Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

378. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the budget allocation to the Garda youth diversion programme in 2023 and in 2024, in tabular form. [50946/23]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister I have no role in these independent functions.

I understand that the Deputy is seeking the allocation to the Garda Youth Diversion Bureau (GYDB), which has responsibility for overseeing and developing the Garda Youth Diversion Programme nationally, which was put on a statutory basis under Part 4 of the Children Act 2001.

The remit of the GYDB includes the administration, coordination and development of the Diversion Programme nationally. It holds an oversight position on all aspects of youth referrals and the Programme supports Garda divisions in ensuring effective governance and the timely processing of referrals. The Bureau also supports a network of Juvenile Liaison Officer (JLO) Sergeants and JLO Gardaí distributed across every Garda division countrywide.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the operational cost of the Garda Youth Diversion Bureau and associated Juvenile Liaison Officers for the year 2023 is in excess of €10 million. It is envisaged that a similar cost will be incurred in 2024.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

379. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of fireworks seized by gardaí during the recent run Halloween period; and the number of persons arrested for possession of a firework without a valid licence. [50947/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, fireworks because they are explosives, are regulated under national and EU legislation and can only be imported into the country under licence and stored and sold in accordance with explosives law. Government policy restricts the availability of all hazardous fireworks to the general public. Licences under the Explosives Act are issued by this Department only for the importation of fireworks which are to be used in organised displays conducted by professional and competent operators.

Every year my Department runs a safety campaign aimed at ensuring the public is aware of the dangers of illegal fireworks and bonfires. This year's awareness campaign launched on 26 September, in collaboration with An Garda Síochána, the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and Dublin Fire Brigade.

Part 6 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 gives An Garda Síochána the power to make arrests in relation to the possession of unlicensed fireworks. While An Garda Síochána enforce the law all year round, in the run up to Halloween there is an additional focus on combatting the illegal importation, sale and use of fireworks, under what is known as Operation Tombola. Operation Tombola is a National Operation.

In response to the Deputy, An Garda Síochána have set out below incidents reported from 1 January to 18 November 2023 and advised that incidents included are of the type “Fireworks Offences” and objects of type “Explosives” linked to these incidents as “Seized”. Crime Counting rules are not applied.

An Garda Síochána have also advised that long-term annual statistics for detected Fireworks Offences are available from the CSO here: data.cso.ie/table/CJA01 and quarterly statistics to Q2 2023 are available here: data.cso.ie/table/CJQ01.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

380. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda sergeants and inspectors trained in public order in each division within the DMR, in tabular form. [50948/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time.I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.