Results 9,741-9,760 of 16,457 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (4 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. The allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. As Minister, I have no role in these independent...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (4 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest. To date,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (4 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I am advised that an updated valuation report was completed recently in respect of the land and buildings in Thornton Hall. I can confirm that this recent valuation, which was for €6.5m, is reflected in the Prison Vote Appropriation Account for 2021, which was submitted to the Comptroller and Auditor General's Office at the end of March in accordance with the statutory deadline.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (4 May 2022)

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

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (4 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: My Department's Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification contains a stated business target that visa applications for family reunification for immediate family members of Irish citizens and Category A sponsors, such as Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) holders, should be processed within six months of application. The Visa Division of my Department is currently well within...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (4 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 398 together. I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Irish Prison Service. The information is currently being collated and verified so I will write to the Deputy once that information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (4 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that for security and operational reasons the Irish Prison Service is not in a position to provide a breakdown of the staff resources allocated to individual prisons. However, the number of Prison Grade staff employed by the Irish Prison Service for the period 2017 – 2021 (as at 31 December of each year) is outlined in the table below. Year ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (4 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: Ireland welcomes international students who wish to live here in order to pursue a full-time course of study. For students who have completed a master's degree programme, Level 9 on the National  Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), it is open to them to make an application at their local immigration office for a Stamp 1G. A Stamp 1G may be granted for up to 24 months subject to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (4 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: When undertaking the statutory declaration process, the onus is on the witness to be satisfied that the identity of the applicant has been established. However, an out of date passport may be accepted by the witness as proof of identity for the purpose of completing the statutory declaration of fidelity. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (4 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: My Department currently has one staff member seconded to the University of Limerick. This staff member's salary is paid by the Department and recouped from the University of Limerick on a quarterly basis.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Directives (4 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that there has been one fine imposed on my Department by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in relation to a delay in transposing Directive (EU) 2015/849 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing. On July 16, 2020, the ECJ imposed a €2 million lump-sum fine for this delay. The Court...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Programmes (4 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 to 408, inclusive, together. The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced by Government Decision in April 2012, to encourage inward investment and to create business and employment opportunities in the State. The Programme was introduced at a time when Ireland was going through a very significant economic downturn and Departments were tasked with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (4 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Government takes the issue of sexual exploitation of children very seriously and there is comprehensive legislation in place to deal with these offences. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act was enacted in early 2017. It is a wide-ranging piece of legislation, which significantly enhances laws to combat the sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children.  Specific offences...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Freedom of Speech (4 May 2022)

Helen McEntee: Firstly, I want to acknowledge the recent launch by Vice-President Jourová, of the European Commission’s package of proposed measures to combat SLAPPs - Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation - and the work undertaken by the Commission in this area. This refers to the strategic and abusive use by a powerful entity of vexatious litigation, to weaken and deter public...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Chair and committee for giving me opportunity to join them this morning to discuss the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly, in particular, regarding domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. I thank them for their support and commitment on this issue. I want to take this opportunity to thank the chairperson, Dr. Catherine Day, and other members of the assembly for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality: Recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: If I skip over any of the issues, the Chairman might remind me but I think I have made a note of most of what the Deputy mentioned. This will absolutely be published before the summer recess. I appreciate the intention was to publish it this month but we want to ensure we get a number of elements right. The change for the provision of services from the Department of Children, Equality,...