Results 15,241-15,260 of 17,803 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: All permanent accommodation centres under contract to my Department are subject to three unannounced inspections per annum: twice by officials of the Immigration Service of my Department and once by an independent company (QTS Limited).  Inspections cover a wide range of issues including fire safety and other health and safety issues....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: A request has been received both in my office and Minister of State Charlie McConalogue's office in relation to arranging a meeting with the group referred to. The request is currently being considered and an official from my Department will contact the organisation directly in relation to their request shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: A number of complaints received by my Department from the named person are of a sensitive and confidential nature and they are the subject of ongoing independent investigations.  It would not be appropriate for me to expand on the nature of these concerns. Recent correspondence received from the named person is under consideration and a response will issue as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Magdalen Laundries (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 769 to 772, inclusive, together. I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to implementing the only remaining recommendation of the Magdalen Commission Report (The Quirke Report) which is the establishment of a suitable memorial. My Department provided substantial funding to the Justice for Magdalenes Research Group (JFMR), the organisers of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Students (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The question of entry for any individual, visa or non-visa required, is determined by the Immigration Officer at the port of entry at the time the individual seeks entry into the State.  All relevant factors are taken into account with the principal ones being the purpose of the visit, the duration of stay, the ability of the individual to support themselves during their stay,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Brexit Issues (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The United Kingdom left the European Union at midnight (CET) on 31 January 2020, on the basis of the Withdrawal Agreement. This Agreement includes a transition period, which is due to last until at least 31 December 2020.  During the transition period, EU rules and regulations will continue to apply to the United Kingdom and its citizens who will still benefit from the Freedom of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 775, 802 and 811 together. I can inform the Deputy that there is already comprehensive legislation in place to address crimes of theft and fraud. The Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 provides for offences of theft, the handling of stolen property and the possession of stolen property. The offence of theft provided for by this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Civil Registration Service (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: After being closed for four months due to COVID-19 restrictions, Registration Offices outside of Dublin, which are operated by An Garda Síochána, are reopening on a phased basis, in line with the Government Roadmap.  Email addresses for each Registration Office are provided for queries and the arranging of appointments. Further information on the contact...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The premises referred to by the Deputy has been contracted by my Department on a rolling basis since April 2020, to support the Department’s COVID-19 response and specifically to provide short-term accommodation to persons in the Direct Provision system who are required by the health authorities to isolate after a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.  For this reason, details of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The join spouse visa application referred to by the Deputy was submitted to the Visa Office in Athens, Greece on 18 December 2019. The application was subsequently received by the Immigration Service in Dublin on 28 January 2020, for further processing, in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Substance Misuse (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 779, 796 and 797 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Health leads on Government policy in this area and is guided by the national drugs strategy "Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025". This represents a whole-of-Government response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Programme for Government recognises the importance of ensuring more visible community policing, in line with the report of the Commission for the Future of Policing in Ireland. To this end, the Government is committed to supporting the continuation of the training of new Garda recruits annually. This commitment to prioritising the implementation of the report,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Civilian Staff (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is the accounting officer of An Garda Síochána and is statutorily responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána including human resource matters. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters. I am assured however, that Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The budget approved for Vote 21 (Prisons) for the year ending 31 December 2020 is €345,674,000 in current expenditure including salaries, wages and allowances, excluding capital funding (€46,689,000).  The current expenditure  includes a once-off amount of €9 million for an additional payday falling due in 2020. On the basis of total current...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Facilities (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that it operates a significant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Assets Bureau (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is an independent multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996 with staff drawn from An Garda Síochána, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Department of Justice and Equality.  The Bureau’s...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that it is in the process of assessing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Youth Diversion Projects (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Youth Diversion Programme is supported by a network of Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs). The projects are community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people who have become involved in crime or anti-social behaviour and to support wider preventative work within the community and with families at risk. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: In line with the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2016–2021 and in accordance with the Istanbul Convention, my Department and the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in 2019 signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the undertaking of a nationally representative survey on the prevalence of sexual violence in Ireland. The CSO have begun...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (28 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that the quantum of the regular...