Clare Daly
Ceist:290. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if refurbishments have been completed in D division in Mountjoy Prison. [37333/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrison Accommodation Standards
Ceisteanna (290)
Freagraí scríofa
I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that the refurbishment of the D Wing Mountjoy Prison was completed in 2015. The completion of the refurbishment work represented the final phase of eliminating the practice of “slopping out” at Mountjoy Prison.
Prison Accommodation Provision
Ceisteanna (291)
Clare Daly
Ceist:291. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Inspector of Prisons will be in a position to update bed capacity for Mountjoy, Cloverhill, Wheatfield and Cork prisons. [37334/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Inspector of Prisons was established on a statutory basis under Part 5 of the Prisons Act, 2007.
A new Inspector of Prisons, Ms Patricia Gilheaney, was appointed in May this year. She has an important role in ensuring an effective independent oversight of our prison system.
It had been the practice of Ms. Gilheaney's predecessor to make an estimate of the capacity of each prison based on methodology as set out in his 2010 report entitled "The Irish Prison Population - an examination of duties and obligations owed to prisoners" which is available on www.inspectorofprisons.gov.ie.
In relation to the prisons cited in the question, it will be appreciated that the capacity can change arising from modernisation and extensive refurbishment. For example, the new Cork Prison opened in 2016. The Deputy will appreciate that the Inspector of Prisons is independent of me in the performance of her statutory functions and it is a matter for her to determine how and when an update of the bed capacities will be undertaken.
Prisoner Discipline
Ceisteanna (292)
Clare Daly
Ceist:292. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Irish Prison Service is committed to introducing measures to reduce the number of prisoners held on restricted regimes and ensure that, as a minimum standard, all receive three hours per day of out-of-cell time. [37335/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Irish Prison Service is committed to reducing the number of prisoners held on restricted regimes and ensuring that each prisoner on restricted regime receives as much out-of-cell time as possible.
I am advised that the Director General of the Irish Prison Service chairs a high-level group to examine measures which can be introduced to reduce the number of prisoners held on restricted regimes. This has involved intensive work in each prison over a prolonged period.
In 2013, in support of this work, the Irish Prison Service commenced the collation of a quarterly Census of Restricted Regime Prisoners. Since the commencement of the survey, which is published on the Irish Prison Service website, the number of prisoners on 22/23 hour restricted regime has decreased by 176 or 83% from 211 to 35.
In addition, in June 2017, I amended Rule 27 of the Prison Rules 2007, by signing into law, Statutory Instrument 276 of 2017. The purpose of this amendment was to provide a statutory entitlement to prisoners for a minimum of two hours out-of-cell time, daily. The means by which this Statutory Instrument is implemented is contained within the Irish Prison Service Policy on the Elimination of Solitary Confinement, which is available on their website (www.irishprisons.ie).
Court Procedures
Ceisteanna (293)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:293. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the €2,000 threshold for claims in the small claims court was set; and his plans to increase this threshold. [37350/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
S.I. No. 519 of 2009, District Court (Small Claims) Rules 2009, sets out the upper ceiling of €2,000 for small claims and came into operation on 11 January 2010. The monetary limit for small claims is fixed by Rules of Court with concurrence by myself as Minister for Justice and Equality. Any amendment to Rules of Court is a matter for the relevant Court Rules Committee.
The Deputy may be aware that Regulation (EU) 2015/2421 of the European Parliament and of the Council provides that a claim with a value not exceeding €5,000 can be made under the European Small Claims Procedure. The EU Regulation applies to cross-border cases only and has applied since 14 July 2017.
Garda Deployment
Ceisteanna (294)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:294. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to the roads policing unit in each Garda division in each of the years from 2007 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [37364/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
The information requested by the Deputy as provided by the Garda Commissioner, is available from 2009 on my Department’s website through the following link.
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/004_Roads_Policing_Unit_2009_to_31_July_2018.xlsx/Files/004_Roads_Policing_Unit_2009_to_31_July_2018.xlsx
For more general information on Garda Facts and Figures please see the following link: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures.
