Written Answers Nos. 266-304
266. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if €100,000 of funding will be included in his final budget preparations from an equality perspective for the roll-out of the just a minute card which helps persons with disabilities to navigate public transport and shops by signalling that the holder needs to be afforded some patience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48062/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Just a Minute Card is a tool that was introduced in Northern Ireland to allow people with a learning difficulty, autism or communication barrier to tell others they need ‘Just A Minute’ in a discrete and effective non-verbal manner.
In respect of the Deputy's query concerning the provision of funding for such a scheme in this jurisdiction, the Department of Justice and Equality does not provide funding for disability related services or initiatives. This is a matter for individual Departments based on their areas of responsibility. As the initiative the Deputy refers to is related to accessible public transport services, the introduction of such a scheme and the provision of funding for same falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. I will forward this request to him for consideration.
267. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the courts and land and conveyancing law reform Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48067/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position is that the process of drafting the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform (Amendment) Bill is nearing completion. The principal purpose of the Bill is to broaden the range of matters a court must take into account when deciding whether to grant a possession order to a lending institution in respect of a borrower's principal private residence.
Following completion of drafting, I intend to consult with the Attorney General on whether consultation with the European Central Bank (ECB) on the Bill's content will be required. Articles 127(4) and 282(5) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union require that the ECB be consulted by national authorities regarding draft legislative provisions in its areas of competence, and it may give an opinion. These areas include currency matters, means of payment, national central banks, the collection, compilation and distribution of monetary, financial, banking, payment systems and balance of payment statistics, payment and settlement systems, and, rules applicable to financial institutions insofar as they materially influence the stability of financial institutions and markets.
In the event that consultation with the ECB is not necessary, I intend to seek Government approval for the publication of the Bill in the coming weeks.
268. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if counselling is offered to gardaí following critical or traumatic incidents; the number of gardaí who availed of such counselling in each of the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48076/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing An Garda Síochána including the provision of employee welfare supports.
I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that An Garda Síochána is committed to ensuring that members exposed to workplace stress receive the appropriate organisational response. There are a variety of supports in place for Garda members including the Garda Employee Assistance Service, a Peer Support Programme and an independent helpline and counselling service which is available to all Garda members and staff
The helpline and counselling service is available for both work and personal difficulties. The service is not mandatory and operates on the basis of self-referral. Garda members and staff may avail of six free sessions of counselling per year and an additional two will be provided if clinically approved. All appointments and consultations are arranged directly between the service provider and the staff member.
I have set out in the table, for the Deputy's information, details on the uptake of the helpline and counselling service since its launch on 24 June 2016.
|
Period |
Number of Telephone /Helpline calls received. |
Number of times counselling service activated. |
Number of Counselling sessions delivered. |
|
Jun 2016 – Jun 2017 |
429 |
363 |
1328 |
|
Jun 2017 – Jun 2018 |
385 |
351 |
1680 |
269. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full-year cost of recruiting an extra 18 senior crime and policing analysts at higher executive officer, HEO, level and 18 crime and policing analysts at executive officer, EO, level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48077/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on, managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment and training of the members of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of the availability of resources and his identified operational demands. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the estimated full year cost to An Garda Síochána of employing an additional 18 senior crime and policing analysts at HEO level is approximately €1,042,000. The estimated annual salary costs of an additional 18 crime and policing analysts at EO level is approximately €753,000. These calculations are based on the mid-point (excluding long term increments) of the Higher Executive Officer and Executive Officer pay scale currently in effect from 1 October 2018 and including an estimate of Employer’s PRSI.
270. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of superintendent gardaí who were and are assigned to the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR, north division in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48177/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra271. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspector gardaí who were and are assigned to the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR, north division in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48178/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra272. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí who were and are assigned to the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR, north division in each of the years, 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48179/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra273. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sergeant gardaí who were and are assigned to the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR, north division in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48180/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra274. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who were and are assigned to the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR, north division in each of the years, 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48181/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra275. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of superintendent gardaí who were and are assigned to Garristown Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48182/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra276. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspector gardaí who were and are assigned to Garristown Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48183/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra277. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí who were and are assigned to Garristown Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48184/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra278. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sergeant gardaí who were and are assigned to Garristown Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48185/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra279. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who were and are assigned to Garristown Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48186/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra280. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of superintendent gardaí who were and are assigned to Skerries Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48187/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra281. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspector gardaí who were and are assigned to Skerries Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48188/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra282. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí who were and are assigned to Skerries Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48189/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra283. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sergeant gardaí who were and are assigned to Skerries Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48190/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra284. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who were and are assigned to Skerries Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48191/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra285. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of superintendent gardaí who were and are assigned to Lusk Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48192/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra286. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspector gardaí who were and are assigned to Lusk Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48193/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra287. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí who were and are assigned to Lusk Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48194/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra288. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sergeant gardaí who were and are assigned to Lusk Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48195/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra289. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who were and are assigned to Lusk Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48196/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra290. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of superintendent gardaí who were and are assigned to Swords Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48197/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra291. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspector gardaí who were and are assigned to Swords Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48198/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra292. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí who were and are assigned to Swords Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48199/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra293. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sergeant gardaí who were and are assigned to Swords Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48200/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra294. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who were and are assigned to Swords Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48201/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra295. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of superintendent gardaí who were and are assigned to Malahide Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48217/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra296. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspector gardaí who were and are assigned to Malahide Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48218/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra297. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí who were and are assigned to Malahide Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48219/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra298. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sergeant gardaí who were and are assigned to Malahide Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48220/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra299. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who were and are assigned to Malahide Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48221/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra300. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of superintendent gardaí who were and are assigned to Balbriggan Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48222/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra301. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspector gardaí who were and are assigned to Balbriggan Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48223/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra302. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí who were and are assigned to Balbriggan Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48224/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra303. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sergeant gardaí who were and are assigned to Balbriggan Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48225/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra304. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who were and are assigned to Balbriggan Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48226/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 270 to 304, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána as it recognises that every community, either urban or rural, has its own concerns and expectations. The role of a community Garda is not a specialist role in An Garda Síochána; rather it is the case that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. The official categorisation of Community Garda simply refers to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. It is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her having regard to the profile of the area and its specific needs
The Garda strength by Station and Rank for the D.M.R. North Division, as provided by the Garda Commissioner from 2009, is available on my Department’s website through the link below.
Garda Nos. by Division
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the Community Garda Strength in Garristown, Skerries, Lusk. Swords, Malahide and Balbriggan Garda Stations, and the D.M.R. North Division in each of the years 2009 to 30 September 2018, the latest date for which figures are currently available, as supplied by the Garda Commissoner are as set out in the table.
For more general information on Garda Facts and Figures please see the link below
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
Garda Strength presented as “Community” Gardaí and Total Gardaí by Station and Year
