Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross.

The budget is another stepping stone in our plan to build a strong economy and one that will work primarily to create a fair and compassionate society in which everyone is given the opportunity to succeed and nobody is left behind. It continues the prudent management of the public finances, protecting our progress on the economy and equipping us to deal with the very real challenges of Brexit.

I have listened to what members of the Opposition have had to say since the budget was announced yesterday. They have criticised it for being underwhelming and lacking ambition. To me, that points to an Opposition that is struggling to find fault. Think back to where we were in 2011 when the Fine Gael-Labour Party coalition took office. Think back to where we were in 2009 when the Fianna Fáil Government had to come back to the Dáil mid-year with an emergency budget to try to stem the unfolding crisis in the public finances. They were dramatic days and and overwhelming, not underwhelming.

Budget 2017 is all about building on the steady progress we have been making on the economy. It is about making work worth while. We can never say it often enough, but only a strong economy supporting people at work can pay for the services that are needed to create a fair society. Several elements of the budget will make people's lives better in a very direct way. I particularly welcome the introduction of a new subsidised child care scheme which is long overdue. We have been talking about it for decades. I also welcome the significant investment in education. Some 2,400 extra teachers will be hired in 2017, meaning the extra schools that have been built in recent years, several in my constituency, can be properly resourced.

It is welcome that the budget has gone beyond the programme for Government commitment of allocating at least two thirds of available new resources to public services. We are actually allocating three quarters to spending, with the rest going primarily towards reducing universal social charge rates. I believe this reflects the will of the people who sent a strong message last February. Many thought this partnership Government would not be here to announce the budget, but, in fact, we are now in a position to fulfil our mandate and pass a budget that reflects the wishes of the electorate.

The funding allocated to the justice Vote group is €2.5 billion. This is an increase of €85 million on the Revised Estimate figures. It provides for the recruitment of 800 new gardaí. We want to build towards having 15,000 gardaí, as set out in the programme for Government, by 2020. The figures take account of approximately 300 retirements per year. This new funding also allows for the fast-tracking of the new forensic science laboratory, a very important facility, and budget increases for key regulatory bodies such as the Charities Regulator and the Data Protection Commissioner.

The new forensic science laboratory is badly needed. I pay tribute to Dr. Sheila Willis and the staff of the laboratory who have done enormous and important work but in very poor facilities. Legislation has been passed and next year we will see the building of the new forensic science laboratory which will be a state-of-the-art facility. It is much needed and very important in terms of criminal trials and the kind of forensic evidence that can now be produced. An important decision on capital expenditure, therefore, has been made to get that process started in order that the building will be completed by 2019 instead of being started then.

My budget for the year also allows for key increases in, for example, the Votes for the Charities Regulator and the Data Protection Commissioner. We have seen the scandals in recent times around charities. Good governance is critical. The vast majority of charities have good governance procedures, but, as we know, there are outliers. It is important that the Charities Regulator have the resources needed to investigate and deal with complaints that arrive on its desk.

There are eight Votes in the justice Vote group. There is the Garda Vote of €1.6 billion, the justice and equality Vote of €441 million, the prisons Vote of €327 million, the courts Vote of €140 miilion, the Property Registration Authority Vote of €31 million and the Valuation Office Vote. We are also giving money to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and the Policing Authority to enable them to develop the work they are doing.

I am pleased that the Government has accepted my proposals which set out a clear vision for the future workforce of An Garda Síochána in order that by 2021 the organisation will comprise a total of 21,000 personnel, made up of 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Garda Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. The provision for the 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians who will provide specialist, technical, professional and administrative expertise across a range of areas is a huge step in that direction in 2017. Appointments will also be made to the Garda Reserve of approximately 300 in 2017.

The Garda Commissioner has published a detailed modernisation and renewal programme, but that reform needs investment. Last year I announced the allocation of €205 million to upgrade the long-neglected ICT infrastructure in An Garda Síochána. Budget 2017 will underpin and support this investment by providing for more gardaí, civilian expertise and Garda Reserve members. This will support the wide-ranging reform plan in An Garda Siochána which is following the recommendations that have outlined the kind of change needed. There are almost 1,000 recommendations from various bodies, including those of the Garda Inspectorate.

There are a number of key areas where we need extra staff. One is the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service. There is an increased volume of applications and we need to facilitate reform, for example, by way of the further civilianisation of passport control at Dublin Airport. A total of €3.6 million in additional funding is being allocated for this purpose and recruitment for these positions will start as soon as possible.

The Probation Service which plays a key role in reducing recidivism and is doing excellent work will receive an additional amount of more than €2 million. Recently, it announced an innovative and important project by it, the Irish Prison Service and An Garda Síochána to target repeat offenders. That pilot project is taking place in Dublin, where 90 repeat offenders have been identified and detailed work is being done with them. The project has been extended to Dundalk, Limerick and Waterford. This inter-agency work is critical in achieving the best outcomes and the increased funding will allow the Probation Service to do more of that type of work and give us the results we need.

Increased funding of more than €4 million for the Legal Aid Board will improve provision of legal advice to vulnerable families. A few days ago, the Government announced the new Abhaile service to help those who are insolvent and in mortgage arrears. Some €2.4 million of the additional €4 million provided to the Legal Aid Board will be used to deliver the Abhaile service and provide legal aid to those who are at risk of losing their homes.

An additional €1 million has been provided for Traveller initiatives. In addition, the Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputy David Stanton, is working on a new strategy on the issue of Travellers. A further €2.7 million has been provided in respect of Garda youth diversion and Irish Youth Justice Service community programmes. I am also pleased that we have been able to provide an additional €250,000 to those working with victims groups. We will shortly introduce a Bill on victims which will bring Ireland fully into compliance with the EU victims directive.

The budget is another stepping stone towards a better, fairer society and I look forward to implementing its provisions over the coming year in collaboration with colleagues on all sides of the House.

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