Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:242. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a stamp 4 application (detail supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27496/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraLeave to Remain
Ceisteanna (242)
Freagraí scríofa
The Deputy will appreciate that his question primarily concerns the issue of eligible and ineligible categories of employment for employment permit purposes, which is a policy matter for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. My Department has no function in the matter.
However, I 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.
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.
Private Security Authority
Ceisteanna (243)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:243. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 86 of 25 January 2018, if the matter will be re-examined in view of the fact that application forms are not available online and a person (details supplied) was not provided with a form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27552/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Private Security Authority, established under the Private Security Services Act 2004 (as amended), is the statutory body with responsibility for the licensing and regulation of the private security industry in the State. The Authority is an independent body under the aegis of my Department and I have no involvement in its day to day operations.
As indicated in my reply to your previous question, I am informed by the Private Security Authority that it is in the process of moving from a paper based application system to online services. While an online renewal application for applicants is available in English, an Irish language equivalent is not.
As advised previously also, the Authority has informed me that An Coimisinéir Teanga has advised it that there is no statutory obligation on the Authority to provide an online renewal service in Irish. The Authority is, however, obliged to put in place a system which allows the Authority deal with the members of the public who wish to make their licence application through Irish. To satisfy this obligation, I am advised that the Authority provides an application form in Irish to facilitate any such licence applicants.
I understand that the Authority provided the individual in question with an Irish version of the application form following the expiry of their last licence. The Authority informs me that the completed application form has not been received to date and they have sent the Irish version of this application form again to allow the person in question apply for a licence renewal. On receipt of the completed application form the Authority will process the application.
Immigration Status
Ceisteanna (244)
James Lawless
Ceist:244. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27553/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that an acknowledgement to the request referred to by the Deputy was issued on 18 May 2018.
This request is currently under consideration and INIS expects to be in a position to write to the person concerned in due course.
All such requests are dealt with in chronological order and due to the large volume received, it is not possible to give a specific timeframe for a decision on this particular request.
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.
Question No. 245 answered with Question No. 231.
Visa Applications
Ceisteanna (246)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:246. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the options available for a person (detail supplied) to extend their stay here following a working holiday visa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27582/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to is here on a Working Holiday Authorisation and has permission to remain until 15 July 2018.
In relation to the Working Holiday Authorisation, I wish to draw your attention to its Terms and Conditions as published on www.dfa.ie which states that '...Permission to those entering Ireland on the basis of a Working Holiday Authorisation shall be valid for a maximum of twenty four (24) months from the date of entry into Ireland...' and that '... Extensions to the period of validity of such permission shall not be granted. Participants must leave Ireland on the expiration of their permission, which can not be extended nor renewed.'
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.
Deportation Orders Re-examination
Ceisteanna (247)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:247. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a new application for family reunification has been received in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27656/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the spouse of the person referred to is the subject of a valid Deportation Order made on 20 June 2002.
Representations were received, pursuant to the provisions of section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), requesting that the Deportation Order be revoked. Following the detailed consideration of the information submitted in support of the request, including all representations made around family reunification, the Deportation Order was affirmed on 9 November 2017.
As previously stated, having checked records in INIS, there are no outstanding Family Reunification applications in respect of the person concerned.
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.
EU Directives
Ceisteanna (248)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:248. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the engagement that has taken place between him, his Department and the implementation group with civil society organisations and-or NGOs in relation to the detail of Ireland's opt-in to the EU reception conditions directive; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27671/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government responded to the views of members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, members of the Justice McMahon Group and NGOs and civil society organisations by deciding to opt-into the EU (recast) Reception Conditions Directive (2013/33/EU). The views of all relevant stakeholders were therefore well known.
To facilitate the practical arrangements for the opt-in and the compliance process led by the European Commission, the Government established a cross-Departmental Implementation Group. This Group was available to meet with stakeholders throughout the process. An information session on the process and on the interim arrangements for access to the labour market introduced from 9 February 2018 was hosted by my Department officials on 23 January 2018. All NGOs identified as working in this area were invited to attend. Members of the Implementation Group from other Government Departments and services were also in attendance and available to respond to any questions raised.
Residency Permits
Ceisteanna (249)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:249. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if permissions to reside here will be renewed on a temporary basis for Venezuelan nationals based on their most recent passport even if they are out of date for less than two years and in cases in which the applicant can prove that they have applied to renew their passport, in view of the chaotic situation in that country which means that many passports cannot be renewed at this time even though valid applications for same have been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27694/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department that it considers the renewal of an immigration permission of a person who does not hold a valid passport, if that person can give a satisfactory explanation of any circumstances that may prevent them from producing a valid passport, subject of course to all other aspects being in order. Each case is considered on its individual circumstances.
