Results 12,181-12,200 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Vetting Applications (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Garda authorities that no vetting application has been received in respect of the person to whom the Deputy refers. In the circumstances, I can only suggest that the person contacts the registered organisation involved.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Directives (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As I have stated previously in the House, the Directive, which covers all victims of crime, is due to be implemented by the Member States by the 16th of November 2015. I believe that the provisions of the Victims of Crime Directive will strengthen supports to victims of crime in Ireland. Work is continuing in the Justice system to put appropriate arrangements in place to give effect to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 to 85, inclusive, together. The Irish Women Survivors Support Network have no formal role in the ex gratia scheme. All applications are processed by the Department. No parameters have been set down for the Irish Women Survivors Support Network with regard to the operation of the scheme. I understand that the Irish Women Survivors Support Network do...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The processing of all applications starts off on the premise that the testimony of the applicant is correct and my officers processing the application then seek to verify the application by checking appropriate records. If there are records and they are consistent with the application, then an offer is made. If there is a discrepancy, or in cases where the religious congregations have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Each application is assessed on an individual basis, by my officials in the Restorative Justice Implementation Unit, taking into account any available records, documents and statements including the applicant's testimony. If the applicant disagrees with this assessment, regardless of her country of residence, she can, in the first instance, seek a review of her case by a senior officer. If...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Irish Women Survivors Support Network is a UK based, independent, not for profit company limited by guarantee. They provide support, advice and assistance to women survivors of Irish institutions including women who were in Magdalen laundries. Although they may assist women in their applications, they have no formal role in the scheme of benefits for women who were admitted and resided...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 90 together. 158 applications have been received to the Magdalen Laundries Ex Gratia Scheme from women who are now residing in the UK. Each application is dealt with on an individual basis and my officials correspond directly with the applicant in all cases except where the applicant specifically authorises another person to act on her behalf. I have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: On 19th February 2013, the Government agreed on the payment of €250,000 to the Irish Women Survivors Support Network (IWSSN) to enable them to continue to provide support, advice and assistance to women survivors of Irish Institutions including women who were in the Magdalen Laundries and who are now residing in the UK. To facilitate good governance, the IWSSN registered as a not for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Licences (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: In light of public safety concernshighlighted by An Garda Síochána and difficulties in the interpretation of the legislation expressed by members of the judiciary, a joint Department of Justice and Equality/An Garda Síochána Working Group was established by my Department to review firearms licensing. The Report of this Working Group was published on 13 November and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Staff (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am aware of the change in work practices, referred to by the Deputy, which is the elimination of grace periods. This proposed change is one of the reform measures set out in the collective agreement for the Irish Prison Sector under the Haddington Road Agreement. Staff in the Irish Prison Service were not obliged to work the additional hours required of the majority of public servants...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Liquor Licensing Laws (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government Legislation Programme published on 17 September indicates that publication of the Sale of Alcohol Bill is expected in mid-2015. The Bill will update the law relating to the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol in licensed premises, including restaurants, and registered clubs, and provide an opportunity for reviewing the statutory restrictions relating to times when alcohol...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Transport (19 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government introduced a number of changes for the provision of Office Holder transport during 2011. One of the consequences of that decision was that the transport arrangements in place for Ministers of State became applicable to Government Ministers, subject to very limited exceptions on security grounds. In addition, it was decided that former Presidents...

Other Questions: Irish Prison Service (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Can I assume that the Deputy has reported the incident to the Garda? Obviously, that is open to him if he believes there has been a breach of the Act. Obviously, it should be reported to An Garda Síochána, and I would assume the Deputy would do that, given that he was affected by it. I am very happy to arrange a meeting with the Deputy and the director of the Irish Prison...

Other Questions: Irish Prison Service (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am not saying that, but I am saying it is also open to the Deputy to make a direct complaint. In the meantime, I am happy to arrange for a meeting between the Deputy and the director of the Irish Prison Service. Depending on the content of the report, and taking account of what the Deputy said in his letter to me, clearly, legal advice will also be sought by the Irish Prison Service in...

Other Questions: Garda Inspectorate Reports (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: Last week, I received the report of the Garda Inspectorate. It is a very detailed report with more than 500 recommendations. It is suggested in the report that these recommendations are short, medium and long-term. Clearly, we need mechanisms to implement that report, and there are a variety of ways in which that report will be implemented. They include, in the first instance,...

Other Questions: Garda Inspectorate Reports (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: One of the immediate priorities is to have a comprehensive plan in place in respect of the technology that An Garda Síochána needs. Clearly, that kind of investment was not made during the Celtic tiger years. This problem has not arisen overnight, but it is beyond time for us to make that investment and I intend to begin to make it once we have the report on Haddington Road from...

Other Questions: Irish Prison Service (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: First, I acknowledge that I received the Deputy's letter on 17 November. Second, I regard the divulging of information regarding prisoners' private affairs as a very serious matter and one that will not be tolerated. In the course of a prison officer's work, clearly, he or she may have access to or hear information concerning the personal affairs of a prisoner or an employee. I agree with...

Other Questions: Residential Institutions (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I accept the point that there are women who fall outside a particular scheme. However, there was a nine year period during which women could have applied for redress. I understand that, for various reasons, this might have been difficult for some of them. While it is a matter for the Minister for Education and Skills to consider late applicants to the scheme, under which the women referred...

Other Questions: Residential Institutions (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am very happy to make the interview process public and will send the Deputy details on it. The process is intended to help the women involved. We recognise that for many of them, recollecting or providing evidence on the precise length of stay is difficult. We are totally open to using other sources of information and have been doing so, such as school and social welfare work records,...

Other Questions: Direct Provision System (18 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy is anticipating the outcome of the inquiry regarding the young women she mentioned. As she knows, an inquiry is under way and I am sure all of the facts and details of the case will come out. My Department is extremely sensitive to women who find themselves in that situation. There are procedures in place for how these requests are handled in my Department; requests are dealt...