Results 9,341-9,360 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Community Policing (1 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including community Gardaí, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I have been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Expenditure (1 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities and will revert to the Deputy as soon as it is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (1 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: A non EEA national who is unlawfully present in the State is in breach of Section 5 (1) of the Immigration Act 2004 which provides that no non-Irish national may be in the State other than in accordance with the terms of any permission given to them by or on behalf of the Minister. Furthermore, Section 5(2) of the Act provides that a non-Irish national who is in the State in contravention of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (1 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: In the absence of any details of the individual concerned it is not possible to supply the Deputy with a detailed response. Any Non-EEA national present in the State is free to make a written application to the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS) regarding her or his immigration status. A non EEA national who is unlawfully present in the State is in breach of Section...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (1 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The total spend for my Department on training and development for 2014 was approximately €1,143,806. This would have included expenditure such as training courses provided internally and externally, refunds of educational fees, attendance at seminars and conferences and membership of professional bodies fees. Using the 2014 figure for training spend as a baseline, the following table...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (1 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: A total of circa €56.3m inclusive of VAT in professional fees was paid over the period from 1st June 2014 to 31st May 2015, 95% of which was incurred in the operation of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme. The annual saving to the Exchequer of a 10% reduction in professional fees at this rate, would be in the region of €5.6m inclusive of VAT.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (1 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The combined salaries of my two Special Advisors amount to €169,412 per annum. If these salaries were to be capped at the first point of the Principal Officer salary scale, €75,647, the annual savings would amount to €18,118.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (1 Jul 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the terms 'State agencies', 'State-sponsored bodies' and 'semi-State board' may include bodies with a wide range of functions, the Deputy's question has been interpreted as encompassing all bodies with the title "Board", irrespective of their functions, as well as other bodies with a governance remit whose title does not include the term “Board”. I can advise the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Monitoring of Communications (30 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am not aware of any specific information to the effect that my mobile phone or those of my officials have been monitored by the US authorities. It is generally understood that friendly relationships between states include acceptance of the principle that the privacy of communications must be respected and I would expect that to be the case. As the Deputy will be aware concerns have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Process (30 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will understand that it is not possible for me to predict the outcome of the legislative process with regard to this, or any other Bill. However, I can say that the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013 passed Dáil Committee Stage on 17 June 2015. Preparations are currently being made to bring the Bill to the Dáil for Report Stage, with a view to enactment later...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (30 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 354 to 356, inclusive, together. I have no role in the investigation, prosecution or trial of alleged offences. This is a long standing principle of our system of justice. The role of An Garda Síochána is to investigate alleged offences, to gather whatever evidence may be available and to submit a report to the DPP. I am, however, advised by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (30 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 358 together. The Independent Working Group to report to Government on what improvements should be be made to the protection process, including Direct Provision and supports for asylum seekers, was set up in October 2014 under the Chairmanship of former High Court Judge, Dr. Bryan McMahon. Its membership was drawn from a range of interests in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (30 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it appears the Deputy's question relates to an application for a certificate of naturalisation by the person referred to and not a visa. I can inform the Deputy that a letter recently issued to the person concerned advising him that I intend to grant the application for a certificate of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (30 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Section 30 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides a statutory basis for the Garda Commissioner, as Accounting Officer for the Garda Vote, to charge for police services on a non-public duty basis for commercial events such as sports fixtures and concerts. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the cost to the event holder is determined by the number of Garda personnel...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commencement of Legislation (30 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 361 and 382 together. As I indicated in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 23 April 2015, "[...] section 1 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 provides for the commencement of different Parts of the Act by different Ministers, because the Act addresses policy responsibilities of several different Ministers. My Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (30 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that an application was received for permission to remain in the State from the person mentioned on 26 February 2015. This application is currently being considered and will be dealt with in a timely manner. Accordingly, a re-examination of the application does not arise. Queries in relation to the status...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (30 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy is the subject of a Deportation Order. Proceedings seeking to quash that Order are ongoing before the High Court and in those circumstances I am precluded from further commenting on the matter. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (30 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have no role in the investigation, prosecution or trial of alleged offences. This is a long standing principle of our system of justice. The role of An Garda Síochána is to investigate alleged offences, to gather whatever evidence may be available and to submit a report to the DPP. Furthermore, the DPP is an independent prosecutorial authority and I am precluded for interfering...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Process (30 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Before the Spent Convictions Bill could be enacted, a 2013 UK Court of Appeal judgment necessitated a review of the disclosure provisions in both the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 and the Spent Convictions Bill. That review has been completed and amendments to the Vetting Act and consequential amendments to the Spent Convictions Bill are currently being...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (30 Jun 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can advise the Deputy that I recently received a copy of the report that is the subject of this Parliamentary Question. A number of the matters raised therein have been addressed in written correspondence with the author prior to the receipt of the latest document.