Results 8,221-8,240 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Migrant Integration (17 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware of the proposals regarding regularisation which have been put forward by the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland and I have met with their representatives, as have my officials, on a non-committal basis, to give them the opportunity of elaborating their proposals at first hand. I also acknowledge that a good deal of thought has gone into the proposals. However I have no plans to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (17 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that the allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and that I as Minister have no direct role in the matter. Garda management will continue to keep this allocation of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends, demographics and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best use is made of Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation Refurbishment (17 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and I am informed that the Courts Service is aware of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sexual Offences Data (17 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that 136 Sexual offenders were released from custody in 2014, and 29 participated in the Building Better Lives Programme on a Group or Individual Basis. A further 136 Sexual offenders are due for release from custody in 2015, and 22 have participated in the Building Better Lives Programme. Offenders not recorded in the Building Better Lives Programme...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Transfers (17 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that an application for repatriation, from the person referred to, has been received and is being dealt with accordingly. It is not possible to provide a precise time-line in respect of individual applications, due to the number of parties involved in the process. The individual will be kept informed directly of any developments in his case as they...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation Refurbishment (17 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that they are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Applications (17 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy is aware, the Legal Aid Board is responsible for the provision of civil legal aid in the State. The Board provides equal access to legal aid/advice to all applicants, irrespective of their personal circumstances, provided that the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995, and regulations made thereunder are complied with. Information on the Board's services can be accessed on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Law Review (17 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The purpose of the proposals to criminalise the purchase of sexual services contained in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015 is primarily to target the trafficking and sexual exploitation of persons through prostitution. Both the European Parliament (February 2014) and the Council of Europe (March 2014) have recommended criminalising the purchase of sexual services as a tool in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (17 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: There is already legislation in place to deal with criminal damage to property generally. Under the Criminal Damage Act 1991 it is an offence to damage, threaten to damage or possess anything to damage property. Penalties for such offences include, on conviction on indictment, a fine of up to €22,220 or a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years or both. Accordingly, I have no current...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Data (17 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Garda Commissioner is, in accordance with the provisions of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote and as such, is responsible for the procurement of Garda vehicles. In that context, I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána procures vehicles in accordance with public procurement procedures and EU Directives under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (17 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, INIS,## of my Department that the decision on the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy will issue in the near future.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Service Expenditure (17 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that the provision of legal aid falls within two separate categories, that is, civil legal aid and criminal legal aid. Details in respect of each category are outlined below. Criminal Legal Aid 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments (17 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that the number of posts provided for in each Court is as follows: - The Supreme Court consists of the Chief Justice and nine ordinary judges; - The Court of Appeal consists of a President and nine ordinary judges; - The High Court consists of a President and thirty six ordinary judges (normally thirty five ordinary judges however the appointment of a Judge as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Complaints Procedures (17 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 342 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Service Expenditure (17 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: 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. Under the 1962 Act, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid. An applicant must establish to the satisfaction of the court that their means are insufficient to enable...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Council Legislation (17 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government Legislative Programme, which was published on 22 September 2015, includes the Judicial Council Bill among those Bills which are expected to be published in the period from the commencement of the current Dáil session to the start of the next session and my Department is working closely with the Office of the Attorney General to bring the Bill to a timely conclusion. In...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (12 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Report of the Working Group on Improvements to the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and Supports to Asylum Seekers which was published on 30 June 2015, contains 173 recommendations many of which have implications for a number of Government Departments and services. The Government recommended, when approving the publication of the Report, that it should in the first instance...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (12 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by An Garda Síochána that Barraduff Garda Station is not closed. The opening hours of the station are 09:00 to 11:00 and 15.00 to 17.00, Monday to Friday, subject to manpower availability. Should the group referred to by the Deputy wish to use facilities at the Station, I would advise that they contact local Garda Management, directly, in relation to the issue.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence Policy (12 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The signing of Istanbul Convention is an important milestone in the fight against domestic violence and violence against women. The Deputy will be aware that the Convention has a very broad scope across a number of policy areas with policy and legislative implications. The provisions of the Convention and the legislative and administrative arrangements that would enable Ireland to ratify...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Prison Service (12 Nov 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have consulted with the Director General of the Irish Prison Service in relation to a Code of Ethics and I have been informed that the Irish Prison Service has developed an Acceptable Behaviour Standard policy. I am advised that the purpose of this document is to set out the acceptable behaviour standard expected not only from its staff and managers but from the Irish Prison Service as an...