Written Answers Nos. 455-470
455. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of the appeals for visas in the case of the family of a person (details supplied); when the appeals can be expected to be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30545/23]
View answerThe visa applications referred to by the Deputy were refused by the Visa Office in Dublin on 24 January 2023. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicants at that time. An appeal of this decision was launched on 8 March 2023.
Appeals for applications of this type are processed in the order in which they are received, to be fair to all applicants. While every effort is made to process these applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume of appeals received, their complexity, the possible need for the visa office to seek further information in relation to certain appeals and the resources available to process them.
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 the Immigration Service website. When making an appeal, the applicant should take into account the reasons for refusal listed in the refusal letter. The appeal should include any further information or additional documentation they wish to have considered, and should be sent for the attention of the Visa Appeals Officer, in the relevant Visa Office, where the matter will be considered afresh.
Full consideration will be given to any appeals received on behalf of the applicants, however the onus is on applicants to satisfy the Visa Officer that visas should be granted. Processing times and decisions at the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the webpage for the relevant office.
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. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
456. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice if the gardaí are aware of HHC cannabinoids being sold in vapes in Ireland; and if there have been any investigations into its sale in vape shops. [30556/23]
View answerAs 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 for all investigative matters. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977/84.
As the Deputy will also be aware, 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.
Implementation is led by my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Hildegarde Naughton, and encompasses actions for all stakeholders, including An Garda Síochána and my Department. Further to this, the Misuse of Drugs Act falls under the remit of the Minister for Health.
An Garda Síochána advise that HHC is the first semi-synthetic cannabinoid reported in the EU and has been monitored as a new psychoactive substance (NPS) by the EU Early Warning System since 21 October 2022.
I can inform the Deputy that An Garda Síochána are represented on the Early Warning Emerging Trends Committee which was convened under Action 3.3.38 of the National Drugs and Alcohol Strategy 2017-2025, which is delivered by continuing to develop systems to monitor changing drug trends in line with the EU Early Warning monitoring system.
I have also been assured that An Garda Síochána continue to target those involved in the sale, supply and cultivation of controlled drugs in Ireland through operational initiatives such as Operation Tara, which is a nationwide operation launched to have an impact on all illegal drug activities.
457. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the estimated full-year cost if 1,500 new gardaí were recruited in both 2024 and 2025, in tabular form. [30665/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented provision of over €2 billion to the Garda Vote this year, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in An Garda Síochána.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am however assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review. I am advised that this is considered in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure the optimum use of these resources.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the below table shows the estimated payroll and fixed subsistence cost for recruiting 1,500 full time Garda members in the years 2024 and 2025.
|
- |
2024 |
2025 |
|
€million |
€million |
|
|
2024 intake (Year 1 and Year 2) |
38.22 |
78.85 |
|
2025 intake (Year 1 only) |
- |
38.22 |
I am informed by the Garda authorities that year 1 figures include a basic training allowance for 33 weeks along with 19 weeks of post attestation salary, an estimation of certain fixed allowances and variable unsocial hours’ allowances, employer’s PRSI and an estimate of subsistence paid during the trainees' deployment to an operational station.
I am also informed year 2 figures include moving to point 2 of the pay scale one year after attestation and an estimation of certain fixed allowances and variable unsocial hours’ allowances and employer’s PRSI.
I understand that pay increases scheduled for 1 October 2023 are taken into consideration. Currently there are no pay increases agreed for 2024 and 2025.
I am advised that other potential costs including the cost of equipment and accommodation are not included. It should also be noted that the estimated figures do not take account of potential overtime costs or potential future pension costs.
I am also advised that figures are operational and subject to change, figures are an estimate only and not indicative of actual costs.
458. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of competitions held for sworn Garda members to apply to join the Garda National Immigration Bureau in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [30666/23]
View answerAs 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 all human resource matters and recruitment. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised of the following information.
There were two competitions sanctioned for the Garda National Immigration Bureau in 2022, both of which are still in progress.
|
COMPETITION |
STATUS |
|
Vacancies for D/Inspectors, D/Sergeants and D/Gardaí, Detective Posts |
Application closing date was 2 June. Competition process is ongoing with preparations for interviews underway. |
|
Vacancies for Sergeant and Gardaí, Uniformed Posts, Dublin Airport |
Application closing date was 2 June. Competition process is ongoing with preparations for interviews underway. |
459. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 456 of 9 May 2023, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to have this PQ answered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30667/23]
View answerI propose this will also serve as a response to PQs 21700/23 and 25642/23 previously raised by the Deputy, to which I had been awaiting observations from An Garda Síochána.
Fear of harassment and violence should never be normalised and nobody should have to think about it as they go about their daily life. Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a priority for this Government. This is reflected in a significant €9m increase in the Budget 2023 allocation and in the development of our policy and legislation.
Twelve months ago we published our Zero Tolerance strategy. It is an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept domestic violence or the attitudes which underpin it.
The €363 million strategy is built on four pillars – Protection, Prevention, Prosecution and Policy Co-ordination – and the accompanying implementation plan contains 144 detailed actions to be implemented through new oversight structures.
