Vol. 958 No. 1
29. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the assistance being given to Forensic Science Ireland to enable it to overcome a large backlog in the testing of illegal drug seizures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32891/17]
What assistance is being given to Forensic Science Ireland to facilitate it in overcoming the large backlog of cases it has when it comes to testing illegal drugs that have been seized by An Garda Síochána?
Forensic Science Ireland, FSI, provides the Garda Síochána with up-to-date services in forensic science, including in the area of drugs and DNA analysis. I recognise the very significant part Forensic Science Ireland plays within the criminal justice system, including its vital role in providing evidence to the courts. There is no doubt this work has been invaluable to the successful detection and prosecution of many serious offences over recent decades and will continue to be so.
While the establishment of the DNA database has impacted on the work of the Forensic Science Ireland, several steps have been taken to increase resources and improve processes to ensure that Forensic Science Ireland continues to deliver a high-quality service to An Garda Síochána.
I am informed by Forensic Science Ireland that the backlog of unanalysed drug cases with it currently stands at approximately 2,800. I assure the Deputy there has not been any impact on the Garda's efforts to enforce the law and there have not been any prosecutions lost on foot of this backlog. In the first six months of 2017, 4,099 drugs cases were submitted to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. A total of 4,444 drugs cases were analysed and reports generated by Forensic Science Ireland in that period. Additional staff have been assigned to the drugs area in Forensic Science Ireland and it is planned to assign ten additional scientists to the area later in 2017 as they are recruited. These measures are expected to lead to a progressive reduction in the backlog.
In terms of processing cases, the Deputy may wish to note that Forensic Science Ireland prioritises drugs cases requested for court purposes by An Garda Síochána. Forensic Science Ireland is working closely with An Garda Síochána and the Office of the DPP to improve the effectiveness of the presumptive drug testing scheme. This scheme is available for personal possession cases under section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Acts. The testing is carried out by members of the Garda Síochána who have been trained by Forensic Science Ireland using test kits validated by it. The purpose of presumptive testing is to allow a large number of section 3 cases to be dealt with effectively and expeditiously at local level and to free up the resources in Forensic Science Ireland.
Forensic Science Ireland plays an invaluable and important role in our criminal justice system. When gardaí seize a substance they believe to be a drug, they have to send it for testing. They send it to Forensic Science Ireland and it carries out the test to determine whether the drug is illegal and what is its make-up. I tabled this question because there were recent reports in a newspaper that indicated the establishment of the national DNA database has overwhelmed the State laboratory where Forensic Science Ireland works and that it has led to a large backlog of testing of illegal drugs seizures. The Minister pointed out in his answer that the backlog is some 2,800 tests. It is important, even though no cases have collapsed, that the Minister and Government ensure the backlog is cleared up rapidly. There is no doubt the establishment of the national DNA database is an essential part of our criminal justice system. It must proceed. As a result of a lot of resources being devoted to that, the work being carried out by Forensic Science Ireland is being interfered with. Does the Minister agree the situation is less than ideal and that it has to be addressed, otherwise we will have cases collapsing?
I recognise the significant contribution of Forensic Science Ireland in the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences. It delivers independent expert opinion, advice, training and research to support the Irish criminal justice system. The highly trained and dedicated staff provide specific analysis and objective expert advice. I acknowledge that there is a backlog. I will assure the Deputy of two things in respect of that backlog. First, we are working towards its elimination by the appointment of extra personnel. I assure the Deputy there has been no impact on the efforts of the gardaí to enforce the law. There have not been any prosecutions lost or found deficient on foot of this backlog. Forensic Science Ireland continues to work very closely with the Garda Síochána to ensure all cases of priority are dealt with in an effective, speedy and swift way. Equally, any analysis and reporting conducted by Forensic Science Ireland is provided to an exceptionally high standard and that will continue to be the case. I am happy to keep the Deputy informed of developments as we move towards reducing the backlog.
I welcome that measures will be taken to address this backlog. I welcome that there will be recruitment of extra personnel.
While it may not get much media coverage Forensic Science Ireland carries out a highly important role.
The drugs section of the laboratory primarily deals with two types of cases: section 3 prosecutions, which are for simple possession of drugs and section 15 prosecutions, which are for possession with intent to supply. As the Minister mentioned in his answer, sometimes the matter can be speeded up because in respect of section 3 offences, when a suspect has drugs for their personal use, gardaí have the six months and sometimes an individual who has them can admit or accept they were in possession of illegal drugs. However, where they do not, obviously the Garda is working under a very tight six-month time limit within which it must get the drugs tested and get the prosecution commenced. If it does not do that, the matter cannot be tried summarily which is how most personal possession drug cases are dealt with.
I welcome that extra personnel are being recruited, but the Government needs to recognise the crucial role of Forensic Science Ireland and it needs to be adequately resourced into the future.
