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Thursday, 24 Jan 2019

Written Answers Nos. 124-133

Garda Civilian Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (124)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

124. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the recruitment of administrative staff for Garda stations; the progress he expects on same in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3476/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who has responsibility to carry on and manage and control generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochana, including by arranging for the recruitment, training and appointment of its members and staff.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government's vision is for a Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 to include 15,000 Garda members and 4,000 Garda Staff.  The projected 4,000 Garda Staff represents a medium-term target of 20% of the Garda full-time workforce comprised of civilians. This target will be achieved through a twin-track approach of firstly, a “civilian by default” policy in relation to the filling of all new posts other than operational policing posts and for non-operational policing posts that become vacant and, secondly, the redeployment of Gardaí to policing roles where their skills can be used to best effect, with the backfilling of these roles by suitably qualified civilians, where necessary. 

Progress is being made in relation to civilianisation. As of 31 December 2018, there were approximately 2430 Garda staff undertaking a range of administrative and technical duties in An Garda Síochána.

The Government has increased the budget for An Garda Síochána to €1.76 billion for 2019, which included provision for the recruitment of up to 800 Gardaí this year.  The Commissioner has informed me that he intends to recruit a total of 600 trainee Gardaí along with a net 600 Garda Staff.  The recruitment of these additional Garda Staff will allow the Commissioner to redeploy this year a further 500 fully trained Gardaí from administrative duties to the frontline policing duties for which they were trained. 

This is very much in line with the Report of the Commission for the Future of Policing in Ireland which recommended the return of Gardaí to the front line to deliver visible policing. The Deputy will be aware that on 18 December 2018 I also published a four year high level plan, ‘A Policing Service for the Future’,  which sets out the approach to implementation of the Commission's recommendations. Civilianisation is one of the key projects which will continue to be progressed over the lifetime of this reform programme.

Garda Civilian Staff

Ceisteanna (125)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

125. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the impact extra administrative staff will have on Garda duties; if discussions have commenced with the Garda representative organisations regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3477/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who has responsibility to carry on and manage and control generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochana, including by arranging for the recruitment, training and appointment of its members and staff.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government's vision is for a Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel including 15,000 Garda members, and 4,000 Garda Staff (civilians). The projected 4,000 Garda Staff represents a medium-term target of 20% of the Garda full-time workforce comprised of civilians. This target will be achieved through a twin-track approach of firstly, a “civilian by default” policy in relation to the filling of all new posts other than operational policing posts and for non-operational policing posts that become vacant and, secondly, the redeployment of Gardaí to policing roles where their skills can be used to best effect, with the backfilling of these roles by suitably qualified Garda Staff, where necessary. 

I am informed by An Garda Siochána that as at the end of 2018, almost 260 Gardaí have been reassigned to operational duties. I am pleased that this is an additional 260 Gardaí on the front-line over and above those being recruited under the Government's accelerated recruitment programme. The Garda Work Force Modernisation Team established by An Garda Síochána is continuing to drive momentum on civilianisation including in relation to redeployment and the Commissioner expects to make significant progress on this objective this year. The project team has identified the challenges around redeployments and is working to resolve these issues. This includes ongoing engagement with key stakeholders including Garda Associations and Trade Unions. 

This programme of civilianisation is very much in line with the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland which recommends the return of Gardaí to the front line to deliver visible policing.  This is evidenced in the High Level Implementation Plan - A Policing Service for the Future - which I published before Christmas which prioritises the twin issues of redeployment and  civilianisation.

Garda Data

Ceisteanna (126)

Micheál Martin

Ceist:

126. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new entrants to An Garda Síochána planned for 2019; the number of retirements expected for the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3478/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who has responsibility to manage and control generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment, training and appointment of its members. 

The Government has increased the budget for An Garda Síochána to €1.76 billion for 2019, which included provision for the recruitment of up to 800 Gardaí this year. The Garda Commissioner has informed me that he intends to recruit a total of 600 trainee Gardaí in 2019 along with a net 600 Garda staff. The recruitment of these additional Garda staff will allow the Commissioner to redeploy a further 500 Gardaí, from administrative duties to the frontline policing duties for which they were trained, in 2019.

