Results 12,761-12,780 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Deputy O'Dowd refers to the finance legislation which is going to come into effect. The courts have been setting up an IT system to manage it effectively and it is taking a few months to do that but they will be ready to start in early January 2016. Once we have that legislation enacted it will make a substantial difference to the situation outlined whereby people are being brought to prison.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The total ECF for the Prison Service is a staffing level of 3,265. At the start of 2015 the actual wholesome equivalent figures stood at 3,381, which was 116 above the ECF figure. At the end of October 2015 the staffing level is 3,321 which is 56 above the ECF.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Deputy. I will give Mountjoy Prison as an example. The investment in Mountjoy Prison has enabled the elimination of the slopping out practice there and allowed significant reductions in overcrowding, as have capital programmes of investment in Cork Prison and Limerick Prison. Preliminary works have started in Limerick Prison which involved a boundary wall to facilitate the...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The prison system is under total capacity by approximately 200, which is the latest figure. The total figure of 3,671 prisoners were in custody on 8 October 2015. That is an occupancy level of 89% of the IPS bed capacity of 4,126, and 92% of the 3,982 Inspector of Prisons' recommended bed capacity.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy has asked a relevant question and an open prison for females is needed. The Prison Service is examining models that would be best suited for female prisoners who could use an open setting. I have received a preliminary report on the options that might be available. Some countries are using much smaller settings now for suitable female prisoners but it is a project that needs to...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The reduction in prisoner numbers has also contributed to the cost savings in this subhead as well as what the Chairman has mentioned, cost efficiencies relating to the usage and supply of items such as cleaning materials, catering supplies and other large expenditure items. One is seeing good management here.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The savings are linked to the decrease in prisoner numbers.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I have said, the saving is mainly due to the overall decrease in prisoner numbers as opposed to any change in what is available to prisoners. We are very conscious, as is the Prison Service of the absolute importance of work and training opportunities and education. There is a strong emphasis on that. Education services are available in all the institutions and are provided in...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: That reduction is not because there has been a reduction in any of those services. It is linked simply to the reduction in prisoner numbers with the focus on community returns for those who have all minor offences.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am told it is external fees.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: External fees for courses that might have been paid before but the prisoners are not there now so one is not paying for them.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I assume it includes workshops for the training materials. If there are fewer prisoners there is less costs for training materials.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: No, there is not.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The issue the Deputy has raised of making sure that contraband does not get into prisons is one of high priority. We have to make continuous improvements in this area. It is an international problem. People are often surprised that it is an issue but it is one that is shared internationally. A number of initiatives have been taken. The Deputy has probably heard Michael Donlon, the...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Chairman is absolutely correct. If one wants to look at the rehabilitation of offenders, one of the things one has to do is to plan his or exit and ensure the supports are in place when a prisoner is released. The initiative that was launched earlier this week was the Joint Agency Response to Crime, JARC, which brings the Probation Service and the Garda Síochána together....

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 20: An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (3 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that on-line visa applications were made on 28October, 2015. The necessary application summaries and supporting documentation have not yet been received by any of the Irish Visa Offices. Guidelines on the visa application process including details of the required supporting documentation can be found on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (3 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the detailed allocation of resources, including the deployment of technology, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to determine in accordance with identified operational requirements. I can advise, however, that Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) was introduced into An Garda Síochána in 2008 and, as of 31 October 2015, there are currently...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (3 Dec 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. The overall number of personnel available to the Garda Commissioner is close to 16,000. This figure comprises 12,866 members, 978 reserve members, and 2,012 civilians as of 31 October. This Government is committed to ensuring that...