Results 5,941-5,960 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Paternity Leave Scheme (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, the Paternity Leave and Benefit Bill 2016 was published on Monday, and I look forward to the Bill's passage through the Oireachtas and the debate on its provisions. The additional steps required to implement the commitment in the Programme for Partnership Government to increase parental leave significantly in the first year of a child’s life will be taken...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Statutory Inquiries (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The matter to which the Deputy refers has been the subject of a review carried out by counsel from the panel of the Independent Review Mechanism set up by the Government to consider complaints of Garda misconduct received by the Taoiseach and myself. The role of the Mechanism was to advise me as to what further action, if any it was appropriate for me to take in respect of each complaint. A...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy made an application for a residence card on 2 December, 2015, which falls to be considered under the provisions of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015. I am informed that person was granted permission to remain in this State...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The competition for management of the State owned accommodation centres is currently underway and is being run by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) on behalf of my Department. The OGP published the Request for Tender (RFT) on its website (www.etenders.ie) on 29 April 2016. The closing date for receipt of tenders was 13 June 2016. The OGP is taking the lead on this tender and staff...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy mentions, the Government is committed to reforming the Direct Provision system, with particular focus on families and children. Every effort is made to provide a high level of service to persons in the system. The Direct Provision system comprises not just full board accommodation but a range of services including health, education and welfare supports. The principal issue...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together. In my response to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 24 May, 2016 I undertook to provide the Deputy with an update on the position in relation to each of the recommendations of the Working Group on the Protection Process including Direct Provision and Supports to Asylum Seekers (the McMahon Report). A table detailing the status of each...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Agencies Reports (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The statistics on the RIA website, namelywww.ria.gov.iehave been updated and the latest monthly statistics are now available on the website up to and including end of April, 2016.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Staff (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can advise the Deputy that my Department has been in correspondence with the person concerned, regarding the matters raised on numerous occasions. The position of my Department has been extensively outlined in this correspondence and the person concerned has been informed that no further action is to be taken in this case. However if the person concerned wishes to submit additional,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Functions (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Public Service Management Act 1997 provides that the Minister of the Government having charge of a Department shall, in accordance with the Ministers and Secretaries Acts, 1924 to 2013, be responsible for the performance of functions that are assigned to the Department pursuant to any of those Acts. It seeks to secure an appropriate devolution of authority and responsibility within...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Criminal Assets Bureau was established as a national multi-disciplinary agency specialising in the targeting of proceeds of crime. There are very practical advantages to having such expertise located in one dedicated unit with the requisite authority to act on a national basis, particularly in a relatively small jurisdiction such as ours. To achieve nationwide coverage the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drugs Crime (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Drugs and organised crime continue to be prioritised by An Garda Síochána as a core focus for 2016 through An Garda Síochána’s National Policing Plan. Given the global nature of the drugs trade international law enforcement co-operation remains a key element in the overall response. An Garda Síochána already has strong and strategic partnerships...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that I have requested officials in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department to examine the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gangland Crime (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 89 together. I can assure the Deputy that tackling organised crime activity is a key ongoing priority for both the Government and An Garda Síochána. An Garda Síochána's Policing Plan sets out the priorities of An Garda Síochána in this regard including its continued commitment to pro-actively target groups and individuals...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. As the Deputy will be aware, when the financial crisis hit, the Government of the time introduced a moratorium on recruitment and the four year National Recovery Plan, published in 2010,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The 2016 Budget allocation of €1.5 billion for An Garda Síochána includes over €67 million in additional funding which, in addition to the recruitment of new trainee Gardaí, also provides additional funding for Garda surveillance, special operations and targeted, intelligence-led policing. The Deputy will be aware that the Government recently approved some...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Organised Crime (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Report of the Garda Inspectorate on Crime Investigation has provided a welcome analysis of An Garda Síochána's investigative processes. As noted by the Inspectorate the recommendations made in the Report are intended to ensure that An Garda Síochána's investigative processes align with, and even exceed international practice. Following the publication of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can assure the Deputy that, as part of the Government's response to crime, one of our major objectives is to focus on the key area of strengthening the law to get tougher on serious and repeat offenders. In that context the new Bail Bill, which is being drafted on a priority basis in accordance with the Programme for a Partnership Government, will specifically provide that the courts must...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid. Applicants for legal aid must establish to the satisfaction of the court that their means are insufficient to enable then to pay for legal representation. The Act specifies that the court must also be satisfied that, by reason of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (22 Jun 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 demands and the availability of resources and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. The Deputy will be aware that, in recent times, the Government has made considerable funding available to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (22 Jun 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: This Government is committed to ensuring a modern, effective and visible police presence throughout the country in order to provide reassurance to citizens and prevent crime. The Deputy will be aware that this commitment is underlined by very significant investments in Garda resources. On June 9 2016 the Garda Commissioner launched a five year programme to professionalise, modernise and...