Written Answers Nos. 93-117
93. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if persons qualifying under the long-term illness scheme are eligible for training courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43861/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no eligibility rules in the further education and training area that disqualify persons holding an Invalidity Pension from participating in training courses. However, before commencing the course applicants should make a request to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) for approval. Requests are reviewed by the DEASP and, if approved, an exemption letter is issued to the applicant. In respect of courses where a training allowance is paid, the participant will not be entitled to a training allowance as they retain their Invalidity Pension Allowance. In some circumstances, the participant may receive a travel and subsistence allowance from the course provider.
94. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 172 of 17 September 2019, if the accommodation brief has been finalised; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43892/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe details of the accommodation to be provided at the school in question are expected to be determined shortly. My Department will be in direct contact with the school authority at that point.
95. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 216 of 9 July 2019, when the design team is likely to lodge a planning application for the project in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43895/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is aware that the delivery of a new building for the school to which he refers has been devolved to Kildare and Wicklow Education & Training Board (KWETB). He will also be aware that KWETB and its design team for the project, which was appointed in June, will now take the project through the various stages of architectural planning and onwards through the statutory planning requirements and construction.
The Stage 1 (prelimary design) process is underway since the design team was appointed and has not yet concluded. As the Stage 2A (detailed design) process must also be completed before a planning application for the project can be lodged, it is too early in the architectural design process to be in a position to provide the Deputy with a definitive date for when this might happen.
96. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 171 of 17 September 2019, if a definitive date for completion of phase 1 of the project has been given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43896/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school building project to which the Deputy refers is currently on site.
The first phase, consisting of the construction of the new 8 classroom school is due for completion in Quarter 4 2019. The second phase is due for completion in Quarter 2 2020.
97. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 174 of 17 September 2019, if tenders have now been invited for the project; the closing date for receipt of tenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43897/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy has recently completed Stage 2(b) of architectural planning and has been progressed to tender stage.
My Department understands from the Design Team Leader that tenders have been sought for the appointment of a Building Contractor. The closing date for completed tenders is late November.
When the tender process has been completed and the tender report received and considered my Department will revert directly to the school regarding progression of the project to construction stage.
A tender stage normally takes between 7 and 8 months to complete.
98. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 173 of 17 September 2019, if there has been further progress in resolving the technical considerations; if a design team will be put in place for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43898/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department continues to engage with the landowner and Kildare County Council in regard to the technical considerations crucial to the delivery of the site and the commencement of architectural planning.
It is a priority for my Department to commence the architectural planning process for this site at the earliest possible stage. For the time being, and as previously indicated, given the commercially sensitive nature of site acquisitions in general, I am unable to elaborate further.
99. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 170 of 17 September 2019, if approval has now issued for the invitation of tenders for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43899/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis building project referred to by the Deputy is included in my Department’s Construction Programme which is being delivered under the National Development Plan.
The major building project is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning Stage 2b – Detailed Design, which includes securing Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate and the preparation and final checks of the tender documentation.
The process of Pre-Qualification of contractors to compile a shortlist of suitable candidates is now complete. The next step for this project is Stage 3 – tender stage. The Department will shortly be in contact with the school and Design Team in that regard.
100. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 26 September 2019, if the letter of acceptance has issued to the preferred contractor; when the contractor will go on site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43902/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the delivery of the project at Naas Community College has been devolved to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB)
He will also recall from my previous answer that a preferred contractor for the project has been identified and a letter of intent issued from KWETB in that respect. The letter of acceptance has not issued yet, but can be expected to issue shortly with a view to ensuring that work begins on site next month.
101. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 169 of 17 September 2019, if authorisation has issued to invite tenders for the project; if so, when tenders will be invited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43903/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is currently at Stage 2(b) – Detailed Design.
The pre-qualification process to select a shortlist of suitable contractors has been completed and the Design Team is currently finalising the tender documentation.
Once this work is complete, my Department will be in contact with the Board of Management of the school regarding the progression of the project to the next stage of architectural planning, Stage 3 - tender stage.
102. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take regarding the urgent need for class size reduction in DEIS band 1 schools to cater to the range and severity of the needs of children in view of the fact that DEIS schools have not benefitted from the staffing schedule for the past few years and with class sizes of up to 29 in DEIS band 1 schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43906/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraDEIS Plan 2017 allows for a reduced class size in Urban Band 1 primary schools with the application of a preferential staffing schedule to these schools of 20:1 at junior classes and 24:1 at senior classes to support those students at the highest risk of educational disadvantage.
