Patrick Costello
Ceist:501. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an update on the work of the Cherry Orchard Implementation Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9828/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Development Projects
Ceisteanna (501)
Freagraí scríofa
Last November, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne announced the establishment of a new group to implement and co-ordinate supports for the Cherry Orchard community.
Brendan Foster, a partner in Grant Thornton, former chair of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and the current chair of the Cherry Orchard Development Group, is to head up the new Cherry Orchard Implementation Board.
The model followed by the new Cherry Orchard Implementation Board (COIB) will be similar to the Drogheda Implementation Board, where an independent chair is working with government departments and agencies to progress projects and initiatives to improve safety and well-being. The Cherry Orchard Implementation Board will also be supported by a full time staff member, as is the case in Drogheda.
Mr Foster, supported by Dublin City Council and the Department of Justice, has been consulting locally to identify members and supports needed for COIB. There have also been very useful discussions with the Drogheda Implementation Board to utilise their experience and adapt it to Cherry Orchard.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (502)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:502. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí by rank in each Garda station in the Dublin south west regional division as of 1 February 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9829/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am however assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review. I am advised that this is considered in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure the optimum use of these resources.
I can also assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of €2.14 billion.
Since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014 a total of 4,029 Garda members have attested, this includes the 369 Probationers who attested in 2022 and the 24 Probationers who attested on the 13 January 2023.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that at end January 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 14,125 Garda members nationwide. This represents an increase of over 10% since end December 2015 when there were 12,816 Garda members nationwide.
I am further informed that the attached spreadsheet sets out the number of Garda members assigned to all the Divisions within in the DMR by District and station at 31 January 2023.
Please note that this information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.
For the Deputy's information, detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers are published on gov.ie and are updated regularly by my Department from information provided by An Garda Síochána. The statistics can be accessed using the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (503)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:503. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an update on the work of the Garda Operation Préachán; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9830/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51:
As you will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no direct role in these independent functions. The Garda authorities have advised that Operation Préachán was initiated in August 2022 to provide a proactive policing response to disrupt, detect and prevent criminal activities in the Cherry Orchard area of Ballyfermot, with a focus on unauthorised taking of vehicles, criminal damage, dangerous driving and public disorder.
I am informed that Operation Préachán has allocated the following resources to the Clondalkin District which encompasses Ballyfermot, Clondalkin and Rathcoole:
• Daily deployment of mountain bike/beat patrols.
• Daily deployment of mobile car and van patrols.
• Daily deployment of plain clothes patrols.
• Daily allocation of trained Public Order Unit personnel to support local resources as required.
These resources operate to a defined schedule of proactive patrols, checkpoints and identified tasks including the execution of bench warrants.
I am advised that the Garda National Public Order Unit is available every weekend or more frequently if required, for deployment to any area in the city where a requirement is identified based on assessment of risk.
I am further advised that in order to reassure the local community in Ballyfermot, and in the wider DMR, Garda press releases are issued on a frequent basis highlighting the actions taken by members of the Garda Síochána and positive community engagement initiatives. I am informed that engagement is continuing with the Local Authority, Community groups and Youth Diversion Projects such as Crosscare and Foróige.
I am informed that Operation Préachán addresses prolific youth offenders through intensive monitoring of bail/curfew and case management of multiple individuals before the courts. The operation includes continued engagement with stakeholders and services including Dublin City Council, the Heath Service Executive, TUSLA, the Probation Service, and Local Community initiatives including Youth Justice initiatives with the overall aim to achieve sustainable Community Safety in the area.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the operational activity that has been undertaken in the Clondalkin District (which encompasses Ballyfermot, Clondalkin and Rathcoole) from 1 August 2022 up to 24 February 2023.
|
Arrests |
760 |
|
Charges preferred |
1,407 |
|
Summons issued |
2,730 |
|
JLO/Adult caution |
227 |
Freagraí scríofa
I have requested an update on the work of Operation Préachán from the Garda authorities and I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
Departmental Bodies
Ceisteanna (504)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:504. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an update on the work of the Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9832/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The impact of anti-social behaviour is well recognised and is highlighted in the ongoing work of the Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) which I am pleased to chair. The Forum is examining a broad range of issues, with a focus on developing measures which will address the factors which give rise to ASB and its impact on community morale and quality of life.
The Forum meets regularly, with the most recent meeting scheduled for 28 February.
Members of the Forum are drawn from a number of State agencies, including An Garda Síochána, the Probation Service and key Government Departments, as well as a broad representation of community, business, academic and other experts.
As Chair of the Forum, I have convened three subgroups established to consider the specific issues of knife crime, the misuse of scramblers and quadbikes, and responses to Anti-Social Behaviour impacts on housing complexes managed by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
The work of the scrambler sub-group laid the foundation for a new initiative to support local projects to encourage young people in the legal use of motorbikes and, so far, €200,000 has been allocated to assist approved projects.
