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Tuesday, 24 Jul 2018

Written Answers Nos. 764-783

Road Traffic Offences Data

Ceisteanna (764)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

764. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 555 of 7 November 2017, which was a follow-up to Parliamentary Question No. 124 of 9 May 2017, if the Garda report is now available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33023/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have again requested a report from An Garda Síochána in relation to the statistics sought by the Deputy and I will be in contact with the Deputy directly on receipt of this report.

Road Traffic Offences Data

Ceisteanna (765, 766)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

765. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 274 of 23 January 2018, the number of manual summons for court appearances issued for non-payment; if the Garda report is now available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33024/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

766. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 275 of 23 January 2018, if the Garda report is now available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33025/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 765 and 766 together.

I have again requested a report from An Garda Síochána in relation to the statistics sought by the Deputy and I will be in contact with the Deputy directly on receipt of this report.

A deferred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A

Garda Data

Ceisteanna (767)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

767. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 281 of 23 January 2018, if the Garda report is now available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33026/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I refer to your Parliamentary Questions No 281 for answer on Tuesday, 23 January 2018 and No 552 for answer on Tuesday, 17 April 2018. At the time I responded that I would request the information sought by you from the Garda Commissioner and that I would write directly to you on receipt of same. This information has now been received and can be found set out in the table.

As you 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.

I am advised by the Commissioner that An Garda Síochána recognises the important assistance provided by Forensic Collision Investigators. An Investigator attends the scene of every fatal road traffic collision and every collision likely to result in a fatality. I understand that a competition is currently ongoing for candidates to be trained as Investigators.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that Forensic Collision Investigators are strategically deployed nationwide in Garda Roads Policing Units. For your information please find set out in the table the latest figures as requested.

Forensic Collision Investigators 2012 - 2018

Region

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018*

DMR

5

4

4

4

4

4

4

Eastern

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

South Eastern

6

7

9

9

6

6

6

Southern

12

11

9

9

9

9

8

Western

9

9

7

7

7

7

7

Northern

11

11

9

9

5

3

3

Total

49

48

44

44

37

35

34

*Up to 21 June 2018

Road Traffic Offences Data

Ceisteanna (768, 769, 770)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

768. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 297 of 30 January 2018, if the Garda report is now available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33027/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

769. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 295 of 30 January 2018, if the Garda report is now available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33028/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

770. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 294 of 30 January 2018, if the Garda report is now available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33029/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 768 to 770, inclusive, together.

I have again requested a report from An Garda Síochána in relation to the statistics sought by the Deputy and I will be in contact with the Deputy directly on receipt of this report.

Road Traffic Offences Data

Ceisteanna (771, 772)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

771. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 293 of 30 January 2018, if the Garda report is now available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33030/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

772. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 292 of 30 January 2018, if the Garda report is now available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33031/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 771 and 772 together.

The statistics sought by the Deputy were previously given in response to Parliamentary Question Nos. 67 and 72 of 6 February 2018. To be of assistance, the statistics are restated in the table.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the following represents the number of positive roadside drug tests conducted each month since the commencement of the legislation on 13 April 2017 to 31 December 2017.

number of positive roadside drug tests conducted each month since the commencement of the legislation on 13 April 2017 to 31 December 2017

Month

number of positive roadside drug tests conducted

April

3

May

5

June

10

July

4

August

15

September

6

October

12

November

13

December

22

Total

90

Of those 90 positive tests, I am informed that 89 persons were arrested, with one person having tested positive passing the subsequent impairment test.

I am also advised by Garda authorities that records indicate that 52,395 Mandatory Intoxicant Testing checkpoints were conducted by An Garda Síochána following the commencement of the relevant legislation in April 2017 to end December 2017.

It should be noted that the statistics provided are provisional, operational and subject to change and are valid as of 1 February 2018.

Immigrant Investor Programme Administration

Ceisteanna (773)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

773. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the review of the immigrant investor programme will be published. [33042/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a limited internal review of the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was concluded in Quarter three, 2017.

It highlighted that as applications to the IIP had only gained momentum in the second half of 2016, it would be difficult to carry out a comprehensive evaluation and draw useful conclusions at that stage. It also noted that as the majority of IIP investments were only made relatively recently to evaluate their effectiveness at this early stage may not provide sufficient material for any useful lessons to be learned and conclusions to be reached. The review was recently made available to members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality and published on my Department's website.

