Results 3,941-3,960 of 16,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I wish to assure the deputy that tackling domestic abuse and providing structures that meet the needs of victims in the most appropriate and comprehensive way to ensure a cohesive national response is the collective aim of the Government and is a priority for me as Minister for Justice. With regard to the Deputy's specific query in relation to measures taken to combat domestic abuse in Co....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I would firstly like to assure the Deputy that my Department has consistently adopted a pragmatic approach in relation to immigration arrangements in the context of COVID-19. The pragmatic approach to deportation orders will continue for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. A decision to suspend the issuing of negative international protection decisions during level 5 restrictions had...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Rights (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: Ireland ratified the UN Convention against Torture in 2002. The Optional Protocol to the Convention (OPCAT) dates from 2007; it is in addition to the Convention and is designed to be preventive in nature. Ireland is a signatory to the protocol and will ratify it once the necessary legislation is in place to provide for National Preventative Mechanisms (NPMs) to inspect and monitor places...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Procedures (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: At the outset I wish to emphasise that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána and its operations, including the use of protective equipment. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I understand that the review of the use of anti-spit guards being conducted by An Garda Síochána is almost complete and a final report...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: The application for a labour market access permission, for the person referred to by the Deputy, is currently pending as the Immigration Service of my Department is waiting for the applicant to provide identity documents or to confirm the efforts they have made to establish their identity. To date, the applicant’s responses have not provided either identity documents or an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am acutely aware of this tragic case and all of the circumstances surrounding it and once again I would like to express my deepest sympathies to Ms Fox for the terrible heartache she has suffered and to commend her for her bravery and dedication to working towards honouring her daughter's memory. As has been reported in the media, I did meet with Ms Fox earlier this week where we discussed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Extradition Arrangements (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware the legal basis for extradition in this State up to 2004 was provided for solely by way of the Extradition Act, 1965. Since 2004, surrenders of persons between the Member States of the European Union have operated on the basis of the European Arrest Warrant Act, 2003 which came into effect on 1 January 2004. Extraditions from non-EU States have remained under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probate Applications (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Probate Office is an office of the High Court and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. Probate functions are also carried out by County Registrars at District Probate Registries in 14 provincial court offices. However, in order to be of assistance, I have had...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: My Department reimburses staff for membership fees paid to professional bodies, where membership of the professional body is a requirement for the staff member to practice in the role for which they were employed or where membership of the professional body is key to their role in the Department. In 2019, 40 staff were reimbursed a total of €12,041.75 for annual membership. This...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Probation Service that the Tipperary Probation Service team have approximately 66 operational Community Service Orders. A number of sites have re-opened across the county, aligned with Government health guidance, with more to open in the New Year. Access to site work is addressed as part of both the assessment stage and in the management of the Community Service Order. I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: Tackling domestic abuse and providing supports for victims is a priority for me as Minister and for Government. I am working collectively with my colleagues to ensure we have an appropriate national response that supports victims and holds perpetrators to account. I would remind the Deputy that while funding for frontline services is under the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: House Sales (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: The courts are, subject only to the constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and the conduct of any court case is a matter entirely for the presiding judge. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. Section 4 of the Family Home Protection Act 1976, allows a court, in certain circumstances, to dispense with the consent of a spouse to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the total strength of An Garda Síochána as at 30 November 2020, the latest date for which figures are currently available, is 14,519. Of this total, 10,535 are male and 3,984 are female. These Garda members are supporting by over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide. As the Deputy will be aware, An Garda Síochána has been allocated...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for personnel and human resources matters. I have sought the information requested from An Garda Síochána and will write to the Deputy when I have received it.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: An Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, Garda numbers are now over 14,600 Garda members and over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide. Budget 2021 will allow for the recruitment of up to620 new Gardaí and an extra 500 Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Assets Bureau (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: As you will be aware, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996.  The Bureau’s remit is to target a person's assets, wherever situated, which derive, or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. Since its inception, the Bureau has been at the forefront of fighting organised...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, the decision to grant bail in a particular case is a matter for the presiding Judge, who is independent in the exercise of his or her judicial functions. There is also a Constitutional presumption in favour of the grant of bail as, under Irish Law, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. As previously indicated to the Deputy, public safety is an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: The Irish Prison Service work closely with An Garda Síochána and the Probation Service in respect of the monitoring, supervision and compliance of those on temporary release. As the Deputy may be aware, any prisoner who breaches his or her conditions, including committing a criminal offence, may be arrested and returned to prison immediately by the Gardaí or may be refused...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that figures in relation to cell occupancy levels and in-cell sanitation are collated by the Prison Service Statistics Unit and are published in the IPS website. This information can be found in the Information Centre section under "Statistics and Information - Census Reports" at www.irishprisons.ie. According to the latest available report (dated 20...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Security (10 Dec 2020)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service is committed to addressing both the demand for and the supply of illegal drugs. The prevention of access to contraband including illegal drugs into prisons will always be a high priority for the Irish Prison Service.  It is considered that approximately 70% of prisoners who are committed to custody have addiction issues. Many of...