Results 11,281-11,300 of 17,543 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Schemes (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: It is my goal that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and I am deeply committed to working with our partners in the sector and with my Government colleagues to achieve that. This Government has prioritised tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) in all its forms, and ensuring that people, particularly women and vulnerable people, feel safe and are safe in our...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: Tackling organised criminal activity is a key priority for the Government and an ongoing priority for An Garda Síochána. The Government has supported An Garda Síochána in addressing the threat from organised crime gangs through the introduction of a range of legislative measures. This includes the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which is currently being...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Constitutional presumption that a person is innocent until proven guilty means that restricting a person’s liberty is a serious matter. While our laws do provide for the refusal of bail in certain circumstances, the decision to grant bail in a particular case is always a matter for the presiding judge, who is independent in the exercise of their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour applies to employees of the Irish Prison Service. This Code forms part of the terms of employment of all civil servants who are obliged to adhere to it at all times. Under the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour, an employee who is convicted of a criminal offence...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Jury Service (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: Improving access to justice and modernisation of the courts system, including jury reform, is one of the overarching strategic goals of my Department over the next three years, and is a priority objective of my Justice Plan 2022, which I published last week. The Courts Service has already embarked on multi-year programme of modernisation to enhance the delivery of services to the people...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: It is my goal that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and I am deeply committed to working with our partners in the sector and with my Government colleagues to achieve that. This Government has prioritised tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) in all its forms, and ensuring that people, particularly women and vulnerable people, feel safe and are safe in our...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ukraine War (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 570 together. There is a co-ordinated whole-of-Government response to support people arriving in Ireland who have fled the violence in Ukraine. Government Departments and services are working together to implement Ireland's commitments under the EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC), which has been activated for the first time to grant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Government is acutely aware of the sustained and significant damage that drug dealing has on communities across the country. Organised criminal activity, including drug dealing, represents a serious threat to community safety. As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Health leads on Government policy in the area of drugs, and this policy is guided by the national drugs and alcohol...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the development and implementation of road traffic legislation and policy, including the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, and the promotion and advancement of road safety, falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Transport. An Garda Síochána plays a vital role in enforcing road traffic law and in making our roads safer for all...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ukraine War (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: There is a coordinated whole-of-Government response to support people arriving in Ireland who have fled the violence in Ukraine. Government Departments and services are working together to implement Ireland's commitments under the EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC), which has been activated for the first time to grant temporary protection to displaced persons from Ukraine. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda resources. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: My Department has put in place Victims of Domestic Violence Immigration Guidelines. The Guidelines rightly state that no one should have to suffer domestic violence and recognise that migrants may have additional vulnerability in this area, as the perpetrator may threaten a victim with the loss of their status if they report the abuse. Anyone who is the victim of domestic abuse and whose...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that they continue to review and modify Covid-19 restrictions which have been in place throughout the pandemic. Restrictive measures have been modified in line with the various announcements made by Government and in line with advice from Public Health/HSE and the Irish Prison Service National Infection Control team. Following a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: It is my goal that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one and I am deeply committed to working with our partners in the sector and with my Government colleagues to achieve that. This Government has prioritised tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) in all its forms, and ensuring that people, particularly women and vulnerable people, feel safe and are safe in our...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ukraine War (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC) has been activated in response to the Ukraine crisis. Ireland participates in this measure, which is given legal effect under Section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015. Those eligible for Temporary Protection (granted initially for one year, but renewable) will have immediate access to the labour market,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: I am acutely conscious that the rollout of community CCTV schemes across the country has benefitted many communities, helping people to feel safer in their local areas. This is why it remains a priority for my Department to ensure that community groups continue to be supported in their valued contributions to their local CCTV schemes, whilst ensuring sufficient, proportionate oversight of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Department of Justice is leading a number of important initiatives to ensure we better support victims of crime. When a victim of crime begins to engage with the justice system they should know what to expect, be confident they will be treated respectfully and sensitively, know what their legally enforceable rights are and what supports are available at every step in the process. Central...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Investigations (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: As was advised previously, all information that has been brought to my attention by the academic referred to by the Deputy, including the article you referred last April, has been forwarded to An Garda Síochána for consideration and any appropriate action. The Commissioner has confirmed that the material will be assessed. The Deputy will also be aware that then Minister for Justice,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that a statutory inquiry under section 42 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 was conducted by former Judge Patrick Clyne into the Garda Síochána investigation relating to the death of Mr Patrick Nugent in 1984. The Judge completed his inquiry on 31 October 2020 and my Department received his report on 3 November 2020. The advice of the Attorney...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (29 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: The staffing levels in the Citizenship Division of my Department are kept under review in line with the business needs of the Division. Additional staff have been assigned to the team, as required. At the end of February 2022, there were 25,048 naturalisation applications in progress. Notwithstanding the restrictions, last year, my Department made 11,512 citizenship decisions, which is...