Results 8,261-8,280 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation Provision (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that the overall bed capacity of the Irish Prison System is 4,126. On 14th November, 2014 there were 3,789 prisoners in custody. This represents 92% occupancy. I wish to inform the Deputy that at the end of October 2014, there were 3,143 usable cells in the prison system. 2,026 prisoners were accommodated in single cells which accounted for 53% of all prisoners...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation Provision (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the primary role of the Irish Prison Service is to provide safe and secure custody for prisoners. The Deputy will also be aware that the Prison Service must accept all persons committed by the courts into custody and does not have the option of refusing committals. As outlined in the Irish Prison Service Three Year Strategic Plan, it is intended to align the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 317, 318 and 321 together. Under the Garda Síochána Act, 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of available Garda resources. This includes personnel, Garda vehicles and the various technologies utilised to support frontline Gardaí and intelligence led operations against organised crime. This process takes account of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The issues raised by the Deputy relate to detailed operational procedures concerning the investigation of serious crime and I have asked the Garda authorities to provide a report on these matters. The Deputy will be aware that the issues in question are also referred to in the report of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate on Crime Investigation. As I have stated in response to other...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Rehabilitation Programmes (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware from my replies to previous Parliamentary Questions that the Irish Prison Service provides a wide range of rehabilitative programmes that include education, vocational training, healthcare, psychiatric, psychological, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. These programmes are available in all prisons and all prisoners are eligible to use the services. On...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seeker Accommodation (18 Nov 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that the function of the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) is to assist Senior Investigating Officers assigned to the case in question in bringing investigations to a successful conclusion by identifying further investigative opportunities and ensuring that investigations conform to approved best practice guidelines. At the conclusion of each review a...

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: We have not heard any constructive proposal.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Safety (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that it is not my function as Minister for Justice and Equality to advise on the interpretation of legislation. To be of assistance I have asked the Garda authorities for a report in relation to the selection of sites for the location of safety camera vehicles having regard to the issue raised by the Deputy and I will be in contact with the Deputy when the report...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting Applications (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that no vetting application has been received in respect of the person to whom the Deputy refers. In the circumstances, I can only suggest that the person contacts the registered organisation involved.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Directives (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I have stated previously in the House, the Directive, which covers all victims of crime, is due to be implemented by the Member States by the 16th of November 2015. I believe that the provisions of the Victims of Crime Directive will strengthen supports to victims of crime in Ireland. Work is continuing in the Justice system to put appropriate arrangements in place to give effect to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 to 85, inclusive, together. The Irish Women Survivors Support Network have no formal role in the ex gratia scheme. All applications are processed by the Department. No parameters have been set down for the Irish Women Survivors Support Network with regard to the operation of the scheme. I understand that the Irish Women Survivors Support Network do...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The processing of all applications starts off on the premise that the testimony of the applicant is correct and my officers processing the application then seek to verify the application by checking appropriate records. If there are records and they are consistent with the application, then an offer is made. If there is a discrepancy, or in cases where the religious congregations have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Each application is assessed on an individual basis, by my officials in the Restorative Justice Implementation Unit, taking into account any available records, documents and statements including the applicant's testimony. If the applicant disagrees with this assessment, regardless of her country of residence, she can, in the first instance, seek a review of her case by a senior officer. If...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Irish Women Survivors Support Network is a UK based, independent, not for profit company limited by guarantee. They provide support, advice and assistance to women survivors of Irish institutions including women who were in Magdalen laundries. Although they may assist women in their applications, they have no formal role in the scheme of benefits for women who were admitted and resided...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 90 together. 158 applications have been received to the Magdalen Laundries Ex Gratia Scheme from women who are now residing in the UK. Each application is dealt with on an individual basis and my officials correspond directly with the applicant in all cases except where the applicant specifically authorises another person to act on her behalf. I have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: On 19th February 2013, the Government agreed on the payment of €250,000 to the Irish Women Survivors Support Network (IWSSN) to enable them to continue to provide support, advice and assistance to women survivors of Irish Institutions including women who were in the Magdalen Laundries and who are now residing in the UK. To facilitate good governance, the IWSSN registered as a not for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Licences (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: In light of public safety concernshighlighted by An Garda Síochána and difficulties in the interpretation of the legislation expressed by members of the judiciary, a joint Department of Justice and Equality/An Garda Síochána Working Group was established by my Department to review firearms licensing. The Report of this Working Group was published on 13 November and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Staff (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware of the change in work practices, referred to by the Deputy, which is the elimination of grace periods. This proposed change is one of the reform measures set out in the collective agreement for the Irish Prison Sector under the Haddington Road Agreement. Staff in the Irish Prison Service were not obliged to work the additional hours required of the majority of public servants...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Liquor Licensing Laws (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government Legislation Programme published on 17 September indicates that publication of the Sale of Alcohol Bill is expected in mid-2015. The Bill will update the law relating to the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol in licensed premises, including restaurants, and registered clubs, and provide an opportunity for reviewing the statutory restrictions relating to times when alcohol...