Results 5,441-5,460 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (16 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: As of 14 November, 2011, there were a total of 4,257 prisoners in custody and 799 on temporary release. The number on temporary release equates to 15% of the total prisoner population. There has been a consistent increase in the total prisoner population in Ireland over recent years, with dramatic increases in the number of sentenced prisoners, those being committed on remand and a trend...

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (16 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: I can inform the Deputy that 72% of prisoner accommodation has in-cell sanitation at present. This will rise to approximately 80% when the extension currently under construction in the Midlands Prison is opened in 2012. A refurbishment project in the C-wing at Mountjoy Prison is nearing completion and will result in all cells on that wing having in-cell sanitation. Depending on the...

Written Answers — Prison Education Service: Prison Education Service (16 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Irish Prison Service places a strong emphasis on the provision of education, work and training for prisoners with a wide range of education classes and training workshops available across the prison estate. The Irish Prison Service will continue to improve services available to prisoners insofar as resources allow. In this regard, a number of projects are currently under way which will...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (16 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: I can inform the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service has assigned part of its 2012 capital allocation for the development of a number of key systems designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the management of the prisoner population and to enhance facilities for prisoners. The Irish Prison Service continues to develop IT facilities in the prison schools which will enhance...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (16 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: The capital allocation to the Justice sector for 2012 is €56 million. The largest single allocation of this, €24.1million, will be allocated to the Prisons Service and spent on the prisons building programme. Despite the challenging economic climate, it is my intention to use a large portion of these funds to improve the situation in our prisons. This Government remains committed to...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (16 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy is aware, periods of temporary release granted can vary greatly from a few hours following a family bereavement to, for example, a requirement to report to the prison every 12 months in the case of a life sentenced prisoner who has been released into the community a considerable time ago. Most prisoners will benefit from temporary release at some stage but it is not possible to...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (16 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: I wish to inform the Deputy that it is not possible to forecast how many prisoners will benefit from temporary release in each of the next two years. I can, however, advise that on Monday, 14 November 2011, 799 prisoners were on temporary release. The number on temporary release equates to 15% of the total prison population. The Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended by the Criminal Justice...

Written Answers — Penal Policy Review Group: Penal Policy Review Group (16 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: In April 2011 I established the Thornton Hall Review Group. They reported to me in July 2011 and one of their recommendations was the establishment of an all encompassing strategic review of penal policy which would incorporate an examination and analysis of all aspects of penal policy including prevention, sentencing policies, alternatives to custody, accommodation and regimes, support for...

Written Answers — Mental Health Services: Mental Health Services (16 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: The designation of a group to examine the issue of people with mental illness coming into the criminal justice system is in line with the recommendations of the Thornton Hall Review Group which were approved by Government last July. My officials are consulting with the Department of Health on the arrangements involved including the terms of reference and an announcement will be made shortly.

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (16 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of the Department of Justice and Equality is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision. RIA no longer operates an accommodation centre in County Wexford and therefore cannot facilitate the return of the person cited in this question to that county. e person had been accommodated...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (16 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in January 2010. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (16 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: It is open to any visa required national to apply for a visa for any purpose and citizens of Kuwait are no different from other visa required nationals in this regard. I can advise that each visa application is considered on its individual merits, the onus as always resting with the applicant to establish to the satisfaction of the Visa Officer as to why the visa sought should be granted....

Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (16 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Garda authorities that members of An Garda Síochána enforce the law on cycling on footpaths and cyclists breaking red lights as part of their normal duties on an ongoing basis. In addition to the day to day enforcement of the relevant provisions of the Road Traffic Acts, breaches of the legislation in respect of pedal cycle behaviour are regularly targeted by way of...

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (16 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of the Garda National Drugs Unit and Criminal Assets Bureau, on the latest date for which figures are readily available, as set out in the table hereunder: Unit C/Supt Supt Insp Sgt Garda Total G.N.D.U. 1 2 4 9 43 59 C.A.B. 1 1 2 5 27 36 There are also 33 civilian staff assigned to the Criminal Assets Bureau...

Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (16 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: The allocation of Garda resources, including transport, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I have no direct function in the matter raised by the Deputy. The efficient deployment of Garda vehicles and other resources within each Garda Division is a matter for the Divisional Officer in the context of operational requirements.

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (16 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Civil Defence Act 2002 provides that the Board shall consist of at least eight but not more than fourteen members who shall be appointed by the Minister for Defence. The Minister for Defence can directly appoint four persons to the Board of Civil Defence. Legislation is currently being drafted to dissolve the Civil Defence Board and transfer the functions of the Board back into the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (16 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 214 together. The Department sources its staff through the Public Appointments Service. There is no cost to the Department for using this service.

Army Barracks (17 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: I thank Deputy Bannon who I know is very concerned about this particular issue. As the House is aware, on Tuesday, 15 November the Government approved a proposal from me to proceed with a further phase of consolidation of Defence Forces personnel into fewer locations with the closure of four barracks, Clonmel, Mullingar, Cavan and Castlebar. It is proposed to have the personnel transferred...

Army Barracks (17 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: As Deputy Bannon knows, no one will lose his or her job as a consequence of these changes. The jobs will be retained and I hope and believe the families concerned will continue to reside in Mullingar. The Mullingar economy should continue to benefit from the income received by the troops in Mullingar from the work they do in the Defence Forces. I know the Deputy and his constituency...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (17 Nov 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy will appreciate that it is not the practice to make comment on security arrangements of this nature.