Results 4,681-4,700 of 15,429 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, cyber security is primarily the responsibility of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), under the auspices of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. The 2nd National Cyber Security Strategy was approved by Government in late 2019 and published by the then Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment in December 2019....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid Service (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means in the State, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2017. Section 3(3) of the Act provides that the Board shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be independent in the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service Staff (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that as of 18 March 2021 there are 3,485 staff assigned to the Irish Prison Service.  A full breakdown of staff by Grade is set out in Table A below. I can also advise the Deputy that 1,675 staff have left the Irish Prison Service from 1 January, 2010 to 12 March, 2021. A breakdown per year of staff...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Protected Disclosures (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 introduced the statutory protection from penalisation for people raising allegations of wrongdoing in the workplace. The legislation came into effect on 15 July 2014.  Since 2015, 56 allegations of wrongdoing in respect of the Irish Prison Service were submitted to either my Department or the Irish Prison Service. I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Irish Prison Service (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will wish to be aware that the Irish Prison Service has a dedicated procurement unit in place that supports good procurement practice across the Service.  A significant proportion of procurement is managed centrally from Prison Service headquarters. A broad range of goods and services are procured which includes, catering goods, utilities, capital works, maintenance,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drugs in Prisons (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: Addressing both the demand for and supply of illegal drugs remains a priority for the Irish Prison Service.  A new strategy containing actions aimed at reducing the supply and demand for illegal drugs in prisons is being finalised and will be published by the end of Quarter 2 of this year. I am informed by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that it is not possible to collate...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Fines Data (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for policing the current public health regulations rests with the Garda Commissioner. Further, responsibility for the legislation underpinning the public health response lies with my colleague, the Minister for Health. An Garda Síochána continue to use the 'Four E's' approach in line with their strong tradition of community...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Passport Services (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 22 December 2020. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Responsibilities (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Minister for Justice is provided with Garda transport and drivers, for security reasons.  During the period of my maternity leave, this support will be available to Minister Humphreys as Minister for Justice. I will not have access to Garda transport or Garda drivers during this time.   The two people appointed as my special advisers will remain in the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Capital Expenditure Programme (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that my Department has received an application for funding from the organisation concerned and will shortly be making direct contact with that organisation to see how the Department might be able to assist with their accommodation needs.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: As previously advised, the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed. It is at an advanced stage and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. If any further documentation is required, it will be requested from the applicant in due course. The granting of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: My Department has not suspended the receipt or processing of citizenship applications at any stage during the pandemic. However, processing rates have unfortunately been negatively impacted by the attendant health and safety related restrictions.  Under normal circumstances, passports are returned approximately 10 days after their receipt.  However, the current...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for a EU1 - Residence card with the EU Treaty Rights Division of the Immigration Service of my Department on 18 December 2020. They will be contacted in writing as soon as a decision has been made on their application. All applications of this type are dealt with in chronological order of receipt and decisions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: The question relates to decisions under a scheme whereby a non-EEA national who is the biological parent of a minor dependent Irish Citizen Child living in Ireland, can be granted residency rights in Ireland. There are currently 880 active applications. In the interests of fairness to all applicants, the applications are processed in strict chronological order by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that a Stamp 6 is placed in the Non EEA passport of a person who is an Irish citizen with dual-citizenship. As the holder of this permission is an Irish national, they do not fall under the registration requirement outlined in the Immigration Act 2004, and therefore are not issued with an Irish residence card.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 15 February 2021. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Stations (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources.  I am assured however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.   Further,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Transport Provision (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána.  The allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands.  This includes the allocation of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is responsible, by law, for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including recruitment and human resources matters.  As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. An Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (24 Mar 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that I recently launched the Justice Plan 2021.  In that we have committed to ‘Strengthening community safety, reduce reoffending, support victims and combat domestic sexual and gender based violence’.  It commits to placing victims at the centre of our criminal justice system and working to remove the fear that many victims...