Results 13,621-13,640 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts and as Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keep this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities to ensure the optimum use is made of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Sittings (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the scheduling of court cases and the allocation of court business is a matter for the respective 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 court lists and seek to ensure the optimum use of court time. Available...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Conventions Ratification (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: On 21 October 2015, I published a roadmap to Ireland’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which outlines the considerable legislative changes to be undertaken to enable Ireland to ratify the Convention, along with the estimated deadline of end-2016 for ratification. The Roadmap to Ratification, which is available on my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Conventions Ratification (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Work is under way on drawing up an Equality Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill to progress miscellaneous legislative amendments necessary to proceed to ratification. The necessary legislative provisions to fulfil the requirements of Article 33 of the Convention will be included in the Bill, following consultations with relevant stakeholders. The Department of Justice and Equality...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Stardust Fire (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána that a file has been submitted and is presently with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to further allegations pertaining to the Stardust disaster.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Staff (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that plans for a recruitment competition for the position of Recruit Prison Officer are currently under way, having regard to factors such as the level of retirements from the Irish Prison Service this year and in the coming years. Necessary arrangements being put in place include tendering for a provider to deliver the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Irish Refugee Protection Programme was approved by Government decision on 10 September 2015 in response to the migration crisis in Southern Europe. Under the programme, the Government has pledged to accept a total of 4,000 migrants into the State by the end of 2017, through a combination of the EU relocation mechanism established in 2015 to assist Italy and Greece (which Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy is no doubt referencing the report of the Working Group to Government in Improvements to the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and Supports to Asylum Seekers, otherwise known as the McMahon Report. That Report documented some 173 recommendations, 100 of which have been addressed to some extent. Access to cooking facilities is referred to in one of the recommendations...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is important to note that there are 35 accommodation centres contracted by my Department for the accommodation of those seeking international protection. While some of those centres are self-catering, the vast majority operate a direct provision service in line with Government policy. I am unable to provide details of the companies which provide food in accommodation centres. My...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts Data (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that it has not been possible to provide the information requested in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly when this information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 334 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts and as Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keep this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a copy of correspondence, outlining what documentation and information were required to further this application, was re-issued to the person mentioned by the Deputy on 15 February 2016. To date, the Residence Division of INIS is still awaiting the information and documentation requested. Queries in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Conventions Ratification (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: On 21 October 2015, I published a roadmap to Ireland’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which outlines the considerable legislative changes to be undertaken to enable Ireland to ratify the Convention, along with the estimated deadline of end-2016 for ratification. The Roadmap to Ratification, which is available on my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am very much aware of the impact of crime on rural communities. The Deputy will appreciate that the allocation of Garda personnel to particular areas is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and as Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. I am assured that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by officials in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa application referred to by the Deputy was received by the INIS Visa Office in New Delhi on 17 November 2015. It is anticipated that a decision should issue on the case within the next four weeks and officials from INIS will contact the applicant with the outcome. The Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by officials in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused in the INIS Visa Office in New Delhi on 4 November, 2015, and this decision was communicated to the applicant by my officials. The applicant was advised that an appeal could be submitted up to two months following the visa...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that Long Term Residency is granted on the basis that a non EEA national has completed a minimum of five years (i.e. 60 months) legal residence in the State on work permit conditions which is reflected in the corresponding Stamp 1 or Stamp 4 endorsements on a person's passport and not by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 338 together. The deployment of Gardaí at Shannon Airport is aimed primarily at protecting the safety of passengers and other people working at and using the airport. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the cost to An Garda Síochána of deployment at Shannon airport was €1,231,671 in 2015 comprising salaries and other pay...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Districts (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Districts (14 Apr 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum...