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Tuesday, 7 Jul 2020

Written Answers Nos. 655-659

Ministerial Responsibilities

Ceisteanna (655)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

655. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will publish the Departmental briefing paper on her role, remits and powers afforded to her upon appointment to the Cabinet. [14529/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department intends to publish the briefing material provided to the Minister and Minister of State, subject to appropriate redaction guided by the Freedom of Information Act, and will provide the Deputy with a copy of this as soon as it is available.

Garda Reserve

Ceisteanna (656)

Cormac Devlin

Ceist:

656. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the percentage of the Garda Reserve members as of 31 December 2019 that completed the minimum of 208 annual hours per year duty obligations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14537/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Garda Commissioner 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.

As the Deputy will be aware, service in the Reserve is voluntary and unpaid. However, an allowance is payable to Reserve members who complete a minimum of 208 hours of duty annually as a contribution towards expenses incurred in performing their duties. The allowance is currently set at €1,000 per annum. Reserves are also reimbursed for expenses incurred while attending court in respect of their service as a Reserve.

I have requested the details of the percentage of Garda Reserves who completed 208 hours of service or more as of 31 December 2019 from the Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy on receipt of same.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question Number 656 which was for answer on 07 July 2020, in which you asked my predecessor, Charlie Flanagan TD, the percentage of the Garda Reserve members as of 31 December 2019 that completed the minimum of 208 annual hours per year duty obligations.
You will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to consult with An Garda Síochána and contact you again when the information was available.
For the year 2019, 18.5% of the Garda Reserve completed a minimum of 208 hours duty. Neither the regulations, nor Garda Policy, currently stipulate a minimum number of annual hours that must be completed by any member of the Garda Reserve. As the Deputy may be aware, Garda Reserve members may claim an annual allowance. Garda Policy currently requires a minimum of 208 hours to be completed in a 12 month period in order for the member to claim the allowance. The allowance is currently set at €1,000.
I hope this information is of assistance.
Question No. 657 answered with Question No. 642.

Personal Insolvency Arrangements

Ceisteanna (658)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

658. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to reform personal insolvency legislation and ensure that sufficient supports are in place for mortgage holders with repayment difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14611/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Insolvency Acts 2012 to 2015 already provide for a number of mechanisms to help individuals who are unable to pay their debts by reason of insolvency, namely Debt Relief Notices, Debt Settlement Arrangements, and Personal Insolvency Arrangements (which apply to people with secured debts such as mortgages and unsecured debt).

In practice, the insolvency legislation and infrastructure has already been extensively reviewed and developed since 2012. Key reforms introduced include the section 115A court review process (which removed the so-called ‘bank veto’) enacted in 2015, interlocking reforms to bankruptcy legislation also enacted in 2015, and the introduction in 2016, and extension in 2019, of the Abhaile Mortgage Resolution Service, which in effect ensures that borrowers at risk of losing their homes due to mortgage arrears can access free independent expert financial and legal advice and in certain cases legal aid.

My Department will keep this important legislation under review, and will take any further action needed to ensure that it operates effectively. My Department is currently engaged in preparatory work for two sets of legislative changes to the legislation.

Firstly, my officials are considering certain statutory requirements which may be difficult or impracticable to comply with in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic including a small number of requirements under the Personal Insolvency Acts. My intention is to bring forward for Government approval, a short urgent Bill in order to make any necessary amendments as soon as possible.

Secondly, my officials are working to complete the major statutory review of the Personal Insolvency Acts, following the earlier public consultation held, and now, in addition, to ensure that this review will also take full account of the latest developments and particularly, the significant economic effects of the Covid-19 outbreak.

I expect the review report to be finalised by September, following further consultations with the Department of Finance, as required by s. 141 of the Acts, and with the Office of the Attorney General.

Direct Provision System

Ceisteanna (659)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Ceist:

659. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the nature, duration and extent of an agreement between a hotel (details supplied) and her Department; the length of time the arrangement will last; the purpose of the arrangement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14632/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In early March 2020, as part of my Department’s rapid response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, an examination of all offers of suitable accommodation was undertaken. This included the premises mentioned by the Deputy, which had previously been visited by a senior official.

A range of accommodation options were urgently brought on stream to reduce density in our centres and to protect anyone who may have been at risk. A number of new permanent accommodation centres were opened and a number of hotels were contracted to offer additional capacity as a temporary measure.

In addition, my Department, in conjunction with the HSE, opened four self-isolation facilities in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Dundalk. These facilities offer increased supports, including medical and social service supports, to residents who may be at risk and/or need to self isolate.

Initial contracts are on a renewable roll over basis for three months at a time. This remains under review and will be subject to demand for suitable accommodation and the evolution of the pandemic response.

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