A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 2023
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A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland
Statement of Strategy
2021 - 2023
Table of Contents
Foreword by the Minister for Justice 3
Introduction from the Secretary General 4
Our Goals 5
Our Mission 6
Our Values 6
Our Operating Environment 7
Our Key Strategic Partners 10
Goal 1. Tackle crime, preserve national security and transform policing 12
Goal 2. Improve access to justice and modernise the courts system 14
Goal 3. Strengthen community safety, reduce reoffending, support
victims and combat domestic, sexual and gender based violence 16
Goal 4. Deliver a fair immigration system for a digital age 18
Goal 5. Accelerate innovation, digital transformation and climate
action across the justice sector 20
How we work in the future 22
Key Indicators 24
Appendix 1: Programme for Government Commitments 27
Appendix 2: Agencies/Bodies under the aegis of the Department 32
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A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
Foreword by the
Minister for Justice
Our first responsibility in the justice The Irish Prison Service responded make our courts and legal services
system is the protection of our with professionalism in keeping our more accessible.
people and our State. prisons safe during the pandemic
It means making the system more
and the Courts Service adapted with
But our policies and duties in the sensitive to the needs of families
speed and innovation to maintain
Department of Justice extend much going through periods of immense
legal services.
further, and span across Irish life and difficulty and sensitivity, which
society. By cementing its relationship we will achieve through a new
with our communities, An Garda Family Court and reformed court
As well as ensuring our people are
Síochána has done so much more procedures.
safe and secure, it is our duty to
than just police the pandemic. Over
provide an equitable and accessible Improving access to justice also
the course of our Strategy, we can
path to justice; to support victims means driving down insurance
look forward with confidence to
and communities; and to treat those and legal costs to help businesses,
An Garda Síochána completing its
who seek refuge on our shores, or to consumers and communities. Legal
transformation to a world class
make a new home for themselves in costs in Ireland are prohibitive.
policing service, working for the
ours, with respect. They are a barrier to people seeking
safety of our communities.
justice and are damaging to our
To support those who rely on us
Stronger legislation and additional economic competitiveness.
every day in their business, family
resources will also support An Garda
and community life, or those who Our cultural and hospitality sectors
Síochána tackle the organised crime
need us to respond with compassion have been the worst affected by
gangs dealing in misery. The justice
and understanding at moments of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of
system will not back down in its
crisis and difficulty. our cultural institutions and venues
determination to take on the gangs,
have not opened their doors in a
I want to build a justice system that nor will it let them take hold of our
year. These sectors will soon colour
works for everyone. young.
the days and nights of our lives once
This Statement of Strategy will be Irish society in recent decades has again and we will help them get back
supported by our annual Justice been transformed not just by a on their feet. We will modernise
Plans, setting out the actions we will series of social changes, but also by our licencing laws to support the
implement to deliver our programme an acknowledgment of the darker development of the night time
of reform. Working across the chapters from our short history and economy so our cities can take their
sector to receive feedback and to the damage done to many of our place among the cultural capitals of
ensure we hold each other to our people. the world.
targets, we will update the Justice
I firmly believe that future The justice system reaches across
Plans annually with new actions and
generations will look back on the many aspects of our lives.
timelines.
scourge of domestic, sexual and
Through our annual Justice Plans,
This Strategy sets out our ambition gender based violence and ask why
I believe we can implement
for a justice sector which will it was tolerated as a lesser form
ambitious reforms to build a justice
innovate and embrace a Digital First of crime or abuse for so long. That
system which contributes to the
agenda: making our services and period is over.
improvement of society.
those of the entire justice sector
Our reforms mean victims of sexual,
easily accessible and ensuring they To build a justice system that works
domestic and gender based abuse
work for those who need them. A for everyone.
will be supported by the criminal
sector which will implement climate
justice system, and their abusers
action policies not only to contribute
punished. They, like all victims of
to efforts to tackle climate change,
crime, will know that our system is
but to lead by example.
there to serve them when they are at
Covid-19 has shown the great their most vulnerable.
people who work in our Department Helen McEntee TD
Building a justice system that works Minister for Justice
and across our sector at their best.
for everyone also requires us to
3
A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
Introduction from
the Secretary
General
I am pleased to present this solve with them. Meaningful, An annual Justice Plan will
Statement of Strategy 2021- authentic collaboration gives be published each year of the
2023 to the Minister. The five us valuable insight and leads to strategy which will set out our
high level goals set out in this better informed and sustainable objectives and actions in greater
document reflect the breadth, outcomes. detail. Progress on delivery will
complexity and importance of the be monitored and reviewed
The strategy also supports this
Department’s mission to work for throughout the life of the
through a plan for significant
a safe, fair, inclusive Ireland. strategy and we will publish an
investment in our ICT systems,
implementation update twice
This plan is published as work to and our capacity to deliver
yearly.
combat Covid-19 continues to public services online. We are
dominate, and the longer term embedding a project mindset Finally, I want to thank my
impact of this global event has to help us deliver at pace and talented and dedicated colleagues
yet to emerge. We know that over this strategy’s lifetime we across the Department and the
it has changed forever the way will further strengthen our focus sector who are juggling significant
we work: some of this change on metrics and indicators. This challenges while constantly
is positive and innovative, while will also allow us to gather, stepping up to deliver on the
other aspects require careful interrogate and transparently Department’s mission for the
consideration and management. exploit data and research, Government and the public we
Despite this uncertainty, we supporting external partnerships all serve.
have set out an ambitious to explore policy options and
programme for the next three evaluate outcomes. The strategy
years in line with the Programme also outlines the organisational
for Government. It has been and individual actions required
informed by a wide-ranging of all of us to contribute to our
public consultation and builds climate agenda.
