Written Answers Nos. 953-972
953. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she will ascertain the reason, if any, for the delay of an inquest (details supplied); when progress will be achieved and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12920/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to express my condolences to the family concerned on their loss, and I am sorry to hear of the challenging circumstances described and the distress it has caused.
The coroners service comprises the network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. All coronial districts, with the exception of Dublin, are the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority. Coroners are independent office holders whose core function is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can be issued. Neither I, as Minister, nor my Department has any function in the conduct by a Coroner of their statutory function.I recognise the significance and sensitivity of the inquest process for loved ones of the bereaved, and that delays in holding inquests can cause distress for families of the deceased.
A decision to direct a post mortem examination and / or hold an Inquest in to the death of a person, in any particular set of circumstances, rests with the individual coroner.
My Department has direct responsibility for providing financial and administrative support (including staff) to the Dublin District Coroner’s Office (DDCO) since 1st January 2018. Last year, I significantly increased the administrative supports to the DDCO, and officials in my Department are continuing to work closely with colleagues in the Public Appointments Service to secure additional staff in the DDCO, particularly at the Court Registrar grade.
I understand that delays in concluding Coroners death investigations are very upsetting for bereaved families, and my officials will continue to focus on putting the necessary resources in place with a view to improving the service provided to the public.
As the Deputy may be aware, on 20 October 2023, I launched a wide-ranging consultation to inform the development of proposals for comprehensive reform of the Coroner Service in Ireland, which closed on 19 January 2024.
The consultation provided an opportunity for members of the public, stakeholder groups and members of the Oireachtas to express their views, express observations and provide proposals on how the Coroner Service might be enhanced into the future. One Strand of the Consultation focused on the delivery of the pathology service for Coroner directed Post Mortem Examinations. There was a very high level of public engagement in the consultation process with approximately 250 submissions received across both surveys. Departmental officials are currently analysing the information gathered during the consultation process with a view to publishing a report in due course. Further information on the public consultation is available on the Department’s website.
954. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 478 of 5 March 2024, with the addition of another member of An Garda Síochána since mid-January 2024 to the GNIB office in Limerick, what target has been set for the reduction of wait times for those waiting to receive an appointment for a stamp 2 visa; the current wait time in weeks; the target wait time in weeks by 1 April, by 1 May and by 1 June 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12922/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for non-EU/EEA nationals residing in the Dublin area only, including the online renewal system.
An Garda Síochána has oversight of the first registration and renewal of immigration residence permissions for non-EU/EEA nationals residing outside of the Dublin area. I have no role in regard to the scheduling of these appointments.
I have been advised by an Garda Síochána that every effort is being made to reduce the waiting time at the Garda National Immigration Bureau office in Limerick. Approximately 210 applications are processed weekly.
While it is acknowledged that there is a delay in scheduling appointments, the Office continues to work to reduce this. The additional Garda member assigned on a full-time basis has increased the staffing level which will have a consequential knock on effect of reducing waiting times. The office has also opened an additional desk for registrations which will assist in reducing waiting times.
The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (COFPI) recommended that immigration administrative functions should transfer from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) to the Department of Justice. My Department and An Garda Síochána have engaged intensively on the scope of immigration operations to transfer to the Department and a roadmap outlining the functions for transfer is being developed. This will set out the timeline for transfer of work relating to the nationwide registration and renewal (outside of Dublin) of residence permission and the renewal of such permission from An Garda Síochána to the Registration Office of my Department.
955. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she will support the need for an independent review of the treatment of whistleblowers within the Irish Prison Service (details supplied); if she will appoint this review; if not, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12929/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the entire purpose of the Protected Disclosures Act (the “Act”) 2014, as amended by the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022, is to afford important protections to persons making protected disclosures. The 2022 Act introduced important amendments to further strengthen the process. I can inform the Deputy that all concerns raised are assessed and investigation in accordance with the Act.The Irish Prison Service (IPS) has its own Protected Disclosure policy and procedures in place since 2018 which was updated in 2023 and details how protected disclosure reports and allegations of penalisation are managed.
