Results 361-380 of 12,047 for speaker:Charles Flanagan in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: 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 exercising its functions.  However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made.  The Courts Service has confirmed that Drogheda court...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 346 together. Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner has responsibility for management of An Garda Síochána and for the allocation and efficient use of Garda resources. This includes responsibility for personnel matters and the distribution of personnel across the various Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Visiting Regulations (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 354 together. I am acutely aware of the supportive role that families and friends play in the rehabilitation of prisoners and in their preparation for life in the community after release from prison.  With this in mind, the Irish Prison Service continued to facilitate physical family visits to prisons for as long as it was...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Service (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: The Legal Aid Board provides legal advice and aid under the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996-2017.  The Board delivers these services through directly employed solicitors in its network of law centres around the country and through private solicitors from its private practitioner panels.  Section 3(3) of the Act provides that the Board shall,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware that concerns have been raised about the requirement for affidavits to be signed and witnessed in person in the context of the current Covid-19 public health emergency.  I also appreciate that the current pandemic is an anxious and challenging time for many people and organisations. There are statutory provisions that refer to the taking of affidavits, including section 5...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: National Advocacy Service (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has responsibility for the Magdalen Restorative Justice Implementation Unit, which was established to administer the Magdalen Ex-Gratia Scheme. This involves the processing of applications to the Scheme, the payment of the ex-gratia awards to eligible applicants and the transmission of relevant details to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: I have requested updated detail from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter and I will write to the Deputy directly with that information when the updated figures are available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: First it is important to say Tusla has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual or gender based violence and is providing €25.3 million in funding for these services in 2020. Further detail in that regard can be obtained from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Although primary responsibility for funding frontline services,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: The following table provides details of the number of pending applications in the International Protection Office for persons residing in direct provision, on 31 May 2020*. Case Stage/Length of Time Less than 3 months 3 to less than 6 months 6 to less than 12 months 12 to less than 18 months 18 to less than 24 months 24 months...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible for me to respond in this forum in relation to individual cases. That said, in light of the issues raised by the Deputy, I have sought a report from both An Garda Síochána and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.  I will write directly to the Deputy when I receive further information on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: The Citizenship Division of the Immigration Service of my Department have corresponded with the person referred to in the last few days and have provided an update on the application. Applications for certificates of naturalisation continue to be processed during the COVID-19 crisis by the Immigration Service of my Department, albeit at a reduced capacity. The vast majority of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Sittings (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: 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 exercising its functions.   I am advised by the Courts Service that where court offices are advised that either party to family law proceedings has an underlying health...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: I would like to assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to equality for all in Irish society and attach great importance to the fight against discrimination.  I  condemn the actions of the small minority who subject others to abuse or attack resulting from their own prejudice or intolerance. As I have set out in a number of recent Parliamentary...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware that concerns have been raised about the requirement for affidavits to be signed and witnessed in person in the context of the current Covid-19 public health emergency.  I also appreciate that the current pandemic is an anxious and challenging time for many people and organisations. There are statutory provisions that refer to the taking of affidavits, including section 5...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: Applications for certificates of naturalisation continue to be processed during the Covid-19 crisis by the Immigration Service of my Department, albeit at a reduced capacity. The Citizenship Division of Immigration Service Delivery has encouraged new applicants not to submit applications at this time. This measure has been taken in accordance with Public Health advice regarding...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: My Department, alongside colleagues in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and An Garda Síochána, is acutely aware of the severe difficulties and dangers this activity caused in the communities it impacts and my officials have been working to find solutions to this complex policing issue. It should be noted that targeted enforcement measures have been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: A key recommendation underpinning the Justice McMahon Report on improvements to the International Protection process was to address the length of time taken to process applications, which can lead to long stays in State provided accommodation.  With the commencement of the International Protection Act 2015 on 31 December 2016, we now have a single application procedure. This...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Northern Ireland (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware that the Deputy has a long-standing interest in the appalling bomb attack in Belturbet in 1972 and that he shares my view, which I have previously expressed in replies to the Deputy, that this was an appalling atrocity which sadly cost two innocent people their lives, and injured many others. I appreciate that the Deputy continues to seek answers with regard to bringing the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: The European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, transposing the EU (Recast) Reception Conditions Directive, came into effect from 30 June 2018. The Regulations included access to the labour market for eligible international protection applicants. The Regulations provide access to both employment and to self-employment.   As of 10 June 2020, a total of 6,498...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (16 Jun 2020)

Charles Flanagan: The Garda Commissioner is the accounting officer of An Garda Síochána and is statutorily responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána including in relation to human resource matters. I have asked the Garda authorities for the information requested and I will write directly to the Deputy when it...