Oonagh McPhillips
on our recent organisational
Growing capability in all of Secretary General
restructuring, and will see us
these areas, supplemented with
continue to invest in and develop
ongoing organisational design and
our people, systems and culture.
a strategic approach to learning
Justice is a people business. Our and development, especially to
work has meaning and purpose manage the blended workplace
because it directly impacts on of the future, is critical to the
the public, often at times of strength and resilience of our
vulnerability or personal crisis. organisation. A new HR strategy
Increasingly, an important aspect will also further strengthen
of our organisational culture is our culture by supporting and
creating opportunities to listen developing our staff and planning
to the people most impacted for the future, fostering talents at
by our work and problem all levels.
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A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
Our Goals
What we want to achieve
1. Tackle crime, enhance national security and transform policing
2. Improve access to justice and modernise the courts system
3. Strengthen community safety, reduce reoffending, support
victims and combat domestic, sexual and gender based violence
4. Deliver a fair immigration system for a digital age
5. Accelerate innovation, digital transformation and climate action
across the justice sector
5
Our Mission
Working for a safe,
fair, inclusive Ireland
Our Values
The Principles that
Guide us
Values Our Commitment How
Collaborative We will work together with others We will engage with people
in trust and partnership in a respectful, inclusive and
meaningful way, valuing their
perspectives and insights and
finding shared solutions
Professional We will be impartial, accountable We will do our work with
and ethical compassion, integrity and pride,
focused on objective analysis and
informed decision making for the
public good
Open We will be responsive and We will exchange ideas and
informative, communicating to problem solve; communicating and
make meaningful connections sharing information proactively
to build partnerships and to meet
the needs and expectations of the
public we serve.
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A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
Our Operating Environment
Introduction Our Department plays a central across 4 continents, working on
role in underpinning and a broad range of European and
The Department’s vision of a sustaining a democratic society international justice matters.
safe, fair and inclusive Ireland and the manner in which we do
carries with it enormous so reflects our deep commitment The Department’s budget is
responsibility, but also a great to human rights and equality as €474 million with funding for
sense of purpose and pride in the set out in the Constitution and the Justice Group of votes
contribution that our organisation the European Convention on (Department, An Garda Síochána,
makes to the delivery of a just Human Rights. Notwithstanding Prison Service, Courts Service,
and democratic society. We the transfer of the integration Policing Authority and the Data
have lead responsibility for and equality remit, we remain Protection Commission) totalling
public policy in respect of the committed to our mission of a over €3 billion in 2021.
security of the State and public safe, fair, inclusive Ireland, all of
safety, including the prevention which are vital to maintaining Operating in a changing
and detection of crime, the public trust in our work. world
administration of justice, the
management of inward migration The challenges of our operating
The Department directly
and international protection environment continue to grow
employs over 2700 staff with
processes, the provision of increasingly complex. At the
28 bodies operating under our
important regulatory services time of writing, the global crisis
aegis. The Department also has
and ongoing reform of civil and sparked by COVID-19, coupled
an international reach, with
criminal law. with the UK’s departure from
almost 40 officers posted in 11
the EU, reinforce the need for
Irish embassies and missions
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A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
us to continuously challenge our • Our place in the EU and the SDGs indicators demonstrate
normative patterns of behaviour opportunity that presents that Ireland’s death rate from
as an organisation and to increase to influence and drive social homicide, the percentage of the
our agility and responsiveness to change Irish population reporting the
the events that unfold around us. occurrence of crime, violence
• Ireland’s membership of the or vandalism in their area, the
Our ability to respond will be UN Security Council 2021-22 Irish Government’s expenditure
strengthened by increased on law courts and the perceived
digitisation in the Department • Demographic changes, independence of the justice
and the sector and by more including changes in system in Ireland are all better
sophisticated and cohesive use population flows, and the EU- than the EU average, but
of data and evidence to underpin wide response to migration our Strategy for the future is
our service delivery, policy ambitious and we want to drive
development and understanding • Changes in the nature of improvement and ultimately lead
of our operating environment. security threats to our in these areas.
Over the period of this Strategy country and society
we will develop more ways Working with colleagues across
to consult and involve the • The challenges to public government we will be cognisant
public, particularly vulnerable safety as well as the of how our work spans four key
communities, in our work in a opportunities and obligations themes in Ireland’s Sustainable
meaningful way. arising from technological Future framework: Gender equity,
change respect for cultural heritage and
An ever increasing volume of diversity, social equity and equity
our legislation is developed • Contributing, especially between countries and regions.
in partnership with other EU through our wider sector,
member states and our ambition to Ireland’s commitments to Critical to our future policy
is to strengthen our capacity climate action responses and efforts to build
to negotiate and influence this effective, accountable and
on behalf of Ireland at the early The Department is committed inclusive institutions will be
stages. Ireland must continue to to supporting Ireland’s whole our partners and stakeholders
work to derive maximum benefit of Government approach including other Government
from all areas of its external to implementing the UN’s Departments and public bodies.
engagement, bilaterally with our Sustainable Development Our Strategy places a strong
UK neighbours and in the EU Goals (SDGs). We recognise the emphasis on collaboration to
and UN context, maximising our opportunity to contribute under address the challenges referenced
influence across all aspects of the 12 targets of SDG 16 Peace, above but also to tackle the
the Justice cooperation agenda Justice and Strong Institutions - ‘wicked’ problems of our day. A
including security, immigration promote peaceful and inclusive strong, effective and impartial
and the rule of law. societies for sustainable civil service is a critical part of
development, provide access to our democracy. The Department
As a Department we will be at justice for all and build effective, will work collaboratively on the
the forefront of responding to a accountable and inclusive development and implementation
number of global challenges over institutions at all levels. of cross departmental and public
the next decade, including: service initiatives which engage
Ireland is, by global and EU with and benefit the public we
• Impact of Brexit on our standards, a very peaceful serve.
relationship with the UK and safe country. The EU
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A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
Human Rights and Equality which the heads of Public by continuing to implement
Public Sector Duty 2020 Service bodies will endorse, international human rights
-2023 and a Maturity Model tool, norms;
designed to assist organisations
Section 42 of the Irish Human to reflect on their progress across • Report on progress in our
Rights and Equality Commission a number of important areas. Annual Report and, where
Act 2014 establishes a positive These are practical resources appropriate, require bodies
duty on public bodies to have to support organisations in under the aegis of the
regard to the need to eliminate their equality, diversity and Department to measure
discrimination, promote equality inclusion commitments, while progress in their own annual
and protect the human rights of accommodating the distinct reports.
staff and the people to whom challenges faced by public service
services are provided. It also organisations of differing size, How we developed this
requires “an assessment of the functions and capacity. Strategy
human rights and equality issues
it believes to be relevant to the A working group was established
The Public Sector Duty is equally
functions and purpose of the to coordinate and drive the
relevant to the experience of
body and the policies, plans and development of the Strategy
our staff. In line with our values
actions in place or proposed Statement. Our strategy
we are committed to creating
to be put in place to address consultation approach involved
an environment where we
those issues”. This assessment is wide ranging engagement with
promote positive engagement,
required to be accessible to the bodies and partners across
critical analysis, open and honest
public. the wider justice sector; other
communication, embracing
government Departments; the
diverse perspectives while
This Public Sector Duty is Oireachtas Committee on Justice;
striving to be inclusive in all that
consistent with the core functions and through a public submission
we do.
and values of the Department. process publicised on the
The Department continues to Department’s website and social
We will continue to embed these
value and promote equality and medial platforms. In excess of
values in all aspects of our work.
human rights through our day to 200 submissions were received
In support of this, we will:
day work, whether in delivering which have served to inform and
key public service, developing strengthen the development of
• Carry out a fresh assessment
policy and legislation in an our strategy statement.
of the human rights and
inclusive human rights compliant equality issues relevant to the
manner or in doing our work in functions and purpose of the
How implementation will be
an efficient, fair manner with Department and the policies,
monitored
integrity and respect for human plans and actions to be taken The strategy statement is
dignity. to address those issues. We complemented by an annual
will publish this assessment action plan, which is published
With the active support of on our website; at the beginning of each year.
other public service leaders,
The plan provides more detail on
the Secretary General and the • Promote and foster our each of our strategic goals and
Garda Commissioner are co- human rights and equality objectives, along with setting
sponsoring the equality, diversity duty as part of the training out our Programme of work each
and inclusion action under the cycle; year. The Plan, which is available
current public service reform
on our website, is reviewed and
plan. Key outputs from this • Drive change and continuous updated regularly, with updates
work include a Vision Statement, improvement in key areas published twice yearly.
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A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
Our Key Strategic Partners
We will work closely and The Department understands the We will continue to support
co-operate fully with our importance of continuing to work central Government public
partners across Government closely with our EU partners but service reforms and will show
on issues of common interest will also be ambitious to extend demonstrable leadership and
and fully support the strategic and build relationships with commitment across a range
objectives of other Government countries who we may not have of areas including diversity,
Departments. We appreciate, as had close ties with in the past but innovation, the digital agenda
others do, that the complexity would welcome the opportunity and climate change.
of our working environment and to develop further social and
the ‘wicked problems’ of our day economic links to these countries. Data is a key enabler for improved
cannot be resolved alone and Following Brexit, we will continue efficiency, policy making and
that collaborative working across to foster our relationship with the resource allocation. We will
civil and public service is key to UK and devolved Governments. continue to work with the Central
delivering successful outcomes
for society.
Other
Government
Departments
Criminal
Justice Civil
Agencies
Department System
of Justice
EU,
Regulatory
Great Britain,
Oversight
Northern Ireland,
Bodies
International and
United Nations
10A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
Justice Sector
Road
Safety &
NGO’s Transport
Housing
Academia
Education Staff
and Skills Associations
The Public
Social
Communities Protection
Local Health
Authorities System
HSE
Child Defence
Protection
Tusla
A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland
Statistics Office to develop our Information Officer (OGCIO) in time exchanges in the Criminal
data and analytical capabilities relation to the implementation of Justice and Immigration areas,
and standards and to maximise the Public Service ICT Strategy strengthening our evidence base,
the use of administrative data including projects on Build to and delivering greater operational
to generate official statistics and Share, Digital First and Data as efficiencies in our agencies.
