Results 7,621-7,640 of 15,544 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Records (12 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, Kenova is a series of ongoing independent UK police investigations or reviews into Northern Ireland legacy cases. The legal distinction between investigations and reviews is important in this context. An Garda Síochána is committed to cooperating to the greatest extent possible with Kenova and already has in place a High Level Agreement which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (12 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: My Department's overall objective is to have decisions made on applications from people seeking international protection as quickly as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of protection in Ireland can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here with a sense of safety and security. I want to assure the Deputy that my Department continues to innovate...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Criminal Assets Bureau (12 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act, 1996. The Bureau has staff drawn from An Garda Síochána, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners (including Customs), the Department of Social Protection and my Department. The Bureau’s remit is to target the assets, wherever...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Agreements (12 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 759 and 760 together. The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced by Government Decision in April 2012, to encourage inward investment and to create business and employment opportunities in the State. The Programme was introduced at a time when Ireland was going through a very significant economic downturn and Departments were tasked with initiating...

Seanad: Night-time Economy: Motion (13 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I will start by apologising. When I was walking out, somebody said to me that I was "saved by the bell", but anyone who knows me knows this is a topic I really want to talk about and respond to. In fact, I am really pleased that the last debate to which I will contribute in this term is on the night-time economy. I thank Senator Warfield for putting forward this motion, especially given...

Seanad: Night-time Economy: Motion (13 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As I am only one Minister, I cannot commit to all of the others, but I think we agree on everything.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (13 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: The application for naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy, continues to be 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 in due course. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Airport Security (13 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As outlined to the Deputy previously, the management of security screening queues through Dublin Airport is an operational matter for the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). The Airport Police Service (APS), an operational unit of DAA, which is authorised by the Minister of Transport under the Air Navigation Acts, has responsibility for general policing and aviation security duties at the State...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (13 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: The application from the person referred to by the Deputy was received by the Undocumented Unit of my Department on 16 February 2022 and continues to be processed at this time. Due to the large number of applications on hand it is not possible to provide a definitive timeframe for a decision to issue. In order to be fair to all applicants, applications are processed in order of the date on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (13 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy created an online Long Stay visa application on 2 April 2022. The supporting documentation was received on 18 April 2022 in the Karachi visa office. This visa application was received in the Dublin Visa Office for further processing on 20 May 2022. I am advised that a decision on this application has now been made and the person referred to will be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (13 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation. This includes the deployment of Garda members throughout the State. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am however assured that Garda management keeps the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (13 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I wish to advise the Deputy that following the application of the 1 July 2022 FEMPI pay restoration for certain civil service grades, the salary of the Secretary General of my Department will be €223,529. The pay scales for the Assistant Secretaries in my Department, effective from 1 February 2022, are set out in Circular 4-2022, a copy of which is available on the Gov.ie website at...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (13 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I wish to advise the Deputy that merit awards in the Irish Prison Service recognise acts of bravery, outstanding heroism which are considered to be beyond the normal expectation of staff, taking their experience and training into account. Under the Merit Award Scheme, a member of staff can be nominated for a Brian Stack Medal for Bravery, a Distinguished Services Medal or a Commendation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (13 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Public Appointments Service (PAS), as the centralised provider of recruitment and selection services for the civil service, manage a majority of recruitment competitions pertaining to vacancies in my Department or in bodies under the aegis of my Department. I am aware that PAS have an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2021-2023, which is available on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (13 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme is a vital element of the criminal justice system. The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, which is the primary legislation covering the operation of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, provides that free legal aid may be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (13 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that, upon committal, all prisoners undergo a committal assessment. This is conducted by the Healthcare staff, covers a wide range of health issues and is specifically designed to provide the Prison Service with a full understanding of an individual’s health, medical and mental health needs. The nursing committal assessment takes places on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (13 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, I recently published Zero Tolerance: the Third National Strategy to combat Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV). The goal of our third national strategy is clear: zero tolerance of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. It is an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Rights of People with Disabilities (13 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Office of Public Works (OPW) is the State’s building portfolio manager and adviser. The OPW provides this service to my Department with regard to both State owned and leased properties occupied by bodies within my remit. Buildings which are occupied by my Department and which provide front-facing services have accessible facilities for customers. These...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Rights of People with Disabilities (13 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has noted the role of the Disability Consultative Committee as a valuable forum for engagement. In the development of its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, my Department consulted with stakeholders from several disability stakeholder groups. The feedback has played a significant role in informing and strengthening the development...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Claims Agency (14 Jul 2022)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 641, 642 and 643 together. I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Irish Prison Service; however, the information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.