Results 2,521-2,540 of 15,062 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: The visa system is an essential part of our immigration system and is a preclearance mechanism to determine who can travel to Ireland. All applications are subject to scrutiny and must be supported by documentation to be approved. I am advised by my Department's Visa Division that the approval rate for visa applications from Albanian nationals has decreased in 2024. I am informed that this is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: As part of the preparatory work to implement the EU Asylum and Migration Pact, my officials are examining the changes that it will facilitate in certain circumstances to limit the right to remain in the State pending appeals. The Asylum Procedures Regulation allows for applicants to remain in the State pending the outcome of their appeal. However, there are a number of exceptions to this,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (23 Jul 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 distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1561 and 1565 together. The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. I was pleased to secure unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for this year, a 25% increase since 2020, which is supporting the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Government is committed to ensuring there is adequate capacity in our prisons. Additional capacity is essential to ensure the prison system is safe, humane and has sufficient spaces to house the most serious offenders while focusing on rehabilitation. The Department of Justice continues to engage with the Irish Prison Service to progress plans to bring new spaces for over 1,100 people on...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (23 Jul 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 distribution of Garda members and vehicles between the different Garda units and Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. The Government is committed to ensuring that An...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions and, as such, I am unable to seek to direct the Commissioner with regards to the opening hours of any Garda station. For the Deputy's...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. I was pleased to secure unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for this year, a 25% increase since 2020, which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff. As you...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics. The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases in relation to various crime statistics. The most recent statistics were released...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1568 and 1569 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, resource management is a matter for the Commissioner. The Government has provided the funding to allow for sustained recruitment and, as I have outlined, is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs. Budget 2024 saw an unprecedented allocation of €2.35 billion...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (23 Jul 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. I understand that community safety audits refer to a practice of local people moving through their community to identify where people may feel safe, where they...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department is working closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes their work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance. As the Deputy may be aware, it is not my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Peace Commissioners (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: In line with the provisions of section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act 1924, Peace Commissioners are appointed, and may be removed from that appointment, by me in my capacity as Minister for Justice. My Department maintains the Roll (Register) of Peace Commissioners and, while every effort is made to keep the Roll up to date, the records do not always reflect the actual situation on the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all operational policing matters and the management of the Garda PULSE system. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics. The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases in relation to various crime statistics. The most recent statistics were released...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all operational policing matters and the management of the Garda PULSE system. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am informed by the Gardaí that there have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Family Reunification (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office in Dublin on 05 September 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 15 January 2024. All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Government and I are committed to modernising the alcohol licensing laws and to support the night-time economy and the many industries and businesses that operate within this economy to the greatest extent possible. The Sale of Alcohol Bill intends to modernise our existing licensing laws in line with the expectations and needs of today’s society and to encourage the development of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: My Department and I engage extensively with EU counterparts on migration issues across a wide range of working groups and other formats, including meetings of the Justice and Home Affairs Ministers. A particular focus has been intensive work with our European colleagues over several years to carefully negotiate the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. The pact will significantly reform the current...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will appreciate, resource management is a matter for the Commissioner. The Government has provided the funding to allow for sustained recruitment and, as I have outlined, is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs. Budget 2024 saw an unprecedented allocation of €2.35 billion - an increase of 23% since 2020. This funding is...