Results 3,761-3,780 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (24 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. The unprecedented allocation of over €2.35...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Regulatory Impact Assessments (24 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: The General Scheme of 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 a modern and diverse night-time economy. The proposed legislation endeavours to strike a balance between maintaining strict controls and safeguards in relation to the sale of alcohol, while...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children (24 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: Both I and my Department takes very seriously the role it has in protecting the best interests and welfare of unaccompanied minors arriving at ports of entry, in the international protection process and the wider immigration system. The information sought by the Deputy with regard to the number of unaccompanied minors (UM) who arrived at Dublin Airport and indicated they wished to register...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Constitutional Amendments (24 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy is aware, referendums were held on 8th March 2024 on the Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023 and the Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023. Officials from my Department, as in others, gave detailed consideration to issues within Departmental responsibility to inform and assist the drafting the proposed amendments. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Funding (24 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, in 2021 I announced the creation of the Community Safety Innovation Fund (CSIF) to reinvest proceeds of crime funds returned to the exchequer by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) back into communities, in order to fund innovative local projects aimed at building stronger, safer communities. The fund had an initial allocation of €2m in 2022, which increased...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Advertising (24 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: It has not been possible to collate the information requested in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Contracts (24 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that my Department has not engaged the services of the company in question, and neither has it funded or supported that company in any capacity. I can also inform the Deputy that neither I, nor officials from my Department, have engaged with personnel from that company.

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): An Garda Síochána (23 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: Budget 2024 provided a budget allocation of more than €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána. A 25% increase on 2020, this will allow for the sustained recruitment of Garda recruits. Recruitment is gathering real momentum. The number of recruits in the Garda training college continue to increase with a total of 747 trainees last year. That was the highest intake since...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): An Garda Síochána (23 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: Approximately 40% of the applicants in the most recent campaign were over the age of 35. It has had a significant impact on those applying. A steering group has been established to see what more we can do around the Garda numbers around the Garda College and whether there is more that we need to do by examining hybrid training moving outside of Templemore. That might not be the answer...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): International Protection (23 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: My Department has taken a significant number of measures to increase the capacity of the international protection system. Reforms to this process will continue this year and beyond. In November 2022, I introduced an accelerated procedure for international protection applicants from designated safe countries of origin. This now applies to ten countries, with Botswana and Algeria added...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): International Protection (23 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I will continue to be clear that this pact is not being forced on anyone. It was first presented in 2016, with a second iteration in 2020. During every stage of the debate, be it in the European Parliament, the European Council, the committee of justice or the European affairs ministers Council, which I was a member of a number of years ago, opportunities were available to Members of this...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): International Protection (23 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: The people did vote for this. They voted for it in the form of the Lisbon treaty.

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): International Protection (23 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: The treaty clearly sets out that migration is an EU competence. What we fought for was the option to opt in. The only obligation from a constitutional perspective is that both Houses agree this. That is exactly what we are doing. To be clear, nothing is being forced upon us. We are deciding to opt into a set of measures that we are already a member of. We have been part of a common...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (23 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: It is absolutely the case that certain local authorities in the past, prior to any issues arising around GDPR, were more proactive in applying for the funding and putting up the CCTV. It may be the case now that a similar pattern will emerge but it is important for local communities to know that it is there. It is important for local councillors and representatives in this House to know...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (23 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this. He has raised it previously. I do not want to outline what he knows already exists but for those who potentially do not, the commission was established under the Fresh Start agreement to report on measures aimed at ending paramilitarism. The commission has submitted six reports to the UK and Irish Governments to date, the most recent of which was last...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (23 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I am sorry that I cannot provide any greater clarity or report progress from when we discussed this before. I assure the Deputy that it is not off the agenda. It is very much being discussed. There has been a lot of back and forth between my Department, the Irish Government and the UK Government. Also there had been previous conversations with the Assembly in Northern Ireland. I have met...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (23 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I hope that we can come back with positive progress. On the Deputy's initial point, I cannot speak highly enough of the members of the commission and the work they do. I commend their commitment to removing violence from the communities in Northern Ireland but also their commitment to developing, enhancing and supporting communities that have been impacted for many years and working with...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (23 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: On a Dublin allowance, I do not think that could be applied to gardaí on their own. Deputy Ó Ríordáin reflected that it would have to apply across the board. It is something that we have looked at, which is not to say there are not challenges with it. How do we decide who gets it? If somebody is working in Dublin but living in the commuter area, do we put a parameter...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (23 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: Community safety is a top priority for me and my Department. Everyone has the right to be safe and feel safe in their communities. Community CCTV can play a vital role in achieving this goal. I think we will have all heard not just from community groups but from local representatives and gardaí as well just how important CCTV is. As the Deputy is aware, since 2017 my Department has...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (23 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: People are free to apply to the scheme now. This part of it is applicable to those who are applying. To outline how people can apply, the details are available on my Department's website at gov.ie. There are technical specifications, application forms and guidance notes. For any community group that has an interest in this, it is a matter of contacting local Garda management, their local...