevant authorities or embassy responsible for the issuing of passports and birth certificates in their country, clearly stating the reasons the documentation cannot be provided. The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) will consider the explanation given and, if satisfied it is for reasons genuinely beyond the applicant's control, may suggest alternative means to the person to assist in establishing their identity and nationality.
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.
183. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position on recommendation No. 26 of The Cost of Insurance Working Group's report of January 2017 on the establishment of an industry funded specialised and dedicated insurance unit in An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18659/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecommendation 26 of the ‘Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance’, published in January 2017, relates to exploring the potential for further co-operation between the insurance sector and An Garda Síochána in relation to insurance fraud investigation. Specifically, this involves considering the feasibility of establishing a specialised and dedicated insurance fraud unit within An Garda Síochána, funded by industry.
The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) has engaged with Insurance Ireland, submitting a mechanism for further cooperation and a costed proposal to Insurance Ireland in the latter half of 2017. Insurance Ireland has agreed to explore the proposal further, subject to a full cost benefit analysis, to be carried out by Insurance Ireland's Chief Financial Officers Working Group. The intention would be that such a dedicated Garda unit would be funded by Insurance Ireland members and non-members alike, i.e. all entities writing non-life insurance business in Ireland.
Further progress on this recommendation is dependent upon the outcome of this cost benefit analysis, which is currently awaited. Insurance Ireland has indicated that it expects to be in a position to provide an update in this regard by the end of June 2018.
Any proposed agreed mechanism will, of course, ultimately be subject to the approval of the Garda Commissioner and myself, as Minister for Justice and Equality.
184. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for naturalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18675/18]
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 ongoing and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. A letter issued to the applicant on 26 April last seeking further information and a reply is awaited.
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.
All persons making an application for a certificate of naturalisation are required to provide satisfactory evidence of their identity and nationality. This is usually in the form of a currently valid passport and may include other original supporting documents, such as a previously held or out of date passport, birth certificate and marriage certificate.
In rare circumstances where an applicant cannot produce their current passport, or a previous passport, birth certificate or other supporting documents the applicant will be required to provide a full explanation. Such explanation should, where possible, be supported by satisfactory evidence that they have attempted to obtain such documentation and correspondence from the relevant authorities or embassy responsible for the issuing of passports and birth certificates in their country, clearly stating the reasons the documentation cannot be provided. The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) will consider the explanation given and, if satisfied it is for reasons genuinely beyond the applicant's control, may suggest alternative means to the person to assist in establishing their identity and nationality.
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.
185. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sergeants, inspectors and superintendents, respectively, in County Wexford on 21 April 2011 and 21 April 2018; the district to which each person was posted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18681/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra186. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the date upon which each superintendent was appointed to the Enniscorthy Garda district in each year since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18682/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner 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 in regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Garda Division. Where a deficiency in resources is identified the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly.
Appointments to the ranks of Sergeant and Inspector are a matter for the Commissioner under section 14 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
I am advised by the Commissioner that the overall strength of the Sergeant, Inspectors and Superintendents rank was 1,861, 254 and 166 respectively as of 31 March 2018, the latest date for which figures are available. I am further advised by the Commissioner that there is currently a competition in train for promotion to the rank of Sergeant and Inspector with the aim of bringing the strength to 2,000 and 300 respectively, as agreed under the Employment Control Framework. I am assured by the Commissioner that following completion of this competition the needs of all Garda Divisions including the Wexford Division will be fully considered when determining the allocation of Sergeants and Inspectors. I am pleased to say that the employment control framework for the Superintendent rank has been increased from 166 to 168 as of last month to facilitate two specialist posts in Roads Policing and Major Events Management.
It is, of course, a matter for the Policing Authority under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended to appoint persons to the rank of Superintendent having undertaken a competition for that purpose.
