Thursday, 20 Oct 2022

Written Answers Nos. 61-80

Crime Prevention

Ceisteanna (62)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Ceist:

62. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on the work of her Department in tackling drug-related intimidation and reporting. [52410/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The Government is acutely aware of the substantial and ongoing damage that drug dealing and drug-related intimidation has on communities across the country. Organised criminal activity, including drug dealing, represents a serious threat to community safety.

An Garda Síochána continues to target those involved in the sale and supply of illegal drugs including through Operation Tara which has a strong focus on tackling street-level dealing throughout rural and urban Ireland.

The focus of this Operation is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks at all levels - international, national and local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local street level dealing and sale and supply of controlled drugs.

Recent successes of Operation Tara include the seizure of €465,000 worth of cannabis in Ballygar, Co. Galway on 7 September and the seizure of €360,000 worth of cannabis in Pollerton, Co. Carlow on 2 October.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Commissioner tasked an Inspector in every Garda Division to respond to the issue of drug-related intimidation. There are currently thirty nominated Garda Inspectors appointed to act as liaison officers for the Drug-Related Intimidation Reporting Programme, covering each Garda Division.

Information in relation to the Drug-Related Intimidation Reporting Programme and a list of the nominated Inspectors countrywide is available on the Garda Website. This programme has been developed to respond to the needs of drug users and family members experiencing drug related intimidation. In dealing with any complaint of drug-related intimidation or advice sought in relation to this issue, An Garda Síochána will do so with the utmost safety in order to afford the person or family subject to the threat of the best level of security, advice and support which can be offered.

An annual conference on the Drug-Related Intimidation Reporting Programme, coordinated by the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau, took place in August 2022 and was attended by nominated Inspectors, local and Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force representatives. In addition, An Garda Síochána presented on the subject of Drug Related Intimidation to the Annual Conference of the Joint Policing Committees organised by the Policing Authority in September 2022.

An Garda Síochána are committed to tackling the supply of drugs at all levels and they continue to work with joint policing committees, both at regional and city level. Community policing forums are based locally in individual Garda districts and sub-districts and Joint Policing Committees address the issue of drugs and drug-related intimidation from the lower level to the most serious level. The North Inner City Dublin Local Community Safety Partnership pilot is also exploring utilising a drug related intimidation programme as part of its work.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health and the National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan T.D., launched the Drug Related Intimidation and Violence Engagement (DRIVE) Report in November 2021. DRIVE is a multi-agency response to Drug Related Intimidation, recognising the additional challenges arising from drug-related intimidation in disadvantaged communities.

Membership of the DRIVE Oversight Committee is comprised of representatives from An Garda Síochána, Regional and Local Drug & Alcohol Task Forces, HSE Social Inclusion, Probation Service, family support and the Community & the Voluntary sector.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (63)

Paul Donnelly

Ceist:

63. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who are fully trained in high-speed driving and pursuit in the Blanchardstown, Finglas and Cabra area. [51649/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including provision of Garda training. I am, however advised that the Garda Driver Training Section provides a range of driving courses to meet the operational demands of the organisation across a wide range of vehicles. Two training centres are in operation at the Garda College in Templemore and at Garda Headquarters in Phoenix Park respectively.

The Competency Based Driving Level 2 (CBD2) training is a three week course aimed at frontline Garda Drivers. The course focuses on responsive driving skills and incorporates the function of emergency response, decision-making, relevant legal exemptions, and tactical guidelines around same.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are 86 Garda members who are fully trained in CBD2 across the Blanchardstown, Finglas and Cabra areas.

Sentencing Policy

Ceisteanna (64)

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

64. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on actions in the Justice Plan 2022 regarding reform of sentencing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51642/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, the judiciary, as the third branch of Government, are independent in the matter of sentencing, subject only to the Constitution and the law.However, it is a matter for the Government and the Oireachtas to propose and enact legislation which sets out the maximum sentence which a court can impose for a particular crime. In a number of cases the Oireachtas has prescribed a presumptive minimum sentence for certain serious offences, however this is currently being reviewed under a requirement contained in the Judicial Council Act.In imposing a sentence, a court is required to impose a sentence which is proportionate, not only to the crime but also to the offender, based on the facts heard in each individual case.As provided for in the Judicial Council Act 2019, a new Sentencing Guidelines Committee has been established by the Judicial Council which includes a number of lay members. The Committee is responsible for compiling sentencing guidelines with a view to establishing parameters and norms to help guide a judge while sentencing. The courts are also required to hear from victims in certain cases where they wish to make a victim impact statement. I believe that our criminal law must ensure that a wider range of appropriate options are available to the judiciary including, where appropriate, custodial sentences that reflect the harm caused by crime to victims and to communities. That is why I am proposing legislative changes that will increase the maximum sentence permitted for assault causing harm, taking it from 5 to 10 years. I will also provide for an increase in the sentence for the offence of conspiracy to commit murder of up to life imprisonment.

