Results 9,321-9,340 of 15,638 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: While I cannot give an answer on where members will go, the Garda Commissioner, with his senior management, will consider the number of gardaí graduating from the college, the issues arising in various counties and divisions, overall Garda strength, the overall population and communities’ needs. We will then see resources being deployed. The most important measure I can take...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: In previous years, the highest number of people going through the college was approximately 1,000. It depends on the number of classes that can go through the college in any given year, which varies from four to five. Five classes will be in or have gone through Templemore this year. Next year, there will most likely be four starting. It is about ensuring that we fill those classes as...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: When it comes to recruitment and retention, nothing is off the table. This is an area to which the Garda and I are committed. A new media campaign was launched across television, radio, newspapers and social media to promote the Garda trainee campaign. The Garda has also promoted it by engaging with communities across the country, including local engagement with third level institutions...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I will briefly outline the three ways in which we are helping to attract new members. We have expanded diversity teams within the Garda, meaning that we have dedicated gardaí to reach out to various communities. This creates a link or trust that might not have existed before. Building these relationships encourages people to see a career in the Garda where they might not have...

Financial Resolutions 2023 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The justice allocation for 2024 of €3.5 billion is a real boost in helping us build stronger, safer communities. We are doing this across a range of areas, including supporting and strengthening An Garda Síochána, establishing community safety partnerships across the country and operating a zero-tolerance approach domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. We are also...

Financial Resolutions 2023 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (11 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: Apologies, I thought we had ten minutes between the two of us.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Property Management Companies (10 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 (MUDs Act), reformed the law relating to the ownership and management of common areas of multi-unit developments, and aims to facilitate the fair, efficient and effective management of Owner Management Companies (OMCs). The MUDs Act includes provisions relating to: the voting rights of apartment owners in decisions taken by the OMC; the power of a court...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (10 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the enforcement of road traffic legislation. The Commissioner is also responsible for procurement and related contract management. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am advised...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (10 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate that it is the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR), rather than my Department, which has overall responsibility for public service terms and conditions of employment. I can inform the Deputy that the retiring age of 60 years for prison officers to whom the Superannuation (Prison Officers) Act, 1919 applies is set out at section...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (10 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 340 together. I can inform the Deputy that over 134,000 visa applications have been received this year. As of 29 September 2023, there are 19,695 applications awaiting a decision at first instance. These figures represent all applications made in the Visa Offices overseas, the Immigration Service Visa Office in Dublin, and at Embassies of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (10 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I have not been able to collate the information in the time required, I will revert to the Deputy when the information is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (10 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Department of Justice has engaged in an extensive consultation process with representative bodies in the licensed trade, businesses, public health bodies and advocacy groups, consumers and communities in relation to the proposed legislation in question. A public consultation, including an online survey and a request for submissions, ran from November 2021 until January 2022. More than...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (10 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 343, 346, 364 and 373 together. I fully recognise the important role played by barristers and solicitors in the administration of criminal justice – both in the context of working to defend those accused and working with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in respect of prosecutions. I can assure the Deputy that the issue of criminal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Properties (10 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service has two sites currently not in use, namely Thornton Hall, Kilsallaghan, Co. Dublin and the former Cork Prison site located at Rathmore Road, Cork City. The Deputy will be aware that the site at Thornton Hall was purchased by the State in 2005 for a new prison development that did not proceed at the time. The site of the former Cork...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Properties (10 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, and will revert to the Deputy again when this is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (10 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996. The Bureau’s remit is to target a person's assets, wherever situated, which derive, or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. Since its inception, the Bureau has been at the forefront of fighting organised crime in this jurisdiction...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (10 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes all decisions about Garda equipment. As Minister I play no role in these independent functions, and have no role in the issuance of contracts for purchase of Garda equipment, which are governed by standard Government procurement guidelines. I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (10 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: Management of the courts are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Minister has no role in the provision of information from the Courts Service, including information about the numbers of persons prosecuted for any specific offences. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Ceremonies (10 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy was issued with an invitation to attend the recent Citizenship Ceremonies. I am advised that the person has been in contact with Citizenship Division of my Department and their contact details has been amended and they will receive an invitation to the next Citizenship Ceremony which will take place later this year. Further information on Citizenship...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (10 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. 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...