Written Answers Nos. 316-330
316. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of the cross-Border Project Ireland 2040 infrastructure projects and the funding allocated for 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [53839/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy might note that my Department have no cross-Border Project Ireland 2040 infrastructure projects at this time.
317. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of his Department’s current cross-Border initiatives, goods and or services committed to and the funding allocated to each for 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [53857/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the current cross-Border initiatives, goods and or services committed to by my Department and the funding allocated to each for 2021, 2022 and 2023, are set out below in tabular form.
|
Funding Committed to 2021 |
Funding Committed to 2022 |
Funding Committed to 2023 |
|
|
PEACE IV - Programme for Peace and Reconciliation |
€1.624m |
Not Finalised |
Not Finalised |
|
Peace Plus Programme |
Nil |
Not Finalised |
Not Finalised |
|
Co-Operation Ireland |
€31,380 |
Not Finalised |
Not Finalised |
|
Youth Voice Structures Northern Ireland |
Not Finalised |
Not Finalised |
Not Finalised |
|
Child protection agenda of the North South Ministerial Council |
€19,000 |
Not Finalised |
Not Finalised |
PEACE IV - Programme for Peace and Reconciliation
DCEDIY is an accountable Department in relation to the Children and Young People Objective of the Peace IV Programme, which in Ireland comes under the remit of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. PEACE IV is a cross-border initiative, financed through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the European Union and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). PEACE IV supports peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland. In 2021, DCEDIY contributed €1.624m in match-funding to the SEUPB to support the delivery of the ‘PEACE4Youth’ Programme, which is targeted at those young people aged between 14-24 years in Northern Ireland and the six border counties who are most disadvantaged, excluded or marginalised.
PEACE PLUS Programme
Development of the PEACE PLUS programme is being led by the Special EU Programmes Body in close cooperation with DPER and the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland and with input from accountable departments North and South. My Department would not be in a position to provide details on elements of the Programme’s budget ahead of the approval of the draft programme by the European Commission.
Co-Operation Ireland
Co-Operation Ireland is a peace building charity and has received a funding allocation of €31,380 in 2021 to support the delivery of a cross border Youth Leadership Programme between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The aim of the programme is to build the capacity of young people to take on an active leadership role in their communities and to engage positively with others from different backgrounds, including cross-border. Funding has been provided to date subject to an annual application and allocation process.
Youth Voice Structures Northern Ireland
The National Participation Office is currently engaging with Youth Voice Structures Northern Ireland on connecting Comhairle na nÓg with their Northern Ireland counterparts. Participation Officers from the National Participation Office and Youth Officers from the Education Authority in Northern Ireland have met to plan engagements. This work is in the early stages and there is no budget directly associated with it as of yet.
Child protection agenda of the North South Ministerial Council
The child protection agenda is attached to the Health Sectoral meetings and the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth participates in these meetings with the Minister for Health and NI counterparts. A revised child protection work programme, with priorities covering a three year period to 31 December 2024, was approved by Ministers at the NSMC Health and Food Sectoral Meeting, in March 2021. The focus of the work programme is on areas of child protection that will benefit from an all island approach where mutual cooperation will add value and link with priorities in both jurisdictions.
318. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason there is no mention of disabled persons' organisation which need to be prioritised in this regard according to Article 4(3) of the UNCRPD with reference to the recently announced annual disability participation and awareness fund, the explicitly reference to the involvement of disabled persons and the implementation of the UNCRPD. [53944/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting the participation of Disabled Persons Organisations is a critical part of Ireland's obligations under the UNCRPD. To further realise Ireland's commitment's under CRPD, my Department launched, on 18 October this year, a new annual Disability Participation and Awareness Fund (DPAF).
A total of €2.5m will be made available in 2021 to Local Authorities to fund projects in their local area. Grants under the Fund will be to a maximum of €80,000. It is open for local authorities to partner with other organisations in the delivery of projects under the Fund.
Clear assessment criteria have been set for the allocation of funding under the 2021 Fund and these have been communicated to local authorities in guidance documentation for the making of applications.
Assuming that projects align with the aims and goals of the Fund, and are of a sufficiently high standard having regard to the other applications received, the guidance material makes clear that projects which provide funding to Disability Organisations and in particular to Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) will be given priority this year.