The internal review found it was too early to draw any conclusions.

I recognise the important of comprehensive evaluation and requested INIS conduct a more in-depth review. I am advised that INIS has scheduled an in-depth external review and analysis of the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to commence in the second half of 2018. This will take into account, among other matters, the changing economic climate, and will be consulting with a wide range of stakeholders in that regard. It is intended to publish the outcomes of this review.

Garda Civilian Staff Data

Ceisteanna (774)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

774. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of civilian staff, per Garda station, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33043/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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, funding has been provided to facilitate the recruitment of up to 500 civilians 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.

The table, as supplied by the Commissioner, sets out the latest figures as requested.

Civilian Strength by Station

Garda Data

Ceisteanna (775, 776, 779, 780)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

775. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of core unit gardaí attached to the Limerick city division in each of the years from 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by division, district and subdistrict, in tabular form. [33046/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

776. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the Limerick city division in each of the years from 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by division, district and subdistrict, in tabular form. [33047/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

779. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the full complement of gardaí in the Limerick city division in each of the years from 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by division, district and subdistrict, in tabular form. [33050/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

780. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of civilian staff attached to the Limerick city division in each of the years from 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by division, district and subdistrict, in tabular form. [33051/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 775, 776, 779 and 780 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 I have set out in the table, as supplied by the Commissioner, the latest figures as requested.

Garda Civilian Staff by Division 2010-2018

Division

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

May-18

Limerick City

53

54

52

50

51

51

51

52

54

* The civilian figure is only recorded from 2010

Limerick Division

Garda Equipment

Ceisteanna (777)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

777. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda vehicles attached to the Limerick city division in each of the years from 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by division, district and sub-district, in tabular form. [33048/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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 in the period 2013 to the end of 2017 almost €44 million has been invested in the fleet with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period to 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 tables set out information in relation to the Garda vehicles attached to the Limerick Division. I am advised by An Garda Síochána, that for operational reasons, this information is provided at Division and District level only.