The knife crime sub-group has examined existing data and possible approaches to community responses, as well as the legislative position. I have been briefed on the work of the sub-group and the question of what further measures might be progressed is subject to consultation with relevant stakeholders.
The AHB subgroup has met twice to date and will complete its work within a few months.
Crime Prevention
Ceisteanna (505)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:505. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which he and his colleagues at international level remain focused on the need to ensure the cut-off of the illegal supply of drugs, particularly heroin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9845/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tackling drug dealing and associated criminal activity, including by organised crime groups and by members of the public who, through their drug taking fuel this illegal and very harmful trade, is a top priority for An Garda Síochána and the Government. The Government is committed to taking a number of direct actions to tackle this, including by:
• Increasing the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life in prison to tackle those who direct gangland and drug related crime;
• Introducing new legislation which will criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime;
• Supporting the roll-out of Greentown, a pilot programme which is seeking to break the link between the gangs and the children they try to recruit.
An Garda Síochána continues to target those involved in the sale and supply of illegal drugs through Operation Tara, which has a strong focus on tackling street-level dealing across the country. Operation Tara also focuses on disrupting and dismantling the drug trafficking networks that impact on our communities and prosecuting those involved, at every level. As part of Operation Tara, Gardaí from the Tallaght Drugs Unit seized suspected heroin with an estimated value of €136,654 in October 2022.
The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) has had significant, sustained success in disrupting the supply of illicit drugs by organised crime groups with over €235 million worth of drugs seized in the period 2016 – 2021, as well as several substantial seizures in recent weeks.
Cooperation with international law enforcement agencies remains a key element of the Garda response in view of the global nature of the drugs trade, with Gardaí working closely with relevant law enforcement agencies such as INTERPOL and Europol to target drug trafficking.
More broadly, the Government’s strategic approach to the misuse of drugs is health-led, under the National Drugs and Alcohol Strategy 2017-2025, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, with the intention being to reduce demand, while balancing this with limiting access to illegal drugs to the greatest extent possible. Gardaí are in ongoing collaboration with local authorities, the HSE, NGOs, community groups and other state agencies to tackle the problems of drug addiction and abuse.
Drug Dealing
Ceisteanna (506)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:506. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of drug-dealing convictions under mandatory minimum sentencing provisions for possession of drugs over a value of €13,000 in counties Limerick, Clare and Tipperary for the years 2018 to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9846/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the management 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.
To be of assistance I have referred the Deputy's question to the Courts Service for direct reply.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (507)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:507. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí employed in each of the divisional drugs units respectively in each of the years 2015 to date in 2023, in tabular form. [9847/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am however assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review. I am advised that this is considered in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure the optimum use of these resources.
I can also assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of €2.14 billion.
The table below which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities sets out the total number of Garda members assigned to each Divisional Drugs unit at end December 2015 up to end December 2022 and at 31 January 2023, the latest date for which figures are available.
Gardaí in divisional drug units
Please note that this information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.
For the Deputy's information, detailed statistics on Garda workforce numbers are published on gov.ie and are regularly updated by my Department, from information supplied by An Garda Síochána. These statistics can be accessed using the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (508)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:508. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of seizures of crack cocaine and estimated value of same by the Limerick divisional drugs unit in 2021 and 2023, in tabular form. [9848/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that tackling drug dealing and associated criminal activity is a top priority for An Garda Síochána and the Government. 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.
I am advised by Garda authorities that reporting in relation to seizures and estimated values of specific drug types is, following analysis by Forensic Science Ireland, only available at national level via the An Garda Síochána annual report.
The latest annual report published relates to 2021 (page 94) while the 2022 report is yet to be published.
For the Deputy's convenience the annual report can be accessed from the link below: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/annual%20reports/an-garda-siochana-annual-reports/.
Immigration Policy
Ceisteanna (509, 510, 511)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:509. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an outline in respect of the IIP scheme of the due diligence that the independent Evaluation Committee conducted on applicants. [9863/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Murphy
Ceist:510. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if he will confirm whether he was directed by either the EU Commission, Council of Europe and or OECD to close the IIP scheme on border security, money laundering, tax evasion and or circumvention of EU law. [9864/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Murphy
Ceist:511. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if the independent Evaluation Committee and or the Department of Finance and or the Revenue Commissioners and or Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage drew his attention to broader public policy concern in respect of the IIP scheme. [9865/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 509 to 511, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy is aware, I obtained approval from the Government to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023.
The Immigrant Investor Programme was established over a decade ago during a time of unprecedented economic difficulty to stimulate investment in Ireland that would be of strategic and public benefit to the State. Since its inception, the Programme has brought significant investment to Ireland and has been operated by the Department of Justice to the highest professional standards.
However, it is important that we keep all programmes under review and having taking into account both internal and external reviews including implications for wider public policy, such as the continuing appropriateness and suitability of this programme for cultural, social and economic use, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme.
A number of reports and findings from international bodies such as the EU Commission, Council of Europe and OECD on similar investment schemes were taken on board.
