Written Answers Nos. 359-369
359. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the number of evidential breath-testing machines allocated to each Garda division as of 20 January 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5295/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, and will contact her again when this is to hand.
|
Division |
Number of EvidenzerIRL Machines Allocated |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
5 |
|
Clare |
4 |
|
Cork City |
2 |
|
Cork North |
4 |
|
Cork West |
3 |
|
DMR East |
1 |
|
DMR North |
2 |
|
DMR North-Central |
1 |
|
DMR South |
1 |
|
DMR South-Central |
2 |
|
DMR West |
3 |
|
Donegal |
5 |
|
Galway |
5 |
|
Kerry |
4 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
2 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
3 |
|
Limerick |
3 |
|
Louth |
2 |
|
Mayo |
4 |
|
Meath |
4 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
2 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
3 |
|
Tipperary |
6 |
|
Waterford |
2 |
|
Westmeath |
2 |
|
Wexford |
4 |
|
Wicklow |
4 |
|
Grand Total |
87 |
360. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the age of each boat currently in the Garda water unit. [5296/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including the allocation of resources and Garda vehicles. As Minister I have no role in these matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda Water Unit (GWU) currently has two patrol boats, four rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) and six inflatable boats. The boats allocated to the unit meet the present requirements of the Garda Water Unit to date, and the equipment fitted on the boats is regularly serviced and upgraded when necessary.
The two Garda Water Unit patrol boats are dated from 2000 and 2006 respectively, the Rigid Inflatable Boats are dated from 2007, and the six inflatable boats are dated from 2009 to 2012.
361. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice if a fresh recruitment campaign for persons to apply to join An Garda Síochána will be launched before the end of Quarter 1 2023. [5297/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
Budget 2023 allocated funding of €2.14 billion to An Garda Síochána this year, which will enable recruits to enter the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks. Managing this recruitment is the responsibility of the Commissioner and his senior management team.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that a recruitment campaign will be held in the coming months.
I can inform the Deputy that in addition to this forthcoming recruitment, almost 500 recruits completed or began training last year.
362. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who have successfully completed the competency-based driving level 3 course by rank in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5298/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra|
Year |
Garda |
Sergeant |
|
2021 |
28 |
2 |
|
2022 |
27 |
5 |
|
2023 (as of 27/02/2023) |
7 |
1 |
I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy again once the information is to hand.
363. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice if Ireland’s inward migration policy is reviewed and updated as necessary to take account of new developments; the issues he believes should be considered as part of these reviews and updates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5321/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPolicies under the responsibility of my Department in relation to immigration matters are kept under ongoing review and are informed by the need facilitate economic and social development, to fulfil our international obligations, and to take account of changing international geopolitical developments.
I understand that the Deputy's query also encompasses developments in relation to the Pact on Migration and Asylum, International Protection and Ukraine.
In relation to the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the Pact was published on 23 September 2020 and consists of a Communication put forward by the Commission and five new legislative proposals to replace or complement a number of proposals dating from 2016 (but not adopted) for a new Common European Asylum System.
The Pact sets out the Commission’s comprehensive new approach to migration bringing together policy in the areas of migration, asylum, integration and border management recognising that the overall effectiveness depends on progress on all fronts. This common response also incorporates the EU’s partnerships with third countries to address the root causes of irregular migration, combat migrant smuggling, assist refugees residing in third countries and to support an effective returns policy and well-managed legal migration.
Ireland is not automatically bound by the proposals which are receiving careful consideration as to their implications for Ireland in the event of a decision to opt in.
In relation to International Protection my Department continues to take all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of the immigration system is maintained at all times.
Over the last number of months, the International Protection Office has implemented a number of measures to improve efficiencies and throughput, in tandem with reforms to the application, interview and decision making process, and these are having a significant impact upon processing times.
