Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:851. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice for an update on the Carlow women's refuge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14096/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
Ceisteanna (851, 891)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:891. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice what discussion her Department has had with the HSE and Carlow County Council and the Minister for Health regarding the provision of a building or a site for a women's refuge in Carlow; if the provision of a safe house has been secured in an interim measure; if her Department is aware of how many safe houses are available in Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14609/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 851 and 891 together.
Combating domestic, sexual and gender-based violence remains an absolute priority for this Government, for my Department and for An Garda Síochána. This is reflected in our policies, legislative proposals and in increased budgetary allocations in recent years. The scale of our ambition in this regard is set out in our whole of Government Zero Tolerance Strategy to combat all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, better support victims and survivors and create a society that does accept the behaviours and attitudes that underpin these terrible crimes.
Central to delivering on the Zero Tolerance goal of this strategy was the establishment of Cuan, the statutory based domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency which I was delighted to formally open in February of this year.
Cuan has a mandate to drive the implementation of the strategy across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue and it will work collaboratively with the NGO and DSGBV services sector to ensure that the best possible services are in place to meet the needs of victims and survivors.
As part of its remit, Cuan has responsibility for the provision of DSGBV services, including the provision and funding of refuge spaces and will be working with the sector and with relevant Government Departments and agencies to deliver on the commitment to double the number of refuge spaces across the country, bringing it to 280 by the end of the timeframe of this current Strategy.
As the Deputy is aware, Carlow is one of the counties in Ireland without a refuge and as such is on the priority list for the development of a refuge. Cuan will be working with relevant stakeholders to deliver this and I have referred the questions posed by the Deputy to Cuan for direct reply.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (852)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:852. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice an update on the refurbishment of Leighlinbridge Garda Station; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14097/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes the management of the Garda Estate. Additionally, the Commissioner determines the distribution and stationing of the Garda Síochána throughout the State under Section 33 of the Act. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that Leighlinbridge Garda Station was closed as part of the closure of 139 Garda Stations across the country in 2012 and 2013, and was subsequently identified as one of a small number of stations to be re-opened.
For the Deputy's information, I am further advised that the area in question is serviced by Muine Bheag Garda Station, which is a 24hr Garda Station and is located 5.7km from Leighlinbridge Garda Station.
The position in relation to Leighlinbridge Garda Station will be kept under review.
Naturalisation Applications
Ceisteanna (853)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:853. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Justice to outline the process for naturalisation applications; the duration of this process; if there are any delays to current applications (details supplied); to clarify how some applications can take longer than others; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14160/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time. The median processing time is 19 months.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.
My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eVetting and online payments.
My Department has recently moved from paper to online based citizenship applications. This is one of a number of measures introduced in an effort to optimise the application process and enhance the overall customer service experience. As part of the new online process, customers are issued with an acknowledgment on submission of the online application. The forms provide a seamless application process and help guide applicants through what is required for an application.
In a little over two years the Citizenship Division of my Department has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year to processing over 20,000 applications. This 66% increase in processing has been achieved through digitising and streamlining processes.
Finally, I can advise the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department continues to communicate regularly with all applicants to keep them informed as to updates on processing times and arrangements.
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 at: IMoireachtasmail@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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Departmental Advertising
Ceisteanna (854)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:854. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice if her Department uses community radio for advertising and public awareness campaigns; if not, the reason, given the vital role community radio often plays in the dissemination of information to local communities; if her Department will consider using community radio for public awareness campaigns in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14174/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department advertises regularly on regional radio across the country, to access and communicate to audiences in every county, as part of my Department's media strategy. An important aspect of that strategy is raising awareness in the area of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV).
In June 2022, I published the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. The goal of the Strategy is clear: Zero Tolerance of DSGBV and the attitudes which underpin it.
The Strategy includes actions requiring a number of awareness campaigns on various DSGBV-related topics. These include:
• prevention campaigns using the bystander and positive masculinity models
• highlighting pathways to safety and supports
• raising awareness on consent
• raising awareness on intimate image abuse
• raising awareness on the rights of victims of crime
These campaigns are developed in collaboration with a Campaigns Advisory Group, which consists of NGOs from the sector, as well as other state bodies including An Garda Síochána and Tusla, and other experts; and with consideration of new requirements under the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 , and using pre-campaign research and post-campaign evaluation.
Over the past 18 months, campaigns on pathways to safety (Always Here), raising awareness on consent (The Consent Conversation), intimate image abuse (phase two – Serious Consequences), and raising awareness on victims rights (Diversity and Translations) were developed and have appeared across local and national media.
On the specific matter raised by the Deputy, I am advised by our media buying company that community radio stations are not commercially licensed, therefore inventory is not available for us to commercially trade. Due to their niche audience and limited scale, community radio stations are often run through funding (local), donations, and on a volunteer basis which means they generally are not set up to take advertising.
A hybrid example is Raidió na Life, which was formerly a non-commercial community radio station. Since the changes introduced on Irish language advertising, Raidió has sought a commercial licence, and is now utilised as part of our media plans.
I am further advised that there is also no way to measure media/advertising output on community stations.
Finally, the Deputy may wish to note that responsibility for the development and launch of additional campaigns focused on DSGBV, and the responsibility for running future bursts of the existing DSGBV campaigns, has transferred to Cuan, the new DSGBV Agency.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (855)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:855. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on Garda Operation Limmat; the number of successful convictions obtained under this operation to date; if this operation is still ongoing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14190/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all operational and investigative policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters and cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to such.
I've been informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Limmat was introduced in January 2022 in the DMR with specific emphasis on reducing the harmful effect of assaults in public places in the DMR Region. This operation drives a pro arrest, pro enforcement, early investigation approach when incidents of assault and associated crime occur in the DMR.
Operation Limmat also promotes early prosecution of offenders with intelligence-led policing to identify hotspots where assaults occur and with a view of identifying prolific recidivist offenders.
Operation Limmat is still active in the DMR Region. All assaults that occur in public places are considered relevant to Operation Limmat.
As the Deputy will appreciate, An Garda Síochána does not hold and cannot provide a return for convictions. Queries regarding convictions data should be directed toward the Courts Service, who are responsible for providing such information. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
However, as per the recorded crime statistics compiled by the Central Statistics Office, there is a 3.7% reduction in assaults causing harm in the DMR when 2023 is compared with 2022.
The Garda Commissioner has assured the Minister that there will continue to be a high-visibility policing presence in the DMR. He has the resources to do so under Budget 2024, with an overtime budget to use as required and a stream of new Gardaí coming down the tracks from the recruitment planned for this year.
Last year, the Minister for Justice provided additional overtime in Dublin and it is important to note that the overall Garda overtime budget for 2024 is a substantial increase on last year.
It may interest the Deputy to note that, as of the end of February 2024, there were 3,688 Garda members assigned to the Garda Divisions across Dublin. This represents a 5.6% increase on the number assigned to Dublin in 2015 when there were 3,491. These Garda members work alongside 465 Garda Staff, which is a 121% increase since 2015.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (856)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:856. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if funding has been approved in 2024 for the replacement of the inflatable boats within the Garda water unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14191/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 boats or specialist equipment for the Garda Water Unit. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
The Garda Water Unit is a national resource based at Santry Garda Station, Dublin Metropolitan Region and Garycastle, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of January 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, there were six inflatable boats attached to the Garda Water Unit.
I am advised that these boats meet the current requirements of the Unit and that the equipment fitted is regularly serviced and upgraded when necessary. I am further advised that there are currently no plans to replace these boats.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (857)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:857. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of kennels currently in use within the Garda dog unit; the last time the number of kennels was increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14192/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In Budget 2024, as part of the €2.3 billion Garda allocation, the Government provided funding for a new national centre of excellence in Dublin for the Garda Dog Unit, with the planned expansion to all Garda regions on a phased basis involving 50 handlers with access to 100 dogs of different capabilities.
As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions, nor can I direct the Commissioner with regard to them.
