Results 7,161-7,180 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Asylum Support Services (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. RIA currently provides accommodation to approximately 5,300 persons throughout 38 accommodation centres. When asylum seekers make their initial asylum applications, they are referred to RIA for...

Asylum Support Services (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am always happy to look at anything that may contribute to how we should properly deal with these matters within the resources I have available to me and to ensure that people are treated correctly and properly and that if difficulties arise, be they health or other difficulties, they are fully and properly addressed.

Residency Permits (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 82 together. The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, INIS, of my Department operates a flexible, pragmatic and humane approach to the status of non-EEA nationals, both men and women, who are in situations of domestic violence. Any person in such a situation can approach the INIS directly or through An Garda Síochána or a non-governmental...

Residency Permits (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am very anxious to ensure that if any individuals are a victim of domestic violence or are threatened with domestic violence, they will know this flexibility exists and that appropriate arrangements can be made. I have no difficulty with looking at the legislation mentioned by Deputy Stanton. If a person in the State, whether a citizen or here on a visa, is a victim of domestic violence,...

Written Answers — Prison Committals: Prison Committals (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: I have been informed by the Irish Prison Service that 91 inmates were held on protection for their own safety out of a total population figure of 222 in St Patrick's Institution on 5th March, 2012. Included in the overall number of 222 were 41 boys in the 16 and 17 years of age category who are accommodated in a different accommodation block from those over the age of 18. Of this category,...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Garda College is the main training centre for An Garda Síochána. Initial training for all new recruits takes place there. In addition, the Chief Superintendent in charge of the College and the members of the team there, develop, coordinate and direct all training interventions up to the most senior ranks. While there is currently no recruitment for full time members in An Garda...

Written Answers — EU Conventions: EU Conventions (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: As I have previously stated in my responses to Questions Nos. 485 and 521 of Tuesday, 14th February, 2012, and 543 of Tuesday 28th of February, 2012, the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence is a detailed Convention with a very broad scope across a number of policy areas. Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy's question concerns the disclosure, to parents, of information relating to persons on the sex offenders' register. In exceptional circumstances, the provision of appropriate information to the public is already possible. This includes the disclosure of such information to parents. Currently, this is done on an administrative basis but, subject to Government approval, I intend to...

Written Answers — Prison Visiting Committees: Prison Visiting Committees (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: As previously stated, I have made 30 appointments to Prison Visiting Committees since 9 March, 2011 and I am still in the process of making further appointments. The current membership of the Visiting Committees now comprises a combination of old and new appointments. In determining appointments, consideration is given to a person's suitability, appropriate qualifications and a genuine...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: As the law stands, fault is not ascribed to either spouse in divorce proceedings. The law on divorce is set out in the Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996. Section 5 of the Act prescribes the conditions under which a court may grant a divorce. Those conditions are that the court must be satisfied that, at the date of the institution of the proceedings, the spouses have lived separately for an...

Written Answers — Drugs in Prisons: Drugs in Prisons (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Irish Prison Service has introduced a number of security initiatives which have significantly reduced the availability of contraband in the prisons. These initiatives include tighter control and monitoring of prison visits, airport style security screening of all staff and visitors coming into the prison, x-ray scanners to scan all coats and bags/briefcases, the establishment of the...

Written Answers — Sexual Offences: Sexual Offences (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce a series of post-imprisonment restraint orders for violent and sexual offenders to include electronic tagging and other restrictions, which may be imposed at the time of sentencing. The Sex Offenders Act 2001 introduced the sex offenders' register, post release supervision orders for sex offenders and civil orders restricting sex...

Written Answers — Garda Complaints Procedures: Garda Complaints Procedures (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: As the Deputy will be aware, I have already commented publicly on these matters following the judgment of the Supreme Court in relation to Mr. Bailey's appeal against the order of the High Court that he be surrendered to France. As the Deputy will appreciate, while this case was before the Supreme Court, I could not, in any way, as Minister for Justice and Equality, intervene or make any...

Written Answers — Family Reunification: Family Reunification (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: Directive 2003/86/EC on the right to family reunification falls within the scope of Title V of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Ireland, like the UK, has not to date exercised its option to participate in the Directive. While the issue of Ireland's participation in is kept under review, there are no current plans to change the position. As I indicated in my press release...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that plans are currently in train for the development of a new Cork prison on the car park of the existing facility. Planning for the project is at a preliminary stage and it is not possible, at this juncture, to give any definite commitment on a time-line for delivery. My Department has already given sanction to the Irish Prison Service to proceed...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: The information which was sought by Deputy on the 25 January 2012 is only recently to hand. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the basic Firearms Courses delivered by the Firearms Training Unit are as follows: Course · Basic Handgun course One Week · Basic Submachine gun course One Week · Refresher Live Fire One day per member, twice a year · Refresher Fats One day per...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: In common with all other Departments, the capital budget for the Justice Vote Group covering the period 2012 to 2016 was published last November. There was considerable engagement at Departmental and Government level in relation to the budget prior to its publication. While, unfortunately, the fiscal environment within which we now operate allows very little latitude to increase the overall...

Written Answers — Gender Recognition: Gender Recognition (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: I meet regularly with my colleagues in Government both collectively and on issues of bilateral interest. My Department was represented on the Gender Recognition Advisory Group established in May 2010 to advise on the question of legislation to give legal recognition to the acquired gender of transgender persons. The development of proposals in this regard is a matter for the Department of...

Written Answers — Garda Reserve: Garda Reserve (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: I have been informed by the Garda authorities that on the 31 March 2011 there were 766 Reserve Gardaí, and as of the 29 February, 2012 the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of the Garda Reserve was 935. The target strength of the Garda Reserve remains at 10% of the full time Force and I would like to assure the House that the Government are fully committed to...

Written Answers — Irish Prison Service: Irish Prison Service (13 Mar 2012)

Alan Shatter: Educational services are available at all institutions and are provided in partnership with a range of educational agencies including notably the VECs and Public Library Services. The Department of Education and Skills provides an allocation of 220 whole-time teacher equivalents. Literacy, numeracy and general basic education provision is the priority and broad programmes of education are...