As the Deputy may be aware, the nationwide roll-out of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs), which was an action under both the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and ‘Supporting a Victim's Journey’, has been completed.
There is now a DPSU in every Garda division across the country.
This is to ensure that when vulnerable victims of crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence present to Gardaí, they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance.
Having previously made enquiries of An Garda Síochána, I have now been informed that no central record exists in relation to the number of cases that each DPSU has dealt with in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023. I have been advised that to collate the information would require a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources, in particular historical figures regarding case-loads.
I am further informed by An Garda Síochána that the Deputy's request has been explored and considered thoroughly by various sections within AGS where it was concluded that it is not possible to report with any reliability on the number of incidents assigned to DPSU staff in the past, due to the transfer and movement of staff due to promotion, and so on.
460. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of threat-to-kill incidents reported to gardaí within the R and J districts of the DMR in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30668/23]
View answerAs 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 Districts referred to by the Deputy are part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (D.M.R.) North Division. The Garda R District (Coolock District) and the J District (Raheny District).
Figures in respect of "Attempts/threats to murder, assaults, harassments and related offences" and other criminal offences reported to Gardaí in the R and J Districts, can be found on the CSO website at the link below. However, it is worth noting that crime statistics for Q1 of 2023 are not yet available and are due to be published by the CSO in the coming weeks.
data.cso.ie/table/CJQ06
461. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of incidents that the Garda water unit was requested to attend in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30669/23]
View answerAs 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.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda Water Unit is a national resource based at Santry Garda Station, Dublin Metropolitan Region and Garycastle, Athlone, Co. Westmeath and is under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the strategic control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services and the operational control of Superintendent, Operational Support Services.
I am further informed the unit provides a full dive and marine capability throughout the State and responds to requests for assistance from within An Garda Síochána and relevant agencies. In the past year the Water Unit members have undergone recertification and training courses that were not undertaken during the Covid period due to restrictions.
I am advised one request for the Garda Water Unit to assist in a missing person search can result in the unit being deployed at a scene for a number of days.
The tables below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outline the number of incidents that the Garda Water Unit was requested to attend in 2021 ,2022 and up to 21 June 2023.
2023 to date
|
Requests |
Patrols |
Open Days |
|
35 |
14 |
7 |
2022
|
Requests |
Patrols |
Open Days |
|
65 |
80 |
22 |
2021
|
Requests |
Patrols |
Open Days |
|
68 |
145 |
0 |
It is worth noting the figures do not account for days involved in training, administration or maintenance of equipment/transport/vessels by the GWU.
I understand the patrol figures indicate the number of patrols carried out by GWU where there has been no request. These patrols are usually carried out on the waterways and marinas of the Dublin Bay area, River Shannon system including lakes and the midland lakes.
I am further advised the open days/community days should be considered as requests from An Garda Síochána personnel around the country.
462. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if the contract for the issuing of a new ballistic vests to frontline gardaí has been put out to tender and if so, the closing date for receiving tender offers. [30670/23]
View answerAs 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 procurement of protective equipment such as ballistic vests. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that currently there is no tender advertised for the provision of protective body armour for An Garda Síochána. I am further advised that the Garda authorities are researching what is available in the market and working with operational personnel to identify what the organisational requirements are in advance of going out to tender.
463. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the estimated full-year cost of providing one additional detective inspector, one additional detective sergeant and two extra detective gardaí to each divisional protective service unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30671/23]
View answerUnder the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am however assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review. I am advised that this is considered in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure the optimum use of these resources.
As the Deputy will be aware, the nationwide rollout of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) - an action under both the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and ‘Supporting a Victim's Journey’ - has been completed, meaning there is now a DPSU in operation in each of the 28 Garda Divisions across the country.
This action was taken in order to ensure that when vulnerable victims of crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence present to Gardaí, they are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance.
I have been advised by the Commissioner that the estimated annual payroll cost of one detective inspector, one detective sergeant and two detective Gardaí is approximately €295,000.
This includes the estimated cost of salary, fixed allowances and employer’s PRSI and has been estimated using the midpoint of the current relevant Garda salary scales.
I am further advised that there may be additional costs for unsocial hours and any potential overtime paymentsare not included.
Future pension costs and non-pay related costs are not included in the estimated figures.
464. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the estimated full-year cost to recruit two additional WTE senior psychologists and two additional psychologists for the Irish Prison Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30672/23]
View answerThe role of the Psychology Service in the Irish Prison Service is to deliver, develop and manage an integrated mental health and criminogenic needs assessment and treatment service for people in custody, in line with service plans and objectives, and within established professional standards, guidelines and policy.
I am informed that the Prison Service currently employ various psychologist grades, including;
• Head of Psychological Services,
• Principal Psychologist Manager,
• Senior Psychologists (Grade I),
• Staff Grade Psychologists (Grade II), and
• Assistant Psychologists - an unqualified grade currently employed on a 2 year fixed term contract.
For ease of reference and for clarity, Senior Psychologists in the Prison Service are classified as "Psychologist Grade 1" for pay scale purposes, and psychologists are classified as "Psychologist in the Prison Service", for pay scale purposes.
