Written Answers Nos. 821-840
822. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice to provide a schedule of special advisers attached to him, as of 29 January 2025; and the official grade and or title held by that special adviser. [3002/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that I have not as yet engaged any special advisers.
823. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide a breakdown of the number of Gardaí, by rank, in the organisation; the number of Garda reservists; and the number of civilian staff, by grade, as of 29 January 2025. [3010/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 the distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions. 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 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.
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 by the Garda authorities that as of 31 December 2024, the latest date for which figures are available, there was a total of 14,191 Garda members nationwide.
I am further advised that as of the same date there are 3,501 (WTE) Garda staff working alongside Garda members, an increase of 12% since the end of December 2022. Garda staff carry out vital roles to increase availability of Gardaí to focus on frontline duties. The significant increase in Garda staff across the country in recent years has enabled Gardaí to be freed up for frontline duties.
I am also informed that at the end of December 2024 there were 319 Garda Reserves nationwide. The Deputy may also be aware that a competition to recruit new Garda Reserves was launched by the Garda authorities in 2024, and attracted around 1,800 applications.
In the interest of transparency, the number of Garda members by rank, the number of Garda Reserves and the number of Garda staff, at the end of December 2024, is published on my Department's website. Please be advised that these figures are operational and may be subject to change.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
Further for the Deputy’s information, detailed statistics relating to the breakdown of civilian staff by grade, are publicly available and can be found in the Garda Commissioner reports to the Policing Authority on the Garda website at the following link: Commissioner's Monthly Reports to Policing Authority - Garda
824. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an update on the work that his officials have done in respect of establishing a second Garda training college. [3011/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the priorities in the Programme for Government have been agreed by the new Government and I look forward to delivering on the Justice agenda contained within the Programme.
Work to progress these commitments has commenced, however, the Deputy will appreciate that timelines or operational details on policy proposals are not yet available until work programmes are agreed.
825. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice to ensure that funding is finally provided for the construction of the new courthouse on the site acquired in Portlaoise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3088/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department understands that the Courts Service purchased a site at Kylekiproe in 2020 on which to build a new Courthouse. Further progress with the Portlaoise project and several others, as part of the Courts Service building projects in the National Development Plan, will depend on the next round of NDP funding.
The construction of a purpose-built Family Law Court complex at Hammond Lane remains the priority Courts Service project in the National Development Plan.
826. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Justice the number of Gardaí, by rank, attached to the Garda band, as of 29 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3123/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible 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. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Band regularly performs at official Garda and State functions. The band is also dedicated to the development of good relations between An Garda Síochána and the community it serves. It achieves this through performance of a varied, entertainment-focused programme, which evolves to suit every audience, event or setting. Many Garda Band concerts serve not only as Garda community relations events, but as essential fundraising opportunities for local communities, sports clubs and charities.
An Garda Síochána have advised that there are currently 24 members allocated to the Garda band. The table below shows the breakdown by rank as of 31 December 2024. This is the latest date for which figures are available.
|
Garda |
23 |
|
Inspector |
1 |
827. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice to outline how Ireland engages with and interacts with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office; his plans to evolve this engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3140/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Public Prosecutors Office (EPPO) was established in 2017 under the EU's enhanced cooperation measure to investigate and prosecute crimes against the financial interest of the European Union. These crimes are as set out in Directive (EU) 2017/1371 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the fight against fraud to the Union’s financial interests by means of criminal law, otherwise known as the PIF Directive.
Ireland has transposed the PIF Directive and the full suite of measures to investigate and prosecute PIF offences are available to Irish authorities under our domestic structures. At that time, Ireland decided not to opt in to the EPPO Regulation, given that it represented a departure from our common law model of investigation and prosecution.
In October 2023, the Government approved the drafting of the General Scheme of legislation to allow Ireland to join EPPO. This detailed preparatory work will take some time to complete before the Government makes a formal decision to join EPPO.
In the meantime, co-operation with the EPPO as a non-participating Member State is now operational and working well. Legislative changes required to facilitate Ireland’s cooperation with the EPPO are fully operational, as of 1 November 2023. This was effected by way of amendments to the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008. Since this date, there has been ongoing positive engagement between the Central Authority and the EPPO in relation to the processing of MLA requests.
Irish officials enjoy a positive and collaborative working relationship with the EPPO, and it is expected that this will continue as the work on the legislative and operational aspects of Ireland’s future participation in the EPPO progresses.
