Written Answers Nos. 291-308
291. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress which has been made in terms of implementing a statutory power in order to facilitate unannounced visits by the Garda Síochána Inspectorate to Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23648/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn November 2017, the Garda Síochána Inspectorate made a submission to the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. Within this submission the Inspectorate state that a power to carry out unannounced visits to Garda stations would be helpful in carrying out their functions.
They go on to note that unannounced visits would enable the Inspectorate to examine high-risk areas in real time, obtain a more accurate reflection of current practices and undertake time-critical inspection work. Furthermore, the Inspectorate state in their submission that such a power would also be necessary should the Inspectorate become a designated body for the purpose of inspecting Garda places of detention or Garda custody areas.
The functions of the Garda Inspectorate, as set out in the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, gives it the power to carry out, if it considers it appropriate to do so, inspections or inquiries in relation to any particular aspects of the operation and administration of the Garda Síochána. In accordance with section 118 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) the Inspectorate has agreed protocols with An Garda Síochána relating to co-operation matters.
As the Deputy will be aware the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is undertaking a comprehensive examination of all aspects of policing including the full range of bodies that have a role in providing oversight and accountability for their activities; the Policing Authority, the Garda Inspectorate, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, the Department and Government.
Up to the end of March 2018 the Commission had received 317 submissions, carried out 36 formal Commission meetings, held 11 public events, visited 19 stations and held over 100 bi-lateral meetings.
The Commission is due to report in September. Their report will inform policy in relation to all matters affecting An Garda Síochána, including the role and functions of the Garda Inspectorate and I propose to await the Commission's Report before considering any further changes to the legislation.
292. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress which has been regarding reform of legislation to ensure that the Garda Síochána Inspectorate has the legislative power to initiate its own work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23649/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 53 of the Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015 amended section 117(2) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 in relation to the functions of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate. The key reform in relation to the Inspectorate's own functions was to allow it, at its own initiative, to carry out inspections or inquiries in relation to any particular aspect of the operation and administration of the Garda Síochána. Prior to this, it could only do so, either at the request of, or with the consent of, the Minister.
Insofar as any further changes in the functions of the Inspectorate are concerned, the Deputy will be aware that the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is due to report in September and in the circumstances, I believe that it is best to await the publication of its Report before considering any further changes to the legislation.
293. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made in terms of the implementation of the optional protocol against torture, OPCAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23650/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is probably aware, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission launched research into the implementation of the Optional Protocol against Torture (OPCAT) in Ireland last October. This report outlined the Commission’s position on what should be the primary considerations for the State in making progress towards ratification and implementation of the OPCAT, including recommendations in respect of the designation and coordination of a national preventative mechanism (NPM) under OPCAT.
Earlier this year, having considered this research, my Department circulated the IHREC’s research to relevant stakeholders for their comments and observations. Observations were sought in particular on the following:
whether existing sectoral authorities could carry out OPCAT inspections;
using an expanded office of the Inspector of Prisons to deal with OPCAT inspections in the Justice Sector (Office of Inspection of Places of Detention);
what role/relationship could such an office have with existing agencies;
could any existing agencies carry out OPCAT type inspections on behalf of an Office of Inspection of Places of Detention;
using this expanded Office of Inspection of Places of Detention to act as a co-ordinating NPM;
any views on how agencies could interact with the co-ordinating NPM for OPCAT.
These stakeholders comprised those organisations with policy or operational responsibility in respect of inspection arrangements across the ambit of the NPM regime provided for in OPCAT as well as advisory and advocacy organisations which have expressed an interest in the ratification of OPCAT.
These stakeholders included:
- Department of Health
- Department of Defence
- Department of Children and Youth Affairs
- Garda Inspectorate
- Irish Penal Reform Trust
- The Children’s Ombudsman
- PRILA (Research project on Prisons: the rule of law, accountability and rights)
- Irish Council for Civil Liberties
- Inspector of Prisons
- SAGE (Support and Advocacy Service for Older People)
- IHREC
The last of these submissions was received in April 2018 and my Department is now in the process of considering them. Following this process which is expected to conclude during the summer, my officials will be meeting with a number of stakeholders including the newly appointed Inspector of Prisons. These meetings will help my Department develop further a policy position for agreement and will ultimately inform the development of legislative proposals to enable ratification of OPCAT.
294. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a statutory instrument to address the code of practice for mediators will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23652/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position is that section 9 of the Mediation Act 2017 provides that the Minister shall prepare and publish a code of practice to set standards for the conduct of mediations or approve a code prepared by a person other than the Minister. I can confirm that work on the preparation of such a code is under way at present.
Section 9 of the 2017 Act also provides that, prior to the publication or approval of a code of practice, a public consultation process must be carried out. In the coming weeks, I intend to publish the draft code on my Department's website and to invite submissions from stakeholders and other interested parties. Under the Act's provisions, the consultation process will be in place for a period of 30 days. I want to take this opportunity to urge all those with an interest in mediation to use the consultation process to submit their views on the content of the draft code.
Following completion of the consultation process, the content of the draft code will be reviewed in light of submissions received and finalised. My intention is to bring the code into operation as soon as practicable thereafter.
295. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if discussions have taken place in terms of synchronising or streamlining the contact between the differing number of Garda and Tusla divisions in relation to dealing with cases of child abuse in view of the recommendation by the Garda Síochána Inspectorate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23653/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the time of publication of the Garda Inspectorate's follow up report "Responding to Child Sexual Abuse" in December 2017, a revised protocol between Tusla and An Garda Síochána was at draft stage, pending formal agreement.
I am pleased to advise that the Children First Joint Working Protocol for An Garda Síochána/Tusla - Child and Family Agency Liaison was published earlier this year to reflect the provisions in the new Children First Act 2015 and is available online at www.garda.ie and www.tusla.ie. Section 10 of the protocol outlines the structures and arrangements for liaison between An Garda Síochána and Tusla at Local Area office and Garda district levels as well as the national structures that are in place.
I can also advise the Deputy that in accordance with the Government's decision dated 27 February 2018, an independently Chaired inter-agency Implementation Group has been established to oversee the implementation of recommendations in the Garda Inspectorate's 2017 report. Members of the Implementation Group include senior officials from my Department, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Department of Communications, Climate and Environment, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Tusla and An Garda Síochána. It is anticipated that the Implementation Group will operate for an initial period of 12 months from the date of its first meeting in mid-June 2018 and will report on a quarterly basis to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Services.
296. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a response will issue in relation to a Garda National Immigration Bureau, GNIB, card for a person (details supplied) being frozen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23676/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy entered the State by way of a D-Join Family Visa as the de facto partner of an Irish National and was granted permission to remain at her local GNIB office on that basis. As the person concerned has been registered as the de facto partner of an Irish national, the fee to acquire an Irish Residency Permit is payable.
Irish law does not recognise polygamous marriages, therefore, the marriage which was contracted on 14 October 2010 is not recognised under Irish law as the Irish national was not free to marry at that time.
Details in relation to making an application for renewal of permission on the basis of a de facto relationship to an Irish National are available at www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/registration-renew-irish-defacto.
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.
297. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are two different ethics training programmes being conducted internally in An Garda Síochána for rank and file members and management, respectively; his views on whether this is appropriate in view of the apparent void between both that is outlined in the recent Garda Cultural Audit Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23682/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Code of Ethics was launched by the Policing Authority in conjunction with the Commissioner in January 2017. Embedding the Code of Ethics throughout An Garda Síochána is a commitment under the Policing Plan for 2018. As the Deputy will appreciate the provision of training on ethical service provision is key to fulfilling this commitment. In this regard, I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that Acorn Solutions was appointed following a tendering process to assist in the provision of appropriate training. Acorn Solutions designed and developed the Code of Ethics Workshop Programme in conjunction with a wide range of administrative and operational ranks and grades within the organisation and were supported by an advisory group of ethics experts within An Garda Síochána.
I am further informed that the workshops have been designed to examine the nine principles and standards of the Code of Ethics in the context of the specific experience of participants. The workshops are highly discursive and interaction based, and participants are invited to share their personal and professional experiences. As such, the workshops are divided into two cohorts, one which includes all ranks and grades up to Inspector and Assistant Principal, and another including ranks and grades from Superintendent and Principal Officer upwards. I understand that this approach is intended to ensure that experiences shared are relevant to the participants albeit that the same programme is being delivered to all personnel. As of the end of March 2017 some 3,300 personnel had received training.