Posts allocated on the basis of the staffing schedule are specifically for mainstream classes and should be deployed accordingly. School authorities are requested to ensure that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible, taking all relevant contextual factors into account. However, school authorities should, where possible, use their autonomy under the staffing schedule to implement smaller class sizes for junior classes. The staffing schudule is available on my Department's website at https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0019_2019.pdf
As the Deputy may be aware, DEIS Plan 2017 acknowledges the allocation of teaching resources to DEIS primary schools with the highest concentrations of children at risk of educational disadvantage has served to improve learning outcomes. It also commits to the evaluation of the level of teaching resources for schools participating in DEIS to be undertaken to inform future policy in this area.
In order to facilitate this a Class Size Working Group was established comprising representatives from the Education Partners, the Educational Research Centre and the relevant Business Units in my Department. This group has met on a number of occasions to consider class size in the context of improved learning outcomes of those most at risk of educational disadvantage.
This report is currently being finalised, and will take into consideration the feedback and observations of the working group members. It is intended that this will be finalised in the coming weeks.
103. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in payment to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43907/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe managerial authorities of schools are requested annually to inform the Payroll Division of my Department of all teacher appointments to their schools as early as possible during the summer to allow the teacher to be set up for payment through the Department’s payroll.
The teacher appointment form in this instance was signed in the school on 9 September 2019 and received in my Department on 24 September 2019.
The appointment form was reviewed by staff in my Department and returned to the person referred to on 3 October 2019 as a required declaration had not been completed.
The fully completed appointment form and declaration was subsequently received too late to be included in salary payments issued on 17 October.
I am glad to inform the Deputy that the teacher appointment has now been recorded in my Department’s payroll system and the person referred to will be paid on 31 October 2019. The payment will include arrears of salary due to the person.
104. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has identified a permanent site for the new secondary school which is planned for the Blanchardstown village and Blanchardstown west planning areas; when the school will open; if the school will initially be in temporary accommodation; if so, the location of the temporary accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43926/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a new post primary school for the Blanchardstown area was included in the announcement of new schools made in 2018.
In line with the policy on the use of State assets (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circulars 11/15 and 17/16), in the first instance my Department is seeking to maximize the use of sites already in its ownership and of available properties in the ownership of other State bodies, where these are considered suitable.
Identified site options are currently being considered by my Department. Unfortunately, due to certain sensitivities I am not in a position to indicate their location at this time, however, the proposed location for the school will be made known as soon as it is possible to do so.
The school will be established in September 2020 in suitable interim accommodation pending delivery of its permanent accommodation. My Department is currently examining all potential options for the interim accommodation.
105. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to amend section 18(1) of the Education Act 1998 which requires all schools to have audited accounts in order to exempt very small schools from the auditing requirement in view of the fact it costs an inordinate amount of money compared to the capitation grant they receive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44010/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important to ensure that appropriate governance arrangements are in place for transparency and accountability in the management of public money.
As the Deputy will be aware, Section 18 of the Education Act 1998 requires all Boards of Management to keep accounts that are properly audited or certified in accordance with best accounting practice.
All Boards of Managements of schools are obliged to comply with Section 18 of the Education Act 1998 and the arrangements set out in my Department’s circulars 0060/2017 and 0002/2018 in relation to the operation of the Financial Services Support Unit (FSSU). This includes the submission of accounts to the FSSU by an external accountant/auditor who has a current Practicing Certificate, Professional Indemnity Insurance and is registered with a prescribed accountancy body in the State.
I am satisfied that this is the appropriate mechanism by which schools can comply with the requirement to make their accounts available for inspection by me in accordance with the Education Act 1998.
The independence of an external accountant/auditor provides assurance to the Board and the State that the accounts are prepared in line with good accounting practice and standards.
Use of the standard templates provided by the FSSU will help to reduce costs associated with the employment of an external accountant. These costs may be met from the Capitation funding provided by my Department.
In Budget 2020 I was pleased to have been able to provide for a further 2.5% increase in standard capitation funding for primary and post-primary schools that will apply from the start of the 2020/2021 school year. This is in addition to the 5% increase that applied from the start of the 2019/2020 school year.
106. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an mbaineann an ciorclán a foilsíodh le gairid maidir le díolúine ón nGaeilge a fhoghlaim le ranganna speisialta i scoileanna Gaeltachta agus leis an scoil speisialta i nGaeltacht Chonamara; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [44013/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraLeagtar amach i gciorcláin 52/2019 agus 53/2019 maidir le díolúintí ó staidéar a dhéanamh ar Ghaeilge gur maidir le scoileanna lán-Bhéarla amháin a bheidh feidhm ag na socruithe athbhreithnithe agus, dá bhrí sin, ní bheidh feidhm a thuilleadh ag díolúintí ó staidéar a dhéanamh ar Ghaeilge maidir le scoileanna a bhfuil Gaeilge ar an teanga teagaisc iontu.