The purpose of DPAF 2021 is to provide funding for Local Authorities across Ireland to support the participation of people with disabilities in local activities, to help remove barriers to community involvement, and to support the promotion and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in communities.
319. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider implementing a mechanism that would allow for disabled person’s organisations to be prioritised in securing some of the disability participation and awareness fund through the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53945/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Disability, Ms. Anne Rabbitte TD, recently launched, in October 2021, a new annual Disability Participation and Awareness Fund (DPAF).
The purpose of DPAF 2021 is to provide funding for Local Authorities across Ireland to support the participation of people with disabilities in local activities, to help remove barriers to community involvement, and to support the promotion and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in communities.
A total of €2.5m will be made available in 2021 to Local Authorities to fund projects in their local area. Grants under the Fund will be to a maximum of €80,000.
Clear assessment criteria have been set for the allocation of funding under the 2021 Fund and these have been communicated to local authorities in guidance documentation for the making of applications.
Assuming that projects align with the aims and goals of the Fund, and are of a sufficiently high standard having regard to the other applications received, the guidance material makes clear that projects which provide funding to Disability Organisations and in particular to Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) will be given priority this year.
320. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if consideration has been given for some core funding stream to be made available to disabled person’s organisations directly as opposed to local authorities as per Article 4(3) of the UNCRPD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53946/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2018 and continues to progressively realise its obligations under the Convention.
In progressively realising the obligations arising from Article 4(3) of the UNCRPD, my Department funded the development of the Disability Participation and Consultation Network (DPCN). It was formed in late 2020 to build capacity within the disability community so that people with disabilities and their representative organisations can participate fully in the development of policies and programmes.
One of the Disability Participation and Consultation Network’s first tasks has been to bring the voices of people with disabilities into consultations on Ireland’s first State Report to the UN on our progress in implementing the Convention. The Disability Participation and Consultation Network facilitated a consultation process amongst its membership to complete that task and I expect that they will continue to feed into policy-making across Departments.
In addition to capacity building via the DPCN, the Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Disability, Ms. Anne Rabbitte TD, launched a new annual Disability Participation and Awareness Fund (DPAF) on 18 October this year.
In this first year of the Fund, resourcing is being provided through the local authority system in order to focus efforts and build capacity at local and community level. It is intended that the 2021 Fund will inform a further funding call in 2022, and in that regard I note the Deputy's suggestions regarding core funding.
Under DPAF 2021, it is open for community and local organisations, including DPOs, to partner with local authorities and bring forward proposals that will support the participation of people with disabilities in local activities, to help remove barriers to community involvement, and to support the promotion and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in communities.
A total of €2.5m will be made available in 2021 to Local Authorities to fund projects in their local area. Grants under the Fund will be to a maximum of €80,000.
This funding can be used for both once-off initiatives and short to medium term projects. Projects and initiatives should promote the rights of people with disabilities by removing barriers to the participation of people with disabilities in their local communities, raising awareness of the UNCRPD, and increasing accessibility.
321. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of an application for the rent a room scheme by a person (details supplied); and if clarity will be provided on the person's inability to supply supporting documentation from the Residential Tenancies Board as requested by SUSI. [53725/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSUSI does not require Rent-a-Room applicants to be registered with the RTB. However, it does seek one of the documents listed below when an applicant is seeking to be classified as an independent applicant.
The documentation accepted as evidence of living independently is any of the following;
- A letter confirming that the address is registered with Residential Tenancies Board (RTB);
- A Local Authority lease agreement or a letter confirming the applicant's rental under the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) or any Government housing scheme/arrangement. Private housing lease agreements will not be accepted;
- A letter on headed paper from a Rental Agency confirming the applicant's tenancy;
- A letter confirming the receipt and period of Rent Allowance, Mortgage Interest Supplement or Housing Assistance Payment (HAP);
- A utility bill in the applicant's own name, for example; landline telephone, fixed broadband, gas, electricity, cable/satellite television bill, home heating bills, waste bills, mortgage statements and/or property tax letters.
