Tuesday, 24 Jul 2018

Written Answers Nos. 620-641

Garda Data

Ceisteanna (620)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

620. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in a location in each of the years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32403/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources.

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.

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 as new Garda recruits come on stream. The work of local Gardaí is also 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 and these specialist units are also receiving significant investment.

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. 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 year a further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College and we 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 and I am pleased that funding is in place to maintain this high level of investment in the Garda workforce to ensure that the overall vision for 2021 remains on track.

For the Deputy's information, the following link, as supplied by the Commissioner, sets out the latest figures as requested.

Wexford Division

Gambling Sector

Ceisteanna (621)

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

621. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 251 of 6 February 2018, if the report he requested from An Garda Síochána on the enforcement role An Garda Síochána has with regard to unlicensed gaming activities and the availability of gaming machines in locations in which gaming in prohibited has been received. [32433/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised that the following table, provided by the Garda Síochána Analysis Service, shows the most readily available number of incidents recorded, each year, for the period, 2010 – 2017 for offences under the Betting Acts 1853/1931, as amended, and offences under the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956:

Year	Betting Acts	Gaming and Lotteries
2017	3	13
2016	0	14
2015	6	27
2014	15	47
2013	15	61
2012	9	21
2011	6	34
2010	7	96

*Statistics provided are operational, provisional & liable to change and are valid to 1 February, 2018.

Visa Applications

Ceisteanna (622)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

622. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a temporary visa will issue to a person (details supplied). [32446/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa application referred to was refused by the Visa Office in Dublin on 29 June 2018 and the applicant was advised of the reasons for the refusal. 

The applicant was also advised that the decision could be appealed within two months of the date of the decision.  No such appeal has yet been received in the Dublin Visa Office.  It is advised that she do so as soon as possible, and her appeal will be considered taking into account all the circumstances.

General Data Protection Regulation

Ceisteanna (623, 628)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

623. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to amend section 30 of the Data Protection Act 2018 to bring it in compliance with GDPR, Article 38.1 of the Constitution and Article 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32475/18]

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

628. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the action he will take to amend section 30 of the Data Protection Act 2018 in order that profiling is prohibited in law and that the section can be commenced (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32481/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 623 and 628 together.

As I have explained in responses to earlier parliamentary questions on this issue, the processing of personal data for marketing and profiling purposes takes place under the so-called “legitimate interests” ground in Article 6.1(f) of the GDPR and the Court of Justice has already addressed the question of whether national law can impose additional conditions on processing carried on under the corresponding provision of the 1995 Data Protection Directive. In its ruling in Cases C-468/10 and C-469/10, the Court of Justice underlined the importance of free movement of personal data under the 1995 Directive and concluded that Member States were not permitted to impose additional conditions that would have the effect of amending the scope of any of the grounds in Article 7 of the Directive. Those grounds, including the "legitimate interests" ground, are now set out in Article 6.1 of the GDPR.

The Office of the Attorney General has advised my Department that insofar as section 30 purports to make it an offence for any company or corporate body to process the personal data of a child for the purposes of direct marketing or profiling, such a prohibition appears to go beyond the margin of discretion afforded to Member States in giving further effect to the GDPR and would conflict with Article 6(1)(f) when read together with Recital (47). 

In the meantime, the European Commission has confirmed that processing of personal data for direct marketing purposes may be regarded as carried out for a legitimate interest and that Article 6(1)(f) of the GDPR does not exclude processing for such purposes in relation to a child. However, it stresses the importance of balancing the legitimate interest of the controller with the interests and fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject, in particular where the data subject is a child. The reference to a child in Article 6(1)(f) and recital (47) underlines that such an assessment must be performed with particular care where personal data of children are processed. The European Commission has pointed out that the processing of personal data of children for the purposes of direct marketing is therefore not as such unlawful and that, subject to Article 22 (automated decision-making), the processing of personal data of children for the purposes of profiling is not generally prohibited. However, such processing must take into account that children merit specific protection, as underlined in recital (38).  The European Commission has also pointed out that the term "micro-targeting" is not mentioned in the GDPR and that it is a concept unknown to the GDPR.  

