Results 11,701-11,720 of 15,638 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 524, 525 and 535 together. The Government takes the issue of sexual exploitation of children very seriously and there is comprehensive legislation in place to deal with these offences. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act was enacted in 2017. This wide-ranging piece of legislation significantly enhanced the laws combatting the sexual exploitation and sexual...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Local Authorities (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that my Department was not in receipt of any returned or surrendered grant-aid from Local Authorities during the time specified.

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

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. 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 a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Support Services (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. As Minister, I do not comment on individual IIP applications, however, my Department’s IIP Unit is committed to ensuring that all applications will be examined on their own merits and will endeavour to conclude all decisions in a timely...

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

Helen McEntee: The Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means. This includes the provision of legal aid and advice to international protection applicants. While eligibility for the scheme is assessed on a case by case basis, the high rate of successful applications set out below, as provided to me by the Legal...

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

Helen McEntee: We have all been shocked by the recent loss of life on our roads, and concerned by the worrying increase in road fatalities after many years of progress in making our roads safer. Road safety is a shared responsibility and one which this Government takes very seriously. Road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of all members of An Garda Síochána, as...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all matters relating to the recruitment, training and appointment of its members. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I have been informed that, to date, in 2024 there has been one regional competition which spans across 3 Garda...

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

Helen McEntee: My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for non-EU/EEA nationals residing in the Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow areas only, including the online renewal system. An Garda Síochána has oversight of the first registration and renewal of immigration residence permissions for non-EU/EEA nationals residing outside of...

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

Helen McEntee: Under Section 9 of the Aliens Act, 1935 where a non-EEA national over the age of 18 wishes to legally change their name to a name that is different to the one on their birth certificate, they must apply for a change of name licence from my Department. In order for this name change to take legal effect a deed poll would also need to be executed. I can advise the Deputy, that the granting...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on the 17 July 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Dar-es-Salaam office on the 25 January 2024. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on the 06 February 2024 where it awaits examination and processing. Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set...

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

Helen McEntee: A Stamp 3 immigration permission indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a specified period, subject to conditions, and is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation. The conditions of the Stamp 3 state that: ‘one cannot work or engage in any business, trade or profession’. A Stamp 3 immigration permission does not prevent the holder from...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I recognise that the delay in receiving a Naturalisation Certificate is frustrating for people and my Department is examining on how to speed up the delivery of Certificates for future Ceremonies to be held this year and for minor applicants. I can advise the Deputy that a Certificate of Naturalisation issued to the person referred to on 27 April 2024 via registered post. Queries in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, employees of my Department and bodies under its aegis are expected to adhere to the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour at all times. The Code forms part of the terms of employment of all civil servants. This Code states that civil servants above clerical level cannot stand for local election. Civil servants in clerical grades and certain non-industrial...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: Sexual violence disproportionately affects women but we also know that men are victims too and that they too need to know if they reach out for help they will get it. Men also need to be encouraged and supported to come forward to seek help and to report their abuser. The Third National Strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence recognises and acknowledges the need to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Mental Health Services (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the Mental Health Reform report ‘’Mental Health Services and Supports in Prisons: Service Mapping and Reflections from Lived Experiences’’ was published on Tuesday 23rd April 2024. I welcome this report as does the Irish Prison Service, particularly considering its focus on broader mental health services and supports in prisons. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: My Department has assisted the Department of Foreign Affairs in their work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families from Sudan. At this time there are no plans to establish specific programme in respect of Sudan, however, all existing immigration arrangements and programmes are open to the persons affected by the conflict. I can advised the Deputy that since 1 April 2023, over 260...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Prison Service must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the Courts. As such, the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time. The Irish Prison Service is working closely with officials in my Department to take steps to ensure a safe working environment for staff and the safety and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will appreciate that the Irish Prison Service must make the best use of all available prison capacity, particularly at this time when severe overcrowding is being experienced. Sex offenders, both sentenced and remand, were previously accommodated at 4 locations – Midlands Prison, Arbour Hill Prison, Castlerea Prison and Mountjoy Training Unit. However, due to limitations...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (1 May 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (1 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Victorian-era laws that were repealed by the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 caused immeasurable harm to generations of gay and bisexual men, criminalising and stigmatizing them simply because of their sexual orientation. I am deeply conscious that people who were criminalised by these laws, and their families, are hopeful that a disregard scheme can be put in place in the near...