Results 13,361-13,380 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Written Answers — Legal Services Bill: Legal Services Bill (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 37 together. In the Programme for National Recovery 2011-16, the Government has undertaken to "establish independent regulation of the legal professions to improve access and competition, make legal costs more transparent and ensure adequate procedures for addressing consumer complaints". The Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011, published on 12 October,...

Written Answers — Criminal Assets Bureau: Criminal Assets Bureau (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to strengthen the powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau in relation to the forfeiture of the proceeds of crime. An Expert Group, established under the auspices of my Department, is currently reviewing the Proceeds of Crime legislation with a view to identifying possible improvements which would serve to enhance the powers of the Bureau. The...

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service that applications from non-EEA women in the situation outlined by the Deputy are dealt with on a case by case basis and independent status is granted where the known circumstances of the case warrant it. In considering the circumstances of each such application every effort is made to ensure that the most appropriate...

Written Answers — Juvenile Offenders: Juvenile Offenders (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The powers of the Ombudsman for Children are determined by the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002. Section 11 (1) (e) (iii) of that Act limits the power of investigation as regards actions taken in the administration of prisons and places of detention. However, if an individual detained in the Irish prison system and who is less than eighteen years of age wishes to see the Ombudsman for...

Written Answers — Prisoner Complaints Procedures: Prisoner Complaints Procedures (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act 1925 provides for a Visiting Committee to be constituted for every prison in the State and one of the statutory duties of such committees is to hear any complaints which may be made to them by a prisoner. Under new legislation to be prepared, I intend to make Visiting Committees more effective while they continue their role. The arrangements for...

Written Answers — Prison Visiting Committees: Prison Visiting Committees (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: On 17 May last, the Government approved my proposals for preparation of the General Scheme of a Bill which will include provisions concerning the future role, composition and reporting arrangements of Prison Visiting Committees. These provisions are aimed at maximising the effectiveness and efficiency of the committees. The proposed legislation will also provide a statutory framework to...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: A number of key recommendations contained in the Thornton Hall Review Group Report are receiving priority attention in my Department and many are in the process of being implemented, most notably the introduction of an incentivised scheme for earned temporary release under which offenders who pose no threat to the community are offered early temporary release in return for supervised...

Written Answers — Garda Vetting Service: Garda Vetting Service (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: Certain courses offered by the Higher Education Institutions through the Central Applications Office (CAO) require students to undertake placements that bring them into contact with children or vulnerable adults. Before a student can undertake such a placement, he or she must be vetted by the Garda Central Vetting Unit. This is a standard requirement that applies to all employment involving...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I wish to draw the Deputy's attention to my statement when I announced the Government's plan to merge the Human Rights Commission and Equality Authority earlier this year. At that time I stated that the new Human Rights and Equality Commission will unequivocally keep faith with the UN Paris Principles on national human rights institutions. The position has not changed since I made that statement.

Written Answers — Prison Accommodation: Prison Accommodation (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The numbers and locations of prisoners as at 28 November 2011 are outlined in the following table. Institution Number in custody Mountjoy 591 Dóchas 128 St Patrick's 188 Cork 287 Limerick 328 Castlerea 360 Cloverhill 411 Wheatfield 656 Portlaoise 267 Arbour Hill 151 Midlands 582 Training Unit 106 Loughan House 128 Shelton Abbey 105 Total 4,288 Portlaoise is maximum security...

Written Answers — UN Conventions: UN Conventions (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: It is the Government's intention to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure that all necessary legislative and administrative requirements under the Convention are being met. As the Deputy may be aware, Ireland does not become party to treaties until it is first in a position to comply with the...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Irish Prison Service facilitated a major study of prisoner re-offending by the UCD Institute of Criminology, the findings of which were published in the May 2008 edition of the academic journal, Criminology & Criminal Justice. The recidivism rate was found by this study to be under 50% after 4 years which is in the mid to lower range of recidivism rates when compared to similar countries...

Written Answers — Organised Crime: Organised Crime (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 149, 151, 154 and 156 together. It is the case that, as with every other public sector organisation, the Garda Síochána is going to have to manage with reduced resources and I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána on 31 October 2011, on the latest date for which figures are readily available was...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The information requested is not immediately available and as soon as I receive it from the Commissioner, I will get in contact directly with the Deputy.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Deputy will be aware that I established the Thornton Hall Review Group in April, 2011. They reported to me in July 2011 and one of their recommendations was the establishment of an all encompassing strategic review of penal policy which would incorporate an examination and analysis of all aspects of penal policy including prevention, sentencing policies, alternatives to custody,...

Written Answers — Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 164 to 166, inclusive, of 30 November 2011.

Written Answers — House Prices: House Prices (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to improve the quality of information available on the Irish housing market by requiring that the selling price of all dwellings be recorded in a publicly available national housing price database. To give effect to this commitment the Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009, which provides for establishment of the Property Services...

Written Answers — Garda Civilian Staff: Garda Civilian Staff (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: Civilian staff working in An Garda Síochána come under the remit of the Garda Commissioner. Therefore, such matters are dealt with by An Garda Síochána and I have no function in relation to the matter.

Written Answers — Court Sittings: Court Sittings (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: As I indicated to the Deputy in response to Question No. 482 on 22 November 2011, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions which includes management of court venues and designation of court areas and I have no role in the matter. As the Deputy is aware, the Courts Service informed me that, due to the lack of...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (1 Dec 2011)

Alan Shatter: I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in May, 2010. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and...