Written Answers Nos. 147-154
147. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the new Garda divisional headquarters for County Galway is scheduled to open; the units that will operate out of this building; if there will be a public office, public hours at this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20441/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I understand from Garda authorities that the construction of the new Regional and Divisional Headquarters for Galway commenced in late 2015 and is currently being progressed through the final phase of construction by the OPW and the contractor.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the facilities currently being developed at the new Garda station for Galway will cater for the full range of operational requirements for a District, Division and Regional Headquarter facility and will provide An Garda Síochána with:
- improved office and incident management facilities;
- appropriate facilities for meeting members of the public, including facilities to support victims of crime and to provide universal access;
- appropriate facilities for custody management which enhances the ability to provide safe and secure detention;
- enhanced training facilities for members;
- stores for Property and Exhibit Management, to support the property management system of An Garda Síochána and ensure that property and exhibits may be safely and securely stored; and
- suitable welfare facilities for Garda staff.
I am further informed that there is a public office in the building with suitable ancillary spaces for engaging with members of the public.
Finally, I understand from Garda authorities that, subject to all outstanding works being completed on schedule, the building could be operational in Quarter 3 of 2018. It is anticipated that the station will be open on a 24-hour basis.
148. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the capital allocation across his Department in each of the years 2018 to 2022. [20454/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra149. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his Department's capital allocation for projects underway and projects already tendered or committed to spending contractually. [20471/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra150. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his Department's capital allocation in each of the years 2018 to 2022 disaggregated according to capital allocated to projects underway, projects contractually committed to and projects yet to be initiated. [20488/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 148 to 150, inclusive, together.
The capital allocation for the Justice Vote Group over the period 2018 to 2022, as published in the recent National Development Plan is as follows:
|
Year |
Allocation € million |
|
2018 |
145 |
|
2019 |
241 |
|
2020 |
230 |
|
2021 |
208 |
|
2022 |
216 |
|
Total |
1,040 |
The allocation of the capital budget across the Vote Group for 2018 is set out as follows and for the most part relates to projects underway and in respect of which contractual commitments arise.
Garda Vote €61.440 million
Prisons Vote €24.330 million
Courts Vote €49.017 million
Justice and Equality Vote €9.420 million
Irish Human Rights and €0.100 million
Equality Commission €144.307 million*
This excludes €17.8 million in unspent capital from 2017, carried over to 2018 under the capital carryover provisions.
For subsequent years, the precise breakdown of the budget across the votes and various projects will be dependent on the outcome of procurement processes and the timing of expenditure will be impacted by more detailed planning for specific projects. In broad terms the funding will mainly be allocated to the following areas where projects are at various stages of planning and procurement.
- Construction of the new Forensic Science Laboratory;
- Garda Síochána Building and Refurbishment Programme including the replacement of the Harcourt Street Complex;
- Garda ICT Programme including completion of the implementation of Schengen Information system,
- Continuing Investment in the Garda Fleet;
- Prisons, Courts and Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service ICT investment;
- Prison Building Programme including the redevelopment of Limerick Prison;
- New or refurbished courthouses in a number of regional cities and county towns.
151. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 1 May 2018, if he will direct officials in his Department who are engaged with the cross-agency group to meet with representatives of organisations (details supplied) in order that they may contribute their local expertise to finding a solution to the issue. [20508/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, officials in my Department intend to consult 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. 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.
I am particularly interested in the benefits to be gained from the experiences of initiatives such as those mentioned in the details supplied alongside the Deputy's question, which involve direct engagement between local authorities, An Garda Síochána and local communities. My officials will engage with such organisations, either through the relevant local authority or directly, in order to learn from their experiences and to utilise this knowledge in developing the approach to be taken in tackling this serious issue.
152. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of industrial visits organised by the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland, respectively, in the past three years by location in counties Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Cavan; the number of visits organised to the towns of Drogheda and Dundalk by potential investor name and business type; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20228/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraData on IDA Ireland site visits is collated on a county-by-county basis only. Information on the number of site visits to specific locations in individual counties is therefore unavailable. IDA Ireland does not also release details of the specific itineraries of potential investors on grounds of client confidentiality and commercial sensitivity. Enterprise Ireland does not conduct site visits.
The table sets out details on the number of IDA Ireland site visits to counties Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Cavan from 2015 to Q1 2018.
|
County |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
Q1 2018 |
|
Louth |
20 |
24 |
22 |
6 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Meath |
7 |
8 |
3 |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
153. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when an appeal in respect of a work permit in the name of a person (details supplied) will be concluded; if the matter can be concluded at an early date with particular reference to the skills required by the company in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20274/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that following the submission and consideration of additional information at review stage a decision has been made to award a General Employment Permit to the person concerned and the permit issued on 4th May 2018.
154. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the contracts awarded by her Department or an agency under her remit to a company (details supplied) since March 2011, by year in tabular form; the cost per contract; the basis for each contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20310/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the time available, it has not been possible to supply the information requested. My Department will supply the information requested once it has been collated.
