Written Answers Nos. 297-319
297. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 159 of 28 June 2018, if he will provide a copy of the respective formal notices of appointment by him of the four named governors in his reply to the statutory position of governor of Portlaoise Prison. [30128/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe duties of a prison governor are set out in the Prison Rules, 2007. Section 75(1) states that... "Subject to the directions of the Minister and the Director General, the Governor shall be responsible for the management of the prison of which he or she is responsible." Furthermore, Section 75(7) states that "A Governor shall comply with any directions of the Minister or the Director General or such persons as may be designated by the Minister or the Director General."
All Governors are assigned by the Director with responsibility for Human Resources of the Irish Prison Service in consultation with the Director General. Both operate on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality. It has never been the practice of Ministers to publish notifications to named individuals of their appointments within the Department or in the agencies under its remit.
In relation to the four Governors named in the question, I am informed that the position is as follows. Responsibility for Portlaoise prison was held by Campus Governor Martin Mullen from 29 July 2012 to 12 December, 2016. From 13 December, 2016 to 30 December, 2016 statutory responsibility rested with the lead operational Governor Daniel Robbins. Ethel Gavin was appointed acting Campus Governor from 31 December, 2016 and held statutory responsibility for Portlaoise prison until 2 June 2018 when it transferred to Governor John Farrell who continues to hold this position.
298. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if funding has been awarded to centres (details supplied); if so, the amount; the period and purpose of same; and when the funding will be made available to the projects. [30129/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for funding for intercultural support services has been submitted to the Department of Justice and Equality. This proposal is currently under consideration and a decision will issue shortly. Any funding awarded will be for a two-year period commencing in September 2018.
299. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons refused entry to the State in each of the past four years for the reasons set out in the First Schedule of the Immigration Act 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30136/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that it has not been possible in the time available to provide the details requested. I have requested An Garda Síochána to compile the necessary information and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.
300. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the progress the Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2016 in view of the fact that its passage has been noted as urgent by him and his predecessor; the reason for the delays in the progress of this Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30139/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Coroners (Amendment) Bill, approved by Government in May 2017 for drafting, is a priority for me and for the Government. That is reflected by its inclusion on the Government’s list of priority legislation for publication during this Oireachtas session.
My officials have been working very intensively on this important Bill, together with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, and the drafting is now well advanced. I expect to bring the Bill to Government very shortly for agreement to publish.
I agree that it has taken considerably longer than I had wished or intended, to finalise the Bill for publication. The reasons for this are genuine. It is a complex Bill, both in drafting terms and on the substance. The Deputy will be aware that this Bill will, among other matters, make provision regarding coronial investigation of maternal deaths, in response to the Private Member's Bill tabled by Deputy Clare Daly in that regard. Both Deputy Daly's Bill, and much of the work done by my Department on the reform of coronial law, refer to the text of the Coroners Bill 2007, which provided for a comprehensive reform of coronial law and of the administrative structure of the coroner service in Ireland. That administrative reform requires significant updating and is not yet ready to proceed. That means that we have had to translate the key reforms of coronial law that we are now seeking to make, from the structure and language of the 2007 Bill, into the existing legislation, which dates from 1962. I am satisfied that the Bill I intend to bring forward will fully meet these rather demanding technical drafting requirements, but they have slowed down the drafting process and rendered it more complex.
In addition, the Deputy will be aware there is a huge amount of overall legislative activity – and even of priority legislation - at present in relation both to Private Members’ Bills, and to the Government’s legislative programme, across a large number of fronts. The volume of legislative work means that the resource of the specialists who are available to do it is often spread very thinly.
My officials are currently finalising the Bill together with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, and I expect to seek Government agreement to publish before the end of this month.
I intend to move the Bill as early as possible after publication, so that, with the cooperation of all sides, we can facilitate its swift passage through the Houses.
301. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the work of the Independent Reporting Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30294/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo facilitate monitoring of the implementation of measures aimed at ending paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland, the Fresh Start Agreement provided for the establishment by the two Governments of the Independent Reporting Commission. An international agreement between Ireland and UK establishing the Independent Reporting Commission was signed in Dublin on 13 September 2016 and it was given effect to by legislation in both jurisdictions allowing for the appointment of the Commission.