2018

Cars

Vans

Motorcycle

4x4

Other

Total

Bruff

3

2

0

0

0

5

Henry St Limerick

38

12

4

3

1

58

Newcastlewest

12

3

0

0

0

15

Roxboro Rd

10

2

0

0

1

13

Total for Limerick Division

63

19

4

3

2

91

2017

Cars

Vans

Motorcycle

4x4

Other

Total

Bruff

4

2

0

0

0

6

Henry St Limerick

34

11

3

3

1

52

Newcastlewest

11

2

0

0

0

13

Roxboro Rd

12

2

2

0

1

15

Total for Limerick Division

61

17

3

3

2

86

2016

Cars

Vans

Motorcycle

4x4

Other

Total

Bruff

4

1

0

0

0

5

Henry St Limerick

34

13

4

3

1

55

Newcastlewest

11

3

0

0

0

14

Roxboro Rd

9

2

0

0

1

12

Total for Limerick Division

58

19

4

3

2

86

2015

Cars

Vans

Motorcycle

4x4

Other

Total

Bruff

4

1

0

0

0

5

Henry St Limerick

38

11

3

2

3

57

Newcastlewest

12

3

0

0

0

15

Roxboro Rd

11

4

0

0

0

15

Total for Limerick Division

65

19

3

2

3

92

2014

Cars

Vans

Motorcycle

4x4

Other

Total

Bruff

3

1

0

0

0

4

Henry St Limerick

31

10

3

2

3

49

Newcastlewest

10

3

0

0

1

14

Roxboro Rd

8

5

0

0

0

13

Total for Limerick Division

52

19

3

2

4

80

2013

Cars

Vans

Motorcycle

4x4

Other

Total

Bruff

3

1

0

0

0

4

Henry St Limerick

27

10

3

2

2

44

Newcastlewest

7

3

0

0

1

11

Roxboro Rd

6

4

0

0

0

10

Total for Limerick Division

43

18

3

2

3

69

2012

Cars

Vans

Motorcycle

4x4

Other

Total

Askeaton

5

0

0

0

0

5

Bruff

4

0

0

0

0

4

Henry St Limerick

27

10

3

2

1

43

Limerick City South

9

4

0

1

0

14

Newcastlewest

4

1

0

0

1

6

Total for Limerick Division

49

15

3

3

2

72

2011

Cars

Vans

Motorcycle

4x4

Other

Total

Askeaton

5

0

0

0

0

5

Bruff

4

1

2

0

0

7

Henry St Limerick

29

7

4

3

3

46

Limerick City North

8

3

0

0

1

12

Limerick City South

13

3

0

1

0

17

Newcastlewest

5

1

0

0

0

6

Total for Limerick Division

64

15

6

4

4

93

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

Limerick

Cars

Vans

Motorcycle

4x4

Other

Total

2010

67

17

7

4

3

98

2009

62

14

9

4

2

91

Question No. 778 answered with Question No. 639.
Questions Nos. 779 and 780 answered with Question No. 775.
Question No. 781 answered with Question No. 642.

Garda Youth Diversion Projects

Ceisteanna (782)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

782. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda youth diversion projects in the Limerick city division in each of the years from 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and the areas in which they are located. [33053/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The following Garda Youth Diversion Projects operated in Limerick Garda Division during the period 2009 to date.

Please note that the table only deals with the period 2009 to date. All of the GYDPs listed, with the exception of Rathkeale, were in operation prior to 2009.

-

PROJECT

AREA

Years in operation

LIMERICK

CCYDG

MOYROSS

2009- to date

BALLYNANTY

LIMERICK CITY

2009- to date

LSCYI

GALVONE

2009- Q3 2012

KINGS ISLAND

LIMERICK CITY

2009- to date

SOUTHSIDE

LIMERICK CITY

2009- to date

IRISHTOWN

LIMERICK CITY

2009- to date

RATHKEALE

RATHKEALE

2015- to date

WEST LIMERICK

NEWCASTLEWEST

2009- to date

Garda Data

Ceisteanna (783, 784, 785, 793, 798, 800, 801, 802, 803, 804, 805)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

783. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the regional support unit, by rank, in the Limerick city division in each of the years from 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [33054/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

784. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached the emergency response unit, by rank, in the Limerick city division in each of the years from 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [33055/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

785. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached the special detective unit by rank in the Limerick city division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [33056/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

793. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to specialist units in the Limerick city division. [33064/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

798. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the technical bureau, by rank, in the Limerick city division in each of the years from 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [33069/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

800. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the Criminal Assets Bureau, by rank, in the Limerick city division in each of the years from 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [33071/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

801. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau by rank in the Limerick city division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [33072/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

802. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation by rank in the Limerick city division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [33073/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

803. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, by rank, in the Limerick city division in each of the years from 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [33074/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

804. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau by rank in the Limerick city division in each of the years 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [33075/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

805. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, by rank, in the Limerick city division in each of the years from 2009 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [33076/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 783 to 785, inclusive, 793, 798 and 800 to 805, inclusive, 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.

For the Deputy's information the table, received from the Garda authorities, presents the latest data for the national specialist units which form Garda Special Crime Operations. It is important to note that these are national units which support the work of the 28 Garda Divisions across the Country and are consequently not broken down by Division.

I am informed by the Commissioner that the Special Detective Unit (SDU) is responsible for the investigation of threats to state security and the monitoring of persons who pose a threat to the security of the State on both national and international fronts. The Unit also provides security for visiting VIPs, cash in transit movements and armed response and is the operational wing of the Witness Security Programme. The highly trained and equipped specialist intervention unit, the Emergency Response Unit, is also part of SDU.

I am advised by the Commissioner that for security and operational reasons the strength of the SDU, ERU and the Regional Support Units cannot be provided.

Strength of Garda Special Crime Operations 31 May 2018

CR

DC

AC

CS

SU

IN

SG

GD

TOTAL

Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau

0

0

0

1

3

2

20

88

114

Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau

0

0

0

0

0

1

5

17

23

Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (formerly Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation)

0

0

0

1

2

2

16

47

68

Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation

0

0

0

1

3

0

15

62

81

Garda National Protective Services Bureau

0

0

0

0

3

2

17

41

63

Garda National Technical Bureau

0

0

0

0

1

2

16

49

68

Criminal Assets Bureau

0

0

0

1

1

0

9

31

42

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