Results 8,921-8,940 of 16,457 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (6 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and during all levels of public health restrictions. For a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (6 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy created an online Long Stay Join Family (Irish national)(Spouse) visa application on 16 February 2022. The supporting documentation was received on 2 March 2022. This application was received in the Dublin Visa Office for further processing on 11 April 2022. Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (6 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. For the Deputy's information the attached...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (6 Jul 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 advised, however, that Garda management keeps the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (6 Jul 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 advised, however, that Garda management keeps the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (6 Jul 2022)

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

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (6 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: Officials in the Citizenship Division of my Department wrote to the person referred to by the Deputy on 31 May 2021, requesting documentation in order to progress their application. The documents requested related to the passport of person concerned; a letter of authority regarding the person's solicitor; proof of residency; and a receipt of payments from the Department of Social Protection....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (6 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: The immigration case of the person referred to by the Deputy is impacted by the European Court of Justice judgment in the Chenchooliah case. My Department issued the person concerned a Stamp 1 permission letter dated 27 May 2022, which allows them to work without the need for an employment permit. Their longer-term position in the State is expected to be decided on within the period of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (6 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can confirm that my Department, in line with normal practice, consulted with the Office of the Attorney General in respect of the General Scheme of the Communications (Retention of Data) Bill 2022. The Department has not engaged any private legal company on same.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: We have worked very closely with the Ministers for Education, and Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to examine education right from primary school level through to our colleges of further education. Clear timelines for the development of a new curriculum have been set out looking at it in an age-appropriate way with a timeline for the junior cycle and senior...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Proposed Legislation (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has become a more diverse and welcoming country in recent decades. I strongly condemn, as I know he does, the actions of the small minority of people who subject others to abuse or attack resulting from their own prejudice. On 16 April 2021, I published the general scheme of the criminal justice (incitement to hatred and hate crime) Bill 2021 following...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Proposed Legislation (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy said, it is really important that we send a strong signal to those who wish to commit these crimes that they will not be tolerated. It is not just focused on crimes but also on incitement to hate. This is where a person, be it verbally, online, in print or in any other type of media actively seeks to incite hatred against another individual or group of people simply because of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Asylum Applications (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for his question. There are probably a number of factors which have resulted in the significant increase. Yes, it is true to say that one of those factors is possibly the policies which have been implemented within the UK and it is possible that the change and the sentiment following Brexit has also had an implication. Post Covid-19 we have seen more people on the move,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I will answer Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together. I will start by saying a sincere thanks to those who were involved in the development of the strategy. This is a follow-on and builds on the great amount of work that was done in the previous two strategies by our former colleague and Minister, Frances Fitzgerald, in particular. We have worked very closely not just with all Government...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I thank both of the Deputies for their contributions. On the delivery of refuge accommodation, a great amount of work is to be done. I am working very closely with Tusla and with service providers. I am building on the work that has been done to date to put in place a very clear structure so that we have a common design and service delivery right across the board. Where we have a county...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I will respond to that last question. Grants range from €20,000 to €150,000. We must look at the types of projects that have been applied for. We are still going through that. How many projects receive a grant and how the funding is divided up would then depend on the types of projects that have been sought. The fewer of the €150,000 type projects there are, the more...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Asylum Applications (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: My objective is to have recommendations made as soon as possible on international protection applications. This ensures people who are found to be in need of protection can receive it quickly and can begin to rebuild their lives here with a sense of safety and security. I assure the Deputy that my Department continues to innovate to improve our processes and to reduce processing times,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Asylum Applications (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate that is a different Department, but I believe I can speak on behalf of all us when we acknowledge the huge amount of work that is being done by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, led by the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, not just in responding to the significant numbers of people coming in from Ukraine, which is more than 40,000...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I agree with the Deputy that we all have a role to play in upholding and maintaining the Good Friday Agreement and on how the relationship on this island has developed. From my engagement with the Minister, Ms Naomi Long, and the Department's engagement, a significant way in which we can uphold the Good Friday Agreement is by maintaining peace and making sure that those who seek to disrupt...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (5 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: Without knowing the details of the case, I will be happy to talk to the Deputy outside the Chamber. As he rightly pointed out and as we all know, agreements and arrangements are in place which were reached following a ceasefire, particularly relating to prisoners in the North and the South. We adhere to those arrangements. It is important that we do so and that we ensure we maintain that...