The Government recognises the importance of and the highly significant role played by Forensic Science Ireland. For some time the need for a new forensic laboratory appropriate to the State's requirements has been regarded as one of the most critical capital projects in the justice sector. In that regard the Government has allocated €45 million for the construction of the laboratory with work due to commence at the earliest possible date. Some €6 million was provided in my Department's Vote to enable the commencement of building work this year. This new facility at Backweston will allow for the merger of FSI with the Garda technical bureau which is part of the current reform programme in the Garda Síochána. This, of course, will provide for the consistent processing of crime samples by one body and ultimately lead to a more efficient and effective forensic science service. FSI is highly regarded by the Government and its contribution towards the criminal justice system is immense.
30. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if detectives from the Cork city Garda division will be issued with non-lethal Tasers as part of their equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32839/17]
My question relates to detectives in Cork city Garda division who wish to be issued with non-lethal Tasers. There is currently a dispute between Garda management and the GRA, as representatives of the detectives, on this very serious issue. I hope the Minister can liaise with Garda management and help to resolve the issue.
The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of equipment, including less-lethal weapons, to members of An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I am, however, informed by the Garda authorities that the item of equipment referred to by the Deputy, the Taser, is only issued to members of the emergency response unit and armed support units, which are deployed regionally including in the Cork city division. Arrangements are currently in place with detective personnel to ensure the capacity and capability for An Garda Síochána to respond to an armed or critical incident in Cork city and its environs on a 24-7 basis.
The Deputy will be aware that armed support units were established to provide an armed response capacity and capability on a regional basis to support and supplement the national emergency response unit. Members of the units are highly trained and equipped with a variety of non-lethal and lethal weapons and perform high-visibility armed checkpoints and patrols throughout their respective regions.
As the Deputy will be aware an armed support unit has been established in the southern region, based in both Cork and Limerick, since 2008. Therefore, non-lethal capability and capacity by An Garda Síochána in the southern region, and in Cork city, is provided for by the regional armed support unit.
In the event of an armed incident or similar incident, armed detectives from local district and divisional units will respond, as will the armed support units, which are based in each Garda region, including Cork city.
I thank the Minister for his reply. As he knows, the regional armed support unit does not operate on a 24-7 basis in Cork city. If an incident occurred, gardaí and detectives might have to wait for members of the armed support unit to travel from Limerick, up to an hour and a half away. If a guy is going crazy with a knife or a crowbar, that is not much good to the front-line gardaí and detectives who are trying to deal with that situation.
They are telling me that last year's tactical awareness training really brought home to detectives how exposed they are without non-lethal Tasers. If they have to deal with an incident in the absence of the regional armed support unit, they will be forced to deploy their gun. As the Minister knows, the guidelines are that if a gun is to be used, it is to be used in close proximity to the upper body which will generally result in death, which is not a position they want to be in. They have strongly called on Garda management to provide non-lethal Tasers to assist them in their front-line work.
If the Deputy asks me if Tasers are available to gardaí in Cork, the answer to that question is "Yes". I am informed by the Garda authorities that equipment referred to by the Deputy, the Taser, is only issued to members of the emergency response unit and armed support units, which are deployed regionally including in the Cork city division.
In response to the Deputy's supplementary question, arrangements are currently in place with detective personnel to ensure the capacity and capability for An Garda Síochána to respond appropriately to an armed or critical incident in Cork city and its environs on a 24-7 basis.
The Deputy will be aware that an armed support unit was established in the southern region, which is based in Cork as well as in Limerick. In the event of an armed incident or similar incident, armed detectives from local district will respond, as will the armed support units, which are based in each Garda region.
I appreciate it is an operational matter and the Minister cannot be expected to be aware of all of the detail. However, I have been informed that members of the ERU or the armed support units, which are organised on a regional basis, will not necessarily be available within Cork city if an incident were to occur. The detectives who have undergone training feel very exposed and at risk. They feel they are not being given the capacity to neutralise a threat that they may be the first people to have to confront. That is the situation on the ground.
There is a dispute between the GRA, representing the detectives and Garda management. It needs to be resolved first and foremost to protect the welfare of front-line gardaí and detectives to ensure no unnecessary harm is caused to members of the public or indeed to the perpetrator, who certainly would not deserve a gun being deployed in an incident that could properly be dealt with through the use of a non-lethal Taser. I ask the Minister to follow up.
The Deputy will appreciate, since he has drawn my attention to the subject matter of a dispute between Garda management and a representative association, it would be unwise and unhelpful for me to comment on this issue either way.
I assure the Deputy that members of the armed response units are highly trained and equipped with a variety of non-lethal and lethal weapons and perform an outstanding service, including high-visibility armed checkpoints and patrols throughout the southern region. In order to ensure and maintain the capability and capacity of these armed support units, a competition to select, train and allocate additional personnel for the regional armed response units recently commenced. I assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to reach a form of accommodation on the point as raised.
31. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the commitments in the programme for Government on improving the lives of persons with disabilities. [29820/17]
Question No. 31 is in the name of Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett and Deputy Gino Kenny has been nominated.
What is the status of the commitments in the programme for Government on improving the lives of persons with disabilities?
I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue of improving the lives of persons with disabilities. The programme for Government contains a number of commitments to improving the lives of persons with disabilities. These commitments include supporting people with disabilities to maximise their potential, removing barriers which impact on access to services, education, work or health care, and providing supports at key transition points in their lives.
The programme also recognises that persons with disabilities should have more control in accessing services and giving them greater independence and choice to better fit their needs. That is the plan in the programme for Government.
The Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible for me to provide an update on every individual commitment in the programme for Government but I am prepared to answer any other individual questions. The Deputy will also appreciate that the programme for Government is just one part of the wider Government policy in supporting persons with disabilities and cannot be looked at in isolation.
In addition to the commitments in the programme for Government, the Deputy will be aware of the forthcoming National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021, which will form a key part of driving Government policy in this area. The aim of the strategy is to significantly improve the lives of people with disabilities in a practical sense and to create the best possible opportunities for people with disabilities to fulfil their potential. The strategy is an all-of-Government approach and is broadly based around eight key themes including ensuring equality and choice, the provision of services, accommodation, health, employment, transport and education. As chair of the national disability inclusion strategy steering group, I have driven the preparation of the strategy, including an extensive consultation process, and its recent finalisation, and I am delighted to inform the Deputy that it will be launched this Friday, 14 July in Croke Park. I am happy to provide additional information on people with disabilities.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
I can assure the Deputy that the Government's commitments to improving the lives of persons with disability will not end with the publication of the strategy, and I am committed to ensuring that the strategy results in real and concrete change for the better for children and adults with disabilities. I am happy to provide additional information on individual commitments in the programme if the Deputy has specific issues in which he is interested.
The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, has been a very strong advocate for people with disabilities and all that comes with that. I have probably asked him this question numerous times since I have been elected, namely, when will the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD, take place? Since the Government came into office more than a year ago it said the ratification of the convention would be advocated. Fourteen months later the convention has still not been ratified. I find that extraordinary. This week we have a raft of Bills being pushed through the House. We have a Bill about the Rugby World Cup, which is very important. I am a big rugby fan myself. That is one Bill that is being pushed through but 11 years after it was introduced, the UNCRPD has still not been ratified. It is extraordinary that 156 countries have ratified the convention and Ireland is not one of them.
A great deal of work is going on in terms of the ratification of the UNCRPD. I meet officials from the Departments of Health and Justice and Equality every Monday to drive this agenda. Up to now, nobody took an interest in this issue at all. However, I do accept that the delays are frustrating. The two delays relate to the deprivation of liberty and the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. Much work has been done and the Department of Health is due to publish revised heads in that regard towards the end of August.
Amendments to disability legislation on the deprivation of liberty will be published after the summer break. We are moving on this issue. We have had interviews in recent weeks for a director and project manager for the decision support service, DSS, office which will help to drive the ratification of the UN convention.
I reject the criticism made in terms of other countries ratifying the convention. Many countries ratified the UNCRPD but some of them still chain disabled adults to heaters and bars in institutions. We are doing the opposite. We are trying to put the services in place. This year we are investing €1.69 billion in the services, an increase of €96 million between residential services, day services, respite residential support, personal assistant service hours, home support services and moving people from institutions. We have a good record and I want to ratify the UN convention and I intend to do so very quickly.
I do not doubt the Minister of State's commitment to this issue-----
Deputy Kenny does.
-----but it is taking a long time. I asked the Minister of State about it three or four times since I was elected. I understand the relevant Bill is on Committee Stage. Waiting for the ratification of the UNCRPD is becoming a latter-day "Waiting for Godot". If there is a will in this House, things get done but if there is not a will, things do not get done. It is as simple as that. I will probably ask the Minister of State the question again in September or even next year. Hopefully, the convention will be ratified but one gets disillusioned very quickly in this place when one sees the things that happen. I am sure the Minister of State wants to see the convention ratified as much as anybody else but people with disabilities are looking to Members to ratify it. I do not think everything has to be in place. Let us ratify the convention and give people with disabilities an equal footing with able-bodied people.
I am pleased the Deputy does not doubt my determination to ratify the convention. I am determined to ratify it and I have the strong support of the lead Minister in the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan. Department of Justice and Equality officials have been fantastic, in particular in recent months, in driving this issue because, like me, they are determined to get this done. I accept Deputy Gino Kenny's frustration but there are complex issues that have to be resolved regarding the deprivation of liberty, and they are being resolved as I speak. However, it does take time. It is not as simple as people think. There is a side of me that strongly agrees with Deputy Gino Kenny and I am tempted to say let us do it and get on with it but, to be honest, I want to do it properly and we intend to do it in as short a timeframe as possible.
33. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in counties Cavan and Monaghan as of 30 June 2017; and the number of new recruits assigned to the division since recruitment resumed in 2014. [32868/17]
I seek the assistance of the Minister in ensuring additional Garda recruitment for the Cavan-Monaghan division. Unfortunately, since 2010 our division suffered one of the highest reductions in Garda force numbers. In County Cavan the force has been reduced by almost 20% and there has been a 28% reduction in County Monaghan. I appeal to the Minister to ensure that in the allocation of new recruits, particular consideration is given to the requests from the Cavan-Monaghan division for additional personnel.
I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. To make that a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021, comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Garda Reserve members and 4,000 civilians.
This year, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide-ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves. Last Thursday a class of 198 Garda trainees attested as members of An Garda Síochána - the largest class to attest since the Garda College reopened in September 2014. That brings the number of new recruits who have attested since the college reopened to almost 1,200, with another 400 scheduled to attest later this year. That will bring Garda numbers to 13,500 by the end of this year. Once projected retirements are taken into account, that is an increase of 500 over last year. That is real progress on reaching our target of 15,000 members by 2021. This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The investment in personnel is complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for An Garda Síochána. Deputy Brendan Smith will be aware of the significant resources that have been made available to An Garda Síochána under the Government's Capital Plan 2016-2021. In particular, some €205 million in additional funding for Garda ICT and €46 million for new Garda vehicles has been allocated over the lifetime of the plan. This investment will facilitate the provision of more effective policing services and I have no doubt that the new resources now coming on stream will see an increase in Garda visibility in Cavan and Monaghan and across other communities.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources. She is mindful of the point raised by the Deputy. Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review. I am informed by the Commissioner that 26 newly-attested gardaí have been assigned to the Cavan-Monaghan division since the college reopened.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
|
CAVAN-MONAGHAN DIVISION 31 MAY 2017 |
||
|
DISTRICT |
STATION |
TOTAL |
|
BAILIEBORO |
BAILIEBORO |
43 |
|
BALLYJAMESDUFF |
4 |
|
|
COOTEHILL |
5 |
|
|
KINGSCOURT |
2 |
|
|
MULLAGH |
1 |
|
|
SHERCOCK |
1 |
|
|
VIRGINIA |
11 |
|
|
TOTAL |
67 |
|
|
CARRICKMACROSS |
BALLYBAY |
4 |
|
CARRICKMACROSS |
37 |
|
|
CASTLEBLANEY |
29 |
|
|
ROCKCORRY |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
71 |
|
|
CAVAN |
ARVA |
3 |
|
BALLINAGH |
1 |
|
|
BALLYCONNELL |
18 |
|
|
BELTURBET |
5 |
|
|
BLACKLION |
3 |
|
|
CAVAN |
66 |
|
|
DOWRA |
1 |
|
|
KILLESHANDRA |
1 |
|
|
KILNALECK |
2 |
|
|
SWANLINBAR |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
101 |
|
|
MONAGHAN |
CLONES |
4 |
|
EMYVALE |
2 |
|
|
MONAGHAN |
75 |
|
|
SCOTSTOWN |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL |
83 |
|
|
CAVAN/MONAGHAN TOTAL |
322 |
I thank the Minister for his reply. At a recent meeting of the County Cavan joint policing committee, under questioning by other members and I, Chief Superintendent Mangan indicated that he needed at least 30 new recruits. The force's strength in Cavan-Monaghan is approximately 330. As I said earlier, that division has had the highest reduction in Garda numbers in the country during the period in question. We also lost nine Garda stations. My colleague, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, referred earlier to the problems associated with rural crime and the targeting of rural families and the farming community in particular. We have particular difficulties in the Cavan-Monaghan division in that we have a land border with a different jurisdiction, which touches on the Northern counties of Fermanagh, Tyrone and Armagh. That is a long frontier to be policed. As we know, a border with another jurisdiction puts extra pressure on policing resources. I am aware that the chief superintendent has been seeking additional resources through the assistant commissioner in charge of human resources in An Garda Síochána, as well as with the Commissioner. I appeal to the Minister, in view of the particular circumstances that face us in the Border area, that particular consideration be given to providing us with a decent allocation when the next recruits graduate and are assigned to their posts.
I take the point the Deputy makes regarding the Border area. It is an issue that is also under consideration by the Garda authorities. The table included with my reply sets out the situation regarding gardaí in the Cavan-Monaghan division as of 31 May 2017. Deputy Brendan Smith will be aware that Ballyconnell in his own original area has 18 gardaí. Belturbet has five , Blacklion has three, and Cavan town 66. There are 75 gardaí in the very busy station in Monaghan town and there are some officers in Clones also.
