Results 12,121-12,140 of 15,908 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 84 together. As you will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda training matters. As Minister, I have no role in this regard. I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that two Steyr rifle...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Probation Service, which is an executive agency of the Department of Justice, plays an important role in the criminal justice system in diverting people, in particular young people, away from criminal behaviour, supervising community sanctions imposed in lieu of a custodial sentence by the courts, as well as supervising people post release. The work they do contributes significantly to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86, 88 and 89 together. The Probation Service, which is an executive agency of the Department of Justice, has an important role to play in diverting people, in particular young people, away from criminal behaviour, supervising community sanctions imposed in lieu of a custodial sentence by the courts, as well as supervising people post release. The work that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: Community safety is about people being safe and, importantly, feeling safe in their own communities. Our approach to community safety is a whole-of-Government one. We want to bring the relevant social service providers and the Gardaí together with the community in a collaborative manner, by focusing on the concerns identified by the local community itself. The Local Community Safety...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reports (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: The function of Prison Visiting Committees is to visit, at frequent intervals, the prison to which they are appointed and hear any complaints which may be made to them by any person in custody. They report to the Minister for Justice any abuses observed or found by them in the prison and any repairs which they think may be urgently needed. Implementation of the legislative recommendations...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the general management and administration of Garda business. This includes the enforcement of all applicable legislation and the management of the Fixed Charge Notice system. I am advised by the Garda authorities that in 2023, a total of 442 Fixed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: This year I have provided a budget allocation of over €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána. This is a 25% increase on 2020 and will allow for the sustained recruitment of Garda recruits in 2024. I have taken a number of measures to support increased recruitment into the Gardaí. This includes a 66% increase in the training allowance and increasing the age of entry from 35...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Jun 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: Work Permits (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 1 May 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the New Delhi Visa Office on 8 May 2024 where it awaits examination and processing. It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the visa application referred to was created on 1 May 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the New Delhi Visa Office on 8 May 2024 where it awaits examination and processing. It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Work Permits (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 16 May 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the New Delhi Visa Office on 28 May 2024 where it awaits examination and processing. It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: A central element of delivering on the Zero Tolerance goal of the Third National Strategy was the establishment of Cuan, the statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) agency, at the start of this year. Cuan has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the strategy across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities, including by progressing policies aimed at reducing offending, diverting people away from the criminal justice system, where appropriate, and by providing effective rehabilitation. The Programme for Government contains a broad range of policies and proposals that represent a coherent...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (20 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is an independent statutory body established in 2007 under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. Its primary role is to provide independent investigation of complaints against members of An Garda Síochána, as required, and to undertake other investigations relating to the conduct of Garda members. This is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (20 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: There is nothing to suggest that this is widespread or current. In fact, the information I have seen very clearly indicates this relates to a particular case in 2016 and prior to that. In 2016, when this issue was raised, and my understanding is that this is potentially the same issue and the same case, a review was instigated. Mr. Justice Murray undertook to review the overall process...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (20 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: GSOC has assured me in the last week that it is acting in accordance with the law. There is nothing to suggest there are any other cases of this type. I will be very cautious in speaking about the case the Deputy has referenced because it has been suggested that a legal case may be taken but that case refers to something that happened back in 2016. Subsequently, there was a review...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (20 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: The primary purpose of vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. The Deputy will appreciate the importance of this task and the need for it to be carried out thoroughly. I believe the many organisations centred around the safety, enjoyment and comfort of children and vulnerable people understand that they must take...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (20 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I appreciate the challenges that people are facing. One of the issues that has been flagged with me as the work of the review group has been under way is that each individual group wants to be certain that the system is robust and that the people it is hiring or taking on and who may be engaging with young children or vulnerable people in their care have that certificate. At the same time,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (20 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have not tied the hands of the review group as regards any recommendations it may make. If it has looked at what works and does not work in other jurisdictions, I am happy to take that into consideration. I know we are also to discuss Private Members' legislation here in the coming weeks.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (20 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5, 10, 12 and 17 together. As the Deputy correctly pointed out, last month marked the 50th anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974. It is deeply regrettable that to date no person has been held responsible for what were absolutely barbaric attacks that killed 34 people, injured 258 and impacted many more lives. The Garda investigation...