Results 8,141-8,160 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (13 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned was granted temporary permission to remain in the State in 1999 under the arrangements then applicable to the non-EEA national parents of Irish born citizen children. This permission was renewed on a regular basis by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), with the latest...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Disabilities Services Funding (13 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department has no role in funding of services for people with disabilities, which is a matter for the Department of Health and the Health Services Executive. My Department's role is to coordinate policy on a cross-Departmental basis on disability policy issues.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (13 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that further information was requested by INIS on 29 October from the person mentioned by the Deputy. On receipt of the information requested, the application will be examined in detail. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (13 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. In this regard, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including fully sworn members and Reserve Gardaí, among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Promotions (13 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The information requested is being compiled and I will pass it on to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Data (13 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The provision and allocation of Garda transport is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of identified operational circumstances and the availability of resources. Responsibility for the efficient deployment of Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between stations, as required by operational circumstances. The Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Community Policing (13 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 to 132, inclusive, together. An Garda Síochána continue to implement a range of strategies based on existing legislation and enhancing partnerships with local communities. A range of strong legislative provisions are available to an An Garda Síochána to combat anti-social behaviour, including provisions under the Criminal Justice...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Juvenile Offenders (13 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 134 together. The Garda Diversion Programme operates in accordance with Part 4 of the Children Act 2001, as amended, and under the general superintendence and control of the Garda Commissioner. The aim of the Diversion Programme, through the network of Juvenile Liaison Officers is to deal with young people who offend, by way of administering a formal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Restorative Justice (13 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Probation Service Restorative Justice Strategy, published in 2013, provides a framework for informed, effective and integrated Restorative Justice practice. The strategy builds on the work of the Probation Service in this area to-date and focuses on the further development of evidence informed interventions which engage victims, offenders and the community in addressing the consequences...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (13 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that 'Operation Open City' replaced 'Operation Freeflow' with effect from 2012 and is due to commence in the Dublin Metropolitan Region on 7 December, 2014. The operation is expected to continue until 24 December, 2014. I am further informed that the operation is conducted in conjunction with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (13 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Anti-Social Behaviour (13 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together. A range of strong legislative provisions are available to An Garda Síochána to combat anti-social behaviour, including provisions under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Acts, the Criminal Damage Act and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts, and there are a range of penalties provided including fines and terms of imprisonment in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Law (13 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that I have no responsibility to the House with regard to legislation or regulations for the sale of products of this nature. However, I can advise the Deputy that where such products are used by a person for graffiti it may be regarded as criminal damage on their part and is dealt with by An Garda Síochána under the provisions of the Criminal Damage Act...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (13 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The new Garda roster was introduced on a pilot basis to maximise the availability of gardaí when they are needed, to protect the health and welfare of members and to be compliant with the provisions of the Working Time Directive. The new roster also took account of the recommendations of reports of the Garda Inspectorate and in particular the report on Resource Allocation. The new...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Social Behaviour (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy did not ask about the issue of classification, but I will address some of the points he raised in respect of it. I do, of course, appreciate the concerns that the Deputy has raised, and I am conscious of the perspectives of business and community interests with regard to the effects of certain types of crime and anti-social behaviour on the overall environment for all who live...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Social Behaviour (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I could respond to the Deputy in a number of ways. When one examines exactly what is happening in policing in the Dublin area, one will see that the number of public order offences is down by 7% in the south central, Pearse Street, area and 19% in the Store Street area. I see these figures as reflecting a broad positive trend. We do not want to alarm people unnecessarily, but we want to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Social Behaviour (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy asked about a dedicated public order unit in Dublin city centre. That unit is already in place and is put into operation when the need arises. The members of the unit are highly skilled and trained to deal with public order incidents of all gravity, up to and including riots, and are located throughout the Dublin metropolitan region. A dedicated public order patrol van is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Ministerial Meetings (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy has asked a very broad question. I have been fortunate enough since my appointment to meet a wide range of people who have issues with the operation of the criminal justice system. Many of them feel the system has not served them as well as it should have, or have suggestions as to how it can be improved. They include victims of sexual assault, people who have lost loved ones on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Ministerial Meetings (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: In some of these cases, the families have concerns about serious crime. Any case involving allegations such as those the Deputy described has been referred to a review mechanism. I have made this very clear and the Deputy knows the facts. In such cases I have to take into account the fact that an independent panel has been established to investigate and review cases, examine correspondence...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Ministerial Meetings (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy should also be careful about using families to avoid questions he does not like.