In order to fully support the operation of the policy, the Irish Prison Service is also a member of the Integrity At Work (IAW) Programme, an initiative of Transparency International Ireland (TII).The Service has also:
• appointed a dedicated Protected Disclosure Manager for the Irish Prison Service and a dedicated confidential email address speakup@irishprisons.ie and Post Box number has been set up.
• committed to the IAW Programme Membership and the IAW Pledge with TII. Staff are made aware of the TII Speak Up Helpline 1800 844 866 for independent guidance on reporting a concern or making a protected disclosure. The Speak Up Safely Guide is also available for download from the staff intranet. Information about the IAW Programme is included as part of staff induction.
• ensured that staff (who have made or are considering making a disclosure) are supported with independent and confidential advice and psychological support via TIIs speak up helpline.
In 2023, the Irish Prison Service also launched an internal communications campaign “Speak up and Be Supported”, which signposts staff to the various policies and supports available to staff who wish to raise a concern whether this be a grievance, a dignity at work matter, a concern of fraud or corruption or a wrongdoing under the Protected Disclosures Act. Furthermore, the Prison Service has also provided training to managers across the service on Protected Disclosures and Dignity at Work policies and procedures and it is planned that further training and awareness will take place in 2024.
I can assure the Deputy, my Department and the Irish Prison Service, are committed to fostering a positive working environment where workers can safely speak up and report concerns of wrongdoing.
956. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice to provide details of categories (details supplied) in relation to the number of persons who have died in Garda custody, including but not limited to deaths in Garda stations, immigration detention centres and other spaces managed by An Garda Síochána between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2022, in tabular form. [12934/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra957. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice to provide details of categories (details supplied) of the number of persons who have died following contact with by An Garda Síochána between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2022, in tabular form. [12935/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 956 and 957 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is the independent statutory body established under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) to investigate complaints against members of An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no role in the investigative functions of GSOC.
Under subsection 102(1) of the Act, the Garda Commissioner shall refer to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission any matter that appears to the Garda Commissioner to indicate that the conduct of a member of An Garda Síochána may have resulted in the death of, or serious harm to, a person. Under subsection 102(2) of the Act, the Ombudsman Commission shall ensure that any matter referred to the Commission under subsection (1) is investigated.
It should be noted that An Garda Síochána must determine if the threshold has been reached to refer an incident to GSOC under Section 102. This determination is an operational matter for the Commissioner and neither I, as Minister, nor GSOC has any role in this independent decision making process.
I am informed that it has been the practice of GSOC in its annual reporting to provide overviews of the circumstances that led to any Section 102 referrals in a given reporting year, including the proportion of referrals that arose from deaths. However, until their 2021 Annual Report, a breakdown of the circumstances of those deaths had not, as a matter of course, been disaggregated in these annual reports.
The table below shows the figures for incidents that were referred to GSOC which resulted in death either in or after Garda custody (Section 102 referrals), and has been compiled using the published figures in GSOC's annual reports to date.
It should be noted that referrals to GSOC under section 102 may involve more than one fatality in an incident, for instance, in a road traffic collision that results in the death of two or more persons.
|
Year |
Fatal incidents involving referral under Section 102 |
|
2010 |
10 |
|
2011 |
23 |
|
2012 |
13 |
|
2013 |
8 |
|
2014 |
14 |
|
2015 |
15 |
|
2016 |
12 |
|
2017 |
7 |
|
2018 |
15 |
|
2019 |
16 |
|
2020 |
20 |
|
2021 |
34 |
|
2022 |
17 |
|
TOTAL |
204 |
As noted above, GSOC’s 2022 Annual Report provides a disaggregation of the kinds of circumstances that give rise to Section 102 referrals, including where this was the result of a death in custody. This breakdown is provided in the table below for reference.
|
Reason for s102 referral in 2022 |
No of s102 referrals |
|
Injury / Illness During Arrest / Pursuit / in Custody |
15 |
|
Injury / Illness Following Garda Contact |
2 |
|
Death in Custody |
3* |
|
Death (Other) |
2 |
|
Death Following Garda Contact |
4 |
|
Road Traffic Incidents (Non-Fatal) |
5 |
|
Death, Road Traffic Incidents (Pursuit) |
2 |
|
Death During Restraint / Arrest |
1 |
|
Death Following Release from Custody |
5 |
|
Injury Following Garda Contact - Off Duty Incident |
2 |
|
Totals |
41 |
*Deaths in Garda Custody includes persons who subsequently passed away in hospital.
958. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1088 of 17 January 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to have this PQ answered. [12965/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis government is committed to combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and to ensuring that An Garda Síochána is properly resourced to provide support to victims.
As the deputy is aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána.
An Garda Síochána have informed me of the following:
Domestic abuse investigations come within the remit of each Superintendent for Community Engagement (where the Operating Model is implemented) or District Officer in divisions yet to implement the Operating Model.
Domestic Abuse Coordinator Teams (DACT) in each Community engagement area/district in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) are responsible for examining all cases where there is a recidivist element of domestic abuse or where domestic abuse is indicated as a motivating factor in a recorded incident.
All cases are assessed, evaluated and if deemed prudent, case managers are appointed to maintain additional contact with the injured party (or parties). Advices are provided in respect of civil orders that are available, together with the details of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) operating within that area of concern that may be in a position to provide the victim with relevant support.
Each Detective Superintendent in the DMR convenes regular case conferences where DACT cases form the subject of discussion. The meetings provide an opportunity to establish what, if any, additional policing measures, supports and services are required to further support the victim(s). These case conferences are attended by DACT coordinators for each District and the local District Officer.
Cases are only closed on the direction of the District Officer. It should be noted that DACT is provided in addition to the routine supports provided to victims of crime. The role of a Domestic Abuse Coordinator includes (in no particular order) but is not limited to the following:
• Liaising with victims of domestic abuse identified as being at high risk of further domestic abuse;
• Liaising with suspect(s) of domestic abuse who have been identified as being at high risk of further offending, similar to case management of offenders;
• Liaising with local and national non-governmental agencies;
• Engaging with support services, refuges, Women’s Aid, Sonas, Saoirse etc;
• Liaising with Tusla, HSE, the Courts Service, the Probation Services and the Prison Service; and
• Attending relevant training seminars and presentations.
Domestic Abuse Co-ordination Teams operate across each of the six divisions in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. It should be noted that personnel trained to undertake DACT roles are not appointed or full time positions.
While there are a number of trained Domestic Abuse Coordinators in each division, the members comprise of both uniformed regular front line personnel and detective personnel who undertake other full time roles.
DACT co-ordinators are members that take on additional roles in support of victims and have demonstrated particular skills that provide additional support to victims of domestic abuse.
In 2023, DACT teams reviewed 15,472 incidents in the DMR that had a domestic violence motive recorded.
959. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 373 of 7 February 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to have this PQ answered. [12967/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to Parliamentary Question No. 373 of 7 February 2024 where the Deputy sought the amount spent by An Garda Síochána on hiring out an external jewellery valuation service in 2023 and to date in 2024.
As the Deputy will be 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, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters, nor can I direct the Commissioner with regard to them.
The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, shows the amount spent on hiring external jewellery valuation services to carry out work on its behalf in 2023 and to-date in 2024.
|
Total Sum 2023: |
Total Sum to date 2024: |
|
€552.94 |
Nil to date |
960. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice if she has received a report from the Policing Authority regarding the issuing of public order training and resources arising from November 23 riots in Dublin city centre. [12968/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rioting and violent disorder in Dublin on 23 November was disgraceful and I commend Garda members and all emergency services for their quick response that night.
The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities – and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that. Our record allocation of over €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána will allow for the recruitment of more Garda members and staff, which will strengthen all of our communities, including in Dublin.
As the Deputy will be aware, on 29 November last year I wrote to the chair of the Authority requesting that the Authority advise me as to what else might enhance policing performance and support the Gardaí in the exercise of their lawful powers in situations such as arose in Dublin on 23 November.
I am advised by the Policing Authority that it expects to deliver this report to me in June of this year.
961. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice for an update on the progression made in establishing a Garda station in Castletroy, Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12982/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including all decisions concerning the Garda Estate and provision of Garda stations in any area in the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions, and I cannot direct the Commissioner regarding any specific Garda station, or the establishment of any Garda station.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda Capital Investment Programme 2023 -2030 includes the provision of a new Garda Station in Castletroy, Co. Limerick. An Garda Síochána is preparing an initial Business Case for nine sites, including Castletroy, throughout the country, and the Office of Public Works has been engaging with them in this regard over the last number of months.