The Irish Government remains fully committed to protecting the Union’s financial interests and to providing every support possible to the EPPO as it carries out its very important work.
828. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Justice the number of Gardaí in Meath as of January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3162/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 the distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions. 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 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.
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 by the Garda authorities that as of 31 December 2024, the latest date for which figures are available, there was a total of 14,191 Garda members nationwide.
As the Deputy is aware, Meath Division has merged with Westmeath Division under the Garda Operating Model. I am informed that there were 548 Garda members assigned to Meath/Westmeath Division at the end of 2024.
In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division and Station up to the end of 2024, including a breakdown of the number of Gardaí in County Meath, is publicly available and can be found at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
829. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice if his Department, or any body under its aegis, currently outsources cleaning services and/or service officer/security officer roles to private companies; the value and length of any related contract, by body, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3201/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra830. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice if his Department, or any body under its aegis, currently directly employs cleaners and/or service officers; if so, the number of staff employed in each role; the value and length of any related contract, by body, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3219/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 829 and 830 together.
My Department currently directly employs 37 Service Officers on standard civil service terms & conditions. A further six are based in agencies under its aegis including in the Probation Service, the Dublin Coroner's Service, and the Private Security Authority.
I am informed that 30.8 Service Officers are employed by agencies under the aegis of the Department (for which HR services are not directly provided by my Department); of these 25 are in the Courts Service, 3 are in the Legal Aid Board, 2.8 are in the Irish Prison Service.
Service Officers are employed on standard civil service terms & conditions and rates of pay as set by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
My Department does not directly employ any security or cleaning staff. The Courts Service employs 1 cleaner who is employed on standard civil service terms & conditions and rates of pay as set by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
My Department and agencies under its aegis are subject to EU and national public procurement rules. These rules promote an open, competitive, and non-discriminatory tendering regime which delivers value for money.
To ensure adherence to these public procurement rules, the Department uses Office of Government Procurement (OGP) national public procurement Frameworks for all goods and services, where these are available.
Details of cleaning and security services outsourced by my Department and Agencies under its aegis are outlined in the following table:
|
Unit/Agency |
Service Type |
Length of Contract |
Value of Contract (incl. VAT) |
|
Department of Justice |
|||
|
Cleaning |
24 months* |
€490,000 per annum |
|
|
Security |
24 months* |
€260,000 per annum |
|
|
Data Protection Commission |
|||
|
Cleaning |
18 months |
€65,000 |
|
|
Security |
24 months |
€132,000 |
|
|
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission |
|||
|
Cleaning |
12 months*** |
€50,000 |
|
|
Security |
12 months* |
€300,000 |
|
|
Irish Film Classification Office |
|||
|
Cleaning |
36 months |
€28,375 |
|
|
Irish Insolvency Service |
|||
|
Cleaning |
12 months |
€16,732 |
|
|
Legal Aid Board |
|||
|
Cleaning |
48 months |
€1,337,084 |
|
|
Security |
48 months |
€241,748 |
|
|
Legal Services Regulatory Authority |
|||
|
Cleaning |
36 months |
€102,262.44 |
|
|
Security |
36 months |
€25,852 |
|
|
Property Services Regulatory Authority |
|||
|
Cleaning |
36 months |
€55,720 |
|
|
Irish Prison Service |
|||
|
Cleaning |
24 months* |
€1,418,749 |
|
|
Security |
24 months* |
€98,400 |
|
|
Office of the Inspector of Prisons |
|||
|
Cleaning |
24 months |
€18,000 |
|
|
Office of the State Pathologist |
|||
|
Cleaning |
24 months |
€32,000 |
|
|
Parole Board |
|||
|
Cleaning |
36 months |
€18,282 |
|
|
Private Security Authority |
|||
|
Cleaning |
48 months |
€90,748 |
|
|
Security |
Ad-hoc^ |
€841p.a. |
|
|
Probation Service |
|||
|
Cleaning |
60 months |
€880,000 |
|
|
Courts Service |
|||
|
Cleaning |
36 months* |
€14,526,300 |
|
|
Security |
24 months* |
€1,722,000 |
* With option to extend for a further 12 months, with a maximum of 2 extensions
** The Department is unable to provide specific details regarding commercial agreements with external companies for reasons of commercial sensitivity
*** With option to extend for a further 12 months, with a maximum of 3 extensions
^ The PSA use a local security firm in the event of alarm activation during out of office hours. There is no contract in place as the requirement is of an ad-hoc nature and the related costs are minimal.
