Results 1,901-1,920 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification Applications (13 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that applications for residency for the above named persons have been received and are currently receiving attention. Decisions on their status should be made very shortly. Might I remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (13 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that my reply to PQ number 66 on 2 February 2017 relating to the person concerned remains unchanged. However, if the person concerned requires an urgent decision for humanitarian reasons they may submit these reasons along with supporting documentation to INIS and the case will be considered on those...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Information and Communications Technology (13 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Government's Capital Plan provides for capital investment in the Justice Sector of some €875 million over the lifetime of the Plan, approximately €400 million of which relates to ICT expenditure. As the Deputy will be aware, a significant proportion relates to ICT infrastructure in respect of a number of bodies under the aegis of my Department, including the Irish Prisons...

Report of the Fennelly Commission: Statements (12 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is right that I should first acknowledge the very valuable and painstaking work carried about by Mr. Justice Fennelly and those who supported him in his work. It is a relief that what the report finds and what it sets out is not a history of anything approaching a deliberate abuse of power by An Garda Síochána and that we are not facing a situation where criminal cases are being...

Garda Commissioner: Motion [Private Members] (12 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following:“recognises that: — the recent controversies surrounding An Garda Síochána are of the utmost seriousness and go to the heart of policing in the State; — it is essential that the Government, this House and all our citizens can trust members of An...

Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can confirm that there is ongoing recruitment to An Garda Síochána. A total of 800 recruits will enter Templemore this year. The Deputy will have seen the advertisements for 300 Garda reservists and 300 civilians, so there has been ongoing investment by this Government and that which preceded it to ensure we have adequate numbers of gardaí throughout the country. Their...

Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I have just received the final draft of the judicial council Bill from the Attorney General and I would expect to be finalising it in the next few weeks.

Questions on Promised Legislation (12 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes. It will go to Cabinet in the next couple of weeks and, obviously, it will be published after that.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Hear, hear.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (12 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is permanent.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised) (12 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank the Chairman. I welcome the opportunity to present the Revised Estimates for 2017 in respect of the justice Vote group to the committee. Members will be aware that it is made up of eight different Votes, with a combined gross expenditure allocation of just over €2.72 billion in 2017. That is an increase of 3.6% on the 2016 allocation of €2.482 billion which was...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised) (12 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: There has been unprecedented investment in the Garda fleet since the economy began to turnaround. There is a slight decrease in investment this year but this is due to the fact that we brought forward some of the investment to the end of 2016. The actual expenditure on new and replacement vehicles over the period 2013 to 2016 was in the region of €40 million. Expenditure in this...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised) (12 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: That is why it is necessary to continue this investment programme. They are large amounts. That is why we are putting in €8 million per year into the fleet over the years I have mentioned. It is an essential part of doing the job and I am pleased that we have the money to make that investment. It is a key component of policing. The fleet is critical. The Deputy is right to point...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised) (12 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will provide the deployment figures to the committee. I do not have them now. The fixed wing aircraft does need replacement. It is one of the areas we have highlighted for consideration in the capital review. It will have to take its place among all of the other priorities. Obviously, safety and ensuring that it continues to be fit for purpose is the key factor. In respect of...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised) (12 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: The helicopter replacement plan is in the capital review as well. I am sure it is something the committee will want to return to once we have had the mid-term capital review but they are both in for replacement.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised) (12 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is 7,500 per year.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised) (12 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Provision has been made for the increase as a result of the negotiations towards the end of last year. It is built into our budget. I do not expect to come back on that. There was an agreement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and that is included. There are technical adjustments needed to deal with that but the answer to the Deputy's question is that this is the...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised) (12 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Last year there was a Supplementary Estimate to deal with the particular pressures of last year and the new initiatives that were being undertaken. That was to do with the increased costs at that time. Our projection for this year is a little less.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised) (12 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: I will check it for the Deputy. There is a continual emphasis on training.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 16 - Valuation Office (Revised)
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 23 - Property Registration Authority (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised) (12 Apr 2017)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes, it may well be to do with incidental expenses. I will check it for the Deputy. Ongoing training and supervision is a high priority as per the inspectorate's report. For example, new recruits coming out of Templemore are not in the position that was identified in the O'Higgins report in which they did not have supervision and support when they left and were dealing with cases on their...