Results 2,341-2,360 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Assisted Decision-Making (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 623, 630 and 633 together. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (“the 2015 Act”) provides a modern statutory framework to support decision-making by adults with capacity difficulties. The 2015 Act was signed into law on 30 December 2015 but has not yet been fully commenced. The Act provides for the establishment of new...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (7 Jul 2020)

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, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to continues to be processed with a view to establishing if they meet 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 through naturalisation is a privilege and an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: In order to qualify for this endorsement, a person must have eight years (96 months) legal residency in the State excluding periods spent as a student. The person concerned did not meet this requirement. Legal residency is calculated solely on the basis of immigration endorsements in a passport(s) and not on the time that an individual may have been physically in the State. However, it is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: My Department welcomes and supports interaction between the local community and residents in our Accommodation Centres. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our centres were closed to visitors for a number of months, in order to protect our residents and staff. In line with the phased re-opening of society and gradual lifting of public health restrictions, our centres reopened to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (7 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 provided the following update on this matter. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that combatting domestic abuse is a priority for me and my Department. It is also an important aspect of the National Strategy for Women and Girls and the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. Officials in my Department are in regular contact with stakeholders in the community and frontline services in relation to domestic abuse,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: My Department is actively considering the immigration case of the person concerned and requested the submission of additional information and documentation on 10 June 2020. This documentation has not yet been received. I note from the details you supplied that further documentation has been submitted by the individual concerned. Receipt of the documentation may have been impacted by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to continues to be processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and a decision will be made as expeditiously as possible. As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation (7 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 has installed the following...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Combatting domestic abuse is a priority for me and my Department. It is an important aspect of the National Strategy for Women and Girls and the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence and a range of actions are being taken in that regard, including public awareness raising campaigns. My Department developed an inter-agency plan to address domestic abuse during...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Equipment (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána by law is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the updating and distribution of Garda public order uniform and equipment, and I as Minister have no role in the matter. With regard to the specific nature of your query, I have referred this matter to An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner has responsibility for management of An Garda Síochána and for the allocation and efficient use of Garda resources. This includes responsibility for the distribution of personnel across the various Garda Divisions. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters. I am assured that An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands. This includes responsibility for the allocation of Garda vehicles among the various...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I appreciate the concerns that the public health emergency is causing for many families in relation to court orders for access. The welfare of the child is paramount and parents continue to be responsible for ensuring their children’s welfare. While setting the terms of court orders and related proceedings are matters proper to the courts, which neither I nor my Department are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Ceremonies (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Following on from the necessary postponement of the citizenship ceremonies scheduled for this month in the INEC Killarney, work commenced immediately on the examination of alternative methods of service delivery. A critical consideration is the protection of the welfare and safety of the participants and the general public. It is also essential that any arrangements put in place ensure...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Functions (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The transfer of functions between Departments is governed by the Ministers and Secretaries Acts 1924-2017, and will be determined by a Government decision and resulting Transfer of Functions Order. The implementation of the transfer of functions is also guided by the Transfer of Functions Guidelines and Best Practice Handbook developed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Maternity Benefit (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 642 to 644, inclusive, 647, 650, 654 and 657 together. 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. Two weeks must be taken before the baby is due, and at least four weeks must be taken after the birth. Any amendment to the legislation governing the provision of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: National Advocacy Service (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, having reviewed the records held by the Restorative Justice Implementation Unit, we have confirmed that there were a number of applicants who were resident in St. Margaret’s nursing home, Donnybrook and all of these residents were linked to the National Advocacy Service when applying to the ex-gratia scheme. However, it is understood that this institution has...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that proactively tackling all forms of drug crime is a priority for An Garda Síochána. The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) is having significant success in disrupting drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs by organised crime groups. Its work is supported by Divisional Drugs Units nationwide, and by all Gardaí working...