Garda Vetting
Ceisteanna (295)
Lisa Chambers
Ceist:295. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the location in England to which the Garda vetting for a person (details supplied) was sent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37436/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The position in respect of this case was set out in my response to the Deputy's Question No. 482 of 7 September 2018 and has not changed. The vetting application in the case to which the Deputy refers, relates to a person who is currently in an ongoing process for recruitment to An Garda Síochána.
In respect of recruitment to An Garda Síochána, checks secondary to vetting are required to be carried out and these can take some time to be completed. I have been assured by the Garda Authorities that every effort is made to ensure there is no undue delay in the process being carried out. As the recruiting authority An Garda Síochána can liaise directly with applicants in respect of the progress of the recruitment process.
Naturalisation Applications
Ceisteanna (296)
Seán Crowe
Ceist:296. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied) has been received; the date the person applied; and the approximate time it will take to process this application. [37440/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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, which was received on 27 April 2017, 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.
Naturalisation Applications
Ceisteanna (297)
Seán Crowe
Ceist:297. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied) has been received; the date the person applied; and the approximate time it will take to process the application. [37441/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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, which was received on 27 April 2017, 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.
Deportation Orders
Ceisteanna (298)
Robert Troy
Ceist:298. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a deportation order was issued to a person (details supplied); if this case will be investigated with a view to allowing the person in question to reunite with her family for a number of reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37462/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned does not have a deportation order made in respect of her.
The person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State on 28/09/2015 on a Stamp 4 for one year, which has been renewed, until 28/09/2019.
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. 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 longer awaited.
Garda Deployment
Ceisteanna (299)
John Curran
Ceist:299. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí stationed in Clondalkin, Ronanstown, Lucan and Rathcoole Garda stations, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37478/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
The information requested by the Deputy as provided by the Garda Commissioner, is available on my Department’s website through the following link: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_31_July_2018.xlsx/Files/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_31_July_2018.xlsx.
For more general information on Garda Facts and Figures please see the following link: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures.
Garda Operations
Ceisteanna (300)
John Curran
Ceist:300. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the specific actions he and An Garda Síochána are taking to deal with public order offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in many of Dublin's suburbs; his plans to introduce Garda public order units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37489/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will appreciate, the allocation of all Garda resources, including personnel, is solely a matter for the Garda Commissioner and his management team and I have no direct role in this regard. However, I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continue to take all forms of anti-social and drug-related behaviour very seriously. An Garda Síochána continue to monitor all new and emerging crime trends in our communities and deploy Garda resources accordingly to address any problems that arise.
Working with communities to tackle public disorder and reduce anti-social behaviour remains a key priority for An Garda Síochána. This approach includes a strong focus on quality of life issues and collaboration with local authorities to help address the causes of anti-social behaviour. I might add that there is a range of strong legislative provisions available to An Garda Síochána to combat anti-social behaviour, including provisions under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Acts, the Criminal Damage Act and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts. There are also the incremental provisions contained in the Criminal Justice Act 2006 which provide, in Part 11, for warnings and civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by adults and, in Part 13 of the Act, for warnings, good behaviour contracts and civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by children.
Anti-social behaviour has no place in a civilised society. For its part, the Government remains committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána have all the necessary resources to tackle all forms of criminality in our communities. In this context, the Deputy will be aware that a very substantial budget of €1.65 billion has been allocated to the Garda Vote for 2018 and close to €100 million has been provided for Garda overtime for 2018, which inter alia supports Garda activity to tackle these types of problems.
While An Garda Síochána will continue to tackle these problems head-on, they cannot eradicate the problem of anti-social behaviour alone. Specifically in relation to young offenders, it is also up to us as adults, particularly the parents and guardians of our young, to ensure that children are raised to be respectful and law-abiding. These lessons begin in the home, are further reinforced in our schools and then by wider society in general. We must all work together to ensure that such behaviour is never normalised and is tackled immediately.
