Written Answers Nos. 250-265
250. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda reserves in each Garda division; and the number of Garda reserves in each Garda division for the same date in 2016 in tabular form. [31113/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the carrying on and managing generally the administration and business of the An Garda Síochána including by arranging for the recruitment, training and appointment of the Reserve members. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I am advised by the Commissioner that the strength of the Reserve on the 31 May 2018 was 558. It is regrettable that there has been a substantial reduction in the strength of the Reserve in recent years from a peak of 1,164 in 2013. The fall-off arises from a range of factors, not least the lifting in 2014 of the moratorium on recruitment of trainee Gardaí which has affected Reserve numbers in two ways: firstly, 276 serving Reserves have successfully applied to become trainee Gardaí, and secondly, resources in both An Garda Síochána and in the Public Appointments Service (PAS) have been focused on delivering an accelerated programme of recruitment of full time members of An Garda Síochána.
I am sure that the Deputy will agree, notwithstanding the very valuable contribution of Reserve members throughout the country, that it was the right decision, with finite resources, to prioritise the running of recruitment campaigns to replenish the full-time ranks of An Garda Síochána over the last three years.
The "Programme for a Partnership Government" includes a commitment to double the Garda Reserve to act in a supportive role undertaking local patrols and crime reduction measures. In line with this, the Government has in place a plan to achieve a Reserve strength of 2,000 by 2021.
With the plan to reach 15,000 Garda members well on track, it was possible for the Commissioner and the Public Appointments Service to undertake a new recruitment campaign for Garda Reserves last March. That competition attracted 2,394 applicants of whom 498 successfully completed the initial stages carried out by PAS. These applications are currently being processed by the Garda Appointments Office. The time frame for this can vary due to a number factors, including the length of the vetting process which may, for example, be more time consuming if the applicant has resided abroad or is deferred for medical reasons. It is expected that the first of the successful candidates will commence training in the Garda College in the coming months.
In conjunction with the major expansion of the Reserve over the next number of years, we must ensure that it is used to optimum effect to support effective policing. To inform future decisions around the use of the Reserve, An Garda Síochána is conducting a strategic review as a matter of priority, as set out in the Policing Plan 2018.
As a first step, the Garda Executive has taken a decision to transfer the management of the Reserve to the Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for Community Engagement. This is intended to ensure that its development and deployment is viewed more broadly through a community policing lens. This is a very welcome step as it is my strong view that the greatest dividend to be gained from the Reserve is in terms of a visible presence on the ground and engaging with local communities.
For the Deputy's information I have attached in tabular form the number of Reserves in each Division as of 31 May 2016 and 31 May 2018, the latest date for which figures are currently available.
Garda Reserve Strength 31 May 2016 and 31 May 2018
|
DIVISION |
31 May 2016 |
31 May 2018 |
|
D.M.R. EAST |
18 |
8 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH |
53 |
42 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL |
52 |
35 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH |
33 |
17 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL |
63 |
35 |
|
D.M.R. WEST |
44 |
26 |
|
KILDARE |
29 |
18 |
|
LAOIS / OFFALY |
23 |
16 |
|
MEATH |
27 |
16 |
|
WESTMEATH |
18 |
12 |
|
WICKLOW |
24 |
20 |
|
CAVAN / MONAGHAN |
15 |
11 |
|
DONEGAL |
25 |
14 |
|
LOUTH |
37 |
23 |
|
SLIGO / LEITRIM |
26 |
16 |
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
31 |
26 |
|
TIPPERARY |
26 |
16 |
|
WATERFORD |
29 |
19 |
|
WEXFORD |
31 |
17 |
|
CORK CITY |
59 |
42 |
|
CORK NORTH |
21 |
12 |
|
CORK WEST |
19 |
8 |
|
KERRY |
31 |
20 |
|
LIMERICK |
50 |
26 |
|
CLARE |
8 |
6 |
|
GALWAY |
38 |
31 |
|
MAYO |
29 |
19 |
|
ROSCOMMON / LONGFORD |
11 |
7 |
251. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to each divisional drug unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31114/18]
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 informed that the Garda strength of the Divisional Drug Units was 223 as of 31 May 2018.
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.
