Written Answers Nos. 536-558
536. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the correct procedure to be followed in the case of a person (details supplied); if they are required to take particular steps in respect of their residency status to meet full requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25504/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that from the very limited information the Deputy has provided it is not possible to address the issues raised in his question.
In this regard the person concerned should be advised to write to Unit 2, Residence Division, Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 in order to allow for a full examination of their circumstances.
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.
537. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of outstanding warrants nationwide on the Garda PULSE system to date by bench, penal and committal warrants; the year in which the number of those outstanding were issued, in tabular form; the number of outstanding warrants by type in each Garda division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25505/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra538. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of warrants issued in the past 12 months that were executed; the number that were executed within three, six or 12 months, respectively; the number of the remainder that are outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25506/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 537 and 538 together.
I have requested this information from the Garda authorities and I will contact the Deputy directly when the report is to hand.
539. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the concept of courtroom dogs which are used in the United States of America as a means of assisting and comforting vulnerable witnesses who are required to give evidence; his plans to pilot a similar scheme here; if not, if piloting such a scheme will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25511/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have recently been advised by the Victims Rights Alliance organisation that it is engaging with the Court House Dogs Foundation in the United States and also with some European colleagues working on behalf of victims to explore the possibility of securing funding from the European Commission to develop a pilot project on the use of courthouse facility dogs to support child victims of crime in the European Union. The Alliance has further advised officials from my Department that it intends to establish a working group to explore this project further and that, at that point, it would seek representation on the group from representatives from the criminal justice sector as required.
541. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if legislation or a statutory instrument will be introduced that would allow An Garda Síochána and specifically the district superintendent act as data controller for community CCTV if it has been approved for use by the JPC and An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25548/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that CCTV systems installed for the purposes of crime prevention and as aids to policing in areas to which the general public routinely have access, such as town centres, fall into two distinct but complementary categories, namely Garda CCTV systems and community-based CCTV systems. Neither type of CCTV system may be established without authorisation by the Garda Commissioner under section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, among other requirements.
Garda CCTV systems are planned and implemented on the basis of An Garda Síochána's identified operational needs and priorities. Accordingly, decisions in relation to the introduction or extension of such systems are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no role in that regard.
Community CCTV is governed by section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006 (SI No 289 of 2006). This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV 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, and
- have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner.
This is the legal basis for all community CCTV schemes, regardless of how they are funded.
There are no plans to amend the relevant legislation in the manner suggested in the Deputy's question.
In that regard, it can be noted that the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner has confirmed to my Department that it is not querying and does not have any current concerns regarding the legislative underpinning of community CCTV systems.
A grant-aid scheme was launched by my Department last year to assist groups in the establishment of community-based CCTV systems in their local areas. Full details of the grant aid package is all available to download from my Department's website - www.justice.ie. I invite interested groups, in both rural and urban areas, take advantage of the availability of this scheme and to contact the Department in the event with any queries in that regard.
542. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his Department's capital allocation in each of the years 2019 to 2023; and the areas to which funds will be allocated in each of those years. [25575/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe capital allocation for the Justice Votes Group over the period 2019 to 2022, as published in the recent National Development Plan, is as follows (details for 2023 are yet to be finalised):
|
Year |
Allocation € million |
|
2019 |
241 |
|
2020 |
230 |
|
2021 |
208 |
|
2022 |
216 |
|
Total |
895 |
The precise breakdown of the budget across the votes and various projects will be dependent on the outcome of procurement competitions and the timing of expenditure but in broad terms the funding will mainly be allocated to the following areas:
- Construction of the new Forensic Science Laboratory;
- Garda Síochána Building and Refurbishment Programme including 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.
544. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of large marked Garda vans; if funding will be made available to purchase additional large marked vans for use by the Garda public order units; if so, the amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25596/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet, to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet. This is in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015. In total, in the period 2013 to 2017, almost €44 million has been invested in the fleet.
As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 8 June 2018 there are currently 14 vans available for public order units. I am further informed by the Garda authorities that an order has recently been placed for 15 large vans to be fitted out for public order units.
545. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when construction works on the new Garda immigration detention facility at Dublin Airport will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25597/18]
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 the matter.