Clearly, Garda visibility is very important and this Government remains 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. An Garda Síochána is currently undertaking a programme of accelerated recruitment, as part of the Government’s commitment to a strengthened service through the Five Year High Level Reform and Workforce Plan, which will see an overall workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021, including 15,000 Garda members. Since 2014, approximately 2,200 new members have attested and been assigned to duties in communities throughout the country. By the end of this year it is expected Garda numbers will have increased to approximately 14,000 for the first time since 2011.
Garda Expenditure
Ceisteanna (301)
John Curran
Ceist:301. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the expenditure that has been incurred on Garda overtime in 2018 to the end of August; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37490/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote and as such is responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources at his disposal, in accordance with operational need. Those resources have reached unprecedented levels with a provision for 2018 of more than €1.6 billion, including an allocation of almost €100 million for overtime.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the total expenditure on Garda overtime to the end of August 2018 was €84.7 million.
Under the governance and oversight arrangements in place between my Department and An Garda Síochána, the evolution of expenditure is kept under constant review and I have already discussed the financial position with Commissioner Harris. We are agreed that it is essential that value for money is achieved with the resources at his disposal and insofar as the emerging overrun in 2018 is concerned, he will be working with his senior management team to identify any measures that can be taken to ameliorate the situation. My Department will, of course, continue to engage with Garda management on the issue over the remainder of the year.
Garda Vetting
Ceisteanna (302)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:302. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to review the Garda vetting system; his views on concerns outlined by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37521/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the primary purpose of the employment vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to seek to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. Vetting is carried out by An Garda Síochána primarily in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012-2016.
Vetting checks are conducted by the Vetting Bureau for each new application received to ensure that the most recent data available is taken into account. This is because once there has been any significant lapse of time between one employment and another, the original vetting disclosure must be reviewed to take account of any changes in information, such as more recent criminal convictions.
Furthermore, the Data Protection Acts require that any sensitive personal data which employers use in regard to their employees must be current, accurate and up-to-date. Importantly, the general non-transferability and contemporaneous nature of the current process also helps to protect against the risk of fraud or forgery in the process.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that at present, 80% of overall vetting applications are being processed by the National Vetting Bureau in five working days. This efficiency has been achieved by the deployment of the e-vetting system which facilitates the on-line processing of applications for vetting from registered organisations. The e-vetting system is available to all registered organisations and the Garda authorities are ready to assist those organisations who are not yet using the e-vetting system to do so. In circumstances where there is such a sustained reduction in processing times, the issue of vetting “transferability” is largely obviated.
That said, the Deputy will wish to be aware that the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012-2016 provides at section 12 for certain circumstances where organisations can share a single vetting disclosure where this is agreed to by the vetting applicant and by the organisations in question.
Garda Training
Ceisteanna (303)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:303. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of training 50 extra forensic collision investigators in An Garda Síochána in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37555/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the training of specialist staff within An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will write to the Deputy directly.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 303 for answer on 18 September 2018 in which the Deputy requested the estimated cost in 2019 to train 50 extra forensic collision investigators within An Garda Síochána.
The Deputy will recall, the information could not be obtained in the time available, and I undertook to contact you again when the information was to hand.
As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that training for forensic collision investigators (FCI) is generally provided for classes in classes of 12. There are a number of elements to the training including a 5-week course, 12 months under the supervision of a qualified FCI, 2 weeks of Accident Investigation training, and a final exam prior to qualifying as a forensic collision investigator (FCI).
I am advised that the current cost of the initial 5-week training is approximately €36,000 per class. As the course is based on classes of 12, it would require four courses to train 48 participants, with costs amounting to approximately €146,000.
Following this, the member continues their training for a further 12 months under the supervision of a qualified FCI.
The member is then required to complete 2 weeks of Accident Investigation training and the final exam. The cost per class of 12 for this part of the training is approximately £9,800 (Sterling). This amount is in Sterling as certification is provided by a UK academic institution. As such this element of training to qualify as an FCI would cost a total of £39,200 (Sterling) for the provision of four courses to train 48 participants.
The qualification received on completion is a Certificate in Forensic Collision Investigation and is recognised worldwide.
