Written Answers Nos. 31-37
31. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to detail the number of asylum-seekers that have travelled outside the State for the purposes of termination of pregnancy in the years 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014; the process that is in place for such women to avail of the necessary visas and travel documentation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35408/14]
View answerThe Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department advises me that two applications for temporary travel documents were received during 2012 to facilitate travel for the purpose of termination of pregnancy. Both applications were granted.
No applications for temporary travel documents were received during 2011, 2013 and 2014 to facilitate travel for the purpose of termination of pregnancy.
INIS advises me that the process currently in place to assist such women to avail of the necessary visas and travel documents is detailed in a good practice manual entitled 'Standardised Framework for Crisis Pregnancy Counsellors' which was revised last year in conjunction with INIS as part of a review of the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme.
32. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the number of bench warrants which remain outstanding; her views on whether the current situation is acceptable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35369/14]
View answerI have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly as soon as the report is to hand.
33. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to detail the number of times the Cabinet committee on establishing a new Garda authority has met; the number of times she attended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35367/14]
View answerThe Cabinet Committee on Justice Reform has met on four occasions since its establishment and I have attended the three meetings of the Cabinet Committee that have taken place since my appointment as Minister for Justice and Equality.
34. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the prohibition on the right to work for asylum-seekers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35418/14]
View answerSection 9(4)(b) of the Refugee Act 1996 provides that applicants for international protection shall not seek or enter employment or carry on any business, trade or profession during the period before the final determination of their application.
The Deputy may be aware of the Government commitment to establish an independent Working Group to report to Government on improvements with the protection process, including Direct Provision and supports for asylum seekers. In advance of establishing the Working Group, I convened a round table consultation last week with non-governmental organisations active in the area to enable them to outline the key issues for them in relation to the State's current arrangements for asylum seekers and the Direct Provision system.
35. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the position regarding the drug squad and the numbers and resources for the drug squad in Dublin Central; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35379/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including assigning members to Drugs Units, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
The staffing complement in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) South Central & North Central Divisions is as follows:
|
All Garda Ranks |
Drugs Unit |
Garda Reserves |
Civilian staff |
|
|
DMRSC |
661 |
17 |
78 |
28 |
|
DMRNC |
618 |
12 |
76 |
41 |
As identified in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, drug law enforcement remains a key priority area for An Garda Síochána and the Government as part of the overall comprehensive approach in tackling the problem of drug misuse. Drugs and organised crime also continue to be prioritised by An Garda Síochána as a core focus for 2014, through An Garda Síochána’s Policing Plan.
I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to pro-actively and resolutely tackle all forms of drug crime in this jurisdiction. The Garda National Drugs Unit works closely with dedicated Divisional and District Drug Units and other national units, including the Organised Crime Unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau, in targeting persons involved in the illicit sale and supply of drugs.
36. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when she plans to publish the mediation Bill. [35403/14]
View answerThe Mediation Bill, which is currently being drafted, will promote mediation as a viable, effective and efficient alternative to court proceedings, thereby reducing legal costs and speeding up the resolution of disputes. It will introduce an obligation on solicitors and barristers to advise any person wishing to commence court proceedings to consider mediation as a means of resolving the matter before embarking on such proceedings. It will also provide that a court may, during any such proceedings, on its own initiative invite parties to engage in mediation and suspend the proceedings to facilitate such a process.
My intention is to publish the Mediation Bill early in the next session and thereafter to proceed quickly with enactment of the legislation.
37. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out her views on the operation of the penalty points system; if she is considering a review of the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35373/14]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Garda Inspectorate Report, entitled The Fixed Charge Processing System: A 21st Century Strategy was published on 12 March, 2014 and represented a major review of the operation of the fixed charge processing system including with respect to the enforcement of penalty point offences. The recommendations from that review are currently being taken forward by the relevant agencies.
In particular, the Report contained 37 recommendations and identified those that could be implemented in the short, medium and long term. In line with the Inspectorate's first recommendation the Criminal Justice (FCPS) Working Group was established in March to take forward those recommendations. The Group is jointly chaired by my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, Road Safety Authority, Revenue Commissioners, Director of Public Prosecutions and the Department of the Environment Community and Local Government participate in the work of the Group. Other agencies may be invited to participate as considered necessary by the Group.
I along with my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, received the Group's first progress report in July. The report sets out substantial progress with respect to the implementation of the Inspectorate's immediate and short term recommendations directed to An Garda Síochána including the introduction of a new Fixed Charge Processing System Manual which came into effect in June. The report also details the work commenced, mainly via a number of specialised subgroups, to consider and advance the Inspectorate's medium and long term recommendations. The detailed report is currently under consideration by myself and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and it is expected it will be brought to Government, for information, in the near future.
I should add that the Government agreed to the recommendation of the Garda Inspectorate that it should review the operation of the system within 12 months of its report. In addition, any issues identified in relation to the operation of the revised system are being fully addressed as the arise.
