Results 11,481-11,500 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (16 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can assure the Deputy that Garda management monitor crime trends on an ongoing basis with a view to providing the most effective possible policing service to communities throughout the country. I am advised that Garda operational strategies, including the deployment of Garda resources, takes account of crime trend data and that the policing needs of all communities, including in those areas...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Closures (16 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations is a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in the context of annual policing plans, as provided for in section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. In this regard the Deputy will be aware that the Garda Síochána carried out a comprehensive review of its district and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (16 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 and 406 together. The Deputy will be aware that one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts is to direct and control An Garda Síochána and as such, the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the Garda Regions,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (16 Jul 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 taking account 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 Commissioner that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Community Alert Programme (16 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: In 2015 as in previous years, my Department is providing funding to Muintir na Tire to support the operation of the Community Alert scheme. I can confirm that it is intended to maintain the same level of funding from my Department as in 2014 (€152,000), and I understand that the HSE is also continuing to fund the scheme. As in previous years my Department is providing funding to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (16 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: While I do not wish to comment on an individual case, I can say that I have no current plans to amend the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007, or the Garda Síochána Act 2005 in the manner suggested by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Foreign Conflicts (16 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware I have previously informed the House that it is estimated that in the region of 25 to 30 individualsof Irish origin have travelled to various conflict areas in North Africa and the Middle East since the beginning of the Arab Spring uprisings in December 2010. While some of these people travelled for family or humanitarian reasons, some travelled to participate in...

Seanad: Civil Debt (Procedures) Bill 2015: Second Stage (17 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am very pleased to introduce the Civil Debt (Procedures) Bill 2015 and look forward to hearing Senators' contributions to it. Importantly, this Bill provides for the abolition of imprisonment of debtors and fulfils a commitment made in the programme for Government in this regard. Contrary to some submissions that have been made, it comprehensively allows for the abolition of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Services Regulatory Authority (22 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) was formally established on 3 April 2012 pursuant to the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011. One of the main statutory functions of the PSRA is the licensing of Property Service Providers, i.e. auctioneers, letting agents and property management agents. The Authority is independent in the performance of its functions, including the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Numbers (22 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the Government has established an Inter-Departmental and Inter-Agency Task Force to coordinate Ireland's response to this migrant crisis. I have received a number of offers of support and assistance from members of the public and voluntary groups. I have asked the Irish Red Cross to co-ordinate these offers of support. I have also received offers of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (22 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I would refer the Deputy to my composite response today to Parliamentary Questions 631, 644, 645, 648 and 649 which outlines the Government's comprehensive response to the current migration crisis.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Services Regulatory Authority Staff (22 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) was formally established on 3 April 2012 pursuant to the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011. One of the main statutory functions of the PSRA is the licensing of Property Service Providers, i.e. auctioneers, letting agents and property management agents. The Authority is independent in the performance of its functions. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Services Regulatory Authority Staff (22 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that there is no delay in many applications lodged for registration in the Property Registration Authority (PRA), where the application is in order for registration and where there is no defect in the documents lodged for registration. Unfortunately up to 52% of applications lodged are not correct at the date of lodgement. I am informed the PRA has engaged...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (22 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that it provides annual funding to St. Vincent de Paul to manage prison visitor centres at Cloverhill, Mountjoy and Midlands prisons. This is a vital part of the service provision for prisoners and their families. These visitor centres provide a hospitable, safe, caring and supportive environment for children and families of prisoners, many of whom...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parole Boards (22 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Parole Board's principal function is to advise me on the administration of long term prison sentences. The Board, by way of recommendations, advises me of the prisoner's progress to date, the degree to which the prisoner has engaged with the various therapeutic services and how best to proceed with the future administration of the sentence. All recommendations are considered in full by me...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (22 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that I have no role in relation to the conduct of individual inquests. The legislation governing coroner matters is the Coroners Act, 1962. Under this legislation, a coroner is a statutory officer exercising quasi-judicial functions in relation to which he or she is independent. The inquest into the death of Mr. Gary Douch was opened on 3 October 2006. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (22 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) was established as a statutory independent body, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, to provide independent oversight of complaints made against members of the Garda Síochána. It commenced operations on 9 May 2007. GSOC has a hugely important role in ensuring that public confidence in the Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (22 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matters referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly as soon as the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (22 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote and in that context I am informed by the Garda authorities that overtime is recorded on a four week roster period and that date specific overtime data/costs are not available. The Garda authorities inform me that it would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources to collate the overtime costs for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Personal Injury Claims (22 Sep 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the Courts Service is responsible for the management and administration of the Courts. The scheduling of court cases and the allocation of court business is a matter for the Presidents of the courts and the presiding judge who are under the Constitution independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. The Presidents monitor waiting times across all courts...