Written Answers Nos. 809-828
809. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of community Gardaí by rank attached to the R District as of 19 March 2019, 19 March 2020 and 19 March 2021 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16842/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demands. 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.
To date, the official categorisation as a Community Garda has simply referred to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. However, it is important to note that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. Indeed, this has never been more evident than in the work carried out by all members of the Gardaí as we have tackled the COVID-19 pandemic.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Community Gardaí assigned to the 'R' District or Coolock District at 28 February 2019, 29 February 2020 and 28 February 2021.
|
Coolock District |
Garda |
Sergeant |
Total |
|
28 February 2019 |
15 |
2 |
17 |
|
29 February 2020 |
11 |
2 |
13 |
|
28 February 2021 |
6 |
1 |
7 |
I am further advised that Garda Members attached to Community Policing Units were temporarily re-assigned to the Regular units at the commencement of the new roster introduced as part of the response by An Garda Síochána to Covid-19. This explains the decrease for February 2021. I am assured by the Garda authorities that members from the Community Policing Unit remain in contact with their contacts throughout the community, and have been providing valuable assistance to vulnerable persons throughout the crisis.
As the Deputy is aware, Coolock District forms part of the DMR North Division, I can inform the Deputy that at 28 February 2021, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 44 Community Gardaí assigned to the DMR North Division. This represents an increase of over 69% since December 2020 when there were 26 Community Gardaí assigned to the Division.
Detailed information in relation to Community Garda numbers 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/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
810. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda roads policing unit motorcycles that came into the fleet in 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of motorcycles withdrawn from the fleet during same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16843/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. Under this legislation, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles among the various Garda divisions and units. As Minister, I have no role in these decisions. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as at 26 March 2021, there are 116 motorbikes attached to the Roads Policing Bureau.
I am informed that 26 motorbikes were allocated to roads policing duty in 2020 and 15 motorbikes have been allocated to roads policing in 2021. I am further advised that no motorbikes were withdrawn from duty during this period.
811. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the percentage of the Garda vehicles in the Mayo Garda division that are zero to one, one to two, two to four, four to six and over six years old; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16845/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. The allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. This includes the allocation of vehicles among the various Garda divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these decisions. I am assured however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 25 March 2021, there were 65 vehicles assigned to Mayo Division.
For the Deputy's information, the table below sets out the percentage of the Garda vehicles in the Mayo Garda Division that are aged 0 to1, 1 to 2, 2 to 4, 4 to 6 and over 6 years old.
|
Age |
No of Vehicles |
% |
|
0-1 yrs |
14 |
22% |
|
1-2 yrs |
4 |
6% |
|
2-4 yrs |
12 |
18.50% |
|
4-6 yrs |
23 |
35% |
|
Over 6 yrs |
12 |
18.50% |
|
Total Mayo Division |
65 |
100% |
812. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons arrested and charged with money laundering offences in 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16846/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that I have been advised by an Garda Síochána that, following a search of the PULSE database, the total count of unique charges and summonses whereby the associated legislative act was the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 is as follows:
|
2020 |
2021* |
|
|
Total Number of Charges/ Summonses for Offences contrary to Criminal Justice (Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing) Act 2020 |
619 |
287 |
* The figures for 2021 are up to 24th March, 2021.
These figures are operational and liable to change.
In addition, multiple charges or summonses may be issued for incidents, for example, if there are multiple offenders or multiple categories of charges.
813. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons arrested and charged with human trafficking offences in 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16847/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy has been requested from An Garda Síochána and I will revert directly to Deputy once it has been received.
814. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the budget allocation for training and development in An Garda Síochána in 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16848/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, by law, for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all matters related to training and development. Furthermore, under the Section 43(1) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer of An Garda Síochána and is responsible the administration of the Garda budget. As Minister, I have no direct role in these decisions.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda College is allocated with a total non-pay budget for the year. This encompasses all administrative expenditure apart from pay – e.g. cleaning, furniture, stationery, postal services etc., and it also includes funding to cover the provision of training services for the organisation. The Garda College allocate this budget as appropriate to cover all non-pay areas.
