Results 14,541-14,560 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Reports (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I take the points made by Deputy O'Callaghan and he is absolutely correct in his analysis. There have been very significant changes relating to training and supervision over the past two years. Supervision is now much more carefully built in. This is particularly the case in respect of new recruits but we need to see it throughout the force. It has been difficult for An Garda...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Strength (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I said earlier in response to a similar question on a different area, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda regions, divisions and districts. It is kept under review and now that more gardaí are being recruited, there are new people available to go to new areas. In summary, there were 31 stations on 30 April 2011 with 303 members...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Strength (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: We had a cycle of boom and bust and an economy that was in deep trouble. It is clear that this had an impact on recruitment. Templemore was closed. I am the Minister that reopened Templemore, restarted recruitment and started reinvesting in An Garda Síochána. We want to provide as much support as possible to rural communities. The types of initiative that have been taken, for...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Strength (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I repeat that it is important that gardaí be allocated to where there is an identified strong need. We are accelerating recruitment but it will always be a finite resource. Where communities are working together, it is obvious that they need a garda. However, a whole-of-community response is important, with, for instance, tradespeople, business people and taxi drivers all working...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Operations (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The report of the Garda Inspectorate on crime investigation gave us an analysis of An Garda Síochána's investigative processes and it is an extremely good report. If the recommendations in the report are followed, it is intended that the methods and investigative processes used by An Garda Síochána would align with best international practice. Our goal should be to have...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Operations (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I encourage Members to look at An Garda Síochána's strategy statement for the coming year, which outlines the priority areas in terms of the work of, investment in and direction of An Garda Síochána. Community policing is identified as a priority in that statement. We are fortunate in Ireland with regard to the relationship between An Garda Síochána and the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Operations (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: With regard to the Deputy's last point, An Garda Síochána has shown again and again that it will stand up to the threat from criminal gangs and the Government will certainly support the force in doing that. The €50 million that was allocated two weeks ago to An Garda Síochána is evidence of that support. The threat from criminal gangs is severe. They are engaged...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Resources (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The deployment of Garda armed units is directed at highly dangerous threats, whether from organised crime or terrorism. An Garda Síochána’s primary armed special intervention capacity is in the emergency response unit, ERU which forms part of the special detective unit. At the request of the Garda Commissioner earlier this year, the Government and I moved very decisively...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Resources (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I assure the Deputy and the people of Dublin that armed support is actually in place, but not by the dedicated unit that will be the armed support unit. The function is currently performed on an overtime basis because it is essential, given the challenges we face, particularly in the north inner city of Dublin and surrounding area. Once the Government had agreed the funding the Garda...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Resources (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am very pleased that the extra €50 million was available two weeks ago which is expected to support the work of An Garda Síochána until the end of 2016 in three areas - gang related crime, Operation Thor and in the area of security. It is important to continue the work of Operation Thor throughout the State so that the work of criminal gangs which are intent on burglaries...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Station Closures (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputy McGuinness. I was briefed on the situation in Kilkenny and the kind of work being done with the community, business organisation and local gardaí who have interrupted and prevented several crimes in the area, particularly the mobile gangs which were targeting Kilkenny at one point. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner, in summary, that there were 29 stations on...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Station Closures (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I take the Deputy’s points about Kilkenny. It is worth reading the Thor figures for the whole country, including the Kilkenny areas. We have seen reductions. That builds on the experience we have had before. Where there are dedicated police operations, such as Thor, where there are mobile patrols, intelligence and police working closely with the other stakeholders and the community...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Station Closures (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: One of the things I did last year was to work with the Garda Síochána and the Office of Public Works so that we could identify the priority Garda stations around the country that needed investment and refurbishment. We have a very clear plan and timetable in place for that and a very detailed capital investment programme because there are many Garda stations throughout the country...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Station Closures (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am very aware of the damage done to rural communities by organised gangs engaged in burglary or other criminal activity. The Central Statistics Office official records show a 26.2% decrease in burglary in the last three months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. It is important to acknowledge that where we invest and have targeted operations they can make a difference. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Station Closures (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am making every effort to ensure that the statistics being used are correct. One of the things I did on receiving the report from the Garda Inspectorate was to hold a meeting with the CSO and have detailed discussions about the reliability of the statistics coming from An Garda Síochána. Quite a lot of work has been done. It is important that people have confidence in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Garda Station Closures (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I would like to highlight a number of initiatives that have taken place regarding particular categories of crime that affect rural communities. They include the continuing work of the Garda metal theft forum, which brings key stakeholders together, including farming representatives, to address all forms of metal theft in rural and urban areas and the theft stop partnership with the IFA and...

Revised Estimates for Public Services 2016 (Resumed) (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move the following Revised Estimates for the justice Vote group:

Revised Estimates for Public Services 2016 (Resumed) (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: ICT capital is €34 million, including the first tranche of the capital investment plan of €205 million. I thank the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform under the stewardship of the former Minister, Deputy Howlin, for the work relating to the development of that ICT infrastructure, which was so essential. In total, €330 million, including €205 million...

Revised Estimates for Public Services 2016 (Resumed) (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Chair and Members from all sides of the House who have contributed to the debate on the Estimates this evening. In the first instance, a number of Deputies noted they would have preferred to have had this discussion in committee, where there would have been a more detailed opportunity to discuss the various issues and I agree. I believe the Business Committee decided that the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parole Boards (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The establishment of a Parole Board on a statutory basis was a commitment under the previous Programme for Government. I have publicly stated my intention to develop and bring forward legislative proposals providing for a statutory Parole Board and this was also a commitment in the Fine Gael manifesto earlier this year. Draft proposals have been under development in my Department to...