Results 15,261-15,280 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Section 101 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 already allows the courts to impose restriction of movement orders as an alternative to sentences of imprisonment in specified circumstances. However the Strategic Review of Policy Group's final report published by me in September 2014 proposed alternatives to custodial sentences (including detention) as the first choice of sanction for both...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service Strategies (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that It endeavours to allow prisoners to spend as much time as possible each day out of their cell or room to associate with other prisoners. Rule 27(3) of the Prison Rules 2007 states "In so far as is practicable, each convicted prisoner should be engaged in authorised structured activity for a period of not less than five hours on each of five days...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have requested the Garda authorities to provide information in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy and will revert to him as soon as I have this to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting Applications (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that a vetting application in respect of the person to whom the Deputy refers was received by the National Vetting Bureau on 2 September 2016. The application was processed and returned to the liaison person in the registered organisation on 5 September 2015. In the circumstances the applicant is advised to contact the relevant organisation to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting Applications (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda Authorities that a vetting application in respect of the person to whom the Deputy refers was received by the National Vetting Bureau on 1 September 2016. The application was processed and returned to the liaison person in the registered organisation on 9 September 2015. In the circumstances the applicant is advised to contact the relevant organisation to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The persons referred to in the Deputy's question were among those whose complaint was referred to the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM). The IRM was established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality or the Taoiseach or other public...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Office of Public Works has the primary responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation and works closely with the Garda authorities in this regard. I have requested the information referred to in the Deputy's question and will revert to him as soon as I have this to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Services Regulation (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159, 161, 163 and 174 together. The Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 makes extensive provision in Part 10 for a new and enhanced legal costs regime that will bring greater transparency to how legal costs are charged along with a better balance between the interests of legal practitioners and those of their clients in this area. Part 10 of the Act is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting of Personnel (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed that the Department of Education and Skills issued a Circular 31/2016 on May 2016 to all education sectors outlining their vetting obligations. This circular is available at the website of the Department of Education and Skills www.education.ie. As the Deputy will be aware, vetting for teachers is governed by the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children &...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Postal Codes (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department has ensured that Eircode is included in Departmental and agency addresses when new stocks of Headed Paper are ordered. Further, in most cases, application forms for services administered by my Department, both printed and online, have space for individuals to input their Eircode. When corresponding with households my Department endeavours to use an individual’s Eircode...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service Data (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Probate Office is an office of the High Court and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. In order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had inquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that Probate Services are provided through the Probate Office, an Office of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service Administration (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Probate Office is an office of the High Court and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. However in order to be of assistance I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the current waiting time for Grants of Representation is 16 weeks for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: According to the Department's database for managing such data, there were 4,248 persons residing in direct provision at the end of August 2016. The table outlines the duration of stay of these persons based on their latest date of entry into the direct provision system. (When a person makes an application for international protection, they are offered accommodation. While there is no...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: DNA Database (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) is responsible for the operation of the national DNA Database System. The Database was launched in November 2015 and constitutes a major intelligence resource for the investigation of crime. The database is being populated with samples taken from persons suspected/convicted of serious crime and from crime scenes. I have been informed by FSI that to date the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Fines Data (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the Courts Service Act 1998 provides that management of the courts, including the provision of information on the courts system, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had inquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that it is not in a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Surveillance Operations (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Telecommunications services providers are required to maintain a capacity to intercept telecommunications messages in accordance with the provisions of section 110 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, as amended. The State does not reimburse the costs associated with this.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Surveillance Operations (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The terms of reference of the Murray Review are to examine the legislative framework in respect of access by statutory bodies to communications data of journalists held by communications service providers, taking into account the principle of protection of journalistic sources; the need for statutory bodies with investigative and /or prosecution powers to have access to data in order to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 178 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current strength of the Traffic Corps is 686 (as at 31 July 2016). I am further informed that the first year cost of recruitment of 314 new members to An Garda Síochána on a full year basis is some €6.8 million. However, as the Deputies will be aware, the distribution...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The management of staff and issues arising is a matter for my Department's Secretary General and his officials. I do not have a role in this regard. However, further to the query raised by the Deputy, I am advised by my officials that they have been in correspondence with the individual concerned and their legal representative and have responded in relation to the matters at issue.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Appointments to State Boards (16 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can advise the Deputy that the information sought in respect of vacancies on State Boards is set out in a table: State Board Vacancies on 26 February 2016 Date Vacancy/Vacancies Arose Names of those appointed Advertised and Shortlisted Approved by Cabinet Appointments not subject to PAS system Property Services...