Written Answers Nos. 64-72
64. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the funding her Department provided to the Garda juvenile diversion programme and to the Garda youth diversion programme in each of the years 2006 to 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18745/16]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Garda Diversion Programme operates in accordance with Part 4 of the Children Act 2001, as amended, and under the general superintendence and control of the Garda Commissioner. The aim of the Diversion Programme, through the network of Juvenile Liaison Officers (JLOs), is to deal with young people who offend, by way of administering a formal or informal caution, thus diverting the young offender away from the Courts and minimising the likelihood of further offending. The Programme embraces, whenever possible, the principles of restorative justice and, at all times, pays the highest regard to the needs of victims. The Programme has proven to be highly successful in diverting children and young people away from crime by offering guidance and support to them and their families. This is evident from the continuing fall in the number of children and young people referred to the Programme in recent years.
The Programme is supported by my Department through the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) which funds and oversees over 100 Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) across the country.
GYDPs are community based multi-agency crime prevention initiatives which primarily seek to divert young people who have become involved in criminal or anti-social behaviour. The projects aim to bring about the conditions whereby the behavioural patterns of young people towards law and order can develop and mature through positive interventions and interaction with the project. The projects are particularly targeted at 12-17 year old “at risk” youths in communities where a specific need has been identified and where there is a risk of them remaining within the criminal justice system.
The funding to Garda Youth Diversion Projects in each of the years from 2006 to June 2016 is as follows:
2006 - €6.4m2007 - €7.5m2008 - €8.8m2009 - €8.5m2010 - €11.6m2011 - €11.3m2012 - €10.9m2013 - €11.3m2014 - €11.3m2015 - €11.3m 2016 - €5.7m (June) The GYDPs are co-funded under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) of the European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020. EU receipts totalling some €6m are anticipated in respect of expenditure in 2015.
Dormant Accounts funding has also been secured under the Dormant Accounts Disbursement Scheme 2013 – 2016 to support the GYDPs. The IYJS received €0.33m reimbursement from the Dormant Accounts Fund in respect of GYDP related expenditure in 2015 and has secured €1.9m in Dormant Accounts funding in 2016 for the establishment of new GYDPs and providing additional support to existing GYDPs.
65. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when recruits in the Garda station in Swords, County Dublin will complete their studies; if she will retain these recruits in Swords; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18746/16]
View answer66. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of members of An Garda Síochána who are available to man patrols from the station in Swords, County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18747/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 66 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continual review taking into account crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. In regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Division. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division as appropriate.
I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of resources and the best possible policing service is provided to the general public.
Swords Garda station is situated in Coolock Garda district, which in turns forms part of the Dublin metropolitan region (DMR) North. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the distribution of members of An Garda Síochána in DMR North on 30 April 2016, the latest date for which figures are to hand is as shown in the table below. The DMR North Division is also supported by 55 members of the Garda Reserve and 40 civilian staff. All Divisional resources are further augmented by a number of Garda national units such as the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and other specialised units.
As the Deputy will be aware, when the financial crisis hit, the Government of the time introduced a moratorium on recruitment and the four year National Recovery Plan, published in 2010, envisaged a steady reduction in Garda numbers. Thankfully, in a recovering economy, we were able to reopen the Garda College in September 2014, and a total of 851 Garda trainees have been recruited with a further 300 planned to be recruited during the remainder of this year. So far 463 of the new Garda trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream uniform duties nationwide. Another 76 will attest on 7 July with 150 more to attest in November. I am assured by the Commissioner that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of newly attested Gardaí and that so far this year 35 newly attested Gardaí have been assigned to the DMR North Garda Division.
This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. Key to achieving this goal is the commitment in the Programme for Government, "A Programme for a Partnership Government" to continue the ongoing accelerated Garda recruitment programme with a view to increasing Garda numbers to 15,000.