As well as Garda numbers, I draw the Deputy's attention to the importance of operation Thor, which is a sustained drive against property crime and burglary in rural areas. There are also further initiatives involving community activity, for which there are some rather modest grant schemes available from my Department. I urge Deputy Brendan Smith to consider them also.
The Minister may recall that in the previous Dáil I put forward legislation advocating the establishment of a cross-Border crime agency to deal with the smuggling of illicit fuel and tobacco products in particular. I commend the Minister's contribution to having some of those measures implemented in the Fresh Start deal agreed at Stormont. An agency was put in place. Illicit trade has not gone away, however, and is starting to appear again. It poses a danger to legitimate business, consumers, the environment and our Exchequer. That is just one issue with which gardaí in Cavan-Monaghan and Border divisions have to cope which is not as prevalent further to the south.
In view of the particular needs of a Border Garda division, particular attention should be given in the allocation of resources. I hope the Minister will give me a commitment that he will speak to the Garda Commissioner about the needs of the Cavan-Monaghan division.
The Deputy has raised a point of importance. We had the opportunity to engage in some debate on it in my previous capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, when Deputy Brendan Smith was foreign affairs spokesman and, more recently, in his capacity as Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. This is an issue in terms of cross-Border crime, the matter of smuggling, racketeering and all sorts of criminal activity, including environmental crime. It was the subject of a discussion I had this very morning with the Garda Commissioner. The Commissioner assured me that co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland is at its highest ever. Of course, I am keen that this co-operation would continue. It is producing the type of dividend that I know Deputy Brendan Smith would like to see along the Border, particularly in his own constituency of Cavan-Monaghan.
One consequence of the failure to reach agreement on the matter of the Northern talks is that we are unable to have a meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council. I am unable to liaise with a counterpart Minister in Northern Ireland because of the absence of a working Executive there. I assure the Deputy that I will continue to raise issues of Border crime and cross-Border crime with the Garda Commissioner and, indeed, at every level.
34. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in County Wicklow as of 30 June 2017; and the number of new recruits assigned to the division since recruitment resumed in 2014. [32876/17]
This is to ask the number of gardaí in each Garda station in County Wicklow as at 30 June 2017, and the number of new recruits assigned to the division since recruitment resumed in 2014.
I thank Deputy Casey for raising the question. I have, in tabular form, the Wicklow division total, which is 296. The table is included with my reply. If I were to read the entire table into the record, my time would be exhausted. Suffice to say that the districts of Baltinglass, Bray and Wicklow had a total of 296 gardaí as of 31 May 2017.
Last Thursday, we had a passing out parade when a class of 198 trainees attested as members of An Garda Síochána. It is the largest class to attest since the Garda College reopened in 2014. This brings the number of new recruits who have attested since the college reopened to almost 1,200, with another 400 scheduled to attest later this year. This will bring Garda numbers to 13,500 by year-end once projected retirements are taken into account, which is a net increase of 500 over last year. This is progress on reaching our target of 15,000 members by 2021.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources she needs to allow her to deploy increasing numbers of gardaí across every Garda division, including County Wicklow in the coming months and years.
This investment in personnel is complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware of the significant resource increase that has been made available to An Garda Síochána under the Government's capital plan 2016 to 2021. In particular, some €205 million in additional funding for Garda ICT and €46 million for new Garda vehicles, some of which I am sure are in evidence in County Wicklow, has been allocated over the lifetime of the plan.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
This investment will facilitate the provision of more effective policing services and I have no doubt that these new resources now coming on stream will see an increase in Garda visibility in our communities.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources. I am informed by the Commissioner that 18 newly attested gardaí have been assigned to the Wicklow division since the college reopened.
For the Deputy's information, I have set out in tabular form the number of gardaí assigned to the Wicklow division, by station, as of 31 May 2017, the most recent date for which figures are readily available and as provided by the Commissioner.
|
WICKLOW DIVISION 31 MAY 2017 |
||
|
DISTRICT |
STATION |
TOTAL |
|
BALTINGLASS |
BALTINGLASS |
33 |
|
BLESSINGTON |
22 |
|
|
CARNEW |
4 |
|
|
DUNLAVIN |
2 |
|
|
SHILLELAGH |
1 |
|
|
TINAHELY |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL |
64 |
|
|
BRAY |
BRAY |
107 |
|
ENNISKERRY |
4 |
|
|
GREYSTONES |
26 |
|
|
NEWTOWNMOUNTKENNEDY |
3 |
|
|
TOTAL |
140 |
|
|
WICKLOW |
ARKLOW |
36 |
|
ASHFORD |
3 |
|
|
AUGHRIM |
1 |
|
|
AVOCA |
1 |
|
|
RATHDRUM |
3 |
|
|
ROUNDWOOD |
3 |
|
|
WICKLOW |
45 |
|
|
TOTAL |
92 |
|
|
WICKLOW DIVISION TOTAL |
296 |
|
I thank the Minister for his answer and welcome the progress on the numbers. Today, however, I am specifically focusing on Wicklow. County Wicklow requires a greater Garda deployment. We have only had nine new recruits since 2014. That is out of a total allocation of 1,000. Two of them have since resigned and 32 gardaí have left the division in the past 18 months. That is a net reduction in Wicklow of 22. Another 28 gardaí could retire tomorrow morning if they so wish. Wicklow has also had the loss of two Garda stations, namely, those in Donard and Wicklow town. They need to be restored. They cover large rural areas where communities feel very vulnerable to local crime and crimes coming down on the main arteries from Dublin into the rural areas. We are aware that Donard is being considered in the review and that one station has been reopened on foot of that review.
