Written Answers Nos. 248-265
248. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who applied for the current competition for An Garda Síochána; the number of positions available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26333/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 the Public Appointments Service, on behalf of the Garda Commissioner, manages the initial recruitment stages for the selection of Garda trainees. The final stages of the recruitment process in which candidates are vetted, and complete a physical competency test and a medical examination, are managed by the Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct involvement in the matter.
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 deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians.
Taking account of projected retirements, reaching a strength of 15,000 by 2021 will require some 2,400 new Garda members to be recruited on a phased basis for the years 2018 to 2021. Already in 2018, 400 new recruits have entered the Garda college and a further 400 will begin their training before the end of the year. This recruitment is in addition to the just under 2,000 new recruits who have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and who have been assigned to mainstream duties around the country since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014.
This is an ambitious programme of recruitment and will require a continuous pipeline of suitable candidates. The most recent recruitment campaign which closed for applications on the 7 June 2018 again received a strong response with over 6,000 applications received. This compares favourably to the 2017 competition which received approximately 5,400 applications and indicates that a career in An Garda Siochána continues to be regarded as an attractive and rewarding profession.
Any candidate for a position as a Garda trainee should contact the Public Appointments Service or the Garda Appointments Office if they have any queries in relation to their application.
249. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each year since 2007 to date in the Limerick Garda division by district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26337/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of personnel 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 on 30 April 2018, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of the Limerick Division was 565. There are also 27 Garda Reserves and 53 civilians attached to the Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support 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 over 1,960 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, of whom 63 members have been assigned to the Limerick Division, 10 of whom were allocated from the latest attestation on the 15 June 2018. 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 400 of whom have attested to date. Further, Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, are on track to reach 14,000 by the end of this year.
Taking account of projected retirements, reaching a strength of 15,000 by 2021 will require some 1,600 more Garda members to be recruited on a phased basis over the next two years. This is an ambitious programme of accelerated recruitment. To ensure a continuous pipeline of candidates the Public Appointment Service on behalf of the Commissioner recently launched a new recruitment drive with a closing date of 7 June.
In addition to the investment in more Gardaí, 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. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí. Undoubtedly, the ongoing recruitment process will support all Garda activities and enhance visibility within our communities and will enable the Commissioner to provide additional resources across every Garda Division, including the Limerick Division, as new Garda recruits continue to come on stream.
For the Deputy's information I have set out in tabular form the number of Gardaí allocated to each Garda District in each of the years 2007 to 2017 and as of 30 April 2018 the latest date for which figures are currently available, as supplied by the Commissioner.
|
Strength of the Limerick Division by District 2007-2018 |
||||||||||||
|
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018* |
|
Bruff |
41 |
45 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
46 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
43 |
41 |
45 |
|
Henry Street |
330 |
358 |
363 |
376 |
363 |
341 |
329 |
314 |
311 |
317 |
313 |
309 |
|
Newcastle West |
47 |
49 |
47 |
44 |
45 |
43 |
81 |
78 |
75 |
74 |
75 |
75 |
|
Roxboro Road |
134 |
139 |
141 |
140 |
148 |
137 |
134 |
129 |
124 |
125 |
129 |
136 |
|
Askeaton |
41 |
44 |
40 |
39 |
37 |
38 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total |
593 |
635 |
635 |
643 |
637 |
605 |
589 |
565 |
554 |
559 |
558 |
565 |
*Up to 30 April 2018.
250. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for stamp 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26353/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of the Department that correspondence will issue to this person shortly.
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.
251. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Policing Authority has not issued guidelines to the Garda Commissioner regarding the supervision and control by the Commissioner of the monitoring of CCTV by authorised persons under section 38(11) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26357/18]
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.
Under the grant-aid scheme launched by my Department last year to assist groups in the establishment of community-based CCTV systems in their local areas, eligible 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.