I am introducing new standalone offences of stalking and non-fatal strangulation so that appropriate sentences can be imposed to reflect the harm caused by such insidious offences.In the coming weeks, I will also publish new Hate Crime legislation which will introduce new, specific aggravated offences with enhanced penalties for crimes motivated by prejudice against protected characteristics.

In addition, I am examining reforms to the current mandatory life sentence for murder which would allow a judge to specify a minimum number of years, or tariff, to be served for murder. This change would allow the courts to reflect the aggravating factors and gravity of certain cases and give the public more confidence that, in the most heinous murder cases, judges will have the discretion to set a minimum tariff for a life sentence. The Deputy will however also appreciate that imprisonment is not always the most appropriate punishment for offending behaviour and the Programme for Government set out a coherent approach to enhancing and sustaining a more just and safe society with a specific commitment to review policy options for prison and penal reform, which my Department has been undertaking over the last two years.

The recently published reports of the Penal Policy Working Group and the Task Force on Mental Health and Addiction in the criminal justice system, chaired by former Minister Kathleen Lynch and undertaken jointly by experts in my Department and the Department of Health, both recognise that reducing re-offending requires a system not just focused on punishment but also on rehabilitation and reintegration. This includes ensuring that a range of effective alternatives to short custodial sentences are available as well as providing offenders with the opportunity to examine and address the root causes of their own offending behaviour.

Legislative Measures

Ceisteanna (65)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

65. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice if she intends to strengthen trespassing laws, to add more protection to the property owner; the efforts that her Department is taking to deter trespassing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52121/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

Trespass is a civil wrong and, for the most part, falls to be addressed by means of a civil remedy. Trespass may be dealt with under criminal law in certain circumstances and a range of offences are provided for in legislation.

There is already robust legislation in place in relation to trespass and I have, therefore, no plans to change the law in this regard, but the situation will be kept under review. For the Deputy's information, outlined below are a variety of legal provisions in place with regard to trespass.

- The Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, as amended, contains provisions specifically relating to the unauthorised entry onto and occupation of land. Part IIA of that Act, comprising sections 19A to 19H, as inserted by the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002, provides for offences in relation to illegal trespass and occupation of land. Such land includes public land provided or maintained by a statutory body or held in trust primarily for the enjoyment of the public and land covered by water. The legislation empowers the Garda Síochána to direct trespassers to leave the land concerned and remove any object belonging to them from the occupied land. A person who is guilty of an offence under this Part of the Act is liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to €4,000 or a term of imprisonment of up to one month, or both.

- Trespass in relation to buildings, as well as land, is also dealt with in the 1994 Act. Section 11 of the Act provides that it is an offence for a person to enter a building or the vicinity of a building as a trespasser with the intention of committing an offence or interfering with property. A person who is guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to €2,500 or imprisonment for a term of up to 6 months, or both.

- In addition, section 13(1) of the same Act provides that it is an offence for a person, without reasonable excuse, to trespass on a building or in the vicinity of a building in such a manner as causes or is likely to cause fear in another person. Section 13(2) empowers the Garda Síochána to request the person concerned to desist from acting in such a manner and to immediately leave the place concerned in a peaceable and orderly manner. It is an offence not to comply with a direction given by a member of the Garda Síochána under section 13(2). A person who is guilty of an offence under section 13(1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to €2,500 or imprisonment for a term of up to 12 months, or both. A person who is guilty of an offence under section 13(2) is liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to €1,000 or imprisonment for a term of up to 6 months, or both.