strengthen policy development. Enabler. In particular, we will
develop our Criminal Justice
We continue to partner with Operational Hub to facilitate real-
the Office of Government Chief
11A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2020 - 2023
Goal 1: Tackle crime, enhance national
security and transform policing
Our aim is to build a safer Ireland pandemic by drawing on its core within the service, to better reflect
by reducing and preventing crime, values and connection to the the Ireland of today, will bring An
continually working to enhance community. The timeline of this Garda Síochána even closer to
national security and transform and strategy will see An Garda Síochána the rural and urban communities
strengthen An Garda Síochána. complete its major transformation it serves, while investment in
and develop into a model of professional development and
The Department is responsible policing excellence. leadership will help drive and
for leading the strategic direction sustain excellence and innovation.
of the criminal justice system The necessary development of
with the objective of protecting powers, resources and effective We will reform our laws to
the public, upholding human technology, balanced by a strong effectively deal with those who
rights and procedural fairness, and effective system of governance seek to spread hatred, fear and
and maintaining public safety, and oversight, will support An harassment in any form – both
confidence and trust. Garda Síochána to achieve this online and off.
ambitious goal. The new Policing
An Garda Síochána is rightly held and Community Safety Bill will be Emerging and continually evolving
in high esteem by the Irish people the cornerstone of this reform. threats require us to work with
and, through its model of policing European and international
by consent, has further enhanced New structures, systems, culture partners to ensure our national
its standing during the Covid-19 and greater support for diversity security is protected and terrorism
12A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
is tackled wherever it emerges: at 2. Deliver a comprehensive the efficient and effective
home or abroad. programme to improve the operation of the criminal
operation of the criminal justice system
The fight against organised crime justice system
stretches beyond our borders 6. Ensure strong governance in
and An Garda Síochána work 3. Combat cybercrime, support all bodies across the criminal
closely with their international online safety and prepare justice sector; and provide
colleagues to break the networks for the challenges posed challenging yet supportive
of serious criminals and prevent by Artificial Intelligence oversight to these bodies
them from inflicting misery in our through stronger policies and
communities. legislation
International collaboration is also 4. Strengthen measures to
central to further developing our tackle terrorism and other
capacity to combat the exploitation serious and organised crime
of technology for cybercrime. through domestic action and
international co-operation
Objectives
5. Reform, review and modernise
1. Developing a leading edge
criminal law and procedure
and accountable policing
to enhance and support
service through the
implementation of A Policing
Service for our Future
13A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2020 - 2023
Goal 2: Improve access to justice and
modernise the courts system
Access to justice is a fundamental enforcing a contract or purchasing dispute resolution mechanisms as
right and a key enabler of an insurance. a viable substitute for litigation.
equitable and thriving society. This will ensure greater efficiencies
The justice and courts systems The introduction of new scales of and reduce the length of legal
must continually adapt to the legal costs will bring down such proceedings.
development of our society and our costs and provide greater certainty
economy. on what people can expect to pay To ensure our courts work for
for legal services. We will assess everyone, the new Family Court,
The Department’s responsibility if these scales should be binding, combined with the development
includes widening access, and except in limited circumstances. of pragmatic, sensitive and
identifying and removing barriers, cohesive family law procedures, will
to the justice system so it meets Working with the judiciary and significantly improve the experience
the needs of the public, society and the courts, the Department will of families interacting with the legal
business. introduce the most significant series system at a time of great difficulty.
of reforms in the last 100 years to
Legal costs in Ireland are prohibitive how our civil courts operate, with The Courts Service has set out an
and act as a barrier to people to a focus on the needs of the user of ambitious agenda to modernise our
exercising their rights before the the court system. courts and bring their proceedings
courts. We know too the effect into a modern age. Working
these high costs and complex The introduction of pre-action together, we will put the Irish
systems have on our economy and protocols will facilitate early legal system on a firmly accessible
our competitiveness, whether those resolution of claims. We must footing and build on the reforms
are the cost of buying a house, also work to promote alternative introduced during the pandemic,
14A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
such as remote hearings and service and the professions, and 2. Establish a Family Court and
electronic filing of documents. by opening up legal education to a transformed family justice
Digital transformation will be a key give more people clear pathways system
driver of change. to working in the legal sector. A 3. Modernise the operation of the
new Gambling Regulator will be judiciary to enable it to work
The strength and independence established and legislation to licence more effectively; and reform the
of our judiciary has been one of and regulate the gambling industry process for appointing judges
the successes of our State, and our will be enacted. Proposals to update
judges are respected throughout our defamation laws will strike the 4. Support the reduction of legal
Europe and the world. The Judicial right balance between reputation costs and the length of legal
Appointments Commission Bill and free speech. proceedings and tackle the high
will streamline the process of cost of insurance
appointing judges and ensure that Our cultural and hospitality sectors 5. Support our economy and
the best people are appointed. have been among the worst society through regulatory,
This, combined with our support affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. licensing and civil law reform
for the work of the Judicial Council But these sectors will revive and we
6. Support the Dublin Coroner
in bringing forward guidelines for will introduce reforms to support
to commence the Stardust
judicial work and developing judicial the development and regulation of
Inquests in 2021 and all
skills, will further enhance the the night time economy, including
coroners to do their jobs
standing of our judicial system at through modernised licensing laws.
