Written Answers Nos. 278-297
278. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of competitions held for sworn gardaí to apply to join the Garda national economic crime bureau in 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of gardaí, by rank, who applied for each of those competitions to join GNECB in the years in question, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26778/24]
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 Garda business, including for the allocation of Garda members and staff to a given unit. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime. The 2024 allocation provides a budget of over €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána, representing a 25% increase since 2020. This unprecedented budget will strengthen the work of specialist units within An Garda Síochána such as the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau. Furthermore, as part of Budget 2024's unprecedented allocation, €155 million has been allocated for digital capital investment and IT.
I am assured that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under continued review, in line with crime and population trends, to ensure their optimum use.
The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of competitions held for sworn Gardaí to apply to join the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) in 2023. To date there have been no competitions in 2024. The table also gives the number of Gardaí, by rank, who applied for each of those competitions to join the GNECB. I am advised that the Garda authorities will not report on numbers that are less than 10 for operational reasons.
|
YEAR |
COMPETITIONS |
INSPECTORS |
SERGEANTS |
GARDAÍ |
|
2023 |
1 |
* |
16 |
83 |
|
2024 |
Nil |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
* Denotes fewer than 10
279. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 505 of 30 April 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26779/24]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately the information was not received on time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is available.
280. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí, by rank, attached to the Dublin crime response team as of 14 June 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26780/24]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately the information was not received on time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is available.
281. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 454 of 21 May 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26781/24]
View answerParliamentary Question No. 454 of 21 May 2024 refers to the number of Gardaí by rank attached to each divisional drugs unit as of 14 May 2024 in tabular form.
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, as well as for decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review, in the context of crime trends and policing priorities.
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 its vital policing work. This funding has enabled the Garda Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist units involved in tackling organised crime.
These include the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Unit, and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB). Between 2019 and 2023, over €380m in drugs have been seized by the Gardaí.
The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau leads in tackling all forms of drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs in Ireland. Collaboration at an inter-agency and international level remain key in tackling this issue. Given the global nature of the drugs trade, international law enforcement co-operation remains a key element in the overall response.
An Garda Síochána has strong and strategic partnerships in place at international level targeting drug trafficking, including working closely with relevant law enforcement agencies such as INTERPOL and Europol and participating in the Maritime Analysis Operations Centre for Narcotics (MAOC-N) based in Lisbon.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that there were 336 Garda members assigned to Divisional Drugs Units nationwide on 30 April 2024, the latest date for when figures are available. This represents an increase of 30% since the end of 2015.
The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda Authorities, sets out the number of Garda members by rank attached to each divisional drug unit on 30 April 2024.
|
DIVISIONAL DRUGS UNITS |
Inspector |
Sergeant |
Garda |
Total |
|
CLARE/TIPPERARY |
|
2 |
15 |
17 |
|
CORK CITY |
|
2 |
17 |
19 |
|
CORK NORTH |
|
1 |
6 |
7 |
|
CORK WEST |
|
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
DMR EAST |
|
1 |
6 |
7 |
|
DMR NORTH |
|
4 |
20 |
24 |
|
DMR NORTH CENTRAL |
1 |
3 |
30 |
34 |
|
DMR SOUTH |
|
2 |
19 |
21 |
|
DMR SOUTH CENTRAL |
|
1 |
13 |
14 |
|
DMR WEST |
|
4 |
22 |
26 |
|
DONEGAL |
|
1 |
8 |
9 |
|
GALWAY |
|
1 |
16 |
17 |
|
KERRY |
|
1 |
11 |
12 |
|
KILDARE |
1 |
1 |
5 |
7 |
|
KILKENNY/CARLOW |
|
1 |
10 |
11 |
|
LAOIS / OFFALY |
|
2 |
7 |
9 |
|
LIMERICK |
1 |
2 |
15 |
18 |
|
LOUTH/CAVAN/MONAGHAN |
|
4 |
16 |
20 |
|
MAYO/ROSCOMMON/LONGFORD |
|
2 |
10 |
12 |
|
MEATH/WESTMEATH |
2 |
2 |
8 |
12 |
|
SLIGO / LEITRIM |
1 |
1 |
6 |
8 |
|
WATERFORD |
|
2 |
11 |
13 |
|
WEXFORD |
|
|
8 |
8 |
|
WICKLOW |
|
1 |
4 |
5 |
|
Total |
6 |
42 |
288 |
336 |
Please note that this information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.
282. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of competitions, by rank, that were held for gardaí to apply to join Garda armed support units in 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of gardaí, by rank, who applied for each competition for GASU, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26782/24]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately the information was not received on time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is available.
283. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 457 of 21 May 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26783/24]
View answerParliamentary Question No. 457 of 21 May 2024 refers to the number of dry custody cells in each district within the DMR as of 14 May 2024.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including any decisions in relation to the allocation and control of Garda equipment and resources. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters.
The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.
However, to be of assistance, I sought the information you requested from the Garda authorities who have advised that there is 1 (one) dry cell in Store Street Garda station, 1 (one) dry cell in Santry Garda station, and 1 (one) dry cell in Ballymun Garda station.
I am further advised that the three cells are no longer in use.
284. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí, by rank, attached to the street crime unit within the J district of DMR as of 17 June 2024; the number of incidents dealt with by SCU in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26784/24]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately the information has not been received on time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is available.
285. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of motorcycle escort courses held for gardaí within roads policing units in 2023 and to date in 2024; the duration of these courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26785/24]
View answerAs 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 Garda training matters. As Minister, I have no role in this regard.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that training courses available from the Garda College are provided on a needs basis, and with regard to the operational requirements of the Garda organisation.
The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Garda members by Division who attended the Motorcycle Escort course in 2023 and to date in 2024. I am informed that each course was conducted over a five day period.
|
Date of Training |
Division |
No. Of Members Trained |
|
13/02/2023 |
TRAFFIC DIVISION (DMR) |
3 |
|
(1 COURSE) |
DMR EAST |
1 |
|
|
DMR WEST |
1 |
|
20/02/2023 |
TRAFFIC DIVISION (DMR) |
4 |
|
(1 COURSE) |
DMR NORTH CENTRAL |
1 |
|
2 COURSES IN 2023 |
TOTAL MEMBERS TRAINED 2023 |
10 |
|
08/04/2024 |
DMR SOUTH CENTRAL |
1 |
|
(1 COURSE) |
KILDARE |
2 |
|
|
TRAFFIC DIVISION (DMR) |
2 |
|
13/5/2024 |
CAVAN/MONAGHAN |
2 |
|
(1 COURSE) |
DONEGAL |
3 |
|
2 COURSES IN 2024 |
TOTAL MEMBERS TRAINED 2024 |
10 |
286. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she has met the chief superintendent of DMR north to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26786/24]
View answerWhile I have met many Chief Superintendents since my appointment as Minister, I have not had the opportunity to meet formally with the Chief Superintendent for DMR North, as yet.
I can, however, assure the Deputy that I meet with the Garda Commissioner on a regular basis. I meet him formally on a quarterly basis and I also meet him to discuss matters as the need arises or on specific issues. In addition, given the nature of our respective roles, I meet the Commissioner at events, ceremonies, etc., throughout the year, such as when new members of An Garda Síochána are attested in Templemore.
287. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda age ID cards issued in 2023 and to date in 2024; the amount collected in this period for the issuing of these age ID cards, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26787/24]
View answerAs 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 administration of the Garda Age Card scheme. As Minister, I have no role in the issuing of Age Cards.
I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised that, under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 (Age Card) Regulations 2010, anyone over the age of 18 can apply for a voluntary Age Card. The Age Card can be used by individuals aged 18 and over to show that they have reached the legal age for purchasing alcohol.
The table below, furnished to me by the Garda authorities, shows the number of Age Cards issued between 1 January 2023 to 31 May 2024, as well as the surplus income generated from the Age Card fees.
|
Year |
Age Cards Issued |
Surplus Income from Age Card Fees |
|
2023 |
25,372 |
€9,792.56 |
|
2024* |
9,367 |
€1,243.88 |
*Up until 31 May 2024
It is important to note that an Age Card is a 'proof of age' card and not an official identity card. Further information on the Age Card scheme can be found at www.agecard.ie.
288. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons currently in prison for the offence of theft from the person and due to be released in 2026 and 2027, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26788/24]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that a snapshot analysis of the prison population is conducted on the last day of each month. The most recent analysis was conducted on 31 May 2024 and it is this analysis which has been used to provide the information requested by the Deputy.
On 31 May 2024 there were 580 individuals in custody, comprising 66 women and 514 men, who are serving a sentence where their most serious offence was Group 8 which is 'Theft and Related Offences'. Of those 580 individuals, there are 80 with release dates in 2026 and there are 28 with release dates in 2027.