SUSI does not accept mobile telephone bills. If the utility bills in the household are in the applicant's spouse’s name, a marriage certificate should be provided with the utility bill. If an applicant is co-habiting, SUSI will accept utility bills in the applicant's partner’s name covering the relevant period together with correspondence e.g. bank statement/Statement of Liability issued to the applicant at the same address and covering the relevant period; and/or
- Official documentation posted to the applicant at the address and relating to the applicant's residence there. For example, a letter from the Department of Social Protection confirming Rent Allowance at the address. It should be noted that SUSI do not accept bank statements alone for this purpose.
The student referred to by the Deputy has submitted an appeal to the SUSI appeals officer. The student submitted documents on the 28th October that are currently being reviewed by the SUSI Appeals Officer.
322. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of the cross-Border Project Ireland 2040 infrastructure projects and the funding allocated for 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [53846/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile there are a number of cross-border projects in Project Ireland 2040 falling within my remit, a number of these including the investment in the Magee Campus and the all-island research hubs are currently being developed in partnership with relevant stakeholders in Northern Ireland, and as yet, costs have not yet being finalised.
The Deputy will recall that along with the Taoiseach, I launched the North-South research programme with a commitment of €40 million over the next 5 years. The HEA are currently evaluating responses to their Call for Proposals from higher education institutions, North and South.
323. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of his Department’s current cross-Border initiatives, goods and or services committed to and the funding allocated to each for 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [53864/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding for the following projects were made in 2021.
Centre for Cross Border Studies (CCBS) - €180,000
Standing Conference on Teacher Education North/ South (SCoTENS) €30,000
Universities Ireland - €30,000
Washington Ireland Programme - $106,000
George Mitchell Scholarship Programme - $407,167
While the Revised Estimates Volume will be published later this month, it is likely that the same volume of expenditure will be made for 2022.
In addition, commitments were made in respect of the following projects, but as yet no funding has taken place in respect of the North South Research (with a commitment of €40m) and All-island Research hubs (yet to be finalised).
Finally, following the approval by the Irish Government and the NSMC of the draft PEACE PLUS programme, DFHERIS will also be liable for expenditure in respect of the cross-border skills initiative. However, the draft plan, including the allocation of funding across the various actions, is subject to final approval from the EU Commission.
It is not possible at this stage to finalise the funding positions for 2023.
324. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice her plans to provide for a dedicated transport police service. [53952/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that Garda management engages extensively with transport operators, including the National Transport Authority, Irish Rail (DART and InterCity rail) and Transdev Ireland (Luas) to provide a high visibility presence through a co-ordinated approach.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a range of regional and local operations have been put in place to prevent and detect criminal activity and anti-social behaviour on public transport. For example, Operation Twin Track was a Community Engagement and Rail Safety Policing Initiative conducted by Gardaí in partnership with other public transportation stakeholders with the purpose of providing high visibility policing of rail and light rail transport within the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) and nationwide, and to deliver crime prevention advice.
A multi-agency review was conducted to examine the effectiveness of this operation and it was agreed that An Garda Síochána will continue to proactively engage with public transportation stakeholders and providers to conduct further similar operations.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that each Chief Superintendent in Dublin has put in place a dedicated policing plan to tackle anti-social behaviour on public transport. Gardaí are conducting both overt and covert patrols of various public transport networks to address incidents of non-compliance under the Health Act 1947 (as amended), incidences of anti-social behaviour or any other criminal offences.
There is currently an operation in place as part of the J District Policing Plan aimed at the prevention of anti-social behaviour and graffiti damage on the DART. The operation aims to ensure the security and safety of Irish Rail staff and passengers, prevent criminal damage to trains by graffiti, and identify and prosecute offenders engaged in defacing trains with graffiti.
There were also a number of similar operations taking place across the DMR during the Halloween period, involving high visibility patrols of public transport on Dublin Bus, LUAS and Dart services to prevent and detect incidents of anti-social behaviour.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the deployment of Garda members and their allocation to Garda units. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am advised that An Garda Síochána do not propose to establish a dedicated transport policing unit at this time. The resources provided by government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.88 billion in 2020 and €1.952 billion in 2021. Budget 2022 will see a further €2.062 billion allocated to An Garda Síochána next year. I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of Garda members throughout the State under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure An Garda Síochána is optimally positioned to keep our communities safe.
325. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of fixed charge notices issued to drivers for the offence of driving while holding a mobile phone per Garda division in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53715/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána. I have no direct role in these matters.
