Results 12,941-12,960 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. I, too, understand what this family has been through. I know Deputy Carthy, who is sitting behind Deputy Martin Kenny, has been speaking to the family, as have I. It is not easy for them but it is fair to say that this process is in place and that the judge is doing his work. We have to wait until he produces his report. As far as my Department is concerned, we will...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Shane O'Farrell (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. As I said, and as I know the Deputy will appreciate, the judge is completely independent in conducting this scoping exercise and it is not open to me, as Minister, to comment on any aspect of the judge's work or the process of compiling the final report. I understand that Judge Haughton has been in contact with the O'Farrell family throughout this scoping exercise. He...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Catherine Murphy for raising this matter. As the Deputy will be aware, I consider any inappropriate cancellation of 999 calls a very serious matter. This falls significantly below the high standards that the public expect from gardaí and the high standards that An Garda Síochána sets for itself. I am particularly concerned that anyone experiencing domestic...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the right to protest peacefully is enshrined in the Constitution and under the law. It is an essential part of our democracy. An Garda Síochána, through its human rights-led approach to policing, seeks to uphold and protect the right to freedom of assembly and protest, while also upholding the law and protecting the public and businesses.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Schemes (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, Budget 2022 provides for the establishment of the new Community Safety Innovation Fund. It is intended that this fund will support investment in projects which will improve community safety. The fund, which is expected to grow in the coming years, will have an initial outlay in 2022 of €2m. A call for funding proposals will issue seeking applications...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in its functions. However, in order to be of assistance, I have had enquiries and the Courts Service has provided me with the following update on Wicklow Town...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Schemes (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, Budget 2022 provides for the establishment of the new Community Safety Innovation Fund. It is intended that this fund will support investment in projects which will improve community safety. The fund, which is expected to grow in the coming years, will have an initial outlay in 2022 of €2m. A call for funding proposals will issue seeking applications...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, all prisoners with a sentence to which remission applies qualify for one quarter remission on their sentence on the basis of good behaviour.  In addition, prisoners who have engaged in authorised structured activity may apply to receive enhanced remission of greater than one quarter, but not more than one third, of their sentence. There is no automatic...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I am pleased that Budget 2022 reflects the commitment of the Government that every community has the right to be safe and that An Garda Síochána has the resources to be an effective and trusted policing service. The budget provided by Government to the Garda Commissioner continues to increase to unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.952 billion for 2021. Budget...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Pardons (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, a local group gathered a considerable amount of material relating to this case, and I know the Deputy has taken a very close interest in this application. As the Deputy will also be aware, in early 2020, the then Minister for Justice and Equality engaged an expert on nineteenth century trial law in Ireland for their expert opinion on the safety, or...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy may be aware, my Department provides funding to promote and assist the development of specific support services to victims of crime, including victims of domestic and sexual crime, within the criminal justice system. Our commitment in this area is reflected in the additional funding that has been secured by my Department under Budget 2022. A total of €4.9m is being...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 109 together. I can assure the Deputies that the Government is committed to ensuring that there is strong, visible policing right across Ireland.  Prioritising visible policing in rural and urban communities will ensure community policing is at the forefront of our police service and an integral strand of our social...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can assure the Deputy that family law reform is a major element of my Department's Justice Plan 2021.  The forthcoming Family Court Bill will provide for a dedicated Family Court structure, as set out in the Programme for Government. This Bill intends to create a new dedicated Family Court within the existing court structure and provide for court procedures that support a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: Any acts of violence and anti-social behaviour on or near public transport are completely unacceptable. There are a number of tools at the disposal of the Garda Commissioner, who is operationally responsible, to respond to such incidents. The Commissioner is also responsible, as the Deputy will be aware, for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes recruitment and personnel matters. As Minister, I play no direct role in these independent functions. However, I am informed by Garda Authorities that as of 30 September 2021, 3,974 sworn members of An Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cybersecurity Policy (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the prevention and investigation of criminal activity, including cybercrime and related offences, are operational matters for An Garda Síochána. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters. I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána has significantly stepped up its dedicated resources in the cyber area in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the distribution and management of Garda resources between the various Garda Divisions and the filling of any vacancies. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters, but I am assured that the Garda authorities keep this distribution under constant review, to ensure the optimum use of available Garda members....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I can assure the Deputy that both I and the Government are committed to the safety of the public, whether they live or work in Dublin or want to visit and enjoy our capital city. The Government is determined to tackle anti-social and violent behaviour, and I am very conscious of the impact such behaviour can have on the quality of life for local communities, including in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 145 together. As the Deputies will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and control of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda resources. I have no direct role in these matters. I understand that as of 30 September 2021, there are now 3,382 Garda staff...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Budget 2022 (21 Oct 2021)

Heather Humphreys: I wish to advise the Deputy that the capital allocation for the Justice Vote Group encompasses An Garda Siochána, Courts, Prisons and Justice Votes. The capital expenditure ranges across a number of areas such as ICT, transport investment and capital building and refurbishment works. The capital allocation for Justice in 2022 of €270 million will facilitate a programme of...