Results 2,401-2,420 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (14 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: Garda Operations (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Garda powers in response to the Covid -19 pandemic were provided for under section 31A of the Health Act 1947, as inserted by the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 and brought temporarily into effect through subsequent regulations – the Health Act, 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Substance Misuse (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am informed that An Garda Síochána is aware of the potential health issues that arise as a consequence of the misuse of nitrous oxide. However, at present, nitrous oxide is not a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Acts and is therefore outside my remit as Minister for Justice and Equality. Requests for information in relation to the misuse of nitrous oxide should...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Carer's Leave (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: Section 6 of the Carer's Leave Act 2001 provides that employees with at least one year's continuous service are entitled to take up to 104 weeks of carer's leave. While there are no plans to amend the Carer's Leave Act, I am conscious of demands on parents at this time and hope that the additional measures to support working parents that my Department has introduced in recent years are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: My Department, the HSE and the management of all of our centres are doing everything that we can to protect the health and welfare of our residents and centre staff as well as that of the wider community at this time. We are working closely with the HSE in doing so, and while the HSE advice has evolved over time, we have been assured by both it and the Office of the Chief Medical Officer that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2018, known as the Clancy Amendment, seeks to penalise car owners who knowingly allow their vehicles to be used by an unaccompanied learner driver. The law allows the owners of these vehicles to be fined and gives Gardaí the power to seize their cars if being driven by unaccompanied drivers. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the monthly...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: At present, there are 39 coronial districts in Ireland, served by 34 Coroners. Some of these coronial districts lie within the same county’s administrative area, such as Galway (3 coronial districts), Monaghan (2 coronial districts), Cork County (3 coronial districts), Kerry (3 coronial districts), Wicklow (2 coronial districts), Mayo (2 coronial districts -reduced from 3 coronial...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (14 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. Under the Act, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I have requested information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter but it was unfortunately not possible to compile it in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly with the information requested, when it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that all funds collected by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) in the course of its activities are returned to the Exchequer for the benefit of the Central Fund, in accordance with the relevant legislation. I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that the following table sets out monies returned to the Exchequer by the Bureau, under section 4(1) / 4(A) of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Expenditure (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and control of An Garda Síochána and for the effective and efficient use of Garda resources. Further, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. Works in relation to Garda accommodation are therefore progressed by the Garda authorities working in close...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: I understand the concerns that people have in relation to the purchase for delivery of alcohol products and am very conscious of the detrimental effects of alcohol dependency on families and society. In terms of assessing whether a review of legislation is required in relation to the delivery of alcohol, however, it is essential that there is a clear understanding of what the current...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Protected Disclosures (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 came into operation on 15 July 2014 and my Department has a formal Protected Disclosures Policy in place. The Act provides comprehensive protections for workers in both the public and private sectors against penalisation by their employers in circumstances where they have raised concerns about potential wrongdoing. Those employed in the Irish Prison Service...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Seized Property (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: It is a matter of great importance that the proceeds of the crime are recovered and reinvested back into keeping communities safe. Ireland has a robust legislative framework in place allowing for the freezing, seizure and confiscation of assets that are derived from criminal conduct. As the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for the identification, tracing, freezing, and ultimate...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 20 June 2002 and therefore has no entitlement to residency in the State. Representations were received on behalf of the person concerned pursuant to Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to revoke the Deportation Order. Following the consideration of those representations, a decision was taken that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: There is no record of a current application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy. A decision on their previous application issued by letter on 22 October 2018. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: It is important to note that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and control of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for all Garda operations, including stopping and reporting drivers for driving without insurance, tax, an up to date NCT and speeding. I, as Minister, have no role in these matters. I am, however, informed by the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Grand Hotel is currently the only permanent accommodation centre in County Wicklow and, as of 5 July 2020, is accommodating 87 residents. In order to protect the identity of international protection applicants, my Department does not disclose the location of emergency accommodation centres. However, I can confirm that as of 5 July 2020, there are 198 persons living in emergency...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: A confidential Freephone telephone support service, funded by but independent of my Department, was established in May 2020 to provide further support to residents in both permanent and temporary accommodation centres during the COVID-19 pandemic. This Freephone helpline is operated by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). As the service is confidential, the data from the calls is not...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (14 Jul 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department examines each case of an undocumented or illegal person in the State on a case-by-case basis and has consistently urged anyone in this position to come forward if they wish to apply to regularise their position in the State. A pragmatic approach is taken in relation to each case, which is considered on its individual merits. ...