Results 9,201-9,220 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (12 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Síochána uniform and the wearing of any additional items as part of that Uniform is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. The Garda Commissioner advises me that diversity in faith and culture is welcomed in he Garda Síochána but that there would be difficulties with permitting the wearing of religion specific items of uniform which could identify the member of An...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (12 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the Government agreed last September to hold a referendum on removing the offence of blasphemy contained in Article 40.6.1.1 of the Constitution, in response to the 6th Report of the Convention on the Constitution. The Government's response was presented in the Dáil on 2nd October 2014. The work necessary to prepare a Referendum Bill and a Bill to amend...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (12 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person in question does not currently have an application pending. This person was granted temporary permission on 20 November 2014 - for four months- to afford them the opportunity to make an application for an Employment Permit to the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.I understand...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification Applications (12 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that there is no current application for family reunification from the person referred to by the Deputy. Information on the family reunification applications process is available on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department . The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification Applications (12 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department that there is no current application for family reunification in respect of the person referred to by the Deputy. It is open to the person concerned to make an application for a visa at any time. Guidelines regarding the visa application procedures are available on the website of the Irish Naturalisation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Adoption Legislation (12 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 161 together. The Children and Family Relationships Bill will not change the current arrangements for step-parent adoption. I understand that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs plans to bring forward legislative proposals in this regard separately. It is intended that the Children and Family Relationships Bill will have a provision to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (12 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department (INIS) that the person concerned entered the State on 27th February 2004 and applied for asylum on 1st March 2004. The asylum application was refused by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner in May 2005, and the decision was upheld by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal in October 2005. In accordance...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (12 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to is the subject of a Deportation Order and therefore has no entitlement to residency in the State. Representations were received on behalf of the person concerned pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to have his Deportation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (12 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to is the subject of a Deportation Order and therefore has no entitlement to residency in the State. Representations were received on behalf of the person concerned pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to have her Deportation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification Applications (12 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department that there is no current application for family reunification in respect of the person referred to by the Deputy. It is open to the person concerned to make an application for a visa at any time. Guidelines regarding the visa application procedures are available on the website of the Irish Naturalisation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (12 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that an application for residency in the State arising from marriage to an Irish national was received from the person concerned on 3 November 2014. Applications of this kind, in fairness to all other such applicants, are dealt with in chronological order and currently take 6 to 9 months to process. It...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (12 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of Thursday, 4th December 2014. The position remains as stated. Reply to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of Thursday, 4th December 2014. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Section 15 of...

Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I stated on the last occasion, the services provided for in section 2 of the Bill are precisely those recommended by Mr. Justice Quirke on page 35 of his report - GP services; prescribed drugs; medicines; aids and appliances; dental services; ophthalmic services; aural services; home support; home nursing; counselling services; chiropody; podiatry and physiotherapy. All of these services...

Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is some confusion about the HAA card and the recommendation of Mr. Justice Quirke on the provisions he said should be applied. In that context, Deputy Niall Collins made reference to Appendix G of Mr. Justice Quirke's report. I also note the point made by Deputy Joan Collins, but the reference she made was to documentation relating to the HAA card, rather than to Mr. Justice Quirke's...

Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: To date, €18 million has been paid out. The amounts range from €11,000 to someone who spent a weekend in a Magdalen home to €100,000 to other women. The women concerned are in daily contact with the Department and I have already said in the House that the advocates representing them have talked positively about the service they have received. I reject the...

Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: What was recommended by Mr. Justice Quirke is what the women concerned are getting. I do not think Deputy Ruth Coppinger is correct when she claims they are not getting what they expected. Many of the women who have been in contact with us believe the scheme has been extremely helpful to them. For many women, it is preferable for the Government to put in place a scheme of this nature...

Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I have already said, the provision of an advocacy service does not require legislation and is not part of the Bill. While I understand what the Deputy is doing, Judge Quirke's specific recommendation, on page 45 of the report, was that the State would fund, establish and accommodate a small, dedicated unit to provide a range of supports to the Magdalen women. We have established such a...

Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I appreciate the Deputy's point and it is critical in terms of residential care. HIQA would have a role to play and the Assisted Decision-making (Capacity) Bill will be very helpful. One or two issues were reported to us and they were fully investigated and if anybody has any information on the care and protection of these women, they will be fully investigated and the relevant authorities...

Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (17 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Deputy Joan Collins asked about the top-up pension payments. Judge Quirke’s recommendation on top-up pension type payments is being fully implemented. I have more detail on that if the Deputy would like me to give it to her. Many of these amendments fall outside the scope of the Bill because the Bill deals specifically with the provision of health services. Many of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (17 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Neither I nor my officials have had any contact with European Commission officials in respect of an application for funding from the Rape Crisis Network Ireland. The Rape Crisis Network Ireland requested my Department to act as an associate partner and co-funder in its application to the EU Commission for funding for a research project. My Department, having carefully considered this...