Results 13,041-13,060 of 15,908 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: As you will be aware the Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means in the State, in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 to 2021. Applicants for legal aid must meet the financial eligibility criteria under section 29 of the Act...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, restricting an accused person’s liberty prior to trial is a very serious matter, given the constitutional presumption of innocence and the presumptive entitlement to remain at liberty that flows from that. In response to the Deputy, our bail legislation has been strengthened on several occasions. It now enables courts to refuse bail for a person charged with a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Functions (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: With regards to Citizenship, I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible. Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to speed up the process for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 223 together. At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that the whole of Government are absolutely committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources necessary to make sure every community around Ireland are safe and feel safe. As of the end of June, the latest date for which verified and published figures are available,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy 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 the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda resources. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. I have provided An Garda Siochana with its highest...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably, this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy directly when it is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of Garda members throughout the State. I am informed by the Garda authorities that a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Division. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that personnel...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (26 Sep 2024)

Helen McEntee: While I have no direct role in the assignment of Gardaí or any Garda resource, I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. In regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all...

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

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer the Visa was issued on 25 September 2024. The applicant should be advised that entry into the State is solely at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. The onus is on the individuals to have all documentation relating to their reasons for entering Ireland for presentation to the Immigration...

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

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (1 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: Under the International Protection Act the Minister for Justice may make an order designating a country as a safe country of origin. A country may only be designated as a safe country of origin where satisfied it can be shown that there: • is generally and consistently no persecution; • no torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and • no threat by...

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

Helen McEntee: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. It is open to anyone to make an application for citizenship once they meet the criteria as set out in...

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

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that all Certificates of Naturalisation for the attendees of the recent citizenship ceremonies held this month are currently in the process of being printed and will be issued via registered post. I am aware that following some previous ceremonies there were delays in certificates being received and this is very much regretted. My Department has recently implemented...

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

Helen McEntee: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office on 05 April 2023. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicant at that time. An appeal of this decision was launched on 30 May 2023. All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Middle East (1 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: Immigrations permissions for persons to travel to Ireland are granted through a number of different pathways. There were approximately 450 visas granted in the last 12 months to Palestinians. These include people who applied for visas to come to Ireland to join family, to study or to engage in employment. The visa granted figure above may include applications from Palestinian nationals...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ukraine War (1 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that Ukrainian nationals fleeing the conflict in Ukraine do not require a visa or other advanced clearance to take up temporary protection in Ireland. In March 2022, the EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC) was activated by the EU Council in response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The Directive establishes the minimum standards of protection to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (1 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: Responsibility for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) and the subsequent responsibility for recognition and registration of Programme Refugees transferred from my Department to the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth on 14 October 2020. The Irish Humanitarian Admission Programme (IHAP) was administered through my Department and ran from May 2018...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (1 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Family Reunification application for the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by my Department and continues to be processed at this time. All applications are processed in chronological order. The speed in which a decision can be made largely depends on the quality of the application received. My Department will continue to engage with the applicant for any further...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all operational and investigative policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters and cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to them. I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to combatting antisocial...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably, this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy directly when it is to hand.