The description of offences used by the IPS for Group 8, 'Theft and Related Offences', matches the codes used by the Courts for the offence description. It is that offence description that is provided in the table below along with the number of people due to be released in 2026 and in 2027, again broken down by those offence descriptions.
|
Offence Description - Most Serious Offence |
2026 |
2027 |
Total |
|
GETTING ON/INTO M.P.V. WITHOUT AUTHORITY |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
HANDLING PROPERTY GAINED FROM THE PROCEEDS OF CRIME/DRUG TRAFFICKING |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
HANDLING STOLEN PROPERTY |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY (OTHER THAN STEALING) |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
ROBBERY |
54 |
22 |
76 |
|
THEFT |
17 |
4 |
21 |
|
UNAUTHORISED CARRIAGE IN/ON M.P.V. |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
UNAUTHORISED INTERFERENCE WITH M.P.V. |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
UNAUTHORISED TAKING OF M.P.V. |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|
UNAUTHORISED TAKING OF PEDAL CYCLE |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Grand Total |
80 |
28 |
108 |
The Irish Prison Service also have advised that detailed statistical information in relation to numbers in prison custody, prison sentences and length of sentences is available on the Irish Prison Service website, www.irishprisons.ie. This information can be found on the Irish Prison Service website in the Information Centre – under Statistics and Information. Statistics available include daily prison population, monthly information note statistics, snapshot statistics and yearly statistics.
289. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons arrested and charged with residential burglary within the R district of the DMR in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26789/24]
View answerAs you 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 a search of the PULSE database was conducted for all incidents of 'residential burglary' in the R district of the Dublin Region where a person was subsequently arrested, and which resulted in a charge.
I am advised that the count of unique charges created in 2023 and in 2024, up to 17 June 2024 is set out in the table below.
|
Charge Year |
Charges Created |
|
2023 |
58 |
|
2024 |
23 |
290. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of senior psychologists and staff grade psychologists recruited into the Irish Prison Service in 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of senior psychologists and staff grade psychologists who left the Irish Prison Service during the same period, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26790/24]
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.
The Irish Prison Service continually monitors staffing requirements and vacancies across the organisation, which arise as a result of multiple factors such as mobility, resignations, promotions and retirements, and recruitment campaigns are launched accordingly.
There is currently a live competition to recruit Clinical/Counselling (Staff Grade) Psychologists.
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of Senior Grade Psychologists and Staff Grade Psychologists who have joined and the number who have left the Irish Prison Service in 2023 and to-date in 2024 is provided in the tables below.
|
Grade |
Number recruited in 2023 |
Number who exited the IPS in 2023 |
|
Senior Psychologist |
0* |
4 |
|
Staff Grade Psychologist |
4 |
2 |
* In the course of 2023, 5 established Staff Grade Psychologists were promoted into the role of Senior Psychologists and remain in post.
|
Grade |
Number recruited in 2024 |
Number who exited the IPS in 2024 |
|
Senior Psychologist |
0 |
0 |
|
Staff Grade Psychologist |
3 |
0 |
291. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of each category of public order training courses held for gardaí within the DMR to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26792/24]
View answerAs 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 Garda training matters. As Minister, I have no role in this regard.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Gardaí with specialist training in public order policing perform duty with the Public Order Unit to provide tactical support as well as a graduated policing response to appropriate incidents, while effectively assisting frontline Gardaí.
These Garda members are only required to perform public order duties when operational demands require their deployment, otherwise they are engaged in routine policing duties. The Garda National Public Order Unit, (GNPOU), is not a full-time unit. Members trained in public order are deployed from across the organisation for operational requirements when the need arises.
The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Public Order training courses held for Gardaí within the DMR in 2024 to date.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that training courses available from the Garda College are provided on a needs basis, and with regard to the operational requirements of the Garda organisation.
|
Course - Public Order 2024 |
DMR |
|
Public Order Operator Level 1 |
6 |
|
Public Order Operator Level 2 |
5 |
|
Public Order Operator Fitness Test |
5 |
|
Aviva Stadium Tactics Operator |
4 |
|
Aviva Stadium Tactics Instructor |
1 |
|
Aviva Stadium Tactics Trainer |
1 |
|
Total |
22 |
292. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of incidents where cars were damaged by objects thrown from motorway overpass bridges in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26845/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes the recording of incidents/crime data on the Garda PULSE system. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that there is no specific incident type for "cars damaged by objects thrown". As a result the information sought by the Deputy is not available.
293. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice for an update on the review of the criteria for residency permits for medical professionals, as outlined in correspondence (details supplied); if there is a date by which the new criteria are expected to be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26897/24]
View answerIn 2022, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Department of Health and my Department introduced changes to the working arrangements and immigration permissions for non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHD). These changes were intended to be beneficial to doctors who require such permissions and who have made an enormous contribution to the Irish health service.
