Results 3,721-3,740 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes the management of the Garda Estate. Additionally, the Commissioner determines the distribution and stationing of the Garda Síochána throughout the State under Section 33 of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that given the rise in prisoner population, it is not possible to say whether those accommodated in the Progression Unit will remain together. People currently accommodated in the Progression Unit, who are not serving their sentences for sex offences, will be moved to alternative suitable accommodation within the prison estate. I can further advise the Deputy that not...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Peace Commissioners (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: In line with the provisions of section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act 1924, Peace Commissioners are appointed, and may be removed from that appointment, by me in my capacity as Minister for Justice. My Department maintains the Roll of Peace Commissioners and, while every effort is made to keep the Roll up to date, the records do not always reflect the actual situation on the ground....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Freedom of Speech (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill will legislate against hate crimes for the first time in Irish law and bring us into line with our European counterparts. It will also update existing incitement to hatred laws dating from 1989 to ensure compliance with EU law and to better reflect modern methods of communicating. In doing so, it will update and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sentencing Policy (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 524, 525 and 535 together. The Government takes the issue of sexual exploitation of children very seriously and there is comprehensive legislation in place to deal with these offences. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act was enacted in 2017. This wide-ranging piece of legislation significantly enhanced the laws combatting the sexual exploitation and sexual...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Local Authorities (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that my Department was not in receipt of any returned or surrendered grant-aid from Local Authorities during the time specified.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Support Services (30 Apr 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: International Protection (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Legal Aid Board is the statutory, independent body responsible for the provision of civil legal aid and advice to persons of modest means. This includes the provision of legal aid and advice to international protection applicants. While eligibility for the scheme is assessed on a case by case basis, the high rate of successful applications set out below, as provided to me by the Legal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: We have all been shocked by the recent loss of life on our roads, and concerned by the worrying increase in road fatalities after many years of progress in making our roads safer. Road safety is a shared responsibility and one which this Government takes very seriously. Road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of all members of An Garda Síochána, as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all matters relating to the recruitment, training and appointment of its members. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I have been informed that, to date, in 2024 there has been one regional competition which spans across 3 Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for non-EU/EEA nationals residing in the Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow areas only, including the online renewal system. An Garda Síochána has oversight of the first registration and renewal of immigration residence permissions for non-EU/EEA nationals residing outside of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: Under Section 9 of the Aliens Act, 1935 where a non-EEA national over the age of 18 wishes to legally change their name to a name that is different to the one on their birth certificate, they must apply for a change of name licence from my Department. In order for this name change to take legal effect a deed poll would also need to be executed. I can advise the Deputy, that the granting...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on the 17 July 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Dar-es-Salaam office on the 25 January 2024. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on the 06 February 2024 where it awaits examination and processing. Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (30 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: A Stamp 3 immigration permission indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a specified period, subject to conditions, and is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation. The conditions of the Stamp 3 state that: ‘one cannot work or engage in any business, trade or profession’. A Stamp 3 immigration permission does not prevent the holder from...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 252 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 for the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am committed to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (25 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: My Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible. However, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of applications on hand, individual circumstances, the complexity of applications, whether further information is required, and the resources available. The immigration services of my Department utilises the resources available in order...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (25 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (25 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 244, 245, 246 and 247 together. I can advise the Deputy that the Minister of Religion preclearance scheme applies to both visa required and non-visa required nationals. This scheme gives non-EEA nationals permission to travel to the State. Applicants must apply from their home country or a country where they are a legal resident. Proof of residence outside...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (25 Apr 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 thirteen Garda divisions. The new model will provide more...