home and abroad. 7. Provide challenging yet
Objectives supportive oversight of the civil
We will also ensure the justice justice bodies under our aegis
sector is more reflective of modern 1. Modernise the courts and legal and ensure that appropriate
Irish society by improving the system to improve the fair governance structures and
diversity of the judiciary, the courts and speedy conduct of court relationships are in place across
proceedings theses bodies
15A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2020 - 2023
Goal 3: Strengthen community safety,
reduce reoffending, support victims and
combat domestic, sexual and gender based
violence
People all across the country system, and we will work to remove To deliver community safety
deserve to feel safe in their the fear many victims have of we have to provide the right
communities and in their homes. coming forward to report what community response at the right
We will strive to provide that safety happened to them. time. A particular problem may
by engaging communities, tackling be better addressed through
recidivism, and supporting victims. Supporting a Victim’s Journey, our education, through social workers,
plan to help victims and vulnerable or through youth intervention
The scourge of sexual, domestic witnesses in sexual violence cases, programmes.
and gender based violence is one will be implemented in full. It will
we are determined to do more to reform the criminal justice system Together with local representatives,
tackle. The objective is to bring at every point a victim comes into community representatives,
perpetrators to justice and to contact with it. A national public business groups and State agencies,
ensure that victims know they will awareness campaign on consent communities will draw up their
be supported. will further strengthen work to own plans on how to prevent crime
prevent these crimes. and prioritise effective solutions.
We will build a new infrastructure Communities will be central in
on how sexual, domestic and Greater ownership and input identifying and implementing
gender based violence services from communities themselves, innovative solutions. Work to
are organised and supported working with public services, develop effective partnership
across Departments. This will more will help to improve community approaches to community safety
effectively serve victims and assist safety and reduce harm. Across will be informed by pilots in
the vital work of organisations the country, new Community Dublin’s North Inner City, Longford
working this area. Safety Partnerships will make and Waterford.
communities safer for residents,
All victims will be placed at the families and businesses. We will publish a report on the
centre of our criminal justice cause and impact of criminal gangs
16A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
in Drogheda; co-operate with those who have committed crimes 3. Implement Supporting a
Dublin City Council to implement safely back into their communities. Victim’s Journey: A plan to
its report on Darndale, Belcamp help victims and vulnerable
and Moatview; and continue our Extending the range of spent witnesses in sexual violence
work on the Greentown project. convictions will help us in our cases
work to improve the job prospects
Breaking the link between criminal for people with convictions and 4. Divert young people away
gangs and the vulnerable young alternative community-based from crime and anti-social
people they try to recruit will sanctions to prison will also help behaviour
be essential if we are to divert break the cycle of reoffending.
young people away from lives of 5. Establish the Parole Board on a
crime. We will continue working We will also work to address statutory footing to take better
on a whole of Government basis the problems of mental health account of the concerns of
to tackle the root causes which and addiction in prisons and victims and survivors
can allow criminality take hold in support early interventions in the
disadvantaged communities and community. 6. Reduce re-offending rates for
legislate to outlaw the grooming of those convicted of crime
children into a life of crime. Objectives
7. Deliver restorative justice
A new Youth Justice Strategy, 1. Drive community participation safely and effectively
together with a Forum on Tackling in a new approach to make
Anti-Social Behaviour, will be key communities safer, and work
8. Publish the legislation to
elements of our efforts to support across government and with
implement the Optional
young people. State agencies to support this
Protocol to the Convention
goal
Against Torture
The overriding imperative of
our Prisons Policy, through a 2. Combat domestic, sexual and
9. Lead the development and
Penal Reform Action Plan, will gender based violence and
implementation of strategies
be to develop policies which support victims of crime
and actions to reduce
support reductions in the rate of offending and bring greater
reoffending, and help re-integrate coherence and shared purpose
to the criminal justice sector
17A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2020 - 2023
Goal 4: Deliver a fair immigration system
for a digital age
Ireland benefits economically, experience for all. We will publish larger migration trends and build
socially and culturally from the a roadmap to transition all a fair and balanced immigration
diversity brought to our country by immigration services online. system.
those who choose to travel here to
visit, to study, to work and to live. In addition to making our services Covid-19 has also caused a
more efficient, we will make them significant backlog in processing
Demand for Irish immigration easier to understand by simplifying citizenship applications due to
services continues to increase our processes and providing the inability to hold citizenship
at a significant rate. Our service information in plain English. We will ceremonies, which have become a
users rightly expect immigration also make our websites available in welcome addition to our public and
processes to be personalised, the most common languages of our civic life.
timely and responsive. service users.
We will clear the backlog of
The Department has begun to Equality and inclusivity remain applications through alternative
transition from paper-based and core guiding principles for our means and restore the citizenship
labour intensive processes to Department as we work with ceremonies as soon as is possible.
efficient, robust and customer– colleagues across Government to The ceremonies, usually attended
centric frontline immigration provide responses to some of the by hundreds of people, are joyous
services, in line with our Digital largest global migration challenges, occasions and we are determined
First policy. developing evidence-based policy they will resume when the
and legislation. pandemic has passed.
Digital technologies and machine
learning create new opportunities The development of a long term We will create pathways for
to reimagine our service delivery migration strategy will allow us regularising the status of long-
models, enhancing the user assess demographic, economic and term undocumented people and
18A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
their dependents and a sustainable 3. Communicate effectively with 6. Eliminate processing backlogs
and agile system for international our service users, recognising across all immigration
protection applicants, including and understanding their application types
making it easier for international diversity and supporting them
protection applicants to access the to engage effectively with us
labour market.