I am anxious to ensure that all interested groups, in both rural and urban areas, take advantage of the availability of this grant aid scheme. Full details of the grant aid package including guidelines, application forms, code of practice and other relevant documentation are all available to download from my Department's website - www.justice.ie. Support and guidance is available to help interested groups to apply for this funding through a dedicated email address available for this purpose - communitycctv@justice.ie. In addition, the criteria for the installation and operation by authorised persons of the CCTV system in specified areas has been established.
As the Deputy is aware, the Policing Authority, under section 38(11) of the An Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, is required to issue guidelines to the Garda Commissioner concerning the supervision and control by the Commissioner of the monitoring of CCTV by authorised persons. I can confirm to the Deputy that I am aware that the Authority has not issued guidelines under section 38(11) as yet, however my Department is engaging with the Authority on the issue.
As mentioned above my Department has issued a Code of Practice For Community Based CCTV systems which is available from our website at www.justice.ie. This provides guidance to local authority groups and informs them of their legal and data protection obligations.
252. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he remains satisfied that the introduction of the general data protection regulation, GDPR, does not diminish or impede the way or extent to which An Garda Síochána can investigate crime, with particular reference to reliance on CCTV or triangulation in County Kildare or elsewhere throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26359/18]
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.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they do not consider the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to impede the way or extent to which An Garda Síochána can investigate crime, including in respect of reliance on CCTV or triangulation in County Kildare or elsewhere throughout the country.
First, as the Deputy will be aware, EU Directive 2016/680 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 – commonly referred to as the Law Enforcement Directive (LED) - was transposed into national law in Part 5 of the Data Protection Act 2018. This applies to personal data processed by competent authorities for the purposes of prevention, investigation, detection, and prosecution of criminal offences or the execution of criminal penalties. The GDPR applies to all other processing of personal data.
Second, in relation to GDPR, section 41(b) of the Data Protection Act 2018 provides that without prejudice to the processing of personal data for a purpose other than the purpose for which the data has been collected which is lawful under the GDPR, the processing of personal data and special categories of personal data for a purpose other than the purpose for which the data has been collected shall be lawful to the extent that such processing is necessary and proportionate for certain other purposes, including preventing a threat to national security, defence or public security and preventing, detecting, investigating or prosecuting criminal offences.
253. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount paid per project to a company (details supplied) since 1 January 2016 to date by year, amount and project name; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26394/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that expenditure by my Department with the specified company, and the reasons for this expenditure, during the requested years was as follows:
|
Description |
2016 |
2017 |
|
Victims of Crime Public Information Notice |
€2,692 |
€2,692 |
|
Public Firework Safety Information Notice |
€34,681 |
€36,676 |
|
Recruitment Advertising |
€20,757 |
€15,037 |
|
Gender Equality Public Information Notice |
€6,081 |
€3,029 |
|
Private Security Authority Awareness |
€132,594 |
€225,136 |
|
Property Service Providers Information Campaign |
€59,806 |
€30,285 |
|
Public Information Notice for EU Funding Invitation Applications |
- |
€12,118 |
|
Advertising for Accommodation, Support Services and General Information for Migrants |
- |
€43,363 |
|
Firearms Public Consultation Process Notice |
- |
€3,246 |
|
Miscellaneous Public Information Notices |
€2,707 |
€5,026 |
|
Total |
€259,318 |
€376,608 |
254. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of public consultations held by his Department or by a State agency under the remit of his Department; the number of replies received per consultation; and the cost of each consultation in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [26465/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy in respect of my Department is currently being collated and I will contact him again in due course. I have asked the agencies under the aegis of my Department to write to the Deputy directly in respect of any relevant information pertaining to them.
