Results 6,221-6,240 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Complaints Procedures (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 155 together. In my response to Dáil Question 113 on 4 May 2016, I outlined details of the current prisoner complaints system which was introduced in the Irish Prison Service in November 2012 based on a model recommended by the Inspector of Prisons who has independent oversight of the process. It was introduced in acknowledgment that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Conventions Ratification (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Ireland is a signatory to the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment and will ratify it, once the necessary legislation is in place to provide for National Preventative Mechanisms (NPMs) to inspect places of detention for the purposes of the protocol. A process of consultation with civil society,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Operations (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department, as part of its ongoing programme for change, designated a Chief Information Officer whose brief includes strengthening the research capacity and drawing together existing sources of research relevant to the strategic goals of the Department and its associated bodies. There are a number of events currently planned to engage with the research community to establish how best to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, publishes detailed quarterly and annual reports of Recorded Crime Statistics. As the Deputy will recall, following the publication of the Garda Inspectorate Report on Crime Investigation in November 2014, the Central Statistics Office carried out a detailed analysis of issues raised by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Irish Sentencing Committee was established by the Courts Service Board and is chaired by the Chief Justice. The Committee oversaw the development of a Sentencing Information website, a pilot initiative designed to gather information about the range of sentences and other penalties that have been imposed for particular types of offences across court jurisdictions. The website is being...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Probation Service, funded through my Department, is an agency with a national remit and with over 35 offices nationwide, whose role is to contribute to public safety through the management of community sanctions and measures. The Probation Service achieves this through the effective assessment and management of offenders by working with its criminal justice partners and a wide range of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department has led a Working Group of Justice Sector officials to consider options for moving forward on the proposal to establish a Community Court. Building on the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, the Working Group has been considering proposals to enhance our approach to tackling low level offenders and effectively addressing their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Probation Service, through my Department, allocates funding to a range of Community Based Organisations (CBOs) nationally to support the work of the Probation Service. Two Community Based Organisations receive funding to specifically deliver restorative justice programmes and interventions for adult offenders. These are the Restorative Justice Service, based in Tallaght, and Restorative...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Probation Service, funded through my Department, is an agency with a national remit with over 35 offices nationwide, whose role is to contribute to public safety through the management of community sanctions and measures. The Probation Service achieve this through the effective assessment and management of offenders. This includes working with a wide range of statutory, community and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Juvenile Offenders (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together. I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the number of 17 year olds detained in Wheatfield Place of Detention during each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date is set out in the table below. Year Average number of 17 year olds detained in Wheatfield Place of Detention Year 2016 to date 11 Year 2015 13 Year 2014 10 Year 2013 0...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Justice Strategy (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: Just under €17 million has been allocated in 2016 to the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) through my Department to support the operation of youth justice community projects, primarily Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) and Young Persons Probation Projects (YPPPs). The funding to support the GYDPs and several YPPs is part supported by the Government and the European Social...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that figures in relation to the prisoner population and capacity levels are published on their website www.irishprisons.ie on a daily basis. The Deputy should be aware that the overall bed capacity of the Irish Prison System is 4,202. On 27th May, 2016 there were 3,749 prisoners in custody. This represents a occupancy rate of 89%. I am also...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Programmes (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Community Return Programme is an incentivised early release scheme co-managed by the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service. It commenced in October 2011 and is now operational in every county and from every prison in the State. The Programme has been supported by the reallocation of resources and key personnel from within both services. The Programme targets well behaved...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Levels (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: In addition to the standard rate of remission of one-quarter of sentence, the Prison Rules provide for the possibility of enhanced remission of up to one-third of sentence. This enhanced remission must be earned and applies where a prisoner engages in authorised structured activity intended to increase the likelihood that, when released from prison, he is less likely to re-offend and is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Health (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Irish Prison Service has advised that discussions have taken place with HIQA regarding the possibility of them conducting a review of Healthcare service delivery in prisons. HIQA has indicated that it is not in a position to conduct such a review at the present time. My Department is currently in communication with the Department of Health in relation to a fundamental review of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Health (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service does not record data in the format requested on the aggregate number of persons in its custody who are identified as having serious mental health difficulties owing to the requirement that it maintain the confidentiality of the medical records of the persons in its custody. A Psychiatric In-reach and Court Liaison Service is delivered...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Facilities (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that In-reach mental health services are available in the Dublin and Portlaoise prisons, and Castlerea prison, through collaboration with the Health Service Executive (HSE), and the National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS) to provide forensic mental health sessions weekly in these prisons. The Irish Prison Service, in partnership and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Facilities (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that between 2011 and 2016 the following staffing resources were allocated to the IPS Psychology Service at Director of Psychology, senior psychologist and psychologist grade 2 level are as outlined in the following table. 31/12/11 31/12/12 31/12/13 31/12/14 31/12/15 31/05/16 (WTE*) total 18.6 20.1 18 18 17.2 19.8 WTE* = whole time equivalent...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Facilities (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can advise the Deputy that the allocations attributable to Drugs Programmes in the Irish Prison Service in the period from 2011 to 2015 were: 2015€4.285M 2014€4.2M 2013€4.5M 2012€5.2M 2011€5.2M.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drugs in Prisons (31 May 2016)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have been advised by the Irish Prison Service that any prisoner who enters the custody of the Irish Prison Services while presenting with addiction issues has access to specialist addiction services, and is actively encouraged to engage with those services. The Irish Prison Service has confirmed that the treatments available are based on the principles of best practice, and are similar...