Results 10,341-10,360 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (20 Nov 2019)

David Stanton: Addressing the gender pay gap is an important element in the Programme for a Partnership Government and is included as a key commitment in the Government's National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020.  The Gender Pay Gap Information Bill 2019 was published on 8 April  2019 and the Bill completed Dáil Committee Stage in June. Report...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (20 Nov 2019)

David Stanton: The Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established by Government Decision of September 2015 as a key part of Ireland’s response to the global humanitarian migration crisis. It committed Ireland to accept 4,000 persons under various strands, including the EU Relocation Mechanism and UNHCR Resettlement Programme. As of 19 November 2019, progress across the various strands of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: National Traveller-Roma Integration Strategy (20 Nov 2019)

David Stanton: The Government is committed to improving the quality of life of members of the Travelling community. As the Deputy will be aware, in June 2017, I published the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017 - 2021 (NTRIS). The Strategy represents a whole of Government approach to bring about meaningful change and progress for the Traveller and Roma community in Ireland. It brings...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (26 Nov 2019)

David Stanton: As stated in my reply to your previous question of 14 November, 2019, the weekly allowance payment for international protection applicants living in an accommodation centre stands at €38.80 per week for adults and €29.80 per week for children since 25 March 2019. Our opt-in to the (recast) Receptions Conditions Directive, for the first time, places the provision of material...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seeker Accommodation (26 Nov 2019)

David Stanton: Persons running for or in public office should ensure that they are familiar with the policy issues in relation to immigration and integration. To that end my Department is happy, subject to the constraints specified below, to facilitate visits to accommodation centres for asylum seekers and refugees. Such visits are organised on regular occasions, for example, for members of the Joint...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (26 Nov 2019)

David Stanton: On 15 August, Minister Flanagan and I published the National Standards for accommodation offered to people in the international protection process. The Standards were prepared by a Standards Advisory Group, established in 2017 and comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the HSE National Office for Social Inclusion as well as representatives...

Seanad: Provision of Accommodation and Ancillary Services to Applicants for International Protection: Statements (27 Nov 2019)

David Stanton: I thank all Senators who have contributed to the debate. As I have said before, this is one of the major issues of our age and today's debate has been very useful. We need further debates and discussions such as this one. The Minister, Deputy Flanagan, and I welcome all practical and workable ideas and proposals on how to continue to improve the reception system for applicants. I am...

Seanad: Provision of Accommodation and Ancillary Services to Applicants for International Protection: Statements (27 Nov 2019)

David Stanton: The definition of "inhumane" is of a cruel act, a deliberate infliction of pain, suffering, cruelty, abuse or ill treatment. None of us wants to be associated with such terms and we are not doing any of those things. We are always trying to improve the system. We have published the McMahon report and have now issued a set of standards in conjunction with the NGO community to improve as we...

Seanad: Provision of Accommodation and Ancillary Services to Applicants for International Protection: Statements (27 Nov 2019)

David Stanton: I never mentioned-----

Seanad: Provision of Accommodation and Ancillary Services to Applicants for International Protection: Statements (27 Nov 2019)

David Stanton: I cannot understand the calls from some to simply abolish a system that provides a guarantee of shelter, food and a place of safety to any person who arrives spontaneously to seek protection, which is what our current system does. Significant work has been done in recent years to improve the system, including the implementation of the McMahon report, the introduction of the right to work and...

Seanad: Provision of Accommodation and Ancillary Services to Applicants for International Protection: Statements (27 Nov 2019)

David Stanton: I have given that instruction. We are prioritising families, especially those with children of school-going age. We want to see the children in school. On the issue of consultation, we want to consult and engage with communities at the earliest possible opportunity. As was noted by Senator Conway and others, there are 39 centres across the country which are working extremely well and with...

Seanad: Provision of Accommodation and Ancillary Services to Applicants for International Protection: Statements (27 Nov 2019)

David Stanton: It is good that communities get involved because it assists integration. If people get a positive statement that they can stay in Ireland, that is fantastic. If they learn new skills, they can bring them back if they leave Ireland. We are working towards independent living. It has been a success where it has been implemented. I do not want any child to miss out on schooling. We want to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Work Permits Eligibility (28 Nov 2019)

David Stanton: On behalf of the Minister, who has just had to go to another appointment, I thank the Deputy for tabling this important matter. I was interested in what she had to say. As she knows, individuals seeking to enter the State in order to work as a GP are eligible to apply for a critical skills employment permit from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. With this permit, an...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Work Permits Eligibility (28 Nov 2019)

David Stanton: The policy related to the use of locum doctors in the primary care sector is primarily a matter for the HSE. The role of immigration service delivery of the Department of Justice and Equality is to provide immigration mechanisms for non-EEA medical personnel recruited to fill temporary vacancies in the health sector as and when required and to meet the needs identified by the HSE. These...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (3 Dec 2019)

David Stanton: As the Deputy will be aware, in September 2015, as part of the Government’s response to the migration crisis in central and southern Europe, the Government established the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) to provide a safe haven for persons seeking international protection. A multifaceted approach was taken to the implementation of the IRPP. A new cross-departmental Task force...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (3 Dec 2019)

David Stanton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together. I established the Community Sponsorship Ireland pilot programme in 2018 as a complementary refugee resettlement stream to the traditional state-centred model. A number of organisations including UNHCR Ireland, Amnesty International, NASC and the Irish Red Cross worked closely with me and my Department officials in the development of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (3 Dec 2019)

David Stanton: I established the Community Sponsorship Ireland Programme in 2018 as a complementary refugee resettlement stream to the traditional state-centred model. Community Sponsorship is based on the coming together of a group of people in an area who commit to support a family arriving in Ireland through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme by accessing accommodation locally for the family and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (3 Dec 2019)

David Stanton: As requested by the Deputy, the table below provides a breakdown by county of those who have been granted a legal status to remain in the State and who are residing in accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department. The figures relate to the position as of 28 November 2019. County Numbers Cavan ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (3 Dec 2019)

David Stanton: As the Deputy will be aware, the State has a legal obligation to offer accommodation, food and a range of other services (including utilities and healthcare etc.) to any person who claims a right to international protection in Ireland while their legal claim is being examined. Residents who have been granted an international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (3 Dec 2019)

David Stanton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 to 282, inclusive, together. I can inform the Deputy that all international protection applicants including those who are resident in the Mosney Accommodation Centre access health services and supports including mental health services on the same basis as nationals. The services are mainstreamed and are therefore provided through the Department of...