Results 9,601-9,620 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Gambling Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: The primary objective of the modernisation of gambling legislation must be to ensure the proper licensing and regulation of the many varied forms of gambling now available in the State. A modern and effectively regulated gambling environment will ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that gambling will be an entertaining activity for the majority of those who take part in it. We will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Gambling Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: I agree with the Deputy that this is a very complex area, especially with modern technology. We are pleased, however, to support the recent voluntary declaration by the Gaming Regulators European Forum which reflected concern among national authorities that video games should be appropriately licensed if they offer gambling possibilities within such games. While the declaration does not...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Direct Provision System (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: As the Deputy may be aware, direct provision involves a range of State services, including accommodation, food, health and education directly provided to international protection applicants through the relevant Departments and agencies. It is a whole-of-Government support system for those seeking international protection in Ireland. However, I will assume that the Deputy is referring...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Direct Provision System (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: Again, the Deputy has not brought forward any suggestion on what we could do to replace the direct provision system.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Direct Provision System (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: She has not done that; rather, she has skittered around it. She uses emotion very cleverly. We are very careful in looking after people who come here. They receive help and support on the night. They are given a bed, board, food, heat and so forth. Education is also provided. No applicant is obliged to accept the offer of accommodation and related services and many do not. If a person...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Direct Provision System (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: Opting in to the directive and allowing people who have been here for nine months to work have been widely welcomed across the spectrum. The arrangements are not restrictive. There are only a few areas in which people cannot work, including the Garda and the Army.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Direct Provision System (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: There are people who are delighted to have this opportunity. They are being supported to go out to work after the period laid down. We will examine the matter again and might change the arrangement which was welcomed widely at the time by everybody concerned, although the Deputy might not have done so. The Office of the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Children have had their remits...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Direct Provision System (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: We have a very strong record internationally, but it does not suit the Deputy to hear it as whe wants to work on misery and exaggerate it. We want to help people. We want to support and help them to make their homes in Ireland if granted the required status.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: I dealt with this matter extensively during Question Time and I know the Deputy is very interested in it, as we all are. Since 2013, there have been severe technological and other changes in this area and the Government has had to review matters. I chaired five meetings of the interdepartmental group on this issue up to June and a report is being prepared for Government, which I expect will...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parental Leave (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: As the Deputy will be aware that as part of Budget 2019, the Government announced the introduction of a new paid parental leave scheme which will commence in late 2019. This new scheme will, initially, provide for 2 weeks of paid, non-transferable leave per parent, with a view to expanding the scheme in future years. This new scheme delivers on the commitment in the Programme for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: On the 30th of June last Minister Flanagan signed Regulations giving effect to the Recast European Communities Regulations 2013. One of the provisions of the Regulations provides for access to the workplace for applicants to the International Protection process in accordance with EU Regulations. When an international protection applicant is employed, the employer is obliged under the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: National LGBTI Strategy (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: The Department of Justice and Equality continues to work on the development of a National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy and I welcome funding of €200,000 in the forthcoming Budget to support its implementation. Preliminary consultation has taken place with a range of stakeholders including LGBTI representative and community bodies, mental and sexual health practitioners, and legal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (17 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: I would first of alike to express my sympathies and condolences to the friends and colleagues of the deceased. All deaths and serious incidents that occur within accommodation centres provided by the Department are referred to the Gardaí Siochana as a matter of course. As is the case with all Gardaí matters, the Reception and Integration Agency is not privy to information...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (23 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: As the Deputy has highlighted, section 6A of the Parental Leave Act 1998 allows parents working for the same employer to transfer up to 14 weeks of their unpaid parental leave entitlement from one parent to another.  Similarly, section 6 of the Carers Leave Act 2001 provides that employees with at least one year's continuous service are entitled to take up to 104 weeks of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (23 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: Ireland’s National Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) Programme was approved by the European Commission on 21 March 2016. The EU Funds Unit in the Department of Justice and Equality has been designated as Ireland’s Responsible Authority for the AMIF. The funding available to Ireland under the AMIF will be used over the lifetime of the Programme – the...

Seanad: Perjury and Related Offences Bill 2018: Second Stage (24 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: First, on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, who cannot be here, I thank Senator Ó Céidigh for introducing this Bill to this House last week on Wednesday, 17 October. It is moving very fast indeed. I also thank Senators Boyhan, Marshall and McDowell for supporting its presentation to the House. This is an important issue. There are no...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (25 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: As the Deputy is aware, as a result of the recommendations in the McMahon Report, accommodation centres for persons in the protection process are all moving to an independent living model (which includes either self-catering or communal catering). In this model, each resident is assigned a number of points depending on their family composition and residents can procure food, personal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Budgets (25 Oct 2018)

David Stanton: As the Deputy is aware, the Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission (the Commission) is an independent statutory body, established on 1 November 2014 under the Irish Human Rights and Commission Act 2014. The statutory mandate of the Commission is to protect and promote human rights and equality in Ireland and to build a culture of respect for human rights, equality and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Traveller Community (6 Nov 2018)

David Stanton: On 1 March 2017, then Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, announced State recognition of Travellers as an ethnic group in Ireland: the Department of Justice and Equality played an important part in the lead up to this event. The State's formal recognition of Irish Travellers ethnicity has been described as a "historic" day for Travellers and for Ireland. As you know, the announcement was greeted by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Interdepartmental Committees Reports (6 Nov 2018)

David Stanton: As the Deputy will be aware, as part of Budget 2019, the Government announced the introduction of a new paid parental leave scheme which will commence in late 2019. This new scheme will, once approved by Government, initially, provide for 2 weeks of paid, non-transferable leave per parent, with a view to expanding the scheme in future years. This new scheme delivers on the commitment in...