Results 6,341-6,360 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 120 together. The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2022 of over €2 billion. This includes funding for the recruitment of up to an additional 800 Garda members and up to 400 Garda staff. It should be noted that many of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am pleased to note that since the reopening of the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (30 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 116 together. As the Deputy may be aware, my Justice Plan 2022, which I published on Monday, 28 March 2022, contains a commitment to progress the review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme this year. My Department is currently working to finalise the mode and terms of reference of the review. It is intended that there will be significant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (30 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Report of the Review of the Administration of Civil Justice, published in 2020, made a number of recommendations regarding reform of our civil justice system. These include recommendations relating to simplification of procedures and language. In relation to civil procedure and forms, the Review Group’s recommendations include the introduction of a new standard form of claim...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (30 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, both the Programme for Government and the Government's Housing for All Strategy commit to the establishment of a new division of the High Court dealing with planning and environmental issues. Programme for Government specifies that the new law court will be managed by specialist judges and established on the same basis as the existing commercial court model....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (30 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Free Legal Advice Centre (FLAC) receives a contribution from my Department towards the information, advice and advocacy work carried out by FLAC through its telephone information referral line and part-time legal advice centres throughout Ireland. The below table outlines the amount of core funding provided to FLAC for the last three years. 2020 2021 2022 ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (30 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: Legal advice and representation, where required, for people in the international protection process in Ireland is provided by the independent Legal Aid Board. Specific law centres in Dublin, Cork and Galway with solicitors employed by the Board currently include an international protection speciality. The Board operates a mixed model of service delivery to persons seeking international...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (30 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: The person referred by the Deputy to is the subject of a Deportation Order, which they can make an application under section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to have their Deportation Order revoked. To be successful, any request would need to be founded on new information or changed circumstances which were not put forward or were not capable of being put forward when the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (31 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: The Government is determined to tackle anti-social behaviour and other forms of criminal behaviour, such as assault, and I am very conscious of the impact these behaviours can have on the quality of life for local communities, including in Dublin city centre. We want people to feel safe and be safe, whether they live or work in Dublin city centre, or want to visit and enjoy our capital city....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (31 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (31 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Orders (31 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (31 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process. There is no provision in the Regulations for the discretionary waiver or reduction of fees, or...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gender Equality (31 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department recently published a gender pay gap report. This analysis looked at the gap in pay between men and women in the Department and its agencies for 2020. It provides valuable insights into pay disparity and a baseline upon which to measure future performance. The analysis showed the unadjusted gender pay gap (straight comparison between...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Transport Policy (31 Mar 2022)

Helen McEntee: My Department and the agencies under its remit encourages and facilitates employees to use active travel to commute to work. Employees are encouraged to avail of the Cycle to Work Scheme and in 2021, 94 Department staff members purchased bicycles under the scheme to support their commute to work. My Department provides secure bicycle parking facilities for members of staff. As part...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Functions and Operational Areas) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (6 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: The purpose of this group of amendments is to ensure firearms certificates will remain valid following the enactment of the Bill. It also ensures that an appeal can be taken in respect of a decision made by the superintendent of a district before the date of commencement. All the amendments in the group are technical amendments.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Functions and Operational Areas) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (6 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: Amendments Nos. 9 and 11 correct cross-references to the Betting Act 1931 in respect of transitional provisions relating to the Act. This is to ensure that an inspector of An Garda Síochána is the person to whom an application is deemed to have been made.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Functions and Operational Areas) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (6 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: All of these amendments correct cross-references to the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956. This is to ensure that an inspector of An Garda Síochána is the person to whom the application is deemed to have been made.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Functions and Operational Areas) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (6 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: Amendments Nos. 26 and 27 delete amendments to the European Communities (Acquisition and Possession of Weapons and Ammunition) Regulations 1993 and the associated transitional provisions. These regulations are due to be revoked shortly.

Seanad: European Union Regulation: Motion (6 Apr 2022)

Helen McEntee: I thank the House for facilitating this motion this afternoon. The Government yesterday approved my Department's request to seek the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas to opt in to this European Commission proposal. The Minister of State, Deputy Browne, also yesterday presented the motion to the Dáil, which was approved. The proposal seeks to establish a collaboration platform...