Results 17,641-17,660 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Support Services (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government recognises that Human Trafficking is a hidden crime, and that undocumented migrants who might also be potential victims of trafficking may be reluctant to make themselves known to authorities. In recognition of this, and in making determinations as to whether a person is a suspected victim of human trafficking, An Garda Síochana takes into account any information provided...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (16 Feb 2017)

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. The CSO publishes details of recorded crime incidents, detected crimes, relevant proceedings and convictions, and I have asked the CSO to forward the available information in relation to the matters referred to directly to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Policing Issues (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to assure the Deputy that when developing policy or legislation proposals on policing matters my Department would always have regard to international models. However, owing to a number of unique factors pertaining to the Garda Síochána, including the fact that it is a single national police force which provides a security and intelligence service as well as a policing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel and Garda station opening hours, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the total number of women in all ranks of An Garda Síochána as of the 31 December 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 3,392 or 26.2% of the total strength. This compares favourably with the number on 31 December 2006 which was 2,508 or 19% of the total strength. The Garda Authorities have assured...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Releases (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 to 108, inclusive, together. I wish to inform the Deputy that there is no entitlement to temporary or early release for prisoners. Each application for early or Temporary Release is considered on its individual merits and a number of factors are taken into account when making a decision including the nature of the offence, whether or not the person is a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service provides a wide range of rehabilitative programmes to those in custody that include education, vocational training, healthcare, psychiatric, psychological, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. These programmes can offer purposeful activity to those in custody while serving their sentences and encouraging them to lead law...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service provides a wide range of rehabilitative programmes to those in custody that include education, vocational training, healthcare, psychiatric, psychological, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. These programmes can offer purposeful activity to those in custody while serving their sentences and encouraging them to lead law...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Legal Costs (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The information requested by the Deputy in respect of my Department and agencies under my Department's Vote is provided in the table. The Deputy should note that this table does not include payments made in respect of the Criminal and Civil Legal Aid Schemes administered under the aegis of my Department. Nor does it include payments made for legal services by the Commissions of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Policing Authority (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I was very pleased to establish an independent Policing Authority. The Policing Authority represents one of the most significant developments in policing since the founding of the State. It constitutes a major element of the comprehensive programme of justice reform which is being delivered by the Government, aimed both at ensuring continuing confidence in the work of An Garda...

Seanad: Establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry: Motion (16 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Senators for being here, the contributions that have been made and making time available this evening. I was in the Dáil earlier, but I am very glad to be in the Seanad this evening. I have a list of the various questions raised. The first thing I want to say is just how serious an issue this is. I gather quite a number of Senators have addressed this point. The fact that we...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation Provision (21 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 94 together. As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, 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 enquiries...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation Provision (21 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 109 together. As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Safety (21 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that a new contract for the provision and operation of the safety camera network on Irish roads was concluded on 17 August 2016. The contract for the safety camera service, which was awarded following a public procurement competition, is with Road Safety Operations Ireland, trading as GoSafe. The new safety camera contract is an agreement between the Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (21 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013. The Public Appointments Service (PAS), on behalf of the Garda Commissioner, manages the initial recruitment stages for selection of Garda Trainees with the final stages of the recruitment process being managed by the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Complaints Procedures (21 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: In the absence of any specific details of the matters referred to in the Deputy's question I cannot say if these have been notified to me or my Department. Nonetheless, I can inform the Deputy that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) was established as a statutory independent body, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, to provide independent oversight of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Complaints Procedures (21 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The tragic case to which the Deputy refers was considered under the Independent Review Mechanism - IRM - established 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 by the IRM in this particular case was that I should take no...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (21 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the two requests from the persons concerned for permission to remain in the State are currently receiving attention and a decision will issue shortly in relation to both cases. May I remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Staff (21 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 to 93, inclusive, together. I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the procedures for implementing disciplinary matters for Prison Officers is set out in the Statutory Instrument Prison (Disciplinary Code for Officers) Rules, 1996 as amended by Prison (Disciplinary Code for Officers) (Amendment) Rules 2009. There is currently no officer suspended...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commencement of Legislation (21 Feb 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Domestic Violence Bill 2017 was published on 3 February and I understand it is due to start Second Stage in the Seanad next week. The Deputy will understand that it is not possible for me to predict the outcome of the legislative process with regard to this or any other Bill. However, my aim is that the Bill will be enacted as soon as possible this year.