I am further advised that there are currently 34 qualified FCI members in An Garda Siochána. I understand a further 11 members completed the first part of training in August 2018 and transferred to the FCI units in September 2018 to continue their training.
I trust this information is of assistance.
Question No. 304 answered with Question No. 250.
Legislative Reviews
Ceisteanna (305)
Martin Heydon
Ceist:305. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to address the defamation laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37608/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware the Defamation Act 2009 codified and reformed Irish Defamation law. Section 5 of the 2009 Act requires my Department to undertake a review of the operation of the Act and this review is currently ongoing.
The parameters of the review were published on the website of the Department of Justice and Equality as well as a call for submissions for a public consultation on the operation of the Defamation Act. Submissions to this public consultation were also published on the Department’s website. In announcing the review, I stated that the central focus for the review is to ensure that our law strikes the correct balance between the right to freedom of expression in a democratic society, and an individual’s right to protect their good name and privacy against unfounded attack – rights which are protected both under our Constitution and under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Amongst other matters, the review will address whether any changes should be made to the level or type of damages which may be awarded in defamation cases, or to the factors to be taken into account in making that determination. In addition, the review will address whether any changes should be made to the respective roles of judge and jury in High Court defamation cases. The review will further address the adequacy of the current range of defences under the 2009 Act, including the defence of fair and reasonable publication on a matter of public interest.
My officials have completed extensive work on the review, which includes a comparative examination of the law of defamation in other jurisdictions, including in relation to assessment of damages and the respective roles of judge and jury. The timeframe for the review was extended due to requests by stakeholders for more time to prepare their submissions, the complexity of the issues under consideration, the wide scope of the submissions received, other urgent legislative priorities for the Department, and significant intervening judgments of relevance from the European Court of Human Rights and the Supreme Court.
The review will culminate in a report to that will be submitted to me and that will include a range of options for reform of the 2009 Act. My officials have informed me that it is expected that the draft report with options for reform will be submitted to me before the end of 2018.
Immigration Status
Ceisteanna (306)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:306. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of a case, following submission of representations under section 3 of Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) for consideration in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37609/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the persons concerned.
These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Residency Permits
Ceisteanna (307)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:307. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); when the application is expected to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37612/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the application by the person concerned is among a number of cases under consideration by INIS which were impacted pending the outcome of the Luximon and Balchand Supreme Court cases earlier this year. Officials in INIS are currently finalising a response to the judgment and I expect to be announcing details of the response in the next few weeks.
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.
Residency Permits
Ceisteanna (308)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:308. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37613/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned.
These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Sex Offenders Notification Requirements
Ceisteanna (309, 310)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:309. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons on the sex offenders register as of 1 January in each year since 2002; the number of notifications made by persons on the sex offenders register to An Garda Síochána of their intention to leave the State for seven days or more as per section 10(3) of the Sex Offenders Act 2001; the countries to which those notifications relate, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37643/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlan Farrell
Ceist:310. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of successful applications under section 11 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 for sex offenders to be removed from the sex offenders register; the number of persons who have been convicted of a sexual offence outside the State and who have reported this fact to An Garda Síochána to be added to the sex offenders register as per their obligations under section 13 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001; the number of sex offender orders imposed by the courts under section 16 of the Act; the number of convictions for an offence relating to contraventions of a sex offender order as per section 22 of the Act; the number of convictions recorded for an offence relating to non-compliance with requirements relating to a supervision period as per section 33 of the Act, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37644/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 309 and 310 together.
I have requested a report from the Garda authorities on the information sought by the Deputy and I will contact him directly when the report is to hand.
Victim Support Services
Ceisteanna (311)
Eamon Ryan
Ceist:311. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if people who are the victims of sexual assault have a right to self-refer to a sexual assault treatment unit even if they are not in a position to make an allegation against the perpetrator at that time; if he is satisfied that the correct information on this is being made available to all victims of sexual offences in Garda stations throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37647/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will appreciate, the operation of the Sexual Assault Treatment Units (SATU) comes under the remit of the HSE.
