Results 9,261-9,280 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation Provision (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Abigail Women's Centre run by Depaul Ireland and Novas Ireland opened in Kildonan Road, Finglas, in December 2014. This new facility has increased capacity to accommodate women referred by both the Probation Service and Irish Prison Service. Novas Ireland also operates an accommodation unit for women who are allocated places through Dublin City Council on the same site. The separate...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Restorative Justice (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Probation Service works in partnership with the Irish Prison Service to put in place targeted responses in relation to women offenders. This is undertaken under the auspices of the sentence management process. An in reach service is being provided by the Probation Service to work with women in Limerick prison with dedicated Probation Officers working in the community in other regions....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The current position is that the Bill has passed Committee Stage in the Dáil, having passed all stages in the Seanad. However, before the Bill could be taken at Report Stage, a 2013 UK Court of Appeal judgment necessitated a review of the disclosure provisions in both the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 and the Spent Convictions Bill. That review has...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The strength of the Garda Síochána on 31 December 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 12,799. There were also 1,124 Garda Reserve members, with a further 48 in training. In addition, there were over 2,000 Garda civilian staff. The Deputy will be aware that one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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 annual policing priorities determined by me as Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Licences (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Pepper spray is considered a prohibited weapon under the Firearms Act 1925, as amended. A prohibited weapon is defined as a firearm under the same Act, and accordingly the restrictions that apply to firearms in the Firearms Acts apply to pepper spray. In considering whether or not to grant licences for the possession, use or carriage of firearms, An Garda Síochána take into...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Home Repossession Rate (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system. I am advised that the information sought by the Deputy in respect of 2014 is available on the Courts Service website.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Communications (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department is committed, where possible, to providing public information in plain English. All staff are encouraged to write clearly, using simple language which is easily understood. My Department aims continuously to improve the accessibility and readability of public information. For example, all content being prepared for the Department's new website, currently under construction, must...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Recruitment competitions to An Garda Síochána are open to all who meet the eligibility criteria which are set out in the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013. For those who do meet these requirements, the Admission and Appointment Regulations provide that, as part of the competitive selection process organised by the Public Appointments Service...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Age Identity Cards (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that 61,471 Garda National Age Cards issued in 2013, 60,600 in 2014 and 8,165 in 2015 to date.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Children and Family Relationships Bill, which is being published this week, contains a number of changes from the General Scheme that was published in September, including in relation to the particular Heads of Bill referred to in the Deputy's question. The intention is that couples who have children through donor assisted human reproduction under the conditions set out in the Bill will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Strength (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy's party when in government introduced a moratorium. I am pleased that the Government has been able to reopen Templemore training college and restart recruitment. There are now 300 recruits in the college in Templemore. This has proved possible because of the improved economic situation and been welcomed by everybody. The strength of An Garda Síochána on 31 December...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Strength (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have given the Deputy the current figure of 12,799. To put it in perspective, in 2006 Garda strength was just under 13,000. It is interesting to note that, at the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the average number in the force was between 10,500 and 11,000, at a time when there was no Garda Reserve. I certainly believe the members of An Garda Síochána can carry out...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Strength (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy rightly indicates, there is huge interest in the Garda Reserve which has tallied with the new and ongoing recruitment. In fact, 23 members of the first group who entered the college in Templemore had been members of the Garda Reserve. Some 17 former members of the Garda Reserve were in the second batch of 100 new recruits, while 13 former members were in the third batch of 100...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: White Collar Crime (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: In so far as the specific circumstances referred to by the Deputy are concerned, I understand that these have been the subject of investigation by the Revenue Commissioners following receipt and assessment of information in regard to those accounts. While the Deputy will appreciate that I have no role in regard to the Revenue Commissioners, it may be helpful to inform the House that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: White Collar Crime (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The question Deputy Mac Lochlainn raised with me relates to the HSBC and I have given him the figures of the investigations that were carried out. Criminal investigations, where there was evidence in regard to fraud or a criminal matter, have been pursued, and I have given him the results of that. The Deputy makes the broader point on tackling white collar crime, which is the key point...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: White Collar Crime (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: That this is a priority area in the policing plan for this year illustrates the seriousness with which this issue is being taken. Deputy Mac Lochlainn makes a point about resources. I am pleased that this year we have been able to increase the resources to An Garda Síochána for the first time in a number of years and that we are working on the ICT issues, which are essential in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Station Closures (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The publication of crime statistics is a matter for the Central Statistics Office, as the independent national statistical agency. The CSO is carrying out, at my urging having met it, an investigation and detailed analysis of certain issues raised by the Garda Inspectorate on the recording, classification and reclassification of crime to see whether and to what extent they may have...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Station Closures (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I agree with the Deputy that prevention is critical, the Garda response is critical and working with the community is critical. In Stepaside, the area Deputy Ross is specifically addressing, the decisions that have been taken by the Garda involve increased Garda visibility and patrol hours. As I said, a high percentage of these crimes are committed by gangs who are very mobile and who...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Garda Station Closures (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy is not correct that gardaí are not arresting people for burglaries. That is not accurate.