|
Year |
Public Consultation |
No of Replies per Consultation |
Cost € |
|
2011 |
5 Replies from NGO stakeholders |
||
|
2011 |
White Paper on Crime Discussion Document 4 – The Community and the Criminal Justice System |
52 |
|
|
2011 |
Consultation on Review of the Code of Practice on the Sale and Display of Alcohol in Mixed Trade Premises |
25 |
|
|
2012 |
Consultation on European Commission’s proposal for a new Data Protection Regulation |
25 |
Nil |
|
2013 |
Review of Rent Review |
5 |
Nil |
|
2013 |
173 (attended symposium) |
||
|
2014 |
27 |
€3,131.70 |
|
|
2014 |
Ireland’s migrant integration policy |
80 |
€6,465.28 |
|
2014 |
Departmental Strategy Statement 2015 to 2017 |
15 |
Nil |
|
2014 / 2015 |
Firearms Licensing |
271 |
€4,435.67 |
|
2015 |
Consultation on the Draft Second National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking in Ireland |
12 Replies from State and NGO stakeholders |
|
|
2015 |
|||
|
2015 |
Open Policy Debate on Criminal Justice Inspectorate and ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) |
2 rounds of consultations since debate (17 written submissions) |
€1,388.36 |
|
2016 |
Consultation on Data protection safeguards for children (‘digital age of consent’) |
17 |
Nil |
|
2016 |
Defamation Act Review |
Nil |
|
|
2016 |
National Disability Inclusion Strategy, regional public consultations |
Regional public consultation, approx. 300 people attended |
€12,365.40 |
|
2016 |
National Traveller and Roman Inclusion Strategy |
Regional public consultation, approx. 1,000 people attended |
€13,510 |
|
2016 |
Departmental Strategy Statement 2016 to 2019 |
29 |
Nil |
|
2016 |
Public Consultation to inform the new National Women’s Strategy (November 2016-January 2017) |
95 written submissions. 155 participants at four public consultation meetings. |
|
|
2017 |
continued….Public Consultation to inform the new National Women’s Strategy (November 2016-January 2017) |
95 written submissions. 155 participants at four public consultation meetings. |
€ |
|
2017 |
38 written submissions |
||
|
Review of Part Three of the Personal Insolvency Act |
12 |
Nil |
|
|
2017 |
Realistic Imitation Firearms |
16 |
€3,245.62 |
|
2017 |
Ireland’s combined Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh State report to the United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination |
27 |
€8,456.35 |
|
2017 |
Consultation with NGOs in advance of Ireland’s appearance before the United Nations Committee Against Torture (UNCAT) for consideration of the 2nd National Report |
The consultation was an open mic discussion. Any NGOs or groups who made submissions on Ireland’s report were invited to attend. |
€475.24 |
|
2018 |
17,369 |
||
|
2018 |
10 LGBTI Consultation Workshops |
Circa 300 attendees |
|
|
2018 |
Consultation on draft National Standards for Accommodation offered to People in the Protection Process |
39 online submissions 5 consultation meetings |
€8,083.88 to date |
255. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when appropriate funding and resources will be made available to An Garda Síochána for Caherciveen, County Kerry. [26618/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including responsibility for the distribution of Garda funding and resources, including personnel, among the various Garda divisions. I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
There has been very significant investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. I understand that 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. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division, which ensures local Garda management has the flexibility to deploy Garda resources to meet operational needs and address critical issues as they arise taking account of, amongst other factors, the incidence of crime and crime trends in each District in the Division.
As the Deputy will be aware Caherciveen forms part of the Killarney Garda District.
I am advised that Caherciveen Garda Station operates on a 24-hour basis, during which it is open to the public from 9am to 5pm Monday to Sunday.
I am informed that on 30 April 2018, the latest date for which information is readily available the strength of the District was 107, including one Superintendent District officer based in District Headquarters, in Killarney Garda Station, and 18 Gardaí assigned to Caherciveen Garda Station
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.
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. Indeed in the period 2013 to the end of 2017, almost €44 million has been invested in the fleet with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period to assist Gardaí in being mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.
I am informed that there are currently 2 Garda vehicles attached to Caherciveen Garda Station. I understand from the Garda authorities that the Southern Region is to be allocated 30 Garda vehicles in 2018, with 5 of these vehicles intended to be allocated to the Kerry Division.