An Garda Siochana have indicated that approximately 300 Gardaí are expected to retire in 2019, which is in line with retirement trends over the past four years.  Clearly this figure is an estimate.  I have been assured by the Garda Commissioner that the recruitment of Garda members and Garda staff planned for 2019 will ensure that, taking account of projected retirements, the Government's commitment to increasing the strength of An Garda Síochána to 15,000 Garda members and 4,000 Garda staff by 2021 will be achieved. The number of Garda members in An Garda Siochana increased to just over 14,000 at the end of 2018, a net increase of over 1,000 since the end of 2016.  The Commissioner's plans for the redeployment of Gardaí to frontline policing in 2019 will result in a net additional 1,100 Gardaí deployed to operational policing by the end of 2019. 

This approach to recruitment and redeployment is very much in line with the Report of the Commission for the Future of Policing in Ireland which recommended the return of Gardaí to the front line to deliver visible policing. The Deputy will be aware that on 18 December 2018 I published a four year high level plan, ‘A Policing Service for the Future’,  which sets out the approach to implementation of the Commission's recommendations. Civilianisation, workforce planning and redeployment are some of the key projects which will continue to be progressed over the lifetime of this reform programme.

Magdalen Laundries

Ceisteanna (127)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

127. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 436 of 6 November 2018, the status of an application by a person (details supplied) to the Magdalen restorative justice ex gratia scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3512/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

To date just over €27.2million has been paid to 720 women under the Magdalen Restorative Justice Ex Gratia Scheme

 In my response to the previous Dáil question in relation to this particular case (Dáil Question no. 436 of 6 November, 2018), I informed the Deputy that the application falls to be dealt under the Addendum to the terms of the original Magdalen scheme.  That Addendum, which derives from a recommendation by the Ombudsman in his report of November 2017, provides for persons who were not resident in any of the 12 institutions covered by the original scheme but who may have worked in the laundries of those institutions while resident in one of 14 adjoining institutions.

The Addendum is published on my Department's website (www.justice.ie).  Any redress payment to be made under its terms will comprise two elements; a 'general' payment for the period of residency in the adjoining institution, and a 'work' payment for whatever period the successful applicant worked in the laundry of the relevant institution. 

Applications to the scheme are now being processed and payments have issued to a number of women.  Applications being considered include new applicants and women who had previously applied unsuccessfully under the 2013 scheme but who may now be eligible.  Applicants under the Addendum, whose applications under the original Magdalen scheme were refused, are not being asked for information already provided. For those cases where there is insufficient documentary evidence available to make an assessment, an interview process is in place so as to facilitate a fairer assessment of a woman's application.

Committee of Public Accounts

Ceisteanna (128)

Marc MacSharry

Ceist:

128. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will address matters (details supplied) in relation to issues raised at the meeting of the Oireachtas Standing Committee of Public Accounts on 17 January 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3587/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware this matter was discussed at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee on 17 January, 2019. At that meeting the Secretary General of my Department undertook to make enquiries into the allegations made in respect of this matter and to furnish a report to the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee as a matter of urgency.

I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that this report is currently being finalised. However, in advance of the provision of a detailed report, my officials in the Irish Prison Service have confirmed that there is no tractor missing from the fleet allocation assigned to Shelton Abbey.

I am further advised by the Director General that the Irish Prison Service Fleet Manager has confirmed that there are currently five tractors assigned to Shelton Abbey Open Centre, which has a working farm on site. The fleet manager has confirmed that all tractors have remained on site and have not been loaned or allocated to any other organisation at any time.