The below table, comprising information provided to me by the Garda authorities, provides a yearly breakdown per Garda division of the number of instances in which a party was issued with a Fixed Charge Notice for the offence of driving while holding a mobile phone.
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021* |
|
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
1136 |
992 |
642 |
248 |
|
Clare |
910 |
584 |
662 |
380 |
|
Cork City |
1625 |
1333 |
1258 |
1313 |
|
Cork North |
1142 |
1170 |
928 |
605 |
|
Cork West |
696 |
621 |
529 |
360 |
|
D.M.R. Eastern |
1078 |
980 |
685 |
351 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
684 |
584 |
570 |
498 |
|
D.M.R. Northern |
932 |
1235 |
962 |
837 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
973 |
1083 |
593 |
308 |
|
D.M.R. Southern |
1113 |
1029 |
669 |
406 |
|
D.M.R. Western |
1678 |
1599 |
1571 |
1031 |
|
Donegal |
460 |
613 |
578 |
438 |
|
Galway Div |
2732 |
2253 |
1534 |
683 |
|
Kerry |
1078 |
1119 |
806 |
812 |
|
Kildare Div |
1591 |
1244 |
1601 |
2071 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
1429 |
1122 |
1338 |
1206 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
1344 |
1041 |
814 |
1083 |
|
Limerick |
2524 |
2264 |
942 |
720 |
|
Louth Div |
630 |
439 |
846 |
531 |
|
Mayo |
717 |
1320 |
907 |
871 |
|
Meath Div |
641 |
698 |
1250 |
1327 |
|
Roscommon/Longford Div |
714 |
614 |
421 |
311 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
682 |
745 |
237 |
262 |
|
Tipperary |
716 |
745 |
796 |
811 |
|
Waterford Div |
1024 |
805 |
1090 |
1098 |
|
Westmeath Div |
443 |
351 |
355 |
510 |
|
Wexford Div |
1620 |
1584 |
1237 |
794 |
|
Wicklow Div |
862 |
939 |
657 |
549 |
|
National |
31174 |
29106 |
24478 |
20414 |
* Figures for 2021 up to 31 October 2021
The above figures are based on incidents which occurred from 1 January 2018 to 31 October 2021, inclusive. All information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the fixed charge processing system as was available on 2 November 2021 and is liable to change.
326. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of drivers that paid a fixed charge notice for the offence of driving while holding a mobile phone per Garda division within the statutory payment timeframe in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53716/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána. I have no direct role in these matters.
The below table, comprising information provided to me by the Garda authorities, provides a yearly breakdown per Garda division of the number of instances in which a party paid a Fixed Charge Notice (FCN) issued for the offences of driving while holding a mobile phone.
The figures also include instances where a FCN has issued which is still within the active interval for payment or payment is being processed.
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021* |
|
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
987 |
846 |
545 |
213 |
|
Clare |
781 |
507 |
563 |
333 |
|
Cork City |
1372 |
1143 |
1074 |
1153 |
|
Cork North |
1007 |
1007 |
808 |
517 |
|
Cork West |
624 |
552 |
498 |
339 |
|
D.M.R. Eastern |
941 |
839 |
590 |
291 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
545 |
463 |
448 |
413 |
|
D.M.R. Northern |
754 |
995 |
768 |
670 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
820 |
851 |
481 |
262 |
|
D.M.R. Southern |
906 |
834 |
497 |
312 |
|
D.M.R. Western |
1332 |
1228 |
1216 |
799 |
|
Donegal |
395 |
536 |
511 |
388 |
|
Galway Div |
2416 |
1947 |
1344 |
599 |
|
Kerry |
930 |
970 |
680 |
717 |
|
Kildare Div |
1370 |
1062 |
1367 |
1747 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
1277 |
972 |
1163 |
1032 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
1183 |
900 |
702 |
935 |
|
Limerick |
2138 |
1944 |
779 |
608 |
|
Louth Div |
546 |
362 |
713 |
418 |
|
Mayo |
654 |
1181 |
811 |
762 |
|
Meath Div |
547 |
600 |
1086 |
1109 |
|
Roscommon/Longford Div |
633 |
542 |
363 |
265 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
609 |
670 |
210 |
230 |
|
Tipperary |
622 |
649 |
664 |
682 |
|
Waterford Div |
909 |
689 |
928 |
938 |
|
Westmeath Div |
395 |
313 |
308 |
454 |
|
Wexford Div |
1407 |
1404 |
1089 |
695 |
|
Wicklow Div |
749 |
818 |
558 |
476 |
|
National |
26849 |
24824 |
20764 |
17357 |
* Figures for 2021 up to 31/10/2021
The above figures are based on incidents which occurred from 1 January 2018 to 31 October 2021, inclusive. All information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the fixed charge processing system as was available on 2 November 2021 and is liable to change.
327. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of drivers that failed to pay a fixed charge notice for the offence of driving while holding a mobile phone per Garda division within the statutory payment timeframe in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53717/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes operational decisions relating to road traffic matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the number of instances, by Garda Division, in which a Fixed Charge Notice (FCN) was issued for the offence of driving while holding a mobile phone and the FCN was not paid.
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021* |
|
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
149 |
146 |
97 |
35 |
|
Clare |
129 |
77 |
99 |
47 |
|
Cork City |
253 |
190 |
184 |
160 |
|
Cork North |
135 |
163 |
120 |
88 |
|
Cork West |
72 |
69 |
31 |
21 |
|
D.M.R. Eastern |
137 |
141 |
95 |
60 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
139 |
121 |
122 |
85 |
|
D.M.R. Northern |
178 |
240 |
194 |
167 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
153 |
232 |
112 |
46 |
|
D.M.R. Southern |
207 |
195 |
172 |
94 |
|
D.M.R. Western |
346 |
371 |
355 |
232 |
|
Donegal |
65 |
77 |
67 |
50 |
|
Galway Div |
316 |
306 |
190 |
84 |
|
Kerry |
148 |
149 |
126 |
95 |
|
Kildare Div |
221 |
182 |
234 |
324 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
152 |
150 |
175 |
174 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
161 |
141 |
112 |
148 |
|
Limerick |
386 |
320 |
163 |
112 |
|
Louth Div |
84 |
77 |
133 |
113 |
|
Mayo |
63 |
139 |
96 |
109 |
|
Meath Div |
94 |
98 |
164 |
218 |
|
Roscommon/Longford Div |
81 |
72 |
58 |
46 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
73 |
75 |
27 |
32 |
|
Tipperary |
94 |
96 |
132 |
129 |
|
Waterford Div |
115 |
116 |
162 |
160 |
|
Westmeath Div |
48 |
38 |
47 |
56 |
|
Wexford Div |
213 |
180 |
148 |
99 |
|
Wicklow Div |
113 |
121 |
99 |
73 |
|
Total |
4325 |
4282 |
3714 |
3057 |
The above figures are based on incidents which occurred from 01 January 2018 to 31 October 2021, inclusive. All information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the fixed charge processing system as was available on 2 November 2021 and is liable to change.
328. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of drivers that availed of the third payment option and paid a fixed charge notice for the offence of driving while holding a mobile phone per Garda division in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53718/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes operational decisions relating to road traffic matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the number of instances, by Garda division, in which a Fixed Charge Notice (FCN) was issued for the offence of driving while holding a mobile phone and the FCN was not paid.
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
62 |
59 |
41 |
- |
|
Clare |
60 |
37 |
45 |
- |
|
Cork City |
107 |
83 |
61 |
18 |
|
Cork North |
58 |
70 |
53 |
- |
|
Cork West |
38 |
42 |
35 |
- |
|
D.M.R. Eastern |
69 |
54 |
37 |
- |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
34 |
31 |
33 |
- |
|
D.M.R. Northern |
52 |
73 |
47 |
- |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
68 |
73 |
46 |
- |
|
D.M.R. Southern |
75 |
50 |
40 |
- |
|
D.M.R. Western |
100 |
89 |
84 |
- |
|
Donegal |
31 |
47 |
40 |
- |
|
Galway Div |
202 |
133 |
112 |
11 |
|
Kerry |
71 |
71 |
52 |
16 |
|
Kildare Div |
87 |
67 |
95 |
12 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
100 |
66 |
81 |
21 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
83 |
65 |
58 |
15 |
|
Limerick |
178 |
144 |
55 |
- |
|
Louth Div |
35 |
26 |
56 |
- |
|
Mayo |
52 |
82 |
57 |
- |
|
Meath Div |
41 |
34 |
68 |
- |
|
Roscommon/Longford Div |
39 |
31 |
23 |
- |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
48 |
46 |
- |
- |
|
Tipperary |
43 |
49 |
58 |
- |
|
Waterford Div |
79 |
50 |
61 |
31 |
|
Westmeath Div |
24 |
24 |
29 |
11 |
|
Wexford Div |
98 |
92 |
97 |
17 |
|
Wicklow Div |
59 |
56 |
42 |
10 |
|
Total |
1993 |
1744 |
1515 |
206 |
The above figures are based on incidents which occurred from 01 January 2018 to 31 October 2021, inclusive. All information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the fixed charge processing system as was available on 3 November 2021 and is liable to change.