The new accelerated procedures for international protection applicants from safe countries of origin introduced in November 2022 is intended to significantly reduce processing time. As it has only been recently introduced, the IPO are monitoring implementation and the impact on processing times.
The Government has also committed additional funding of nearly €18 million in 2023 that will also go towards increasing efficiency in processing applications, including by increasing staff numbers at the International Protection Office.
In relation to temporary protection offered to those arriving from Ukraine, Ireland has acted swiftly and compassionately to demonstrate our support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people and my Department continues to work closely with colleagues across Government to ensure a coordinated national response. To the end of January some 72,976 people have been granted temporary protection in Ireland.
The Government remains committed to supporting the people and Government of Ukraine and will continue to work with our EU counterparts in relation to the implementation of the EU Council decision activating the Temporary Protection Directive, and on any further EU-wide measures in this regard.
364. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if he has taken note of a statement (details supplied) issued in the past number of days by the UK secretary of state for justice; if he will consider introducing such a policy in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5343/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service is currently finalising an updated policy in relation to the management of transgender prisoners. As part of that process the Irish Prison Service is considering all relevant information and learning arising from the experience in other jurisdictions.
As background for the Deputy, Prison Rules, 2007 (S.I. No. 252/2007) set out the minimum rules and regulations on all aspects of life in prisons in Ireland, including admission, accommodation, visiting rights, health, discipline, education, and so forth. Much of the daily operation of prisons is guided by the Prison Rules.
The Prison Service is responsible for the safe and secure custody of all persons held in prison.
Where a court makes an order committing a person to a prison, the Prison Service must accept that person into custody in whichever prison is specified by the court. While all prisoners committed are accommodated in accordance with their legal gender, it should be noted that Irish prisons are not legally defined as 'male' or 'female' prisons.
On arrival in prison, the Prison Governor will consider all aspects of the health and well-being of the person arriving, and of the whole prison population.
The Governor may make a recommendation on the appropriate placement within the prison system for the person concerned, taking into consideration good order, security and operational issues, protection issues, available accommodation and the healthcare needs and human rights of the prisoner, as well as the safety and security of the prison population more generally.
I can assure the Deputy that all decisions taken in relation to the management of our prisons by the Irish Prison Service are guided by the need to ensure the safety and security of prisoners and staff.
365. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners sleeping on mattresses on the floor each night, by prison location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5419/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra366. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the steps he is taking to tackle overcrowding in Irish prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5420/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 366 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Prison Service must accept all prisoners committed by the Courts. As such the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time, and the prison system is, of course, subject to peaks and troughs.
As the Deputy will also be aware the Government has provided significant capital funding to the Irish Prison Service in order to enhance the existing prison infrastructure. The commissioning of a new male and female prison accommodation in Limerick Prison will provide an additional 90 male spaces and 22 additional female cell spaces. This new male accommodation is now partially open and the female accommodation is expected to become operational in the first quarter of 2023.
The Programme for Government 2020 contains a broad range of policies and proposals that represent 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. In respect of delivering on this commitment, the Government recently approved the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024.
This review seeks to find the balance between ensuring that people who commit serious crimes receive a punishment and a period of incarceration proportionate to that crime, while at the same time acknowledging that sometimes community based sanctions are more appropriate in diverting offenders away from future criminal activity.
In addition to delivering the recommendations of the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform, the need to ensure the continued availability of modern prison facilities with adequate capacity will continue to be central to the work of the Irish Prison Service and will be core to the development of the new Irish Prison Service Capital Plan.
