Results 3,501-3,520 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I would not rule anything out but that is without any information on how it would operate separate to what is already there. There is a huge amount already there in terms of oversight and working with the Prison Service.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Without trying to avoid the question, the facilities themselves fall to the Minister, Deputy O’Gorman, in his remit as Minister with responsibility for youth. While some of the responsibilities have come back into my remit or into the Department of Justice, there are specific programmes separate to any facilities that might exist. There is over €2 million in funding connected...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: While not being able to respond to any individual case, there are a significant number of compassionate leave cases for medical reasons and, obviously, genuine recommendations are made by the Prison Service as to whether or not security is needed. There is a very clear process that has to be undertaken, and that is adhered to. However, there are compassionate grounds for many prisoners and...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: With regard to legal aid, there has been an increase of €2 million in this year's budget which, obviously, applies to the various different elements within the legal aid structure. There is a continuing increase in need for it. Having met the Legal Aid Board, in recent weeks, I have given a commitment to review the overall process and how people can access legal aid. There was a...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I will feed that back in.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: In respect of Hammond Lane, funding has been allocated, which is one of the most significant elements. The design stage is being finalised. Once that happens, it will go to tender. There is quite a large hole in the ground so a bit of work has been done but quite a significant amount of work needs to be done. I would like to see it as soon as possible. If the design can be concluded as...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, four options for Tralee courthouse are being considered. Obviously, the Deputy has a very clear preference for that. The options are: building a new courthouse on the portion of the Ballymullen barracks site; refurbishment of the existing courthouse; possible acquisition of a site owned by An Post that is to the rear of the courthouse; and building a new courthouse...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I know Covid has been a factor in this and has delayed many things. I would like to see a decision made sooner rather than later because I am conscious that many people are awaiting it.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: As it has been raised, I have no problem responding to that if it is appropriate.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Further Revised) (17 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The last thing I want is for anyone to say I am refusing to answer questions or outline the process that is taking place. Earlier this year the Chief Justice identified that there was a vacancy within the Supreme Court. He asked the then Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, to fill that vacancy. Obviously, the process then ensued. The Judicial Appointments Advisory Board,...

Community Safety and Preventing Crime: Statements (18 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am sharing time with the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne. I am pleased to have the opportunity to make a statement on community safety and preventing crime. I am also looking forward to hearing the contributions from Deputies and to working with them on this issue. Members of the House will be aware that the mission of An Garda Síochána is "Keeping People Safe". This...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Training (18 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Meetings (18 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: I have consulted with officials in my Department and can confirm that neither I, nor my predecessor Minister Flanagan during his tenure in office in this Department, have had any meetings with representatives of the Israeli Ministry of Public Security. Further, I can confirm that I have no plans to meet with any representatives of the Israeli Ministry of Public Security at present.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (18 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. An Garda Síochána are responsive to the changing nature of crime, responding to evolving threats, increasing their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (18 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: An application for a Certificate of Naturalisation has been received from the person concerned and will be processed with a view to establishing whether the person meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. Foremost among those conditions is that the person will have accumulated 60 months of reckonable residence in the State. The granting of Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda National Immigration Bureau (18 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: My Department registers persons residing in the Dublin area only. The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) processes all applications outside of Dublin through the Garda Station network.  However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have made enquiries with the Commissioner and have received the following update.  The Henry Street Immigration Office is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (18 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: Based on the details provided by the Deputy, there is no record of an application, or a request, from the person concerned for permission to remain in the State since their last permission expired on 12 May 2019. If more information can be provided, my officials will be happy to re-examine the Deputy's request.  The person...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (18 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, transposing the EU (Recast) Reception Conditions Directive, came into effect from 30 June 2018. The Regulations include a provision on access to the labour market for eligible international protection applicants. Currently, any applicant who has not received a first instance decision within 9 months can make an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (18 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Citizenship Division of the Immigration Service of my Department is working very hard to maintain as prompt a service as possible during the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Unfortunately, as a result of these restrictions, significant delays are occurring in the issuing of acknowledgment receipts and the processing and return of documentation.  ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (18 Nov 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources.  As Minister, I have no role in these matters.  I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and...