Results 16,081-16,100 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Deputy Dooley knows as well as I do that all front-line services were affected by the economic disaster that was visited upon the country. Thankfully, we are now recovering. In the context of policing, that recovery has given rise to the new recruitment I have outlined. It is worthwhile noting, in terms of the deployment of probationary gardaí, that the Garda Commissioner has...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I would add to what Deputy Dooley says that what is really important is that gardaí work in partnership with local community groups and businesses. We see some good models throughout the country where they are working, for example, with the local taxi-drivers, businesses, community text alert groups, community alert and neighbourhood watch. We have increased the funding for the...

Other Questions: Crime Levels (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Crime statistics are compiled by the Central Statistics Office, CSO, based on PULSE data and the statistics for Mayo Garda division reflect all crime incidents recorded by An Garda Síochána for that area. In the most recent CSO figures, for the second quarter of 2016, there were decreases in many crime categories. This reflects the success of the concerted Garda drive against...

Other Questions: Crime Levels (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The CSO is investigating this. After the first Garda Inspectorate report relating to crime statistics was published, I met with the CSO and discussed this issue because I was concerned about it. The good news is that it did it again the following year and reported that there were improvements. On the Deputy's question about monitoring, this is being monitored by the CSO and it has been...

Other Questions: Crime Levels (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Following the Garda Inspectorate report on crime investigation, the Garda Commissioner established a strategic transformation team to oversee work to implement a broad range of recommendations. They are being implemented and that is being correlated by the work of the CSO. That is my point. Initiatives were taken to improve the statistics and it is clear from the CSO report that there are...

Other Questions: Crime Levels (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I understand that progress has been made on that case. We all share the Deputy's concern about the humanitarian issues that arise in that situation. To return to the question tabled by the Deputy, a concerted Garda drive against crime is being implemented under Operation Thor, and in Sligo and Leitrim Garda divisions the figures show a reduction in burglary of 25%. Given that the Deputy has...

Other Questions: Crime Levels (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Other Questions: Crime Levels (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Many Deputies have mentioned household crime, or burglaries. In the year ending in the third quarter of 2015, household crime was at its lowest level since the crime and victimisation survey which began in 1998, when it was 12%. We need to recognise that the fear of crime can be an issue for people and can, sometimes, be greater than what is happening in an area. I do not for a moment...

Other Questions: Crime Levels (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I said, the availability of PULSE is not a prerequisite for the recording of Garda crime statistics. Some 92% to 93% will go through the GISC in Castlebar, and this applies to the Deputy's area as well as others. I have given the breakdown in the Deputy's area. Regarding the point he made about crime statistics, the Garda Inspectorate noted the CSO's report on the review of the quality...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Levels (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Crime statistics are compiled by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) based on PULSE data and the statistics for Laois/Offaly Garda Division reflect all crime incidents recorded by An Garda Síochána for those counties. The Deputy will be aware that in the most recent CSO figures, for Quarter 2 of 2016, there were decreases in many crime categories. This reflects the success of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Levels (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Crime statistics are compiled by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) based on PULSE data and the statistics for the D.M.R. Northern Garda Division reflect all crime incidents recorded by An Garda Síochána for that area. The Deputy will be aware that in the most recent CSO figures, for Quarter 2 of 2016, there were decreases in many crime categories. This reflects the success of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences Data (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of information on the courts system. However, to be of assistance I have made inquires with the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime and the Deputy will be aware that in the most recent CSO figures, for Quarter 2 of 2016, there were decreases in many crime categories, including for example a 26% reduction in burglaries....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Estimates Publication (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, following intensive negotiations between the Government, the Garda Representative Association (GRA) and Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission, the Labour Court issued a recommendation on 3 November last in relation to the dispute. In the case of individual members, the recommendation for the GRA and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Levels (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Crime statistics are compiled by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) based on PULSE data and the statistics for Kerry Garda Division reflect all crime incidents recorded by An Garda Síochána for that area. The Deputy will be aware that in the most recent CSO figures, for Quarter 2 of 2016, there were decreases in many crime categories. This reflects the success of the concerted...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Domestic violence is a social evil and the protection of members of society from domestic violence remains a priority for me and my Department. Drafting of the Domestic Violence Bill is at an advanced stage. It is my intention that the Bill will be submitted for Government approval and published during the current Dáil session. The Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Protected Disclosures (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I have advised the Deputy previously, there has been significant change in the procedures for members of the Gardaí who wish to report allegations of wrongdoing. The Protected Disclosures 2014 Act was part of the then Government's comprehensive approach to enhancing the protections available to whistleblowers, including members of the Garda Síochána. Under the Act, the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime and the Deputy will be aware that in the most recent CSO figures, for Quarter 2 of 2016, there were decreases in many crime categories, including for example a 26% reduction in burglaries....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Levels (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Crime statistics are compiled by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) based on PULSE data and the statistics for Louth Garda Division reflect all crime incidents recorded by An Garda Síochána for that area. The Deputy will be aware that in the most recent CSO figures, for Quarter 2 of 2016, there were decreases in many crime categories. This reflects the success of the concerted...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Sittings (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the scheduling of court cases and the allocation of court business is a matter for the respective Presidents of the courts and the presiding judge who are, under the Constitution, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. The Presidents monitor waiting times across all court lists and seek to ensure the optimum use of court time. Available...