An Garda Síochána's National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, which was established in 2015, continues to lead 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. This approach allows for the co-ordinated use of Garda resources in tackling all forms of organised crime, including illicit drug activity nationwide. Multi-disciplinary approaches are also utilised to ensure that those involved in illicit activity are effectively targeted including through the use of the proceeds of crime legislation, money laundering legislation and the powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau. I am informed that this approach adopts good practice in implementing a co-ordinated use of Garda resources and in utilising available criminal law to its fullest extent in tackling all forms of organised crime, including drug trafficking.
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 informed by the Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, almost 2,000 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide.
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 him to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across the organisation including the Divisional Drugs Units.
I have provided for the record the detailed information attached as requested by the Deputy in tabular form as of 31 May 2018.
Strength of Divisional Drugs Units 31 May 2018
|
CAVAN/MONAGHAN |
6 |
|
CLARE |
4 |
|
CORK CITY |
15 |
|
CORK NORTH |
5 |
|
CORK WEST |
6 |
|
DMR EAST |
11 |
|
DMR NORTH |
19 |
|
DMR NORTH CENTRAL |
14 |
|
DMR SOUTH |
16 |
|
DMR SOUTH CENTRAL |
9 |
|
DMR WEST |
16 |
|
DONEGAL |
4 |
|
GALWAY |
9 |
|
KERRY |
10 |
|
KILDARE |
11 |
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
5 |
|
LAOIS/OFFALY |
5 |
|
LIMERICK |
8 |
|
LOUTH |
4 |
|
MAYO |
6 |
|
MEATH |
5 |
|
ROSCOMMON/LONGFORD |
3 |
|
SLIGO/LEITRIM |
4 |
|
TIPPERARY |
11 |
|
WATERFORD |
6 |
|
WESTMEATH |
6 |
|
WEXFORD |
5 |
|
WICKLOW |
0 |
|
TOTAL |
223 |
252. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the comprehensive code of practice on covert human intelligence sources will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31180/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra253. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the handling of a person (details supplied) by An Garda Síochána was part of the covert human intelligence sources system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31181/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra254. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the oversight authority for covert human intelligent sources reviewed the role and handling of a person (details supplied) by An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31182/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 252 to 254, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy is aware, detailed guidelines governing the procedures and processes for the use of Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) by An Garda Síochána are set out in the Code of Practice referred to by the Deputy.
The Deputy will understand that it is the policy not to comment on the specifics of the operation of the CHIS system as this would be contrary to the public interest. This longstanding policy is adopted for sound reasons of security, the protection of the lives and safety of individuals and so as not to hand advantage to those who would do harm by undermining the use of this important investigative technique by the Garda Authorities. It is never confirmed or denied whether or not an individual person is assisting the Gardaí in this context.
I want to assure the House that appropriate mechanisms are in place to ensure that procedures for the operation of CHIS are complied with fully and that compliance is kept under active and ongoing review. The system is subject to internal review on an ongoing basis by the Garda Authorities, including routine review by a senior officer independent of the operation of the system. In addition, independent, external oversight has been exercised since 2010 through the appointment of a former Judge of the High Court as the Oversight Authority for CHIS. Since then a detailed and comprehensive annual examination of the operation of the system has been carried out and reported on in detail. It has not been the practice to make these reports public given the nature of the detail contained in them.
255. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the annual funding for Garda facilities for each of the past five years; the anticipated investment for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31183/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that it is the Garda Commissioner who is primarily responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána including the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
256. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the UNCERD recommendation in its third and fourth monitoring report (details supplied) has been implemented. [31184/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission was established on 1 November 2014, as an independent public body with a mandate under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 (IHREC Act 2014). I should point out, of course, that the Commission is fully independent in the discharge of its functions and so is not directed by the State in the development of work plans.
The IHREC Act 2014 establishes a general mandate, for the Commission, to promote understanding and awareness of the importance of human rights and equality in the State and more specifically to provide or assist in the provision of education and training on human rights and equality issues.
The Deputy may be interested to know that IHREC launched a Professional Diploma in Human Rights and Equality in 2015 accredited by University College Dublin and delivered in conjunction with the Institute of Public Administration. The programme is targeted at those working in civil and public administration, in government Departments and state authorities. The course provides a comprehensive introduction to the increasingly important place of human rights and equality in the Irish public service.
Training for civil servants is also provided by the Commission in e-learning format. An online programme titled “Delivering Equality in Public Services: An Introduction for Front Line Staff” provides public sector staff with the essentials they need to know about Irish equality law in their work. In addition to the core parts of the equality legislation, the course provides explanations of diversity, stereotyping and positive action as well as why these matter for front-line public sector staff.
