Results 3,661-3,680 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (13 May 2020)

David Stanton: I can inform the Deputy that intensive work has been underway in the Department since the emergence of the COVID-19 crisis to ensure that, to the best of our ability, we protect the health and welfare of asylum seekers and refugees availing of our accommodation services. In all measures we are taking, we are guided by the HSE and the National Public Health Emergency Team. We are working in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (13 May 2020)

David Stanton: As the Deputy will appreciate, this is a public health situation, the response to which is being led by HSE Public Health, as is appropriate. My Department and centre management are working closely with the HSE to implement their public health advice. Testing of residents and staff has been completed in Cahersiveen by HSE Public Health. In line with our agreed policy with the HSE,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (5 Mar 2020)

David Stanton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 416 together. I can confirm that my Department does not have any plans to utilise the location mentioned by the Deputies for accommodation for international protection applicants.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Carer's Leave Entitlements (5 Mar 2020)

David Stanton: Section 6 of the Carers Leave Act 2001 provides that employees with at least one year's continuous service are entitled to take up to 104 weeks of carers leave. Currently, there is no provision to transfer the entitlement to carer’s leave.   While there are no plans to amend the Carer's Leave Act, the Government is very cognisant of the needs of families and in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Employment Rights (5 Mar 2020)

David Stanton: As the Deputy may be aware, under Section 9 of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004, mothers in employment who have given birth within the previous 6 months (26 weeks) and who are breastfeeding are entitled to take one hour paid time off work each day in order to breastfeed. At the choice of the employer, a breastfeeding mother may breastfeed in the workplace or express breast milk,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Justice Strategy (5 Mar 2020)

David Stanton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 394 to 397, inclusive, together. The Garda Youth Diversion Programme is supported by a network of Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs). The projects are community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people who have become involved in crime or anti-social behaviour and to support wider preventative work within the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (5 Mar 2020)

David Stanton: As the Deputy will be aware, residents who have been granted an international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) or a permission to remain have the same access to housing supports and services as Irish and EEA nationals.  My Department has a specific team who work in collaboration with Depaul Ireland,  the Jesuit Refugee Service, the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Expenditure (5 Mar 2020)

David Stanton: All accommodation centres for people seeking international protection, whether State-owned or privately owned, are operated by commercial companies. There are currently 39 accommodation centres being operated under the direct provision system. My Department contracts for a fully inclusive service, which includes catering, cleaning, maintenance and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (5 Mar 2020)

David Stanton: As the Deputy will be aware, the State has a legal obligation to offer accommodation, food and a range of other services (including utilities and healthcare etc.) to any person who claims a right to international protection in Ireland where he or she does not have sufficient means to have an adequate standard of living while their claim for protection is being examined...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Migrant Integration (5 Mar 2020)

David Stanton: I wish to inform the Deputy that service provision to migrants is mainstreamed across all Government Departments.  As part of the Transformation Process in the Department of Justice and Equality, the work of the Office of the Promotion of Migrant Integration is now being carried out within the Civil Justice and Equality Policy function, with funding streams administered collaboratively...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Adoption Legislation (18 Dec 2019)

David Stanton: On 22 October last, the Government approved the priority drafting of provisions on adoptive leave with a view to their inclusion in the earliest appropriate Bill.  These provisions will give all adopting couples, whether same sex or opposite sex, the right to select which of them will be the qualified adopter i.e. which will get adoptive leave and benefit. Drafting of the provisions...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Resettlement Programme (18 Dec 2019)

David Stanton: In 2015, as part of Ireland's response to the migration crisis in central and southern Europe, the Government established the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). Under this programme, the Government committed to accepting up to 4,000 people into the State, primarily through a combination of the EU Relocation Programme and the UNHCR's Refugee Resettlement Programme. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seeker Accommodation (18 Dec 2019)

David Stanton: I am aware of a report regarding the experience of residents within the accommodation centre referred to by the Deputy.  I met with the NGO that commissioned the report and I discussed its findings with it.  The report is also being considered by my officials.  All complaints regarding the operation of an accommodation centre are fully...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Migrant Integration (18 Dec 2019)

David Stanton: My Department operates a number of funding schemes in the area of Integration, which includes the integration of refugees.  A small grants scheme provides for grants of up to €5,000 from the Communities Integration Fund and a national funding programme to promote the integration of migrants provides for larger grants paid over a period of 3...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (17 Dec 2019)

David Stanton: I am aware of the report published last week by the Paediatric Faculty of the Royal College of Physicians Ireland. It is being carefully considered by my officials. The system of Direct Provision refers to the suite of State services and supports that are provided by a range of government departments and agencies to persons seeking international protection status.  It...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Legislation (17 Dec 2019)

David Stanton: The Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill 2019 has now passed all stages in the Houses of the Oireachtas. An association of private members clubs (PMCs) made a number of representations to me in the course of the final development of the Bill. I also met a representative of the association, at their request, to hear their concerns at first hand. Essentially, the nature of the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Youth Diversion Projects (17 Dec 2019)

David Stanton: My colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, is leading on the design of a community-based response to this issue, known as the "Greentown” project.  This is a research project led by the REPPP Project (Research Evidence into Policy, Programmes and Practice) at the School of Law in the University of Limerick. The REPPP project is a strategic research partnership with...

Racism Affecting Ethnic Minorities in Ireland: Statements (12 Dec 2019)

David Stanton: I welcome the opportunity to debate this important issue. Racist incidents can gain momentum quickly, in particular because of the extra oxygen provided by social media. Their effects can be devastating on individuals and can last a lifetime. The majority of Irish society has been remarkably open and welcoming to migrants and, over the past two decades and more, we have welcomed people...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Traveller Projects Funding (12 Dec 2019)

David Stanton: As the Deputy will be aware, in June 2017, the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017 – 2021 (NTRIS) was published. The Strategy represents a whole of Government approach to bring about meaningful change and progress for the Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland. It brings together Government Departments and Agencies along with representatives from both the Traveller...

Domestic Violence: Statements (11 Dec 2019)

David Stanton: This is an important and timely debate that will help to raise awareness of what Deputy Connolly described as the crime of domestic abuse and violence and the steps being taken to counter it. Unfortunately, it will be an ongoing task for all of us in this House and for society as a whole to address. While acknowledging Deputy Connolly's observation regarding the reliability of figures, I am...