Results 7,641-7,660 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review taking into account crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I have requested the information sought...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Bench Warrants (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 3 December 2015, there are 1,590 Bench Warrants outstanding in the Coolock (R) Garda District. I am advised that as PULSE is a live database it is not possible to provide the number of outstanding warrants for a date in the past. As the Deputy will appreciate, difficulties in relation to the execution of warrants are a long standing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The particular case to which the Deputy refers is amongst those which was considered under the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach, or other public representatives with a view to determining to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Deputy for raising the International Protection Bill 2015 which will be before both the Seanad and the Dáil this week. It is the Government's intention that the Bill be completed for enactment before the end of this year. The Scheme of the Bill, which was published by the Government last March, has also been considered for pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Independent Review Mechanism (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The particular case to which the Deputy refers is amongst those considered under the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach, or other public representatives with a view to determining to what extent...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seeker Accommodation (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is no legislative requirement setting out any consultation process that may be used by RIA prior to the establishment of accommodation centres for those in need of international protection. On 31 July 2015 RIA published a call for expressions of interest from persons or companies wishing to provide accommodation and related services. RIA have analysed the responses and have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Numbers (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers while their application for protection is being processed. RIA also procures suitable premises on behalf of the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration for the accommodation of refugees for approximately 8-10 weeks when they first arrive in the State and before they move to their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that payroll costs for new Garda recruits include a basic allowance of €184 per week plus a living allowance of €77.92. After 32 weeks of training, Garda recruits are attested and move on to the first point of the Garda pay scale €23,171 rising to a maximum of €45,793 per annum after 19 years. They may also qualify for other...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the annual allowance payable to Reserve Gardaí as a contribution towards their expenses is set at €1,000 per annum. In addition, the uniform cost per Reserve Garda is in the region of €1,300. As such the cost of increasing the strength of the Garda Reserve to 2,500 from the current figure of 978 attested Reserve Gardaí...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Closures (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda Stations is a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in the context of annual policing plans, as provided for in section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme implemented in An Garda Síochána during 2012 and 2013 resulted...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Irish Prison Service calculates the average annual cost of an available staffed prison space for inclusion in the Annual Report. For 2014, the latest year for which a figure is available, the cost was €68,959.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. Figures are taken from the Annual Reports for the Irish Prison Service. Year Daily average number of persons in custody 2015 (Up to and including 30th November 2015) 3,726 2014 3,916 2013 4,158 2012 4,318 2011 4,390 2010 4,290As outlined in the Irish Prison Service Three Year Strategic Plan 2012 - 2015, it is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation Provision (8 Dec 2015)

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 on a daily basis. The Deputy should be aware that the overall bed capacity of the Irish Prison System is 4,116. On 4 December, 2015 there were 3,770 prisoners in custody. This represents a occupancy rate of 92 per cent. On 4 December, 2011 the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for controlling the general management and administration of the Service within the context of agreed annual policing plans. This includes the procurement and maintenance of various technologies utilised to manage the Service, and support front-line Gardaí and intelligence-led operations against organised...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Legal Costs (8 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that the total cost to my Department, and bodies under my aegis, for legal services in the State from 2011 to 2015, is contained in the following table: - 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 (end Nov) Total Costs €71.2m €61.4m €59.9m €60.4m €57.4m

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2015: Second Stage (7 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am pleased to present the Prisons Bill 2015 to this House. Its main purpose is to facilitate the complete closure of St. Patrick's Institution. It will repeal statutory provisions that enable the courts to order the detention of offenders under the age of 21 years in St. Patrick's Institution and also delete references to St. Patrick's Institution from the Statute Book. St. Patrick's...

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2015: Second Stage (7 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank all the Senators for their unanimous support across the House for the closure of St. Patrick's. It is long overdue indeed, as we know, and I am delighted to be in a position to bring the Bill to the House. We have had wide-ranging comments on the associated issues that arise when we talk about young or older people being in detention centres and prisons. Some really interesting...

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2015: Second Stage (7 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: While I am sure he would state that it has taken far too long for his recommendation to be implemented, nevertheless, as Senator Quinn noted, we should take this opportunity to send him birthday greetings for his 99th birthday tomorrow and to thank him for his considerable service to the State. A number of other people were mentioned here today, including the late Dr. Paul O'Mahony, who had...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2015: Second Stage (7 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am pleased to have the opportunity to introduce the Courts Bill 2015 to the House and look forward to engaging with Members as we progress the Bill through the various Stages. It is brief in content, having just one single purpose, to provide for an increase in the maximum number of High Court judges from 35 to 37. Under Article 36 of the Constitution, the number of judges of the...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2015: Second Stage (7 Dec 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Senators for their response to this request. Clearly, there is a great deal of pressure on the courts system, with the increasing number of cases being taken in areas such as business and competition, medical negligence and planning, as well as the increasing number being taken by lay litigants. I thank Senators for supporting the Bill.A number of issues have arisen, primarily...