Committee of Public Accounts

Ceisteanna (129)

Marc MacSharry

Ceist:

129. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will address matters (details supplied) in relation to issues raised at the meeting of the Oireachtas Standing Committee of Public Accounts on 17 January 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3588/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware this matter was discussed at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee on 17 January, 2019. At that meeting the Secretary General of my Department undertook to make enquiries into the allegations made in respect of this matter and to furnish a report to the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee as a matter of urgency.

I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that this report is currently being finalised. However, in advance of the provision of a detailed report, my officials in the Irish Prison Service have confirmed that there is one Hyundai i40 assigned to the Midlands Prison for use by staff in accordance with the Irish Prison Service Pooled Vehicles Procedure on the use of fleet cars and that the vehicle concerned is accounted for at the Prison concerned.

A review of the usage of the car in question is currently underway. This review will inform part of the report to the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.

Brexit Issues

Ceisteanna (130)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

130. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of meetings he has attended since the beginning of September 2018 with his officials to discuss and prepare for Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3601/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The decision by the United Kingdom to leave the EU is one that we respect and regret. It has provided the context for much of the work of my Department, particularly since 2016. As such, Brexit-related matters are discussed regularly in meetings with my officials, including my regular meetings with the Secretary General and with the Management Board of the Department.

My Department has an International Policy Division which coordinates preparations for Brexit. The focus of the Department has been on the protection of the Common Travel Area, the maintenance of the closest possible cooperation in policing and criminal justice matters, the maintenance of a functioning system of extradition, and the maintenance of efficient mechanisms to deal with cross-border civil, commercial and family law matters, as far as possible.

This focus is reflected both in my regular engagement with officials and when I’m briefed in advance of, for example, meetings with my UK or other EU counterparts, and other engagements, be they domestic or abroad.

In this context I discuss Brexit preparations with my officials in advance of every meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council, at my formal meetings with my Management Board and in my regular discussions with my Secretary General. 

In addition to meeting with officials I am in receipt of regular written briefings on the Department’s planning for Brexit which ensure that I am kept apprised of the policy issues arising for my Department on an ongoing basis.

Crime Data

Ceisteanna (131)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

131. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 426 of 6 November 2018, when a reply will issue in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3606/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the information sought by the Deputy. Please be assured that my Department is actively following up with An Garda Síochána in relation to this request and I will contact the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Immigration Status

Ceisteanna (132)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedures to be followed to regularise residency in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3651/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that there is no record of a request from the person concerned for permission to reside in the State.

The Deputy will appreciate that, under the relevant provisions of the Immigration Act, 2004, a non-national may not be in the State other than within the terms of a permission from the Minister for Justice and Equality.  In order to allow for a full examination of the person's circumstances, the person concerned should write to Unit 2, Domestic Residence and Permissions Division, INIS, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 and provide a detailed account and documentary evidence  of their circumstances since their arrival in this State. 

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 (133)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3653/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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.

Representations received from the applicant, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, in advance of a final decision being made.  

In reference to eligibility for naturalisation the criteria is as follows; if a person has 5 years (60 months) reckonable residency on either stamp 1, stamp 3 or stamp 4 conditions it is open to them to lodge an application for a certificate of Naturalisation.

For the purpose of Naturalisation (Irish citizenship), reckonable residency (i.e. stamp 1, stamp 3 or stamp 4), is calculated by counting months of permission to remain in the State. Reckonable residency is reflected in the corresponding stamp 1, stamp 3 or stamp 4 endorsements in a person's passport. To meet the statutory residency criteria as laid out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (as amended), an individual needs to have 60 months (5 years) reckonable residency with the year immediately before the date of application being of continuous residency.

In making any such application it should be noted that the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (as amended), provides that the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of Naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. These conditions are that the applicant must:

- be of full age (18 years or older)

- be of good character

- have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years

- intend in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation

- have made, either before a Judge of the District Court in open court or in such a manner as the Minister for special reasons allows, a declaration in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State

Full and comprehensive information regarding Citizenship, can be found on our website, along with details of the new guidelines, application forms, fees and a naturalisation residency calculator (link provided below):

http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Citizenship/

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.

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