Results 7,641-7,660 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Other Questions: Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The point is well made by the Deputy that we need to differentiate between first-time offenders with long sentences - the Deputy mentioned drugs offenders, in particular – and the others. With regard to the former, we should be trying to engage them early in their sentences rather than later. I will endeavour to obtain the requested information for the Deputy.

Other Questions: Direct Provision System (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputy Pringle. The Government announced in its Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016 that there would be an independent working group established to report to it on improvements to the protection process, including direct provision, and supports for asylum seekers. I hope to be in a position very shortly to announce a chairman for the group. The Minister of State, Deputy...

Other Questions: Direct Provision System (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Different countries in Europe take a variety of approaches to asylum seekers arriving on their shores and accommodation varies considerably, as the Deputy knows. In some countries, there are detention centres and in other countries, people are allowed to look after themselves without having any financial support, which is very difficult. That is the case in a number of countries. In...

Other Questions: Direct Provision System (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I agree with the Deputy that on a personal level, we want to give people as much opportunity as possible while living in direct provision so they can avail of whatever services they can. That is why it is important that children, in particular, are able to go to primary or secondary school. The length of time is the real issue, and it makes things difficult for so many people. If we can...

Other Questions: Prison Accommodation Provision (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can advise the Deputy that on 22 September 2014, the bed capacity of the Irish Prison Service was 4,120, with the number of people in custody at 3,797, representing 92% of capacity. There are 601 people on temporary release but on the same date in 2011, there were 718 prisoners on temporary release, with 4,319 in custody. There has been a 16.3% reduction from that date to the present date...

Other Questions: Prison Accommodation Provision (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The bed capacity within the Irish Prison Service estate is 4,120. The Inspector of Prisons has recommended that the bed capacity be 3,976. The occupancy levels generally are between 92% and 95%. It is intended to align the capacity of our prisons with the guidelines laid down by the inspector of prisons. There have to be enough prison spaces to be compatible with public safety and the...

Other Questions: Prison Accommodation Provision (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am involved in budgetary discussions in regard to Limerick Prison. In the initial phase several million euro would need to be allocated to further the project. I will keep the Deputy informed about that. It is important to make progress on improving and developing the facilities and further capital investment would be needed to do that. I hope we will be in a position to do so in the...

Other Questions: Penalty Points System (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: We have discussed this already but it is important to wait until we have the results of the inquiries before we draw any conclusions. The starting point is that the new policy is in place. It has been designed in keeping with the inspectorate’s recommendations, which were intended to restore confidence in the system, and it includes important safeguards to that end. There is an...

Other Questions: Penalty Points System (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have made a commitment to transparency in the handling of this issue. The acting Garda Commissioner has said the same. We want the public to have confidence in the system and to ensure that the law is applied equally to all citizens and that, if decisions are being taken to cancel penalty points, there are clear reasons outlined for that, that there is a fair and open system in place...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I should explain that coroners are appointed and paid by local authorities. Coroners are drawn from both the legal and medical professions and are of course very aware of the importance of dealing with bereaved families in a sensitive, humane and caring manner. My understanding is that the remuneration for a coroner is made up of a basic retainer, which varies according to the case load and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of protection applicants in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. Direct provision provides for full board accommodation supports while a final decision is awaited by a person on their protection or any related leave to remain application. Currently, 4,330...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: In recent months, my Department has been engaged with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre in exploring the possibility of undertaking a follow-on study to the Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland (SAVI) study which was undertaken in 2001 and published in 2002. Since I took up office in the Department, I have been provided with an outline proposal from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre in regard to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms and Ammunition Security (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is unfortunately the case that gun crime has for some time been an inherent part of organised criminal activity in Ireland, as it is in other similar jurisdictions. This demands a robust response, and this is precisely what is happening. Gardaí tackle this type of crime through a range of targeted and intelligence based operations, often disrupting and preventing incidents, as well...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Anti-Social Behaviour (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of Garda personnel and for the management and organisation of Garda operational units. I am assured that Garda management in the Dublin Metropolitan Region keep this deployment under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, including with respect to concerns about public...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Office of the Ombudsman Remit (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The question of extending the remit of the Ombudsman is in the first instance a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and that remit was significantly extended under the Ombudsman (Amendment) Act 2012. However, after careful consideration of all the issues involved, it was determined that the administration of the law relating to immigration or naturalisation, including...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department has had detailed consultation with the Department of Health in order to prepare a draft scheme of a Bill to provide health benefits as recommended by Justice Quirke. This Bill is currently being drafted and I intend to publish the Bill as soon as possible in order for it to be enacted in the current Oireachtas session. The Bill will enable the Health Service Executive to make...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Releases (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that the principle of a rate of remission greater than the standard rate of 25 per cent, was introduced as a means of incentivising prisoners to engage with as wide a range of activities and services available to them throughout the prison estate as a means of assisting them in increasing their likelihood to successfully reintegrate back into society when their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: 770 applications have been received under the scheme and to date decisions have been made in 80% of the cases. Over €16m has been paid out under the scheme. The situation regarding records was addressed in detail in the Report of the McAleese Committee and was well known when the decision to introduce a scheme was made. The most extensive and detailed records of those who entered...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Commissioner Appointment (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that an open competition for the selection of the next Garda Commissioner is currently under way and an information booklet setting out all the details is available on the website of the Public Appointments Service. Applications are invited from any person who believes they possess the requisite competencies, skills and experience to carry out this very challenging...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Foreign Conflicts (24 Sep 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is considerable concern across Europe and elsewhere at the phenomenon of individuals travelling to conflict areas in the Middle East and the consequential threat posed to national security. The compilation of accurate statistics in relation to the numbers of actual foreign fighters is problematic due to the secretive nature of those travelling and the many and circuitous routes some...