I gcás go bhfuil ag daltaí cheana féin aon díolúintí a deonaíodh faoi théarmaí na gciorclán roimhe, beidh feidhm ag na díolúintí sin fós go dtí go mbeidh a n-oideachas iar-bhunscoile curtha i gcrích ag na daltaí.
107. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna an bhfuil sé i gceist aige polasaí a fhoilsiú maidir leis an Oideachas lán-Ghaeilge taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht agus le teagasc na Gaeilge i ngach scoil; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [44014/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar is eol don Teachta Dála, tá Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010 – 2030 i bhfeidhm ag an Rialtas cheana féin. Is é aidhm na físe atá leagtha amach sa straitéis sin ná úsáid na Gaeilge agus an t-eolas ar an nGaeilge mar theanga phobail a mhéadú ar bhonn incriminteach agus a chinntiú go mbeidh an oiread saoránach agus is féidir dátheangach sa Ghaeilge agus sa Bhéarla araon. Cé go ndírítear go mór sa Straitéis ar sheasamh na teanga a neartú laistigh dár gcóras oideachais, baineann ríthábhacht leis an nGaeilge a tharchur mar theanga bheo laistigh den teaghlach agus ó ghlúin go glúin freisin. Is é cur chuige foriomlán an Rialtais ná creat tacúil a fhorbairt agus deiseanna a chruthú inar féidir an Ghaeilge a thabhairt ar aghaidh ar bhealach nádúrtha laistigh de theaghlaigh agus de phobail.
Ina theannta sin, tar éis próiseas comhairliúcháin a sheoladh, tharla sé i mí an Mheithimh 2018 gur fhoilsigh an Roinn Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta Plean Gníomhaíochta don Ghaeilge. Is plean gníomhaíochta 5 bliana é sin a bhfuil mar aidhm leis creat comhtháite comhleanúnach a sholáthar chun tacú le cur chun feidhme na Straitéise 20 Bliain agus dírítear ann ar ghníomhartha sonracha, intomhaiste, inghnóthaithe, réadúla agus amshonracha atá le cur chun feidhme thar an tréimhse cúig bliana suas go dtí an bhliain 2022.
Tá an Rialtas seo tiomanta do na haidhmeanna atá leis an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 a chur ar aghaidh agus do chur chun feidhme a dhéanamh ar na gníomhartha atá sainaitheanta don Oideachas, mar atá leagtha amach sa Phlean Gníomhaíochta cúig bliana don tréimhse 2018-2022.
Ina theannta sin, thug an Roinn Oideachais Polasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022 isteach agus tá an Polasaí á chur chun feidhme aici faoi láthair.
Maidir le teagasc na Gaeilge sna scoileanna uile, tugadh faoi roinnt gníomhartha, a bhfuil na cinn seo a leanas ina measc:
- Forbraíodh Curaclam nua Teanga na Bunscoile do gach rang idir rang na Naíonán Sóisearach go rang a sé agus tá sé á chur i bhfeidhm faoi láthair.
- Tá tacaíocht chuimsitheach á tabhairt ag seirbhísí tacaíochta forbartha gairmiúla na Roinne Oideachais do mhúinteoirí chun tacú le Curaclaim agus sonraíochtaí nua a chur chun feidhme, agus forbraíodh acmhainní agus eiseamláirí chun cabhrú le scoileanna ina leith sin.
- Tugadh sonraíochtaí nua isteach do Ghaeilge na Sraithe Sóisearaí agus foilsíodh treoirlínte measúnaithe do Ghaeilge na Sraithe Sóisearaí.
- Tá athbhreithniú ar siúl ar Ghaeilge na hArdteistiméireachta agus tá dréachtsonraíochtaí le bheith réidh le comhairliúchán poiblí i ráithe 4 den bhliain 2019.
- Tá treoirthionscadal 3 bliana á chur ar aghaidh chun forbairt a dhéanamh ar chur chuige CLIL (Foghlaim Chomhtháite Ábhar agus Teangacha) i leith an Ghaeilge a theagasc agus a fhoghlaim ar leibhéal na Luathbhlianta, na Bunscoile agus na hIar-bhunscoile agus chun tacú leis an gcur chuige a chur chun feidhme.
- D’fhorbair an Roinn córas nua próiseála pátrúnachta ar líne, lena gcuirtear faisnéis oibiachtúil ar fáil agus lena gcumasaítear do thuismitheoirí a sainrogha phearsanta a chur in iúl i dtaca leis an tsamhail pátrúnachta agus le teanga an teagaisc sna scoileanna nua atá á mbunú.
