An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí An RoinnDlíagusCirt,Comhionannais Working for a Safer Fairer Ireland Fairer Safer a for Working Equality Equality Human Rights Rights Human An Roinn Dlí Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Security agus Cirt, Social Inclusion Inclusion Social Comhionannais agus 2005 Athchóirithe Dlí European Union and International International and Union European Diversity Diversity Tackling Crime Crime Tackling Prisons and Probation & Welfare & Probation and Prisons Asylum, Immigration and Citizenship and Immigration Asylum, Courts Northern Ireland Northern Legal Aid Legal Bhliantúil2005 Tuarascáil Cúnamh Dlíthiúil Na Cúirteanna Tuaisceart Éireann Annual ReportAnnual 2005 Tearmann, Inimirce agus Saoránacht Príosúin agus Promhadh 7 Leas I nGleic leis an gCoiriúlacht An tAontas Eorpach agus Idirnáisiúnta Éagsúlacht 2005 and Law Reform Law and Slándáil Cuimsiú Sóisialta Justice, Equality Equality Justice, Annual Report Report Annual Comhionannas Department of of Department Cearta Daonna Ag Obair chun go mbeidh Éire níos Department Reform Equality and Law of Justice, Sábháilte agus níos Cothroime 30-01 12/06 (1,500) Brunswick Press Ltd. (17793) Ltd. Press Brunswick (1,500) 12/06 30-01 PRN A6/1739 PRN Pinebrook House, 71/74 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2 Dublin Street, Harcourt 71/74 House, Pinebrook Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform Law and Equality Justice, of Department Organisation Development Unit Development Organisation An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí from: obtained be may document this of Copies Oifig an Tánaiste7 Oifig an Ard-Rúnaí website. Department’s the on available is document This 94 Faiche Stiabhna, Baile Átha Cliath 2 An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí Teach Shruthán na Giúise, 71-74 Sráid Fhearchair, Baile Átha Cliath 2 Teil: 01 602 8202 Faics: 01 661 5461 70300 064 Tel: Lóghlao: 1890 221 227 Kerry Co. Killarney, Ríomhphost: [email protected] Láithreán gréasáin: www.justice.ie Services Shared Financial Lo-Call: 1890 551 500 551 1890 Lo-Call: 7700 616 01 Tel: Tearmann, Inimirce agus Saoránacht 2 Dublin Quay, Burgh 13-14 13-14 Cé de Búrc, Baile Átha Cliath 2 Citizenship and Immigration Asylum, Teil: 01 616 7700 Lóghlao: 1890 551 500 Website: www.justice.ie Website: Comhsheirbhísí Airgeadais [email protected] Email: Cill Airne, Co. Chiarraí 227 221 1890 Lo-Call: Fax: 01 661 5461 661 01 Fax: Teil: 064 70300 8202 602 01 Tel: Pinebrook House, 71/74 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2 Dublin Street, Harcourt 71/74 House, Pinebrook Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform Law and Equality Justice, of Department 94 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 Dublin Green, Stephen’s St. 94 Tá an cháipéis seo ar fáil ar shuíomh idirlín na Roinne. Office General’s Secretary & Office Tánaiste’s Is féidir cóipeanna den cháipéis seo a fháil ó: Reform Law and Equality Justice, of Department An tAonad Eagraíochta agus Forbartha An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí Teach Shruthán na Giúise, 71-74 Sráid Fhearchair, Baile Átha Cliath 2 PRN A6/1739 30-01 12/06 (1,500) Brunswick Press Teo. (17793) Annual Report 2005 Contents Page No Mission Statement and Values ................................................................................. 2 Foreword by Tánaiste & Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform Michael McDowell, T.D. .......................................................................................................... 3 Part 1 – Introduction Introduction by Secretary General ............................................................................ 7 Department’s Mandate ............................................................................................ 8 Structure of the Department .................................................................................... 8 Part 2 Progress on 2005 – 2007 Strategy Statement High Level Goals and other developments during 2005. Tackling Crime (HLG 1) ............................................................................................. 11 Developing Criminal Justice Services (HLG 2) ........................................................... 22 Asylum, Immigration and Citizenship (HLG 3) .......................................................... 29 Promoting a Fair, Tolerant and Caring Society (HLG 4) ............................................. 47 Contributing to a Secure and Peaceful Society (HLG 5) ............................................ 53 Civil Law Reform (HLG 6) ......................................................................................... 57 Business Delivery and Modernisation (HLG 7) .......................................................... 