In this regard, I am advised that the HSE has interagency national guidelines in place for the referral and forensic clinical examination to facilitate all aspects of a responsive and coordinated service for women and men over the age of 14 years who have been raped or sexually assaulted.
Under these guidelines I understand that there are a number of options available for victims of sexual assault regarding their attendance at a SATU.
One of the options for such victims include the option for them to attend the SATU to avail of a health check and receive appropriate medical and psychological care, but without reporting the incident to An Garda Síochána, and, if they so wish, also allow for the collection and preservation of evidentially valuable forensic samples, in circumstances where the person has yet to decide to report to An Garda Síochána.
The role played by all the relevant parties, including An Garda Síochána, is set out in the interagency guidelines, the application of which, the Deputy will appreciate, is an operational matter for all of the agencies involved.
Under the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act, 2017, An Garda Síochána must give a range of specific information to victims of crime when they are first in contact with An Garda Síochána and victims may opt-in to receive a range of other specific information concerning the progress of the investigation, which must be given to them. The information to be provided by An Garda Síochána to victims on first contact with them includes information on services providing support for victims.
I have sought assurance from the Garda authorities that this process is being adhered to in relation to all victims of sexual offences and I will contact the Deputy directly when the report is to hand.
Garda Reform
Ceisteanna (312)
Eamon Ryan
Ceist:312. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will request the Garda Commissioner to bring forward a new Garda diversity strategy and implementation plan, in view of the fact that the previous one expired in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37651/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the production of a Garda Diversity and Inclusion Strategy is one of the actions contained within An Garda Síochána’s 2018 Policing Plan. I am informed that work is currently underway in An Garda Síochána on the drafting of the ‘Garda Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2018-2022, which aims to place a strong emphasis on creating a working environment in An Garda Síochána that is open, inclusive and non-discriminatory.
I have requested further information in relation to the Strategy from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy on receipt of same.
A deferred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A
Garda Recruitment
Ceisteanna (313)
Eamon Ryan
Ceist:313. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his recruitment plans for An Garda Síochána and the Garda Reserve over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37652/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, 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 a plan in place to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 Garda 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.
Taking account of projected retirements, Garda numbers are expected to reach 14,000 by the end of this year and 15,000 during 2021. This will require the recruitment of some 800 Gardaí in 2019 and 2020. The planned recruitment of new Garda members is kept under constant review, and will be adjusted, if necessary.
Insofar as the Garda Reserve is concerned, the Commissioner is preparing a new Reserve Strategy which will address issues around the recruitment of Garda Reserves and how they are to be deployed.
Of course, as the Deputy will also be aware, the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is publishing its Report today. The Report addresses all aspects of policing in Ireland, including recruitment to the Garda Síochána of Garda members and Garda Reserves. Once I have had the opportunity to consider the Report in depth, I will bring proposals to Government in relation to its implementation.
Direct Provision Data
Ceisteanna (314)
Eamon Ryan
Ceist:314. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the breakdown of residents in direct provision centres; the number of adult males and females, respectively; the number of child males and females, respectively; and the number of bedrooms for each direct provision centre. [37653/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The statistics requested by the Deputy are collated on a monthly basis and published in RIA's Monthly Reports on http://www.ria.gov.ie/en/RIA/Pages/WP18000006. The most recently collated statistics are for July 2018 and are shown in the tables for ease of reference.
Table 1: Number of adult females and males
|
Family status: |
Females |
Males |
|
Lone Parent |
447 |
16 |
|
Married |
401 |
396 |
|
Single |
647 |
1953 |
|
Total |
1495 |
2365 |
Table 2: Number of children by age and gender
|
Age |
Female |
Male |
|
0-4 years |
337 |
361 |
|
5-12 years |
305 |
339 |
|
13-17 years |
104 |
115 |
|
Total |
746 |
815 |
The Reception & Integration Agency does not collate statistics on the number of bedrooms in each centre but can advise that all family groups have their own sleeping quarters. All families have either en suite or dedicated bathroom facilities. Just over half of all residents have access to cooking facilities and this project continues to be rolled out in centres. A number of centres are in a position to provide separate living facilities (kitchen, bathroom and living space) for each family.