Results 17,841-17,860 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting Applications (1 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will understand, the processing of vetting applications by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is an operational matter for the Garda Authorities and is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012-1016 and other relevant law. My Department has no role in the processing of individual vetting applications....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (1 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that re-entry visas can only be issued to a person before the person leaves Ireland. If a person leaves Ireland without obtaining a re-entry visa then, irrespective of the validity of their Registration Certificate, they must apply for a visa in order to travel to Ireland. Such visa applications must be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Prison Service (1 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy the information sought is voluminous in nature and only available in excel format which is not compatible with the current Parliamentary Questions Database system. I will forward the information to the Deputy via email presently.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Data (1 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for Garda resources, including the acquisition of vehicles, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am advised by the Garda Authorities that, as at the 27 February 2017 which is the latest date for which figures are available, the Garda fleet comprises of some 2,815 vehicles of which some 2,148 have diesel...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoners Temporary Release (1 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can advise the Deputy that the legislative basis for making decisions on temporary release and temporary release for the purpose of engaging in the Community Return Scheme is fully set out in the Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003. Temporary release is an important vehicle for re-integrating an offender into the community...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoners Temporary Release (1 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can advise the Deputy that the number of prisoners granted full or reviewable temporary release, including temporary release to the Community Return Scheme, for the years 2014 to date in 2017 is set out in the following table. Total number of prisoners granted Temporary Release/Community Return Year Total number of prisoners granted Temporary Release/Community Return 2017 1, 297 2016...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoners Temporary Release (1 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Statistics requested regarding the number of prisoners with a previous criminal record for gun crime, are not readily available and would require a manual examination of records. Such an examination would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort and can not be justified in current circumstances where there are other significant demands on resources.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoners Temporary Release (1 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that the figures for persons imprisoned for the years 2011 to 2015 are outlined in the following table. The figures for 2016 are currently unavailable pending the publication of the Irish Prison Service 2016 Annual Report. Persons imprisoned for the years 2011 to 2015 Year Male Female Total 2015 11,264 2,918 14,182 2014 10,723 2,685 13,408 2013 10,729 2,326...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoners Temporary Release (1 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the statistics being sought are not readily available. The information is currently being collated and I will respond to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Closures (1 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: During 2011 and 2012, as the Deputy will be aware, An Garda Síochána completed a comprehensive review of its district and station network. The objective of this review was to identify opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency and streamline practices within the organisation. The review concluded that a revised district and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Facilities (1 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the current staffing requirement of the work training area of Cork prison is 31, with 26 posts currently filled, giving rise to a staff shortfall of 5 in this area. The opening of the new prison in Cork resulted in a significant change in the profile of staffing grades required to operate the new prison, with a focus on the provision of Work...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (1 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can...

Seanad: Domestic Violence Bill 2017: Second Stage (1 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am very pleased to introduce the Domestic Violence Bill 2017 in this House and I look forward to the discussion during the course of its passage through the House. Tackling domestic violence has been a priority for me throughout my career, going back to my days as a social worker in inner city Dublin and London. What was true then is true now. Domestic violence is a pernicious evil that...

Seanad: Domestic Violence Bill 2017: Second Stage (1 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: We changed that.

Seanad: Domestic Violence Bill 2017: Second Stage (1 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank all the Senators who have spoken on the Bill and for the general support from the House for the passage of this important legislation. I have already taken on board a lot of the issues that have been in the public arena in recent months and years in terms of what people would like to see in the legislation. As I said, I will also be tabling some amendments at a later Stage. I am...

Mediation Bill 2017: Order for Second Stage (2 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Mediation Bill 2017: Second Stage (2 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am very pleased to have this opportunity to introduce the Mediation Bill 2017 and I look forward to the discussion in the House on its early enactment. The general objective of the Bill is to promote mediation as a viable, effective and efficient alternative to court proceedings, thereby reducing legal costs, speeding up the resolution...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Communications (2 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 to 25, inclusive, and 28 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda equipment and resources, including ICT, are matters for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in these matters. However, I understand from the Garda authorities that every Garda station has been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (2 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Units and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the other information requested by the Deputy and will revert to him when it is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Data (2 Mar 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for Garda resources, including the acquisition of vehicles for the Garda fleet, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am, however, advised by the Garda Authorities that, as at the 27 February 2017 which is the latest date for which figures are available, the Garda fleet comprised of some 2,815...