The Deputy may wish to know that the figures for persons in custody are published each day on the IPS website. I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that on 31 January 2023, there were 101 prisoners sleeping on mattresses across the Irish Prison Service estate.
|
Prison |
Number on Mattresses |
|
Arbour Hill |
0 |
|
Castlerea |
22 |
|
Cloverhill |
19 |
|
Cork |
0 |
|
Dochas Centre |
0 |
|
Limerick Female |
11 |
|
Limerick Male |
15 |
|
Midlands |
0 |
|
Mountjoy |
34 |
|
Portlaoise |
0 |
|
Wheatfield |
0 |
|
Total |
101 |
367. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice the person or body that oversees Coroner’s Court recommendations and ensures that they are meaningfully applied to practice, particularly in acute health settings, that is, if the Coroner’s Court track the implementation or non-implementation of a recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5430/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Coroner Service comprises of a network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. Coroners are independent quasi-judicial office holders whose function under the Coroners Acts 1962-2020 is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can issue.
Depending upon the circumstances of an individual case, a death investigation may involve the taking of witness statements, the obtaining of medical information, the carrying out of a post mortem examination and/or the holding of an inquest. On occasion, the coroner may attach recommendations to a verdict. These recommendations are normally of a general character and may be designed to help prevent further deaths. This is an independent function of the coroner in which my Department does not have a role.
368. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the average number of proceedings in each of the years since 2018, by court (details supplied), in tabular form; the steps being taken to ensure that right of citizens to a trial and due course of law in a reasonable timeframe are upheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5529/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraManagement of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
Figures of this nature are recorded by the Courts Service. Therefore, I have referred your question to the Courts Service for their direct reply.
369. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in each of the years since 2018, by division, in tabular form. [5530/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that the table attached to this answer lays out the number of Garda members by Division for each year since 2018, and each month of 2022, up to 31 December, the latest date for which figures are available.
I can also inform the Deputy that detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers are published on my Department's website. These statistics include breakdowns of Garda members by Division, District and Station, as well as overall Garda strength.
This information can be accessed using the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/66833-garda-workforce/
|
Gardaí by Division 2018 to 31 December 2022 |
||||||||||||||||
|
DIVISION |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Jan 2022 |
Feb 2022 |
March 2022 |
April 2022 |
May 2022 |
June 2022 |
July 2022 |
Aug 2022 |
Sept 2022 |
Oct 2022 |
Nov 2022 |
Dec 2022 |
|
D.M.R. EAST |
381 |
373 |
382 |
368 |
372 |
371 |
375 |
371 |
376 |
370 |
375 |
373 |
374 |
371 |
367 |
367 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH |
715 |
753 |
798 |
778 |
798 |
794 |
802 |
791 |
793 |
786 |
792 |
788 |
780 |
778 |
769 |
767 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL |
665 |
689 |
680 |
660 |
671 |
666 |
668 |
663 |
663 |
658 |
659 |
657 |
655 |
647 |
641 |
639 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH |
551 |
579 |
586 |
572 |
579 |
574 |