It is clear from the foregoing that commencement of section 30 would give rise to a substantial risk of infringement proceedings against the State pursuant to Article 258 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and exposure of the State to sanctions.

I would, however, draw the Deputy's attention to Article 58 of the GDPR which already confers a power on supervisory authorities such as the Data Protection Commission to order controllers and processors to bring processing operations into compliance with the GDPR's provisions, including the standards and safeguards applicable to the processing of children's personal data.  Article 58 also confers powers on the Commission to impose a temporary or definitive limitation, including a ban, on such processing and to impose an administrative fine pursuant to Article 83 in the case of infringements. This means that the possibility of imposing administrative fines in cases of unlawful processing of children's personal data already exists without the commencement of, or any amendments to, section 30 of the Data Protection Act 2018. 

Child Protection

Ceisteanna (624, 625, 626, 627)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

624. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to recommendation CM/Rec(2018)7 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on guidelines to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in the digital environment; the action his Department will take to meet the five recommendations contained therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32477/18]

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

625. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the action he will take to require business enterprises to meet their responsibility to respect the rights of the child in the digital environment as per a recommendation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32478/18]

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

626. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when his Department will examine the implementation of recommendation CM/Rec(2018)7 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on guidelines to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in the digital environment and the guidelines in its appendix; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32479/18]

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

627. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when his Department will review its legislation, policies and practice to ensure they are in line with a recommendation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32480/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 624 to 627, inclusive, together.

The Council of Europe document referred to by the Deputy was adopted by the Committee of Minister of the Council of Europe on 4 July 2018. It contains five wide ranging recommendations and a series of detailed guidelines. The recommendations and guidelines offer advice to Member States and to stakeholders on respecting, protecting and fulfilling the rights of the child in the digital environment which may have impacts across several Departments.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Action Plan for Online Safety 2018-2019, which was launched by the Taoiseach on 11 July, recognises that online safety for all, including children and young people, is not the responsibility of any one Department but that many Departments have a role to play to protect children and adults in their online engagement. As was stated in the Action Plan, delineation of policy responsibility between Government Departments in relation to online issues operates on the basis that if a Department is responsible for a policy area offline than it is responsible for the policy area online.  My Department deals with such matters as data protection, criminal law reform and measures regarding abuse including child sexual abuse material, and will consider the recommendations referred to by the Deputy in that context.

The Action Plan sets out 25 Actions and indicates the Departments that are responsible for their delivery. A Sponsors Groups will shortly be established to drive the implementation of the Action Plan. It will be chaired by the Department of Education and Skills and will include five other key Government Departments namely Business, Enterprise and Employment, Children and Youth Affairs, Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Health and Justice and Equality.

Question No. 628 answered with Question No. 623.

Migrant Integration

Ceisteanna (629)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

629. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if funding will be made available to allow the continued operation of a centre (details supplied); if assurances will be given about the future of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32501/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality

Discussions have been on-going between my Department and South Dublin County Partnership regarding a proposal to deliver housing and integration supports to migrants in the community through both the intercultural centres in Tallaght and Clondalkin.

A crucial part of this initiative is the provision of support services to assist residents in accommodation centres who have received some form of permission to remain to access housing to allow them to move out of the centres and live in the community.

I have recently met with management from South Dublin County Partnership along with officials from my Department and I am pleased to confirm that funding of a two year housing and integration programme has been agreed. 

At the meeting with South Dublin County Partnership, I informed them of my appreciation for the important integration work being done at both intercultural centres, particularly the project with younger migrants which is being run in conjunction with Foróige. I am appreciative of the very important work being done on the ground throughout the country at front-line services such as the Intercultural Centre in Tallaght in assisting migrants to integrate into Irish society.  

