Results 12,601-12,620 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Other Questions: Direct Provision System (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to assure the Deputy that I have visited some centres and engaged with children in the company of their parents or guardians. While the rate of payments for children living in State-provided accommodation is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Deputy Regina Doherty, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these payments have increased...

Other Questions: Direct Provision System (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I do not accept that the services and facilities being provided by the State are horrific, as the Deputy described. I reject that. Of course I accept that the conditions are not ideal, but they are being continually enhanced and improved. I want to acknowledge the contribution of former judge, Bryan McMahon, and his comprehensive report and recommendations. He carried out consultation...

Other Questions: Data Retention (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The report of Mr. Justice Murray’s review of the law on retention of and access to communications data was received earlier this year. On receipt it was immediately forwarded to the Attorney General for consideration and advice. This was done in the context of the development of proposals to take account of changes in European law in this area. While the review was initially...

Other Questions: Prison Service Strategies (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I do not believe the Deputy is giving this issue the focus it deserves. The proposed facility will replace the very poor services provided to a small number of women - I think the figure is less than 50 - in Limerick. I agree with the Deputy that we should continue to identify appropriate alternatives to custody. I acknowledge that legislation in this regard was passed recently. Neither I...

Other Questions: Prison Service Strategies (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Yes. That is grand.

Other Questions: Prison Service Strategies (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: It places a bigger burden on me of course.

Other Questions: Prison Service Strategies (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I will accept the Chair's proposal in order to facilitate the Deputies who are present.

Other Questions: Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am pleased that the Deputy is acknowledging my workload.

Other Questions: Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I assure him of my continued endeavours in that regard. This question relates to a new statement of strategy. The current strategy statement for the Department of Justice and Equality covers the period from 2016 to 2019. In accordance with section 4 of the Public Service Management Act 1997, the Department is preparing a new strategy statement to cover the period from 2017 to 2020. This...

Other Questions: Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the active and constructive leadership of both Ministers of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputies Finian McGrath and David Stanton, in the areas referred to by the Deputy. They undertake a huge amount of work on certain aspects of the remit of the Department. I remind Deputy O'Callaghan that I have responsibilities to the obligations and commitments in the...

Other Questions: Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: In case there is any misunderstanding, the record will clearly show I said that both Ministers of State are "active and constructive", and not "active or constructive." They are both hard-working Ministers of State and I very much value their contribution to the Department and the provision of public services. We may have an opportunity to discuss the matter before the end of the year. The...

Other Questions: Anti-Social Behaviour (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I do not disagree with that and I would be happy to keep the Deputy informed of developments regarding my collaboration with the other Departments and agencies involved. I am sure he would agree that we need to raise awareness of the dangers of quad bikes and scramblers and I acknowledge the role of the Road Safety Authority, which has invested in interventions targeting those most at risk....

Other Questions: Prison Service Strategies (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to advise the Deputy that in the joint Probation Service-Irish Prison Service women's strategy 2014-2016, An Effective Response to Women Who Offend, published in 2014, the Irish Prison Service made a commitment to explore the development of an open centre and open conditions for women assessed as being at low risk of reoffending. This commitment was acknowledged in the report on the...

Other Questions: Prison Service Strategies (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that the step-down facility is a residential unit in the community, which will be designed to provide for the basic needs of its female residents. It is supervised but not institutional and it is an option as a residence for female prisoners, mainly those in transition from custody back to the community. I agree that a prison should be a place of last resort. To...

Other Questions: Departmental Bodies Establishment (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As far as the provision of Government resources is concerned, an allocation of €1 million was made from the justice Vote for 2016 to provide support for the new authority. That allocation is in the course of being drawn down. A similar amount has been set aside this year in the justice Vote and any funding advanced from the allocation will strictly be on a recuperable basis. The...

Other Questions: Departmental Bodies Establishment (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Far from adopting a passive approach, I assure the Deputy and the House that both my Department and I continue to actively engage and work closely with the authority to enable it to enter substantive regulatory mode at the earliest opportunity, with appropriate staffing levels and project management. The authority, in turn, is working to progress, in conjunction with my Department, the...

Other Questions: Anti-Social Behaviour (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am very concerned about the very serious public safety and anti-social issues associated with the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes. Tackling these issues, as the Deputy said, requires a multi-agency approach. To better facilitate this, I have written to the relevant parties, including the Ministers for Transport, Tourism and Sport and...

Other Questions: Anti-Social Behaviour (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy has asked two specific questions, one about the adequacy or otherwise of the legislation currently in place and the other about vehicle seizures. The road traffic Acts empower An Garda Síochána to examine or seize vehicles. All members of An Garda Síochána fully enforce the legislation in the seizure, storage, release and disposal of vehicles. However, there...

Other Questions: Refugee Resettlement Programme (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy asked a number of questions in a short period. There are 602 refugees living in four reception centres in counties Kildare, Roscommon and Louth in which they receive orientation support. They also receive integration and language training support while waiting for housing to be sourced. I agree with the Deputy that it is important that there be no undue delay in the transfer of...

Other Questions: Refugee Resettlement Programme (19 Oct 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Let me make it quite clear that I would reject strongly any assertion that locations might be chosen in circumstances which might give rise to the label of "dumping ground" which I think were the words the Deputy used.