The upcoming budget is another stepping stone in our plan to build a strong economy – an economy that works primarily to create a fair and compassionate society in which everyone is given the opportunity to succeed, and nobody is left behind.
It is a budget that continues with the prudent management of our public finances, protecting our progress on the economy and equipping us to deal with the challenges of Brexit.
I’ve listened to what 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 struggling to find fault.
Think back to where we were in 2011, when the Fine Gael-Labour coalition took office. Think back to where we were in 2009, when the Fianna Fáil Government had to come back to the Dail mid-year for an emergency budget to try and stem the unfolding crisis in our public finances. Those were dramatic days. Overwhelming, not underwhelming.
This year’s budget is all about building on the steady progress we have been making on the economy. It’s about making work worthwhile, because only a strong economy supporting people at work can pay for the services that are needed to create a fair society.
Several elements of this budget will make people’s lives better in a very direct way. I particularly welcome the introduction of a new subsidised childcare scheme, which is long overdue. I also welcome the significant investment in Education. 2,400 extra teachers will be hired in 2017, meaning the extra schools that have been built in recent years, several in my own constituency, can be properly resourced.
I welcome the fact that this 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 on spending, with the rest going to reducing USC rates.
I believe this reflects the will of the people, who sent a strong message last February. Many thought this Partnership Government wouldn’t even last till the Budget. We are now in a position to fulfil our mandate and a pass a Budget that reflects the wishes of the electorate.
Turning to my own area of Justice, the funding allocated to the Justice Vote Group is in excess of €2.5 billion – an increase of €85 million on the Revised Estimates for 2016. The funding provides for 800 new Gardai, the fast-tracking of the building of a new Forensic science Laboratory and budget increases for key regulatory bodies such as the Charities Regulator and the Data Protection Commissioner.
The gross allocation being made to the 8 votes in the Justice Vote Group as follows:
· Garda Vote €1.6 billion
· Justice and Equality Vote €441 million
· Prisons Vote €327 million
· Courts Vote €140 million
· Property Registration Authority €31 million
· Valuation Office vote €11 million
· €6.6 million is being allocated to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and €2.7 million to the Policing Authority.
An Garda Síochána
I am particularly pleased that the Government has approved my proposals setting out our clear vision for the future workforce of An Garda Síochána so that by 2021 the organisation will comprise a total of 21,000 personnel - with 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Garda Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. The funding provided for 2017 is a huge step in that direction with provision for the recruitment next year of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians, who will provide specialist, technical, professional and administrative expertise across a range of areas. Appointments will also be made to the Garda Reserve of approximately 300 in 2017.
The Garda Commissioner has published a very detailed Modernisation and Renewal Programme. But clearly that reform needs investment. Last year I announced €205 million to upgrade the long neglected ICT infrastructure in An Garda Síochána. This year’s budget will underpin and support this investment by providing for more guards, more civilian expertise and more reserve members. This will support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána.
Forensic Science
I am delighted that it has been possible to accelerate the building of a new Forensic Science Laboratory to be located in Backweston in Co. Kildare.
The funds provided in my Department’s Vote will now allow for building work to commence in 2017.
With a two year timescale for the build and working in conjunction with OPW, the new laboratory will be completed in 2019, rather than commencing that year as originally planned.
I am acutely aware of the very significant expert contribution played by Forensic Science Ireland in the criminal justice system and the outdated, cramped conditions in which the dedicated staff are working.
The new custom-built facilities, when completed, will allow Forensic Science Ireland to make full use of the huge potential offered by the new DNA database and future-proof the needs of the Service for decades to come.
This development together with the additional funding provided to the Criminal Assets Bureau in yesterdays budget is strengthening areas involved in front-line services in the fight against serious and organised crime.
Turning to the Department’s Vote, there are a number of key areas where significant additional staffing requirements are being funded. These requirements have arisen due to expansion of services and increased regulatory requirements. They have also arisen in areas such as INIS (Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service) to address increased volume of applications and to facilitate much needed reform such as in relation to further civilianisation of passport control at Dublin Airport. A total of €3.6 million additional funding is allocated to INIS for this purpose and recruitment for these positions will start as soon as possible.
In this context also, additional funding of €2.8 million and €1.7 million has been made available to the offices of the Data Protection Commissioner and Charities Regulator respectively. This will allow both organisations to strengthen their vital oversight roles and responsibilities.
The Probation Service plays a key role in reducing recidivism and an additional amount of over €2 million has been made available including €1 million in extra payroll funding which will allow the Service to recruit further new Probation Officers and Community Service Officers.
In total there is an increase of over €4 million (12%) in 2017 to the Legal Aid Board, which will improve provision of legal advice to vulnerable families and includes €2.4 million for legal advice and representation to people who are insolvent and in mortgage arrears. This support forms part of the response to mortgage arrears in the Government’s Housing Action Plan.
It has also been possible to allocate additional funding for a number of other areas within the Justice and Equality Vote, including the following;
- Private Security Authority (€0.4 million);
- Coroner Service (€0.4 million);
- National Disability Authority (€0.2 million);
- Traveller Initiatives - €1.0 million: further investment is required in this area in tandem with a new forthcoming strategy. The funding will be used to enhance services to traveller groups.
- Social Disadvantage Measures - €2.7 million: in respect of Garda Youth Diversion and other Irish Youth Justice Community Programmes.
- Crime Prevention Measures/COSC and Victims of Crime - €0.6 million: This funding will facilitate an awareness campaign on domestic and sexual violence and provide for domestic violence perpetrator programmes to fulfil requirements under the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, which is a Programme for Government commitment.
An additional €300,000 is being provided for additional recruitment to enable the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission continue its vital work. Earlier this year the Commission launched its first Strategy Statement which covers the period 2016 – 2018 and sets out the strategic goals to guide its work over the three years. The purpose of this strategy is to contribute to an inclusive Ireland where human rights and equality are respected, protected and fulfilled for everyone, everywhere. They have made progress with new appointments to their team this year and this funding will assist them in some further recruitment.
Responsibility for the Valuation Office Vote moved to the Justice Vote Group in 2016. An additional amount of €750,000 has been allocated to the Valuation Office to support the revision of valuations for certain commercial properties in Local Authority areas. The appointment of over 20 additional staff and the establishment of a Revision Unit will increase capacity in this important area.
Conclusion
In summary, the Government has provided a total gross allocation of €2.54 billion to the Justice Sector in 2017 across the eight votes in the Group.
I will work to ensure that maximum benefit is derived from this funding across the sector and that Government priorities continue to be addressed, whether in relation to Policing, the Courts and Prisons, or the very broad remit of other services provided across the Sector including equality, immigration and integration matters.
As I said at the beginning of my statement, this Budget is another stepping stone towards a better, fairer society. I look forward to implementing its provisions over the coming year in collaboration with my colleagues on all sides of the House.