All project applications submitted under the IIP are assessed by an Evaluation Committee, composed of senior civil and public servants from relevant Irish Government Departments and Agencies involved in enterprise development in the State. This structure ensures that the Programme benefits from expertise beyond that available in my Department.
The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the proposed project and individual’s investor application will be submitted to the Minister for final approval.
Given the significant immigration benefits accruing to successful applicants under the programme, all such persons are subject to rigorous screening by the IIP Unit as to their suitability during the application process. This screening includes due diligence and sanction checks in respect of applicants, and reputable international databases are accessed for this purpose, as and when required, to ensure that only reputable individuals are eligible for permission. These rigorous checks are aimed at protecting the integrity of the programme and the State’s interests.
The closure of the Programme will not affect existing projects or individuals already approved under the programme. My Department will continue to monitor existing approved projects in relation to the delivery and for compliance with the terms of the Programme. Current applications on hand at the time of closure will continue to be considered.
The IIP Unit has published a FAQ on my Department's website, which will be updated with any further arising questions from the closure, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/
Question No. 510 answered with Question No. 509.
Question No. 511 answered with Question No. 509.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (512)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:512. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide a schedule of social media influencers and online personalities, television and or radio personalities engaged by his Department and bodies under his aegis in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; if he will include the fees expended, name of personality and campaign they were engaged on; and if he will also provide the key performance indicators in respect of their engagement [9903/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department did not engage any social media influencers, online personalities, television or radio personalities in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023.
I have sought the information from the agencies under the remit of my Department, however it has not been possible to collate complete information in the time allowed and I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (513)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:513. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Justice if he has any immediate plans to engage with the trade unions and staff associations concerned with changes to the Civil Service status of Garda staff proposed in the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9955/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill was formally published in January of 2023 and is based on the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI) report.
As the Deputy may be aware, the report of the Commission recommended that Garda staff be recruited directly to An Garda Síochána, rather than the Civil Service. A central tenet of the recommendations was that An Garda Síochána should be seen and treated as a single organisation with a single workforce who share a common mission. It found that more integrated workforce structures were required to fully leverage the different skills and perspectives of Garda members and Garda staff and thereby contribute to enhancing the capacity of the organisation to deliver better policing outcomes for the public.
I acknowledge the concerns of current Garda staff regarding the proposals in this Bill. These concerns were also outlined to me in the Dáil last week by a number of Deputies during the second stage of the Bill. I want to reassure existing Garda staff that there will be no changes to their terms and conditions, including their status as civil servants of the Government, when the Bill is commenced.
It needs to be understood that any change can only take place on foot of further detailed engagement with the recognised trade unions concerned, Fórsa and AHCPS, through the normal industrial relations structures. I want to be clear in saying that my Department has already met with both Fórsa and AHCPS in relation to their members’ concerns, including prescheduled meetings held on 23 February 2023. I can confirm to the Deputy that these discussions will continue.
Crime Prevention
Ceisteanna (514)
Alan Dillon
Ceist:514. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice if his Department will consider supporting the purchase and delivery of a property marking machine in collaboration with An Garda Síochána to each local authority across the country, to help cut down on property theft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9989/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware property marking is a process where a physical mark is made on a piece of property (eg bike, laptop, plant machinery, etc.) which is etched into the property. It is very difficult to remove and can be repeated a number of times on the one item. The mark is made by a specially-designed machine which embosses the property item with small dots in the pattern of the owner’s Eircode.
I can inform the Deputy that my Department has provided grant funding to Property Marking Ireland (PMI), the trading name of Community Services Network (CSN). CSN is a not-for-profit organisation whose initial focus has been on the enhancement of security and the feelings of security in communities, households and businesses. The main focus of CSN is on its property marking service under the name PMI.
PMI approached my Department for funding in early 2022 with the purpose of the application being to expand the service from the then currently available 12 counties (with a further 6 in progress) to all 26 counties.
PMI has developed links with local authorities through the Joint Policing Committees, as well as community groups such as Men’s Sheds, the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch.
The Department agreed to provide grant funding of €300,000 to the scheme for a period of four years, after which it is envisaged the scheme will become self-financing.
PMI work with An Garda Síochána to raise awareness of the service, which is generally free of charge for household items, and An Garda Síochána organise events around the country to make it available to the community.
My Department has no direct role in these events or the availability of the property marking service and I would encourage anyone interested in the service to contact PMI directly. Further details are available at: propertymarking.ie/how-it-works/?et_open_tab=et_pb_tab_1#my-tabs|1
The Deputy may also be interested to note that An Garda Síochána launched a property recording app at the Ploughing Championships 2022.
This is a free app developed by An Garda Síochána to allow you to record and index your property.
It provides the facility to record the unique information associated with your property. Should any items be stolen, the app also provides a way of reporting this to An Garda Síochána and gives you the option to share information with Gardaí for this purpose.
Further information can be found at: garda.ie/en/angardasiochanaapp/.