Results 2,921-2,940 of 15,062 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that I remain absolutely committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources needed to make sure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe. In 2024, I have provided a budget allocation of over €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána which represents a 25% increase on 2020. A new recruitment campaign was...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (20 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: Restricting an accused person’s liberty prior to trial is a very serious matter, given the constitutional presumption of innocence and the presumptive entitlement to remain at liberty that flows from that. The State’s bail laws do provide for the refusal of bail in certain circumstances, but as the Deputy is aware, judges are independent in the exercise of their judicial...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (20 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: 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. However, it is important to note that no two applications are the same and some take longer than others to process, and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (20 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to tackle drug dealing and associated criminal behaviour, including by organised crime groups. The funding made available to An Garda Síochána has enabled the Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist units involved in tackling organised crime. These include the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately the information was not received on time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (20 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that educational and rehabilitation facilities are available in all prisons throughout the country and all prisoners, including first time offenders, have access to those services. Teachers and Work and Training Officers support and encourage those in custody on a daily basis in what can be a very challenging environment. Education and Work and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Jun 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. I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Anti-Terrorism Measures (20 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, combatting terrorism is a top priority for the Government, working with other countries in Europe and the international community. Protecting Europeans from terrorism is one of the strategic priorities set out in the European Commission’s Security Union Strategy covering the period 2020 – 2025. In addition, the Deputy may wish to note that...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Trafficking (20 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: Human trafficking is an exploitative and particularly heinous crime that preys on some of the most vulnerable, and is committed with no regard for life, dignity or for the most basic of human rights. Across Government, we acknowledge the seriousness of this crime and are determined to reach and help those who have been affected by it and to take them out of these horrific situations. ...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I acknowledge the heartache and distress that has been caused to so many people post Covid. As a Government, we did a lot of things right but we need to make sure that where we could have done things better that we can always learn from that. It will not change things or bring people back but we need to make sure that we engage with everyone who was impacted over the years. Where changes...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: Guidelines are in place. It is important that any company progressing a project engages with the local authority and adheres to the guidelines. To give a more detailed answer I will ask the Minister responsible to respond to the Deputy on the project. On housing, the way that we deal with any housing crisis is by producing more houses and apartments to provide more options for people,...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: My understanding is that measures are being brought to Cabinet.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: Measures have been brought by the Minister, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, to address the issue of students having to engage in full-year leases as opposed to shorter leases. He will be progressing that as soon as possible.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I do not have an exact timeline for that.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: First, I commend the work of An Garda Síochána. I particularly wish to thank the work of community gardaí. They provide vital support within communities. We saw how important their work is throughout the Covid-19 pandemic in particular in visiting people and looking after those who are more vulnerable. I refer to the day-to-day work they do in supporting organisations,...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Government, through the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, and her Department has established Coimisiún na Meán. This is something which Deputy Bruton started himself in the Department to look at the harmful element of social media. While we all know how great social media can be, particularly in the context of our own work in engaging with younger people, the harms are clear...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I agree that we need more gardaí. I want more gardaí. The Deputy wants more gardaí. I commend the work of the gardaí we have. Many of the actions I am taking in the Department are to make sure we can attract and retain more gardaí: increasing the retirement age, increasing the age at which people can join, increasing the allowance they have in college and making...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I appreciate that this has gone on longer than anybody would like. We are on track to have this done by autumn. The report will be published in time. The reason we had to move it back to officials within the Department is because of the changes that had to take place. The independent person who had been appointed was not finishing it. There was then a tender set out to look at other...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I think we can all see this in our constituencies, particularly over the summer months. I refer to the challenges and the parents who get on to us because of a lack of space or because of their inability to get their children on the school buses. The Deputy is right that changes are being proposed to take away some of the distance requirements and other measures. I will have to come back...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (19 Jun 2024)

Helen McEntee: I think we would all like to see our men's and women's teams do well, but there could not be any suggestion that this Government does not support sporting organisations. Hundreds of millions of euro have been invested in sporting organisations the length and breadth of the country, including soccer clubs or football clubs overall. As regards investing specifically in individual...