Results 1,501-1,520 of 9,052 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (28 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: As this refers to a service matter, I have sent this PQ to the HSE for direct response. As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Chairman for the opportunity to appear before select committee as it considers this request for a Supplementary Estimate. I am here on behalf of the Taoiseach. A €4.5 million Supplementary Estimate is requested for Vote 5, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. A technical Supplementary Estimate of €1,000 must also be requested for the Department...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions regularly communicates with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. Its resourcing was increased by 10%, so there was an increase in funding for the Vote of €5.5 million, and that was agreed for 2024.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: Many of these proceedings are demand-led and I think there is an understanding of that. As I said, there is constant communication between the office and the Department of public expenditure. Where resources are required, they will be provided.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: Expenditure on the subhead regarding fees to counsel is demand-led and dependent on the level of activity in the courts. It is, therefore, difficult to accurately predict. In 2023, there were significant demand-led pressures on that subhead arising principally in the Circuit Court and Central Criminal Court due to the recent increase in the number of judges available to hear trials. This...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: No, it does not, if I am answer her question quite frankly. I can give the Deputy a breakdown of the spend if she wants. Staff numbers have also increased by 40 this year.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: No. On the breakdown, approximately 35% of the fees paid out relate to the Central Criminal Court. The Circuit Court accounts for 44%, with half of this relating to the Dublin Circuit Court and the balance to the country Circuit Courts. The balance breaks down as follows: hearings before the High Court and Supreme Court, 10%, before the Court of Appeal, 6%, and before the Special Criminal...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: Yes. As I said, the office is in constant contact with Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform about this, and there is the understanding that it is demand-led.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: I can get the Deputy a further note on this, but I have been told that resources in the sexual offences unit have been increased.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: There has been a 28% increase in the number of prosecution files received by the directing division for decision between 2017 to 2022, with 17,359 files received in 2022. Over the same period, there has been a 28% increase in investigation files received for public order offences. There has been a 65% increase in misuse of drugs files received and a 54% increase in files related to criminal...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy. As the person with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, I think your points are extremely valid. There will also be valuable input from the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use which will issue its report to Government and the Oireachtas in the next few weeks. The report contains 36 recommendations. Since I came into this role 11 months ago I have travelled the...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: I can talk about the pay rates of the State solicitors if the Cathaoirleach wishes or how the service operates. Staff costs, expenses and pension contributions are part of the costs for State solicitors.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: Yes.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: They get an amount every month for a personal element, staff costs, expenses and pension contributions.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: As a contribution towards that, yes. They are self-employed. I can get a detailed note for the Cathaoirleach.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: It is not audited, it is a lump sum. For background, Section 6 1(a) of the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 transferred to the DPP the administration and control of the business, powers, duties and functions of State solicitors, which had previously been vested in the Attorney General. This provision was commenced on 16 May 2007 and the transfer of responsibility took effect from that...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: I will find that figure. It is €8.42 million for 2023. It is in the briefing on page 6.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: No.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Chief Prosecution Solicitor oversees it and deals with them regularly in that regard.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: It has always been a round sum State allowance. It is reviewed every three years.