Results 1,741-1,760 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Disciplinary Proceedings (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Disciplinary matters within An Garda Síochána are the responsibility in the first instance of the Garda Commissioner. I have requested the specific information sought by the Deputy from the Commissioner and I will write to her on receipt of same.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Constitutional Amendments (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The institution of marriage is afforded constitutional protection under Article 41.3.1º of the Constitution. Under Article 41.3.2º, a court may grant a divorce only where specific conditions have been met. These conditions include a requirement that “such provision as the court considers proper having regard to the circumstances exists or will be made for the spouses and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service Staff (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that there were 3,462 WTE (whole time equivalent) prison grade staff employed by the State in 2008, with a ratio of prison grade staff to prisoners of 0.91:1. As of 31 March, 2017, there were 3,203 WTE prison grade staff employed by the State, with a ratio of prison grade staff to prisoners of 0.72:1. I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service Staff (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that in 2016, the Public Appointments Service launched a recruitment campaign for Recruit Prison Officers, the first since 2008. It is intended to recruit approximately 80 new Recruit Prison Officers in 2017 and a further 216 Recruit Prison Officers in 2018.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions, Districts and stations and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management constantly monitor the distribution of resources in the light of crime trends and overall policing needs including with respect to concerns...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Further to my reply to Parliamentary Questions 97 and 98 of 8 February I wish to reiterate that Magdalen Laundries were private institutions under the sole ownership and control of the religious congregations concerned and had no special statutory recognition or status. The Magdalen Institutions did interact with certain Government agencies, sometimes on the same basis as a commercial...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme Eligibility (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Magdalen Restorative Justice Ex-gratia scheme applies to 10 Magdalen institutions and 2 specific training schools. It does not extend beyond those institutions and there are no plans to extend it beyond those institutions. As the legal proceedings to which the Deputy refers are ongoing, I am restricted from commenting in detail on the matters raised.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Charities Regulation (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: In accordance with the provisions of the Charities Act 2009, a charitable organisation is an organisation which has exclusively charitable purposes, operates in the Republic of Ireland and provides clear public benefit. Organisations which meet the above criteria should apply for inclusion on the statutory Register of Charities which is maintained by the Charities Regulatory Authority...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Education Service (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I wish to inform the Deputy that the Joint Irish Prison Service/Education Training Board Ireland Education Strategy 2016-2018 for the Prison Education Service, which I launched in conjunction with the Irish Prison Service Strategic Plan 2016-2018 on 27 June 2016, will be subject to an annual meeting to review its implementation. The first of these review meetings took place on 11 November...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commercial Rates (4 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015 provide for the valuation of all commercial and industrial property for rating purposes. The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the performance of his functions under the Acts and the making of valuations for rating is his sole responsibility. I, as Minister for Justice and Equality, have no role in decisions in this regard. Under Irish law there is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Youth Diversion Projects (3 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Deputy may be aware that €1.25 m per annum is being made available from the Dormant Accounts Fund to support the operation of the ten new Garda Youth Diversion Projects established in 2015/2016. Some €1.21 m is being allocated to these projects in 2017 following on from an appraisal of their annual plans and budget applications for the year. The amount allocated to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Compensation (3 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can confirm to the Deputy that two applications for compensation under the Garda Síochána (Compensation) Acts, 1941 and 1945, were made by the person concerned. Authorisations were granted to the claimant to proceed to the High Court for compensation in respect of each case, in accordance with the Acts. The first authorisation was granted on 3rd October 2008 and the second on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Promotions (3 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Districts and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors including...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders Re-examination (3 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 20 June 2002. Representations were received asking for the Deportation Order to be revoked, pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). Following consideration of the information submitted...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (3 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that non-EEA nationals, whether visa required or not, may visit the State for up to a maximum of 90 days including where they are visiting family members. I am also advised that the 90-day limit for a short stay visit is the norm in the European Union. The 90-day limit is not arbitrary but is linked...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Refurbishment (3 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will be aware, the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in these matters. I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Station Closures (3 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel and resources, including decisions in relation to Garda stations and I, as Minister, have no direct role in these matters. I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (3 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the persons concerned. These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (3 May 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 to 122, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will be aware, allegations regarding an undercover police officer in this jurisdiction were first made public in 2011. A report was sought from the Garda Commissioner on the matter at that time and that report was provided to my predecessor in March 2011. The Commissioner's report noted that no evidence had...