4. Restructure our immigration
Objectives services to better serve our
customers and our country
1. Develop a fully digital,
customer-centric immigration 5. Ensure that effective controls
service are exercised at our borders
in line with our international
2. Protect the fairness and obligations and to maintain
enhance the efficiency of our our national security
immigration system through
new strategic policies and
legislative proposals
19A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
Goal 5: Accelerate innovation, digital
transformation and climate action across
the justice sector
Accelerating innovation, technology to reduce the time We will ensure that systems are
digitalisation and climate action spent on paperwork across the integrated across the justice
across the justice sector will be sector and to improve the customer sector, enabling information to be
vital levers to deliver the significant service experience of the users of shared across agencies safely and
reforms set out in our Statement of all of our services. quickly and allowing individuals
Strategy. and businesses access regulatory
This will mean more Gardaí on bodies effectively.
We will work with our agencies patrol and on the frontline because
to adopt the Digital First agenda of time saved in the station. An We will promote innovation and
across all areas of the justice sector. Garda Síochána will be better excellence across the justice sector,
This will be a core priority for the equipped with cutting edge and recognise high achievement
Department for this three year plan technology so they can do their and seek to mainstream
and over the next decade. jobs with remote access to real successful approaches. Through
time, secure information while on new leadership and innovation
Delivering for the public is at the the beat. strategies we will connect and
very heart of all that we do and collaborate across the justice sector
the Digital First and modernisation It will mean an efficient and to scale successful innovations,
agendas underpin all of our effective Courts Service; making develop leadership capacity,
strategic goals. access to justice easier, cheaper mainstream good ideas; and ensure
and quicker. And it will mean supportive evaluation and quality
We will continue to invest in a streamlined and modern assurance systems.
information management and immigration service which meets
the needs of our customers.
20A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
Climate disruption is the defining drive across Irish society to meet 2. Integrate digital messaging
challenge of our time. We will fully our climate change commitments, systems across the justice
align the actions and activities of but will also encourage others sector to enable greater sharing
the justice sector to the climate to adopt practices that minimise of information and increased
ambition in the programme for their environmental impact and co-operation
government. maximise community benefit.
3. Implement plans and policies
across the sector – including
The justice sector agencies, We will also examine the impact
the management of vehicle
including An Garda Síochána and that we have as organisations and
fleets and estates - to support
the Courts Service, are some of individuals on the climate agenda
the achievement of Climate
the most visible public sector and take remedial actions to Action Plan goals
agencies in the State and have decrease our carbon footprint and
a strong and visible presence in go green across the sector. 4. In re-designing our services,
our communities. The Irish Prison incorporate a focus on
Service and other justice agencies Objectives sustainability, digital solutions
will also have a key role to play. and reducing our carbon
1. Dramatically increase digital
footprint
services throughout the
By cutting our reliance on carbon
justice sector to support the
and by implementing climate action 5. Ensure the user is at the centre
modernisation of An Garda
policies in areas such as fleet and of every service we develop
Síochána, the Courts Service,
estate management, as well as across the justice sector
and the Department of Justice
green public procurement and itself, including our immigration
energy efficiency, these agencies 6. Develop innovation and
services
leadership strategies for the
will not only lead by example in the
justice sector
21A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
How we work in the future
The ambition of this Strategy to policy-making, governance, and our sector. The Department
cannot be fulfilled without the legislation. The re-organisation has recently refreshed and
drive, commitment and support provided an opportunity to be consolidated its organisational
of the people who work in our innovative, none more so than values identifying three core
Department. in the Transparency Function values, Collaborative, Professional
designed to be more effective and Open, which will shape and
In 2019 the Department took a in responding to the Minister, guide our work over the next
hugely significant step in adapting the Oireachtas and the public three years. By building capability
itself to meet the challenges of in dealing with parliamentary through the implementation of
the future. It reorganised how it business and in communicating strategic organisational initiatives,
works, introducing a functional with and consulting the public. we will continue to work with
model, a sea-change in how an The Department also took the others, sharing information
Irish Government Department is opportunity to set up a dedicated and ideas to deliver to a high
structured and operates. Service Design team to put the standard, for the public good.
public and customers at the
Teams now have a focused remit, centre of future service delivery. We recognise and value the skills,
with the aim of reducing the need expertise and commitment of our
to prioritise immediate issues over While we continue to review and staff. A key aim of this Strategy
strategically important, longer- refine our internal structures, will be to continue to invest in
term ones. This enables the we are acutely aware that our our staff, building and developing
Department to bring more focus culture remains central to driving their skills and capability by
and embedding all change across ensuring that learning and
22A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
development opportunities are have the skills, knowledge and and develop solutions. The
aligned with organisation and capabilities to do their work development of management and
individual needs. effectively. We will plan for the leadership skills in our people will
future, grow our leaders, make be an important underpinning
How we do our work and how horizon scanning a priority and of the future success of the
we are organised will change use strategic foresight analysis to Department. This commitment
over the next three years as anticipate upcoming shifts in the will be replicated across the
we adapt different ways of environment. Justice Sector.
working including using mobile
technologies to allow us to work The ability to lead in an The Department will develop a
from the office or from home. increasingly more complex new Human Resource Strategy
We will develop our people to environment requires managers and Learning and Development
be more adaptable, agile and and leaders who understand Strategy to underpin our people
work with greater autonomy, their operating environment, objectives and support new ways
responding to our changing who engage and manage their of working, including remote
environment and the challenges colleagues as individuals and working where appropriate.
of the future. We will work teams, whilst also giving people
with our people to ensure they the autonomy to innovate
23A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
Key Indicators
The Department publishes a range of reports which provide an overview of the different sectors
of the justice sector. We also publish progress reports on strategies and initiatives that are being
implemented.