Perhaps the Minister could give me an update on that. The farming and business communities in County Wicklow are expressing no confidence in the current capacity of the Garda to prevent crime in the county. This can be attributed to the lack of Garda numbers there.
I ask the Deputy to appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda divisions. While I do not have a direct role in the matter, I am anxious to ensure the investment of the public money the Government makes available for the Garda leads to the provision of more effective policing services throughout the State. I have no doubt that the new resources and the fresh investment now coming on stream will lead to an increase in the visibility of gardaí across our communities, including those in County Wicklow. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that 18 newly attested gardaí have been assigned to the Wicklow division since the reopening of the Garda College. I have placed on the record a table showing that 296 gardaí are assigned to the Wicklow division. We are ensuring the Garda organisation is structured in a way that allows the Garda Commissioner to deploy increasing numbers of gardaí in every division, including the Wicklow division.
It seems from the Minister's response that an additional nine recruits are to be deployed in County Wicklow. I was not aware of that but I welcome it nonetheless. I will give an example of rural crime in County Wicklow, which depends significantly on tourism. Two weeks ago, eight cars were broken into at the Shay Elliott car park in Glenmalure. Such incidents cast a bad reflection on County Wicklow as a tourism destination and cause additional worry. People in the county have been working on this issue for a number of years. When I was a member of the Wicklow joint policing committee, we came up with a number of initiatives, including the tourism ambassador programme. We rolled out tourism ambassadors in sensitive rural locations throughout the county. We are losing that now because of the reduced number of people going into the Tús programme. Additional signage has been installed in sensitive tourism locations to warn visitors not to leave property in their cars. More resources are needed because gardaí just cannot get to remote rural locations at present.
I mentioned earlier that personnel matters in the Wicklow division continue to be under review. We are investing to facilitate increased Garda numbers. It is important to acknowledge that measures have been put in place to combat crime, particularly in rural counties like Wicklow. Operation Thor entails a broad range of activities to tackle organised crime gangs and other offenders. It involves working positively with communities with a view to preventing crime. Additional investment makes it possible to extend the range of intensive policing operations, including the continued targeting under Operation Thor of those involved in burglaries and crimes against property. The concentrated policing activity under Operation Thor is reflected in the implementation of over 74,300 targeted checkpoints nationwide, many of which have been in County Wicklow, and in the making of approximately 4,400 arrests. We will continue to monitor the situation. I will be happy to engage further with the Deputy on it.
36. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in counties Carlow and Kilkenny as of 30 June 2017; and the number of new recruits assigned to the division since recruitment resumed in 2014. [32845/17]
This question seeks to ascertain how many gardaí were based in each Garda station in counties Carlow and Kilkenny on 30 June last and how many new recruits have been assigned to the Carlow-Kilkenny Garda division since Garda recruitment resumed in 2014.
The table that accompanies this reply shows that 312 gardaí were based in the Carlow-Kilkenny Garda division on 31 May last. Many of them are assigned to Garda stations very close to Deputy Aylward, including Glenmore, Kilmoganny, Mooncoin, Mullinavat, Piltown and Thomastown. I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring there is a strong and visible police presence throughout the country to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. The Government's plan for making this a reality involves achieving an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021, comprising 15,000 Garda Síochána members, 2,000 Garda Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians in support of the Garda's wide-ranging reform plan. Funding has been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserve members, some of whom will operate in County Kilkenny.
The Deputy will be aware that a class of 198 trainees attested as members of An Garda Síochána on Thursday last. This was the largest class to attest since the Garda College reopened, having been closed in 2010. This brings the number of new recruits who have attested since the Garda College reopened to almost 1,200, with another 400 recruits scheduled to attest later this year. This will bring Garda numbers to 13,500 by the end of this year, when projected retirements are taken into consideration, and will mark a significant increase of 500 this year alone.
