Results 12,201-12,220 of 17,543 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (15 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, vetting applications are an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. Neither I, as Minister, nor my Department have any role in the processing of individual vetting applications. I am informed by the Garda authorities that all Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) staff have continued to work on-site over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (15 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: In February 2021 I published Justice Plan 2021, the first in a series of annual plans outlining actions to drive reforms across the Justice sector to build a justice system that works for everyone. These actions reflect my priorities as Minister for Justice, in line with the various commitments set out in the Programme for Government. The various actions are aligned with the Department's five...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (15 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: Tackling domestic abuse and providing supports for victims is a priority for me and for this Government. We are working collectively to address the immediate challenges posed by the pandemic, but is also working to improve how we deliver supports and services to domestic abuse victims going forward. The organisations referred to by the Deputy are among our important partners helping us take...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Missing Persons (14 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: I wish to acknowledge the pain and trauma experienced by all families of missing persons in the State. As the Deputy will be aware, the national DNA database, which is administered by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI), has been a significant breakthrough in identifying missing and unknown persons in recent years. To encourage more family members to participate in DNA testing, my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (14 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: I wish to advise the Deputy that the relevant review is expected to be completed in early 2022 and will be given detailed consideration within the Department and by the Irish Prison Service at that stage.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (14 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 12 February 2020. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. I recognise the crucial role...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cybersecurity Policy (14 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: My Department and Agencies take their responsibilities seriously with regard to cyber security and use technologies and procedures to secure their networks. For reasons of operational and national security it would not be appropriate to disclose details of my Department’s cyber security arrangements, or those of State offices, agencies and bodies under my remit. Any information in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (14 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: In response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the persons concerned. These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, is currently being considered under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (14 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: For reasons of maintaining full confidentiality, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for asylum or subsidiary protection has been made in the State. An applicant for such protection status, or their legal representative, should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (14 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Coroners Service is a network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. Coroners are quasi-judicial officers and are independent in the conduct of their functions. Neither I nor my Department has any role in the directing the work of the coroner. My Department does, however, actively support coroners in the carrying out of their very important service to the public....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (14 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: There is no official data on the number of undocumented people in the State, as such people tend to avoid official notice. The Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland has previously estimated that there are some 15,000 to 17,000 undocumented people in the State including 2,000 to 3,000 children. These are estimates and not official statistics. There are a variety of reasons as to why people...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (14 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy created an online employment visa application on 7 November 2021. The supporting documentation and fees were received on 17 November 2021 in the New Delhi Visa Office. Their application was examined in detail and a decision was made to refuse their visa on 25 November 2021. The reasons for the refusal are outlined in the refusal letter. It is open to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (14 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase and distribution of Garda resources such as Garda vehicles. As Minister for Justice, 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 (14 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda training matters. I, as Minister, have no role in such matters. I have been provided with the figures in the table below by the Garda authorities, which outlines the number of Gardaí who...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (14 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business. This includes the allocation of resources to the various Garda divisions/specialised units. As Minister I play no role in this independent function. Further, under the Act, the Garda Commissioner is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (14 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the enforcement of road traffic legislation. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters. The following table, furnished to me by the Garda authorities, provides a yearly...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (14 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda training matters. I, as Minister, have no role in such matters. Please find as follows the table provided by Garda authorities that provides the information requested by the Deputy. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (14 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: I recognise and acknowledge the crucial role frontline workers are continuing to play in responding to the threat of COVID-19. They work in a challenging environment and deal with vulnerable people on a daily basis. Their exceptional commitment has been particularly clear throughout the pandemic, during which they have been playing a key role in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (14 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes operational matters such as Garda vetting. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is necessary for enhanced vetting and background checks and security vetting to be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (14 Dec 2021)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 508 and 513, inclusive, 518 and 522, inclusive, together. The Government has approved my proposal for a once-in-a-generation scheme to regularise thousands of undocumented migrants and their families who are living in Ireland. The scheme will be for long-term undocumented migrants and their eligible dependents where the specific criteria is met. The scheme...