The estimated full year costs to recruit 2 additional whole time equivalent Senior Psychologists and 2 additional psychologists is €368,000 gross.
This is inclusive of Employers PRSI of 11.05% and is based on the current pay scales, valid from 1 March 2023. See table below for breakdown.
|
Grade |
Salary |
Employer PRSI (11.05%) |
Total per anumn post cost |
No. of Posts |
Grand Total(s) |
|
Psychologist in the Prison service * |
€66,227 |
€7,318 |
€73,545 |
2 |
€147,090 |
|
Psychologist Grade 1* |
€99,601 |
€11,006 |
€110,607 |
2 |
€221,214 |
|
Total |
165,828 |
18,324 |
184,152 |
4 |
€368,304 |
* The Salary Scale was used to calculate the post cost as per agreed methodology.
465. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of incidents that the Garda armed support unit was requested to attend in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30673/23]
View answerAs 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. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are unable to disclose details in respect of the Armed Support Unit, due to the impact on operational effectiveness and security. Therefore I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
466. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if a new contract for the provision of new Garda roads policing unit vehicles will be put out to tender during Quarter 3 this year. [30674/23]
View answerAs 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 procurement of vehicles for the Garda fleet. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that all Garda vehicles, including Garda Roads Policing Vehicles are purchased under contracts tendered by the Office of Government Procurement.
I am further advised that the current contract for the purchase of Garda Roads Policing Vehicles is in place until 24 November 2024 with the option to extend for a further period of 12 months.
467. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the estimated cost of training an extra 750 gardaí in public order level 2 training in 2023. [30675/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister I play no role in these independent functions.
I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised that Public Order Operator Level 2 training is delivered at a Regional level within An Garda Síochána. The information requested by the Deputy is not available as there are too many variables to consider, such as location of training, number of members per location, cost of trainers, overtime costs to release members for training, travel and subsistence etc.
468. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the amount An Garda Síochána has spent on vehicular recovery services within the DMR north division in 2022 and to date in 2023; the name of the company awarded the contract; when this current contract is due to expire; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30676/23]
View answerAs 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 procurement of services required by An Garda Síochána to perform its function of keeping people safe. As Minister I have no role in these independent functions.
However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised of the following information.
Gannon’s City Recovery was awarded the contract for the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North towing service for the period requested. The below outlines the expenditure for towing services in DMR North.
|
2022 |
€486,153.81 |
|
2023* |
€439,553.68 |
*Period Jan to May 2023 inclusive
The current contract commenced 1 July 2022 for a 5 year term.
469. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the percentage of Garda personnel authorised to carry tasers when on duty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30677/23]
View answerAs 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 Government is also committed to ensuring Garda members have the resources they need to perform their vital roles in the community in a safe manner. An extra €6 million was allocated for new ballistic vests to protect frontline Gardaí, €11 million for new Garda mobile devices, apps and specialist equipment and a further €3 million to start procurement for body warn cameras.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that tasers are only issued to members of An Garda Síochána in specialist firearms and protection units. I hope the Deputy will appreciate, for security reasons, An Garda Síochána cannot release the exact number currently authorised to carry Tasers.
The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, which is reflected in an allocation of over €2 billion under Budget 2023.
470. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice when the result of an investigation the cause of a person's death (details supplied) will be available to the family; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30757/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, all deaths in custody are notified to An Garda Síochána, who investigate where circumstances warrant, in addition to the inquest held in the Coroner's Court. The cause of death is determined by a jury on the basis of the information presented to the Coroner's Court.
The Deputy may also know that all deaths in custody and deaths that occur within one month of temporary release, are also subject to an independent investigation by the Inspector of Prisons. The investigations in some cases are more complex than others and can require additional time and resources to complete. It is acknowledged that the duration of more complex investigations can cause frustration, but the Inspectorate are committed to conducting a thorough and rigorous investigation in each and every case. It is anticipated that the investigation into the death referenced by the Deputy will be completed very shortly.
Following the completion of an investigation, the Inspector of Prisons Office makes recommendations for improvement where appropriate. These recommendations are forwarded to the Prison Service for their attention and the final report is submitted to the Minister for Justice. Finalised reports and any associated Prison Service Action Plan to address the recommendations made are published in an anonymised form on the Gov.ie website and made available to the Coroner.
In addition to this process, the Irish Prison Service has a robust, internal review mechanism which assesses the circumstances of a death in custody, highlights accountability and actions taken in relation to the incident, and outlines lessons learned. This outcome review is reported to the Irish Prison Service National Suicide and Harm Prevention Steering Group, which is chaired by the Director General.
The circumstances of each death in custody and incident of self-harm are also examined by a suicide prevention group in each institution. The groups are chaired by the Prison Governor and include representatives from the various services including; Prison Doctor, Psychiatry, Psychology, Chaplaincy, Probation, Education, and Prison staff. The Groups are required to meet quarterly, or more often if necessary. Their examinations fully cover the background and circumstances of each death and their objective is to identify, where possible, measures which might be implemented to contribute to a reduction in the risk of deaths in the future.