61 Part 3 – Appendices Appendix 1 Organisation Chart ................................................................................ 69 Appendix 2 Abbreviations ........................................................................................ 70 Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform Mission Statement To maintain and enhance community security and equality through the development of a range of policies and high quality services which underpin: • the protection and assertion of human rights and fundamental freedoms consistent with the common good; • the security of the State; • the effective and balanced approach to tackling crime; and • progress towards the elimination of discrimination and the promotion of equal opportunities and the accommodation of diversity. Values We are guided by a set of core values in seeking to deliver on our mission. These values are founded on an analysis of the environment in which we operate, the expectations of Government and the community and the resources at our disposal. These values are the guiding principles informing our work. We aim to: • ensure access to justice; • apply fair and equal standards of treatment to all groups in our society; • demonstrate accountability for our actions; • show courtesy, integrity and openness in our dealings; • provide excellent services to the public; and • value the individual. Annual Report 2005 Foreword Brian Lenihan, T.D. Frank Fahey, T.D. Minister of State Minister of State Michael McDowell, T.D., with a view to reducing the incidence of related Tánaiste & Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform complaints. Foreword by Matters concerning the Irish Prisons Service were also Tánaiste & Minister for Justice, Equality to the fore during the year. Funding for the Service and Law Reform, Michael McDowell, T.D. was increased by 18% to €369 million, a site at I am pleased to present this report on the activities Thornton Hall in North County Dublin was purchased and achievements of my Department during 2005. in September for the replacement of the existing The Annual Report sets out progress achieved on the Mountjoy complex and construction of education and goals and objectives of the Department’s Strategy medical facilities at Portlaoise Prison was initiated. Statement 2005-2007 as well as other important The problem of overtime expenditure was addressed developments during the year. following the findings of the Civil Service Arbitration Board. These findings, in combination with an Many commitments under the Agreed Programme agreement reached on operational matters, were for Government fall within my area of responsibility. presented in a single package entitled “Proposal for A number of these commitments have been fully Organisational Change in the Irish Prison Service” implemented and we made good progress on and were accepted by staff following a ballot, delivering many others in 2005. bringing negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion. This agreement allows for major organisational Major progress was achieved in the significant change across the Irish Prison Service. structural reform and organisation of the Garda Síochána, evidenced by the enactment of the Garda Youth justice is a key priority of my Department Síochána Act, 2005. It is vital that we have an and, under the Children Act, 2001, the new Irish independent complaints mechanism to maintain Youth Justice Service was established with a view to public confidence in, and support of, An Garda modernising and reforming youth justice provision. Síochána. I therefore established the Garda Síochána It provides an overarching strategic plan governing Ombudsman Commission, as a priority under the Act. the operational relationship of key stakeholders. This body will replace the Garda Síochána Complaints Improvements in the area of Childcare included an Board and, with a radically expanded role, is required increase not only in the number of childcare places and empowered directly and independently to but also in that of staffing levels. From 2006, this investigate complaints against members of An Garda responsibility falls under the aegis of the Office of the Síochána as well as any practice, policy or procedure Minister for Children. Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform Improving the effectiveness and integrity of the State’s accounted for judiciously and using best practice. Immigration system was addressed in a comprehensive Across all its areas of responsibility my Department manner in 2005 with the establishment of the Irish was responsible for a budget of almost €2 billion in Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). This 2005. In addition, it received an allocation of almost Service will be a “one stop shop” that will incorporate €1.1 billion under the Capital Investment Framework the Department’s current structures dealing with