Ground Rents Abolition

Ceisteanna (630)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

630. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he will take to end ground rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32503/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

The general position regarding ground rents was considered by the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution in its 2004 Report 'Private Property'. The Committee took the view that a ground landlord's ground rent is a form of property right which is constitutionally protected and that abolition of such rents would be unconstitutional in the absence of adequate monetary compensation for the landlord. The Committee also noted that where leases were approaching expiry, any legislation providing for the abolition of ground rents would have to provide for the payment of enhanced compensation. The position is that while I have no plans to introduce legislation providing for the immediate abolition of ground rents, operation of existing ground rents legislation is kept under review by my Department.

I should add that section 2 of the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) Act 1978 introduced a prohibition on the creation of new leases reserving ground rents on dwellings. Moreover, as regards existing ground rents, Part III of the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) (No.2) Act 1978 contains a statutory scheme whereby a person may, at reasonable cost, acquire the fee simple in their dwelling. To date, over 80,000 applicants have acquired freehold title to their property under this scheme. In the case of property other than dwellings, such as commercial properties, the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) Act 1967 contains provisions which facilitate acquisition of the fee simple subject to agreed terms or on terms set out in an arbitration carried out by the County Registrar.

Naturalisation Applications

Ceisteanna (631)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

631. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32517/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is ongoing. On completion of the necessary processing the application will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most straightforward cases are now processed within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process.  In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.

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.

Departmental Legal Costs

Ceisteanna (632)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

632. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the expenditure incurred by his Department in respect of legal fees in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32530/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan)

The Deputy will appreciate that the circumstances in which my Department incurs expenditure in relation to legal fees are varied, and can include for example direct expenditure on legal fees, expenditure on legal fees for other parties in particular circumstances, and money expended in relation to legal services.  I am advised that the enclosed table and link outline various kinds of expenditure incurred by my Department in each of the past three years and to date in 2018.

In addition to the information in the table and at the link, the following third party legal costs were paid for from my Department's vote in 2015 and 2016:

Year	Brief description of Contract /Service	Amount
2015	Smithwick Tribunal - Third Party Legal Costs	€5,217,374.09
2016	Smithwick Tribunal - Third Party Legal Costs	€56,047.41

Dept of Justice and Equality Response

Direct Provision Data

Ceisteanna (633)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

633. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of adults and children with leave to remain at the end of June 2018 who are still living in direct provision. [32535/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality

The number of persons that have some form of a permission to remain in the State and still reside in RIA accommodation currently stands at 591.

My Department cannot definitively state the individual reason(s) why a person or family may remain in accommodation centres.  Anecdotally it is known that some families may not move house during the school terms and especially so when one of the family may be undertaking state examinations.  As a result, any moves that may take place in these circumstances could happen between June and August.

All residents who are granted status are provided with details on how to access an on-line information booklet entitled "Your Guide to Living Independently" which provides information in respect of housing, finance, healthcare, and education among other issues. It provides details on how residents can apply for social housing and access Housing Assistance Payments.

I am aware that accessing accommodation is an issue for residents in accommodation centres given the current housing market. Assistance in such matters is readily forthcoming from a number of sources including local authorities, local management in accommodation centres and other support groups.  My Department has funded a number of projects with NGOs such as the Jesuit Refugee Service and DePaul to assist those persons who are resident in accommodation centres who have been granted a form of status to access their own housing. Discussions are also ongoing with a number of Approved Housing Bodies to provide assistance nationwide.

Court Poor Box

Ceisteanna (634)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

634. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount received by the courts through contributions to the court poor box in each of the past four years; his plans to abolish the practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32537/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that payments to the Court Poor Box receipted over the past 4 years are as follows:

YEAR	Total amount
2014	€1,696,692.68
2015	€1,498,609.95
2016	€1,720,268.80
2017	€2,007,140.30
2018 (up to 30 June 2018)	€797,660.70

As the Deputy may be aware, the court poor box is a non-statutory system used by the District Courts to impose a financial charge on a defendant to be used for a charitable purpose, usually instead of imposing a criminal conviction. The option of paying into the court poor box arises usually where the offence is minor in nature and would not attract a custodial sentence.

