Results 2,761-2,780 of 16,227 for speaker:Helen McEntee

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

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 to 142, inclusive, together. My Department has significantly increased investment into the international protection system. Measures have been implemented to improve efficiencies and throughput while also enhancing the application, interview, and decision-making process for applicants. One of the priority areas of focus has been to recruit both civil...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office in Dublin on 19 December 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 16 February 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: An Garda Síochána (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities, and strengthening An Garda Síochána, including the Garda Reserve, is at the core of that. We will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and this is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion to An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (22 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: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. As Minister, I do not comment on individual IIP applications, however, my Department’s IIP Unit is committed to ensuring that all applications will be examined on their own merits and will endeavour to conclude all decisions in a timely...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the naturalisation application from the person referred to has been approved by my Department. A request for final documentation and a Certificate fee will issue directly to the person concerned. Last year, Citizenship Division more than doubled the number of ceremonies available to applicants with 15 held over the course of 2023. This was a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I refer to your Parliamentary Question No. 511 of 18 September 2024 asking about the number of Gardaí, by rank, attached to the Garda National Protective Services Bureau as of 9 September 2024 and the corresponding figures as of 31 December 2022, in tabular form. As you will appreciate, the management of Garda resources is an operational matter for the Commissioner of An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the provision of equipment and facilities, under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister, I have no direct role in these processes. I am informed by Garda Authorities that they are not in a position at this time to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that I last met with Chief Superintendent McNulty in August 2023 during a visit to Blanchardstown Garda Station. I can assure the Deputy that I meet with the Garda Commissioner on a regular basis. I meet him formally on a quarterly basis and I also meet him to discuss matters as the need arises or on specific issues. In addition, given the nature of our...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 551 and 553 together. I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources needed to Keep People Safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of €2.48 billion in Budget 2025. This represents a 27% increase in funding since 2020. The Garda Mounted Unit is based at Áras an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters, nor can I direct the Commissioner with regard to them. I can, however, assure the Deputy that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, and will contact him when this is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, each year in the run up to Halloween, additional efforts are made by An Garda Síochána to combat the illegal importation, sale and use of fireworks, under what is known as Operation Tombola. Operation Tombola is a national operation. Each Regional Assistant Commissioner ensures that appropriate measures are put in place in each Division to prevent and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the naturalisation application from the person referred to has been approved by my Department and an invitation for an upcoming ceremony will issue to the person concerned in due course. Last year, Citizenship Division more than doubled the number of ceremonies available to applicants with 15 held over the course of 2023. This was a significant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, the registration office with the Immigration function of my Department experiences a seasonal increase in demand for immigration residence permissions in the September to November period. Appointments are predominantly fully booked as students seek to register their first immigration permission during this time. Following arrival in the State, applicants have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters, nor can I direct the Commissioner with regard to them. I can, however, assure the Deputy that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is the accounting officer for An Garda Síochána, and is responsible for the Garda budget. The Government is committed to providing the Commissioner with the resources he needs, and Garda funding has increased by over €500m (up 27% since 2020), bringing the total for the 2025 Budget to €2.48 billion. I have enacted...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: One of the overarching goals of Zero Tolerance, the Third National Strategy on DSGBV, which I published in June 2022, is to ensure that everyone who needs a refuge space will get one and under the strategy we have committed to doubling the number of refuge units across the country. This represents the fastest ever expansion of refuge accommodation in this country. To accelerate the delivery...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (22 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: 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 permanently, unless revoked by the Minister for Justice...