I am assured that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of resources under continued review, in line with crime and population trends, to ensure their optimum use.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 2 April An Garda Síochána has 18 official operational kennelling facilities provided for in the following locations:
• 6 dog kennels in the Garda Dog Unit, Dublin
• 2 dog kennels in the Garda Dog Unit, Limerick
• 4 dog kennels in the Garda Dog Unit, Cork
• 6 dog kennels in the Garda Dog Unit, Galway
I am further informed that, in addition to the operational centres, members attached to the Garda Dog Unit have kennelling provided to them in their private residence as the dogs require kennelling facilities off duty as well as on working tours.
I am also advised the latest increase in kennel numbers took place in Cork and Galway within the last twelve months. The kennel numbers in Douglas, Cork have increased from two kennels to four kennels, and six new kennels were established in Galway.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (858)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:858. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of arrests from Pearse Street Garda station in 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14193/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As you may be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 26 of the Garda
Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that a search of the PULSE database was conducted on 3 March 2023 for arrests between 1 January 2023 to 21 March 2024 (the latest date for which figures are available) in which the station of custody was recorded as Pearse Street.
Based on the numbers returned, the table below shows the count of arrests by year.
|
Year |
2023 |
2024 (to 21 March) |
|
Count |
3236 |
725 |
Please note that this incident data is based upon operational data from the PULSE system as was available on 21 March 2024 and is liable to change.
State Visits
Ceisteanna (859)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:859. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she plans to invite the US Secretary for Homeland Security to Ireland this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14194/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy will appreciate that my Department engages from time to time with the US Department of Homeland Security at different levels as part of bilateral relations or through engagement as part of the European Union, for example, in the context of joint EU-US meetings.
My officials also have ongoing engagement with DHS in support of the US Visa Waiver Programme (VWP). Ireland places great importance in its continuing participation in the US VWP and will continue the close cooperation with the US in this matter.
While I have no immediate plans to meet the Secretary, this is kept under review.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (860)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:860. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who have been detained when arriving into the State and charged with travelling on a false Chinese passport in the past 12 months, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14195/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the arrest and detention of people travelling on false passports is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
I have, however, requested information in respect of such cases from An Garda Síochána and I am informed that information is not recorded in the manner as requested by the Deputy.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (861)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:861. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the amount of drugs seized under Operation Pier; the number of persons successful charged under this operation to date; if this operation is still live; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14196/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all operational and investigative policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters and cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to such.
Operation Pier was commenced in 2015 in the DMR South Central Region to tackle anti-social behaviour and drug dealing in the Temple Bar area. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Pier is no longer active in its original format having been subsumed into Operation Citizen in 2022.
As the Deputy may be aware, Operation Citizen was implemented on 22 October 2021 for the purpose of providing reassurance to citizens, visitors and the business community that Dublin city centre is a safe place in which to visit, conduct business, socialise and enjoy its amenities. It aims to deliver a high-visibility policing presence in the city centre on a daily basis.
An Garda Síochána have also advised that they are unable to provide drug seizure values based on PULSE data. The official source for reporting of drug types, quantities and values is the An Garda Síochána Annual Report following analysis and verification by Forensic Science Ireland. The report for 2022, published last October, can be viewed at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/annual%20reports/an-garda-siochana-annual-reports/an-garda-siochana-annual-report-2022.pdf
To be of assistance to the Deputy, a search of the PULSE database was conducted for Prisoner Logs, Charges and Summons associated with Incidents in the Pearse Street and Store Street Districts with a reported date between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2022. The table below shows the number of arrests, charges and summons by year. These figures relate to all operational activity and not limited to one operation.
|
Year |
Charge |
Arrests |
Summons |
|
2017 |
935 |
630 |
18 |
|
2018 |
1057 |
733 |
33 |
|
2019 |
3020 |
2095 |
148 |
|
2020 |
2540 |
1594 |
111 |
|
2021 |
1660 |
1210 |
134 |
|
2022 |
595 |
367 |
81 |
|
Grand Total |
9807 |
6629 |
525 |
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (862)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:862. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of incidents of suspected needle spiking reported to gardaí in 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14197/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (863)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:863. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of penal warrants outstanding in the Garda R district within DMR as of 31 March 2024; of the number of penal warrants outstanding, the number that have been outstanding for a period of in excess of six months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14198/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (864)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:864. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 413 of 20 February 2024, 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. [14199/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that Parliamentary Question No. 413 of 20 February 2024 refers to the number of competitions held for sworn Gardaí to apply to join the National Support Services Unit in 2023 and to date in 2024.
As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the training of its members and civilian staff. I, as Minister, have no role in the matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there have been four competitions held for sworn Gardaí to join the Operational Support Services Unit, formally known as the National Support Services Unit. I am further advised that two of the competitions were held in 2023 and two have been held in 2024, to date.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (865)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:865. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda family liaison officer courses held in DMR West division in the years of 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14200/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 all matters relating to recruitment and training. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters.
The Garda authorities have informed me that the location where training courses take place is dictated by numerous factors and not solely by where those receiving the training are based. As such, the number of Garda members from the DMR West Division who received Family Liaison Officer training can be provided. I am further informed that fewer than 10 members were trained in each of the years requested by the Deputy.
I am further advised by Garda authorities that it is not the policy of An Garda Síochána to further report on numbers that are fewer than 10. In cases where the requested figures are fewer than ten, the personnel referenced may be identifiable to the general public, thus posing a potential risk to their safety. Furthermore, An Garda Síochána, along with fellow Government Departments and public bodies, is bound by existing Data Protection legislation; the release of figures of fewer than ten has the potential to compromise the protection and privacy of individuals employed by An Garda Síochána and moreover constitute a breach of this legislation and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (866)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:866. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the estimated cost of training an additional 200 gardaí in the competency-based driver level 3 Course in 2024, 2025 and 2026, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14201/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, by law, for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister I play no role in the training of Garda members, or in arrangements for such training.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that in the Garda College 2024 Training Plan, there are seven CBD3 Courses scheduled with eight participants per Course. Therefore 56 participants will be detailed to attend CBD3 training this year.
Training takes place in the Garda College and is a three week course.
In order to train an additional 200 Gardaí per year in 2024, 2025 and 2026, this would require the Garda College to run a further 25 courses per year with eight participants per course.
The Overtime and Travel and Subsistence cost for this additional training is estimated at €42,775 per year. There would also be associated fleet costs, for which an estimate is unavailable.
Outside of the additional costs to run this training, I am further advised that it would not be possible for the Garda College to run this additional training with its current resources and delivery method. If this training was to proceed it would be at the expense of CBD2 training places which have been deemed an organisational training need priority.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (867)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:867. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of arrests from Store Street Garda station in the years of 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14202/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As you may be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that a search of the PULSE database was conducted on 3 March 2023 for arrests between 1 January 2023 to 21 March 2024 (the latest date for which figures are available) in which the station of custody was recorded as Store Street.
Based on the numbers returned, the table below shows the count of arrests by year.
|
Year |
2023 |
2024 (to 21 March) |
|
Count |
4153 |
1254 |
Please note that this incident data is based upon operational data from the PULSE system as was available on 21/03/2024 and is liable to change.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (868)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:868. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of competitions held for gardaí per rank to apply for posts within the Garda National Immigration Unit in the years of 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; the number of gardaí by rank that applied for the vacancies within GNIB in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14203/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána in 2024, a 25% increase since 2020, demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring the Gardaí have provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.
As you will be aware, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the various Garda Units.
