Results 10,581-10,600 of 15,638 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: From the Seanad (31 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The amendments in this grouping are technical in nature and were required to update references to the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Act 2023 with reference to this Bill, when enacted. They also serve to continue certain CCTV schemes set out under section 38 of the 2005 Act until such time as the new scheme to be rolled out under the...

Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: From the Seanad (31 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: These amendments relate to the amendments to the Communications (Retention of Data) Act 2011. Section 6E of the 2011 Act permits An Garda Síochána to access cell site location data providing the geographic location of a mobile phone generally within the last 48-hour period in what are emerging cases. Access to this data may be granted where urgently needed to protect a person from...

Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: From the Seanad (31 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Garda has said it is causing difficulty, given the level at which the officer has to attend court. By reducing it to inspector, it will be much easier for the Garda to use it. It is proving difficult for its members and by reducing it to the rank of inspector, there will be more flexibility and an ability for them to attend court in the way they need. It does not take away any of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (30 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 421 together. As the Deputy is aware, earlier this year the Government established Cuan, a new statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The agency has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (30 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 392, 393 and 394 together. I will write to the Deputy in relation to this matter when an answer is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Agreements (30 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: My Department is familiar with the issues referred to by the Deputy. The re-entry visa requirements for children under 16 were suspended in 2022. The processing of these applications required customers to submit their passports and suspending these requirements for children under 16 allowed my Department to minimise or avoid potential disruption to customers and their travel plans. Children...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (30 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: My 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. On the issue of participation in EU measures, Ireland made a declaration when the Lisbon Treaty entered into force stating its firm intention to take part in the adoption of measures pursuant to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (30 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The information requested is currently being compiled and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (30 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The person referred to by the Deputy was granted De Facto Partner Permission by the Immigration Service of my Department on 2 February 2018. Their application for renewal was refused as the person concerned requires a new permission letter from the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division of my Department. The person concerned should write to the Domestic Residence and Permissions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (30 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that one of the companies she has referenced was contracted by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, following an open tender competition, to conduct an organisational review which was funded by my Department. I understand the cost of this work was €175,939 and a report was completed and published in 2023.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Reviews (30 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 400 and 411 together. A key purpose for the 2017 Sexual Offences Act was to provide additional protection to persons involved in prostitution, especially vulnerable persons and victims of human trafficking. It allows those engaged in prostitution to provide information to Gardaí, for instance if they were subjected to violence by clients, without fear of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (30 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. A letter regarding this application issued to the applicant on 2 January 2024. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (30 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am advised that the person referred to by the Deputy submitted an application for a change of immigration status which was received by the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division of my Department on 06 December 2023. Applications are dealt with in strict chronological order of receipt. The Division endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible, however, processing times...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (30 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The International Protection Act 2015, places a duty on applicants to cooperate with the process, and the details of the process are covered in Section 38 of the Act. The International Protection Office (IPO) writes to applicants who are not cooperating with the process at their last known address, giving them notice that they may be failing in their duty to cooperate, and giving them the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 404 to 406, inclusive, together. The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) has responsibility for the first time registration and renewal of Irish immigration residence permissions for persons residing outside of the Dublin area. My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for customers residing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. An Garda Síochána’s 2024 allocation provides funding of over €2.3 billion, which includes funding for between 800 to 1,000 new Gardaí and an additional 250 Garda staff. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion for 2023 and €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out its vital policing work. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (30 Jan 2024)

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 all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in how An Garda Síochána investigates any criminal activity or collects evidence. I am informed by the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (30 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the person referred to previously applied for a Stamp 5 (Without Condition/Without Condition as to Time) in 2019. A decision letter was issued to the applicant on 21/12/2020, and their passport was stamped with a Stamp 5 endorsement that is valid until 20/03/2029. It does appear that the applicant did not register this Stamp 5 permission before their return to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (30 Jan 2024)

Helen McEntee: The General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol intends to modernise our existing licensing laws in line with the expectations and needs of today’s society, and to encourage the development of a modern and diverse night-time economy. The proposed legislation endeavours to strike a balance between maintaining strict controls and safeguards in relation to the sale of alcohol, while providing...