Results 4,121-4,140 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Prison Service (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in Table 1 and Table 2 below. I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the information set out in Table 1 outlines the vehicle budget and spend for 2019 - 2021. Table 2 outlines the Prison Service Vehicle Maintenance budget and spend for years 2019-2021. Table 3 outlines Fuel, Parking and Toll Expenditure for the years 2019 - 2020. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Civilian Staff (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is the accounting officer of An Garda Síochána and is statutorily responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána including human resource matters. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters. I am assured however, that Garda management...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office in Karachi on 26 October 2020. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicants at that time. An appeal of this decision was then submitted and this appeal was subsequently refused on 25 November 2020. It is open to the applicant to submit a new visa application at any...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: To ensure that people do not fall out of permission during the Covid-19 pandemic, six automatic extensions of immigration permissions have been provided, the most recent to 20 April 2021. The renewal of permission is on the same basis as the existing permission and the same conditions attach. This automatic extension applies in the case of the person referred to by the Deputy. The person...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 11 March 2019. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. If any further documentation is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Tests (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together. From midnight on 15 January 2021, all passengers arriving into Ireland by air or ferry are required to produce evidence of a negative/not detected RT-PCR Covid-19 test, taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival. Regulations under the Health Act 1947 underpin these new requirements. Under these Regulations, passengers are legally required to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: In line with the clear commitments that both I and the Taoiseach have given, the position remains that no further deportation orders are being enforced during the Covid-19 pandemic except in circumstances where an individual may be a threat to national security and whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest. Furthermore, my Department has consistently adopted a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Ceremonies (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I was pleased to announce earlier this week that a temporary system is now in place that will enable citizenship applicants to complete their naturalisation process by signing a statutory declaration of loyalty. This signedstatutory declaration replaces the requirement for citizenship applicants to attend citizenship ceremonies, which have been temporarily suspended during COVID-19. Under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Data (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I am informed that An Garda Síochána no longer utilise a code for the offence of 'driving while disqualified', as there is no separate offence of ‘driving while disqualified’ provided for in the Road Traffic Acts. Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended by Section 12 of the Road Traffic Act 2006, creates the offence of ‘Driving without a Driving...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the Department of Health and the HSE are leading the Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and have primary responsibility for the provision of information to the public about the new public health regulations. In supporting the public health regulations, the Garda Commissioner and his senior team have implemented a carefully graduated policing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: An Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. The significant level of funding provided over recent years is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, there 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (20 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I am very conscious of the huge distress that can be caused by the crime of dog theft and the strong emotional bonds that owners have with their pets. I can inform the Deputy that there is already comprehensive legislation in place to address such crimes of theft and fraud as well as related animal welfare offences, including: - The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; - Protection of Animals...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Irish Refugee Protection Programme Humanitarian Admission Programme (IHAP) was announced in May 2018 as part of the Government's plan to realise the full commitment of 4,000 persons agreed under the first phase of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) in September 2015. The processing of applications made under the IHAP programme is the only element of the IRPP that remains under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 10 September 2019. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. If any further documentation is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 291 and 297 together. The Deputies will be aware that an inquiry under Section 42 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 was conducted by former Judge Patrick Clyne into the Garda Síochána investigation relating to the death of Mr Patrick Nugent in 1984. I can inform the Deputy that Judge Clyne completed his inquiry on 31 October 2020 and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that the General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill was approved by the Government for drafting on 15 September 2020. The Bill is with the Office of Parliamentary Council for drafting. The General Scheme is being forwarded for pre-legislative scrutiny by the Oireachtas.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The term of office of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal Chair and members expired on 31 December 2020. A comprehensive recruitment and selection process was undertaken in 2020 to fill the vacancies. In August 2020, expressions of interest were sought from practising barristers and solicitors for the part-time roles of Ordinary Member and/or Chair. A Board was appointed to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Adult Caution Scheme was introduced to An Garda Síochána in 2006, having been approved by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The Scheme is a non-statutory one agreed between, and administered by, both organisations. The operation of the scheme is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána and the DPP, both of which are independent...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that I am very conscious of the impact of this form of theft from car owners, and in particular from individuals owning specific types of hybrid vehicles. I understand that the current interest in catalytic converter theft may be directly associated with the current high price of palladium available on the market. I am informed that Garda management in the Dublin...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (21 Jan 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Legal Aid Board provides legal advice and aid under the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996-2017. Section 3(3) provides that the Board shall, subject to the provisions of the Act, be independent in the exercise of its functions. In relation to the specific matters raised by the Deputy, I have had enquiries made with the Legal Aid Board. I wish firstly...