8 for the Circuit Court, 6 for the High Court
The publication of the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill brought us a step closer to reforming our antiquated licensing laws. We intend to publish this important Bill this year and start to progress it through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Notwithstanding the challenges faced by unprecedented numbers arriving to our shores seeking refuge, our immigration services remain focussed on ensuring we have a fair and balanced, rules-based immigration system. We have already implemented significant improvements to the immigration system to bring processing times down. The reforms are already having an effect and we expect processing times to fall further this year as we put further resources into the system.
Helen McEntee T.D. Minister for Justice
The Government is committed to ensuring that Ireland’s future International Protection system is robust, rules based, and that our
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Minister of State’s Foreword
I welcome Justice Plan 2024, which outlines the work plan for the year ahead and takes account of any outstanding commitments made in the Programme for Government. The Plan will continue to progress our key priorities so that the Justice Sector continues to develop its capabilities across a wide range of areas.
As Chair of the Anti-Social Behaviour Forum, we will monitor implementation of the key recommendations recently announced spanning the entire Government, including the expansion of youth diversion services, local leadership programmes and strengthening the powers of An Garda Síochána. The forums work has reflected the ongoing commitment of the Government to tackling anti-social behaviour and helping communities feel safe.
Justice Plan 2023 delivered significant progress across the justice system and in particular, it continued to deliver one of my key priorities. The Gambling Regulation Bill completed Seanad Éireann, Second Stage in May. This Bill provides for a new streamlined, simplified and coherent licensing framework that reflects the nature of gambling in the State. However, the Government is also very cognisant of the harms associated with problem gambling and there must be safeguards to protect individuals, especially children. It is my clear objective to continue to bring this Bill through the Oireachtas and to be enacted this year.
I will continue to further progress implementation of the Youth Justice Strategy, which provides a developmental framework to address key ongoing challenges, as well as new and emerging issues, in the youth justice area. The Government’s funding for youth justice services rose to €33 million this year. This sustained support is helping us to grow our Youth Diversion Network and to expand the services being offered to young people and their families. This work will benefit all our communities, not just now but into the future, as we invest in the future of our young people.
In the second quarter of 2024, we will publish the Defamation (Amendment) Bill to modernise the law in this critical area. This is a significant priority for Government, to reform defamation law to ensure a balanced approach between the rights to freedom of expression, to protection of good name, and to access to justice. I hope to significantly progress during 2024.
James Browne T.D. Minister of State for Law Reform
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Introduction from the Secretary General
Justice Plan 2024 is the fourth annual plan to be published. Its aim is to support the delivery of the ambition set out in our latest Statement of Strategy 2024-2026.
It is important to note these actions will be delivered in addition to the wideranging, significant, and valued day to day work of colleagues across the department delivering vital services to the public and agencies within the justice sector.
This plan drives delivery of the Department’s priorities across the five high level goals which reflect the breath, complexity and importance of our vision and values and is designed to support our work for a safe, fair, inclusive Ireland.
The work our Department delivers on has real meaning and purpose and impacts thousands of people, often during times of great vulnerability and stress.
The Plan is built on the new Statement of Strategy and has been developed taking account of our business planning, risk management and individual performance management processes, ensuring that delivery of the Plan is a top priority for the department, but also that it is achievable and manageable for the teams who work so hard to deliver it.
Even through challenging times, the quality of work displayed by colleagues always makes me immensely proud and I have no doubt this open, collaborative and professional approach will continue to serve the Government and the public throughout the coming years.
Substantial progress has been made through the programme of work completed in the previous Justice Plans. Progress on delivery of Justice Plan 2024 will be monitored and reviewed in the same way by the Management Board and by the Ministers. As committed to in previous years, and in keeping with our commitment to transparency and accountability for the vital work we do on behalf of the people of Ireland, progress reports will be published on actions throughout the year.
Oonagh McPhillips Secretary General
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Maintaining a safe and secure Ireland
Goal 1
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Improving access to justice for all
Goal 2
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Delivering a fair immigration system
Goal 3
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Strengthening our influence in Europe
Goal 4
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Investing in people to deliver excellence
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Goal 1
Maintaining a safe and secure Ireland
Goal 1: Maintaining a safe and secure Ireland
Plans tailored to the needs of their own areas aimed particularly at making their communities safe and secure.
