Written Answers Nos. 1063-1080
1063. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda youth diversion projects in DMR north for each year from 2009 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and the areas in which they are located. [32845/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) are a fundamental support to the operation of the statutory Garda Diversion Programme and provide a vital ingredient in enhancing community policing partnerships. The projects are community based multi-agency crime prevention initiatives, which are funded directly by my Department.
GYDPs seek to divert young people who have become involved, or are at risk of becoming involved, in crime/anti-social behaviour away from future involvement with the Criminal Justice System. They are primarily targeted at 12-17 year old young people in communities where a specific need for the service has been identified. On average, the Garda Youth Diversion Projects engage with between 3,500 and 4,000 young people across the state in any one year.
Currently there are some 105 Garda Youth Diversion Projects. The intention is to further develop the service so that it is available to every child in the State who could benefit from it, through an ongoing expansion of existing services and where necessary the foundation of new projects.
Further, the projects are being developed to provide family support to the parents of young people participating in the projects and are undertaking early intervention and preventative work. The role of the projects in relation to harder-to-engage young people is being enhanced and extended as part of the evolving Youth Justice system.
My Department is supporting ongoing development of practice in GYDPs through the Action Research Project led by the University of Limerick. The Action Research Project works directly with front-line Youth Justice Workers from local projects to develop interventions and best practice. Based on initial outcomes from the Action Research Project and evaluations of a number of pilot projects, it is intended to develop proposals to expand the existing services, to ensure national coverage and a stronger focus on difficult issues such as the hard-to-reach cohort.
These issues are addressed in the draft Youth Justice Strategy 2020-2026, which is due to be published before the end of the year.
The specific information relating to DMR North, as requested by the Deputy, is outlined in the table.
The Deputy may wish to further note that no Garda Youth Diversion Projects in DMR North were closed between 2009 and to date in 2020.
|
Garda Division |
Project |
Garda District |
Year Opened |
|
DMR North |
Woodale |
Coolock |
1997 |
|
DMR North |
Keep |
Coolock |
2000 |
|
DMR North |
BYB |
Ballymun |
2007 |
|
DMR North |
Jets |
Coolock |
2007 |
|
DMR North |
Donnycarney |
Santry |
2016 |
|
DMR North |
North Bay |
Balbriggan |
2016 |
|
DMR North |
North Fingal (Balbriggan) |
Balbriggan |
2016 |
1064. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the status of the determination of visa applications for persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33082/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe applications referred to by the Deputy were received by the Visa Office in Abuja on 20 August 2018. Visa applications are dealt with in chronological order by date of receipt within the particular category. I am advised that a decision should issue on these applications within the next two weeks.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to 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 is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
1065. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice when a person has been absent from the State for more than six weeks in a year, if the six weeks absences are deducted in their entirety from the reckonable residency calculation; if it is just the excess days over six weeks deducted from reckonable residency calculation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33213/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, provides the statutory periods of residence required in the State, and that the final year be continuous residence. However, it has long been recognised that many people may travel abroad for a holiday, or may have some unexpected or unavoidable reason to travel abroad.
In this regard, it is considered, that a reasonable and generous period of up to 6 weeks be allowed to provide for absences from the State for normal holidays and other short term and temporary nature absences, such as for business meetings or a family wedding or bereavement or medical emergency while abroad, and that such short term nature absence from the State would not impact on the statutory residence requirement. However, in the absence of any additional information in relation to extended absences, absences totalling 6 weeks or more in any year will be deducted in their entirety from the reckonable residence in the State.
As each application is judged on its individual merits, a decision on an application can only be made when it has been submitted and subsequently considered. Therefore, it is essential that applicants provide all relevant information to allow for a fully informed decision and to consider whether exceptional or compelling circumstances exist with regard to any absences from the State in the period preceding the submission of the application.
1066. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the number of contracts approved in her Department in 2019 and to date in 2020 without competitive tender; the details of the contract; the company awarded the contract; and the full value of the contract in tabular form. [33276/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of contracts awarded by my Department without the use of a competitive process are outlined in the Department’s Appropriation Accounts for 2019 and are summarised as follows.
