Results 11,181-11,200 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Recidivism Rate (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 to 117, inclusive, together. Tackling recidivist and prolific offending is a key focus for An Garda Síochána and the criminal justice system generally. Garda operations such as Operation Fiacla identify and target prolific offenders and arrangements are in place for the case management of such offenders so that all relevant information is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The strength of the Garda Síochána on 31 December 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 12,799. There were also 1,124 Garda Reserve members, with a further 48 in training. In addition, there were over 2,000 Garda civilian staff. I was very pleased that my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform agreed to the resumption of Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Promotions (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: One of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. 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 in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Divisional Headquarters (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Garda authorities that a new Garda Division of Kilkenny/Carlow was established in 2008 with Kilkenny designated as the Divisional HQ Station. Kilkenny Garda Station has been upgraded and extended to meet the requirements of a Divisional HQ Station and to provide for the office of the Assistant Commissioner, South Eastern Region. In that context, I am advised that the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Licences (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121, 122 and 125 together. I should say initially that my Department is not aware of any reliable basis for the figure quoted in the Deputy's question as representing the number of illegal firearms here. In light of public safety concerns highlighted by An Garda Síochána, a joint Department of Justice and Equality/An Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parking Regulations (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be appreciate it is not within my remit to provide legal advice or to interpret the law. If, however, the Deputy has specific instances of concern, I will have inquiries made regarding the particular circumstances in question.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I do of course share the Deputy's concern about gun and other violent crime, and deplore the brutal shooting he refers to. He will appreciate, however, that it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on any specific crimes which are currently under Garda investigation. It is unfortunately the case that gun crime has for some time been an inherent part of organised criminal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (19 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware of the proposed demonstration to which the Deputy refers. I am informed by the Garda authorities that they have met with organisers of the demonstration and they remain in ongoing discussions. It is the responsibility of An Garda Síochána to put in place appropriate and proportionate operational plans for parades and similar events in the public arena, taking account of...

Order of Business (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is working its way through the backlog.

Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I dealt with this in detail on the previous Stage when I explained why I could not accept the amendments. I will take up Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan's suggestion that we produce an information booklet for the women outlining their entitlements under the Act. It is a good idea and it would be helpful. My Department and the Department of Health will ensure it happens. We are in daily contact...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The position is that I, together with my colleague the Minister for Health, have decided jointly to review, in the context of the forthcoming Public Health (Alcohol) Bill, matters relating to structural separation of alcohol products from other products in mixed trading premises, including appropriate future enforcement mechanisms.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation Provision (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to advise the Deputy that in March 2014, the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service published a joint strategy on female offenders entitled "An Effective Response to Women Who Offend". The Strategy sets out how the two Services will work together and contains a commitment to explore the development of an open centre/open conditions for women prisoners assessed as at low...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Accommodation Provision (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Abigail Women's Centre run by Depaul Ireland and Novas Ireland opened in Kildonan Road, Finglas, in December 2014. This new facility has increased capacity to accommodate women referred by both the Probation Service and Irish Prison Service. Novas Ireland also operates an accommodation unit for women who are allocated places through Dublin City Council on the same site. The separate...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Restorative Justice (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Probation Service works in partnership with the Irish Prison Service to put in place targeted responses in relation to women offenders. This is undertaken under the auspices of the sentence management process. An in reach service is being provided by the Probation Service to work with women in Limerick prison with dedicated Probation Officers working in the community in other regions....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The current position is that the Bill has passed Committee Stage in the Dáil, having passed all stages in the Seanad. However, before the Bill could be taken at Report Stage, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The strength of the Garda Síochána on 31 December 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 12,799. There were also 1,124 Garda Reserve members, with a further 48 in training. In addition, there were over 2,000 Garda civilian staff. The Deputy will be aware that one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Resources (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Under the Garda Síochána Act, 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of available Garda resources. This includes personnel, Garda vehicles and the various technologies utilised to support frontline Gardaí and intelligence led operations against organised crime. This process takes account of annual policing priorities determined by me as Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Licences (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Pepper spray is considered a prohibited weapon under the Firearms Act 1925, as amended. A prohibited weapon is defined as a firearm under the same Act, and accordingly the restrictions that apply to firearms in the Firearms Acts apply to pepper spray. In considering whether or not to grant licences for the possession, use or carriage of firearms, An Garda Síochána take into...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Home Repossession Rate (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system. I am advised that the information sought by the Deputy in respect of 2014 is available on the Courts Service website.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Communications (18 Feb 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: My Department is committed, where possible, to providing public information in plain English. All staff are encouraged to write clearly, using simple language which is easily understood. My Department aims continuously to improve the accessibility and readability of public information. For example, all content being prepared for the Department's new website, currently under construction, must...