The OPW will seek a suitable site for a new Garda Station in the Castletroy area of Limerick when the Business Case process is complete and the requirements of An Garda Síochána in the area are confirmed.
962. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice if any specific measures are in place to protect the safety of vulnerable individuals currently being forced to live in tents outside the International Protection Office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12986/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the accommodation of International Protection applicants lies under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Any questions regarding these issues should be directed to his Department. As the Deputy will be aware, that Department has made available secure tented accommodation to persons who had otherwise been sleeping in tents in the area referred to.
As the Deputy will also be aware, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible for operational policing matters, including distribution of Garda members to any specific area.
While as Minister I have no direct role in these operational policing matters, I have been assured by the Garda Commissioner that An Garda Síochána takes its duty to protect all people in Ireland very seriously, including those seeking refuge in Ireland.
963. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the Garda Vetting Review Group's report, considering it has been almost three years since their first meeting and the urgent need for reform in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13063/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra964. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Justice to specify the quarter in which the Garda Vetting Review Group report's recommendations will be published; her plans for Garda vetting in light of the proposed statutory re-vetting regime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13064/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 963 and 964 together.
The primary purpose of vetting carried out by the National Vetting Bureau is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate the importance of this task and the need for it to be carried out thoroughly and correctly.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Vetting Review Group was established in April 2021 and meets regularly to discuss potential amendments to vetting legislation. This group includes members of the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) in An Garda Síochána, officials from my Department, from Tusla, and from other relevant stakeholders.The primary focus of the Group is strengthening the vetting legislation in an effective manner, including any changes that may be possible in relation to multi-purpose vetting or re-vetting.
I expect to receive the Group’s report on arrangements for Garda Vetting in the context of the introduction of a statutory re-vetting regime by the end of quarter two of this year.
965. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to significant delays to coroners' reports brought about by systematic failings; if she is concerned of the impact this has on grieving families; the steps her Department is taking to ensure that this improves; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13111/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoroners are independent office holders whose core function is to investigate sudden and unexplained deaths so that a death certificate can be issued.
I recognise the significance and sensitivity of the inquest process for loved ones of the bereaved, and that delays in holding inquests can cause distress for families of the deceased. A decision to direct a post mortem examination and / or hold an Inquest in to the death of a person, in any particular set of circumstances, rests with the individual coroner. My Department has no role in directing the work of Coroners during their death investigation function.
I am aware of the increasing challenges in securing histopathologists to carry out Coroner directed Post Mortem Examinations. My Department established a Standing Committee on the Provision of Coroner Directed Post-Mortems in 15 September 2022. The Committee is tasked with considering the core issues involved in the provision of a sustainable pathology service to Coroners. The Committee includes representatives from my Department, the Coroners Society, the Office of the State Pathologist, the HSE, and the Royal College of Physicians – Faculty of Pathology, the Department of Health, and the Local Authorities.
As the Deputy may be aware, on 20 October 2023, I launched a wide-ranging consultation to inform the development of proposals for comprehensive reform of the Coroner Service in Ireland, which closed on 19 January 2024.
The consultation provided an opportunity for members of the public, stakeholder groups and members of the Oireachtas to express their views, express observations and provide proposals on how the Coroner Service might be enhanced into the future. One Strand of the Consultation focused on the delivery of the pathology service for Coroner directed Post Mortem Examinations.
I am pleased to say that there was a very high level of public engagement in the consultation process with approximately 250 submissions received across both surveys. Departmental officials are currently analysing the information gathered during the consultation process with a view to publishing a report in due course. Further information on the public consultation is available on the Department’s website.
967. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Justice to provide details on all planned PPP projects and ongoing PPP contracts; the status of each project; the anticipated or known capital cost; the anticipated or known cost to the Exchequer over the lifetime of the contracts; the annual total payment of PPP unitary charges and the percentage share of the total capital budget for her Department and all public bodies under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13200/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) are generally considered to be projects whereby the asset is funded and constructed by a private sector partner appointed through a public procurement process, following which it is made available for public use and is paid for by the State and/or users over an extended period (typically 20-25 years), after which the asset comes into State ownership.
