Results 4,241-4,260 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation Refurbishment (16 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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 made and the Courts Service has informed me that works...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (16 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Considerable progress has already been made to overcome the remaining legislative barriers to Ireland's ratification of the Convention. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 was signed into law on 30 December 2015 and is a comprehensive reform of the law on decision-making capacity. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015 commenced its second stage reading in the Dáil...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Restorative Justice (16 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 87 together. I can advise the Deputy that in October 2014 the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on request from my Department, circulated an information note on the Magdalen Laundries Restorative Justice Ex Gratia Scheme through their embassies around the world to the local Irish communities. My Department is not aware of the details of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Restorative Justice (16 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can advise the Deputy that, as I previously indicated and as I reiterated in my response in February 2015, my officials contacted the particular publication on two occasions and discussed the question of an advertisement or article. Following on from this, my officials provided background information and details about the Magdalen Scheme to the publication. The Deputy will be aware...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Civilian Staff Recruitment (16 Nov 2016)

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 that there are currently in the region of 2,000 civilians undertaking administrative and technical duties within An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation (16 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can advise the Deputy that as mentioned in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 8 November last, the works to replace the C Wing heating coil are expected to complete before the year’s end. The position as at 15 November 2016 is that the basement of Mountjoy Prison C wing remains open. It will be closed in the near future to facilitate the already ongoing works to replace...

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...

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: Garda Deployment (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I said, an Garda Síochána is currently conducting an analysis of the reserve and will be making recommendations. That report is almost ready. Recruitment will begin next year for the Garda Reserve. I agree with Deputy Lahart that they certainly have a role to play as well. I take the Deputy's point in respect of anti-social behaviour and the devastating impact it can have...

Other Questions: Garda Deployment (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: In terms of allocating gardaí, it is important, in the first instance, that recruitment continues and that we have more gardaí coming out of Templemore. As I said, we have over 150 coming out on Thursday next. It is important that they have proper supervision to begin with. The O'Higgins report identified that when gardaí are being trained, it is really important that they...

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: Garda Misconduct Allegations (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is not a game. What I am doing is following proper procedures. The Deputy may be aware that following the referral by me to GSOC of certain allegations which arose following the O'Higgins commission report, the chairperson wrote to me seeking access to certain records of the commission. Having received the Attorney General's advice, I informed the chairperson of GSOC of the necessity to...

Other Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The reality is that due procedure is being followed. I have replied to GSOC. It will make its decision with regard to the next steps in terms of accessing the transcript but as the Deputy rightly said, I did refer some of the issues that arose following the O'Higgins commission of investigation to GSOC and I await the outcome of that, but it is not a game. It is following due procedures.

Other Questions: Garda Misconduct Allegations (15 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Unlike the Deputy, I believe it is important that we follow the procedures outlined.