In so far as the Cultural Audit of An Garda Síochána published earlier this month is concerned, I have discussed its findings and recommendations with the senior leadership team. They are, as advised in the report itself, taking a short period of time to consider the findings and recommendations with a view to bringing forward specific actions before the Autumn. It will be important that the findings inform the development of initiatives across the board in An Garda Síochána and I am assured that they will be taken into account in the design of further initiatives aimed at embedding the Code of Ethics in the organisation.
298. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if serious crime is on the rise in County Clare in view of comments by a judge at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court that extra sittings are needed to deal with the increasing number of criminal cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23693/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that the Courts are independent, subject only to the Constitution and law, and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on any statements made by a Judge during particular court proceedings. Furthermore, it is a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to decide whether or not a person should be prosecuted and for what crime.
The Deputy will be aware that it is that the Garda Commissioner and his management team who are responsible for the distribution of all Garda resources, including personnel, in the State and the Government has no direct role in the matter. However, I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána keep the distribution of these resources under continuous review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources, including Garda resources in Co. Clare.
While both An Garda Síochána and the Government are committed to tackling rural crime, it is perhaps worth noting that the latest recorded crime statistics from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), indicate reductions in a number of the main crime categories in the Clare Garda Division. For example, burglary, theft and public order offences have seen decreases of 18%, 2% and 10% in 2017 when compared to the same period in 2016. These decreases coincide with Garda Operation Thor which was set up in 2015 to tackle property-related crime in all rural and urban communities across Ireland.
The most readily available figures for Operation Thor (up to 17th May, 2018), indicated that there have been:
- 7,569 arrests made;
- 8,613 charges brought;
- 32,435 searches carried out;
- 151,819 Thor related patrols;
- 130,702 checkpoints; and
- 90,616 intelligence reports generated.
For its part, the Government remains totally committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána have all the necessary resources to tackle all forms of criminality in our society, which includes actions taken under Operation Thor. Indeed, some €1.65 billion has been allocated to the Garda Vote for 2018. This is an increase of approximately 2% over the allocation for 2017. €98.5m has been provided for Garda overtime for 2018 which represents an increase of €10 million over the initial allocation for 2017 (which amounted to €88.5 million). In November 2017, the Minister for Justice and Equality secured a supplementary estimate of some €42 million for Garda overtime, bringing the spend for 2017 to over €130 million. This compares to a spend in previous years of €91 million in 2016, €56 million in 2015 and some €37.7 million in 2014.
299. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to make the application process for installing crime preventing CCTV systems less arduous in view of the fact that the take-up for the scheme to date has been small; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23694/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to supporting investment in CCTV systems. In pursuance of this commitment, a community-based CCTV grant-aid scheme was launched by my Department in 2017 to assist groups in the establishment of community-based CCTV systems in their local areas. It is intended that the scheme will run for 3 years with funding of €1 million being made available each year.
Under the scheme, eligible community groups can apply for grant-aid of up to 60% of the total capital cost of a proposed CCTV system, up to a maximum grant of €40,000.
The statutory requirements governing the establishment of community CCTV systems generally require that any proposed scheme must -
- be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee;
- have the prior support of the relevant Local Authority, which must also act as Data Controller – this is a long-standing statutory requirement, set out in the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 289 of 2006), for the establishment of community CCTV systems generally; and
- have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner in accordance with Section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
This is the legal basis for all community CCTV schemes, regardless of whether or not grant funding is sought from my Department to assist in their establishment. Indeed I would further point out that some 45 community CCTV schemes were successfully established within this same legal framework between 2005 and 2013, with the support of the grant aid scheme administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department.
While fully respecting the statutory requirements necessary for CCTV systems and the need for protection of public funds, the Department of course wishes to utilise as simple and user-friendly an application process as possible in relation to the grant-aid available.
With this objective in mind, the application process and associated documentation for the current scheme were updated and streamlined by my Department, as compared to the previous scheme.
Further, and again in the interests of avoiding any obstacles to uptake, in establishing the grant-aid scheme, the Department consulted broadly including with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, An Garda Síochána and the Office of the Attorney General. There was also consultation regarding the scheme with stakeholders including County and City Management Association (CCMA), Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), Irish Rural Link as well as interested community groups. In addition, support and guidance remains available from officials in my Department for any interested groups, should that be helpful in considering submitting an application to the scheme.