The cost of such projects is spread over the lifetime of the projects, by way of annual unitary payments. My Department complies with the Infrastructure Guidelines, the PPP Guidelines and public procurement rules in the implementation of all Justice PPPs.
The information requested by the Deputy as it pertains to my Department and the bodies under its aegis is pertinent to ongoing and planned projects of the Courts Service and is provided in the table below.
|
Court Service PPP Projects |
Project Status |
Operational From |
Year of Final Payment |
Contractual Capital Value (€000s) |
Cumulative Expenditure to 31 December 2022 (€000s) |
Expenditure in 2023 (€000s) |
Percentage Total Justice Vote Group Capital 2023 |
Commitments to be met in subsequent years (€000s) |
Anticipated Total Cost to the Exchequer (€000s) |
|
Criminal Courts Complex |
Active - 2007 |
2009 |
2035 |
132,400 |
299,993 |
22,470 |
7.20% |
281,107 |
603,570 |
|
PPP Courts Bundle of 7 Courthouses |
Active - 2015 |
2017 |
2042 |
159,800 |
100,622 |
14,744 |
4.70% |
296,123 |
411,489 |
|
Dublin Family Courts* |
Pre-Tender |
To be determined. |
*The Dublin Family Courts PPP project is currently at the pre-tender stage and will be the subject of a competitive procurement process to be undertaken on behalf of the Courts Service by the NDFA. The estimated value is therefore market sensitive and it would not be appropriate to disclose it.
** to be determined.
968. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice what steps she has taken to ensure that first-time non-violent offenders who have breached a piece of legislation (details supplied) will not be given custodial sentences; what alternative options are in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13312/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, members of the judiciary are independent in the matter of sentencing, as in other matters concerning the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the constitution and the law.In accordance with this principle, the court is required to impose a sentence which is proportionate not only to the crime, but to the individual offender, in that process identifying where on the sentencing range the particular case should lie and then applying any mitigating factors which may be present. As Minister, I have no role in this process.
However, a working group of the Criminal Justice Strategic Committee (which is chaired by my Department) recommended the extension of the Adult Caution Scheme to include first time offences under the legislation referred to by the Deputy. The Adult Caution Scheme is a non-statutory scheme agreed between, and administered by, An Garda Síochána and the Director of Public Prosecutions. They extended the Adult Caution Scheme to include offences related to cannabis possession under the section of the legislation referred to by the Deputy in December 2020.
I am advised that the Garda Authorities have published the policy documentation relating to the Scheme at the following link on the Garda website:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/policy-documents/adult-cautioning-scheme-policy-document-feb-21-.pdf.
As you will appreciate, as Minister, I have no role in the functions, operations, governance or oversight of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
More broadly, the Deputy may be aware that the Department of Health leads on Government policy in the area of drugs, and this policy is guided by the national drugs and alcohol strategy "Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - a health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025 ". This strategy represents a whole-of-Government response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland.
The implementation of the strategy is led by the Minister for Health and the Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy. However, the strategy includes actions for all stakeholders, including my Department and An Garda Síochána.
The Deputy will also appreciate that the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 falls under the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Health. I have no role in this legislation or its associated policy matters.
However, I can inform the Deputy that officials in my Department engage with all stakeholders under the structures of the drugs strategy, namely the National Oversight Committee, chaired by the Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, the Standing Sub-Committee, and associated working groups.
A proposal to introduce a health diversion programme, to steer individuals who have committed an offence under that section towards an appropriate health intervention, rather than into the criminal justice system, is in the process of being finalised by the Department of Health, with input from my Department.
969. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice if she intends to review the legislation on spent convictions; what particular items are for consideration in the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13313/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016, provides for certain convictions to become spent once 7 years have passed since the date of conviction. In general, and in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the following convictions may become spent:
1. All convictions in the District Court for motoring offences which are more than 7 years old, subject to the proviso that spent convictions for dangerous driving are limited to a single conviction.
2. All convictions in the District Court for minor public order offences which are more than 7 years old.
3. In addition, where a person has one, and only one, conviction (other than a motoring or public order offence) which resulted in a term of imprisonment of less than 12 months or a fine, that conviction is spent after 7 years. This provision applies to either a District Court or Circuit Court conviction.
