Results 4,501-4,520 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (8 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am very conscious of the value that communities, especially rural communities, place on CCTV as a means of deterring crime and assisting in the detection of offenders. I am happy to inform the Deputy that I have secured €1 million in Budget 2017 to begin a new round of funding for community-based CCTV schemes in line with the Programme for Government commitment to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (8 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa applications referred to were received in the INIS Visa Office, New Delhi, on 29/12/2015. The applications are currently awaiting examination. The Visa Office has experienced an unprecedented increase in the volume of applications of this type which has led to some delays in processing....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Refurbishment (8 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The refurbishment of Greystones Garda Station is among the projects included in the funding being provided for the Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme 2016-2021, which I announced on 21 October 2015 with my colleague the Minister of State at the Office of Public Works. The relevant works under the Programme will be progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Staff (8 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Taxing masters are independent office holders attached to the High Court and are appointed by the Government.The positions of the Taxing Master and their offices are governed by the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961 as amended by the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011. There are currently two Taxing Masters, the maximum permitted under existing legislation, on fixed term...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Administration (8 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Last September an on-line appointment booking system for registration appointments was introduced at the Burgh Quay Offices. The aim of the booking system is to give certainty to applicants that they will be dealt with on a particular date and within a stated time period. The introduction of the appointment booking system has been a major success and has meant that the long queues that have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victims Commission (8 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The families of the Disappeared, people who were killed and buried secretly by paramilitary organisations during the troubles, have had to face a very particular tragedy in not only having lost a loved one, but having been denied for so long information about the burial places of their loved ones. I acknowledge the Deputy's long-standing interest in this issue. The Independent Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Legislation (8 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the use of mechanically propelled vehicles, including quad bikes and scramblers, in a public place is subject to the relevant requirements of road traffic legislation. I am advised by the Garda authorities that these vehicles, when used in a public place, must comply with the Road Traffic Acts, including in relation to motor tax, insurance and possession of a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Services Regulation (8 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The situation in relation to this reforming legislation, which was enacted in December 2015, remains as I have outlined in my Written Reply to Questions 91 and 93 of 2 November 2016 and which I will, therefore, largely reiterate on this occasion. On 19 July, under S.I. No. 383 of 2016, I commenced those provisions of Part 1 and Part 2 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 as necessary...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting Applications (8 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that there is no particular delay in the Garda employment vetting process; rather there has been a very significant improvement in vetting processing times in recent months. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that at present 80 percent of vetting applications are processed by the Garda National Vetting Bureau in under five working days. This represents a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (8 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. This includes identifying and progressing any necessary remedial or refurbishment works required at...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Overtime (8 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is the accounting officer for An Garda Síochána and has responsibility for the allocation of Garda resources, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in these matters. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table provides an analysis of overtime expenditure for the DMR North Division for the years 2014, 2015...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Regulation of Lobbying (8 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that my Department maintains an up to date list of Designated Public Officials on its website as required under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015. All Designated Public Officials have been made aware of their responsibilities under the legislation and are reminded periodically.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Heritage Bill is due for Second Stage in the Dáil soon. I am sure the Deputy will have a chance to raise those concerns with the relevant Minister during that debate.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister of State, Deputy David Stanton, has taken responsibility for this Bill. He has been meeting stakeholders and is keen to progress it. He is considering the best way to do that, as well as whether some sections should be taken out as they may require more immediate action rather than being included in the complete Bill. I will ask the Minister of State to communicate with Deputy...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is a role for local authorities in this and some have already made a decision on the issue, such as Galway. If the Minister indicated there will be legislation, then national statutory legislation would appear to be necessary. I do not know the timeframe for this, however. We can check it out for the Deputy.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I answered this question earlier. I said the Minister had informed me that the terms of reference would be brought to Cabinet over the next couple of weeks in order that a commission of inquiry can be established. I am sure the Business Committee will discuss whether that issue will be debated in the Dáil.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am not sure what promised legislation the Deputy is speaking to. He spoke on the budget. The mental health budget has increased this year and as the Deputy knows, there is additional funding. That is clear from those who examined the overall funding. It is focused both on providing improved community care and mental health teams with increasing numbers. There are recruitment...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The heads of that Bill will be published this term.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Minister will be dealing with the social welfare Bill in this House shortly. More than €300 million was committed in the budget to improvements in social welfare and we have seen the first increases since 2009. It is a mark of the commitment.

Questions on Proposed Legislation (3 Nov 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will bring what the Deputy has said on waiting times to the attention of the relevant Minister. There is a strong commitment in the programme for Government, delivered on in the budget, to improve the financial situation of those receiving social welfare payments.