Written Answers Nos. 1632-1651
1632. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1114 of 19 March 2025, the timeframe in which he intends to bring forward pre-action protocol regulations related to the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004; the legislative mechanism he intends to use to implement such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20848/25]
View answerFollowing consultation with stakeholders, drafting of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 (Clinical Negligence) Pre-Action Protocol Regulations is at an advanced stage with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and I hope to sign them in the coming months.
These regulations will introduce a protocol in relation to proceedings concerning possible clinical negligence. The aims of the protocol are to encourage early resolution of allegations of clinical negligence, promote timely communication between the parties, reduce the number of cases which go to court, facilitate the early identification of issues in dispute and encourage the early settlement of such cases.
1635. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 455 of 11 February 2025, regarding his plans to bring forward legislation in response to the Independent Review Group into the Offences Against the State Acts, if his Department has now completed the consultation on the recommendations of that review; when he will bring forward a substantive response to the Review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20894/25]
View answerMy Department has substantially completed consultations and analysis on the recommendations of the Review Group and I expect to be able to propose a substantive response to those recommendations for consideration by government in the coming months.
1636. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 559 of 25 March 2025, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to answer this PQ. [20916/25]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for his question.
A post reply to the original question, No. 559 of 25 March 2025 issued to the Deputy on 22 April 2025.
1637. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice if he has spoken with the Garda Commissioner in relation to the scrambler and quad crisis on public roads and parks. [20917/25]
View answer1638. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice if he has spoken to the Garda Commissioner on the provision of a dedicated and specially trained unit to deal with the pursuit of illegal scramblers and quads on streets and in parks. [20918/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1637 and 1638 together.
While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for garda operational matters, including road traffic legislation enforcement, I engage regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need to do their jobs.
Road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of all Gardaí, as well as through a programme of high-visibility road safety and specialist enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies, in order to make our roads safer for all. Gardaí continue to enforce road traffic legislation and detect dangerous use of scramblers, quad bikes and e-scooters.
An Garda Síochána responds to all reports of anti-social behaviour and conducts operations on an ongoing basis to target the anti-social activities of people using scramblers, mopeds and quads in public parks and green areas.
The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 gives Gardaí powers to tackle the anti-social use of scramblers and quad bikes, including through powers of seizure. This legislation rests under the Department of Transport.
An Garda Síochána has, through various media and social media platforms, highlighted the inherent dangers associated with the use of those vehicles. In order to combat dangerous behaviour, intelligence is gathered at local level and areas are targeted as appropriate. Garda operations targeting the illegal use of those vehicles involve all members who are assigned to operational duties.
A new Garda Spontaneous Pursuits Policy was published in December 2024. This policy aims to provide direction to Garda personnel who in the course of their duties, engage in the use of pursuit tactics and pursuit management in order to reduce the risk associated with pursuits and stopping of subject vehicles. This applies to any vehicles, not just cars or motorcycles/scramblers.
It should be noted that interception poses significant risks, not only to the drivers and passengers of these vehicles, but also to members of the public and local Gardaí in affected communities. These difficulties would remain, irrespective of any legislative enhancements.
With regard to the apprehension of the individuals involved, Gardaí are required to carry out a risk assessment as to how they should respond to each individual case presented before them.
Gardaí must operate within the law and have to be mindful of the dangers to themselves, members of the public present, the rider and the issues involved with a pursuit of this type which could have fatal consequences.
It is important to note that Gardaí have other enforcement options open to them including investigative expertise to locate and question suspected persons after the fact which would pose less of a risk to public safety.
In addition, the Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour, chaired by former Minister of State James Browne, previously examined measures to be taken when vehicles such as scramblers and quad bikes are misused in communities. The work of the sub-group laid the foundation for a new initiative to support local projects to encourage young people in the safe and legal use of motorbikes.
It is hoped that this combined approach of increased Garda powers to tackle the misuse of scramblers, together with the creation of alternative options for those who wish to use such vehicles safely and legally, will have a significant impact in tackling the problem.
1639. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of Gardaí, by rank, within the DMR region that have been fully trained in the usage of drones and the legislation regarding drones being used in public areas. [20919/25]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
1640. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 268 of 3 April 2025, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda Authorities to answer this PQ. [20920/25]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
1641. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice if he has met with each of the chief superintendents within the DMR region since his appointment; and if not, when he will meet the remaining chief superintendents. [20921/25]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that, to date, I have met with the following Chief Superintendents within the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) since taking office:
On 14 February 2025, during a visit to Store Street Garda Station, I met with the Chief Superintendent of DMR North Central.
