Weekly Round-Up November 30th - December 4th
Every week, we bring you the top news stories of the week from the Department of Justice and Equality. Catch up on what you might have missed here. Click on the 'Read More' link in each story to learn more. For previous editions click here.
J-ARC the Joint Agency Response to Crime strategy launches
On Monday, 30 November, the Joint Agency Response to Crime initiative (J-ARC) between An Garda Síochána, the Probation Service and the Irish Prison Service, was launched. Read more
To see the Minister’s speech – click here
To see the J-ARC YouTube video – click here
ATTENDEES AT LAUNCH WATCH THE VIDEO ON THE J-ARC STRATEGY: The strategy aims to implement a multi-agency approach to the management of crime, to prioritise certain prolific offenders and to develop specific initiatives which will address their behaviour and reduce crime thereby increasing community safety. J-ARC provides the framework for the programmes that will be part of Operation Thor to help reduce re-offending by prolific offenders.
THREE BROCHURES FROM THE J-ARC LAUNCH: They include:
- Ballymun STRIVE – targeting prolific adult offenders within East Ballymun whose offending behaviour is undermining the community’s quality of life. Two-year pilot programme.
- Bridge Change Works Programme – targeting adult male offenders living in Dublin with a history of violent crime. Two year pilot programme
- Acer3 – multi agency approach to the management of offenders charged with burglary. Two year pilot programme.
Funding for Schengen Information System
On 1 December, Minister Fitzgerald announced that she has secured additional capital funding of €4million for 2016 to allow Ireland to participate in the Schengen Information System (SIS II), a centralised secure database used by European countries for maintaining information (alerts) related to border security and law enforcement. Read more
The third annual Missing Persons Day
On Wednesday, 2 December, the Department hosted the third annual Missing Persons Day in Farmleigh. Read more
Missing Persons Day provides an opportunity to raise public awareness of the numbers of people that go missing in Ireland each year. It is held annually on the first Wednesday in December. The Day commemorates those who have been reported missing and recognises the ongoing suffering for their families and friends. It also serves to raise public awareness of open or unsolved missing persons cases, and provides a platform to highlight the support services that are available to people who have lost a loved one. The National Missing Persons Day 2015 commemorative event was attended by Minister Fitzgerald and Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan and the relatives and friends of missing persons.
In commemoration of missing persons, the family members, relatives and friends of missing persons laid red remembrance roses into the fountain in Farmleigh Gardens on National Missing Persons Day 2015. Homing pigeons were also released as part of the commemoration ceremony.
MUSIC: 'The Rose' was performed by the Penston Vocal Academy Arklow-based Youth Choir
Prisons Bill 2015
On 3 December, the Prisons Bill 2015 was published, the bill will provide for the complete closing of St Patrick’s Institution. Read more
Civil Service Awards showcase staff excellence & innovation in Justice & Equality sector
On 3rd December, staff excellence and innovation in the Justice and Equality sector was showcased at the Civil Service Excellence and Innovation Awards ceremony which took place in Dublin Castle. Five projects from the justice and equality sector were among the 32 finalists in the annual ‘Civil Service Excellence and Innovation Awards’. There were two winners from the Justice and Equality sector - Modernising Irish Family Law and the Community Return Programme. Read more
Five shortlisted projects from the Justice and Equality sector for the Civil Service Excellence and Innovation Awards ceremony
Joint Probation and Prison team win the category 'Excellence in Innovation' for their Project 'Enhancing ex-prisoner resettlement into communities – the Community Return Programme'.
Justice and Equality team win the 'Excellence in Policy' award for their project - Modernising Irish Family Law to support social change 2015
Justice and Home Affairs
On 3 and 4 December, Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald attended the meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers where agreement on proposals for an EU Passenger Name Record (PNR) Directive, which will form part of the EU's response to fighting terrorism, was reached. Read more
L-R: Mr Jimmy Martin, Assistant Secretary, Prisons, Probation and International Policy, Minister Francis Fitzgerald and Ambassador Declan Kelleher, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU, at the Justice Home Affairs council on 3rd and 4th of December
Ambassador Declan Kelleher, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU and Minister Francis Fitzgerald at the JHA
International Protection Bill 2015 – Second Stage
On 2 December, Minister Fitzgerald delivered the Second Stage speech on the International Protection Bill 2015 in Seanad Eireann. Read more
FOLLOW US:
Follow us on Twitter, subscribe to our news feeds via RSS feeds, or follow us on Flickr to keep up to date with the Department's and our office's and agencies news, photos and events.