Results 14,721-14,740 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (28 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of the official recorded crime statistics, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have asked the CSO to forward relevant statistics in relation to the information requested directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Reserve (28 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including the Garda Reserve, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of all resources. The Garda Reserve makes a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Training (28 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that all Gardaí recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014 are required to undertake the new 2 year training programme which leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Policing and is accredited by the University of Limerick. The programme is the outcome of a comprehensive review of foundation training for entrants to An...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I first join the Deputy in expressing my sympathy and that of the Government to the people of Turkey after the appalling terrorist attack at the international airport in Istanbul. It was a vicious and indiscriminate attack which claimed more than 41 lives and left many people seriously injured. I agree with the Deputy that across Europe we need to reinforce our efforts against and combat the...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Richard Bruton, has invited ASTI to meet him. We want to avoid an increment freeze and every opportunity will be taken to deal with the outstanding issues. On entry levels of pay, very difficult decisions were taken in recent years and many people, including gardaí and teachers, were affected by them, given that they were subject to the...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities was launched in 2015 and it was the first proper and extensive national strategy. A very important policy agenda for supporting people with disabilities was outlined in it. The Government committed an extra €31 million to disability issues a number of weeks ago. The most up-to-date position on the WALK PEER programme...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: This is not being batted back and forth. There are proposals under active consideration, as I said to the Deputy, to resolve the situation. The Minister is meeting the families to resolve the issue and come up with a solution. I am not putting it on the floor of the House this morning but the intention is to get a solution and to find a resolution to the matter. The Minister is actively...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The first thing to say on the broader issue of Brexit is that the discussions in Brussels are ongoing and the European Council is the appropriate place to deal with all of the issues which are arising for the whole of Europe and which have particular relevance for Ireland given our very close relationship with the UK. There will be statements in the House next week on the outcome of the...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Regardless of who attended or did not attend a particular meeting, the situation is as I have outlined it to the Deputy. Clearly, Government, Dáil and UN resolution approval are required before we can be involved in any particular initiative. That remains the case. It has not changed. The legislation to which the Deputy referred did not change it. The triple lock remains in place...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputy Harty. I certainly agree with the last statement that he made, namely, that we need to see a new GP contract and the service to be underpinned properly by that. Under the framework agreement that was entered into between the HSE, the Department of Health and the IMO in June 2014, a process was agreed under which the parties could negotiate on all publicly funded health sector...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: On the Deputy's point on the recruitment of GPs, it is not just a national issue but also an international one, as he will be well aware. Every effort is being made regarding this. A higher number of training places has been agreed in recent times. With regard to the FEMPI legislation, it is the Government’s intention to unwind as much of that in as timely a way as possible....

Questions on Proposed Legislation (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The landlord and tenant (law reform) Bill has been approved and work is continuing on it. Landlords are accepting 1,000 new tenancies each month for people who are on rent supplement. It is illegal to refuse a tenancy on the basis that the prospective tenant is in receipt of rent supplement. If the Deputy has information on particular cases, he should make us aware of them.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: There are-----

Questions on Proposed Legislation (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Let us recognise the facts.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Landlords are accepting rent supplement recipients for 1,000 new tenancies each month.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: On the second point raised by Deputy Micheál Martin, as he will be aware, a consultative process was carried out on this issue and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is considering its outcome. On the point the Deputy raised about credit unions, this is a priority for the Minister for Finance. I do not know the precise timetable, but I will ask the Minister...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to express my deep disappointment and concern - the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has already done so - in respect of the further delay in the Ibrahim Halawa case. I wish to assure the House that our ambassador in Egypt was once again present in the court for the hearing and embassy officials have been present for all hearings in this case. Many members of Government...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will have to come back to Deputy Howlin on the implementation of the important lobbying Bill, which the Deputy. Some sections have been commenced and there are others yet to be commenced. I will liaise directly with the Deputy on the matter. It is not accurate to say that members of the Independent Alliance said they were getting separate advice. We had a discussion on the Bill that...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The report must be laid before the House by tomorrow and it will be.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (29 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Of course, there will be discussion. Deputies discussed the issue this morning at the Business Committee. It is up to the Business Committee to decide when the debate will take place. Deputy Bríd Smith has a representative at the committee. It is a question of agreeing when the debate will take place. The report will be available tomorrow. We will give people time to read and...