On 20 February 2025, during a visit to Dublin Castle, I met with the Assistant Commissioner of the Dublin Metropolitan Region along with all Chief Superintendents in the DMR, with the exception of the Chief Superintendent of the DMR North Division who was represented at the meeting by a Superintendent.
However, on 7 April 2025, during a visit to Ballymun Garda Station, I met with the Chief Superintendent of DMR North Division.
In addition, I have held four formal meetings with the Garda Commissioner since taking office. Each of these meetings were held in my Department's offices at 51 St. Stephen's Green and were attended by senior officials from my Department as well as from An Garda Síochána. The relevant dates are as follows:
• 24 January 2025
• 7 February 2025
• 6 March 2025
• 28 April 2025
I have also met the Commissioner on several occasions in the normal course of performing our respective roles. I have visited a number of Garda stations and attended, along with the Commissioner, a passing out ceremony in the Garda Training College in Templemore. I have met at various times with members of the Commissioner's senior team and with the Garda senior leadership team in Dublin.
Finally, I have met with all of the Garda representative associations.
1642. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 267 of 3 April 2025, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda Authorities to answer this PQ. [20922/25]
View answerI refer to Parliamentary Question No. 267 of 3 April 2025 where you sought:
To ask the Minister for Justice when the last competition was held for sworn Gardaí to apply to join the Garda band; and the number of Gardaí that have applied to join the band.
The Deputy will recall that the information could not be obtained in the time available, and I undertook to contact you again when the requested information was received from the Garda authorities.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible, by law, for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all matters relating to the recruitment, training and appointment of its members. This responsibility extends to the Garda Band.
I have been advised by An Garda Síochána that the Garda Band advertised an Internal Expression of Interest in 2024. There were three applications, from two Garda members and one Garda staff.
The strength of the Garda Band is 24 members as of 31 March 2025.
1643. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice for an update on a visa application for an individual (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21015/25]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the person referred to created a study visa application on 14 April 2025.
Once they are satisfied with their application they should click “submit” and print a copy of the “Summary Form”.
The summary form contains some of the information they have entered. It will also contain instructions on what they are required to do next to submit their documentation.
They should lodge the summary form together with the relevant fee and supporting documentation with the Irish Embassy as soon as possible. They should make sure that the supporting documentation is as up to date as possible. Only upon receipt of the necessary documentation, can the visa application be processed further.
The summary sheet and supporting documentation has not been received by the Irish Embassy to date.
The person concerned can now directly check the status of their visa application on the Immigration Service’s new Digital Contact Centre (DCC). They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at:
https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases 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.
1644. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda juvenile liaison officers based in Cork county Garda division. [21029/25]
View answerJuvenile Liaison Officers (JLOs) are sworn members of An Garda Síochána and are appointed at Divisional level on full time JLO duties.
The Garda National Youth Diversion Bureau has responsibility for the selection, training, support and ongoing liaison with a network of Juvenile Liaison Officers in every Garda Community Engagement Area.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as of 28 February 2025 (the latest date for which figures are available) there were 5 JLOs based in Cork county division who are tasked with supporting the Director in the administration, consideration as to suitability, caution, monitoring and implementation of the Youth Diversion Programme.
In the interest of transparency, figures related to the Garda workforce are published on my Department's website. This information is supplied by An Garda Síochána, is operational and subject to change. These figures are regularly updated by my Department, upon receipt of the information from the Garda authorities.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
1645. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Justice if he will ensure sufficient resources are available to allow Youghal Garda station in County Cork to have a 24-7 Garda presence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21039/25]
View answerI am committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. The Garda Vote in Budget 2025 saw unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion for this year, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
Under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions.
While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, I look forward to engaging regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need. I am informed that when allocating and transferring Garda members to and from any Division, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan and priorities as determined in delivering ‘A Policing Service for The Future’.
I understand that the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are also taken into account, which include:
• Local and national crime trends and workloads;
• Policing arrangements and operational strategies;
• Minimum establishment statistics;
• Local population and trends, geographical area and size;
• Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns.