4. A conviction resulting in a non-custodial sentence can also become spent after 7 years. This means such a sentence imposed by a court of imprisonment for a term of 2 years or less, the execution of the whole of which is suspended for a period specified by the court and that suspension is not subsequently revoked in whole or in part by the Court, and is not in addition to a custodial sentence.
We committed as part of the Programme for Government to review the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016. The intention was to broaden the range of convictions that could be considered spent. As part of this review process, a public consultation on spent convictions was launched by my Department in October 2020. We also commissioned bespoke research into how spent convictions are handled internationally.Based on the outcome of that consultation and other submissions received as well as the international research, my Department has compiled a report aimed at identifying and assessing the possible implications of amending the 2016 Act, so that the fairest possible outcomes can be achieved for the public. This matter and report remain under consideration at this time.
970. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice what steps she is taking to tackle chronic overcrowding in Irish prisons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13316/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Prison Service must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the Courts. As such, the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time.
Where the number of people in custody exceeds the maximum capacity in any prison, the Irish Prison Service make every effort to deal with this through a combination of inter-prison transfers and appropriate use of structured Temporary Release.
The criteria for participation in the Community Return and Community Support Schemes were reviewed last year and additional prisoners are now eligible for assessment for suitability to participate on these structured and supported schemes.
In this regard I can assure the Deputy that decisions in relation to temporary release are considered on a case by case basis and the safety of the public is paramount when those decisions are made.
A Prison Overcrowding Response Group has been established, with officials from across the Department, the Irish Prison Service, Probation Service, Courts Service, and An Garda Síochána to examine proposals to address overcrowding.
While focused on rehabilitation and reducing offending, we are continuing to invest in our prison estate, to ensure that it is modern, fit for purpose and has the capacity to accommodate those committed to prison by the courts.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has made significant capital funding available to the Irish Prison Service in order to enhance the existing prison infrastructure and to provide additional capacity.
In recent years, works have been completed to modernise the Mountjoy complex, a new prison was constructed in Cork and additional prisoner accommodation was provided in the Midlands Prison.
Furthermore, the Training Unit in Mountjoy was reopened providing an additional 96 spaces, the opening of new male accommodation in Limerick has provided an additional 90 cell spaces and the new standalone female prison in Limerick has provided an additional 22 female cell spaces. This brings additional capacity across the estate to in excess of 200 new spaces in recent years.
Plans have also been outlined for 4 capital projects at Castlerea, Cloverhill, the Midlands and Mountjoy prisons which can accommodate up to 670 prisoners and I am continuing to engage with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to progress an agreed schedule of capital builds, including the delivery of additional Prison spaces.
971. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has conducted any preliminary analysis of the additional financial benefits that may accrue to Irish farmers following the award of protected geographical indication status to Irish grass fed beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11583/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing research undertaken by Bord Bia, we know that the value in achieving PGI status for Irish Grass Fed Beef is that it will help to differentiate the product in key markets as a quality product endorsed as a PGI under the EU Quality Schemes. The PGI logo on the packaging highlights the quality of the product, and is recognised by many consumers, particularly in EU markets. Bord Bia research indicates that the PGI is familiar to consumers particularly in France, Spain and Italy, helping to differentiate PGI products from other products.
In addition to differentiation in the marketplace, the name will be protected as an intellectual property right which is positive in the context of consumers’ and retailers’ increased demand for reassurance.
My Department is working with Bord Bia to establish a PGI Monitoring group for Irish producers and processors which will assess the performance of the PGI product and the market response over time. Achieving the PGI is the key step. Monitoring the value of this achievement will be undertaken over time.
972. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has had the need to contact An Garda Síochána due to verbal, written (including electronically) or physical threats being addressed to staff or Ministers, at any level, working within the Department during the period 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11588/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has had the need to contact An Garda Síochána on a number of occasions from 2020 to date due to verbal, written and physical threats being addressed to staff working within this Department during the course of carrying out their duties.
The assistance of An Garda Síochána in relation to these matters is greatly appreciated as we ensure that we have a safe place of work for our staff.
