Results 13,181-13,200 of 15,908 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Budget 2025 (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service seeks to offer a multi-disciplinary addiction support programme for people in custody. The Irish Prison Service acknowledges that addiction comes in many forms, from drug and / or alcohol addiction and dual diagnosis, through to gambling and other non-substance use addiction-related behaviour. People in custody have access to a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Safety (8 Oct 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 the enforcement of road traffic legislation. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am advised by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to provide a weekly return of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have consistently stated that I want to make progress in restoring criminal legal aid fees. Over the past 2 years I have secured an 18% increase in the fees paid under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme. Under Budget 2024, I secured an additional €9 million which resulted in an increase of 10% in the fees paid to barristers and solicitors and under Budget 2025, announced last week, I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (8 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. There are no provisions for the spouse or partner of an Irish citizen to acquire Irish citizenship...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 388 together. I can advise the Deputy that a deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State and fails to do so is committing a criminal offence, and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda Síochána. Such an order remains on the person’s record...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Judgments (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I contacted An Garda Síochána and the Court Service to request the information required to answer the Deputy's question and, as it was not available in the time permitted, I undertook to respond when the information was received. The following table has been provided by the Garda authorities and outlines the number of summons and charges which have been linked to Part 4 of the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: This is an area Deputy Durkan is passionate about. I can confirm that the Family Courts Bill is going through the Seanad at the moment. I hope to have it in the Dáil in the coming weeks and enacted very soon to make sure we have specific family courts. Separate to that, the €3 million in the budget will be vital to make sure, first, that we have advocates for children in our...

European Union Regulations: Motion (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following...

European Union Regulations: Motion (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: To answer the previous question, as this regulation requires an opt-in, it is a requirement that we seek and get the approval of both Houses, which requires a debate, however long it is. This will be a short debate today but sometimes we have had opt-ins where the debates were for much longer. It is a requirement if we choose to opt in that we make that known to the Council and that it is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: Community safety is about people being safe and, importantly, feeling safe in their own communities. At the heart of this policy is the principle that every community has the right to be and feel safe in order to thrive and flourish. Our approach to community safety is a whole-of-Government one. We want to bring the relevant social service providers, including the Gardaí, together with...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together. As Minister, I am fully committed to reforming the family justice system in Ireland. I am also acutely aware of the need for vulnerable victims to be supported. In November 2022 I published the Family Justice Strategy, which outlines the steps needed to create a more efficient and user-friendly family court system that puts the family...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (9 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: Immigration Policy (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that in order to work in Ireland a non-EEA National, unless they are exempted, must hold a valid Employment Permit. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) administers the Employment Permits system. Full details of the various types of Employment Permits available can be found at the link below:...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, a further record-breaking increase in funding for An Garda Síochána was allocated in Budget 2025. The allocation for An Garda Síochána now stands at almost €2.5 billion, and has increased by more than a quarter since 2020. This funding will support the recruitment of new Garda members, Garda staff and Garda Reserves, and reflects the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation applications from the people referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. These applications are based on Section 16 'Irish Association', which can take longer to process than applications based upon residency. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The former Cork Prison ceased to operate as an operational prison in February 2016 following the opening of a new facility on a site adjacent to the old prison. Following the transfer of operations to the new facility, the former prison facility was closed and decommissioned and has remained unused over the past 8 years. Following the closure a number of statutory and non-statutory groups...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have sought the information requested from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for front-line immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other airports and other ports of entry, are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). As of 4 October 2024, there are 177 staff working in the BMU at Dublin Airport, excluding staff on unpaid leave, such as career breaks. Funding for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (9 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: In its over forty years of operation, the Civil Legal Aid Scheme has been a significant and beneficial public service, providing legal aid and advice to people of limited means in civil disputes, including family law. However, since the Scheme was set up, Irish society has changed, and the demands on the service have grown. In June 2022, the Minister established the Civil Legal Aid Review...