In all, forty one contracts with a value of €8,641,259 (excluding VAT) in excess of the reporting threshold of €25,000 (excluding VAT) were awarded without a competitive process in 2019.
A number of such contracts relate to proprietorial goods such as ICT licences etc. Twenty two contracts to the value of €5,708,769 are specifically referenced in the Appropriation Accounts as being non-competitive and non-compliant, in that they relate to the extension of existing contracts without a competitive process. Four contracts with a value of €1,060,874 have now been awarded.
The details and the reason for the extension of the contracts are as follows:
- Sixteen contracts with a value of €4,089,475 are the subject of revised procurement arrangements being put in place by OGP or have commenced preparing tender specifications.
- Two contracts with a value of €558,420 were extended to allow for transition to new systems.
The Deputy may also wish to note that a list of Purchase Orders greater than €20,000 is published each year on the Department’s website at the following link:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Purchase_Orders_Issued .
This list includes competitive and non-competitive procurements.
Finally, I wish to advise the Deputy that work is continuing on compiling similar information for 2020. This will be published in the 2020 Appropriation Account.
1067. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1044 of 30 July 2020, the status of the amendments to the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017 which were to be approved in September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33326/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1068. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1044 of 30 July 2020, if she will ensure that legislation to tackle the non-consensual distribution of intimate images is introduced by her regardless of a potential Private Members’ Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33327/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1067 and 1068 together.
The Government is committed to taking action to tackle the non-consensual distribution of intimate images.
The Programme for Governments commits to enacting the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017, which has been sponsored by Deputy Brendan Howlin. The Bill provides for many of the legislative changes recommended by the Law Reform Commission in its report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety.
My officials are continuing to work with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to finalise amendments, which I hope to bring to Government for approval shortly. I understand that the bill has been listed for committee stage in early December.
As I have outlined previously on this matter, I am conscious of the deeply harmful effects which the behaviours and actions referred to can have on those affected. I intend to support the passage of the amended bill through the houses of the Oireachtas to help strengthen legislation in this area.
1069. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the nationality breakdown of all new Irish citizens from 2014 to 2020 to date in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33377/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1070. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the number of successful applicants for Irish citizenship waiting to be officially granted citizenship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33378/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1069 and 1070 together.
As of 27 October 2020, there are 2,258 applicants awaiting a ceremony granting citizenship. This figure does not include minors who are not required to attend a ceremony. Approximately 400 minor certificates recently issued by post with 292 minor certificates to be issued in the coming period.
COVID-19 has unfortunately prevented the holding of our large-scale citizenship ceremonies, which is impacting the processing of applications. I was pleased to announce on 22 October 2020, that I have approved a solution to replace the ceremonies with a sworn affidavit on an interim basis and the priority drafting of a statutory instrument to implement this change. My Department will issue the naturalisation certificate on receipt of a statutory declaration. This will alleviate the current holdup of applications that have been approved and awaiting a ceremony to swear their allegiance to the Irish State thus enabling these applicants to start their new lives as Irish citizens. It remains my intention that large scale ceremonies will recommence once circumstances allow.
The following table sets out the certificates of naturalisation issued between 1 January 2014 and 30 September 2020, by nationality. It includes both adults and minors and covers all application categories. In total, there were 72,349 certificates issued between these dates. In addition to those listed in the table, there were a further 51 countries where a total of 260 certificates of naturalisation were issued to 10 or fewer of their citizens. No further breakdown is provided as the small numbers involved may lead to the identification of the individuals concerned.