I am very keen to ensure that all interested groups, in both rural and urban areas, take advantage of the availability of this scheme. With funding of some €1 million available for each year of the scheme, there is room for a greater number of applications than we have seen to date. My Department is ready and willing to guide interested groups through the application process and I encourage any interested groups to make contact with my Department for assistance. A dedicated email address is available for that purpose – communitycctv@justice.ie - and full details of the grant aid package are also available to download from my Department's website www.justice.ie.
300. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress he and the motor insurance working group have made in the establishment of an anti-fraud unit within An Garda Síochána in order to reduce insurance fraud and uninsured driving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23710/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecommendation 26 of the ‘Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance’, published in January 2017, relates to exploring the potential for further cooperation 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.
301. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of adult prisoners who select on a daily basis to be held in single separation by prison in March 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23740/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that data in relation to the number of prisoners who are placed on a restricted regime at their own request is not collated in the exact format requested. However the statistics concerning prisoners on restricted regimes are collated by the Irish Prison Service Statistics Unit for publication quarterly on its website (www.irishprisons.ie). The information can be found in the Information Centre – under Statistics & Information – Census Reports.
Under Rule 63 of the Prison Rules 2007 a prisoner may, either at his/her own request or when the Governor considers it necessary, in so far as is practicable and subject to the maintenance and good order and safe and secure custody, be kept separate from other prisoners who are reasonably likely to cause significant harm to him/her.
The fact that prisoners seeking protection are immediately separated from the general population or from specific prisoners identified as presenting a threat, clearly demonstrates the commitment of the Irish Prison Service to ensure their safety and security. If possible, prisoners can be transferred to other institutions where a restricted regime would not be necessary.
The Prison Rules 2007 provide that the imposition of a restricted regime is closely monitored by the Irish Prison Service and the status of each prisoner on restricted regime within the prison system is regularly reviewed.
302. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners on a restricted regime as of 23 May 2018 by prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23745/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that data in relation to the number of prisoners on a restricted regime is collated in the census on a quarterly basis and therefore the data is not available for the date requested. The last census available is April 2018.
The statistics concerning prisoners on restricted regimes are available on the Irish Prison Service website www.irishprisons.ie, under Information Centre – Statistics & Information – Census Reports.
303. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the length of time prisoners were held on restricted regime by time period (details supplied) by prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23746/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service (IPS) that data in relation to the length of time individual prisoners were held on a restricted regime is not collated in the format requested by the Deputy. However, the data is available in the format outlined in the table below:
April 2018 Census
|
Prison |
0<10 days |
11<20 days |
21<50 days |
51<100 days |
101<200 days |
201<365 days |
1yr+ |
Total |
|
Arbour Hill |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Castlerea |
8 |
9 |
4 |
11 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
36 |
|
Cloverhill |
9 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
|
Cork |
1 |
4 |
19 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
38 |
|
Dochas |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick* |
5 |
9 |
16 |
16 |
21 |
14 |
4 |
85 |
|
Loughan House** |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Midlands |
11 |
5 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
7 |
2 |
49 |
|
Mountjoy (M) |
9 |
17 |
47 |
43 |
48 |
29 |
29 |
222 |
|
Portlaoise |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
10 |
|
Shelton Abbey** |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wheatfield |
24 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
11 |
11 |
15 |
75 |
|
Totals |
67 |
45 |
105 |
92 |
96 |
63 |
56 |
524 |
The restriction of a prisoner's regime can occur due to a number of factors including, the protection of vulnerable prisoners. This is provided for under Rule 63 of the Prison Rules 2007. A prisoner may, either at his/her own request or when the Governor considers it necessary, in so far as is practicable and subject to the maintenance and good order and safe and secure custody, be kept separate from other prisoners who are reasonably likely to cause significant harm to him/her.
In addition, the Governor may decide, for the maintenance of good order in the prison, to remove a prisoner from general association or structured activity to reduce the negative effect that a prisoner or prisoners may have on the general population. This is provided for under Rule 62 of the Prison Rules 2007.
The Prison Rules 2007 provide that the imposition of a restricted regime is closely monitored by the IPS and the status of each prisoner on restricted regime within the prison system is regularly reviewed.
304. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of personnel in each Garda district by category as of 30 April 2015, 2016 and 2017, in tabular form. [23750/18]
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.