Taking account of projected retirements, the current rate of recruitment will bring Garda numbers to around the 13,000 mark this year. We must, I believe, endeavour to make more rapid progress than this to reach our target of 15,000 and I am engaging with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, in relation to increasing the planned annual intake this year and in coming years.
|
30 April 2016 |
District |
Station |
Total |
|
BALBRIGGAN |
BALBRIGGAN |
68 |
|
|
GARRISTOWN |
2 |
||
|
LUSK |
10 |
||
|
SKERRIES |
9 |
||
|
BALBRIGGAN Total |
89 |
||
|
BALLYMUN |
BALLYMUN |
121 |
|
|
DUBLIN AIRPORT |
20 |
||
|
SANTRY |
82 |
||
|
BALLYMUN Total |
223 |
||
|
COOLOCK |
COOLOCK |
103 |
|
|
MALAHIDE |
30 |
||
|
SWORDS |
69 |
||
|
COOLOCK Total |
202 |
||
|
CLONTARF |
65 |
||
|
HOWTH |
27 |
||
|
RAHENY |
RAHENY |
66 |
|
|
DMR NORTH |
RAHENY Total |
158 |
|
|
DMR NORTH Total |
672 |
67. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has updated the Police Using Leading Systems Effectively, PULSE, system to record the description of pedal bicycles that can be searched for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18748/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources, including in relation to developments of the PULSE system, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have, however, been informed by the Garda authorities that the PULSE system allows for the creation of searchable records in relation to bicycles.
68. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number, rank, title and job of members of An Garda Síochána who are assigned to the Limerick city division; the number of stations and vehicles in this division; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18749/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel and vehicles, among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continual review taking into account crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. In regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Division. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division as appropriate.
I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of resources and the best possible policing service is provided to the general public.
I have been informed by the Commissioner that the distribution of members of An Garda Síochána in the Limerick Division on 30 April 2016, the latest date for which figures are to hand, was as set out in the table. There are 26 Garda stations in the Division. The Limerick Division is also supported by 50 members of the Garda Reserve and 49 civilian staff. All Divisional resources are further augmented by a number of Garda national units such as the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and other specialised units.
As the Deputy will be aware, when the financial crisis hit, the Government of the time introduced a moratorium on recruitment and the four year National Recovery Plan, published in 2010, envisaged a steady reduction in Garda numbers. Thankfully, in a recovering economy, we were able to reopen the Garda College in September 2014, and a total of 851 Garda trainees have been recruited with a further 300 planned to be recruited during the remainder of this year. So far 463 of the new Garda trainees have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream uniformed duties nationwide. Another 76 will attest on the 7 July with 150 more to attest in November. I am assured by the Commissioner that the needs of all Garda Divisions are fully considered when determining the allocation of newly attested Gardaí and that so far this year 12 newly attested Gardaí have been assigned to the Limerick Division.
This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. Key to achieving this goal is the commitment in the Programme for Government, "A Programme for a Partnership Government" to continue the ongoing accelerated Garda recruitment programme with a view to increasing Garda numbers to 15,000.
Taking account of projected retirements, the current rate of recruitment will bring Garda numbers to around the 13,000 mark this year. We must, I believe, endeavour to make more rapid progress than this to reach our target of 15,000 and I am engaging with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, in relation to increasing the planned annual intake this year and in coming years.
High visibility policing requires high-powered vehicles, marked and unmarked patrol cars, and motorcycles. Investment in a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose Garda fleet will continue under the Government’s Capital Plan 2016-2021 which provides €46 million for new Garda vehicles, ensuring that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime. This is in addition to the €34 million that has been invested in the fleet since 2012 with over 720 new vehicles coming on stream since the start of 2015. A breakdown of all the Garda vehicles in the Limerick Division is also attached. Responsibility for the efficient deployment of Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations, as required by operational circumstances.