A particular innovation in the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act is the creation in Section 42 of a positive legal duty on public bodies to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, promote equality, and protect human rights, in their daily work. This requires public bodies to take pro-active steps to address the equality and human rights issues that affect the people who use their services, people affected by their policies and people employed in the organisation.
The Commission is playing an important role in assisting and supporting public bodies to comply with this new Duty, including by the development of practical guidance and resources for public bodies and a campaign of awareness raising across a wide range of public bodies and civil society organisations. The Commission has also recently undertaken pilot projects with five separate organisations (Cork City Council; Monaghan County Council; University College Cork; Irish Probation Service; Community Action Network) with the aim of supporting the development of approaches to implementing the Duty in differing contexts. The Commission also allocated grant funding in 2016 and 2017 to organisations to promote human rights and equality. In 2017, awards were made under two overarching themes, one of which was to support the implementation of the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty.
In the wider public sector, organisations are developing their approaches to implementing the Duty under the guidance of the Commission. Several large public sector organisations, including the Department of Justice and Equality and Revenue, have established cross-divisional working groups tasked with working collaboratively to integrate the duty into existing policies and structures.
In an effort to promote and maintain best practice in the areas of equality, human rights and non-discrimination, members of An Garda Síochána are provided with a range of training programmes in these areas. This aims to ensure that no element of stereotyping or prejudice consciously or unconsciously informs day-to-day policing decisions.
The new trainee Student Education/Training Programme for Garda recruits, which involves a total of 104 weeks training, now results in an award of a Bachelor of Arts (Level 7) in Applied Policing. Human rights modules have been threaded through this Programme and this is a core competency on which students are assessed.
In addition, An Garda Síochána has a comprehensive education, training and information system for the continuous professional development of all members. This development programme incorporates the following human rights training:
- There is a two and a half day human rights and anti-racism module on the Sergeant and Inspector Development courses;
- A human rights module on the course for Senior Investigating Officers is provided by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. In addition there are inputs on human rights on the Superintendent and Chief Superintendent Development Courses.
257. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if members of An Garda Síochána receive dedicated training in dealing with racist crimes and anti-racist culture; if so, the stage of their careers at which they receive this training; if refresher training is obligatory for members; and if so, the regularity with which it must be undertaken. [31185/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra260. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if An Garda Síochána has a written diversity, equality and hate crime policy; and if so, if he will furnish a copy of same. [31231/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra261. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if An Garda Síochána has a racist incident strategy in place; and if same has been made available to all stations. [31232/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 257, 260 and 261 together.
The Deputy will appreciate that it is the Garda Commissioner who is primarily responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána including training.
Notwithstanding the information provided by Minister of State Stanton in response to your Question No. 256 of today's date, I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
258. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if An Garda Síochána collects and collates data on hate crimes and-or racially motivated crimes. [31186/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra274. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that only 30% of those reporting racist crimes to an organisation (details supplied) also reported them to An Garda Síochána; and the steps he is taking to ensure that barriers to the reporting of racist incidents to An Garda Síochána by ethnic minorities here are removed. [31450/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra275. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps that are being taken to ensure that gardaí record racist motivations for crime on PULSE in line with a definition (details supplied) of same rather than requiring independent evidence of racist motivation before recording a racist incident as such. [31451/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 258, 274 and 275 together.
I can advise the Deputy that all members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with enforcing all legislation relating to criminal matters, including the relevant provisions relating to racist behaviour. On receipt of any complaint, the matter is the subject of a full investigation by An Garda Síochána and, on completion of such investigation, an Investigation File is submitted to the DPP who, on being satisfied that there is sufficient evidence available to warrant a prosecution, will direct what charges, if any, are to be brought forward.
In 2014, the independent Garda Inspectorate published a wide-ranging Report on Crime Investigation. This included a number of recommendations to help improve the way racist crime is recorded and to support victims of such crimes. The Inspectorate recommended, inter-alia, that An Garda Síochána implemented a victim-centered policy and good investigative practices in racial, homophobic and other similar crimes to encourage victims to report offences.