The Department publishes an annual action plan providing detailed information and timelines relating
to each of the strategic actions outlined in the strategy. The Department’s activity and actions are
tracked against the goals outlined above. A report on the action plan will be published twice yearly
and the indicators will be further developed over the course of this Strategy.
Additional monitoring:
• KPIs agreed with Agencies and bodies as part of their Justice Vote process
• Monitoring and reviewing the Oversight and Performance Delivery Agreements for our
relevant bodies
• Cross cutting work with other strategies
• Regular engagement with external stakeholders
• Monitoring Core outputs from the policy and legislative functions
• Transparency Data published on our website
• SDG 16 Target Indicators
24
24A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2020 - 2023
Appendices
25A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
Appendix 1: Programme for Government
Commitments
Goal 1 • Work with NGOs and services • Learn from the UK model,
to develop the third National where the crime of coercive
Tackle crime, enhance Strategy on Domestic, Sexual control has been successfully
national security and and Gender Based Violence, prosecuted since 2015. Invest
transform policing which will place a priority in a comprehensive training
• Seek to increase coordination on prevention and reduction programme for professionals
and cooperation between and will include a National who may have contact with
An Garda Síochána and the Preventative Strategy. a victim of coercive control,
insurance industry. Seek to including An Garda Síochána,
expand the Garda Economic • Implement the findings of the legal professionals, and
Crime Bureau, which deals O’Malley Review of supports courts services personnel, to
with fraud. Under new for vulnerable witnesses ensure that there is a clear
structures, it will train and in sexual violence cases to understanding of the nature
support Gardaí in every support victims. of this relatively new offence.
division, to ensure that
expertise and skill are diffused • Adopt and implement a • Legislate to introduce
across the State. comprehensive strategy to Domestic Homicide Reviews.
combat trafficking of women
• Continue to train new Garda and girls. • Update the Sex Offenders
recruits annually. Act 2001, to ensure that
• Conduct an immediate convicted sex offenders are
• Prioritise visible policing audit, to be concluded effectively managed and
in both rural and urban within nine months of the monitored.
communities. formation of the Government,
of how responsibility • Enact the Harassment &
• Remove Gardaí from for domestic sexual and Harmful Communications
administrative, technical, gender-based violence is Bill (as amended), in order to
and other non-core duties, segmented across different outlaw image-based sexual
to allow them to focus on government agencies, and abuse and to prevent the
policing matters. develop proposals on what abusive sharing of intimate
infrastructure is needed to images online.
• Increase the diversity ensure that the issue is dealt
within An Garda Síochána, with in the most effective • Legislate against the coercion
prioritising the identification manner possible. This and use of minors in the sale
and removal of barriers to audit will be undertaken in and supply of drugs.
recruiting and retaining conjunction with NGOs and
people from diverse and service providers. • Continue to support the
minority backgrounds. work of An Garda Síochána
in tackling and interrupting
organised crime.
26A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
• Annually renew the provisions EU measures and the • Modernise the law on
of the Offences Against UN Protocol against the the administration of
the State Act 1998 and the smuggling and trafficking of oaths in judicial and other
Criminal Justice (Amendment) migrants. proceedings.
Act 2009.
• Work with the Executive • Establish a working group
• Introduce and implement new and the UK Government to to consider the number of
anti-corruption and antifraud deepen multi-agency cross- and type of judges required
structures, informed by the border cooperation on crime, to ensure the efficient
forthcoming Hamilton Review. including information-sharing administration of justice over
between the Police Service the next five years.
• Legislate to provide for of Northern Ireland and An
preliminary trial hearings to Garda Síochána. • Enact the Judicial
expedite the administration of Appointments Commission
justice in white-collar crime • Codify the Garda powers for Bill within the first six months
cases. search, arrest, and detention. of Government. Engage
with stakeholders to make
• Amend the Criminal Justice Goal 2 appropriate amendments to
(Corruption Offences) Act the current Bill, to ensure
Improve access to justice and that it enjoys broad support.
2018 to make the prosecution
modernise the courts system These would include ensuring
of white-collar crime more
manageable and efficient that the Chief Justice is the
• Enact a Family Court Bill to
ex-officio chairperson of the
create a new dedicated Family
• Fully implement the revised body.
Court within the existing
Victims’ Charter and establish
court structure and provide
a system to monitor its • Publish and begin to
for court procedures that
implementation. implement a reform
support a less-adversarial
programme to reduce the
resolution of disputes.
• Fully implement the EU costs associated with access
Victims of Crime Directive, to the legal system in Ireland.