There are many reasons and instances why the court poor box is used by judges. The accused may never previously have been before the courts, the accused may have pleaded guilty, a conviction might be inappropriate, or might adversely affect employment, career or working abroad prospects, and/or the offence may be of a minor or trivial nature. 

When combined with the Probation of Offenders Act, it provides an option where some financial penalty is considered merited but a conviction and fine are not. It can sometimes be a more meaningful punishment than the maximum fine where the value of a maximum fine may have been eroded by inflation. 

Payments made to the court poor box are accounted for by the court office concerned and the accounting procedures are subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General. Generally, charities are the recipients of poor box contributions but the decision is solely at the discretion of the Judge who is independent in the matter of sentencing, as in other matters concerning the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law.

The Government has approved the drafting of a Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill to replace the Probation of Offenders Act 1907 with modern provisions dealing with community sanctions and the role of the Probation Service in the criminal justice system. The Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. It is intended that the legislation will abolish the Court Poor Box and replace it with a statutory Reparation Fund to provide for a fair, equitable and transparent system of reparation that will apply only to minor offences dealt with by the District Court.

Naturalisation Applications

Ceisteanna (635)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

635. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32540/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is ongoing. On completion of the necessary processing the application will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most straightforward cases are now processed within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process.  In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.

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.

Garda Data

Ceisteanna (636, 637, 640, 641)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

636. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of core unit gardaí attached to the Donegal division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by division, district and sub-district in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32602/18]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

637. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the Donegal division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by rank, division, district and sub-district in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32603/18]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

640. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the full complement of gardaí in the Donegal division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by district and sub-district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32606/18]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

641. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of civilian staff attached to the Donegal division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by division, district and sub-district in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32607/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 636, 637, 640 and 641 together.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution under review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure optimum use is made of the resources.

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.

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 as new Garda recruits come on stream. The work of local Gardaí is also 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 and these specialist units are also receiving significant investment.

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. 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 year a further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College and we 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 and I am pleased that funding is in place to maintain this high level of investment in the Garda workforce to ensure that the overall vision for 2021 remains on track.

For the Deputy's information, the following links, as supplied by the Commissioner, set out the latest figures as requested.

Donegal Division

Donegal Division

Garda Resources

Ceisteanna (638)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

638. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number and type of Garda vehicles attached to the Donegal division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by division, district and sub-district in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32604/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

There has been very significant investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. 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 from 2013 to 2017 almost €44 million has been invested in the fleet with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period to ensure that Gardaí can be 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 role in that matter.

I understand that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources. The responsibility for the efficient deployment of all official Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between districts and stations as required by operational requirements.

The following tables set out the information requested in relation to the number and type of Garda vehicles attached to the Donegal Division. I am advised by An Garda Síochána, that for operational reasons, this information is provided at Division and District level only.