The Commission’s functions are to:
- report annually on progress towards ending continuing paramilitary activity connected with Northern Ireland (or on such further occasions as required);
- report on the implementation of the relevant measures of the three administrations – critical here will be the NI Executive’s Strategy to tackle paramilitary activity and associated criminality; and
- consult the UK Government and relevant law enforcement agencies, the Irish Government and relevant law enforcement agencies and, in Northern Ireland, the Executive, PSNI, statutory agencies, local councils, communities and civic society organisations.
In my response to the Deputy's Question No. 126 of 20 June, I indicated that I would be meeting with the Independent Reporting Commission on 21 June to hear about the progress the Commission has been making in carrying out its functions.
I had a very informative and constructive meeting with members of the Commission. The Commission has been very active in pursuing its remit and has had a wide engagement with a range of relevant stakeholders, both North and South. The Commission anticipates submitting its first report to the Governments after the summer. I took the opportunity to thank the Members for their commitment and their ongoing, detailed work and I look forward to receiving the Commission's first report.
302. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the working group to examine and report on the jury system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30349/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs mentioned by Deputy McGrath, the Working Group on Jury Service is examining the issues raised in the Report of the Law Reform Commission on Jury Service published in 2013 [LRC 107 – 2013] along with any relevant associated material and will make its own recommendations. The examination includes the concerns raised by the Law Reform Commission in 2013 such as those relating to how representative juries are of their communities, the wide group of people who can at present be excused as of right from jury service; juries serving in lengthy or complex criminal trials; the reasonable accommodation of persons with disabilities to serve as jurors; the implications of on-line internet activity and wireless technology for the work and conduct of juries and issues of remuneration arising from jury service. The Working Group will consider some additional areas relevant to the reform of policy in this area including, for example, its constitutional aspects and the overall fit of the existing legislative architecture provided by the Juries Act of 1976 as amended which sets out relevant law in this jurisdiction particularly in terms of qualification and selection for service as a juror.
The membership of the Working Group, which is chaired by my Department, is drawn from senior officials of the relevant Divisions of the Department of Justice and Equality, the Courts Service, Forensic Science Ireland, An Garda Síochána and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Its inaugural meeting took place on 30 April 2018 when it had an initial opportunity to discuss its proposed Terms of Reference and gave its first consideration to the Draft Juries Bill and the other aspects of the Law Reform Commission Report of 2013. The current focus of the Working Group is on engaging in a work programme based on that approach. The conclusions of the work of the Group will form the basis of a report and a draft General Scheme of a Juries Service Bill building on the initial draft for such a scheme proposed by the Law Reform Commission in its 2013 Report. This represents a substantial body of work given that the Commission's Report made 56 recommendations of which 32 are expected to require legislative intervention.
While the time-frame of actions to be taken on foot of the Working Group’s deliberations will be dependent on its specific findings and recommendations the aim would be to have the anticipated General Scheme of a new Juries Bill, subject of course to receiving the necessary Cabinet approval, early in 2019.
303. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of remand prisoners held alongside persons serving a prison sentence by prison; and the number of remand prisoners cell sharing with sentenced prisoners. [30351/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Irish Prison Service that as of Wednesday 4 July, the number of remand/trial prisoners in custody was 743. Of this 743, 222 remand/trial prisoners were sharing a cell with a sentenced prisoner. A breakdown by prison is contained in the table.
I wish to advise the Deputy that as Cloverhill Prison is the primary remand prison for the Leinster area, it has been affected more significantly in terms of the increased number of committals in the past year.