570 |
563 |
566 |
562 |
564 |
558 |
558 |
554 |
552 |
549 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL |
648 |
765 |
731 |
710 |
712 |
709 |
711 |
701 |
699 |
694 |
695 |
689 |
692 |
687 |
684 |
680 |
|
D.M.R. WEST |
709 |
751 |
767 |
738 |
753 |
751 |
756 |
742 |
751 |
748 |
747 |
744 |
739 |
735 |
722 |
721 |
|
CARLOW / KILDARE |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
KILDARE |
380 |
397 |
420 |
422 |
432 |
431 |
435 |
435 |
439 |
439 |
441 |
441 |
441 |
438 |
437 |
437 |
|
LAOIS / OFFALY |
365 |
373 |
383 |
375 |
380 |
380 |
384 |
383 |
386 |
385 |
387 |
384 |
380 |
380 |
379 |
378 |
|
LOUTH / MEATH |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
MEATH |
318 |
319 |
335 |
320 |
326 |
324 |
329 |
330 |
331 |
331 |
332 |
330 |
331 |
323 |
319 |
316 |
|
LONGFORD / WESTMEATH |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
WESTMEATH |
274 |
277 |
273 |
261 |
261 |
262 |
259 |
258 |
256 |
255 |
255 |
254 |
252 |
251 |
251 |
254 |
|
WEXFORD / WICKLOW |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
WICKLOW |
310 |
308 |
312 |
306 |
308 |
308 |
312 |
310 |
311 |
310 |
310 |
310 |
310 |
310 |
310 |
308 |
|
CAVAN / MONAGHAN |
346 |
388 |
385 |
381 |
381 |
382 |
386 |
385 |
385 |
386 |
388 |
385 |
381 |
379 |
377 |
377 |
|
DONEGAL |
404 |
460 |
462 |
450 |
451 |
449 |
448 |
446 |
444 |
446 |
447 |
448 |
447 |
443 |
441 |
439 |
|
LOUTH |
348 |
369 |
393 |
392 |
398 |
395 |
397 |
395 |
398 |
401 |
404 |
404 |
408 |
407 |
406 |
403 |
|
SLIGO / LEITRIM |
297 |
303 |
310 |
292 |
292 |
292 |
292 |
292 |
295 |
296 |
295 |
295 |
295 |
295 |
295 |
292 |
|
WATERFORD / KILKENNY |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
339 |
334 |
340 |
334 |
335 |
334 |
339 |
336 |
336 |
336 |
333 |
333 |
333 |
330 |
326 |
325 |
|
TIPPERARY |
387 |
380 |
411 |
398 |
405 |
406 |
404 |
403 |
401 |
400 |
399 |
399 |
400 |
396 |
394 |
391 |
|
WATERFORD |
348 |
354 |
377 |
372 |
381 |
378 |
381 |
380 |
383 |
383 |
384 |
381 |
382 |
382 |
379 |
379 |
|
WEXFORD |
308 |
320 |
335 |
333 |
332 |
334 |
333 |
332 |
336 |
337 |
341 |
340 |
340 |
340 |
340 |
342 |
|
CORK CITY |
721 |
730 |
723 |
730 |
734 |
733 |
728 |
727 |
724 |
719 |
720 |
716 |
712 |
711 |
711 |
709 |
|
CORK NORTH |
330 |
335 |
351 |
330 |
337 |
332 |
331 |
331 |
337 |
337 |
341 |
340 |
337 |
337 |
335 |
333 |
|
CORK WEST |
303 |
302 |
308 |
297 |
297 |
301 |
297 |
295 |
294 |
293 |
294 |
292 |
294 |
291 |
290 |
289 |
|
KERRY |
335 |
344 |
351 |
351 |
351 |
351 |
352 |
352 |
352 |
352 |
349 |
349 |
349 |
347 |
346 |
345 |
|
LIMERICK |
607 |
612 |
601 |
593 |
596 |
596 |
596 |
596 |
601 |
603 |
603 |
600 |
600 |
599 |
595 |
594 |
|
CLARE |
318 |
309 |
314 |
313 |
314 |
314 |
314 |
312 |
313 |
312 |
311 |
312 |
310 |
310 |
309 |
306 |
|
GALWAY WEST |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
GALWAY |
614 |
621 |
623 |
606 |
607 |
612 |
614 |
613 |
616 |
615 |
618 |
618 |
619 |
620 |
620 |
618 |
|
MAYO/ROSCOMMON/LONGFORD |
618 |
617 |
618 |
616 |
||||||||||||
|
MAYO |
339 |
339 |
343 |
330 |
331 |
328 |
325 |
324 |
322 |
321 |
319 |
321 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
ROSCOMMON / GALWAY EAST |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
ROSCOMMON / LONGFORD |
318 |
312 |
315 |
298 |
298 |
297 |
298 |
298 |
297 |
299 |
300 |
298 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
*The above information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.
Please note:
- A moratorium on Garda recruitment was imposed in 2010 and lifted in 2014.
- The distribution of Gardaí is an operational matter determined by An Garda Síochána based on a range of factors including population, crime trends etc.
- Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review.
- The work of local Gardaí is also supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Units, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau etc.
