Results 8,161-8,180 of 16,392 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Defective Building Materials (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: The conveyancing system allows purchasers of second hand houses to enquire as to the nature, quality and condition of a property prior to purchase. The Government approved the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Bill 2022 on 21 June and the Bill passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas and was subsequently signed into law by the President on the 23...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: My Department received 782 family reunification applications for 2,287 family members under the International Protection Act 2015 between, 31 October 2021 to 31 October 2022. The table below gives the number of applications received and decided by month. Decisions issued may relate to applications which were received outside the requested period due to the time taken to process applications....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: The persons referred to by the Deputy created online join family visa applications on the 28 July 2022. Officials in the visa office Abu Dhabi have advised that an email requesting further documentation was then sent to the applicants email address on the 28 July 2022. To date the visa office have not received a response to this request. These applications cannot be processed any further...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: It is entirely understandable that an Irish citizen or a non-EEA national lawfully resident in the State would wish to have their parent residing with them so as to ensure their wellbeing as they get older and for the general enrichment of family life. Iranian nationals are visa required and must have a valid Irish entry visa before they seek to enter the State. Any visa required national...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that in certain circumstances officials of my Department may request that the sponsor of an immigration application and their beneficiary undergo a DNA test to confirm the relationship. It should be noted that a DNA test is used only to prove a relationship between the persons tested. It cannot be used to identify a person, therefore sufficient evidence to prove...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Travel Documents (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the completed form should be signed and stamped by the school principal. An appointment should be made with a local Immigration Officer and the signed form presented. The nearest Garda station can be located at the following link: www.garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory/ The individuals referred to do not require a visa or re-entry visa to return to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Prison Service must accept all prisoners committed by the Courts and does not have the option of refusing to take prisoners into custody. The numbers in prison is, of course, subject to peaks and troughs.  Numbers are particularly high when the Courts are at their busiest and following the return to a more normal level of Court activity, committal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: I know that female offenders represent a particularly vulnerable group within the prison system and I can assure the Deputy that the Prison Service is acutely aware of the challenges that these vulnerable women face. The particular needs of women prisoners is reflected in how our modern prison facilities are developed.  The Dóchas Centre, which accommodates the majority of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Assisted Decision-Making (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Programme for Government commits to commencing the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015, recognising the importance of the much-needed reform that it represents. The Act will bring into effect a new legislative framework to support decision making by adults with capacity difficulties. The Act provides for a three tier framework of decision making assistance arrangements,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Protected Disclosures (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Protected Disclosures Act was enacted in 2014 to allow employees to bring alleged wrongdoing to the attention of the appropriate authorities. The Act also affords very important protections to persons making protected disclosures. I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate therefore that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on nor confirm the existence...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Registration Office of my Department is currently open to the public in Burgh Quay from 8am to 9pm Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 6pm on Friday. The Registration Office is also open some weekends during peak demand. Any person registering for the first time is required to attend at their local registration office in person and, as part of my Department’s ongoing work...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: Fireworks, because they are explosives, are regulated under national and EU legislation and can only be imported into the country under licence and stored and sold in accordance with explosives law. Government policy restricts the availability of all hazardous fireworks to the general public. Licences under the Explosives Act are issued by my Department only for the importation of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: I understand the Deputy is referring to Parliamentary Questions No. 599, 736 and 396 of 17 May 2022, 12 July 2022 and 27 September 2022, which asked for 'the number of interview rooms in each Garda station within DMR as of 9 May 2022, in tabular form; and if any of those rooms are reserved for suspects, victims or witnesses of crime and that are aged under 18 years of age’.  As...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Reviews (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: In July 2020, my Department contracted an independent expert to undertake the review of Part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act. As part of the review, an online public consultation was opened and contributions were received from a broad range of organisations with different perspectives. The review will consider all aspects outlined in the Terms of Reference. The review is being...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, any decision on whether or not to prosecute a case rests with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) which is independent in the performance of its functions.  Any relevant information on the number of cases brought before the courts, and/or convictions, would be held by the Courts Service. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, however, the information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that no officials in my Department have undertaken the Harvard Business School advanced management programme in the specified timeframe.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: As you will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for decisions in relation to the management of the Garda Vote. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in such matters. However, I am informed by the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Nov 2022)

Helen McEntee: I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.