I am advised that as of 28 February 2025, the latest date for when figures are available, there were 19 Garda members assigned to Youghal Station and 1 Garda Staff member.
The Deputy may be interested to know that An Garda Síochána do not police on a station basis, but rather on a Divisional basis and see stations as locations within communities for people to attend, and for resources to be accommodated. Policing for an area will be delivered using all resources in a Community Engagement area and supported by Divisional resources and units.
1646. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Justice if his Department maintains any guidelines around Garda resource allocation for towns based on population size; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21040/25]
View answerUnder the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. The Garda Vote in Budget 2025 saw unprecedented funding of over €2.48 billion for this year, a 27% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, I look forward to engaging regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need. I am informed that when allocating and transferring Garda members to and from any Division, consideration is given to commitments and undertakings outlined in the Annual Policing Plan and priorities as determined in delivering ‘A Policing Service for The Future’.
I understand that the requirements of all Garda Divisions nationwide are also taken into account, which include:
• Local and national crime trends and workloads;
• Policing arrangements and operational strategies;
• Minimum establishment statistics;
• Local population and trends, geographical area and size;
• Transfer applications, including welfare, personnel issues and concerns.
The Deputy may be interested to know that An Garda Síochána don’t police on a station basis, but rather on a Divisional basis and see stations as locations within communities for people to attend, and for resources to be accommodated. Policing for an area will be delivered using all resources in a Community Engagement area and supported by Divisional resources and units.
1647. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda cars allocated to Carrigaline Garda station in 2024 and to date in 2025, and the units assigned to same, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21045/25]
View answerUnder Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the distribution of resources, including the Garda fleet, across the various Garda Divisions and National/Specialist Units.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that as of 31 March 2025, the most recent figures available, there were 3,662 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet, the highest total of vehicles ever in use by An Garda Síochána. This represents an increase of over 17% since the end of December 2020.
An Garda Síochána employ a divisional model and do not police on a station by station basis. The Garda Operating Model was introduced after recommendations from the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, and based on feedback from Gardaí at all ranks.
Carrigaline Garda Station is located in the Togher District of the Cork City Division. The number of Garda cars allocated to the Togher District as of 31 March 2025 is 23. This includes 15 unmarked cars and 8 marked cars. This is an increase on the 2024 figure of 22 which included 14 unmarked cars and 8 marked cars.
An Garda Síochána publishes detailed information on the Garda fleet from 2008 to date, including a Divisional/District monthly breakdown. The monthly Fleet reports are currently available from 2020 to February 2025. This is publicly available on their website at the following link:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html[]
1648. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the number of local authorities that have established local community safety partnerships (LCSPs) to date; the number of local authorities due to establish LCSPs; the funding allocated to LCSPs to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21054/25]
View answer1649. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the number of community safety coordinators in place; the regions they cover; if he will provide a breakdown of annual costs associated with the position of community safety coordinator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21055/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1648 and 1649 together.
The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which I commenced on Wednesday 2 April 2025, provides for the establishment of Local Community Safety Partnerships within each local authority area.
A key principle of the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland is that community safety requires multi-agency cooperation working in partnership with An Garda Síochána and crucially with communities themselves. The Commission's report recommended the establishment of national and local structures to bring together Departments and State agencies involved in harm prevention to promote community safety.
Local Community Safety Partnerships will replace and build upon the good work of the Joint Policing Committees, supplementing this by bringing together a broader range of relevant stakeholders including local councillors, An Garda Síochána, local residents, community representatives, business and education representatives, and a range of statutory agencies including the HSE, Tusla and each local authority.
Each of the 36 Local Community Safety Partnerships due to be established will be required to develop and implement its own tailored community safety plan. The Partnerships will take a strategic approach to their work so that issues arising can be dealt with in a coordinated manner and addressed collectively by relevant service providers in partnership with the local community.
In preparation for the national rollout, three Pilot Partnerships are ongoing in Waterford, Longford and Dublin North Inner City since 2021. Each pilot LCSP brought together community members, local representatives and statutory representatives and successfully produced a community safety plan with specific projects and actions to improve community safety. The Pilot Partnerships were subject to independent monitoring and evaluation with baseline, interim and final reports published. The learning from these pilots is being used to inform the national roll out of LCSPs.
Section 114 of the PSCS Act provides for the making of regulations to establish the Local Community Safety Partnerships. I expect these regulations to be finalised in the coming weeks which will enable the rollout of the Partnerships nationally.