In order to deliver an effective policing service, it is essential that Garda management have the flexibility to deploy Garda resources to meet operational policing needs and address critical issues as they arise. For this reason, it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her having regard to the profile of the area and its specific needs at any given time.
I am informed by the Commissioner that on the 30 April 2018, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of An Garda Síochána was 13,632. There are also 562 Garda Reserves and more than 2,280 civilians attached to An Garda Síochána.
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. 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 in March. 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.
I am informed that the detail of the number of Gardaí and resources allocated to the Armed Support Units is deemed to be operationally sensitive and cannot be disclosed for security reasons.
For the Deputy's information I have set out in the attached tables the strength of each Station, District and Division for the years 2015-2017 and as of 30 April 2018. I am advised by the Commissioner that the information sought by the Deputy as it relates to specific units is not readily available by District. In order to be of assistance, I have provided information by Division for the years 2015-2017 and as of 30 April 2018. I have requested the information sought on the number of Gardaí assigned to the Garda Mountain Bike and Mounted Units from the Commissioner and I will revert to the Deputy once this information is to hand.
Garda Reserve 2015 – 2018
|
DIVISION |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018* |
|
Waterford |
32 |
24 |
19 |
19 |
|
Wexford |
37 |
22 |
18 |
17 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
34 |
26 |
26 |
26 |
|
Tipperary |
28 |
23 |
17 |
16 |
|
Cork North |
24 |
16 |
13 |
12 |
|
Cork City |
65 |
48 |
42 |
42 |
|
Cork West |
23 |
12 |
10 |
8 |
|
Kerry |
31 |
21 |
20 |
20 |
|
Limerick |
53 |
36 |
29 |
27 |
|
Donegal |
27 |
21 |
16 |
14 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
19 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
27 |
21 |
17 |
17 |
|
Louth |
41 |
33 |
25 |
24 |
|
Clare |
8 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
|
Mayo |
32 |
23 |
20 |
19 |
|
Galway |
43 |
36 |
31 |
31 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
11 |
11 |
9 |
7 |
|
Westmeath |
20 |
13 |
13 |
12 |
|
Meath |
33 |
18 |
16 |
16 |
|
Kildare |
30 |
22 |
20 |
19 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
24 |
19 |
17 |
16 |
|
Wicklow |
24 |
21 |
20 |
20 |
|
DMR East |
19 |
15 |
10 |
8 |
|
DMR North |
57 |
49 |
45 |
42 |
|
DMR North Central |
59 |
42 |
36 |
35 |
|
DMR South |
35 |
26 |
20 |
17 |
|
DMR South Central |
66 |
48 |
37 |
35 |
|
DMR West |
51 |
28 |
26 |
26 |
|
TOTAL |
953 |
695 |
589 |
562 |
*As of 30 April 2018
Detective Strength 2015 - 2018
|
DIVISION |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018* |
|
D.M.R. EAST |
24 |
22 |
21 |
20 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH |
44 |
36 |
35 |
36 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL |
41 |
34 |
30 |
34 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH |
49 |
40 |
31 |
30 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL |
40 |
37 |
32 |
31 |
|
D.M.R. WEST |
51 |
42 |
62 |
59 |
|
KILDARE |
22 |
23 |
27 |
26 |
|
LAOIS / OFFALY |
28 |
25 |
26 |
26 |
|
MEATH |
18 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
|
WESTMEATH |
15 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
|
WICKLOW |
16 |
15 |
31 |
30 |
|
CAVAN / MONAGHAN |
29 |
28 |
27 |
30 |
|
DONEGAL |
36 |
32 |
31 |
32 |
|
LOUTH |
29 |
25 |
30 |
29 |
|
SLIGO / LEITRIM |
22 |
20 |
26 |
25 |
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
19 |
20 |
20 |
19 |
|
TIPPERARY |
22 |
19 |
23 |
23 |
|
WATERFORD |
28 |
28 |
26 |
27 |
|
WEXFORD |
22 |
21 |
20 |
20 |
|
CORK CITY |
90 |
81 |
123 |
122 |
|
CORK NORTH |
19 |
14 |
28 |
27 |
|
CORK WEST |
19 |
17 |
26 |
28 |
|
KERRY |
30 |
27 |
27 |
32 |
|
LIMERICK |
61 |
53 |
62 |
61 |
|
CLARE |
40 |
33 |
35 |
34 |
|
GALWAY |
48 |
43 |
54 |
53 |
|
MAYO |
19 |
17 |
20 |
20 |
|
ROSCOMMON / LONGFORD |
18 |
14 |
18 |
18 |
|
TOTAL |
899 |
801 |
927 |
929 |
*As of 30 April 2018
Traffic Corp 2015 - 2018
|
DIVISION |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018* |
|
D.M.R. EAST |
14 |
9 |
9 |
12 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH |
17 |
13 |
14 |
14 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL |
18 |
17 |
18 |
18 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH |
12 |
12 |
10 |
