Results 3,581-3,600 of 16,227 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: Improving the experience of all victims engaging with the criminal justice system has been a priority for me since taking office. I'm acutely conscious that coming forward to report sexual and/or domestic violence can be a deeply traumatic experience for victims and I am determined to do everything in my power to ensure that the criminal justice system empowers victims to have the confidence...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, in 2022 I published Zero Tolerance: Ireland’s Third National Strategy to combat Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV). The strategy sets out an ambitious whole of government five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which underpin these crimes and to create a system that supports and empowers...

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

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1437 and 1441 together. 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...

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

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that Ireland supports the entry of migrants through legal pathways, to facilitate migration into the State. These include arrangements for various categories of persons, including; workers, international students and family members. Details of these pathways can be found on the Immigration Service website at the following link: In order to work in Ireland a non-EEA...

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

Helen McEntee: I am advised by officials in the Citizenship Division of my Department that correspondence issued on 18 June 2024 to the solicitor of the person referred to by the Deputy, requesting further information and documentation in support of their application. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation...

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 for the recruitment, training and allocation of Garda members and staff to a given unit. 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: Asylum Seekers (23 Jul 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected. I have significantly increased investment into the international protection system, which has allowed for a major increase in processing capacity and the introduction of accelerated processing. Last July, I...

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

Helen McEntee: Migration plays an essential and very positive role in Ireland’s society and economy. Legal migration pathways are vital to addressing labour shortages across the economy. Our success in ensuring we can attract and retain the skills our economy needs has been a key driver of economic growth in Ireland. In order to ensure that these pathways are as efficient and convenient as possible,...

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

Helen McEntee: I have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably, this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy directly when it is to hand.

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, by law, responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda resources. As Minister I have no role in these matters, and I cannot direct the Commissioner in any specific aspect of Garda operations. Operation Saul was initiated for the purpose of coordinating operational activity across the...

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 responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As Minister, I have no role these independent functions. To be of assistance I sought the information requested...

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

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware the Irish Prison Service has come under increasing operational stress due to an unprecedented increase in prisoner population numbers. To address this, a Prison Overcrowding Response Group, composed of officials from across the Department of Justice and representatives from the Irish Prison Service, the Probation Service, the Courts Service, and An Garda...

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

Helen McEntee: A Health Needs Assessment for the Irish Prison Service was published in May 2023. This was the first comprehensive health assessment undertaken for the Irish Prison Service. Broadly speaking, the 60 recommendations made relate to strengthening delivery and improving governance of healthcare services in the Irish Prison Service. In relation to the implementation of the recommendations of the...

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

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1454 and 1455 together. The Report of the Judicial Planning Working Group recommended that 44 additional judges should be appointed in two phases to address existing backlogs and reduce waiting times across all court jurisdictions. In addition, the Working Group recommended a range of measures to ensure the more efficient use of judicial resources already in...

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

Helen McEntee: The Government is conscious that powerful individuals and companies can attempt to misuse defamation laws to prevent journalists reporting in the public interest on their activities and indeed to target public participation more broadly. Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) are recognised, both here and internationally, as a significant challenge to press freedom, given...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (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 enforcement of road traffic legislation. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. The unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána...

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

Helen McEntee: We are all immensely grateful to our Gardaí for their outstanding dedication and commitment to serving the public and for the important role that they play in our society. For the most part, the relationship between Gardaí and the public is one built on very significant trust. We only have to look to the fact that An Garda Síochána is a largely unarmed, and yet hugely...