Results 2,361-2,380 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demand. This includes deployment of personnel among the various Garda...

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

Helen McEntee: Tackling serious crime in the North Dublin region is a priority for myself, my Department and across the whole of government. The then Taoiseach and my predecessor as Minister previously met with the Garda Commissioner and members of his senior management team in relation to serious crime incidents in the DMR North and the coordinated response mounted by An Garda Síochána to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Staff (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Provision of safe and secure custody and dignity of care to persons in the penal system in Ireland is a priority for my Department and the Prison Service. I understand that the prison healthcare service provides prisoners with access to the same range of quality of healthcare services as available under the medical card scheme in the community. The Prison Service Health Care Standards guide...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Staff (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Provision of safe and secure custody and dignity of care to persons in the penal system in Ireland is a priority for my Department and the Prison Service. I understand that the prison healthcare service provides prisoners with access to the same range of quality of healthcare services as available under the medical card scheme in the community. The Prison Service Health Care Standards guide...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Provision of safe and secure custody and dignity of care to persons in the penal system in Ireland is a priority for my Department and the Prison Service. I understand that the prison healthcare service provides prisoners with access to the same range of quality of healthcare services as available under the medical card scheme in the community. The Prison Service Health Care Standards guide...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Responsibilities (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department intends to publish the briefing material provided to the Minister and Minister of State, subject to appropriate redaction guided by the Freedom of Information Act, and will provide the Deputy with a copy of this as soon as it is available.

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

Helen McEntee: The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources. As the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Personal Insolvency Arrangements (7 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Insolvency Acts 2012 to 2015 already provide for a number of mechanisms to help individuals who are unable to pay their debts by reason of insolvency, namely Debt Relief Notices, Debt Settlement Arrangements, and Personal Insolvency Arrangements (which apply to people with secured debts such as mortgages and unsecured debt). In practice, the insolvency legislation and infrastructure...

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

Helen McEntee: In early March 2020, as part of my Department’s rapid response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, an examination of all offers of suitable accommodation was undertaken. This included the premises mentioned by the Deputy, which had previously been visited by a senior official. A range of accommodation options were urgently brought on stream to reduce density in our centres...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I move the following Revised Estimates: Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised) That a sum not exceeding €1,782,581,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2020, for the salaries and expenses of the Garda Síochána, including pensions, etc.; for the payment of certain witnesses'...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising both of these issues. On the anti-racism committee, as the Deputy has rightly outlined, it was announced and formed in June by my predecessor, Deputy Flanagan. I thank him for his work in this role. Its terms of reference have a wide scope. It is there to review the current evidence on racial discrimination in Ireland, to examine international practice in...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising two very important points. The report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland underlines exactly what the Deputy spoke of regarding a human rights-based approach and also a community policing model whereby gardaí work on the ground and are visible and engaged with the community. Covid-19 gave a good glimpse of what that would look like,...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for his contribution. It might be good for me to outline some of the work that has been done, particularly in the implementation of the commission recommendations and in A Policing Service for the Future, which is a four year plan to implement the report. An increase in garda numbers and ensuring that continues as well as ensuring training continues are extremely...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I will try to respond to a number of the questions. On the retirement age, as with many issues, this issue is highlighted in the commission's report. It provides that An Garda Síochána should reflect the diversity of Irish society and should, therefore, develop recruitment strategies to try to achieve a more diverse intake. These recommendations echo those of the Garda...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I thank the three Deputies for raising these issues. First, let me touch on the issue raised by Deputy Richmond, namely, the support for An Garda Síochána. The Deputy is correct that gardaí are often placed in very difficult circumstances and asked to respond to very challenging situations. They put themselves at risk every day of the week. We have seen this most recently...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (Resumed) (9 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy raised a number of matters. Whereas the separation of some elements of my Department is still under consideration, I absolutely assure the Deputy that I will work as closely as possible with the Minister with responsibility for children, disability, equality and integration, Deputy O'Gorman, on the range of matters where I feel the connection remains and where it is necessary. ...

Maternity Leave Benefit Extension: Motion [Private Members] (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I move: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that the public health emergency has caused significant hardship and stress across our population, not least for parents and children, and acknowledges the issues raised by the #ExtendMaternityLeave2020 campaign established by mothers currently on maternity leave and by the National Women's...

Maternity Leave Benefit Extension: Motion [Private Members] (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The five-week extension will be introduced over two budgets.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Maternity Leave (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 889 to 892, inclusive, 894 to 896, inclusive, 900, 902, 904 and 913 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Transport (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I understand it is the decision of the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána that it is appropriate for the current arrangements to remain in place for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate to comment any further on security arrangements which are kept under ongoing review by An Garda Síochána. I have...