I am further advised that in practice such a person may be granted a temporary immigration permission for up to six months, subject to them providing evidence that they have applied to their National Authorities for a renewal of their passport.
Garda Vetting
Ceisteanna (250)
Seán Fleming
Ceist:250. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are procedures in place under the Garda vetting rules whereby a person with a previous record for offences is not required to be disclosed due to the long period of time when those offences occurred or if they continue permanently on the record and in situations in which the person involved was an adult and the offences were committed in the period 2011 to 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27737/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy will be aware that the primary purpose of Garda vetting for employment purposes is to support protection for children and vulnerable adults. It is carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012-2016 and other relevant laws. Neither I nor my Department has any role in the processing of vetting applications.
The Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016 sets out the arrangements in law whereby certain past convictions may not be disclosed and may be regarded as spent. This Act made a series of amendments to the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 in respect of the arrangements for the disclosure or otherwise of past convictions in the context of the vetting process.
These provisions are applied by the National Vetting Bureau in the context of processing all vetting applications.
Generally speaking, the Act provides that in certain circumstances and in respect of certain offences a person is not obliged to disclose convictions which are over seven years old. I would emphasise that these arrangements are subject to specified limitations and these are detailed in the 2016 Act.
Deportation Orders Re-examination
Ceisteanna (251)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:251. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 228 of 19 June 2018 (details supplied), if representations sent on the person's behalf on 12 and 19 June 2018 have been received in the relevant section of his Department in view of the fact they were representations submitted in reply to his Department's letter of 30 May 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27781/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been received and acknowledged on behalf of the person concerned.
These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.
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.
Deportation Orders Re-examination
Ceisteanna (252)
Danny Healy-Rae
Ceist:252. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider altering his response to an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27791/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 23 April 2009.
The statutory criteria which must be considered in relation to a decision to make a deportation order under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 include national security and public policy, the character and conduct of the person concerned and the common good. In determining whether to make a deportation order, in addition to the factors set out in Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, the Minister of the day must also consider all relevant constitutional and international human rights arising including those enshrined in the Refugee Convention, the UN Convention Against Torture and the European Charter of Human Rights. The question of not returning a person to a place where certain fundamental rights would be breached (or non refoulement as it is referred to) is fully considered in every case when deciding whether or not to make a deportation order. This involves consideration of whether returning the person would result in the life or freedom of that person being threatened on account of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, or whether the person would be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
I have met the family involved and am aware of the circumstances of the case. As I have already stated in the Dáil, when the court proceedings conclude I will use my powers as Minister to consider this case fully, including from a humanitarian point of view.
Foireann Roinne
Ceisteanna (253)
Aindrias Moynihan
Ceist:253. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais an bhfuil oifigeach Gaeilge ceaptha dá Roinn; an post lánaimseartha atá ann nó an bhfuil dualgais bhreise ar an oifigeach Gaeilge; cén grád atá ag an oifigeach Gaeilge; an bhfuil sé nó sí ábalta a ghnó nó a gnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [27811/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tá post lánaimseartha amháin ag mo Roinn, post Aistritheora, a bhfuil sé riachtanach go mbeadh an sealbhóir dátheangach go feidhmiúil sa Ghaeilge agus sa Bhéarla. Tá an post sin coibhéiseach le grád an Phríomhoifigigh Chúnta. Cuidíonn an tAistritheoir, a mbaineann a phríomhról le Rialacha Cúirte a aistriú go Gaeilge, leis an Roinn maidir le cúrsaí Gaeilge i gcoitinne, chomh maith. Déanann sé formhór a chuid oibre trí Ghaeilge.
Ina theannta sin, tá cohórt de 45 oifigeach sa Roinn atá ar fáil chun seirbhísí a sholáthar (is é sin, ceisteanna agus fiosruithe a fhreagairt) as Gaeilge. Déanann mo Roinn oiliúint agus tacaíocht a thairiscint do na hoifigigh go léir ar mian leo a gcuid scileanna Gaeilge a fhorbairt.
Naturalisation Applications
Ceisteanna (254)
John Brady
Ceist:254. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the 42-day rule, that is, being out of the country for more than 42 days, in place for those applying for naturalisation; the rationale for the rule; if this rule is underpinned in legislation; if this rule is made clear to those seeking to apply for naturalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27832/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. I can only make a determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation after an application for naturalisation has been received.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. The Act provides that I can as Minister, in my absolute discretion, grant an application for naturalisation if satisfied that the statutory conditions set out in the Act, which include residency conditions, are met.
