Written Answers Nos. 223-231
223. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of penal warrants that are currently outstanding in the Garda J district within DMR as of 13 March 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14222/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 the execution of warrants. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
As the Deputy will appreciate, difficulties in relation to the execution of warrants are a long-standing issue for many police services around the world, notably relating to persons actively seeking to evade detection and where limited identification information might be available to support enforcement. These difficulties are compounded where the warrant has been outstanding for some years.
However, I am assured that An Garda Síochána execute warrants as expeditiously as possible, giving priority to the execution of warrants relating to serious crimes.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below shows counts of outstanding penal warrants in the J District (DMR) on 13 March 2023.
|
Division |
District |
Warrant Type |
Outstanding |
|
D.M.R. Northern |
Raheny |
Penal Warrant |
1,022 |
I am informed that the figures were collated on 22 March 2023 based on operational PULSE data and may be liable to change.
224. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of each category of car, van including motorcycle driving courses that were held in either the Garda Training College or in Garda Headquarters in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; the number of gardaí per course; the duration of each course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14223/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including training and HR matters. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am informed that the tables in the attached document, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the information requested by the Deputy.
|
Driving Courses - 2022 |
||
|
Garda College |
||
|
Course |
No. Participants |
Duration Days |
|
4 x 4 |
* |
4 |
|
CBD1 |
156 |
1 |
|
CBD2 |
361 |
10 |
|
CBD3 |
32 |
15 |
|
HGV CAT C1 |
* |
5 |
|
HGV Cat C |
* |
0 |
|
Van/Personnel Carrier |
* |
4 |
|
Trailer Towing |
* |
4 |
|
Motorcycle Familiarisation 1200 cc |
* |
1 |
|
1 Day Van Familiarisation |
56 |
1 |
|
Command Vehicle |
* |
0 |
|
Automatic Familiarisation |
* |
0 |
|
Category D Bus |
* |
0 |
|
Garda HQ |
||
|
Course |
No. Participants |
Duration Days |
|
4 x 4 |
37 |
4 |
|
CBD1 |
183 |
1 |
|
CBD2 |
146 |
10 |
|
CBD3 |
* |
0 |
|
HGV CAT C1 |
* |
5 |
|
HGV Cat C |
* |
10 |
|
Van/Personnel Carrier |
31 |
4 |
|
Trailer Towing |
17 |
4 |
|
Motorcycle Familiarisation 1200 cc |
* |
0 |
|
1 Day Van Familiarisation |
19 |
1 |
|
Command Vehicle |
14 |
4 |
|
Automatic Familiarisation |
* |
1 |
|
Category D Bus |
* |
10 |
|
Driving Courses - January 2023 |
Garda College |
|
|
Course |
No. Participants |
Duration Days |
|
CBD1 |
47 |
1 |
|
CBD2 |
55 |
10 |
|
CBD3 |
* |
15 |
*denotes less than 10
|
Garda HQ |
||
|
Course |
No. Participants |
Duration Days |
|
CBD1 |
172 |
1 |
225. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of attempted murder incidents reported to gardaí in the R district within DMR in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14224/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics. The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases under reservation in relation to various crime statistics. The CSO also continues to work with An Garda Síochána to address quality issues in the underlying sources used to compile the statistics.
The information sought by the Deputy can be found on the CSO website at the following link: at data.cso.ie/.
However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, the below table extracted from the CSO website outlines the number of incidents recorded for Murder attempts in the DMR Northern Division which comprises of H, R, J and Y Districts. Figures for Q4 2022 are due to be published by the CSO in the coming weeks and I look forward to reviewing these figures once available.
|
D.M.R. Northern Garda Division |
2021Q1 |
2021Q2 |
2021Q3 |
2021Q4 |
2022Q1 |
2022Q2 |
2022Q3 |
|
Murder-attempt |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
226. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if funding has been secured for the issuing of new mobile fingerprint devices to frontline gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14225/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all operational policing decisions regarding Garda ICT infrastructure. The Commissioner is also the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote under the provisions of the Act and is responsible for the economy and the efficiency of the Garda Síochána in using its resources. As Minister I have no role in these independent functions.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that, at present, it is not possible to add mobile fingerprint identification devices to the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).
I am also advised that a program of work is currently underway to upgrade AFIS in order to provide a supported platform for the next number of years. This upgrade of AFIS, which the Garda authorities expect to be completed in Q2 2023, will support the addition of mobile fingerprint identification devices.
I can assure the Deputy that this Government will continue to support An Garda Síochána and ensure that they have the necessary resources to carry out their duties. This is evident in the unprecedented allocation of €2.14 billion provided to An Garda Síochána in Budget 2023. This includes the provision for an extra €11 million for new Garda mobile devices, apps and specialist equipment. Additionally, there was an extra €21 million for ICT capital in 2023.
227. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 495 of 28 February 2023, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to answer this question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14226/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that Parliamentary Question No. 495 of 28 February 2023 refers to the number of competitions held in 2022 and to date in 2023 for Garda members to join community policing units throughout the Dublin metropolitan region; and the Garda districts within the DMR that received additional Gardaí to be deployed to community policing units arising from these competitions.
As the Deputy is aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. The Commissioner is also responsible for the distribution and stationing of Gardaí throughout the State. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
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.
The Community Policing Framework Guidelines provide An Garda Síochána with key principles that must be adhered to in order to deliver an effective community policing service, responsive to the needs of a modern and diverse community. Divisional senior management use these guidelines when implementing the structures of the Framework within their respective Divisions.
I understand that the staffing of Community Policing Units is at the discretion of local Divisional Officers, who may run competitions to appoint suitable members of An Garda Síochána to Community Policing units locally. I am advised that due to the manner in which these competitions are recorded it is not possible to provide the figures as requested.
228. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 493 of 28 February 2023, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to answer this question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14227/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that Parliamentary Question No. 493 of 28 February 2023 refers to the number of Gardaí seconded outside of the State, by location; and the number of police officers from other jurisdictions seconded here.
As the Deputy is aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no direct role in internal Garda HR matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the number of Garda members who are on secondment outside the State as of 28 February 2023, the latest date for which figures are available. Please note that this information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be subject to change.
|
Organisation |
Number of Gardaí at 28/02/2023 |
|
United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) |
12 |
|
Europol (The Netherlands) |
2 |
|
Interpol (France) |
2 |
|
Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (MAOC)(N) (Portugal) |
1 |
|
P.S.N.I. |
3 |
|
Total |
20 |
I am further advised that as of the same date there were no police officers from other jurisdictions seconded here.
229. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that since 9 November 2022, Ireland has become the only country in Europe that requires a short-stay visa from Colombian citizens; the measures is he taking to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12747/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that the UK have recently lifted the visa requirement on Colombia for short stay visits and that this arrangement also applies in the Schengen area. The Deputy will also be aware that both the UK and Schengen States intend to introduce in the near future an Electronic Travel Authorisation System for certain non-visa required countries.
It is the case that Colombia remains on the list of visa required countries for Ireland. In support of visa processing in Colombia, Ireland has recently opened a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Bogota. My Department has also extended the multi-entry visa option for up to 5 years for all visa required countries, including Colombia. These measures should assist in timely processing of visa applications and a more flexible visa package for Colombian citizens visiting Ireland.
In general, the decision to impose a visa requirement is based on a variety of factors including the risk of irregular immigration, public policy and security, tourism and trade and the Common Travel Area. While there is no immediate proposal to lift the visa requirement on Colombia, this matter is being kept under active review.
230. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice the status on the appointment of a county registrar in County Mayo in view of the retirement of the outgoing registrar in March 2022. [14285/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. However, I wish to assure the Deputy that any County Registrar vacancy which has arisen in recent years has been filled.
The post of County Registrar is a statutory officer appointed by the Government, with a number of different roles, including under-sheriff and returning officer functions. When such posts become vacant, arrangements are made with the Courts Service and the Public Appointments Service to run an open recruitment competition to identify suitable persons for recommendation to Government for appointment.
Having enquired into the matter, I can confirm that a competition has been run through the Public Appointments Service to fill the vacancy referred to by the Deputy. This competition is now complete and the usual clearance procedures are ongoing.
231. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice if she will outline the reason appeals against decisions not to grant join family or join spouse visas are now taking a year when appellants were advised in January 2023 they would take eight weeks; if she will outline the reason an appeal from (details supplied) will take 12 months to decide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14336/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office in Ankara on the 27 October 2022. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicant at that time. An appeal of this decision was received in the Ankara Visa Office on the 27 December 2022.
All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on our website. Applicants that follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision at first instance. It should be noted that visa appeals are dealt with in strict chronological order.
The Ankara Visa Office has seen a significant increase in visa applications received in comparison with the same period in 2019 (before COVID-19 related travel restrictions). In addition to this increase in applications, the Ankara Visa Office has received an extremely high number of incomplete applications, which is also adding to the longer processing times, given the resources that are required to examine these applications.
The processing time at each Visa Office and location worldwide is determined by a number of factors, such as: the volume and complexity of applications, whether investigation is required or not, individual circumstances, peak application periods, seasonal factors, and the resources available. While every effort is made to process applications as quickly as possible, processing times inevitably vary as a result.
An error in some refusal letters issued by the Ankara Visa Office incorrectly referenced an 8 week time for appeal, this error has been corrected. The website for the Ankara Visa Office states that appeals may take up to 12 months. This information is available at the following link:
www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/turkey/visas/visas-for-ireland-weekly-decisions-report/.
A decision will be issued to the applicant as soon as full consideration has been given by a Visa Appeals Officer.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie) which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process.