|
Nationality |
Certificates Issued |
|
Poland |
7,929 |
|
India |
7,862 |
|
Nigeria |
6,948 |
|
Romania |
5,358 |
|
Philippines |
5,108 |
|
Pakistan |
3,364 |
|
United Kingdom |
3,024 |
|
China (Including Hong Kong) |
2,106 |
|
Brazil |
2,008 |
|
Latvia |
2,002 |
|
South Africa |
1,609 |
|
United States Of America |
1,441 |
|
Ukraine |
1,435 |
|
Congo, The Democratic Republic of the |
1,026 |
|
Hungary |
1,012 |
|
Thailand |
957 |
|
Russian Federation |
909 |
|
Lithuania |
832 |
|
Sudan |
772 |
|
Bangladesh |
733 |
|
Moldova, Republic Of |
687 |
|
Malaysia |
668 |
|
Egypt |
597 |
|
Zimbabwe |
555 |
|
Ghana |
536 |
|
Turkey |
533 |
|
Bulgaria |
510 |
|
Mauritius |
488 |
|
Somalia |
457 |
|
Iraq |
423 |
|
Algeria |
415 |
|
Cameroon |
371 |
|
Belarus |
320 |
|
Angola |
316 |
|
Albania |
311 |
|
Afghanistan |
308 |
|
Iran (Islamic Republic Of) |
299 |
|
Morocco |
277 |
|
Australia |
270 |
|
Italy |
261 |
|
Slovak Republic |
254 |
|
Canada |
246 |
|
Kenya |
236 |
|
Syrian Arab Republic |
221 |
|
Georgia |
209 |
|
Nepal |
207 |
|
Germany |
195 |
|
Czech Republic |
190 |
|
Croatia |
182 |
|
Spain |
171 |
|
Estonia |
169 |
|
France |
168 |
|
Kosovo |
164 |
|
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya |
163 |
|
Viet Nam |
156 |
|
Sri Lanka |
151 |
|
New Zealand |
147 |
|
Mexico |
143 |
|
Togo |
139 |
|
Uganda |
135 |
|
Serbia |
134 |
|
Ethiopia |
119 |
|
Venezuela |
119 |
|
Tunisia |
116 |
|
Cote D'Ivoire |
115 |
|
Sierra Leone |
110 |
|
Israel |
109 |
|
Palestinian Territory, Occupied |
98 |
|
Jordan |
94 |
|
Mongolia |
94 |
|
Argentina |
92 |
|
Greece |
88 |
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
87 |
|
Lebanon |
87 |
|
Malawi |
84 |
|
Colombia |
83 |
|
Guinea |
81 |
|
Kazakhstan |
76 |
|
Liberia |
73 |
|
British Overseas Citizens (etc.) |
72 |
|
Portugal |
71 |
|
Peru |
66 |
|
Armenia |
65 |
|
Myanmar |
63 |
|
Eritrea |
62 |
|
Uzbekistan |
61 |
|
Congo, The Republic Of The |
59 |
|
Jamaica |
59 |
|
Korea, Republic Of (South Korea) |
55 |
|
Zambia |
49 |
|
Indonesia |
47 |
|
Kuwait |
45 |
|
Tanzania, United Republic Of |
43 |
|
Cuba |
40 |
|
Botswana |
39 |
|
Rwanda |
39 |
|
The Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia |
36 |
|
Burundi |
33 |
|
Netherlands |
33 |
|
Gambia |
30 |
|
Switzerland |
29 |
|
Chile |
28 |
|
Japan |
28 |
|
Azerbaijan |
26 |
|
Belgium |
26 |
|
Kyrgyzstan |
24 |
|
Sweden |
24 |
|
Taiwan |
24 |
|
Bolivia |
21 |
|
South Sudan |
20 |
|
Swaziland |
20 |
|
Ecuador |
19 |
|
Trinidad And Tobago |
19 |
|
Yemen |
19 |
|
Dominican Republic |
16 |
|
Finland |
16 |
|
Lesotho |
15 |
|
Singapore |
15 |
|
Benin |
14 |
|
Austria |
13 |
|
Guatemala |
13 |
|
Paraguay |
13 |
|
Slovenia |
13 |
|
Uruguay |
13 |
|
Denmark |
12 |
|
Other |
260 |
The 51 'Other' countries are:
El Salvador; Fiji; Bahrain; Cambodia; Cyprus; Lao People's Democratic Republic; Mozambique; Senegal; Costa Rica; Nicaragua; Niger; Saint Lucia; Burkina Faso; Honduras; Mali; Saint Vincent And The Grenadines; Barbados; Chad; Panama; Central African Republic; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Malta; Mauritania; Namibia; Seychelles; Tajikistan; Haiti; Montenegro; Oman; Suriname; Bhutan; Dominica; Guyana; Luxembourg; Madagascar; Sao Tome And Principe; Saudi Arabia; Solomon Islands; Tonga; United Arab Emirates; Antigua And Barbuda; Belize; Brunei Darussalam; Cape Verde; Comoros; Equatorial Guinea; Iceland; Nauru; Norway; and Turkmenistan.