10 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL |
16 |
11 |
7 |
6 |
|
D.M.R. WEST |
16 |
13 |
12 |
18 |
|
D.M.R. TRAFFIC |
118 |
107 |
101 |
106 |
|
KILDARE |
34 |
25 |
24 |
27 |
|
LAOIS / OFFALY |
25 |
22 |
19 |
22 |
|
LOUTH / MEATH |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
MEATH |
16 |
17 |
14 |
16 |
|
WESTMEATH |
20 |
28 |
18 |
18 |
|
WICKLOW |
21 |
17 |
16 |
19 |
|
CAVAN / MONAGHAN |
25 |
25 |
18 |
23 |
|
DONEGAL |
27 |
20 |
20 |
21 |
|
LOUTH |
16 |
14 |
14 |
18 |
|
SLIGO / LEITRIM |
24 |
23 |
23 |
22 |
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
28 |
26 |
26 |
22 |
|
TIPPERARY |
21 |
21 |
21 |
26 |
|
WATERFORD |
14 |
14 |
13 |
13 |
|
WEXFORD |
14 |
15 |
13 |
15 |
|
CORK CITY |
36 |
39 |
37 |
38 |
|
CORK NORTH |
33 |
33 |
33 |
33 |
|
CORK WEST |
18 |
22 |
21 |
22 |
|
KERRY |
18 |
17 |
18 |
24 |
|
LIMERICK |
26 |
23 |
24 |
24 |
|
CLARE |
18 |
17 |
15 |
19 |
|
GALWAY |
41 |
39 |
37 |
37 |
|
MAYO |
11 |
11 |
11 |
16 |
|
ROSCOMMON / LONGFORD |
19 |
19 |
17 |
20 |
|
TOTAL |
716 |
669 |
623 |
679 |
* As of 30 April 2018
Divisional Drug Unit Personnel 2015 - 2018
|
Division |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018* |
|
D.M.R.S.C. |
19 |
13 |
9 |
9 |
|
D.M.R.N.C |
20 |
30 |
14 |
14 |
|
D.M.R.N. |
25 |
21 |
19 |
19 |
|
D.M.R.E. |
10 |
9 |
11 |
11 |
|
D.M.R.S. |
16 |
17 |
14 |
16 |
|
D.M.R.W. |
26 |
20 |
17 |
17 |
|
Waterford |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
|
Wexford |
6 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
7 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
|
Tipperary |
8 |
9 |
12 |
11 |
|
Cork City |
15 |
20 |
17 |
15 |
|
Cork North |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Cork West |
4 |
3 |
5 |
6 |
|
Kerry |
9 |
7 |
9 |
10 |
|
Limerick |
14 |
12 |
11 |
8 |
|
Donegal |
7 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
0 |
0 |
5 |
6 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
7 |
7 |
14 |
4 |
|
Louth |
6 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
|
Clare |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
|
Galway |
12 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
6 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
5 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Meath |
5 |
8 |
5 |
5 |
|
Kildare |
7 |
8 |
9 |
11 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
0 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
|
Wicklow |
4 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
258 |
256 |
236 |
224 |
*As of 30 April 2018
Community Gardaí 2015 - 2018
|
DIVISION |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018* |
|
D.M.R. EAST |
30 |
32 |
34 |
32 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH |
58 |
53 |
47 |
51 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL |
121 |
110 |
90 |
96 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH |
53 |
39 |
40 |
48 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL |
38 |
34 |
30 |
31 |
|
D.M.R. WEST |
63 |
53 |
64 |
68 |
|
KILDARE |
0 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
LAOIS / OFFALY |
4 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
MEATH |
8 |
9 |
7 |
8 |
|
WESTMEATH |
9 |
10 |
8 |
11 |
|
WICKLOW |
18 |
14 |
14 |
13 |
|
CAVAN / MONAGHAN |
5 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
|
DONEGAL |
24 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
LOUTH |
16 |
15 |
12 |
11 |
|
SLIGO / LEITRIM |
9 |
8 |
6 |
6 |
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
90 |
88 |
85 |
106 |
|
TIPPERARY |
77 |
71 |
68 |
73 |
|
WATERFORD |
44 |
44 |
35 |
35 |
|
WEXFORD |
8 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
|
CORK CITY |
24 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
|
CORK NORTH |
6 |
8 |
6 |
5 |
|
CORK WEST |
4 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
|
KERRY |
7 |
7 |
9 |
9 |
|
LIMERICK |
58 |
42 |
38 |
36 |
|
CLARE |
6 |
7 |
8 |
8 |
|
GALWAY |
14 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
|
MAYO |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
ROSCOMMON / LONGFORD |
9 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
|
TOTAL |
806 |
719 |
676 |
722 |
*As of 30 April 2018
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
305. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the immigration arrangements including visa options for persons in Venezuela who wish to move here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23758/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that Venezuelan nationals are required to obtain a visa in order to travel to Ireland. A visa required person, including Venezuelan nationals, must apply for a visa for the particular purpose of their visit.
I am further advised that any person who wishes to come to Ireland must fulfil the relevant criteria for the particular visa application, i.e. study, employment, join family, volunteer, Minister of Religion, etc. The onus rests at all times with the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer that the visa sought should be granted.
On arrival at an Irish port the visitor must report to an Immigration Officer and demonstrate that they have all the necessary documents required for their visit. The Immigration Officer may give a permission to the visitor to enter the country and to stay for a period up to a maximum of three months. Should the person wish to stay for longer than the period granted at border control they will be required to register for immigration at the relevant Immigration Office for the district in which they intend to reside.
The requirements set-out above are applicable to all visa required States. Full details of visa and immigration requirements are available on the INIS website.
306. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of ministerial cars or vehicles in operation in each of the past six years; and the costs associated with same. [24034/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the arrangements for Ministerial transport agreed by Government in 2011, office-holder vehicles are provided from the overall Garda fleet for the President, Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister for Justice and Equality, Chief Justice and Director of Public Prosecutions.
As the Deputy will appreciate, management of the Garda fleet is a matter for the Garda Commissioner.
I have requested the relevant information, including costs, from the Garda Commissioner and will write to the Deputy when a report is received.
307. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of vacant posts in the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission; when these posts will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23332/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission currently has 10 vacant posts. Seven of these 10 vacancies are due to be advertised in the next 4 weeks and recruitment will begin as soon as practicable thereafter. The sanction to fill the other three posts has not yet been requested.
308. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA supported jobs in each county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23691/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is working hard to achieve the most even possible distribution of foreign direct investment across the country. IDA Ireland is focused on that same goal, with the Agency targeting an increase of investment of 30%-40% in every region as part of its 2015-2019 strategy.
The Agency's 2017 results demonstrate that significant progress is being made towards these objectives, with 45% of all new IDA client company jobs created last year being outside Dublin. There are now over 122,000 people employed across 649 firms in IDA client companies outside the capital.
The table below provides a detailed breakdown by county of employment by IDA Ireland client companies for 2017. The figures for 2018 will not be available until my Department's Annual Employment Survey is carried out in November 2018.
|
\ County |
Total Number of IDA supported jobs in 2017 |
|
Carlow |
875 |
|
Cavan |
1,155 |
|
Clare |
6,775 |
|
Cork |
35,248 |
|
Donegal |
3,389 |
|
Dublin |
88,318 |
|
Galway |
17,696 |
|
Kerry |
2,186 |
|
Kildare |
9,282 |
|
Kilkenny |
782 |
|
Laois |
119 |
|
Leitrim |
889 |
|
Limerick |
10,677 |
|
Longford |
474 |
|
Louth |
3,702 |
|
Mayo |
4,462 |
|
Meath |
1,491 |
|
Monaghan |
150 |
|
Offaly |
940 |
|
Roscommon |
1,128 |
|
Sligo |
2,184 |
|
Tipperary |
3665 |
|
Waterford |
6,850 |
|
Westmeath |
2,794 |
|
Wexford |
2,948 |
|
Wicklow |
2,264 |
|
Grand Total |
210,443 |