Prison Governors are, by law, required to admit into custody all prisoners committed to prison by the Courts. The Irish Prison Service therefore has no control over the numbers committed to custody in any given year.
|
Institution |
Total number of Prisoners not serving a sentence held in custody on Remand, Trial and Trial & Remand warrants custody |
Number of those prisoners sharing a cell with a sentenced Prisoner |
|
Arbour Hill Prison |
2 |
2 |
|
Castlerea Prison |
58 |
27 |
|
Cloverhill Prison |
362 |
53 |
|
Cork Prison |
62 |
39 |
|
Dochas Centre |
36 |
16 |
|
Limerick Prison |
83 |
32 |
|
Midlands Prison |
82 |
49 |
|
Mountjoy Prison |
39 |
1 |
|
Portlaoise Prison |
18 |
3 |
|
Wheatfield Place of Detention |
1 |
0 |
|
Total |
743 |
222 |
304. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when stamp 4 status will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30387/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a deportation order made on 11 March 2005.
The person was deported from the State on 4 June 2006, however, according to information received from her legal representatives, she returned to this State the year after she was deported.
Representations were received on behalf of the person concerned requesting that the deportation order be revoked, pursuant to the provisions of section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). This request will be considered as soon as possible.
The Deputy might wish to note that the decision to ensue from the consideration of this request will be to have the existing deportation order ‘affirmed’ or ‘revoked’. Once such a decision has been made, this decision will be notified in writing. In the meantime, the deportation order remains valid and in place.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility 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 from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
305. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delay in processing an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30408/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy, on behalf of his daughter, is ongoing. On completion of the necessary processing the application will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most straightforward cases are now processed within six months, 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.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility 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 from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
306. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the rise in refusals for visas for tourists from Thailand, all of which have received the same refusal explanation, will be addressed; if there is a problem in issuing visas to Thai citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30417/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that visit visa applications received from Thai citizens resident in Thailand are processed by the Embassy in Bangkok and the Visa Office in Dublin.
Where an application is refused, the refusal reasons for that application are communicated to the applicant in writing. I am further advised that a range of reasons apply to those applications from Thailand which were refused in the first half of this year.
The overall grant rate for visit visa applications received from Thai citizens residing in Thailand in the first half of 2018 is 86.4% which is only slightly down on the 87.9% grant rate for the second half of 2017. This is not as a result of any change of policy and reflects that each application is considered on its individual merits rather than prescribed refusal rates. It should be noted that the overall world-wide grant rate for short-stay visit visas to Ireland in 2017 was 88.8%.
307. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applicants that sought to be included under the disability percentage programme in terms of recruitment in the public service in respect of a competition (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30431/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the recruitment process for the position of Recruit Prison Officer is administered by Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Irish Prison Service. Accordingly, the Irish Prison Service has no role in respect of the running of this recruitment process and as such is not in a position to supply the information requested.
308. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce legislation to address the issue of maternal deaths; the aims and objectives of the proposed legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30433/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that in general, the issue of maternal deaths is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Health. However, I do have plans to introduce legislation to strengthen the existing law on coronial investigation of maternal deaths.
The Coroners (Amendment) Bill, already approved for drafting by the Government in May 2017, is a very important Bill, which I expect to bring to Government shortly for agreement to publish.
This Bill will, among other key reforms of coronial law, introduce mandatory reporting, post-mortem examination and inquest, in cases of direct or indirect maternal death. It will also extend the legal aid provisions, introduced for certain inquests in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013, to a family member of the deceased at an inquest into a maternal death.
This will ensure clarity for responsible persons, including hospital authorities, and will support the development of transparent and accountable oversight for checking and investigating certain types of death. Most importantly, it will provide clarity and transparency for bereaved families. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the contribution made by Deputy Clare Daly to the Bill, through her earlier Private Member's Bill.
It will be an offence for a responsible person not to report a mandatory reportable death to the coroner. There will also be improved provisions on the reporting of certain peri-natal and infant deaths, to support prompt and transparent provision of information by health and other authorities to bereaved families. More broadly, the Bill will also update and strengthen the legal powers available to coroners regarding reporting, post-mortem and inquest of unnatural deaths; and including more robust powers to compel attendance by witnesses and the production of documents at inquest. The Bill will also allow a wider scope for inquests, from investigating the immediate cause of death to establishing the circumstances in which the death occurred.