In relation to the facility at Dublin Airport, I am informed by the OPW that works commenced on site 8 May 2018, with completion expected by the end of 2018.
546. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the waiting times for Garda vetting for voluntary organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25606/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the processing of vetting applications by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is an operational matter for the Garda Authorities and is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012-2016 and other relevant law. My Department has no role in the processing of individual vetting applications.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the National Vetting Bureau works to ensure that the processing time for vetting applications is kept to the minimum necessary in order to ensure that the statutory obligation to receive a vetting disclosure prior to permitting any person to undertake relevant work or activities on behalf of an organisation can be facilitated without undue delay.
The current turnaround time for vetting applications submitted by organisations utilising the eVetting system is five working days for over 80% of vetting applications received.
In certain cases, it is necessary to conduct further enquiries within An Garda Síochána or with external agencies such as the Courts Service, Probation Service, Child and Family Agency, etc. These enquiries may be conducted for many reasons, such as verification of identity, updating of incomplete records or establishing the outcomes of investigations. In such instances processing times may be longer than the general average.
Across 2017 and the first quarter of 2018, the National Vetting Bureau placed an emphasis on supporting relevant organisations to meet statutory obligations with regard to retrospective vetting arrangements, the deadline for which was 30 April 2018. While this resulted in a short-term increase in the volume of vetting applications received in the first quarter of this year, which temporarily resulted in the turnaround time increasing in excess of the five-day timeline, additional resources were applied to address this additional demand enabling the National Vetting Bureau to return to the turnaround times within the five-day timeline.
548. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of additional unmarked Garda vehicles that came into the fleet in each of the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the number of unmarked vehicles that were withdrawn during the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25663/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet, to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet. This is in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015.
As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles across the various Garda divisions are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I understand that Garda management keeps the 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 authorities that the tables below outline the numbers of unmarked vehicles allocated to and removed from the Garda fleet over the periods requested by the Deputy.
Unmarked vehicles allocated to the Garda fleet
|
Year |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Others |
Total |
|
2016 |
216 |
65 |
3 |
9 |
28 |
321 |
|
2017 |
148 |
25 |
2 |
7 |
18 |
200 |
|
2018 (to date) |
58 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
64 |
Unmarked vehicles removed from the Garda fleet
|
Year |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4x4 |
Others |
Total |
|
2016 |
167 |
21 |
4 |
6 |
9 |
207 |
|
2017 |
163 |
28 |
0 |
10 |
7 |
208 |
|
2018 (to date) |
82 |
11 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
99 |
549. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to issue each front-line garda with a Taser; the estimated cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25664/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that although the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of equipment to members of An Garda Síochána, where the Commissioner proposes to arrange for deployment of less-lethal weapons, including conductive electrical devices (CEDs, commonly referred to as Tasers), Ministerial consent is required, due to the fact that An Garda Síochána is primarily an unarmed force.
In line with the recommendation in the Garda Síochána Inspectorate’s 2007 report "Review of Practices and Procedures for Barricade Incidents", all members are issued with incapacitant spray (i.e. pepper spray) while other forms of less lethal weapons, including tasers and bean bag shots, are available to Garda specialist units.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that CEDs (tasers) are currently issued to members of the Emergency Response Unit and Armed Support Units, which are deployed regionally. Armed Support Units were established to provide an armed response capacity on a regional basis to support and supplement the national Emergency Response Unit. Members are highly trained and equipped with a variety of non-lethal and lethal weapons and perform high visibility armed checkpoints and patrols throughout their respective regions.
Ministerial consent has not to date been sought for roll-out of CEDs outside the specialist units. In the circumstances, an estimated cost for the provision of CEDs more generally to members of An Garda Síochána is not currently available.
550. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full-year cost of employing ten new front-line gardaí. [25698/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment and training of the members of An Garda Síochána. I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that payroll costs for new Garda recruits include a basic allowance of €184 per week. After 32 weeks of training, Garda Recruits are attested and move on to the first point of the Garda pay scale €29,669 rising to a maximum of €51,693 per annum after 19 years. They may also qualify for other allowances depending on their assignments.
