Results 9,501-9,520 of 15,638 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022 repeals and replaces the provisions of the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989, updating the existing offences of incitement to hatred to include incitement to violence towards individuals and groups based on their protected characteristics. The Bill also creates specific, aggravated forms of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. This application was received in the Citizenship Division on just 17 August 2023. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on the 2 August 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on the 9 August 2023 where it awaits examination and processing. Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. This policy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Programme for Government (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The Programme for Government 2020 contains a broad range of policies and proposals that represent a coherent approach to enhancing and sustaining a more just and safe society, with a specific commitment to review policy options for prison and penal reform. In respect of delivering on this commitment, the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024 was published last year....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (24 Oct 2023)

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. Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: As I am sure the Deputy is aware there are robust rights enshrined in the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 which provides for a set of statutory rights for all victims of crime. The Act is particularly strong in areas such as the right to information and the provision of certain supports and protections to be provided to victims across the criminal justice system by the respective...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Advertising (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: Let me assure the Deputy that I am committed to creating a criminal justice system that is victim centred, including by providing a range of supports and services for victims of crime and promoting awareness of these. In 2021, I launched a new Victims Charter website to bring together all of the information a victim of crime might need to know about their rights and about what to expect from...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: One of the overarching goals of the Zero Tolerance Strategy to address domestic, sexual and gender based violence, is ensuring that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one, and I am committed to working with my Government colleagues and those working in the sector to achieve this. In line with the priority which this Government is attaching to tackling domestic, sexual and gender...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: Zero Tolerance, the Government’s Third National Strategy on DSGBV, published last year, is an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which underpin it. I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to working with my Government colleagues and with those working in the sector to achieve the goals set out in the Strategy....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 412 together. As the Deputy may be aware, since 2017 my Department has administered a grant-aid scheme supporting groups wishing to establish a community-based CCTV system in their area. The CCTV grant scheme was extended in 2019 to cover not only new CCTV systems, but to also provide funding for the extension or upgrade of existing CCTV systems which...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: Ensuring that we have a victim centred criminal justice system that supports and protects victims for the duration of their journey through it has been a priority for me since I took office as Minister for Justice. The provision of training is a central concern in 'Zero Tolerance', the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and was also identified as a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) which includes the recording of information on, and the maintenance of, the PULSE system. Data on drugs generally is provided in PULSE incidents recorded by An Garda Síochána. I am advised by the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (24 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the allocation of Garda members to a given area or specialist unit. As Minister I have no role in this matter. I understand that the Deputy is referring to the number of Garda members assigned to the drugs units in each Garda...

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences against the Person (Amendment) (Spiking) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Acting Chairperson for the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I thank my colleagues in the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party and the Fine Gael Seanad group for tabling this legislation and for working so proactively on it. I am delighted to have the opportunity to discuss it as I did not have the opportunity previously. The Bill stems from an initiative by Young Fine Gael. I...

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences against the Person (Amendment) (Spiking) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: Just to say that the advice that I have received from the Garda, the Director of Public Prosecutions and Forensic Science Ireland is relatively recent, so we still have to go through it. My intention is to meet with colleagues and Young Fine Gael to look at what is the best vehicle or pathway to bring this issue forward. I hope to do it as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Consultations (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: It has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when this information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: The unprecedented allocation of over €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána for 2024, up 23 per cent since 2020, demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring the Gardaí have provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work. Following Budget 2024, I announced that this allocation would allow for the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Passport Services (25 Oct 2023)

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. There are no provisions for the spouse or partner of an Irish citizen to acquire Irish citizenship solely...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 to 136, inclusive, together. The Department takes all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of those processes is maintained at all times. The State is required to examine the application of anyone who presents at the borders of the State, or is in the State, and indicates...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Oct 2023)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics. The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases, under reservation, in relation to various crime statistics. The most recent...