1071. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice her plans to address concerns regarding the rise in the incidence of individuals being held in 19- to 21-plus hour isolation in prisons; her plans to minimise the use of solitary confinement in prisons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33409/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the mission of the Irish Prison Service is to provide safe and secure custody, dignity of care and rehabilitation to prisoners for safer communities.
My Department has taken steps to brings the Irish prison system into line with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (known as ‘Mandela Rules’) in respect of solitary confinement. This included Statutory Instrument 276 of 2017 which amended Rule 27 of the Prison Rules 2007 and which provides a statutory entitlement to prisoners for a minimum of two hours out-of-cell time daily. Therefore, all prisoners have a right, save in exceptional circumstances, to a minimum of 2 hours out of their cell with an opportunity for meaningful human contact.
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 publicly available on their website.
This 2017 Statutory Instrument brings the Irish prison system into line with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (known as ‘Mandela Rules’) in respect of solitary confinement.
On occasion, it is necessary for vulnerable prisoners and others to be separated from the general prison population. This is provided for under Rule 63 of the Prison Rules 2007. A prisoner may, either at his/her own request or when the Governor considers it necessary, in so far as is practicable and subject to the maintenance and good order and safe and secure custody, be kept separate from other prisoners who are reasonably likely to cause significant harm to him/her. In addition, under Rule 62 of the Prison Rules 2007 a Governor may decide, for the maintenance of good order in the prison, to remove a prisoner from general association or structured activity to reduce the negative effect that a prisoner or prisoners may have on the general population. In addition a smaller number of prisoners may have their regimes restricted for medical (Rule 64) or discipline reasons (Rule 67).
The Prison Rules also provide that the imposition of a restricted regime is closely monitored by the Irish Prison Service and the status of each prisoner on restricted regime within the prison system is regularly reviewed. The Director General of the Irish Prison Service chairs a high level group to examine the measures which can be introduced to reduce the number of prisoners held on restricted regimes with a view to ensuring that all receive, as a minimum standard, out of cell time of two hours per day, to engage in exercise or activity.
As the Deputy may appreciate, in light of the COVID - 19 pandemic, a number of measures have been required to be undertaken by the Service in order to protect our prison population. These are taken in line with Public Health advice and have resulted in an increase in the number of prisoners whose regime has been restricted. The Deputy will appreciate that for obvious medical and infection control reasons, those prisoners suspected of infection are placed on a more restrictive form of regime while the testing process is completed.
All prisoners newly committed to prison are placed in quarantine for ten days before being transferred into general population. This measure is in place in order to reduce the risk that a new committal, who might be incubating the virus, could spread Covid-19 into the general prison population. Furthermore, any prisoner who informs staff that they are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 is immediately assessed by prison healthcare staff who arrange for the prisoner to be isolated and tested. Any prisoner who has had contact with another person who has been tested for Covid-19 and is awaiting results is also isolated from the prison population, while they are tested and awaiting the results of said test.
On 9 April 2020 the Irish Prison Service, in line with Public Health advice, introduced a regime wherein all prisoners over the age of 70, or prisoners with specific serious underlying medical conditions, were cocooned in the prisons in which they were detained. Prisoners over the age of 70 or deemed as medically vulnerable were removed from free association, but could associate in dedicated areas with one another. The practice of cocooning ceased in prisons on 29 June 2020, however, prisoners formerly cocooning are still offered the option of a restricted regime at their own request.
