Results 21-40 of 11,939 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (21 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. When applicants complete their initial application at International Protection Office (IPO) they are referred to the International...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: It has not been possible to collate and examine all the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Peace Commissioners (21 May 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 efforts are made to keep the Roll up to date, it is acknowledged that the records do not always reflect the actual situation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ombudsman for Children (21 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) is a priority for me and my Department and this is reflected in a range of policies and legislation I have introduced, as well as increases secured in successive Budget allocations. As the Deputy will be aware, in June 2022 I published an ambitious €363 million, Zero Tolerance Strategy to be delivered from...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (21 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 425 to 427, inclusive, together. I can advise the Deputy that Ireland supports the entry of migrants through legal pathways, to facilitate legal migration into the State. These include arrangements for various categories of persons, including; workers and international students. Any visa required national that wishes to enter the State, and remain, for up...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Pathology Service (21 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Office of the State Pathologist (OSP) is an independent body under the aegis of the Department of Justice. The OSP provides the State with a national forensic pathology service where a forensic pathologist is on duty, twenty-four hours a day, each day of the year. Their primary remit is to perform post mortem examinations in suspicious deaths as directed by the respective coroner. Four...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (21 May 2024)

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

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (21 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on the 06 October 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Nairobi office on the 12 October 2023. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on the 03 November 2023 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: International Protection (21 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can assure you that the health and wellbeing of all people who apply for international protection is of the highest priority to me and my Department, as is the health and safety of the staff working in the International Protection Office (IPO). The IPO buildings have fire safety certificates which guide the appropriate use of space. The numbers of individuals accessing Timberlay House...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (21 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for frontline immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other airports and other ports of entry, including the land border with Northern Ireland, are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Ireland and the United Kingdom share a common interest in the effective operation of the Common Travel Area...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (21 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy may be aware, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for international protection has been made in the State. If a person is in the international protection process, there is a legal requirement under the International Protection Act 2015 to maintain full confidentiality at all times. Therefore the Department is unable to publish any information...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (21 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can advise the Deputy that Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BoTP) are permitted to be outside the State for short periods. Under Section 16(3) of the International Protection Act 2015, as amended, an applicant for International Protection shall not leave or attempt to leave the State without the consent of the Minister. In the context of International Protection applicants,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (21 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, prosecutions are a matter for the Director of Prosecutions, who is fully independent in her functions under Section 2(5) of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended). As Minister, I have no role in the operations, functions, governance or oversight of the Office of the DPP and I am unable to provide any information or statistics relating to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: It has not been possible to collate and examine all the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (21 May 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 significant increase in processing capacity and the introduction of accelerated processing. Last July,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (21 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State and fails to do so is committing a criminal offence, and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda Síochána. Such an order remains on the person’s record permanently – it means they cannot enter Ireland again in future, and it will...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (21 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) is responsible for the management of the Garda vetting system under the general superintendence of the Garda Commissioner, under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 -2016. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in the operation of the vetting system and am unable to intervene in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (21 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: In its over forty years of operation, the Civil Legal Aid Scheme has been a significant and beneficial public service, providing legal aid and advice to people of limited means in civil disputes, including family law. However, since the Scheme was set up, Irish society has changed, and the demands on the service have grown. In June 2022, I established the Civil Legal Aid Review Group to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (21 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (21 May 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can inform the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer, the visa applications referred to were refused. Letters issued to the applicants on 26 April 2024 outlines the reasons for the refusals. An appeals process, is available which allows applicants, in the event of a refusal of the application at first instance, to address the factors which gave rise to that decision....