The statutory residence conditions are that, regardless of how long an applicant may have resided in the State, the applicant must have a period of 1 year's continuous residence in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the 8 years immediately preceding that period, have had a further total residence amounting to 4 years (in the case of an application based on being the spouse or civil partner of an Irish citizen the Act reduces this further period to 2 years during the preceding 4 years).
While the Act clearly stipulates the statutory periods of residence required in the State, and that the final year be continuous residence, it has long been recognised that many people may travel abroad for a holiday, or may have some unexpected or unavoidable reason to travel abroad. In this regard it is considered that a reasonable and generous period of up to 6 weeks be allowed to provide for absences from the State for normal holidays and other short term and temporary nature absences, such as for business meetings or a family wedding or bereavement or medical emergency while abroad, and that such short term nature absence from the State would not impact on the statutory residence requirement. I as Minister may allow some further discretion where there are wholly exceptional or unavoidable circumstances.
In the notes attached to the application form it is made clear to applicants that arrangements for assessment of residence are on the basis that the person is physically resident in the State for the required period of time and that where there are significant absences from the State the application may be refused.
Every application for naturalisation is considered on its own merits having regard to the statutory conditions set out in the Act.
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.
Leave to Remain
Ceisteanna (255)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27858/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the persons concerned have requested permission to remain in the State. These applications are currently under consideration and it is anticipated that decisions on these cases will issue 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.
Court Accommodation Provision
Ceisteanna (256)
Joan Burton
Ceist:256. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 204 of 8 May 2018, when the promised review of the future delivery of court services in the District Court area of Kilcock is likely to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27868/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998 management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has advised that it is still currently concentrating on the development or refurbishment of courthouses at a number of provincial city/county town venues. As part of a major Public Private Partnership initiative, new courthouses have been delivered at Drogheda, Letterkenny, Wexford, Limerick, Waterford and Cork since June 2017 with a further courthouse in Mullingar to be delivered in the coming months.
The Courts Service has further advised that on completion of this major programme of work there are 5 provincial city/county town venues still in need of major investment in court facilities, these being Tralee, Galway, Wicklow, Portlaoise and Roscommon. The Courts Service has confirmed that collectively these cities and towns will be the next priority for investment in courthouse facilities outside of the capital under the Courts Service provincial capital building programme. The Courts Service is also considering the development of Courts facilities in other smaller locations.
As the Deputy is aware, Kilcock Courthouse was closed in July 2016 on health and safety grounds and District Court sittings were transferred to Naas. The Courts Service has informed me that it plans to review the future delivery of court services in the District Court area of Kilcock in the near future and that this will include a local consultation process but no date has yet been fixed for the commencement of this review.
Departmental Properties
Ceisteanna (257)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:257. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the use of land at a location (details supplied). [27913/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A Working Group has considered options, including (in conjunction with the OPW) future uses for the Thornton site which is fully serviced and adjacent to the airport. There are no definite plans as yet for this strategic State asset but this is kept under review.
At present, there is a small Community Service site operational at Thornton Hall. The work concentrates on operational horticultural projects with the produce being distributed to Charitable Organisations.
The Thornton Hall site comprising of 156 acres was purchased in 2005 for a proposed large scale prison campus to replace Mountjoy Prison which was to be sold to fund the development. Due to the downturn in the economy, the scale of the project could not be accommodated within the capital allocation available and the project did not proceed. Over the decade since the original plan, international research has tended towards smaller prisons within reach of support communities as the best option for rehabilitation. In addition, in light of the decision not to proceed with Thornton, significant capital investment has been made at the Mountjoy campus over recent years to upgrade accommodation and eliminate the practice of slopping out.
The Irish Prison Service now proposes to further develop the Mountjoy site through a Masterplan over the period 2021-2031 as referred to in the National Development Plan. The aim is to bring the remainder of the prison up to an acceptable modern standard capable of serving needs into the future, including requirements for contemporary vehicular and emergency access, prisoner reception and discharge facilities, appropriate modern visitor facilities for families, much enhanced facilities for prisoner care and rehabilitation, indoor and outdoor recreation, healthcare, education and work/training, appropriate staff facilities, and improved wider service areas such as laundry and kitchen facilities.
Therefore, while future plans for the Thornton site will be considered in the context of broader State requirements for land assets, plans in relation to the Prison estate continue to evolve and respond to changing requirements and practices in relation to detention of prisoners.
