Fitzgerald, Frances

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (Continued)

We have not heard any constructive proposal.

Road Safety

Was asked: if privately operated speed detection vehicles are allowed under the relevant legislation to park on private property for the purposes of speed detection or if they have to be on the public road; a...

The Deputy will appreciate that it is not my function as Minister for Justice and Equality to advise on the interpretation of legislation. To be of assistance I have asked the Garda authorities fo...

Garda Vetting Applications

Was asked: when a decision is expected on an application for Garda clearance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that no vetting application has been received in respect of the person to whom the Deputy refers. In the circumstances, I can only suggest that the person co...

EU Directives

Was asked: the preparations that have been made for the implementation of the EU directive on victims; if it is planned to alter the PULSE system prior to implementation; if PULSE will record and monitor raci...

As I have stated previously in the House, the Directive, which covers all victims of crime, is due to be implemented by the Member States by the 16th of November 2015. I believe that the provisions...

My Department is drafting legislation to transpose the Directive into Irish law and I expect that the Heads of a Bill will be published early in 2015. It is my intention to have legislation enact...

While the management of the PULSE system is in an operational matter for the Garda authorities, I have sought a report from the Garda Commissioner on the specific issues raised by the Deputy in t...

Magdalen Laundries

Was asked: if Magdalen laundry survivors' ex gratia scheme applications from within the UK have to go through the Irish Women Survivors Support Network or if they can be made directly to her Department.

Was asked: the relationship between her Department and the Irish Women Survivors Support Network in relation to ex gratia scheme applications.

Was asked: the way Magdalen laundry survivors' ex gratia scheme applications from within the UK are processed; and if her Department communicates with the survivors directly or through the Irish Women Survivo...

Was asked: the parameters that have been set down for the Irish Women Survivors Support Network with regard to the operation of the Magdalen laundry survivors ex gratia scheme, particularly in relation to est...

I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 to 85, inclusive, together.

The Irish Women Survivors Support Network have no formal role in the ex gratia scheme. All applications are processed by the Department. No parameters have been set down for the Irish Women Sur...

I understand that the Irish Women Survivors Support Network do assist some women in the completion of their application forms and in 2 of the 158 cases from women residing in the UK, applicants h...

In addition to the above contact, the Irish Women Survivors Support Network were active in campaigning on behalf of women now residing in the UK who had been a Magdalen Laundry and interacted wit...

On the 19 February 2013, the Government decided that a payment of €250,000 should be made to the UK based Irish Women Survivors Support Network (IWSSN) to enable them to continue to provide suppo...

Was asked: the number of Magdalen laundry survivors that have settled for less time than they have claimed for, broken down by country of residence.

The processing of all applications starts off on the premise that the testimony of the applicant is correct and my officers processing the application then seek to verify the application by checkin...

If there is a discrepancy, or in cases where the religious congregations have incomplete or no record for an applicant my officials must carry out a thorough examination, checking whatever record...

Each applicant is assessed on an individual basis, by my officials in the Restorative Justice Implementation Unit, taking into account any available records, documents and statements including th...

To date, 18 of the 665 applications on which a decision has been made, which is less than 3% have requested their case to be reviewed by the Ombudsman's Office. Of these 18 cases, 2 reside in th...

Was asked: the appeals process in place for UK survivors of Magdalen laundries who have been offered less than they are entitled to, or who have had their applications rejected; and if appeals are processed t...

Each application is assessed on an individual basis, by my officials in the Restorative Justice Implementation Unit, taking into account any available records, documents and statements including th...

Was asked: if she will provide details of the complaints mechanism in place for survivors who have grievances with the Irish Women Survivors Support Network.

The Irish Women Survivors Support Network is a UK based, independent, not for profit company limited by guarantee. They provide support, advice and assistance to women survivors of Irish instituti...

If a person has a grievance with that body, he or she should raise the matter directly with the body concerned. The Department of Justice and Equality has no responsibility or role in determinin...

Was asked: the number of Magdalen laundry survivors ex gratia scheme applications received by her Department through the Irish Women Survivors Support Network.

Was asked: the number of UK Magdalen laundry survivors ex gratia scheme applications that have been received by her Department independently of the Irish Women Survivors Support Network.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 90 together.

  158 applications have been received to the Magdalen Laundries Ex Gratia Scheme from women who are now residing in the UK.

Was asked: if she has knowledge of the accounts audit for the €250k given to the Irish Women Survivors Support Network on the night of the Magdalene apology; the percentage of this funding that is dedicated t...

On 19th February 2013, the Government agreed on the payment of €250,000 to the Irish Women Survivors Support Network (IWSSN) to enable them to continue to provide support, advice and assistance to ...

Firearms Licences

Was asked: her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding SHAM consultations; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

In light of public safety concerns highlighted by An Garda Síochána and difficulties in the interpretation of the legislation expressed by members of the judiciary, a joint Department o...

Prison Staff

Was asked: if her attention has been drawn to the change in the work practices in the Prison Service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.

I am aware of the change in work practices, referred to by the Deputy, which is the elimination of grace periods.

 This proposed change is one of the reform measures set out in the co...

Liquor Licensing Laws

Was asked: if she will support the restaurant association in an amendment to the current legislation on licensing trading on Good Friday; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

The Government Legislation Programme published on 17 September indicates that publication of the Sale of Alcohol Bill is expected in mid-2015. The Bill will update the law relating to the sale, sup...

Ministerial Transport

Was asked: the ministerial transport costs for the years 2010 to 2013, inclusive, for each Minister and Minister of State in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government introduced a number of changes for the provision of Office Holder transport during 2011. One of the consequences of that decision was that the transport...