- Mhéadaigh mé cistiú chun tacú leis an gclár Gaelbhratach. Is clár tacaíochta do gach cineál scoile ar leibhéal na bunscoile agus na hiar-bhunscoile é sin agus tá sé mar aidhm leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun
cinn ar bhealach struchtúrtha, pleanáilte agus taitneamhach.
- Tosaíodh dhá cheann nua de chláir oideachais mhúinteoirí trí Ghaeilge ar mhaithe le méadú a dhéanamh ar an líon múinteoirí a bhfuil cumas acu Gaeloideachas ar ardchaighdeán a sholáthar i scoileanna.
Tá an Ghaeilge ina cuid dár gcultúr agus dár n-oidhreacht agus tá sé mar thosaíocht ag an Rialtas seo an teanga a chur chun cinn agus a chosaint.
108. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average cost of creating and supporting each apprenticeship place with reference to the sector in which the apprenticeship is. [44025/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra109. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department meets the cost of third level study for apprentices enrolled in a relevant apprenticeship. [44026/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra110. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average cost of enrolling a person in a QQI level 5, 6 and 7 apprenticeship, respectively. [44027/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 108 to 110, inclusive, together.
The Higher Education Authority meets the cost of providing off-the-job training for apprentices in higher education institutions, with the apprentices themselves paying the Annual Student Contribution (ASC).
The ASC charged to craft apprentices is calculated on a pro rata basis of the time which they spend in higher education institutions during the academic year. For craft apprenticeships, this cost would typically be one third of the €3,000 ASC paid by students attending for the full academic year and so amounts to approximately €1,000 per apprentice per period spent in the institution. Pro rata amounts are also charged to apprentices on new apprenticeship programmes that include a period in a higher education institution. These amounts vary based on the time spent in the institution.
The total estimated annual cost per apprentice in craft apprenticeships, which span the construction, engineering, electrical and motor mechanics sectors is €7,159. This figure comes from the recently published Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Spending Review of Apprenticeships.
The review also provides an average annual cost of €9,877 for new apprenticeships but as this figure includes the development costs for these new programmes, it somewhat overstates the true ongoing cost of providing new apprenticeship places. Due to the majority of these programmes only coming into operation in recent years and the overall population being relatively low there is insufficient information to derive a reliable average cost, however this will be kept under review as greater numbers come on stream. The new apprenticeships span a wide range of sectors, including biopharma, finance, hairdressing, hospitality and food and ICT.
111. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the roll-out of in-school and preschool therapy services; the number of schools now benefitting from such services; his plans to extend the service nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44042/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that a demonstration project to provide in-school and pre-school therapy services was introduced for the 2018/19 school year.
The demonstration project has been developed by a Working Group which includes representatives from the Departments of Education, Children and Youth Affairs, Health, and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The project is being managed and co-ordinated by the National Council for Special Education with clinical support also being provided by two HSE Therapy Managers which have been assigned to the project.
The purpose of the project is to test a model of tailored therapeutic supports that allows for early intervention in terms of providing speech and language and occupational therapy within ‘educational settings’. This innovative pilot will complement existing HSE funded provision of essential therapy services.
The project is taking place in Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO) 7 Region of South West Dublin, Kildare, and West Wicklow.
This region has been selected to ensure that the pre-school and in-school therapy model can be tested in both urban and rural locations and with a suitable mix of various types of schools and pre-schools.
75 schools, including a representative sample of primary, post primary, and special schools are taking part in the project.
75 Pre-school settings associated with primary schools participating in the project are being included in order to provide for therapy interventions to be made at the earliest possible time and to create linkages between pre-school and primary school provision.
In total, 150 settings are participating in the demonstration project.
Although initially designed as a one year pilot, a Government decision of 12th February, 2019, in relation to the Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme, also agreed to the establishment of a pilot of a new School Inclusion Model for children with special educational and additional care needs involving up to 75 participating schools in the CHO 7 region over the course of the 2019/20 school year.
The demonstration project to provide in-school and pre-school therapy services is therefore continuing, as part of the School Inclusion Model, over the course of the 2019/20 school year.
Decisions in relation to the extension of the service to other areas or Counties, or to extend the service nationally, will be taken following the evaluation of the existing informed pilot phase.
112. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a higher education grant will issue to a student (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44049/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials have been advised by the awarding authority that the student in question was awarded the full non-adjacent rate of student grant. Payments for the maintenance grant to the student commenced in late September.
113. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of financial settlements reached by his Department and statutory bodies within his remit nationally; the number which included confidentiality clauses in each of the past five years by organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44060/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of financial settlements reached by the Department of Education & Skills and statutory bodies within its remit, and the number which included confidentiality clauses in the last five years is included in the table.
The Deputy may wish to note that the information set out in the table is not routinely compiled by my Department and that the management of litigation involving the statutory bodies concerned including the settlement of cases by such bodies is a matter for the body concerned.
|
Year |
Number of financial settlements reached by the Department of Education & Skills and statutory bodies |
Number of financial settlements which included confidentiality clauses |
|
2015 |
14 |
4 |
|
2016 |
7 |
5 |
|
2017 |
9 |
7 |
|
2018 |
16 |
4 |
|
2019 |
15 |
5 |
|
Total |
61 |
25 |
114. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to review the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal system in view of the fact that some aspects of questioning may have an effect of retraumatising victims (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43854/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal administers two schemes:
- the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted and;
- the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted on Prison Officers.
The Tribunal is made up qualified barristers and solicitors. Under the terms of the Scheme, the Tribunal is limited to a Chair and 6 ordinary members who provide services on a part-time basis. It is entirely independent in the matter of individual decisions on applications for compensation.
The Deputy will appreciate that in these circumstances, I cannot comment on individual cases.
In relation to arrangements for the Tribunal, I can confirm that five Departmental staff act as Secretariat to the Tribunal. These staff receive applications and gather the necessary information from applicants and other stakeholders such as An Garda Síochána in relation to each case. When all required information is available, Tribunal staff send the file to the Tribunal for consideration and decision. Where a decision is appealed, Tribunal staff make arrangements for a Tribunal appeal hearing.
Each case is addressed on the basis of its individual circumstances. Tribunal members must be satisfied that all supporting documentation submitted is in order for example Garda reports, medical reports, vouched receipts for expenses, and so on. In some cases, as part of the medical data provided to the Tribunal, a psychiatric evaluation may be submitted. I would point out that the manner in which medical assessments are carried out and the information included by medical professionals in any medical reports submitted to the Tribunal are determined by the treating physicians.
I can further inform the Deputy that the Law Reform Commission in its fifth Programme of Law Reform published in 2019 has identified a review of the Scheme of Compensation for Injuries Criminally Inflicted as one of fifteen projects it intends to undertake.
115. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda public service vehicle inspectors attached to each division in Dublin as of 28 August 2019, in tabular form. [43870/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been an unprecedented level of investment in An Garda Síochána in recent years. The budgetary allocation to An Garda Síochána for 2019 amounts to €1.76 billion. Very significant capital investment is also being made in Garda ICT, the Garda fleet and the Garda estate. In total, the Garda capital allocation has increased from €61 million to €92 million in 2019, which represents a 50% increase from 2018. The allocation for 2020 is increasing by a further €122 million to an unprecedented total of €1.88 billion. The capital allocation to An Garda Síochána is also increasing by 26% to a total of €116.5million.
This continuing investment in people and capital supports the Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime.
In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. The Commissioner is also responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána, in light of identified operational demands.
I am assured however that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
Information on the Garda workforce is available at the following link: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
Finally, I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there are 2 Garda public service vehicle inspectors attached to the DMR (roads policing) at present.
116. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prison officers who left the Irish Prison Service in each of the past three years to date; and the number of officers who joined the service in each of the past three years to date in tabular form. [43871/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the following table sets out the number of Prison Grade staff who left the Irish Prison Service from 2017 to date; and the number of Recruit Prison Officers who have joined from 2017 to date. It should be noted that the figures for staff which have left includes resignations, retirements and deaths in service.
|
Year |
Number of Prison Grade Staff who left the Irish Prison Service |
|
2019 |
104 (up to 19/10/2019) |
|
2018 |
124 |
|
2017 |
147 |
|
Year |
Number of Recruit Prison Officers who joined the Irish Prison Service |
|
2019 |
167 (up to 19/10/2019) |
|
2018 |
181 |
|
2017 |
86 |
Finally, the Deputy may be interested to know that it is anticipated that a new recruitment campaign for the Irish Prison Service will commence in Quarter 1, 2020. In the usual way, bearing in mind factors including retirement of existing staff, it can be expected that further recruitment will be necessary over the coming years in order for the Irish Prison Service to continue to provide safe and secure custody for those in their care.
117. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a citizenship application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43883/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Immigration Service of my Department that an application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 22 Feburary 2019. Processing of this application is ongoing, with a view to establishing whether the conditions for naturalisation, such as good character and lawful residence, are satisfied. I understand that this application is in the final stages of processing and will be submitted to me in due course.
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.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the Immigration Service 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.