• Build a new Family Law Court
including the full provision of
building in Dublin and ensure
victim liaison officers. • Independently examine the
that court facilities across
option of a dedicated system
the country are suitable for
• Ensure full implementation of of public defenders.
family law hearings, so that
the Parole Act 2019, including
these hearings can be held
the establishment of an • Review and reform
separately from other cases.
independent statutory Parole defamation laws, to ensure
Board as early as possible. a balanced approach to
• Implement reforms to the
the right to freedom of
administration of civil justice
• Extend the powers governing expression, the right to
in the State covering matters
Garda use of CCTV and protection of good name and
such as the more efficient and
Automated Number Plate reputation, and the right of
effective deployment of court
Recognition to help prevent access to justice.
and judicial resources. This
crime and prosecute those
will be guided by the report
involved in criminal activity. • Introduce the necessary
of the group chaired by the
reforms to our personal
former President of the High
• Enact legislation that insolvency legislation
Court, Mr. Justice Peter Kelly.
encompasses relevant and ensure that sufficient
27A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
supports are in place for the scope of the Perjury Goal 3
mortgage holders with and Related Offences Bill,
repayment difficulties. ensuring that the maximum Strengthen community
penalty for indictment should safety, reduce reoffending,
• Further tackle insurance costs be harmonised with the support victims and combat
by considering changes to the equivalent maximum penalties domestic, sexual and gender
Occupiers Liability Act and for largely similar offences in based violence
the Civil Liability Act (duty of the Civil Liability and Courts
care) to strengthen waivers Act 2004. • Externally review the legal
and notices to increase and organisational framework
protections for consumers, • Establish a gambling regulator governing community CCTV.
businesses, sporting clubs and focused on public safety and
community groups. wellbeing, covering gambling • Work with all criminal justice
online and in person, and the agencies to build capacity to
• Further tackle insurance powers to regulate deliver restorative justice,
costs by strengthening advertising, gambling websites safely and effectively.
the Solicitors (Advertising) and apps.
Regulations of 2002. • Extend the pilot schemes of
• Publish the Private Security the Joint Agency Response to
• Seek to increase coordination Services (Amendment) Bill Crime to more areas to target
and cooperation between 2020 with a view to its prolific repeat and vulnerable
An Garda Síochána and the enactment as early as possible offenders aged 16 -21.
insurance industry. Seek to in 2021.
expand the Garda Economic • Legislate against the coercion
Crime Bureau, which deals • Introduce a scheme for the and use of minors in the sale
with fraud. Under new expunging of criminal records and supply of drugs.
structures, it will train and for gay men convicted of
support Gardaí in every historical offences. • Expand the Dublin North-
division, to ensure that East Inner City model to
expertise and skill are diffused • Recognise the domestic and other comparative areas
across the State. international importance of experiencing disadvantage.
data protection in Ireland. We
• Review and increase the will support the Data • Set up a special expert forum
penalties for fraudulent Protection Commission, to on antisocial behaviour, to
claims. ensure that Ireland delivers on consider the effectiveness
its responsibilities under the of existing legislation and
• Ensure that fraudulent claims General Data Protection propose new ways forward,
are forwarded to the Director Regulation (GDPR). including new powers for An
of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Garda Síochána and additional
• Clarify and strengthen interventions to support
• Explore the feasibility of contempt of court sanctions parenting of offenders.
obliging fraudulent claimants for violations on social media.
to pay the legal expenses for
defendants. • Legislate to introduce a
statutory offence of perjury, to
• Place perjury on a statutory make this crime easier to
footing, making the offence prosecute.
easier to prosecute. Broaden
28A safe, fair and inclusive Ireland - Statement of Strategy 2021 - 2023
• Criminalise adults who groom • Ratify and implement the • Introduce Hate Crime
children to commit crimes. Optional Protocol to the legislation within 12 months
Convention against Torture of the formation of the
• Enhance powers available to An within 18 months of the Government. This legislation
Garda Síochána to limit the use formation of the Government. will create specific offences,
of scramblers and quads by to ensure that those who
those engaged in antisocial • Take a comprehensive target victims because of their
behaviour and enact legislation approach to the development association with a particular
to add to those powers, if of the next Irish Prison identity characteristic are
needed. Service’s Capital Strategy, identified as perpetrators of
ensuring the availability of hate crime. This legislation
• Conduct a full review of modern detention facilities with will be on the basis of an
the regulations and policy adequate capacity. aggravated offences model. It
framework governing our night- will be supported by training
time culture at national and local • Review the existing functions, across the criminal justice
level, including the staggering of powers, appointment system, as well as victim
trading hours supports.
procedures and reporting
for pubs, late bars, clubs, and
processes for prison-visiting
restaurants.
committees. • In order to ensure that those
who seek to encourage and
• Modernise our licensing laws
• Establish a Penal Policy incite others to hate minority
and application processes.
Consultative Council to advise groups can be prosecuted,
on penal policy. we will revise and update
• Examine increasing the age limit
Incitement to Hatred Act
for the application of the Garda
• Ensure that there remains 1989, taking account of the
Youth Diversion Programme to
a strong and independent public consultation conducted
24 years old.
public external accountability in 2019.
• Implement a new Youth Justice mechanism for the Garda
Commissioner and Garda
Strategy, drawing on learnings Goal 4
for the Icelandic model and Leadership Team.
emphasising prevention, early Deliver a fair immigration
intervention, and inter-agency • Introduce a new Policing and
system for a digital age
collaboration. Community Safety Bill to
redefine the functions of An
• Establish a high-level cross- Garda Síochána. • Create new pathways for
departmental and cross agency long-term undocumented
taskforce to consider the mental people and their dependents,
health and addiction challenges meeting specified criteria to
of those imprisoned, and regularise their status within
primary care support on release. 18 months of the formation
of the Government, bearing in
mind EU and Common Travel
Area commitments.
• Implement the measures
identified by the Expert
Group, to ensure that
international protection
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