Results 19,621-19,640 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reviews (1 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy may be aware, a progress report from the Working Group to Examine the Disregard of Convictions for Certain Qualifying Offences Related to Consensual Sexual Activity between Men was published on Thursday, 5 May by Minister Helen McEntee . The Victorian-era laws which were repealed by the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 caused immeasurable harm to generations of gay...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Consultations (1 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill was approved for publication by Government on 22 November 2022. The Bill, as part of a suite of proposals to empower the Garda Commissioner as a “true CEO” to lead the organisation and drive change, provides for the Garda Commissioner to recruit Garda staff directly to An Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (1 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána. Regrettably this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy again once it is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (1 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As background for the Deputy, the ML10 form was rescinded by An Garda Síochána on 5 August 2022. The forms had originally been introduced to support provisions under Section 32 of the Criminal Justice Act 1994 which were repealed when the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 was introduced. The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) formed the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Student Visas (1 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: A Stamp 1G is granted or renewed under the Third Level Graduate Programme where the graduate satisfies the immigration authorities that he or she has taken appropriate steps to access suitable graduate level employment, for example, attendance at job interviews, signing up with graduate employment agencies etc. The Third Level Graduate Programme provides that when an applicant has...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (1 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I am advised by my Department that the person concerned made an email based request on 15 July, 2022 to have the name reflected in their refugee declaration amended in line with their married name. In an email response of the same date, the person concerned was advised that it was not the practice of my Department to amend a refugee declaration in such a manner. I can also advise the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (1 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I can inform the Deputy that my Department procures goods and services in compliance with Directive 2014/24/EU and in line with Procurement Guidelines published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). Information regarding contracts without a current competitive process and deemed non-compliant is published in the annual Appropriation Accounts in 2020 and 2021, extracts of which are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (1 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: A review of the Garda retirement age is ongoing and it is hoped it will be finalised shortly. As Garda retirement ages are governed by both primary and secondary legislation, any proposals to amend such legislation would require Government approval.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (1 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with record funding of more than €2.14 billion allocated to the Garda Vote in budget 2023. This includes provision for the recruitment of up to 1,000 additional Garda members and 400 Garda staff in 2023 and will enable sustained ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (1 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: My Department has responsibility for immigration-related matters, including the entry and residence conditions of non-EEA students, who are granted a Stamp 2 immigration permission, and continually consults and engages with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, among other key sectorial...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (1 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As previously advised to the Deputy in Dáil question number 337 on 6 October 2022, there is no record of a current application for naturalisation for the person cited by the Deputy. The person concerned previously applied for naturalisation in 2018 however that was refused on the grounds of not meeting the criteria. Citizenship division wrote to the person on 22 October 2022...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Library Services (1 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The provision of public library services is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Therefore, works on the toilet facilities in Bray Library are the responsibility of Wicklow County Council. As a measure under the Libraries Capital Programme, my department approved funding of €3m for a Small-Scale...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Contracts (1 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Department of Rural and Community Developments procurement policy aligns fully with the guidelines produced by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). The OGP guidance requires public tendering to take place for the supply of goods and services with a value of over €25,000 (excluding VAT) and for capital works valued at over €50,000 (excluding VAT). As such, the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (6 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. An Garda Síochána is a community police service with strong links to the communities it serves, built on a culture of policing by consent.  Over the last century, from the turbulent years of the Civil War and through the devastating years of the Troubles, the Garda has remained a largely unarmed police service.  The resolve and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (6 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: The Deputy referred to the Tánaiste. What he said, very clearly, when answering a direct question, was that it was a matter for the Garda Commissioner, which it is. He said he would consider any request from the Garda Commissioner. I believe the strength of the Garda Síochána has been through policing by consent. It is an unarmed police force. We have heard many times in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (6 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I will be answering a further question on this matter later on. I am advised by GSOC that it has deployed significant resources to the investigation and that the investigation is at an advanced stage. I understand that a draft report, pursuant to section 101 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, has been prepared and is currently subject to internal and external peer review, as well as...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (6 Dec 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As Minister, I am committed to delivering the necessary resources to bring the number of Garda members to 15,000 and beyond. There is no evidence of an issue in relation to retention of Garda members. Of the 14,211 sworn members, only around 100 in total will resign this year. That is just 0.7% of the total Garda members. Since 2015, the budget...