For 2021, the Garda Finance Directorate allocated a total non-pay budget of €10.065m, this is the same amount that the Garda College received in their original budget allocation in 2020.
815. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank attached to the Garda water unit as of 22 March 2021. [16876/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra816. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank attached to the Garda air support unit as of 22 March 2021. [16877/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 815 and 816 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demands. This includes deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these decisions.
An Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. The significant level of funding provided over recent years is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, there are now approximately 14,600 Garda members and over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 22 March 2021, there are three (3) Sergeants and fifteen (15) Gardaí attached to the Garda Water Unit, and three (3) Sergeants and twenty (20) Gardaí attached to the Garda Air Support Unit.
817. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice the number of new Garda vehicles allocated to Tipperary Garda division in 2020; and the number of Garda vehicles withdrawn from the division in 2020. [16878/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. The allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. This includes the allocation of vehicles among the various Garda divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these decisions. I am assured however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are 78 vehicles allocated to Tipperary Division as of 26 March 2021.
For the Deputy's information, the table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of new Garda vehicles allocated to and withdrawn from Tipperary Garda division in 2020.
|
Tipperary division 2020 |
Cars |
Vans |
Motorbikes |
4X4 |
Others |
Total |
|
Allocated |
16 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
19 |
|
Removed |
5 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
*The category 'others' refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles
818. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the steps she is taking to address rates of violence and abuse experienced by persons with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16982/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraJustice Plan 2021 commits to introducing new legislation to deal with hate crime and incitement to hatred by the end of this year and I intend to seek cabinet approval to publish the general scheme of a Hate Crime Bill shortly.
As the Deputy may be aware, the legislative proposals are being developed following a widespread consultation process, which included in-depth consultations with various civil society and community groups, academics and experts, a public consultation process and a detailed comparative study of approaches to hate crime in 5 other jurisdictions. The purpose of this extensive work was to ensure my Department could identify how Ireland’s law in this area could be improved, based on a clear understanding of the experiences of those impacted by hate speech and hate crime.
The Deputy will be able to see from the report and the appendices that many of those who engaged in the consultation process were victims of hate speech and hate crime themselves, while others were concerned about the very real need to respect the human rights of everyone involved, including the right to freedom of speech.
The report and its appendices are available on http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Legislating_for_Hate_Speech_and_Hate_Crime_in_Ireland_Web.pdf/Files/Legislating_for_Hate_Speech_and_Hate_Crime_in_Ireland_Web.pdf.
It is my intention that the characteristics protected by the new legislation will include all of those listed in the 1989 Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act, and will be expanded to include gender, gender expression or identity, and disability.
The new legislation will provide the necessary means to prosecute perpetrators who deliberately or recklessly incite hatred against others on the basis of a protected characteristic, while bearing in mind the provisions of the Constitution and our human rights obligations including those contained in the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003 to protect the right to freedom of expression.
While I am informed by the Courts Service that it does not seek or compile statistics on victims who might have a disability, I can assure the Deputy that the Courts Service is committed to providing equal access to justice to all citizens, including those with disabilities.
819. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the procedure to be followed to regularise status in the case of a person (details supplied); if recent updates regarding work references have been taken into account in determination of a conclusion on the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17067/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor reasons of maintaining full confidentiality, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for asylum or subsidiary protection has been made in the State. An applicant for such protection status, or their legal representative, should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as appropriate.
The IPO may be contacted: by email to info@ipo.gov.ie; by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028008 or in writing to Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.
The IPAT may be contacted either: by email to info@protectionappeals.ie; by telephone at 01-4748400 (or Lo-Call 1890 201 458), or in writing to Corporate Services Division, The International Protection Appeals Tribunal, 6-7 Hanover Street East, Dublin D02 W320.
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 (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), 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.
820. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice when the report of the inquiry into the adequacy of the Garda Síochána investigations and disciplinary inquiries following the death of Mr. Patrick Nugent, which she received on 3 November 2020, will be shared with the family; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17089/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that an inquiry under Section 42 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 was conducted by former Judge Patrick Clyne into the Garda Síochána investigation relating to the death of Mr Patrick Nugent in 1984.