It is important to note that prisoners who are in isolation and quarantine continue to have access to a wide range of services and facilities within the prison including phone calls, psychology supports, tuck shop, chaplaincy services and television and I am advised that particular efforts are being made to ensure that prisoners can communicate with their families on the outside, through increased provision of telephone services.
The Deputy will appreciate that for obvious medical and infection control reasons, those prisoners suspected of infection are placed on a more restrictive form of regime while the testing process is completed.
Finally, the Deputy may be interested to note that the collation of a Quarterly Census of Restricted Regime Prisoners commenced in 2013. This census is published on the website www.irishprisons.ie and includes details on a prison by prison basis, of the number of prisoners on 22 and 23 hour lock-up each quarter.
1072. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if additional resources will be made available to the courts to deal with the backlogs that are building up due to deferred cases; if communication has been made on this issue between her Department and the Courts Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33664/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to ensuring adequate resources for the courts in order to maintain access to justice for all citizens. With this in mind, the Government endeavours to fill judicial vacancies at the earliest opportunity and to ensure our courts continue to operate as effectively and efficiently as possible.
I recently announced the highest ever budgetary allocation for the Justice sector including €158.8 for the Courts Service. This included €8 million for the new Courts Modernisation Programme along with an additional provision for COVID measures to enable court sittings take place in a socially distanced and safe environment.
The recent Government stimulus package had previously assigned €5m to the Courts Service, with €1.7m of the funds to be invested before year-end in ICT to install video technology systems to support the holding of remote courts. As of 23 October, 1278 hearings had been conducted across all jurisdictions and this will continue to grow.
My Department is in constant contact with the Courts Service. I am pleased to say that the Courts have continued to sit during the pandemic on priority matters in the areas of family law, criminal matters (especially cases involving people in custody), bail and urgent injunctions. Prior to the recent introduction of Level 5 restrictions, additional capacity was added to the courts infrastructure to facilitate the holding of numbers of courts close to pre-COVID levels.
The Courts Service has worked with the Judiciary to prioritise business and the holding of courts to address areas of concern. More detailed information with statements from the President of each court on arrangements during Level 5 restrictions is published on the courts website at: https://www.courts.ie/covid-19-response-updates.
1073. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of a case pursuant to section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33710/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to separate notifications pursuant to the provisions of section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the persons concerned have submitted written representations to the Immigration Service of my Department.
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 final decisions being made.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to 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 is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
1074. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons born in Ireland deported from the State in each of the years 2005 to 2019. [33750/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1075. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons born in Ireland awaiting deportation from the State. [33751/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1074 and 1075 together.
The Immigration Service of my Department does not collect the statistical information sought by the Deputy.
When a new immigration record is being created, the Immigration Service does not, as a matter of course, record the relevant applicant’s place of birth, as opposed to their country of nationality and date of birth, which are recorded.
As a result, there is no available record of the number of persons born in Ireland, who are the subject of deportation orders at the present time, or indeed have previously been the subject of such orders.
The issue of whether or not a person was born in the State will be identifiable and can be duly considered when the individual immigration case is being substantively considered at decision-making stage. At that point, any issues around a person’s birth in the State, the degree to which they have integrated in the State etc. are given appropriate consideration before a final decision is arrived at.
1076. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 253 of 19 November 2019, if she will request the overdue data from An Garda Síochána and provide an update in respect of the same data to date in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33752/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested an updated report from the Garda authorities regarding the initial information which was sought by the Deputy and I will contact her directly when the report is to hand.
In response to the query of 19 November 2019, I am informed that An Garda Síochána issues licences to persons who wish to drive Small Public Service Vehicles (SPSVs), i.e. taxis, limousines and hackneys. An Garda Síochána does not issue licences for persons who drive Mini Buses which are classified as Large Public Service Vehicles (LPSVs).
The figures in the table are for persons who were Mandatorily Disqualified between 2017 and 18th November 2019 from holding a SPSV licence under the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, as they had been convicted of Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs:
|
Region |
2017 |
2018 |
2019* |
|
Eastern Region |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Southern Region |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
North West Region |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
DMR |
1 |
0 |
4 |
|
Total |
4 |
0 |
5 |
*2019 figures as of 18th November 2019.