I understand that the annual payroll cost of 10 new recruits in their first year including that training period (assuming a commencement date of 1st January each year) is approximately €229,400. This figure includes Employer's PRSI and an estimation of allowances which the recruits may qualify for following attestation. This does not include the impact of any scheduled pay increases. The annual cost will increase as the members move up the Garda pay scale each year.
551. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full-year cost of employing ten new administration staff located within An Garda Síochána. [25699/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, civilian staff are employed within An Garda Síochána at a range of different grades and the Deputy will appreciate that the cost of recruitment is dependent on the mix of grades involved.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
553. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full-year cost of providing front-line Garda vehicles with GPS. [25701/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for provision and allocation of Garda resources including equipment and, as Minister, I have no direct role in relation to these matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that GPS does not form part of the specified requirements for technical fit-out of all Garda vehicles. In the absence of a tendering process, it is currently not possible to provide an estimated cost for such a project.
Nonetheless, it is understood that a significant number of Garda vehicles operating nationwide are fitted with TETRA radios and the majority of those vehicles therefore have a GPS facility.
I am further informed that the standard issue TETRA radio hand-held devices issued to members include a GPS facility. The secure TETRA digital radio system allows any relevant details (including for example incident details, location directions if required and any other relevant operational information) to be provided by the relevant Garda Control Room to Garda members as required.
554. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of establishing a new Garda youth diversion project; and the estimated full year running cost of any such a project. [25702/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe full year running costs of a Garda Youth Diversion Project will vary between projects and is dependent on several factors including location, catchment area and the number of participants. The most recently established GYDPs which were set up in 2015, were allocated a maximum annual budget of €125,000 each. This included any costs that may be associated with the establishment of the project.
In 2017, my Department provided €13,290,518 in grant funding which covered the full year costs of 105 Garda Youth Diversion Projects operating nationwide. A further €1,372,178 in grant funding was provided to support a range of other activities, including project work relating to Local Drugs Task Forces, pilot mentoring initiatives and measures to support training and best practices.
555. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full-year cost of reducing free civil legal aid by €70, €80, €90 and €100 respectively in tabular form. [25703/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Legal Aid Board is the statutory body responsible for the provision of legal advice and legal aid to persons of insufficient means in civil cases. The Board has supplied the financial analysis below, which is for general information purposes only, and is subject to a number of assumptions including level of demand and case profile.
It should be noted that civil legal aid is not free in the vast majority of cases. The contribution for which a person is liable will depend on their disposable income and capital assets. Persons who receive civil legal services are generally obliged to pay a financial contribution of €30 for legal advice and a further minimum contribution of €130 if they require representation in court. The Board has a discretionary facility to waive contributions in instances of undue hardship and certain circumstances for example, defence of District Court child care proceedings.
Using the contributions figure collected in 2017 (provisional figure €1,647,517) as a base line, the table below sets out what the Board’s estimated income in contributions would be if the legal aid contribution was reduced by the specified figures and the consequent loss of income that would accrue to the Board.
For the purposes of answering the Deputy’s query, where the reduction referred to is greater than the contribution currently being collected, it has been reduced to zero. For example, a contribution of €79 is, for the purposes of applying an €80, €90, and €100 reduction, reduced by €79 to €0 in all instances.
|
If Aid Contribution were Reduced by €70 |
If Aid Contribution were Reduced by €80 |
If Aid Contribution were Reduced by €90 |
If Aid Contribution were Reduced by €100 |
|
|
Amount which would have been collected in 2017 |
€1,067,236 |
€992,588 |
€918,887 |
€845,459 |
|
Difference from amount actually collected in 2017 |
-€580,281 |
-€654,929 |
-€728,630 |
-€802,058 |
556. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full-year running cost of the Courts Service. [25704/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998 management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the net running cost of the Courts Service for 2018 is €83.606m as published in the 2018 Estimate Volume.
This comprises total gross funding for pay, non-pay and capital of €131.575m. However, the Courts Service has Appropriations in Aid (Receipts) amounting to €47.969m primarily relating to Court Fees and these receipts are used to defray the cost of running the Courts Service.
557. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of forensic accountants dedicated to tackling white-collar crime. [25707/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra558. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full-year cost of employing five forensic accountants. [25708/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 557 and 558 together.
The information requested by the Deputy cannot be provided in the time available. I have requested the information sought from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy on receipt of same.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