I am informed that it has not been possible for An Garda Síochána to collate the requested information in the allocated timeframe. I will forward this information directly to the Deputy upon receipt.
831. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice the total value of the annual mileage claims for each Minister of State assigned to his Department in 2023 and 2024 respectively; to provide a breakdown for each year of the individual claims; the annual cost of overnight allowances related to the civilian drivers of each relevant Minister of State in 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3255/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe mileage claims by former Minister of State, James Browne, TD amounted to €14,503.36 in 2023 and €14,963.61 in 2024.
The combined total cost of overnight allowances associated with both civilian drivers in the Minister of State’s office was €23,937 in 2023 and €17,940 in 2024.
All such expenses were claimed in accordance with relevant circulars issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
832. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice to list the composition of his private office, inclusive of the grade and increment of each civil servant assigned to their office; whether they are located in the private or constituency office; the value of any allowance paid to those individuals and the purpose of each allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3273/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that the detail of the staff members that are assigned to my private office are set out in the table below:
|
Grade |
Pay Scale |
Allowance |
|
Private Secretary/Assistant Principal (PPC) (temporary assignment) |
€79,086 - €98,559 |
€24,952 |
|
Higher Executive Officer (PPC) |
€57,122 - €71,939 |
N/A |
|
Executive Officer (PPC) |
€36,544 - €59,422 |
N/A |
|
Executive Officer (PPC) |
€36,544 - €59,422 |
N/A |
|
Clerical Officer (PPC) |
€571.04 - €899.77* |
N/A |
*Denotes weekly payment
833. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners currently slopping out in Irish prisons, by prison, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3281/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of safe and secure custody and dignity of care for people in prison in Ireland is a priority for the Irish Prison Service and for me, as Minister for Justice.
The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Prison Service has all but eliminated the practice referred to as ‘slopping out’ in prisons through a major refurbishment programme and the replacement of prison facilities across the estate.
This included the refurbishment of Mountjoy Prison, which included installation of in-cell sanitation to all cells, completed in 2014, the replacement of Cork Prison with a new and modern facility in 2016, and most recently, the opening of new accommodation at Limerick Prison in 2023.
As a result of these infrastructure developments across the prison estate, there are only 5 prisoners, accommodated in Portlaoise Prison who currently do not have access to toilet facilities within their cell. Due to the historical nature and condition of the E Block, the reducing number of prisoners accommodated there, and the likely scale of costs involved, it has been determined that it is not feasible to provide in-cell sanitation in that location.
834. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Justice the number of people toileting in the presence of another in Irish Prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3282/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed that the information requested by the Deputy is collated by the Irish Prison Service on a periodic basis. The January 2025 census is currently being finalised and will be published on the Irish Prison Service website in the coming weeks.
In the interim, I can advise the Deputy that according to the most recently completed census of cell occupancy, taken on 16 July 2024, there were 5,018 people in custody on that day, of whom 1,956 had access to toilet facilities in private. This means that they were accommodated in a single cell, or had access to a fully partitioned or en-suite toilet. In addition, 3,056 prisoners were accommodated in shared cells which may have resulted in the need to use the toilet in the presence of others.
The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Prison Service provides a range of accommodation across the prison estate. This includes traditional cellular accommodation in closed male prisons, including a mix of single, double, triple and multi-occupancy cells. In addition, dormitory and bedroom style accommodation is provided in open/semi open male prisons and bedroom and/or apartment style accommodation is provided in female prisons.
As the Deputy may be aware, traditional prison cells across the prison estate, with the exception of a very small number of cells in Portlaoise Prison, now include in-cell sanitation. This includes the provision of a toilet and wash hand basin and can include a modesty screen to protect the privacy of the cell user while maintaining an appropriate line of sight for staff who must always be in a position to monitor the prisoner for security and safety reasons.
I am informed that it is not possible to introduce fully partitioned toilet facilities in traditional closed prison cells as to do so would negatively impact on the availability of living space within the cell. This could lead to the requirement to reduce the capacity of a large number of cells across the prison estate, which is simply not possible due to the numbers in custody and current committal trends.
The introduction of a fully partitioned toilet in such cells would also impact on the ability of prison staff to monitor the occupant which could have a negative impact on the safety and security of cell occupants.
835. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Justice the steps he is taking to reduce overcrowding in Limerick Women's prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3283/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has made significant capital funding available to the Irish Prison Service in order to enhance the existing prison infrastructure and to provide additional capacity. The opening of the new standalone female prison in Limerick in 2023 provided an additional 22 female cell spaces. Plans are also being pursued to increase the capacity in the Dóchas Centre in the coming years.
The Irish Prison Service must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the Courts. As such, the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time.
Where the number of people in custody exceeds the maximum capacity in any prison, officials in the Irish Prison Service make every effort to deal with this through a combination of inter-prison transfers and structured temporary release. The legislative basis for temporary release is set out in the Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003. The options for transfer for female prisoners is limited to transfers between two prisons.
A Prison Overcrowding Response Group was established in 2023 to develop proposed actions to address the problem of Irish prisons operating above capacity. The Group comprised representatives from the Department of Justice, An Garda Síochána, the Irish Prison Service, the Probation Service, and the Courts Service. In 2024, the Group presented its report to the Minister and 12 actions were approved for implementation.
Two actions, concerning a new structured temporary release for women and the establishment of a specialised Probation Service response for scaling, have been combined and a pilot scheme has been established targeting women serving custodial sentences of 18 months or less in Limerick’s Women’s Prison. I can assure the Deputy that decisions in relation to temporary release are considered on a case by case basis and the safety of the public is paramount when those decisions are made.
Further, a Working Group was established in the second half of 2024 to further consider future prison capacity needs and to make recommendations on the numbers and types of prison capacity needed out to 2035. The work of this Group will support and inform future developments regarding prison capacity.
836. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice the steps a person (details supplied) can take to register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3337/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that, since 13 January 2025, all nationwide first-time registrations of Irish immigration residence permissions are the responsibility of the Registration Office of the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) of my Department.
Furthermore, since October 2024, all renewals of immigration permissions transferred to ISD of my Department, meaning that applicants from across the country no longer have to attend in person at their local Garda Station.
Appointments to register a permission for the first time can be made using my Department’s Digital Contact Centre (DCC).
I have been informed that correspondence has issued to the person cited by the Deputy to enable them to register their account on the DCC.
Further information on registering an immigration permission is available on the ISD website of my Department.
839. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice the number of fixed penalty notices that Gardaí issued for parking on double yellow lines on Newbrook Road, Dublin 13 in 2024 and to date in 2025. [3437/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 the management of the Fixed Charge Processing System (FCPS). As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am however assured that road traffic enforcement remains a core policing function of An Garda Síochána. The Garda National Roads Policing Bureau ensures a consistent approach to road safety and enforcement of road traffic legislation across the country. This is achieved through coordination of enforcement measures and development of policy, based on research and analysis of statistics and by engaging in campaigns in partnership with other State Agencies, notably the Road Safety Authority.
Road traffic legislation is also enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of all members of An Garda Síochána, in addition to the employment of specific enforcement operations.
I have been advised that there were fewer than ten Fixed Penalty Notices issued for parking on a double yellow line on Newbrook Road, Dublin 13 between 1 January 2024 to 30 January 2025, inclusive. Figures of less than ten are not reported to ensure there are no issues from a data protection perspective.
The Deputy should be aware that this information, provided by An Garda Síochána, is based upon operational data available on 31 January 2025 and, as such, is liable to change.
840. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda cars and vans attached to Waterford Garda division as of 27 January 2025; If he will provide same figures as of 27 January 2021, in tabular form. [3459/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, 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. As Minister, I have no direct role in this matter.
The Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources needed to keep people safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion in Budget 2025. This is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment, technology, and vehicles.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, at the end of December 2024, there were 3,589 vehicles attached to the Garda fleet, the highest total of vehicles ever in use by An Garda Síochána. This represents an increase of over 15% since the end of December 2020.
The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of vehicles allocated to Waterford Garda Division as of 31 December 2024, the latest date for when figures are available.
|
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4 x 4 |
*Others |
Total |
|
52 |
16 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
75 |
The table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of vehicles allocated to Waterford Garda Division at the end of December 2021.
|
Cars |
Vans |
Motorcycles |
4 x 4 |
*Others |
Total |
|
51 |
14 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
72 |
*The category Others refers to vehicles not classified as Cars, Vans, Motorcycles or 4x4, such as prisoner conveyance vehicles.
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that An Garda Síochána publish information on the Garda fleet, including a Divisional/District monthly breakdown, on their website at:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/finance-services/finance-fleet-management.html