For the Deputy's information, I have set out below in tabular form the number of Sergeants, Inspectors and Superintendents in the Wexford Division by Station, as of 30 April 2011 and on 31 March 2018, the latest date for which figures are currently available and the period of assignment of Superintendents allocated to Enniscorthy District since 10 February 2005.
|
WEXFORD DIVISION 30 APRIL 2011 |
||||
|
DISTRICT |
STATION |
SG |
IN |
SU |
|
ENNISCORTHY |
BLACKWATER |
1 |
||
|
CLONROCHE |
1 |
|||
|
ENNISCORTHY |
6 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
FERNS |
1 |
|||
|
OLYEGATE |
1 |
|||
|
TOTAL |
10 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
GOREY |
BUNCLODY |
2 |
||
|
COURTOWN HARBOUR |
1 |
|||
|
GOREY |
7 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
10 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
NEW ROSS |
DUNCANNON |
1 |
||
|
NEW ROSS |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
5 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
WEXFORD |
CASTLEBRIDGE |
1 |
||
|
KILMORE QUAY |
1 |
|||
|
ROSSLARE HARBOUR |
1 |
|||
|
ROSSLARE STRAND |
1 |
|||
|
WEXFORD |
13 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
17 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
WEXFORD TOTAL |
42 |
5 |
4 |
|
WEXFORD DIVISION 31 MARCH 2018 |
||||
|
DISTRICT |
STATION |
SG |
IN |
SU |
|
ENNISCORTHY |
BUNCLODY |
2 |
||
|
COURTOWN HARBOUR |
1 |
|||
|
ENNISCORTHY |
6 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
GOREY |
6 |
1 |
||
|
OYLEGATE |
1 |
|||
|
TOTAL |
16 |
3 |
1 |
|
|
NEW ROSS |
NEW ROSS |
7 |
1 |
1 |
|
TOTAL |
7 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
WEXFORD |
CASTLEBRIDGE |
1 |
||
|
ROSSLARE HARBOUR |
1 |
|||
|
WEXFORD |
13 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
15 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
WEXFORD TOTAL |
38 |
6 |
3 |
|
Period of Assignment of Superintendents allocated to Enniscorthy District since 10 February 2005 |
|
|
Rank |
Date |
|
Superintendent |
10/02/2005 – 24/11/2011 |
|
Superintendent |
21/02/2012 – 09/03/2015 |
|
Superintendent |
09/03/2015 – 13/12/2016 |
|
Superintendent |
24/10/2017 to date |
187. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if section 44.(1) of the Prison Rules 2007 SI 252 of 2007 will be amended to include the phrase "(k) Members of the Oireachtas" in order to ensure that correspondence from Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas to and from prisoners is dealt with securely and promptly. [18713/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to thank the Deputy for her proposal to amend Rule 44 (1) of the Prison Rules 2007, to include members of the Oireachtas. This proposal merits further consideration and I have asked my officials to liaise with officials in the Irish Prison Service to explore it in more detail. I will respond directly to the Deputy when this review is finalised.
188. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an appeal for a visa by a person (details supplied) will be considered and granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18767/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the decision to refuse the application referred to was upheld on appeal, and the applicant and sponsor were advised accordingly.
As only one appeal is permitted, no further review of the application can be undertaken. However, it is open to the applicant to submit a fresh visa application at any time. Any new application should address the refusal reasons communicated to them in the previous application.
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.
In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to visamail@justice.ie.
189. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 319 of 20 March 2018, the status of the work of the multi-stakeholder group and the meeting that was due to be held on 25 April. [18807/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra197. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a meeting between interested bodies and parties, on the issue of problem quad and scrambler use, took place on 25 April, as scheduled; if so, the steps and timelines to address the ongoing issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19051/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 197 together.
I can inform the Deputy that a cross-agency meeting took place at my Department on 25 April 2018. The meeting was attended by officials from the Departments of Justice and Equality; Transport, Tourism and Sport; Housing, Planning and the Environment; and Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; An Garda Síochána; the Road Safety Authority; and the Revenue Commissioners. My Department also met separately with a representative from Dublin City Council on 23 April.