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW DIVISION 31 MAY 2017 |
||
|
DISTRICT |
STATION |
TOTAL |
|
CARLOW |
BALLON |
1 |
|
BORRIS |
2 |
|
|
CARLOW |
83 |
|
|
HACKETSTOWN |
1 |
|
|
MUINEBHEAG |
10 |
|
|
MYSHALL |
1 |
|
|
RATHVILLY |
1 |
|
|
TULLOW |
14 |
|
|
TOTAL |
113 |
|
|
KILKENNY |
CALLAN |
4 |
|
CASTLECOMER |
11 |
|
|
KILKENNY |
120 |
|
|
URLINGFORD |
2 |
|
|
TOTAL |
137 |
|
|
THOMASTOWN |
BENNETSBRIDGE |
1 |
|
GLENMORE |
1 |
|
|
GORESBRIDGE |
2 |
|
|
|
GRAIGUENAMANAGH |
4 |
|
|
KILMOGANNY |
1 |
|
|
MOONCOIN |
12 |
|
|
MULLINAVAT |
2 |
|
|
PILTOWN |
1 |
|
|
THOMASTOWN |
38 |
|
TOTAL |
62 |
|
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW TOTAL |
|
312 |
I am glad to hear what the Minister has said about areas on my doorstep in south Kilkenny. I tabled this question on foot of the crime epidemic that has swept rural Ireland in recent years. People in rural communities, particularly the elderly, are fearful because of the significant increase in burglaries and related offences in 2014 and 2015. This fear has now turned to anger. It seems to me, on the basis of the conversations I have had with community representatives in rural towns and villages in my constituency, that we will soon be dealing with a wave of vigilantism among our citizens. Too many people have fallen victim to calculated and brutal attacks by well-organised criminal gangs that are continuing to terrorise townlands and villages across rural Ireland. People are rightly fed up of living in fear. We need to ramp up the deployment of gardaí in rural areas. They are needed now more than ever. As the Minister has said, Garda recruitment resumed almost three years ago in 2014. While I welcome what the Minister has said, I think it is just the start. We need a lot more to stop the crime wave that is coming our way, particularly from cities such as Limerick and Dublin.
I assure the Deputy that the investment in personnel we have been discussing is complemented by the investment of resources across the board in An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware that significant resources have been made available to the Garda to upgrade equipment in Garda stations, including ICT and email equipment. In addition, €46 million has been provided for Garda vehicles, some of which have been assigned to the Carlow-Kilkenny division. This investment will facilitate the provision of a more effective policing service. I have no doubt that the resources which are coming on stream will lead to an increase in Garda visibility in communities across Carlow-Kilkenny.
The programme for Government includes a commitment to erect CCTV cameras on all major junctions on the motorway network. When I raised this matter with the previous Taoiseach in this House a few weeks ago, I did not get a very good response. There are two motorways - the M9 and the M7 - in my constituency. As I said earlier, organised gangs are coming from the cities to target rural businesses and steal from them. In one case in May of this year, a gang came from Dublin to Urlingford, which is a small village in north Kilkenny, to rob from a business. They took the lot and were in and out in 13 minutes. They got back onto the motorway, which enables criminals to travel 100 miles in any direction from the scene of a crime within an hour. I believe they were back in Dublin within an hour. What is the status of this legislation?
In a recent response to a parliamentary question, the Minister indicated that the Garda Commissioner is likely to sanction the reopening of Leighlinbridge Garda station in County Carlow. I add my support to the reopening of Leighlinbridge and ask the Minister to take a close look at County Kilkenny as well. In Kilkenny and Castlecomer, two Garda stations cater for districts with huge rural and urban populations and I ask the Government to consider 24-7 services at these stations or, failing this, an additional allocation. Stations in rural towns close down at certain times and Kilkenny city takes on responsibility. I ask that these rural towns, especially the designated towns, have enough gardaí to cover areas where several Garda stations have been closed down.
The Deputy referred to Leighlinbridge Garda station in County Carlow and I can advise him that positive consideration has been given to the reinstitution of the Garda service from Leighlinbridge. I would be happy to communicate with the Deputy on progress in this matter. He also mentioned north Kilkenny. There are 11 gardaí in Castlecomer and two in Urlingford and the area is served by the 120 gardaí in Kilkenny city.
In addition to the provision of garda numbers the Deputy will be aware of the community scheme in respect of text alerts and the work with local communities through the community alert organisation and local organisations such as Muintir na Tíre and farm organisations. I assure the Deputy that additional investment will make it possible to maintain and extend a range of intensive policing operations with particular reference to Operation Thor, which has been particularly active in the Kilkenny area. We also have new legislation in the form of the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Act.
Does the Minister have any comment on the use of CCTV?
37. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in west Cork as of 30 June 2017; and the number of new recruits assigned to the division since recruitment resumed in 2014. [32850/17]
I congratulate the Minister on his recent appointment and wish him well. I ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda station in west Cork as of 30 June 2017; and the number of new recruits assigned to the division since recruitment resumed in 2014.
I refer Deputy Murphy O'Mahony to the table showing the figure for the Cork west division as of 31 May 2017, which totals 284 gardaí. In her own district, there are 34 in Bantry and five in Castletownbere, as well as gardaí in Drimoleague, Durrus, Glengariff, Kealkill and Schull. In the Clonakilty division there are a total of 60 gardaí.
The Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country, including in west Cork, in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to the constituents of Deputy Murphy O'Mahony, and deter crime. To make this a reality, the Government has in place a detailed plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel, comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide-ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. I am keen that the organisation continues to rebuild and that the Government continues to provide the Commissioner with the resources she needs to allow her to deploy increasing numbers of gardaí across every Garda division, including west Cork.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
Cork west division 31 May 2017
|
DISTRICT |
STATION |
TOTAL |
|
BANDON |
BALLINEEN |
2 |
|
BALLINHASSIG |
2 |
|
|
BANDON |
84 |
|
|
INNISHANNON |
1 |
|
|
KILBRITTAIN |
1 |
|
|
KINSALE |
15 |
|
|
TIMOLEAGUE |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
106 |
|
|
BANTRY |
BANTRY |
34 |
|
CASTLETOWNBERE |
5 |
|
|
DRIMOLEAGUE |
1 |
|
|
DURRUS |
1 |
|
|
GLENGARRIFF |
1 |
|
|
KEALKIL |
1 |
|
|
SCHULL |
4 |
|
|
TOTAL |
47 |
|
|
CLONAKILTY |
BALTIMORE |
1 |
|
CLONAKILTY |
34 |
|
|
DRINAGH |
1 |
|
|
DUNMANWAY |
11 |
|
|
ROSSCARBERY |
1 |
|
|
SKIBBEREEN |
12 |
|
|
TOTAL |
60 |
|
|
MACROOM |
BAILE BHUIRNE |
2 |
|
BÉAL ÁTHA AN GHAORTHA |
2 |
|
|
COACHFORD |
1 |
|
|
CROOKSTOWN |
11 |
|
|
MACROOM |
38 |
|
|
MILLSTREET |
14 |
|
|
RATHMORE |
1 |
|
|
STUAKE |
1 |
|
|
TARELTON |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL |
71 |
|
|
CORK WEST TOTAL |
|
284 |
My sources advise me that there have been 15 recruitments to west Cork since 2014. There have been 15 recruits over four huge divisions in three years. This hardly inspires confidence and at this rate it will be some time before Garda numbers are increased to 15,000, as provided for in the confidence and supply arrangement. West Cork has a population of over 105,000 with a wide geographical spread of over 100 miles. There needs to be a strong Garda presence in rural areas and this is not the case at the moment. Rural Ireland has to deal with the fact that many Garda stations have been closed, a move which completely decimated the forces of law and order in many areas. Crime and anti-social behaviour are on the increase all over west Cork and the absence of gardaí facilitates this.
I reject the assertion that the withdrawal of Garda services from smaller Garda stations is in any way associated with an increase in crime. In fact the figures state the opposite - there has been a decrease in crimes against property. I assure Deputy Murphy O'Mahony that the focus of investment in personnel is critical and the Garda Commissioner informs me that 15 newly-attested gardaí have been assigned to the west Cork division since the reopening of the college. The Deputy will be aware of the moratorium on Garda recruitment which was introduced in 2010, which resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. I am committed to a rebuilding programme, in terms of numbers and facilities. Personnel are important but we have also made available some €205 million in additional funding for Garda ICT, some of which has been expended in the Cork area, and €46 million for new Garda vehicles, which are important in the context of the Deputy's question, which referred to 105,000 people spread over an area of 100 miles. These investments, along with increased personnel, will facilitate the provision of a more effective policing service. I have no doubt that the new resources coming on stream will produce an increase in Garda visibility in west Cork.
We are due to take Topical Issues. Deputy Durkan is present but there is no Minister so the Deputy may ask a further supplementary question.
There are five community gardaí in the entire west Cork division. I am advised that, from current resources, the chief superintendent has secured eight detectives and one detective sergeant, but these members now need to be urgently replaced. The Garda cannot be held responsible in circumstances where adequate numbers are not maintained and I call on the Minister to address this matter without delay.
I am pleased the Deputy mentioned community policing because community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána. It recognises that every community, rural and otherwise, has its own concerns, priorities and expectations of An Garda Síochána and I welcome the strong emphasis of the modernisation and renewal programme, MRP, on further developing and supporting the ethos of community policing. This enables gardaí to spend more time in the community, allows them to gain the trust and confidence of local communities and provides a greater level of security in communities. I refer the Deputy to the community policing framework initiative in which community policing teams, comprising gardaí from a range of areas, will be set up. These teams will work with local communities to prevent and detect crime in their locality and each will be supported by the community safety forum.
These forums, which will comprise local gardaí, members of the public and members of community groups, will promote crime prevention strategies. This will ensure a clear and consistent approach to community policing and a better service for communities in west Cork, Carlow-Kilkenny and, in the case of Deputy Healy-Rae, Kerry.