The public importance of effective and transparent independent investigation in such cases is obvious. In addition, these measures will strengthen our compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights.
309. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for a visa in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30440/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a new application for an Irish visa from the person referred to has not yet been made.
Comprehensive guidelines and information on the application process and documentation needed for each type of application can be found on the INIS website http://www.inis.gov.ie.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility 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 from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to visamail@justice.ie.
310. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of travel expenses for him and those who have travelled with him since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30515/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraForeign and domestic travel payments are not collated in my Department in such a way as to allow for an automated recovery of the information sought by the Deputy, as various different officials are likely to have travelled with me as Minister to different events over the last year. A manual review of the records of officials' travel expenses is being undertaken and the information sought compiled. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information sought is to hand.
311. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether it is appropriate that a person (details supplied) that made an online visa application can be given no indicative timescale as to when their application is likely to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30540/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the particular application referred to was submitted to the Visa Office in Dublin on 12 April 2017, and is one made under the terms of 2004/38/EC Directive (Free Movement) on the rights of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of Member States.
While every effort generally is made to process these applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume of applications, their complexity, the possible need to investigate, enquire into, or seek further information in relation to certain applications, and the resources available. Unfortunately, due to the large number of applications in this category waiting to be processed and the fact that such applications are processed in chronological order (i.e. based on date order of receipt), I cannot at this time give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility 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 from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to visamail@justice.ie.
312. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times he has met his officials regarding Project Ireland 2040 since its launch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30556/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Government's overall vision set out in Project Ireland 2040, significant investment is provided for under the National Development Plan in the Justice and Equality field. In particular, the Plan provides for major investment in technology and specialised building projects across the sector, with a view to providing a safe and fair environment within which the National Planning Framework can be delivered.
I engage on an ongoing basis with my officials to discuss progress on delivery of the Government's priorities, including in relation to financial matters and capital projects across the Justice and Equality sector. In particular, I meet formally with the Management Board of my Department every month or so, with the agenda for these meetings including a standing item on financial matters, as well as regular updates on key projects and programmes within the National Development Plan across the Justice and Equality sector.
313. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of freedom of information requests his Department has received since January 2018; the number of refusals; the number that have been appealed and that are ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30573/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that for the period 1 January 2018 up to and including 30 June 2018, my Department has received 442 Freedom of Information requests.
The breakdown is provided in the table below.
|
Carry over from 2017 (Live requests) |
FOI requests received to date |
Withdrawn |
Granted/Part granted |
Refusals |
Ongoing (live requests) |
Appealed* |
|
125 |
442 |
50 |
265 |
93 |
159 |
32 |
*The number of appealed cases is a subset of the part granted/refused figure.
In addition to the breakdown provided to the Deputy previously, I have included columns to reflect numbers carried forward from 2017, ongoing cases and requests that have been withdrawn.
314. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vacancies on state boards under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30590/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn respect of the Deputy’s question the following table outlines the current number of vacancies on state boards under the remit of my Department.
|
State Board |
Number of Vacancies |
|
Censorship of Publications Board |
1 Chair |
|
Censorship of Publications Appeals Board |
1 Chair, 4 Ordinary Members |
|
Classification of Film Appeals Board |
2 |
|
Judicial Appointments Advisory Board |
1 |
|
Courts Service Board |
2 |
|
Policing Authority |
1 |
315. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to a notice (details supplied) issued to residents at a direct provision centre in Newbridge; and if he will intervene to have the notice rescinded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30606/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was made aware on 1 July that the notice referred to by the Deputy was displayed at the Accommodation Centre. The notice was written by local management in response to complaints received by residents of the Centre.
These complaints notwithstanding, the wording of the notice was not satisfactory. The notice was rescinded the following day and a new notice issued requesting that residents show consideration for other residents and refrain from the use of telephones or devices without earphones in shared bedrooms during the night. The notice also reminds residents that communal areas are available for them where phone calls and other activities can take place that will minimise disruption to others.
316. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the reopening of Rush Garda station which was announced in 2016; the date it is due to be opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30660/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that 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 responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. This includes identifying and progressing any necessary remedial or refurbishment works required at individual stations. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to a pilot scheme to reopen 6 Garda stations, both urban and rural, to determine possible positive impacts that such openings will have on criminal activity, with special emphasis on burglaries, theft and public order.
The Garda Commissioner's final report on the matter, which is available on my Department's website, recommended that Rush Garda Station be reopened, along with stations in Ballinspittle, Co. Cork, Bawnboy, Co. Cavan, Donard, Co. Wicklow, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow and Stepaside, Co. Dublin.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a brief of requirements was provided to the OPW in relation to the reopening of each of these 6 stations, including Rush Garda Station, and that the Garda authorities requested the OPW to undertake technical surveys to determine the works which would be required to enable the stations to reopen.
I am further informed that the OPW has concluded these necessary technical surveys and reported to the Garda Commissioner. I understand An Garda Síochána and OPW remain engaged on progressing the matter.
It is not possible to say at this stage when the six stations will reopen as this depends on a number of factors, but my officials are engaging on an on-going basis with An Garda Síochána and the OPW as they progress these very important projects.
317. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to increase cultural diversity in the membership of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30668/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, recruitment to An Garda Síochána is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013, and I, as Minister, have no direct involvement in the matter.
I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that he recognises the importance of recruiting into An Garda Síochána from a wide cross section of the population so that the organisation provides a policing service that reflects the growing diversity of Irish society. To support this a concerted effort is being made to encourage women and minority communities to consider a career in An Garda Síochána. Recent recruitment campaigns have made a significant effort through on-line videos and other media to attract candidates from minority communities and diverse social groups. In the most recent recruitment campaign a series of videos and text were produced in multiple languages including English, Irish, French, Spanish, Italian and Arabic. They were published on the Garda Facebook page which has more than 180,000 followers.
In relation to the proportion of women members in An Garda Síochána I am informed that the total number as of the 31 May 2018, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is approximately 3,600 or close to 27% of the total strength. This compares favourably with the number on 31 December 2008 which was approximately 3,100 or 22% of the total strength. This is broadly in line with other police services in England and Wales.
The Commissioner’s Policing Plan 2018 commits to the development of a positive action plan to attract and recruit applicants from minority and diverse groups and to review barriers or disincentives to entry to An Garda Síochána and to examine ways in which applications from diverse minority communities for entry into An Garda Síochána can be increased. In that regard, An Garda Síochána are in the process of developing a strategy to further embed the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion within the organisation.
The Deputy may also be aware that the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland established by the Government is, as part of its terms of reference examining the composition, recruitment and training of personnel to ensure that the personnel in the organisation reflect the diversity of Irish society. The Commission is due to report in September 2018.
318. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to change the Garda office holder fleet to a range of electric and or hybrid fuelled vehicles; if funding was granted to An Garda Síochána to begin converting the fleet in 2017; if not, if it will be provided in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30669/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been very significant investment in Garda resources across the State in recent years. The Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet, to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet. This is in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the period 2013 to 2015. Indeed in the period 2013 to the end of 2017 almost €44 million has been invested in the fleet with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period to ensure that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive on the roads and in the community to prevent and tackle crime.
As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles across the various Garda divisions are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in that matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the feasibility of energy efficiencies which may be afforded by hybrid or electric vehicles is under consideration. I am informed that An Garda Síochána purchased two electric vehicles in 2018 to evaluate the potential and limitations of electric vehicles in operational Garda environments. I understand that once the vehicles have been fitted out to the standard operational specification they will be allocated to front line duties. The outcome of this pilot study will inform any future decisions in relation to the Garda fleet.
More generally, I am informed that An Garda Síochána have been involved in the Public Sector Energy reporting programme since 2011 and have achieved a 25.7% improvement in energy efficiency up to 2017, against the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) 33% energy efficiency target by 2020. In relation to transport, the majority of efficiencies have been achieved from the conversion from petrol to diesel.
319. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda custody suites in operation nationally [30704/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that it is the Garda Commissioner who is primarily responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
