Results 4,861-4,880 of 15,429 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Recruitment (21 Apr 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, and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. As the Deputy will appreciate, recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (21 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1405 to 1407, inclusive, together. The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) is a statutorily independent body and exercises a quasi-judicial function under the International Protection Act 2015. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy I have had enquiries made and I am informed by the Tribunal that between November 2020 and 15...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (21 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, An Garda Síochána is responsible for policing the public health regulations made under the Health Act 1947. As Minister, I have no direct role in these operational matters, which are the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner and his management team. I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána has been receiving...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (21 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government's response to the Covid pandemic is led by my colleague, the Minister for Health. Minister Donnelly has made a number of regulations as part of the public health response to the pandemic under the Health Act 1947 (as amended), including a number of penal provisions which are designated as fixed charge offences. I can confirm, however, that there is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (21 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: While the Minister for Health has primary responsibility for our overall national COVID strategy, I am happy to supply the following information about the current guidance developed by the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) in this regard. The Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) is the independent statutory body established under the Property Services (Regulation) Act...

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

Helen McEntee: 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 automatic extensions of immigration permissions have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: National Archives (21 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that my Department has conducted a search for records relating to the person referred to by the Deputy. These searches identified a single file opened in 1940 and closed in 1942, the file title records the same name as the person referred to but a different address to that supplied. In 2012, my Department transferred this file with certain individual records...

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

Helen McEntee: I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. Protecting and supporting victims of crime for the duration of their journey through the criminal justice system is a priority for me. In the recently launched Justice Plan 2021, I have committed to ‘Strengthening community safety, reduce reoffending, support victims and combat domestic sexual and gender based...

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

Helen McEntee: The visa application for the person referred to by the Deputy was created online on 4 July 2020. A decision on the application will issue once the current Covid-19 travel restrictions have been lifted. By notice dated 29 January 2021, on the Immigration Service website, applications which were received prior to that date will continue to be processed. However, unless the application meets...

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

Helen McEntee: All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are examined individually and assessed on their own merits. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. The nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (21 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. Furthermore, the scheduling of individual court cases and the allocation of court business are matters for the Presidents of the Courts and the presiding judges who are, under the Constitution, independent in the exercise...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Data (21 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, the administration of the traffic watch phone line is a matter for An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no role in this matter. Traffic Watch is a partnership approach to reducing the number of road collisions and fatalities. It brings road users, An Garda Síochána, the National Roads Authority and the Road Safety Authority together in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Procedures (21 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, the administration of the traffic watch phone line is a matter for An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no role in this matter. Traffic Watch is a partnership approach to reducing the number of road collisions and fatalities. It brings road users, An Garda Síochána, the National Roads Authority and the Road Safety Authority together in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Public Sector Pensions (21 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy is referring and I understand that the Garda Authorities will contact the person concerned directly. As the matters concerned are personal to the individual and should be dealt with on a confidential basis, I will write to the Deputy directly with an update on this case in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Debt Collection (21 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in its functions. Moreover, Sheriffs (or County Registrars acting as Sheriffs) are officers of the Court and are also independent in the exercise of their functions and duties under statute and rules of court. However, in order to be of assistance to...

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

Helen McEntee: As part of Government efforts to tackle the pandemic, on 27 January 2021, I signed an Order that imposes new visa requirements on passport holders from a number of South American countries and South Africa. In addition to the new requirements, the Immigration Service of my department also took the decision to temporarily cease accepting new visa/preclearance applications with the exception of...

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

Helen McEntee: My Department is committed to the implementation of the recently published White Paper to End Direct Provision and Establish a New International Protection Support Service, as it relates to responsibilities under our remit. I have established a Programme Board in my Department to oversee the implementation of recommendations of the Advisory Group relevant to my Department’s areas...

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

Helen McEntee: The Probate Office is an office of the High Court. Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has provided the following update on this matter. The Courts Service advises...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: English Language Training Organisations (21 Apr 2021)

Helen McEntee: Since the start of the pandemic, my Department has been part of a Working Group facilitated by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS). The Working Group includes representatives of relevant Government Departments, English language providers, staff, and students. Part of the work of the Group has included the development of re-opening...

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

Helen McEntee: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Section 15A of the Act provides that, where the application is based on being the spouse or civil...