Results 4,821-4,840 of 15,429 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: General Data Protection Regulation (1 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: I wish to advise the Deputy that the total Subject Access Requests (SARs) received, the number of SARs refused, the reason for refusal and subsequent complaints since 25 May 2018 are detailed in the table below. Details of SARs Received 2018 (from 25/5/18) 2019 2020 2021 (to 30/03) Total SARs Received 141 427 429...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (1 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 5 March 2020. However, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the persons concerned. These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Ceremonies (1 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: Officials from the Citizenship Division of the Immigration Service of my Department have recently held a virtual meeting with representatives of the group referred to by the Deputy to listen to their concerns. A number of suggestions were made by the group regarding the processing of applications and these are under active consideration. The engagement process, which has been very positive...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Community Policing (1 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that 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 approximately 14,600 Garda members and over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide. The Deputy will be aware...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Airline Vouchers (19 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: The Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, gives her apologies that she cannot be here. The Covid crisis has seen an unprecedented impact on international travel and, as a result, civil aviation globally is currently experiencing its most challenging crisis ever. Many analysts are predicting that it will take several years for the sector to return to 2019 levels. The Minister of State, Deputy...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Airline Vouchers (19 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: The objective with regard to the aviation sector, not just for the Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, but also for the Government over the past year, was to make sure that those who were travelling abroad for holidays or for whatever other reason were not negatively affected. A huge amount of work has been done to ensure that, where possible, refunds have been given and where...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Domestic Violence Policy (19 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senator for raising such an important issue. Unfortunately, Covid-19 has highlighted this as an issue, although it existed long before now. I have said many times that while we have been asked to stay at home and home is a sanctuary for us, it is anything but that for others. It has placed additional pressure on individuals and, in particular, victims of domestic sexual...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Domestic Violence Policy (19 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: Absolutely. While I do not have the exact figures, we know there has been a significant increase in the number of reports of domestic violence and in Garda engagement with victims of domestic violence over the past year. The numbers increased between 2019 and 2020 and have increased even further since the pandemic commenced. I am very conscious of that. The work we are doing to support...

Seanad: Children Amendment Bill 2020: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (19 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: First, I thank Senator McDowell and other proposing Senators for bringing this Bill before the Seanad, and I thank all Senators who have engaged with the Bill and contributed to the discussion in the House. Having had a debate on the Bill and given further consideration to issues raised in both this House and the Dáil, the Bill is returning to this House with some Government amendments...

Seanad: Children Amendment Bill 2020: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (19 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: I thank all the Senators for their support. Senators will see me again, hopefully, next Monday.

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2021: Second Stage (19 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: I am pleased to bring the Criminal Procedure Bill 2021 before the Seanad today. This is a relatively short Bill whose primary purpose is the introduction of preliminary trial hearings. The need for these hearings has been agreed for many years and is a priority action in the programme for Government and my Department's justice plan. A number of reports have highlighted the benefits of such...

Seanad: Criminal Procedure Bill 2021: Second Stage (19 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senators for their important contributions to this debate. I note some of the points made. On the point Senator Ward made about the exact wording around no previous hearings, it is only to say that the prosecution or the defence is entitled to a preliminary trial hearing for a relevant offence if there has not been one but it does not preclude it from having a second one. Again,...

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

Helen McEntee: Written representations have been submitted on behalf of the persons concerned in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (21 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: I would like to assure the Deputy that protecting and supporting victims of crime for the duration of their journey through the criminal justice system is a key priority for me. As the Deputy will be aware, following my reply to his question on the 24thMarch 2021, the Justice Plan 2021 has a number of actions to advance the goal of strengthening community safety, reduce reoffending, support...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (21 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 22 September 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. The granting of Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (21 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1365 to 1371, inclusive, and 1492 together. The International Protection Office (IPO) of the Immigration Service of my Department is absolutely committed to ensuring that all applicants have an equal opportunity to present their case, while adhering to measures to ensure the safety of all participants. Staff in the IPO have worked both onsite and remotely...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (21 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy applied for a right of residency in the State, accompanied by a right to work, based on their parentage of an Irish born minor citizen child. The application is on hold pending the outcome of a review of a related case. As soon as the case is finalised, the Immigration Service of my Department will be in contact with the person concerned to further...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (21 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1373 and 1389 together. Due to the public health restrictions currently in place under Level 5 of the Government's Framework for Restrictive Measures in Response to Covid-19, the Registration Office in Burgh Quay has been closed since 23 December 2020, until further notice. To ensure that people do not fall out of permission during the Covid-19 pandemic, seven...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Transfers (21 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: In 2016, relevant Supreme Court judgments raised the issue of how best to adapt and administer under Irish law a foreign sentence that contains features not found in Irish sentences To address this issue the Government approved the General Scheme of the Transfer of Sentenced Persons (Amendment) Bill in 2019 to amend the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Acts 1995 and 1997. Legislation to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Comhfhreagras Rannach (21 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1375 to 1377, inclusive, 1402 and 1403 together. Tá an Roinn lántiomanta do sheirbhísí a sholáthar i nGaeilge agus le cúpla mí anuas chuaigh beirt oifigeach a bhfuil Gaeilge acu istech sa Rannán Saoránachta, chun roinnt róil a athlíonadh, lean sé seo ar imeacht na sealbhóirí roimhe seo...