Court proceedings are initiated where a fine is not paid within the required timeframe. A third payment option is available where the fine can be paid up to a number of days before the court date. The fine will be double the original fine.
The figures provided include all cases where a fine of €120 was paid (double the original fine amount of €60).
Figures for groups with less than 10 records have not been included.
329. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 200 of 12 May 2021, if she will provide the most to date figures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53719/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the operation of the Fixed Charge Penalty System, which is under the remit of the Garda Fixed Charge Processing Office.
I have been advised by An Garda Síochána that no person issued with a Fixed Charge Penalty Notice (FCPN) is deemed to have 'failed' to pay the Notice once the statutory payment window has passed. Rather, a person has a right to refuse to pay the notice and take the option of Court proceedings. The reasons why a person may not pay the Notice are varied and not recorded by An Garda Síochána.
I have contacted An Garda Síochána and have been provided with the following table which shows a yearly breakdown per Garda division of the number of instances in which a Fixed Charge Notice was issued for the offences of driving while holding a mobile phone and the eventual outcome was the issuance of a summons and/or court proceedings.
Figures are based on incidents which occurred from 01/01/2018 to 31/10/2021, inclusive. All information contained in this table is based upon operational data from the FCPS system as was available on 02/11/2021 and is liable to change.
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021* |
|
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
138 |
129 |
91 |
34 |
|
Clare |
116 |
69 |
96 |
45 |
|
Cork City |
225 |
168 |
168 |
152 |
|
Cork North |
124 |
144 |
106 |
84 |
|
Cork West |
64 |
61 |
26 |
20 |
|
D.M.R. Eastern |
128 |
120 |
83 |
59 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
127 |
111 |
112 |
81 |
|
D.M.R. Northern |
163 |
220 |
181 |
158 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
139 |
195 |
94 |
45 |
|
D.M.R. Southern |
193 |
166 |
154 |
88 |
|
D.M.R. Western |
307 |
323 |
326 |
219 |
|
Donegal |
55 |
60 |
62 |
47 |
|
Galway Div |
277 |
270 |
171 |
77 |
|
Kerry |
137 |
133 |
115 |
89 |
|
Kildare Div |
197 |
157 |
205 |
301 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
135 |
141 |
159 |
164 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
145 |
129 |
100 |
142 |
|
Limerick |
363 |
294 |
153 |
107 |
|
Louth Div |
73 |
71 |
121 |
102 |
|
Mayo |
56 |
126 |
85 |
93 |
|
Meath Div |
85 |
88 |
151 |
197 |
|
Roscommon/Longford Div |
71 |
63 |
55 |
40 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
64 |
62 |
23 |
31 |
|
Tipperary |
90 |
92 |
113 |
125 |
|
Waterford Div |
103 |
103 |
135 |
149 |
|
Westmeath Div |
43 |
34 |
37 |
52 |
|
Wexford Div |
198 |
166 |
130 |
91 |
|
Wicklow Div |
106 |
108 |
92 |
65 |
|
Yearly Total |
3922 |
3803 |
3344 |
2857 |
*Figures for 2021 up to 31/10/2021
330. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of drivers listed in court for the offence of driving while holding a mobile phone by District Court; the number of drivers convicted of this offence; the number of drivers who had their cases dismissed and struck out each year; the number of driver licence numbers recorded on conviction; the penalties imposed on conviction each year by District Court in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53720/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have made enquiries with the Courts Service regarding the information sought by the Deputy. The Courts Service have provided a significant volume of information in response to the Deputy's question which I will arrange to be sent to the Deputy directly.