Each LCSP will be led by a chair and supported by a coordinator and administrator. These full-time coordinators and administrators are resourced by the Department of Justice and employed by the relevant local authority. In preparation for the establishment of the Partnerships, local authorities have been recruiting these staff and a number have been appointed across the country.
The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act also provides for a National Office for Community Safety. It is a function of this Office to provide training, guidance and support to the Partnerships. The National Office team are engaging directly with local authorities and other stakeholders to support the establishment of the Partnerships.
1650. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the annual funding for the bail supervision service from 2019 to date; the number of interventions made by the service for young people and adults over the corresponding time period, in tabular form; the areas in which the service operates; the resulting outcomes of these interventions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21057/25]
View answerThe Bail Supervision Scheme offers courts an alternative option to detaining a young person who comes before them. It provides for the possibility of granting bail with intensive supervision.
By reducing the need for remand places, this also provides an opportunity to focus on developing successful community resources designed to prevent young people being detained in a youth justice facility and preventing them from going further down the path of criminality.
The Bail Supervision Scheme currently serves the Children Courts in Dublin, Limerick and Cork (Table 1 below refers). The scheme uses Multisystemic Therapy (MST) to support families of young people, who appear before the court and receive bail with conditions, to adhere to these conditions prior to subsequent court appearances.
Direct contact for all cases is at least two to three in person contacts per week, each for a duration of one to three hours. Outside of this there is support given to attend appointments and Court appearances. The BSS also provides 24/7 on call support service to the families as is part of the MST approach. Therapists meet with families and the young person in their homes and communities. Interventions aim to empower parents/ guardians to ensure their children adhere to their bail conditions while at the same time assisting the young person to engage in education, and with identified community based services.
In 2019, an evaluation of the BSS was published by the then Department of Children and Youth Affairs (Evaluation of the Bail Supervision Scheme for Children (pilot Scheme) The pilot scheme had been based out of the Dublin Children Court and as a result of the positive impact of BSS, as identified in this evaluation, the scheme was expanded to Limerick and Cork Children Courts.
Plans to extend this scheme beyond the three Children Courts it currently serves are being considered. There is currently no bail support scheme for adults in operation.
Table 1 Bail Supervision Scheme 2019 - 2024
|
Year |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Funding |
Data Unavailable |
€1,200,487 |
€1,142,400 |
€2,009,910 |
€599,760 |
€2,120,000 |
|
Location |
Dublin |
Dublin |
Dublin Limerick |
Dublin Limerick Cork |
Dublin Limerick Cork |
Dublin Limerick Cork |
|
Number of young people/families |
31 |
27 |
25 |
56 |
65 |
74 |
1651. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice if the progression unit in Mountjoy Prison has been closed; the reasons for this closure; the impacts this has had on prisoners in Mountjoy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21058/25]
View answerThe Irish Prison Service must make the best use of all available prison capacity when managing accommodation across the estate.
Sex offenders, both sentenced and remand, were previously accommodated at 4 locations – Midlands Prison, Arbour Hill Prison, Castlerea Prison and Mountjoy Training Unit. However, due to limitations at these locations and rising sex offender committals to prison, it was decided to consider other options within the prison estate to accommodate this cohort of prisoner.
The process of accommodating sex offenders in the part of Mountjoy Prison which was previously known as the Progression Unit commenced during March 2024. This area of Mountjoy Prison is located on the west side of the prison campus and is self-sufficient in relation to recreation, education, work and training and there is no requirement for prisoners living here to interact or traverse to the main prison. For this reason, it was decided that this is a suitable location to accommodate sex offenders.
As of 25 April 2025, there are 258 cells in Mountjoy Prison (West) accommodating 256 prisoners, with the remaining cells allocated for new committals with convictions of a sexual nature. Of the 256 prisoners accommodated here, 218 are prisoners serving sentences for sex offences.
Those currently accommodated in Mountjoy Prison (West) and not serving their sentences for sex offences will either remain there, or be moved to alternative suitable accommodation within the prison estate. The Irish Prison Service is committed to making every effort to ensure that the transfers of prisoners from Mountjoy Prison (West) will not negatively impact on them in terms of how their sentences are being managed and, in all prisons, prisoners have access to engage in authorised programmes and structured activity.