As Minister, I have no role in these operational matters, however, I am assured that the Garda Commissioner keeps under review the need to fill vacancies as operationally required.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table below. The information supplied is as of 8 April 2024, and is operational and subject to change.
|
Year |
Number of Competitions |
Rank |
Number of Applications received |
|
2023 |
1 |
Detective Inspector |
<10 |
|
2023 |
1 |
Detective Sergeant |
45 |
|
2023 - ongoing |
1 |
Detective Garda |
196 |
|
2023 |
1 |
Sergeant |
23 |
|
2023 - ongoing |
1 |
Garda |
121 |
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (869, 870)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:869. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda cars and motorcycles attached to DMR North Roads Policing Unit as of 20 March 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14204/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraJim O'Callaghan
Ceist:870. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of new Garda command and control vehicles added to the fleet in 2023 and to-date in 2024; the number of command-and-control vehicles withdrawn from the fleet during this period in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14205/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 869 and 870 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
While the enforcement of road traffic legislation is an operational matter for the Garda authorities, I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of An Garda Síochána.
The unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.
There are now 3,513 vehicles in the Garda fleet, the highest ever and a 34% increase since 2015, which includes 2,655 cars, 562 vans, 140 motorcycles, 103 4x4 and 53 others. (*The category 'others' refers to MPV, SUV, Minibus or Prisoner Conveyance Vehicles).
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that as of 20 March 2024 there were four cars attached to the DMR North Roads Policing Unit. I am further advised that there were no motorcycles attached to the Unit on this date.
I am informed that as of 25 March 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, there were four Command and Control vehicles attached to the Garda fleet. I am further advised that no Command and Control vehicles were allocated to or removed from the Garda fleet in 2023 or in 2024, up to 25 March.
I have been assured by An Garda Síochána that the allocation of vehicles is made on the basis of identified operational demands and the availability of resources and the allocation of vehicles is monitored and reviewed on a continual basis to ensure the best match with operational requirements.
Question No. 870 answered with Question No. 869.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (871)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:871. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of stinger training courses held for Garda RPUs within DMR in 2023 and to date in 2024; the duration of this course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14206/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As you may be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.
I have been informed that Garda College only delivers Vehicle Stopping Devices (Stinger) Instructor Courses at a national level to Garda Members based in each division. Members who receive this course are then qualified to act as instructors on the use of stinger devices who then train members as required within their Divisions.
The table below gives details of the Vehicle Stopping Devices (Stinger) Instructor Courses delivered by the Garda College to Roads Policing Units in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR).
|
Year |
No. of courses |
No. trained |
Duration |
|
2023 |
2 |
22 |
2 days |
|
2024 |
Nil |
Nil |
n/a |
As the Vehicle Stopping Devices (Stinger) User Courses are then delivered by these Divisional Instructors to members of Road Policing Units in the DMR, the records of those retained within each Division are retained at a Divisional level.
This data was correct and up to date as of 8 April 2024.
Question No. 872 answered with Question No. 815.
Visa Applications
Ceisteanna (873)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:873. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice if visa applications will be expedited for persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14256/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am happy to inform the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer the Visa applications referred to were granted on 28 March 2024.
Entry into the State is solely at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. The onus is on the individuals to have all documentation relating to their reasons for entering Ireland for presentation to the Immigration Officer to gain entry. The Immigration Officer may grant leave to enter to a maximum period of three months. They may, depending on the documentation presented, refuse entry to the state or grant a lesser period than three months.
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.
Legislative Measures
Ceisteanna (874)
Pa Daly
Ceist:874. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice when she intends to move the next stage of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023. [14259/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023 was published on 17 July 2023 and passed Committee stage in the Dáil on 14 November 2023. Dáil Report stage is expected to take place in April 2024.
The main objectives of the Bill include
To implement recommendations from the O’Malley Review of Protections for Vulnerable Witnesses in the Investigation and Prosecution of Sexual Offences.
To put the new National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for Victims of Human Trafficking on a statutory footing.
To clear the final obstacles to ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.
On foot of the recommendations of the Independent Review Group Report on dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces, to amend the Defence Act 1954 to ensure that persons subject to military law who commit specified sexual offences in this jurisdiction will be dealt with by An Garda Síochána and the civilian courts rather than by courts-martial.
To provide that character evidence introduced at a sentencing hearing for a person convicted of an offence listed in the Schedule of the Sex Offenders Act 2001 must be made on oath or via affidavit.