I can inform the Deputy that Judge Clyne completed his inquiry on 31 October 2020 and my Department received Judge Clyne’s report on 3 November 2020. The advice of the Attorney General is being sought on the matter of publication and on receipt of those advices I expect to be in a position to advise on the timelines further, but unfortunately I am not in a position to do so at this juncture. I do appreciate however that Mr. Nugent's family are anxiously awaiting the outcome of Judge Clyne's investigation and I will be in touch with them as soon as it is possible to do so.
821. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the legislative reforms required in order to decrease case processing times within the international protection system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17097/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to implementing the key recommendations in the Expert Advisory Group Report to reduce processing times of both first instance decisions and appeals to 6 months respectively, as outlined in the White Paper to End Direct Provision and Establish a New International Protection Support Service, which was recently published by my colleague, Minister O'Gorman.
I have established a Programme Board in my Department to oversee the implementation of the relevant recommendations of the Expert Advisory Group and the White Paper. This is supported by an Implementation Working Group comprising senior officials from the relevant areas of my department to support their implementation and to report to the Board on progress at regular intervals. The Programme Board will report directly to the Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Equality on progress in this regard, while my Department will also be represented on a Programme Board to be established and chaired by Minister O'Gorman, which will set performance indicators for the new model and monitor progress against those indicators.
The White Paper proposes that the new system should be phased in and operational by 2023 and that the intervening period should provide an opportunity to progress improvements in the overall processing times for international protection.
Work is underway in my Department towards Identifying mechanisms which will assist with working towards improved processing times. Additional ICT resources have been secured for 2021, and detailed work including an end-to-end review of processes to guide enhanced processing times is underway. When this first phase of work has been carried out it will enable a more detailed set of milestones to be put in place.
The Advisory Group's recommendations in relation to processing times for international protection, including legislative amendments as appropriate, are being considered by my Department as part of the ongoing analysis of progress towards achieving the objectives outlined in the White Paper.
822. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the approximate number of applicants for international protection to whom the Dublin Regulation applied in each of the years 2015 to 2020. [17098/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dublin III Regulation determines which EU Member State is responsible for examining an international protection application. It is based on the principle that the first Member State to facilitate entry into the EU should be responsible for examining the protection application. The objective of the Dublin Regulation is to ensure quick access to asylum procedures and the examination of an application on the merits by a single, clearly determined Member State.
The Dublin Unit of the International Protection Office (IPO) in the Immigration Service of my Department is responsible for determining whether an applicant should be transferred to another Member State (known as an outgoing transfer request) or have their application assessed in Ireland. The Unit also responds to requests from other Member States to transfer applicants to Ireland (known as an incoming transfer request).
Traditionally, a number of the transfer decisions made in this country have been to the UK, which was still bound by the EU Regulation until the end of 2020, under the transitional arrangements of the Withdrawal Agreement. Dublin Regulation transfers to the UK cannot now take place following the end of the transitional arrangements.
The table below sets out the number of Dublin Regulation transfer requests processed by the IPO and the number of people subject to a transfer order that were transferred from the State.
|
Year |
Transfer Decisions issued by the IPO |
Applicants subject to a Transfer Order and transferred to the UK |
Applicants subject to a Transfer Order and transferred to another EU Member State |
|
2015 |
302 |
17 |
2 |
|
2016 |
594 |
42 |
0 |
|
2017 |
3 |
55 |
1 |
|
2018 |
251 |
17 |
5 |
|
2019 |
817 |
28 |
2 |
|
2020 |
310 |
8 |
1 |
|
TOTALS |
2,277 |
167 |
11 |
The table below sets out the number of incoming transfer requests accepted by the IPO under the Dublin III Regulations and the number of people transferred to Ireland to have their applications examined.
|
Year |
Incoming Transfer Requests Accepted by the IPO |
Transferred to Ireland |
|
2015 |
112 |
53 |
|
2016 |
133 |
61 |
|
2017 |
193 |
55 |
|
2018 |
180 |
34 |
|
2019 |
84 |
23 |
|
2020 |
102 |
11 |
|
TOTAL |
804 |
237 |
823. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons an organisation (details supplied) has facilitated in repatriating from the State in each of the years 2017 to 2020, respectively. [17243/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not been able to identify any previous engagement with the organisation referred to by the Deputy. Our research into the matter is continuing and I will write to the Deputy directly when further information is to hand.
824. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of Border management unit inspections and site visits to airports (details supplied) in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; if any breaches or concerns were flagged with airport operators; and if any sanctions ensued as a result. [17259/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department is operationally responsible for immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) is operationally responsible for immigration duties at all other ports and airports in the State. The BMU has no responsibility for inspections or site visits to any airports including those referred to by the Deputy.
Approved ports of entry to the State are set out in Regulations made under the Immigration Act 2004. In early 2020, the BMU contacted all “unapproved” ports and airports in the State to remind them of their obligations under Section 4(2) of the Immigration Act 2004, to give advance notice of all flights originating from outside the State that arrive at their airport/airfield to the local immigration officer based at regional Garda stations.
The vast majority of unapproved airports/airfield operators confirmed to BMU that they had never facilitated flights originating from outside the State and that they were aware of their obligations in this regard.
Additionally, the BMU liaises with Weston Airport in relation to incoming flights from outside the State. Weston Airport management provide all relevant information in advance of arriving flights from outside the State to BMU Immigration Officers. BMU Immigration Officers review the information and then grant or refuse leave to land in accordance with S. 6(1) of the Immigration Act, 2004.
Weston Airport management also provide negative PCR tests and Passenger Locator Form (PLF) details for all applicable passengers entering the State to the BMU. The BMU liaises with Weston and other stakeholders such as An Garda Síochána as appropriate on an ongoing basis.
825. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice the number of crimes (details supplied) that have been recorded during the pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17267/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics. The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases under reservation in relation to various crime statistics, including recorded and detected crime, and listing them by Garda Division. The CSO also continues to work with An Garda Síochána to address quality issues in the underlying data sources used to compile the statistics.
The particular breakdown sought by the Deputy is not available, as there is no classification on the CSO database for violent murder of women. I have been advised that work arising from the Homicide Review remains ongoing within An Garda Síochána.
To be of assistance, I can advise the Deputy that the total number of murders reported by the CSO in 2020 is 34, a decrease of 2 from 2019's figure.
The Deputy may be further interested to note that the most recent available crime statistics, as published by the Central Statistics Office on 29 March 2020, are available at https://data.cso.ie/product/RC.
826. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice if family law court cases will be allowed to proceed even online, given these cases are often concerning the welfare of children and so on and should be viewed as a priority (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17293/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. Furthermore, the scheduling of court cases and the allocation of court business are matters for the Presidents of the Courts and the presiding judges who are, under the Constitution, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that, since January, Courts have remained open for urgent matters in areas of family law, criminal matters (especially cases involving people in custody), bail and urgent Judicial Reviews or Article 40 applications. Judges are available to deal with urgent matters when required and have, in circumstances where it is possible to use technology and the Court feels it is appropriate, dealt with matters remotely. It is a matter for each Court to evaluate cases before it to decide how to proceed and whether they are suitable for remote hearing.
In family law matters, I am advised that there are concerns to ensure that the in camera rule would not be breached, so that there is no undue influence at play or that matters are not recorded. To safeguard against this, parties to remote proceedings must attend the offices of their legal representatives to participate in remote hearings.
The situation is being kept under active review in light of the current restrictions. Any applications for a remote or physical hearing in respect of urgent matters can be made to the Judge in charge of the Family Law list as the need arises.
827. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 305 of 21 January 2021, if a person (details supplied) is one of the up to 4,000 qualifying applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17295/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAny person whose application is being considered as part of the 4,000 qualifying applicants will be contacted directly by the Citizenship Division of the Immigration Service of my Department so that they may engage with the process.
The application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
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.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. The nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
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 at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