- The Prohibition of Forcible Entry and Occupation Act 1971 also contains provisions relating to trespass. Under this Act it is an offence to forcibly enter land, including buildings, or remain in forceful occupation, or to encourage or advocate the commission of such an offence. A person guilty of a first offence under the Act is liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to €500 or imprisonment for a term of up to 6 months, or both. A second or subsequent offence under the Act is punishable, on summary conviction, by a fine of up to €1,000 or imprisonment for term of up to 12 months, or both. Conviction on indictment for an offence under the Act can result in a fine of up to €5,000 or a prison term of up to 3 years, or both.

I can inform the Deputy that I intend to amend a number of sections of the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1995, in line with the Government policy objective of restricting the liability of occupiers. I believe these proposals strike the right balance between ensuring that businesses, community groups and organisers of events fulfil their duty of care responsibilities, while also acknowledging the importance of personal responsibility of visitors, recreational users and trespassers.

The proposed amendments, which build on a Review Paper prepared by my Department in February 2021, and subsequently published, contain four key developments:

- they will reflect in primary legislation a number of recent court decisions which rebalance the duty of care owed by occupiers to visitors and recreational users;

- they change the standard to clarify that when the occupier of a property has acted with reckless disregard for a recreational user or trespasser, the standard of reckless disregard rather than that of reasonable grounds should apply in relation to any consideration of liability;

- they limit the circumstances in which a court can impose liability on the occupier of a premises where a person has entered onto premises for the purpose of committing an offence; and

- they allow for a broader circumstances where it can be shown that a visitor or recreational user has voluntarily assumed a risk.

Antisocial Behaviour

Ceisteanna (66)

Kieran O'Donnell

Ceist:

66. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice if she will carry out a review in respect of the current measures available and their effectiveness in dealing with, addressing and reducing anti-social behaviour. [52411/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

I would like to begin by making one thing clear, anyone who engages in anti-social behaviour will face the full rigours of the law and we will not leave any community in fear or danger. The Programme for Government commits to tackling anti-social behaviour by ensuring more visible community policing, in line with the Report of the Future of Policing. This will significantly reduce antisocial behaviour and help make people feel safer in their communities.

We will always support communities, and honest, hard-working people who want and deserve to be safe on their streets. We will never allow anti-social behaviour from a small minority terrorise any community. Communities who need our help will get it.

The government is rolling out a number of policy and legislative initiates which will reduce the level of anti-social behaviour. These include:

- Providing the Gardaí with new powers to seize and stop the illegal use of scrambler bikes

- Introducing legislation to provide for body worn cameras for Gardaí and community CCTV schemes

- Rolling out the Community Safety Innovation fund to drive the development of community safety projects at a local level

- Examining the use of anti-social behaviour orders to ensure they are as effective as possible.

- Introducing legislation to criminalise the grooming of children

In addition, and in line with a Programme for Government commitment, Minister Browne established an Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour in 2020 which is considering the effectiveness of existing legislation and will, if appropriate, propose new ways forward, including new powers for An Garda Síochána and additional interventions to support parenting of offenders.

Along side the work of the Forum, an additional allocation of €6.7m was provided in Budget 2022 and another €2.5m in 2023 to ensure the delivery of key objectives in the Youth Justice Strategy, in particular the expansion and deepening of the services offered to young people by the Youth Diversion Projects, which are fully funded by my Department.

My Department is continually seeking to strengthen our evidence based approach to combatting anti-social behaviour, as is the entire Government. Supporting communities to be safe and feel safe requires a whole of government approach and that is why the Local Community Safety Partnerships are currently being piloted across three locations, bringing local communities together with all of the key service providers in their area to identify the particular issues that need to be tackled in their local area and drawing up a plan to set out the steps that will be taken to address them, by whom and when. Listening, implementing, assessing and where necessary, adapting our policies is a key part of how the Department and the other Justice agencies are working to tackle anti-social behaviour.

I want to commend the members of An Garda Síochána who every day face the challenges of dealing with crime in the post-pandemic landscape. Just last month, Minister Browne and I met with the Garda Commissioner to discuss a number of issues, including anti-social behaviour. The Commissioner fully agrees that high-visibility policing is a crucial element of ensuring that communities are safe and feel safe.

This will be prioritised by supporting and enhancing ongoing Garda operations, such as Operation Citizen, which provides a visible presence in the city centre, and Operation Tombola, which tackles anti-social behaviour over the Halloween period.