I can assure the Deputy that 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.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. Undoubtedly, the ongoing recruitment process will support all Garda activities and enhance visibility within our communities and will enable the Commissioner to provide additional resources across every Garda District, including the Killarney District as new Garda recruits continue to come on stream.
256. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will investigate with An Garda Síochána whether the level of resources available to the drug squad in the Sligo-Leitrim division are sufficient in order to enable the unit to conduct its objectives properly; the number of staff in the unit; the vehicles assigned to the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26629/18]
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 further informed by the Commissioner that the strength of the Sligo/Leitrim Division on 30 April 2018, the latest date for which information is currently available, was 302 of whom 4 were allocated to the Divisional Drug Unit. There are also 17 Garda Reserves and 31 Garda civilian staff attached to the Sligo/Leitrim 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.
As the Deputy will be aware all Gardaí have a responsibility in the prevention and detection of criminal activity whether it be in the area of drug offences, crime or otherwise. I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to pro-actively and resolutely tackle all forms of drug crime in this jurisdiction.
In 2015 the Commissioner, established a new national Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GDOCB), which brought together the Organised Crime Unit and the Garda National Drug Unit so as to create a robust entity to effectively tackle drugs and organised crime, as it currently exists in this country.
The GDOCB leads out the policing strategy for tackling drugs by demand reduction and supply reduction strategies. In this regard the Bureau continues its policy of working with Garda Divisional Drug Units nationwide in tackling supply reduction at local level. This work is further supported by other national units, including the Criminal Assets Bureau, in targeting persons involved in the illicit sale and supply of drugs. I am informed that this approach allows for the co-ordinated use of Garda resources in tackling all forms of organised crime, including illicit drug activity nationwide.
We have also seen unprecedented international cooperation between An Garda Síochána and policing services in other jurisdictions leading to important arrests and drug seizures.
Underpinning all these measures is this Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. I am further informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, just over 1,960 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. I am pleased to say that 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.
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 he needs to allow him to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across the organisation including the Divisional Drugs Units.
I have requested from the Garda Commissioner the specific information sought by the Deputy regarding the number of vehicles and I will write to him on receipt of same.
|
- |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4 x 4 |
Others |
Total |
|
SLIGO-LEITRIM DIVISION |
36 |
13 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
52 |
257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an upgrade to stamp 4 will be accommodated in the case of a person (details supplied); if he will use his discretion to grant the appropriate stamp to permit them continue their employment here in view of the shortage of skills in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26630/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person's application for permission to remain in the State has been considered and that the person concerned has been notified of the decision.
The original application was received from the person concerned on 2 November 2017 and a decision letter issued on 17 January 2018.
On 22 March 2018 a review of the original application was requested as an exceptional measure. A decision letter in response to this exceptional request for a review of the original application was issued on 28 May 2018.
The policy in relation to the eligible and ineligible categories of employment for employment permits is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
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.
258. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied). [26632/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person's application for permission to remain in the State has been considered and that the person concerned has been notified of the decision.
The original application was received from the person concerned on 2 November 2017 and a decision letter issued on 17 January 2018.
On 22 March 2018 a review of the original application was requested as an exceptional measure. A decision letter in response to this exceptional request for a review of the original application was issued on 28 May 2018.
The policy in relation to the eligible and ineligible categories of employment for employment permits is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
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.
259. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeline for the reopening of Stepaside Garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26639/18]
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. This includes identifying and progressing any necessary remedial or refurbishment works required at individual stations. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a pilot scheme to reopen 6 Garda stations, both urban and rural, to determine possible positive impacts that such openings will have on criminal activity, with special emphasis on burglaries, theft and public order.
The Garda Commissioner's final report on the matter, which is available on my Department's website, recommends that Stepaside Garda Station be reopened, along with stations in Bawnboy, Co. Cavan, Ballinspittle, Co. Cork, Donard, Co. Wicklow, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow and Rush, Co. Dublin.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a brief of requirements was provided to the OPW in relation to the reopening of each of these 6 stations, including Stepaside Garda Station, and that the Garda authorities requested the OPW to undertake technical surveys to determine the works which would be required to enable the stations to reopen.
