Results 5,101-5,120 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Investigation (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the provision and allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of identified operational demands. In this regard I am informed that the Serious Crime Review Team (SCRT) continues to review serious cases that remain unsolved and continues to identify evidence and witnesses to assist in the development of these cases. At the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gangland Crime (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can assure the Deputy that targeting organised criminal activity is an ongoing priority for the Garda authorities. An Garda Síochána is tackling criminal groups through a range of targeted measures designed to disrupt and dismantle their operations. This work involves the use of focused intelligence led operations by Garda specialist units including the Drugs and Organised Crime...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Procedures (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the Report of the Garda Inspectorate on Crime Investigation is of value in providing a welcome analysis of An Garda Síochána's investigative processes. I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 19 of 22 June which referenced the recommendations of the Report, that were designed to ensure, amongst other things, that An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that on 31 August 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of An Garda Síochána was 12,871 members compared to a peak of 14,547 members in December 2009. This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (28 Sep 2016)

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

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have been advised by the Garda Commissioner that the total number of Gardaí who have reported injury in the course of their duty in the past ten years and the number who lost their lives in the same period is set on the table below. I have asked the Garda Commissioner for information relating to the specific information requested by the Deputy in relation to prosecutions and I will...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner has responsibility for operational procedures within An Garda Síochána, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in these matters. I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No.19 of 22 June which referenced the recommendations of the Report of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate on Crime Investigation that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will appreciate that decisions in relation to Garda station opening hours are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the provision of the material requested by the Deputy would entail a disproportionate use of Garda time and resources; however, I am informed that, under the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda vehicles are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the light of her identified operational responsibilities and the availability of resources and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Since 2012, some €40 million has been invested in the Garda fleet, with over 500 new...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources among the various Garda Divisions and Districts, 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 these...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Bail Law (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that a decision to grant bail in a particular case is a matter for the court, which is, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of its judicial functions. There is a constitutional presumption in favour of bail because, in the eyes of the law, a person is innocent until proven guilty. The provisions of the European Convention on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 provides that free legal aid may be granted in certain circumstances for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. An accused person is entitled to be informed by the court in which he or she is appearing of his or her possible right to legal aid. The grant of legal aid entitles the applicant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware periods of temporary release granted can vary greatly from a few hours following a family bereavement to, for example, a requirement to report to the prison every 12 months in the case of a life sentence prisoner who has been released into the community a considerable time ago. It is not possible to provide figures to the Deputy for all forms of temporary release...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (28 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the total female strength in An Garda Síochána as of the 31 August 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 3,370 or 26.2% of the total strength in comparison to the figures available for the 31 August 2006 which were 2,323 or 18.5% of the total strength. I was very pleased to announce the commencement...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Valuation Office (27 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Valuation Office is currently undertaking a systematic national programme of revaluing, for rates purposes, all industrial and commercial properties in the State on a rating authority area basis. The purpose of revaluation is to bring more equity, fairness and transparency into the local authority rating system and to distribute the commercial rates liability more equitably between...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (27 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Since its publication in June, 2015 the Report of the Working Group on Improvements to the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and Supports to Asylum Seekers, has been under proactive consideration; in the first instance by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform and thereafter on an ongoing basis in my Department and other relevant Government Departments...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Startup Gathering (27 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the Start Up Entrepreneur Programme was reviewed in 2014 and there are no current plans to conduct another review. It is intended, however, to carry out a review of the Immigrant Investor Programme which will be completed in early 2017.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commencement of Legislation (27 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 was enacted in December 2015 but has not yet been commenced. Phased commencement of the Act will begin as soon as possible before the end of the year. New administrative processes and support measures, including the setting up of the Decision Support Service within the Mental Health Commission (which is a body under the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Jury Service (27 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy may be aware, the Law Reform Commission published a report on Jury Service in 2013 which includes an examination of the law concerning how individuals are selected for jury service and follows on from the Law Reform Commission’s 2010 Consultation Paper. The report contains 56 recommendations covering a broad range of issues relating to jury service, including the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (27 Sep 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the visa application referred to was approved by the Dublin Visa Office on 20/09/2016. The sponsor was notified of the decision by e-mail on the same date. The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail...