Results 13,901-13,920 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that an application was received by the INIS Visa Office in Abuja, Nigeria, from the person referred to by the Deputy on the 07/12/2015. This application was refused on the 04/01/2016 and the original decision was upheld on appeal. An appeal refusal letter was issued to the applicant on the 09/02/2016....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Status Applications (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: If the person whose details were supplied has made an application for asylum or subsidiary protection in the State, the Deputy is advised that it is not the practice to comment on such applications until they have fully completed the protection process. This is in accordance with Section 19(1) of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) which provides for the protection of the identity of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: At the outset, I would like to say that I am very conscious of the ongoing trauma and distress for the families and friends of persons who go missing and, in relation to the case referred to by the Deputy, I can assure the Deputy that I am fully aware of the various concerns which have been raised about it. including in relation to the holding of an inquest. As I have outlined in responses to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 to 77, inclusive, together. The role of the independent Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) in accordance with Section 18 of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) is to investigate applications by refugees to allow family members to enter and reside in the State. ORAC prepares reports to the Minister for Justice and Equality in this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware the particular case he is referring to was amongst those considered under the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which had been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach, or other public representatives. The outcome of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the day to day operation of An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I understand from the Garda authorities, however, that the sum of money in question was retained and recorded by An Garda Síochána for safe keeping and is the subject of ongoing contact between An...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can assure the Deputy that tackling organised crime activity is a key ongoing priority for both the Government and An Garda Síochána. An Garda Síochána's Policing Plan sets out the priorities of An Garda Síochána in this regard including its continued commitment to pro-actively target groups and individuals engaged in criminal activity, including organised...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Preparations for the phased commencement of the Legal Services Regulation Act are already under way. A necessary first step is the appointment of the new and independent Legal Services Regulatory Authority after which the Authority will appoint its own Chief Executive. I can confirm that nominations to the new Legal Services Regulatory Authority have been received from the relevant nominating...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Charities Regulation (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that, the Charities Regulatory Authority (the 'Charities Regulator') was established in October 2014 to regulate all charitable organisations operating in Ireland as provided for in the Charities Act 2009. The Authority currently has some 23 staff, however with provision of an increased budget in 2016 this number will increase to 36 in the coming months. The key...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Service Reform (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that the provision of legal aid falls within two separate categories, that is, civil legal aid and criminal legal aid. Details in respect of each category are outlined below. Criminal Legal Aid Under the current legislation, the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, free legal aid may be granted in certain circumstances for the defence of persons of insufficient...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Reserve (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 86 to 90, inclusive, together. The 2016 recruitment process for full-time members of An Garda Síochána is under way at present. The process for the first time includes a special stream for eligible Garda Reserve members. I very much welcome this as a means of giving due recognition to the training that reserve members have undergone in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation Provision (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance, I have had enquiries made and I am informed that the Courts Service is aware that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Reserve (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Reserve was established in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to enhance the links between An Garda Síochána and local communities and consists of voluntary unpaid members, drawn from the community, to support the work of An Garda Síochána. Reserve members who work a minimum of 208 hours in a 12 month period receive an allowance of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that admission to An Garda Síochána as a trainee is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in accordance with the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that this year so far ten applicants have been refused entry to An Garda Síochána as trainees on the grounds of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 155 together. 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. 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 Operations (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána carefully monitor the activities of criminal groups in all areas of the country, including Co. Kildare, and are implementing strong policing measures to disrupt and dismantle their networks. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of Garda resources to specific areas, but I am assured...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Services for People with Disabilities (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 106 together. The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities, which was launched on Friday 2 October 2015, sets out a ten-year approach to ensuring that people with disabilities who are able to, and want to, work are supported and enabled to do so. People with disabilities are only half as likely to be in employment as others of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Closures (17 May 2016)

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. During 2011 and 2012, An Garda Síochána completed a comprehensive review of its district and station network. The objective of this review was to identify opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (17 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 25 May 2011 and therefore has no entitlement to residency in the State. Representations were received from the personconcerned pursuant to Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to revoke the Deportation Order....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (17 May 2016)

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 keeps this distribution under continuing review taking into account crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. In that context I am informed by the...