Results 10,541-10,560 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that the Civil Legal Aid Regulations were last amended in September 2013 as a result of a review of the financial eligibility criteria and the current disposable capital limit was then set at €100,000 under the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 2013 (SI No 346 of 2013). The disposable income limit was last set at €18,000 under the Civil Legal Aid...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Credit Review Office Remit (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016 provided for a review of the personal insolvency legislation, to ensure that it can work effectively to support those who are struggling with unsustainable debt, including mortgage arrears. The Government is considering a range of proposals to address these issues, and I am currently engaging with Ministerial colleagues regarding possible...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Prison Service (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Following a competitive tender in 2014, Chubb Ireland was awarded the contract for the supply of electronic monitoring of prisoners for the Irish Prison Service. The annual cost of the contract will depend on the number of prisoners who are monitored throughout the course of the year. It is expected that the average monthly costs of the contract will be in the region of €9,500...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: Section 9 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 confirms that the failure to offer resistance does not amount to consent. Otherwise, the issue of what is or is not consent has been developed through case law. The courts have confirmed that consent requires voluntary agreement by a person at the age of consent and with the necessary mental capacity. "Knowledge or understanding of...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the first intake since 2009 of 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College, Templemore, on 15 September 2014. As part of Budget 2015, a further intake of 200 recruits in two batches was announced. On 15 December 2014, the first 100 of these batches commenced their training. The remaining 100 entered the college in early February. This will bring to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, a panel consisting of two senior and five junior counsel, all selected on the basis of their experience of the criminal justice system, was established to consider the allegations of Garda misconduct which had been submitted to my Department, to the Office of the Taoiseach and a number of other public representatives. The review in each case consists of an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Bodies (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that the details (since 2011) of the merger, reform or abolition of Agencies/associated bodies under the remit of my Department are outlined below. Legal Aid Board Responsibility for the administration of three ad-hoc Criminal Legal Aid Schemes was transferred to the Legal Aid Board. Garda Station Legal Advice Scheme The Scheme provides that where a person is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Vacancies on State Boards (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. Name of Board Number of Vacancies Chair/Member When vacancy arose/will arise Appointment Process Property Registration Authority 2 Members 27 May, 2015 4 August, 2015 (i) Nominated by Bar Council (ii) Nominated by Law Society (both nominations in accordance with Section 11 of the Registration of Deeds and...

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

Frances Fitzgerald: The age at which any candidate may apply to join the Garda Síochána as a full time member is set by regulation 4 (a) of the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 which states as follows: "Subject to the provisions of these Regulations, a person is eligible to apply for admission as a trainee where, on the closing date specified in the advertisement...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Reserve (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Applications to become members of An Garda Síochána Reserve are processed by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of An Garda Síochána. Admission to become a Reserve member is subject to the provisions of the Garda Síochána (Reserve Members) Regulations 2006. I have no role in this process.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Marriage Equality Referendum (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: One of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Discipline Regulations were introduced by Statutory instrument in May 2007. Included in the "Acts or Conduct Constituting Breaches of Discipline" is the following: "Prohibited spare-time activity, that is to say- a)...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Registration Authority (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that under the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) was established as and from 4 November 2006. The PRA replaces the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the performance of its functions. The Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department is constantly seeking ways in which the visa system may be developed to facilitate legitimate travel to the State for the purpose of tourism and business. In doing so, officials in INIS maintain regular close contact with relevant Government Departments and agencies. It is, however, important to stress, at the outset,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Independent Review Mechanism (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: There are currently 319 complaints being considered by the mechanism established by the Government for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach. A panel consisting of two Senior and five Junior Counsel was established for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I have received the information from the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Miscarriages of Justice (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I would refer the Deputy to my statement of 1 April 2015 in which I announced that the Government had decided to advise the President to exercise his right of pardon under Article 13.6 of the Constitution in respect of the conviction in 1941 of Mr. Harry Gleeson for the murder of Ms. Mary McCarthy. This decision came following a review of the case by Mr. Shane Murphy SC on the direction...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government recognises that the level of mortgage arrears represents a significant economic and social challenge and is acutely aware of the difficulties some borrowers are facing in meeting their mortgage commitments. In this context, the Government welcomes evidence of increasing engagement between borrowers and lenders which has resulted in over 115,000 sustainable restructured...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Independent Review Mechanism (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware that the members of the family in question have made representations in respect of a number of issues over a long period of time and that there was also protracted civil and family law litigation which I believe was concluded some time ago. This case has been the subject of previous review in my Department and there appears to be no additional information forthcoming which would...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I have been informed by the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (12 May 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that Gardaí have made inquiries with the Forensic Science Laboratory on a number of occasions, most recently in February and March of this year, in relation to identifying the human remains which were recovered. I regret to say, however, that the examination of these remains has not yielded any positive results to date. My Department has recently...