Garda Information and Communications Technology
Ceisteanna (258)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:258. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if members of An Garda Síochána have remote access to the PULSE system for example on laptops or desktops from home and so on; if members of An Garda Síochána have access to the PULSE system on work-issued mobile devices; the Garda Síochána data and information resources and or systems that members have remote access to outside of their work stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27920/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Significant investment is being made by the Government in Garda ICT. Some €342 million, including €217 million in additional funding under the Capital Plan, is being invested in Garda ICT between 2016 and 2021 to enable An Garda Síochána to deploy the latest cutting-edge technologies in the fight against crime.
As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda equipment and resources, including remote and/or mobile access to Garda ICT systems are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current position is that Garda members above the rank of Superintendent are provided with remote access to ICT Systems by way of secure virtual desktop infrastructure. This facility is also extended to Inspectors in an acting Superintendent capacity and to Civilian Directors/Managers.
I am informed that members below this rank or grade are only provided with this remote facility to ICT services after consideration of a business case in that regard.
More generally, I can confirm that An Garda Síochána is currently developing a mobile strategy for operational uses as part of the Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda mobility strategy aims to provide frontline members with greater connectivity to back-office systems, harnessing the power of mobile technology.
I am further informed that it is intended that mobile devices will enable Garda members and staff to be more efficient and effective by having mobile access to relevant core policing applications, a wide-range of up-to-date information and the ability to input and update information in real time. It is also intended to facilitate greater quality of data input, accountability, transparency and governance. This project is currently being piloted in Limerick Division.
Garda Strength
Ceisteanna (259, 260, 261)
John Curran
Ceist:259. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí stationed at Clondalkin, Lucan, Ronanstown, Ballyfermot and Rathcoole; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27923/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraJohn Curran
Ceist:260. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí stationed at Clondalkin, Lucan, Ronanstown, Ballyfermot and Rathcoole; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27924/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraJohn Curran
Ceist:261. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Reserves stationed at Clondalkin, Lucan, Ronanstown, Ballyfermot and Rathcoole; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27925/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 to 261, inclusive, together.
As 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.
The Garda stations referred to form part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (D.M.R) West Division. I am informed by the Commissioner that the number of Gardaí assigned to that Division on 31 May 2018, the latest date for which information is readily available, was 671, of whom 68 are community Gardaí. There are also 26 Garda Reserves and 55 Garda civilian staff 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.
I am 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 of whom 194 were assigned to the D.M.R. West Division including 39 from the recent attestation which took place on the 15 June. 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. In total, 800 Garda trainees are scheduled to attest during the year, 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 2018.
In addition, a further 500 civilians will also be recruited to fill critical skills gaps across the organisation and to facilitate the redeployment of Gardaí from administrative and technical duties to front-line operational duties. There are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training in 2018.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources needed to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Division, including the D.M.R. West Division.
In relation to the number of "Community Gardaí” it is important to recognise that community policing is not a specialist role in An Garda Síochána; rather it is the case that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. The official categorisation as a “Community Garda" simply refers to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities including through the giving of talks to schools, community groups and others. 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.
I am assured by the Commissioner that the Garda National Model of Community Policing plays a key part in responding to crime by taking into account and responding to local conditions and needs. Overall the Model advocates a partnership based, pro-active, community-orientated style of policing. It is focused on crime prevention, problem-solving and law enforcement, with a view to building trust and enhancing the quality of life of the entire community. Clear objectives are set, such as high visibility in the community, ease of contact by members of the public, and enhanced support for crime prevention strategies.
As part of the Community Policing Model An Garda Síochána work in partnership with local communities, to prevent and deter crime through initiatives such as Neighbourhood Watch, Community Alert, Text Alert and the Garda Schools Programme as well as through more formal structures such as Joint Policing Committees.
The Community Policing Model also places a strong emphasis on Crime Prevention and within each Garda Division, where there are specialist Crime Prevention Officers (CPOs), who are trained to encourage, promote and advise on crime prevention within communities.
In addition, the National Community Policing Office, attached to the Garda Community Engagement Bureau, captures best practice in community policing initiatives and disseminates these practices through its communication network.
For the Deputy's information, I have set out in the following table the number of Gardaí, Garda Reserves and Community Gardaí assigned to Clondalkin, Lucan, Ronanstown, Ballyfermot and Rathcoole Garda Stations as of 31 May 2018, the latest date for which figures are readily available:
Number of Garda, Community Garda and Garda Reserves as of 31 May 2018
|
Stations |
Total number of Gardaí - each Garda has a role in community policing |
No. who are exclusively engaged in Community Gardaí |
Reserve Gardaí |
|
Clondalkin |
96 |
8 |
2 |
|
Lucan |
69 |
8 |
10 |
|
Ronanstown |
92 |
11 |
3 |
|
Ballyfermot |
82 |
6 |
2 |
|
Rathcoole |
14 |
1 |
0 |