2018 (as at 18 July)	Cars	Vans	Motorcycles	4 x 4	Other	Total
BALLYSHANNON	14	4	0	2	1	21
BUNCRANA	10	2	2	0	0	14
LETTERKENNY	19	7	1	0	0	27
MILFORD	7	2	0	1	0	10
Total for Donegal Division	50	15	3	3	1	72
2017	Cars	Vans	Motorcycles	4 x 4	Other	Total
BALLYSHANNON	13	4	1	2	1	21
BUNCRANA	10	1	1	0	0	12
LETTERKENNY	18	6	1	0	0	25
MILFORD	8	1	0	0	0	9
Total for Donegal Division	49	12	3	2	1	67
2016	Cars	Vans	Motorcycles	4 x 4	Other	Total
BALLYSHANNON	13	4	1	2	0	20
BUNCRANA	11	2	1	0	0	14
LETTERKENNY	19	7	1	0	0	27
MILFORD	10	1	0	0	0	11
Total for Donegal Division	53	14	3	2	0	72
2015	Cars	Vans	Motorcycles	4 x 4	Other	Total
BALLYSHANNON	14	3	1	1	0	19
BUNCRANA	10	2	0	0	0	12
LETTERKENNY	19	6	1	0	0	26
MILFORD	9	1	0	0	0	10
Total for Donegal Division	52	12	2	1	0	67
2014	Cars	Vans	Motorcycles	4 x 4	Other	Total
BALLYSHANNON	14	2	1	1	0	18
BUNCRANA	7	2	0	0	0	9
LETTERKENNY	16	5	1	0	2	24
MILFORD	7	2	0	0	0	9
Total for Donegal Division	44	11	2	1	2	60
2013	Cars	Vans	Motorcycles	4 x 4	Other	Total
BALLYSHANNON	13	3	0	1	0	17
BUNCRANA	7	3	1	0	0	11
LETTERKENNY	11	6	1	0	2	20
MILFORD	7	2	0	0	0	9
Total for Donegal Division	38	14	2	1	2	57
2012	Cars	Vans	Motorcycles	4 x 4	Other	Total
BALLYSHANNON	10	3	1	1	0	15
BUNCRANA	8	2	1	0	0	11
GLENTIES	6	1	0	0	0	7
LETTERKENNY	12	5	1	0	2	20
MILFORD	6	1	0	0	0	7
Total for Donegal Division	42	12	3	1	2	60
2011	Cars	Vans	Motorcycles	4 x 4	Other	Total
BALLYSHANNON	10	3	1	1	0	15
BUNCRANA	13	2	3	0	0	18
GLENTIES	5	1	0	0	1	7
LETTERKENNY	18	4	1	0	1	24
MILFORD	6	1	0	0	0	7
Total for Donegal Division	52	11	5	1	2	71

 

Figures for 2009 and 2010 are available only on a Divisional basis as listed in the following table.

Donegal Division	Cars	Vans	Motorcycle	4x4	Other	Total
2009	54	13	4	1	1	73
2010	58	11	5	1	2	77

Garda Station Opening Hours

Ceisteanna (639, 678, 709, 778, 840, 936, 973, 1008, 1051, 1089, 1132, 1133, 1170)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

639. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the weekly opening hours of each station in the Donegal division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32605/18]

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

678. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the weekly opening hours of each station in the Dublin metropolitan region south division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in Tallaght, Rathfarnham, Terenure and Crumlin. [32754/18]

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

709. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the weekly opening hours of each Garda station in the Louth division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018. [32794/18]

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

778. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the weekly opening hours of each Garda station in Limerick city in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by division, district and sub-district, in tabular form. [33049/18]

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

840. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the weekly opening hours of Garda stations (details supplied) in the Laois-Offaly division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018. [33480/18]

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

936. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the weekly opening hours of each station in County Carlow for each year from 2009 to date. [34394/18]

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

973. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the weekly opening hours of each station (details supplied) in County Meath in each of the years 2009 to 2017 to date in 2018. [34431/18]

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

1008. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the weekly opening hours of stations (details supplied) in the Dublin northern metropolitan region for each year from 2009 to date. [34496/18]

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

1051. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the weekly opening hours of each station in County Kilkenny in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018 [34762/18]

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

1089. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the weekly opening hours of each station in the Mayo division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018. [34801/18]

Denise Mitchell

Ceist:

1132. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the weekly opening hours of each station in the Dublin metropolitan region north, R district. [34927/18]

Denise Mitchell

Ceist:

1133. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the weekly opening hours of each station in the Dublin metropolitan division, district R in each year since 2009 to date in 2018. [34928/18]

Martin Kenny

Ceist:

1170. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the weekly opening hours of each Garda station in Sligo-Leitrim in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018. [34969/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 639, 678, 709, 778, 840, 936, 973, 1008, 1051, 1089, 1132, 1133 and 1170 together.

As the Deputies will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is primarily responsible the effective and efficient use of resources available to An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no role in relation to the matter. This includes the Commissioner's responsibility for the formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations as well as operational matters such as the opening hours of Garda stations, taking into account crime trends and policing priorities, so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of the resources available.

The information requested relates to the opening hours of a large number of Garda stations in 11 Divisions, over a period of 9 years.  I expect that compiling this information will take some time.

I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and will write to the Deputies concerned when it is to hand.

Questions Nos. 640 and 641 answered with Question No. 636.