But I know the Deputy will agree that a multi-agency approach is critical to tackling anti-social behaviour, as has been seen following the events in Cherry Orchard last month. I am particularly pleased by the innovative projects that my Department is supporting through the Community Safety Innovation Fund announced last Monday. This and other innovative, cross-cutting projects form a key part of the Government's response to anti-social behaviour.

There are also numerous other Garda operations taking place across the country, and the Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to combat anti-social behavior. An unprecedented allocation of over €2.14 billion has been provided to An Garda Síochána in Budget 2023.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (67)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

67. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice if she is concerned by the number of instances of ramming of Garda vehicles annually; her views that such actions warrant being classified as a stand-alone crime, carrying a lengthy sentence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52367/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The Deputy is already aware that I consider the deliberate ramming of Garda vehicles to be an extremely serious matter. The safety of the members of An Garda Síochána and the general public on our roads is of critical importance. Any attack on a member of An Garda Síochána is an affront to our values as a society and will not be tolerated.

An Garda Síochána perform a vital function in providing safety and security to our communities and should be applauded and supported for their service, not subject to assault or harm in the execution of their duties.

I am advised by the Garda Authorities that the number of instances of ramming of Garda vehicles as of 3 October 2022 are as follows.

Year	Total
2019	65
2020	68
2021	47
As at 3rd October 2022	31

As the Deputy may also be aware, there are a range of robust legislative provisions available to the Garda authorities to deal with such offences.

Any assault causing harm on any person is an offence under section 3 of the Non–Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. A person convicted of such an offence is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to a maximum fine of €2,500, or to both, or, on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both.

I have also signalled my intention to increase the maximum penalty available for this offence to 10 year imprisonment, in amendments to the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which is currently before the Oireachtas.

Section 53 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 provides for the offence of dangerous driving. A person who commits an offence under the section is liable to (a) in the case of death or serious bodily harm to another person, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or to a fine not exceeding €20,000 or to both, and b) in any other case, a class A fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

In addition, section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 provides for the offence of assault or threatening to assault certain categories of persons. Such persons include a person providing medical services in a hospital, or any person assisting such a person, a peace officer or any person assisting a peace officer, or any other person with intent to resist lawful apprehension or detention for an offence. The term 'peace officer' includes members of An Garda Síochána, a prison officer, a member of the fire brigade, ambulance personnel or a member of the Defence Forces.

A person convicted of an offence under section 19 of the 1994 Act is liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of €5,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both. A person convicted of such an offence on indictment is liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years, or to both. The latter penalty was increased from a maximum term of 5 years in 2006.

As the Deputy will appreciate, sentencing in individual cases is a matter solely within the discretion of the trial judge, having regard to the circumstances of the case and of the accused and subject to any limits as may be prescribed by law for a particular offence. The court is required to impose a sentence which is proportionate not only to the crime but also to the individual offender.

I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to keep the law in this area under review.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (68)

Joe Flaherty

Ceist:

68. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Justice the number of community gardaí who are currently assigned to Longford Garda stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52434/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This includes the deployment of Garda members throughout the State.

The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of €2.14 billion. This unprecedented amount will fund the planned recruitment of up to 1,000 new Garda recruits as well as over 400 Garda staff.

I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimal use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs. I am further advised that there are no set requirements to have a specific number of Community Gardaí posts across the Divisions.

The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Community Gardaí assigned to Longford Garda stations by rank at 31 August, the latest date for which figures are available.

Station	Inspector	Sergeant	Garda	Total
Longford		1	2	3
Ballymahon				0
Granard		1	1	2
Edgeworthstown				0
Total	0	2	3	5

The Deputy will also be aware that, 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.

It is important to note, however, that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties.

Indeed, this is fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and currently being rolled out under 'A Policing Service for Our Future', the Government's implementation plan for the Commission's recommendations.

Antisocial Behaviour

Ceisteanna (69)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

69. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if Operation Tombola will run prior to Halloween 2022; the way in which her Department plans to tackle anti-social behaviour in the run-up to Halloween; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51371/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

Fireworks, because they are explosives, are regulated under national and EU legislation and can only be imported into the country under licence and stored and sold in accordance with explosives law.

Government policy restricts the availability of all hazardous fireworks to the general public. Licences under the Explosives Act are issued by my Department only for the importation of fireworks which are to be used in organised displays conducted by professional and competent operators.

