Results 8,361-8,380 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Is the Deputy suggesting the budget for An Garda Síochána should be under the control of the policing authority? If that is the question, the situation would remain the same. The Commissioner would be the Accounting Officer.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: This is an issue that has come up in a number of places. The inspectorate made recommendations on the need for a more detailed analysis to match numbers of gardaí with areas of particular need. We made some recommendations in terms of having a more detailed analysis of matching numbers of gardaí with areas of particular need. Better matching is required. We have also asked the...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to make a number of points in response to what members have said. In response to Deputy Alan Farrell, under this subhead, we need more sophisticated technology to track the HR side of An Garda Síochána. This need has clearly been identified. An Garda Síochána does not have the necessary systems in place. There has been no investment to speak of in the HR side of...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: A number of factors are at issue. To put matters in perspective, Garda pay and superannuation costs make up 90% of current expenditure on the Garda Vote. In 2014 the total combined provision for pay and pensions is €1.173 billion. The current expenditure and non-pay allocation by comparison is €146 million. We are really talking about pay and pensions primarily. People...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I cannot provide a separate breakdown of the figure for Garda recruits, but it would not amount to much in the context of the overall payroll budget. The additional allocation of €40 million provided in the budget represents a 5% increase, compared with the corresponding figure in the 2014 Estimates. It is effectively to cover payroll costs and allowances. To return to the point...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will recall that at the time he raised this concern, I received a report from the Commissioner on that issue and how it was being handled by An Garda Síochána and, in fact, she was prioritising that area at the time. I certainly can get an update for the Deputy. As for the €3 million in question, I believe it is for separate, more basic ICT, as opposed to being...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is correct. This is about trying to identify the most appropriate technology given the range of needs and systems. The bottom line is they are in need of updating. The computer-aided dispatch, CAD, system is only in place in five areas.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The entire question of access using modern technology is a key issue within An Garda Síochána. For example, the rosters and duty hours that gardaí do clearly should be on a human resources system, which would reduce the amount of time spent on administrative duties. This is a major priority on which I will have further discussions with the Minister for Public Expenditure and...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Deputy.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: To which bill does the Chairman refer?

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is an environmental strategy, which is being carried out in association with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, in a bid to have best practice in that area and to reduce bills.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is important.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Obviously, addressing the energy rating of the various Garda stations would be part of that and it is included. I am sure this can be developed further.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As opposed to crime figures or as well as crime figures?

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: In 2014, the current number is 1,091. I can tell the Deputy that a further 62 Garda Reserve trainees will graduate this Friday, which will bring the number to 1,153, which is almost back to 2013 levels. The new Garda Commissioner has expressed her interest in and commitment to the development of the Garda Reserve and is on record as saying this. Recruitment is ongoing and actually is an...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: They have to do 200 hours to get the allowance.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes. I have found that some do many more than that out of interest while some just do the minimum. Some join and keep their name on the books, and perhaps their enthusiasm wanes a little, while others are extremely interested and would like to do even more. Therefore, there is significant variation. There may be room to do a little more to get the very best from the Garda Reserve. The...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary) (26 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.