I understand that the OPW has concluded the necessary technical surveys and advised the Commissioner accordingly. The Commissioner is currently considering the matter and has assured me that he will be reverting to the OPW shortly.
It is not possible to say at this stage when the six stations will reopen as this depends on a number of factors, but my officials are engaging on an on-going basis with An Garda Síochána and the OPW as they progress these very important projects.
260. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times An Garda Síochána has been called to or attended the psychiatric unit in Roscommon Hospital in each of the years 2012 to 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26645/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.
261. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if An Garda Síochána plans to deploy undercover gardaí on trains that travel close to popular beaches over the summer months during good weather periods to address anti-social behaviour in the Dublin metropolitan region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26648/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the allocation of all Garda resources, including personnel, is solely a matter for the Garda Commissioner and his management team and I have no direct role in this regard. However, I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continue to monitor all new and emerging crime trends in our communities, particularly in the Summer months.
I am advised by An Garda Síochána that Garda management engages extensively with transport operators and a range of regional and local operations have been put in place to address incidents of anti-social behaviour. An Garda Síochána maintains close contact with local and senior management in Irish Rail and other transport providers. Gardaí also have a good working relationship with the public transport services providers and patrols of uniformed and plain-clothes Gardaí, including personnel on foot patrols and other community engagement duties, are routinely employed when deemed appropriate by Garda management.
Working with communities to tackle public disorder and reduce anti-social behaviour remains a key priority for An Garda Síochána. This approach includes a strong focus on quality of life issues and collaboration with local authorities to help address the causes of anti-social behaviour. I might add that there is a range of strong legislative provisions available to An Garda Síochána to combat anti-social behaviour, including provisions under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Acts, the Criminal Damage Act and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts. There are also the incremental provisions contained in the Criminal Justice Act 2006 which provide for warnings and civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by adults and Part 13 of the Act which provide for warnings, good behaviour contracts and civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by children.
While An Garda Síochána will continue to tackle this problem head-on, they cannot eradicate the problem of anti-social behaviour alone. In relation to young offenders, it is also up to us as adults, particularly the parents and guardians of our young, to ensure that children are raised to be respectful and law-abiding. These lessons begin in the home, are further reinforced in our schools and then by society in general. We must all work together to ensure that such behaviour is never normalised and is tackled immediately.
262. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if it is the practice of An Garda Síochána to test drivers involved in accidents for the presence of alcohol or illegal drugs at all accidents at which gardaí are present; the number of those tested to date; the number that tested positive for the presence of illegal drugs or alcohol; the number not tested for the presence of illegal drugs or alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26653/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested a report from An Garda Síochána in relation to the information sought by the Deputy and I will be in contact with the Deputy directly on receipt of this report.
263. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of homicides which occurred in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26662/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of the official recorded crime statistics, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose.
I have asked the CSO to forward the available statistics directly to the Deputy.
264. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of four-wheel drive vehicles available for use by Tallaght Garda station in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26665/18]
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. Indeed in the period 2013 to the end of 2017, almost €44 million has been invested in the fleet with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period to assist Gardaí in being mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.
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 that matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Tallaght Garda Station is in Tallaght District of DMR South Division. I am further informed that in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and in 2018 to date, one 4-wheel drive vehicle has been available for use in Tallaght District, with a total of two 4-wheel drive vehicles being available for use in DMR South Division throughout the period in question.
265. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 354 of 27 February 2018, if he will intervene on compassionate and medical grounds to have a visa application for a person (details supplied) allowed to come here to visit their seriously ill brother; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26741/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa application referred to was refused, on a number of grounds, by the Visa Office in Abu Dhabi on 31 May 2018. The decision was communicated to the applicant who was advised that an appeal could be submitted within two months. No appeal has yet been received in relation to this application.
If the applicant wishes to appeal the refusal decision, they should ensure that they fully address the reasons for refusal in the appeal and include all relevant information they wish taken into account.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS 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 INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