To achieve the above recommendation, the following key actions were to be taken:
- Ensure that all crimes containing elements of hate or discrimination are flagged on PULSE;
- Create clear modus operandi features on PULSE that allow the accurate recording of the nine strands of the Diversity Strategy;
- Develop third party reporting sites to accommodate victim reporting; and
- Review the decision to merge the role of ELO/LGBT officers.
Several steps have been taken to address these recommendations:
Improvements were made to the PULSE system in 2015 which will help in addressing the recommendations. PULSE 6.8 was released in November 2015 and, among the enhancements included in this release, was the introduction of a Victim Assessment Screen. This requires the mandatory recording of data relating to the apparent motive for a crime incident, such as whether it has been motivated by discrimination on specific grounds including age, disability, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. In addition, the Policing Plan 2018 provides commitments that An Garda Síochána will produce a definition of, and procedures to record, hate crime.
Improvements to the PULSE system also enable the recording of all interactions with victims and facilitate the communication of information to victims on all aspects of the investigative process. These improvements will facilitate the issuing of correspondence to victims in accordance with the E.U. Directive on Victims of Crime.
I can advise the Deputy that important steps already taken include the establishment on 16 March 2015 of Garda Victim Service Offices in each Garda Division. These Offices aim to enhance the Garda service being provided to victims of crime and traumatic events by placing victims at the centre of the Garda service and providing a respectful, reassuring, responsive and reliable service addressing the needs and expectations of all victims who require an individual response.
Other developments following on the Inspectorate’s Report include the establishment of a Data Quality Team within An Garda Síochána and the development of a new Incident Recording Process to enhance overall data quality.
The Garda Racial Intercultural and Diversity Office (GRIDO) has responsibility for coordinating, monitoring and advising on all aspects of policing Ireland's diverse communities. GRIDO monitors the reporting and recording of hate and racist crime on a continual basis. These officers, together with the Garda Racial Intercultural and Diversity Office, play a fundamental role in liaising with minority groups and work in partnership to encourage tolerance, respect and understanding within communities and to help prevent hate and racist crime. The Garda Racial Intercultural and Diversity Office and Ethnic Liaison Officers provide advice and assistance to victims of hate or racist crime where required or deemed necessary.
259. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce an independent inspection regime for direct provision; and if so, the stage this process is at. [31198/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, through the Reception & Integration Agency (RIA), is responsible for the provision of accommodation and related services to protection applicants while they await a decision on their claim for international protection. The standard of accommodation provided to residents is regularly reviewed.
All centres are scheduled for inspection at least 3 times a year, twice by staff from RIA and once by an independent inspection service. The inspections examine all rooms in the centre and assess the cleanliness and physical appearance of centres, the quality and variety of food options, health and safety issues and provide residents with the opportunity to report any issues directly to the inspector. These inspection reports are published on the RIA website.
A Working Group comprising of members of the NGO sector and officials from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and my Department has been developing a standards document which will see a high quality of accommodation services being available for persons in the protection process. A public consultation process on these standards will commence shortly. Following publication of the standards document, a public procurement process will take place to engage an independent inspection service. The new inspection service will be informed by the standards.
262. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if full-time ethnic liaison officers are employed by An Garda Síochána. [31233/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra263. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí working in the Garda racial, intercultural and diversity office; and the highest rank of member working in the office. [31234/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 263 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.
I am informed by the Commissioner that the Garda Diversity and Integration unit, formerly called the Garda Racial, Intercultural and Diversity Office, has responsibility for coordinating, monitoring and advising on all aspects of policing Ireland's diverse communities. The Unit has a staff of two sergeants and one clerical officer.
Garda Ethnic Liaison Officers (ELOs) are appointed to work with minority communities at local level throughout the country. These officers combined with Garda Diversity and Integration unit play a fundamental role in liaising with minority groups and work in partnership to encourage tolerance, respect and understanding within communities in the pursuit of preventing the commission of hate and racist crime.
The list of Ethnic Liaison Officers is available on the Garda website at www.garda.ie.
264. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prosecutions for the distribution of literature inciting hatred pursued by An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2010 to 2017. [31235/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that the decision as to whether or not a prosecution should be taken, and for what offence, is solely a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and I have no role in this regard.
However, to be of assistance to the Deputy I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy directly when the report is to hand.
265. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of part-time and full-time media advisers employed in his Department; the Civil Service grade of each media adviser; and the cost over a full year of employing all such advisers. [31251/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have one full time media advisor whose salary is €91,943, i.e. the third point of the Principal Officer scale.
