Results 2,861-2,880 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

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...

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

Helen McEntee: My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. In particular, my Department continues to take steps to increase the number of interviews scheduled, and the number of cases completed in the International Protection Office...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: 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 – it means they cannot legally enter Ireland again in future, and...

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

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the State is required to examine the application of anyone who presents at the borders of the State, or is in the State, and indicates that they wish to make an application for international protection. This is in accordance with our obligations under international and EU asylum law and the Government takes those commitments very seriously. My Department is...

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

Helen McEntee: Under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), persons are eligible to apply for labour market access permission if: • They are an international protection applicant; and • They have waited at least 5 months from their “Application Received” date for their first instance recommendation; and • They are...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Community Development Projects (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to improving safety and wellbeing for the community in Drogheda. As the Deputy will be aware, the Drogheda Implementation Plan outlines 73 actions to support community safety and chart a path to improved community wellbeing in and around Drogheda. The Drogheda Plan is an example of the power of cooperation and community. We have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime. An Garda Síochána has been allocated unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for 2024 – this is a 25% increase since 2020. This funding will allow for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is the accounting officer of An Garda Síochána and is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including human resource matters such as the recruitment of civilian staff. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. I am assured however, that Garda management keeps the...

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

Helen McEntee: Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána, and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties. Community policing is also fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model which is currently being rolled out across the country, and is fully commenced in 14 Garda divisions. The new model will provide more frontline...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, last year I secured funding of €9m to increase the fees payable to legal professionals for criminal legal aid by 10% from 1 January 2024. This 10% increase was the starting point in a wider process. It was the first step on a pathway to further engaging with the profession and with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. I have also...

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

Helen McEntee: My Department commissioned an independent consultant to undertake the statutory review of Part 4 of the Act but, due to a number of reasons, it was not possible for the review to be completed within the desired timeframe. I acknowledge that the report is now significantly overdue and the Deputy is aware, from previous questions, of the circumstances that have delayed its completion....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Judgments (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy but it was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: A central element of delivering on the Zero Tolerance goal of the Third National Strategy was the establishment of Cuan, the statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) agency, at the start of this year. Cuan has a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the strategy across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue....