Results 12,341-12,360 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (12 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. In this regard, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including fully sworn members and Reserve Gardaí, among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (12 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of information on the courts system. However, in order to be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Accidents Data (11 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly as soon as the report is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Anti-Social Behaviour (11 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am very much aware of the concerns expressed by the Deputy and in this regard I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Dublin City Centre Policing Plan has been operational since June 2013. Garda actions under the Plan include dedicated high visibility patrols in key commercial and public thoroughfares including Temple Bar. These patrols are informed by crime trends, demand studies...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (11 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 289, 309, 313 and 319 together. As the Deputies are aware, there is an ongoing debate as to the approach to be adopted in tackling the exploitation associated with prostitution. There are a wide range of issues involved which require consideration and any proposals will be brought to Government in the usual way. In terms of the trafficking of persons for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (11 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. Currently, there are over 4,330 residents in 34 centres across the State under contract to RIA. Details of all of these centres and the companies or persons RIA has contracted to provide accommodation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Expenditure (11 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 291 and 303 together. The direct provision system is managed by the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department. For the most part, this represents a cashless system with the State assuming responsibility for providing suitable accommodation for asylum seekers on a full board basis. Currently, there are approximately 4,300 residents in 34...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Children in Care (11 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. In this regard, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of all resources, including fully sworn members and Reserve Gardaí, among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Misconduct Allegations (11 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The person to whom the Deputy refers is amongst those whose complaints are being 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, with a view to determining to what extent and in what...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Fuel Laundering (11 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities and I will be in contact with the Deputy again when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: UN Convention on Children's Rights (11 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am conscious of the importance of providing mechanisms to enable a child's views to be heard in proceedings concerning guardianship, custody and access as such proceedings have such implications for a child's life. Accordingly, the General Scheme of the Children and Family Relationships Bill provides for the court to have the possibility of appointing a child's views expert to ascertain...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (11 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced a further intake of 200 recruits into the Garda College, Templemore. The intake will be in two batches, one later this month / early December and the second in January 2015. This will bring to 300 the number of recruits in the Garda College and is a measure of this Government's commitment to ensure that recruitment to An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Inspectorate Reports (11 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that it is my intention to lay the report referred to before both Houses of the Oireachtas today, and to publish it shortly thereafter.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Registration of Title (11 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that under the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) was established as and from 4 November 2006. The PRA replaces the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the performance of its functions. The Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (11 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced a further intake of 200 recruits into the Garda College, Templemore. The intake will be in two batches, one later this month/early December and the second in January 2015. This will bring to 300 the number of recruits in the Garda College and is a measure of this Government's commitment to ensure that recruitment to An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Reserve (11 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The range of powers and duties of Reserve Gardaí is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to determine under section 15(5) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. The duties of a Garda reserve member include the following: - Station duty, other than the care and custody of prisoners; - Assistant to the station orderly; - Communications room duty, to include monitoring CCTV; - Foot...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Services Regulation (11 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am not aware of any specific investigation of the type referred to by the Deputy. I can however, advise that the Property Services Regulatory Authority was established under the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011 to control, supervise and regulate Property Services Providers (i.e. Auctioneers/Estate Agents, Letting Agents and Management Agents). Any person wishing to provide a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Rights Issues (11 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 which was enacted on 1 November 2014 introduces a positive duty on public bodies to have due regard to human rights and equality and reflects a commitment in the Government's Programme for National Recovery 2011 to 2016. This duty is set out in Section 42 of the Act. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission will assist and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Releases (11 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that in the five years and ten months from 1 January 2009 to 7 November 2014, 428 persons who were granted temporary release failed to return to the prison after a specified period.  Details are set out in the table below. Processes are in place in the Irish Prison Service to inform An Garda Síochána when prisoners become unlawfully at large and the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (11 Nov 2014)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that the Road Safety Authority is the statutory body responsible for the compilation of statistical information concerning the number of penalty points imposed in relation to relevant road traffic offences. Insofar as the question of fines is concerned, I am informed by the Courts Service that the specific information sought is not available. As the Deputy is aware,...