Results 15,201-15,220 of 17,803 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Border Management Unit of the Department of Justice and Equality, has responsibility for securing Ireland’s border at Dublin Airport in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration Acts and Orders as they relate to entry and refusal of entry to the State. The Unit has also been collecting and checking Public Health Passenger Locator Forms at Dublin Airport since 28th April...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not engaged the services of Sodexo Ireland.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Bench Warrants (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, difficulties in relation to the execution of warrants, including bench warrants, are a long-standing issue for many police forces around the world; notably relating to persons actively seeking to evade detection and where limited identification information might be available to support enforcement.  These difficulties are compounded where the warrant has...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Due to a lack of spare capacity within my Department’s accommodation portfolio, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has had no other recourse but to contract bed spaces in hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses to meet demand. The premises referred to by the Deputy is one of those premises contracted on an emergency basis.  As it is not...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Advertising (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy within the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy to provide this information as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Eligibility (30 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Citizenship Division of my Department that no application for a certificate of naturalisation has been received from the person concerned. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received. Every application is considered on its individual merits.  It is open to...

Perjury and Related Offences Bill [Seanad] 2018: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Regional Group of Deputies for moving the motion in the House this evening. I am pleased to inform the House that the Government supports the motion and is fully committed to enacting the Perjury and Related Offences Bill 2018 as soon as possible. The importance the Government attaches to this legislation is reflected in our commitment to enact it in the current programme for...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Maternity Leave (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the law now stands, a mother is entitled to paid maternity leave of up to 26 weeks, and up to a further 16 weeks of unpaid leave.  Any amendment to the legislation governing the provision of maternity leave, which falls under my responsibility, would require primary legislation.  The provision of maternity benefit  is under the remit of the Minister for Employment...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Direct Provision System (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 262 together. The International Protection Procurement Services (IPPS) unit of the Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department is responsible for the procurement, contract management, inspection and payments functions associated with the accommodation provided to persons seeking international protection. The two tables...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Citizenship Applications (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be 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. As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Crime Prevention (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am aware of the newspaper article referred to by the Deputy. I can inform the Deputy that the audit referenced in the article was commenced by my Department in 2019 and is currently being finalised. The funding provided by my Department to the organisation referenced in the article is used to support rural communities in the fight against crime and to develop...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Visa Applications (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: In March, the Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department temporarily suspended the processing of all non-priority visas due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included processing in our seven Visa Offices stationed abroad and in Irish consular missions. A limited resumption of visa services commenced from 22 June 2020. During this initial resumption...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Covid-19 Pandemic (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for securing Ireland’s border at Dublin Airport in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration Acts and Orders as they relate to entry and refusal of entry to the State. The Unit has also been collecting and checking Public Health Passenger Locator Forms at Dublin Airport, and undertaking follow-up phone...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Freedom of Information (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. Due to the timeframe for processing requests under the FOI Act, there will always be a number of live cases on hand at the end of each month which are carried forward.  This also applies to cases on hand at the end of each year which have to be finalised in the following calendar year. 2020...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Refugee Status (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Community Sponsorship Ireland is a new community based sponsorship programme which invites members of the public to play a key role in the integration of refugees into Irish society. Under the programme, private citizens and community based organisations provide direct support and assistance to refugees settling in their locality through a structured programme of supports.  To...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Direct Provision System (29 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: During the school year, the centre to which the Deputy refers runs a daily bus into Wicklow Town for adult education classes (twice daily on Tuesday and Wednesday). The centre also runs a daily bus to Ashford crèche for the afternoon session.  In addition the following transport service is available for residents of the accommodation centre: - A bus leaves the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Immigrant Investor Programme (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. He has raised a specific case with certain details on which, perhaps, I cannot respond directly to him now. However, it is important to outline what the process is in the immigrant investor programme, the type of investments and the role of the specific committee he referenced. The immigrant investment programme, IIP, was introduced by the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Immigrant Investor Programme (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Again, I refer to the fact that it is only when the committee deems a project suitable for funding that the submission is made to me for final approval. What my Department must seek, and what I can benefit from, is the expertise that is available beyond my Department. That is why the structure is set up as it is. Obviously, the applicant is also subject to rigorous screening within my...

Seanad: Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am very happy to present this Bill to Seanad Éireann and to discuss it with the Members of the House. As Members will be aware, it is the Government's intention to progress the Bill through all Stages in the House today and I look forward to the exchange of views that will flow from the debate. This important legislation constitutes the Government's response to the new challenges...

Seanad: Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020: Second Stage (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I will not hold it against the Cathaoirleach. I sincerely thank all Senators for their support of this legislation, which is genuinely appreciated. This is the first Bill I have brought through the Houses and I am under no illusion it will always be the case that the legislation will pass as quickly, but I appreciate Senators' support in that regard. I take on board the points that have...