Results 8,841-8,860 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Schemes (13 Apr 2017)

David Stanton: I established the Communities Integration Fund to support community organisations, including sports clubs, to undertake actions to promote the integration of migrants into their local communities. I also announced a call for applications by organisations operating at regional and national level, which would include sports organisations, for National Funding to Promote the Integration of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (2 May 2017)

David Stanton: As the Deputy will be aware, surrogacy is not currently recognised under Irish legislation. However, I have been advised that my colleague, the Minister for Health is currently preparing legislative proposals on assisted human reproduction and associated issues, which will include provisions relating to surrogacy. It is envisaged that the General Scheme of a Bill will be completed by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Equality Issues (2 May 2017)

David Stanton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 144 together. I have no Ministerial responsibility for retirement age issues generally either in the public sector (where mandatory retirement ages are a feature of public sector employment law) or the private sector (where there is no statutory retirement age). In my role in the Department of Justice and Equality, I have responsibility for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Schemes (2 May 2017)

David Stanton: In my role in the Department of Justice and Equality, I have responsibility for equality, including specifically relating to members of the LGBTI community in Ireland. Since the marriage equality referendum, my Department has overseen the enactment of the Marriage Act 2015, gender recognition legislation and the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 which provides for the most...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (2 May 2017)

David Stanton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 172 together. Following publication of the Programme for a Partnership Government, which set out the Government's commitment to improving the accommodation environment for protection applicants, in particular for children and families, the Reception and Integration Agency of my Department began the process of examining ways in which this commitment...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (2 May 2017)

David Stanton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, to 117, inclusive, together. Following publication of the Programme for a Partnership Government, which outlined the Government's commitment to improving the accommodation environment for protection applicants, in particular for children and families, the Reception and Integration Agency of my Department began the process of examining ways in which this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (2 May 2017)

David Stanton: Since 1 May 2015, one company, Sidetracks Ltd., T/A Great Western House has taken over the contract at that centre which was previously held by Shaun Hennelly who traded as a sole trader at that centre up to that time. The Deputy will be aware that in late 2016 following an EU wide competition organised by the Office of Government Procurement, two companies were awarded contracts for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (2 May 2017)

David Stanton: In Autumn 2015, the Irish Red Cross, on foot of a Government decision, was tasked by the Department of Justice and Equality with managing voluntary pledges of accommodation, goods and services from the Irish Public in the effort to house migrants under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). A Register requesting public pledges went live onthe Irish Red Cross website (www.redcross.ie)...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (2 May 2017)

David Stanton: The Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established by Government Decision on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the humanitarian crisis that developed in Southern Europe as a consequence of mass migration from areas of conflict in the Middle East and Africa. Under this programme, the Government has pledged to accept a total of 4,000 persons into the State by the end of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Data (2 May 2017)

David Stanton: As the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established by Government Decision on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the humanitarian crisis that developed in Southern Europe as a consequence of mass migration from areas of conflict in the Middle East and Africa. Under this programme, the Government has pledged to accept a total of 4,000 persons into...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (2 May 2017)

David Stanton: The statistics sought by the Deputy are provided in the table. The figures indicate that just over 9% of the total population of accommodation centres has some type of leave to remain but are still accommodated in the centres. A more detailed analysis shows that this is a more acute problem in the Dublin area with over 36% of all occupants with some form of permission to stay and even more...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Traveller Community (2 May 2017)

David Stanton: The recent statement by the Taoiseach announcing State recognition of Traveller ethnicity was the culmination of a long-standing campaign by Travellers to have their identity, culture and unique position valued by their formal recognition as a distinct ethnic group. The key argument for recognition of Traveller ethnicity was that recognition of the distinct heritage, culture and identity of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (2 May 2017)

David Stanton: Recommendation 4.102 of the McMahon Report recommends that "RIA[Reception & Integration Agency]should engage a suitably qualified person to conduct a nutrition audit to ensure that the food served meets the required standards...". The McMahon Report lists some 173 recommendations, some of which required legislative changes or physical, constructional changes to be implemented. My...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (2 May 2017)

David Stanton: RIA takes and has always taken the issue of Garda vetting and child protection very seriously. RIA has a dedicated Child and Family Services Unit, whose role is to manage, deliver, coordinate, monitor and plan all matters relating to child and family services for all persons resident in State provided accommodation. It also acts as a conduit between RIA and Tusla, the latter having...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (2 May 2017)

David Stanton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together. Recommendation 4.226 of the McMahon Report recommends that "The Minister for Justice and Equality should establish a standard-setting committee to reflect fully government policy across all areas of service in Direct Provision...". The McMahon Report lists some 173 recommendations, some of which required legislative changes or physical,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ombudsman for Children Remit (2 May 2017)

David Stanton: I am happy to advise the Deputy that the remit of the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Children has already been extended to cover all those living in State provided accommodation and both Offices have been in a position to accept complaints since 3 April 2017. It should be noted that complaints in relation to the protection process itself (which is a legal process) are not within the remit...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (2 May 2017)

David Stanton: It is not obligatory for protection applicants to accept accommodation provided by the State and it is not obligatory for them to remain in such accommodation. The database where information on accommodation is held is a dynamic one and provides a snapshot of total numbers in accommodation at any one time. It provides information in relation to the level of available accommodation across the...

Topical Issue Debate: Crime Levels (3 May 2017)

David Stanton: I am responding on behalf of the Tánaiste who cannot be present for this debate, unfortunately. She asked me to speak on her behalf. I thank Deputy Healy-Rae for raising this important issue in the Chamber this afternoon. I assure him An Garda Síochána carefully monitors the activities of criminal groups affecting all areas of the country, including County Kerry, and is...

Topical Issue Debate: Crime Levels (3 May 2017)

David Stanton: I again thank the Deputy for raising this important matter and I will be sure to pass on his comments to the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for her consideration. We are all concerned about the kind of activity the Deputy has brought to our attention. It is very disconcerting for older people who find themselves in those situations. The Deputy described it as...

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Investigations (3 May 2017)

David Stanton: I am taking this matter this evening on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality who apologises that she cannot be present to take it. The killing of Garda Tony Golden at Omeath in October 2015 was a tragic loss for his family and for his colleagues in An Garda Síochána. All Members will share my view that Tony Golden was a hero who gave his life doing...