**Statistics provided are provisional, operational and liable to change and are correct as of 18 November 2019.
|
Region |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Eastern Region |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Southern Region |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
North West Region |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
DMR |
1 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
|
Total |
4 |
0 |
6 |
3 |
1077. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the last date on which she and-or her officials were briefed with an update by the DPP and-or An Garda Síochána in respect of the final report of the Moriarty tribunal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33753/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to a previous reply in relation to this matter, most recently in response to Parliamentary Question 137 answered on 16 October 2019.
The Deputy will appreciate and the position remains that criminal investigations and other operational matters are, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, solely a matter for the Garda Commissioner.
Likewise it is a matter for the DPP to decide, independently in the exercise of her functions, if any charges should be brought and I have no role in these matters.
I am not aware of any updates or briefings by the DPP or Garda Síochána subsequent to that reply.
1078. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 280 of 2 October 2018, the level of firearm training provided to armed Garda personnel in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; the number of gardaí by grade or rank with firearms training; the type of weapon they are trained to carry and-or use; the company engaged to provide training; and the cost of training annually. [33756/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the training of its members and civilian staff and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have requested information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter but it was unfortunately not possible to compile it in the time available.
I will write to the Deputy directly with the information requested when it is available.
|
Overall number of firearms training places taken up by members each year |
|||
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 (24.06.2021) |
|
11,296 |
8,435 |
13,520 |
4947 |
|
Number of members trained each year by rank* |
|||||
|
Year |
Garda |
Sergeant |
Inspector |
Superintendent |
Chief Supt |
|
2018 |
9755 |
1439 |
82 |
14 |
6 |
|
2019 |
7247 |
1097 |
65 |
22 |
4 |
|
2020 |
11483 |
1876 |
130 |
25 |
6 |
|
2021 (24.06.2021) |
4271 |
652 |
17 |
7 |
0 |
1079. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of members of An Garda Síochána by rank and district who are actively carrying a firearm as part their usual work roster; the procedure for issuing and surrendering a firearm when a shift ends; and the number of gardaí by rank who are permitted to retain their firearm while not on rostered duty and while on call for duty. [33770/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have requested information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter but it was unfortunately not possible to compile it in the time available.
I will write to the Deputy directly with the information requested, when it is available.
1080. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí per station in County Kildare; the number of Garda vehicles available full-time to each station; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33835/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is, by law, responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. The allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demand. This includes deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I understand that 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 each area within the Division and its specific needs.
An Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, Garda numbers are now some 14,600 Garda members and over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide. Budget 2021 will allow for the recruitment of up to 620 new Gardaí and an extra 500 Garda staff.
The Deputy may wish to note that as at 30 September 2020 there were 419 Gardaí assigned to Kildare Garda Division, an increase of almost 34% since 2015. There are also 40 Garda staff, an increase of almost 38% since 2015.
Detailed information in relation to Garda numbers, including the year end figures for the Division mentioned in each of the years from 2010 to 2019, is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, at the following link:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_September_2020.xlsx/Files/002_Garda_Numbers_by_Division_District_and_Station_2009_to_September_2020.xlsx
Additional information on Garda staff, the Garda Workforce and other facts and figures are available at the following link: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
There will also be continued investment in the Garda Fleet of €8 million in addition to the highest ever investment of approximately €15 million in the Garda Transport Fleet in 2020 – a proportion of which relates to the Garda COVID 19 response.
This continuing investment is intended to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet and that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.
There has been an increase of over 37.5 % in the total size of the fleet in the Kildare Division since 2015. A breakdown of the number of vehicles by Division and District as at 30th September 2020 is provided in the following table:
Strength of Garda Fleet, broken down by Division & District as at 30/09/20
|
Division / District |
Cars Total |
Vans Total |
Motorcycles Total |
4x4 Total |
Others Total |
Total |
|
KILDARE |
20 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
26 |
|
LEIXLIP |
12 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
15 |
|
NAAS |
16 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
25 |
|
KILDARE |
48 |
14 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
66 |