As the Deputy is aware, a multi-agency approach is required to tackle this anti-social issue effectively. The purpose of the cross-sectoral meeting was to ascertain whether there are additional legislative or other solutions, which can assist in dealing with this the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes more comprehensively, with a view to determining responsibility and timeframes for implementation of solutions identified.
I am advised that the meeting took account of a range of perspectives on the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes, and also considered the experiences currently being encountered in tackling this matter.
By way of next steps, legal advice will be sought by my Department from the Attorney General's Office in relation to the interpretation of various pieces of legislation identified at the meeting to determine whether any legislative amendments are necessary to assist in curbing anti-social activity insofar as scramblers and quad bikes are concerned.
My officials also intend to consult further with local authorities in the context of the positive engagement fostered by local authorities with local communities, examples of which include community and youth-centred projects, such as the Dunsink Horse Project and the Mulhuddart Motocross Club. The experiences of local authorities involved in these and other projects will be very informative to my Department in terms of assessing the contribution that such approaches can make to reducing the misuse of these vehicles.
As the Deputy will also be aware, an important element of this issue is the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes by children. I would emphasise that the supply of mechanically propelled vehicles to persons under 16 and 17 (depending on the vehicle) constitute offences under accordance with Section 30 of the Road Traffic Act 2004. In this regard, I am advised that the Road Safety Authority (RSA) intends to run a safety campaign later this year with the aim of discouraging those who may consider purchasing scramblers or quad bikes as Christmas presents for minors. I might add that the RSA targets road safety awareness campaigns at young people throughout the school curriculum.
I remain committed to actively supporting any positive actions that can be pursued to counteract the serious public safety issues associated with the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes.
190. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria used by immigration officers for carrying out additional checks, including interviews in respect of persons who have a passport from another EU member state arriving at airports here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18846/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA European Union citizens in possession of a valid national identity card or passport as evidence of his or her nationality and identity may not be refused entry to the State subject to restrictions only for reasons of public policy, public security or public health.
Immigration Officers are required to establish the validity of travel documents presented to them for entry to the State. Section 11 of the Immigration Act, 2004 (as amended by the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011) requires that every person landing in the State shall provide their passport or other equivalent document on request, and provide such information in such manner as the immigration officer may reasonably require.
Many nationals of European Union Member States choose to travel using their national identity card. Unfortunately, it is a regular feature of immigration control that cases arise of persons using false or fraudulently obtained EU national identity cards in an attempt to avail of free movement when they are not entitled to do so. There may be other matters that Immigration officers will wish to establish if they have concerns about the person presenting for entry to the State, including the risk of human trafficking, identification of lost or stolen travel documents, whether the person is the subject of an Irish removal order or poses a risk to the Common Travel Area.
191. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new Garda recruits assigned to each Garda station in County Galway in each of the years from 2014 to 2017, and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18950/18]
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 Garda Commissioner that, as of the 31 March 2018, the latest date for which figures are available, the strength of the Galway Division was 575. There are also 31 Garda Reserves and 55 Garda civilian staff attached to the Galway 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. 22 members of this cohort have been assigned to the Galway 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; some 400 of whom have already done so. 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 Galway Division.
In so far as the allocation of newly attested Gardaí is concerned, this is a matter for the 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 classroom 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.
I am advised by the Commissioner that due to the moratorium on recruitment there were no attestations in 2014. The number of newly attested Gardaí assigned to each Garda station in the Galway Division in 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018 is as set out in the following table.
|
Probationer Garda Allocations 2015–2018* |
||||||
|
DIVISION |
STATION |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
TOTAL |
|
GALWAY |
GALWAY |
5 |
5 |
7 |
2 |
19 |
|
SALTHILL |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
|
TOTAL |
5 |
5 |
7 |
5 |
22 |
*To date in 2018.