Since September 2022, all NCHDs applying for a 1st-time registration or renewal of a residence permission, and who have a Multi-Site General Employment permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, are issued with a Stamp 1H.
A Stamp 1H applicant moving to Stamp 4 has the same conditions as a Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) holder and will be granted a 2 year validity period. Their spouses may be granted a Stamp 1G immigration permission for 1 year at a time.
In this case it appears that the person had moved from a General Employment Permit Stamp 1 permission to a Stamp 4 permission prior to the introduction of the Multi-site General Employment Permit and Stamp 1H permission. I have asked that officials in my Department engage with the person concerned to assess what practical implications of this may be and what measures, if any, can be taken to address them.
294. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice if she has provided updated guidelines to local authorities if they should re-establish joint policing committees; and if she will outline the transitionary arrangements for the implementation for local community safety partnerships. [27014/24]
View answerOur approach to community safety is a whole-of-Government one. We want to bring the relevant social service providers and the Gardaí together with the community in a collaborative manner, by focusing on the concerns identified by the local community itself.
The Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) are provided for in Part 3 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which was signed into law by the President in February 2024. It is my intention that the LCSPs will begin rollout across Ireland in the coming period.
In preparation for the national rollout of LCSPs, an Expression of Interest process is being undertaken by each Local Authority to identify a suitable Chairperson for each Local Community Safety Partnership over the course of the summer. I am hopeful that many communities will start to see Local Community Safety Partnerships established over the coming months.
The Partnerships will operate at local authority level and they will build upon the work of Joint Policing Committees (JPCs). The work to recruit the full time staff of the partnerships and to identify the members in each local community is underway in my Department and engagement with the local authorities and key service providers has commenced.
I will also be establishing a National Office for Community Safety, which will have responsibility for delivering the objectives of the national strategy. The National Office will provide training, guidance and other support to the Local Community Safety Partnerships.
295. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the current waiting times for de facto partner visas. [27070/24]
View answer296. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the frequently with which her Department updates a web link related to visa permissions (details supplied). [27071/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 296 together.
I can advise the Deputy that my Department provides indicative processing timeframes for certain immigration applications on the immigration website, www.irishimmigration.ie.
It is important to note that these are business targets for the immigration service. Processing times for these applications will vary depending on the type and complexity of applications, individual circumstances, peak application periods, seasonal factors, and the resources available. While every effort is made to process applications as quickly as possible, processing times inevitably vary as a result.
In order to be fair, to all applicants, applications are processed in chronological order by the date received in the relevant office. New decisions are published on the visa pages of each of the seven overseas visa offices and the relevant Embassy website.
Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following page which is updated each Tuesday:
www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
The current processing dates for De Facto Preclearance applications are listed below:
De Facto (unmarried) Partner of Irish National 16 January 2024
De Facto (unmarried) Partner of CSEP/HA 05 January 2024
I can advise the Deputy, that the date published on the above page is the oldest date of application currently being processed under a given category. However, it should be noted that the Visa team continue to process and make decisions on applications received after the published processing date. If a particular application takes longer to consider this may prevent the published processing date from advancing.
It is important to note that no two applications are the same and there can be a number of reasons as to why some take longer than others to process. It may be the case that the application is the subject of investigation or further checks. My Department may also be waiting for the applicant to respond to specific queries or submit additional documentation requested by the Visa Officer.
Therefore, I can assure the Deputy that if the published processing dates for De Facto Preclearance applications remains unchanged this does not indicate the processing of these applications has halted overall.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application to join their Partner in Ireland that my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible. These applications are now being processed through my Department’s online platform, this simplified application process will speed up our processing times and lead to better outcomes for applicants.
297. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on her engagement with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on creating a separate process for non-EU and non-EEA PhD researchers to apply for the 1G visa upon submitting their thesis (details supplied). [27098/24]
View answerMy Department operates the Third Level Graduate Programme which allows legally resident Irish educated non-EEA graduates who hold a level 8 or level 9 award from a recognised awarding body to remain in Ireland after their studies for a period of 12 or 24 months. This residence permission is for the purposes of seeking graduate level employment and applying for a suitable employment permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The graduate permission is also available to PhD Researchers on completion of their studies and the awarding of a recognised qualification.
While my Department has responsibility for immigration related matters, the requirements of the international education sector and our higher education institutions are a matter, in the first instance, for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science. My officials engage, on an ongoing basis, with officials from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on a range of issues relating to international students, including matters relating to the Third Level Graduate Programme.
There are currently no plans to amend the existing arrangements for the graduate permission. However, my Department will continue to engage with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on all matters of mutual interest and consider any proposals that the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science might have regarding the Third Level Graduate Programme.