|
30 April 2016 |
District |
Station |
GD |
SG |
IN |
SU |
CS |
AC |
Total |
|
BALLYLANDERS |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
BRUFF |
22 |
5 |
27 |
||||||
|
BRUREE |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
CAPPAMORE |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||||
|
HOSPITAL |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
KILMALLOCK |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||||
|
MURROE |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
BRUFF |
PALLASGREEN |
2 |
2 |
||||||
|
BRUFF Total |
37 |
7 |
44 |
||||||
|
ARDNACRUSHA |
3 |
3 |
|||||||
|
CASTLECONNELL |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
HENRY STREET |
193 |
35 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
235 |
|||
|
HENRY STREET |
MAYORSTONE PARK |
58 |
10 |
1 |
69 |
||||
|
HENRY STREET Total |
257 |
46 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
311 |
|||
|
ABBEYFEALE |
7 |
1 |
8 |
||||||
|
ADARE |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
ASKEATON |
9 |
1 |
10 |
||||||
|
ATHEA |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
CROOM |
3 |
3 |
|||||||
|
DRUMCOLLOGHER |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
FOYNES |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
NEWCASTLE WEST |
29 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
36 |
||||
|
PALLASKENRY |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
NEWCASTLE WEST |
RATHKEALE |
7 |
2 |
9 |
|||||
|
NEWCASTLE WEST Total |
63 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
74 |
||||
|
BALLYNEETY |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
CAHERCONLISH |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
PATRICKSWELL |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
ROXBORO ROAD |
ROXBORO ROAD |
98 |
17 |
2 |
1 |
118 |
|||
|
LIMERICK Division |
ROXBORO ROAD Total |
104 |
17 |
2 |
1 |
124 |
|||
|
LIMERICK Division Total |
461 |
79 |
8 |
4 |
1 |
553 |
Limerick Divisional Fleet as on 28 th June 2016
|
- |
MARKED |
UNMARKED |
CARS TOTAL |
VAN |
Motorcycle |
4X4 |
OTHER |
Total |
|
LIMERICK DIVISIONAL Total |
33 |
26 |
59 |
19 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
88 |
|
BRUFF DISTRICT |
3 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
HENRY STREET DISTRICT |
15 |
19 |
34 |
13 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
56 |
|
NEWCASTLEWEST DISTRICT |
10 |
2 |
12 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
15 |
|
ROXBORO ROAD DISTRICT |
5 |
4 |
9 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
12 |
69. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance his plans to ensure that Ireland maintains its downward trend in smoking rates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18639/16]
View answer72. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance if he allowed officials of his Department to meet with any tobacco company in 2015 where the tax treatment of heated tobacco products was discussed; if he fully supports the objectives of Tobacco Free Ireland and if he will not permit a reduced excise rate on any tobacco product whose reduced risk claim has not been verified by an independent scientific body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18642/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 72 together.
The Programme for a Partnership Government sets out a key public health committment to make Ireland tobacco free by 2025. I support this committment.
The tax treatment of tobacco products is provided for in Directive 2011/64/EU (the 'Tobacco Products Tax Directive'), which harmonises the structures and definitions of tobacco products. However, the Directive does not, at this time, explicitly provide for heated tobacco products. Work is underway at EU level to amend the Directive to provide for a harmonised definition and tax treatment of heated tobacco products and officials are currently engaged in technical discussions at EU level in this regard.
I am informed by Revenue that, while heated tobacco products are not currently available on the Irish market, in the event that they are introduced here before the Directive is amended, the current national tobacco tax provisions are sufficiently broad to ensure that they will fall to be taxed as smoking tobacco.
On 28 August 2015, officials from my Department met with representatives of a tobacco company. The issue of the excise treatment of new heated tobacco products was raised by the company representatives. My officials referred them to the Revenue Commissioners for the clarification of the treatment of these products as set out above. In this regard, Revenue officials meet regularly with the tobacco companies and with tobacco industry representatives to discuss administrative and operational issues around tobacco products tax.
70. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of the recruitment process used to fill a recent vacancy for a clerical officer position based at the Office of the Revenue Commissioners in Donegal town; if this post was filled using the central applications facility central transfer list; if not, why this method was not utilised to recruit for this vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18662/16]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that no clerical officer positions have been filled recently in their offices in Donegal Town.
Staffing within Revenue is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners and Revenue reviews its business and staff resource requirements in all locations and at all grades on an on-going basis as part of its workforce planning.
71. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the disabled passenger tax concession scheme. [18599/16]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that a completed application under the Disabled Drivers & Passengers Scheme was received by them on 23rd June 2016. This application will now be processed as quickly as possible and the person concerned will then be advised of the outcome of the application.
