Results 14,181-14,200 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Probation Service does not currently provide family law assessment reports to the Courts.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commencement of Legislation (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The sections to which the Deputy refers contain provisions essentially enabling the Policing Authority to appoint and remove persons from positions in An Garda Síochána. Section 17 envisages that the Authority will assume certain functions in relation to the civilian staff of An Garda Síochána, including the appointment by the Authority of persons to grades that are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Penal Policy Review Group (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware the Penal Policy Review Group was established in 2012, in line with the recommendations of the Thornton Hall Project Review Group. The terms of reference for the Group included an examination and analysis of the role of penal policy in crime prevention; sentencing policies; alternatives to custody; custodial accommodation and regimes; reintegration and rehabilitation;...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Penal Policy Review Group Report (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, the Penal Policy Review Group was established in 2012 in line with the recommendations of the Thornton Hall Project Review Group to conduct a wide ranging strategic review of penal policy taking into account relevant work already carried out in this jurisdiction and elsewhere, the rights of those convicted of crimes, the perspective of those who are victims of crime,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 171 together. As the Programme for Government states, we support the expansion of Local Drug Taskforce projects and Garda Youth Diversion Programmes for young people promoting restorative justice, and other voluntary organisations that contribute to our young people’s future direction. The Deputy may be aware of the Report of the Penal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parole Boards (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: In September 2014 I published the report of the Penal Policy Review Group which was tasked with examining all aspects of penal policy including parole and other release mechanisms from prison. The Report contains 43 recommendations. As an initial step, the Government agreed in principle in November 2014 to proceed with the implementation of a number of key recommendations, including the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Complaints Procedures (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 155 together. In my response to Dáil Question 113 on 4 May 2016, I outlined details of the current prisoner complaints system which was introduced in the Irish Prison Service in November 2012 based on a model recommended by the Inspector of Prisons who has independent oversight of the process. It was introduced in acknowledgment that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Conventions Ratification (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Ireland is a signatory to the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment and will ratify it, once the necessary legislation is in place to provide for National Preventative Mechanisms (NPMs) to inspect places of detention for the purposes of the protocol. A process of consultation with civil society,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Operations (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department, as part of its ongoing programme for change, designated a Chief Information Officer whose brief includes strengthening the research capacity and drawing together existing sources of research relevant to the strategic goals of the Department and its associated bodies. There are a number of events currently planned to engage with the research community to establish how best to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, publishes detailed quarterly and annual reports of Recorded Crime Statistics. As the Deputy will recall, following the publication of the Garda Inspectorate Report on Crime Investigation in November 2014, the Central Statistics Office carried out a detailed analysis of issues raised by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Irish Sentencing Committee was established by the Courts Service Board and is chaired by the Chief Justice. The Committee oversaw the development of a Sentencing Information website, a pilot initiative designed to gather information about the range of sentences and other penalties that have been imposed for particular types of offences across court jurisdictions. The website is being...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Probation Service, funded through my Department, is an agency with a national remit and with over 35 offices nationwide, whose role is to contribute to public safety through the management of community sanctions and measures. The Probation Service achieves this through the effective assessment and management of offenders by working with its criminal justice partners and a wide range of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department has led a Working Group of Justice Sector officials to consider options for moving forward on the proposal to establish a Community Court. Building on the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, the Working Group has been considering proposals to enhance our approach to tackling low level offenders and effectively addressing their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Probation Service, through my Department, allocates funding to a range of Community Based Organisations (CBOs) nationally to support the work of the Probation Service. Two Community Based Organisations receive funding to specifically deliver restorative justice programmes and interventions for adult offenders. These are the Restorative Justice Service, based in Tallaght, and Restorative...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Probation Service, funded through my Department, is an agency with a national remit with over 35 offices nationwide, whose role is to contribute to public safety through the management of community sanctions and measures. The Probation Service achieve this through the effective assessment and management of offenders. This includes working with a wide range of statutory, community and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Juvenile Offenders (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together. I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the number of 17 year olds detained in Wheatfield Place of Detention during each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date is set out in the table below. Year Average number of 17 year olds detained in Wheatfield Place of Detention Year 2016 to date 11 Year 2015 13 Year 2014 10 Year 2013 0...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Justice Strategy (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Just under €17 million has been allocated in 2016 to the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) through my Department to support the operation of youth justice community projects, primarily Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) and Young Persons Probation Projects (YPPPs). The funding to support the GYDPs and several YPPs is part supported by the Government and the European Social...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that figures in relation to the prisoner population and capacity levels are published on their website www.irishprisons.ie on a daily basis. The Deputy should be aware that the overall bed capacity of the Irish Prison System is 4,202. On 27th May, 2016 there were 3,749 prisoners in custody. This represents a occupancy rate of 89%. I am also...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Programmes (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Community Return Programme is an incentivised early release scheme co-managed by the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service. It commenced in October 2011 and is now operational in every county and from every prison in the State. The Programme has been supported by the reallocation of resources and key personnel from within both services. The Programme targets well behaved...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Levels (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: In addition to the standard rate of remission of one-quarter of sentence, the Prison Rules provide for the possibility of enhanced remission of up to one-third of sentence. This enhanced remission must be earned and applies where a prisoner engages in authorised structured activity intended to increase the likelihood that, when released from prison, he is less likely to re-offend and is...