Part 6 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 gives An Garda Síochána the power to make arrests in relation to the possession of unlicensed fireworks. An example of the penalties faced include a fine of up to €10,000 and up to five years imprisonment if convicted of having fireworks in your possession with intent to sell or supply. Igniting fireworks or throwing an ignited firework at a person or property is also liable to the same severe penalty. These penalties demonstrate the seriousness attached to breaches of the legislation governing the importation and use of fireworks.

As the Deputy has noted, each year in the run up to Halloween, additional efforts are made by An Garda Síochána to combat the illegal importation, sale and use of fireworks, under what is known as Operation Tombola. This year is no different and I have been advised by the Garda Commissioner that Operation Tombola commenced on 01 October.

I am further advised that, through Operation Tombola, each Regional Assistant Commissioner ensures that appropriate measures are put in place in each Division, to prevent and detect the organised importation for sale of fireworks in the lead up to Halloween.

An Garda Síochána puts in place a range of measures to combat the importation, sale and distribution of illegal fireworks, through intelligence led operations, visits to local car boot sales, searches and seizures of fireworks. They also liaise with local authorities and Fire Services, and identify and remove stockpiles of bonfire material and abandoned vehicles from locations.

An Garda Síochána also promote awareness of the dangers associated with the improper use of fireworks and unsupervised bonfires through the media, social media, school visits and information leaflet distribution by the Crime Prevention Officer and members generally. They conduct high visibility policing of Halloween night celebrations, i.e. beat, bike and mobile patrols, thus preventing damage to property, injury, trauma for the vulnerable and the elderly, and general anti-social behaviour.

I am also advised by the Commissioner that policing plans under the auspices of Operation Tombola include an overt uniform presence and covert element where appropriate. Local Garda management are engaged with relevant stakeholders, including the local authorities, to identify, co-ordinate and implement an appropriate multi-agency strategy for the busy Halloween period.

Operation Tombola also focuses on preventing associated public disorder and anti-social behaviour through the incremental deployment of resources, including Garda Public Order Units where appropriate, to augment local plans.

I am very aware of the distressing impact the improper use of fireworks has on our communities. I know the fear and distress fireworks being set off cause, in particular, our elderly family members and neighbours and people with sensory challenges and other vulnerabilities. They also have a terrible impact on pets and other animals and livestock.

That is why every year as Halloween approaches, my Department runs a safety campaign aimed at ensuring the public is aware of the dangers of illegal fireworks and bonfires.

Earlier this month, I launched this year's awareness raising campaign urging against the misuse of fireworks in collaboration with An Garda Síochána, the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) and Dublin Fire Brigade .

This year’s campaign emphasises the distressing impact the improper use of fireworks has on communities and both wild and domestic animals. Highlighting the damaging and life changing consequences these dangers can pose, not only to those who directly use illegal fireworks, but also innocent bystanders to whom the improper use of fireworks can cause serious distress and injury, the campaign urges people to consider those who are indirectly impacted by their actions over this Halloween period. The campaign also seeks to remind the public of the serious penalties that can be imposed for the misuse of illegal fireworks.

To support the campaign and increase our reach my Department have also been in touch with local authorities and frontline services across the country, the National Standards Authority of Ireland, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the Professional Development Service for Teachers, and SpunOut – a dedicated youth information provider, so that the campaigning messaging is shared with the widest possible audience.

The campaign messaging is also featured on local radio stations across the country, as well as across social media, YouTube and Spotify. As always, this messaging will continue to be pushed out across a number of mediums including social media on a regular basis until early November.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (70)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

70. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice the number of vehicles in the Garda fleet that are electric, by vehicle type and station in tabular form; the percentage of vehicles in the Garda fleet that are electric; the number of vehicles in the Garda fleet that are reaching end of life within the next 12 months; the percentage of these that will be replaced with electric vehicles; the infrastructure that has been put in place throughout the Garda network to facilitate charging electric vehicles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52397/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the Garda fleet, I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources, including vehicles, under continual review. This is considered in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure the optimum use of these resources.

Budget 2023 provides funding of €2.14 billion for An Garda Síochána, of which €10m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently 40 fully-electric vehicles and 10 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in the Garda fleet. This represents 1.5% of the current fleet as of 14 October 2022.

A further 4 electric vehicles and 3 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are on order for the fleet with expected delivery in Q4 2022.

Garda Fleet Management unit predict that 218 vehicles will reach end of life within the next 12 months. The type and quantity of vehicles to be purchased in 2023 is currently under consideration.

I also understand that Garda Fleet Management unit plan to roll out electric vehicles in conjunction with the required charging infrastructure. To date, there are 51 charge points installed at 18 locations throughout the Garda network.

Garda Fleet Management unit are currently liaising with Garda Estate Management to identify Garda stations that have suitable electrical supply capacity for the installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points. When suitable locations have been identified, consultation with the OPW will take place to prioritise EV charging point installation.

The table below shows a breakdown of vehicle type by district. For operational reasons An Garda Síochána do not supply a breakdown of vehicle type by station.

As of 14 October 2022	District	Fuel Type	Number of Vehicles	Vehicle Type	% of fleet
	Blackrock	Electric	1	Car
	Ballymun	Electric	4	Car
	Fitzgibbon Street	Electric	3	Car
	Tallaght	Electric	2	Car
	Blanchardstown	Electric	3	Car
	Letterkenny	Electric	2	Car
	Garda HQ	Electric	2	Car
	Garda College	Electric	3	Car
	National Units	Electric	1	Car
	Liaison & Protection	Electric	1	Car
	Liaison & Protection	Plug in Hybrid Electric	10	Car
	Drogheda	Electric	2	Car
	Claremorris	Electric	4	Car
	Westport	Electric	3	Car
	Harcourt Square	Electric	1	Car
	Athlone	Electric	4	Car
	Wexford	Electric	4	Car
Total			50		1.5

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (71)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

71. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice the number of new gardaí it is proposed to recruit in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52175/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

The Government's commitment to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs is underscored by the unprecedented €2.14 billion allocated under Budget 2023. This level of funding supports the planned recruitment of up to 1,000 new Garda members and an additional 400 Garda Staff in 2023.

As the Deputy is aware, while recruitment and training of new Garda members is a matter for the Commissioner, this was significantly disrupted during Covid restrictions.

A recruitment campaign for An Garda Síochána took place earlier this year, which attracted significant levels of interest. I am advised that the first successful candidates from this campaign are due to enter the Garda college at the end of November, with further intakes scheduled at 11 week intervals over the course of 2023. In order to ensure that the pace and extent of recruitment is maintained consistently, the Garda Commissioner has recently advised me of his intention to hold a further recruitment campaign in 2023.

I can assure the Deputy that there is extensive engagement between my Department, An Garda Síochána, and the Public Appointments Service (PAS) with a view to ensuring that Garda recruitment campaigns are efficient in their operation and effective in attracting a range of diverse and well qualified candidates. Furthermore, the Garda Commissioner has put in place specific arrangements to streamline the final stages of the appointment process which are managed by the Garda authorities, including vetting, medical assessment and physical fitness test.

An Garda Síochána

Ceisteanna (72)

Paul Donnelly

Ceist:

72. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice her views on the concerns of rank-and-file gardaí over proposed new rosters. [51650/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes the deployment and rostering of staff. As Minister, I have no role in the management of these functions.

The Commission on the Future of Policing concluded that Garda rostering arrangements should be replaced by tailored rosters that work better for both police and the communities they serve. The Deputy may also be aware that the current Garda roster was introduced by the Commissioner to deal with the specific policing requirements that arose during the Covid pandemic. It was always intended by the Commissioner to be a temporary roster, to be replaced in due course by a revised roster.

I am informed by the Commissioner that a facilitated process under an independent chair has been ongoing for some time between Garda management and the Garda Associations to develop a revised roster for Garda members.

On 15 August, the facilitator published his recommendations as providing a basis to move forward on roster reform. All parties were given 8 weeks to consider the proposals. The Commissioner met the Garda Associations on 13 October in relation to the recommendations from the independent facilitator on a revised Garda roster.

I understand that following this meeting, the Commissioner will now consult with senior management colleagues to consider the next steps in the process.

The Commissioner also confirmed at that meeting that the current Roster will remain in place until the 27 November.

Questions Nos. 75 to 80, inclusive, answered orally.

Question No. 73 answered with Question No. 41.

Question No. 74 answered with Question No. 47.