Results 17,281-17,300 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Having regard to the rules of the House in relation to Questions asked on a details supplied basis, my Department made contact with the Deputy and I understand that I have his agreement to disclose the subject matter in my reply to the extent necessary to ensure that my answer is useful and informative. The details supplied relate to ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Staff (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: County Registrars are officers of the court and are independent in the exercise of their functions and duties under statute and rules of court. County Registrars and Sheriffs are appointed by Government. The County Registrar is a Statutory Officer of the Circuit Court, the higher of the two courts of local and limited jurisdiction within the courts system, which exercises first instance...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a letter recently issued to the person concerned in relation to the granting of the person's permission to remain in the state for a period of five years, expiring on 1 February 2022, under the provisions of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015. While the letter sets...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Section 95 of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 provides for the functions of the Director of the Decision Support Service (DSS). Many of the functions specified in section 95(1) relate to the very important role that the Director will have in raising public awareness and providing information to the public. These functions include promoting public awareness of the Act,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The tragic case to which the Deputy refers was considered under the Independent Review Mechanism. The role of the Review Mechanism was to review certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which were made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach. The recommendation made in this particular case was that I should...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Civilian Staff Duties (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I was pleased to announce on Budget day that the Government has approved my proposal that by 2021 the overall Garda workforce should comprise a total of 21,000 personnel; to include 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Garda Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that there are currently in the region of 2,000 civilians undertaking administrative and technical...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: This Government is committed to ensuring visible, effective and responsive policing throughout the country in order to strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and prevent crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Inquiry to which the Deputy refers is to be established following my acceptance of a recommendation by the panel of the Independent Review Mechanism. The role of the Independent Review Mechanism was to review complaints of Garda misconduct. Officials in my Department have consulted with the Office of the Attorney General with regard to matters concerning the establishment of this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors including crime trends,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Brexit Issues (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Both the Irish and British Governments have made it clear that it is their wish to maintain the Common Travel Area arrangements after the UK leaves the European Union. Both Governments have also expressed their commitment to ensuring there is no return to a so-called 'hard border' between both parts of the Island. This position was further reinforced at the recent summit between An...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Staff (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: County Registrars are officers of the court and are independent in the exercise of their functions and duties under statute and rules of court. The legislative basis for a County Registrar to make orders is provided under section 34(1) of the Court and Court Officers Act 1995 which states as follows: "Without prejudice to any powers, authorities, duties or functions that may be exercised by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that County...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, my Department undertook a consultation process on this issue seeking the views of interested parties. A total of 6 submissions were received and on the basis of these submissions and having regard to the policy options set out in the consultation document I will introduce a proportionate legislative response. This may include, inter alia, a system of registration,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 to 128, inclusive, together. In response to previous Questions relating to these matters I have set out the position in respect of a range of issues raised. It is a function of An Garda Síochána to investigate crime and in the event that credible evidence is advanced to or uncovered by An Garda Síochána that a criminal offence...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parental Leave (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table below. The table indicates the number of people in the Department of Justice and Equality availing of unpaid parental leave in the years 2004-2016. Year Number 2004 2 2005 14 2006 92 2007 88 2008 80 2009 94 2010 102 2011 101 2012 110 2013 132 2014 170 2015 174 2016 188 Total 1347

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that there are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors including crime trends,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Data (7 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 140 together. The number of visas approved for 2015 to 2016 is set out in the table: Year Number 2004 2 2005 14 2006 92 2007 88 2008 80 2009 94 2010 102 2011 101 2012 110 2013 132 2014 170 2015 174 2016 188 Total 1347 I am also advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the number of persons...