Keeping people safe and secure is at the core of what the Department does. That means resourcing An Garda Síochána with the Gardaí, Garda staff and Reserves needed to police the State, and providing them with the technology and equipment required for a modern fit-for-purpose policing and security service. It also means keeping the criminal law up to date and relevant, and ensuring that the criminal justice agencies are resourced to fully play their part. The threats to the security of the State are changing all the time and the Department will work with partners at home and abroad to equip ourselves to meet the challenges we face.
statutory powers and responsibilities. The Department will continue to develop its capacity to exercise effective governance and oversight of these agencies and work with them to deliver on their mandates.
Domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a cancer in our society. The implementation of Zero Tolerance – the third national strategy to combat Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) will be a priority. The Department will work with colleagues to support the vital work of Cuan - the new DSGBV agency - and continue to invest in services to victims.
While the Department is committed to preventing crime, it remains the case that crimes are committed and detected. Our aim is to divert as many people as possible from the criminal justice system to services that are better equipped to deal with their mental health, addiction and other issues. For those who properly come within the scope of the criminal justice system, the Department will continue to focus on increasing effective alternatives to prison through investment in youth justice structures, the Probation Service, community services and restorative justice and, more resources will be targeted at rehabilitation of offenders in our prison system to reduce levels of recidivism.
The impact of crime on the lives of victims can be devastating. Throughout the lifetime of this strategy, our efforts will intensify to ensure their voices are heard and taken into account as part of our progress to keep Ireland safe and secure.
Establishing Community Safety Partnerships across the country is a key priority. These new structures will bring together the Garda Síochána, the local authority, local interests and all the various state agencies to develop and implement Community Safety
The Department’s agencies play a critical role in delivering on our mission and in many cases have significant
Objectives
COFPI recommendations implemented to deliver a modern policing and security service
Supporting victims of crime, including victims of human trafficking
Tackling anti-social behaviour by working together to divert people from crime and reduce reoffending
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An Garda Síochána strengthened through investment in recruitment, tools and technology
Zero tolerance in our society for violence against women and all forms of domestic, sexual and gender based violence
Safer communities developed through local community partnerships
Expanding prison capacity and improving conditions for people in prison
Reducing levels of crime Strong public confidence in the criminal justice system
Greater levels of diversion from crime and reduced recidivism
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Outcomes
Adequate space in our prisons
Modernised police and security service
Victims of crime feel supported by the criminal justice system
| OBJECTIVES & 2024 ACTIONS | ACTION OWNER | DELIVERY DATE | |
| Objectvi e - An Garda Síochána strengthened through investment in recruitment, tools and technology | |||
| 1 Support and monitor continued recruitment by An Garda Síochána of Garda Members, Garda Reserve, Garda Staf fand redeployment of Garda Members to frontline duties. | Criminal Governance | Q4 | |
| 1.1 | An Garda Síochána / Public Appointments Service launch of Garda recruitment campaign with targeted focus at underrepresented groups | Criminal Governance | Q1 |
| 1.2 | Monitor progress against targets for Garda trainees (800- 1000) and Garda staf f(400) | Criminal Governance | Ongoing |
| 1.3 | Continue to work with AGS to identify roles suitable for redeployment where a Garda Member will be replaced by Garda Staf f building on 900 Gardaí already freed up, with an additional 250 Garda Staf fto be recruited in 2024 | Criminal Governance | Ongoing |
| 1.4 | Finalise Garda Reserve Regulations | Criminal Governance | Q1 |
| 1.5 | An Garda Síochána / Public Appointments Service launch of Garda Reserve recruitment campaign with targeted focus at underrepresented groups | Criminal Governance | Q2 |
| 1.6 | Introduce regulations to increase the retirement age to 62 years | Criminal Governance and Civil Legislation | Q2 |
| 2 Support An Garda Síochána with the procurement and rollout of Road Safety Cameras for enhanced future enforcement activity, ensuring provisions are made for speed enforcement using camera vans, static cameras, average speed cameras and variable speed, and exploring future possibilities for additional enforcement areas | Criminal Governance | Q4 | |
| 3 Provide funding and oversight to AGS and OPW to deliver the Garda Capital Plan | Criminal Governance | Q4 | |
| 3.1 | Monitor the AGS Estates pipeline of projects to ensure budget allocations, approvals, site purchases and NDP allocations | Criminal Governance | Ongoing |
| 3.2 | Provide oversight and monitoring of budget and schedules of AGS Estates Capital Projects undergoing constructoi n in 2024, including: - New Garda Statoi n in Portlaoise - Clonmel and Macroom new statoi ns - New statoi n in Bailieborough - New statoi n in Newcastlewest | Criminal Governance | Ongoing |
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