Results 3,981-4,000 of 8,928 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (27 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I wish to advise the Deputy that substantial work has been completed on the necessary actions to introduce the new Prisoner Complaints System, including on staff training, the development of an integrated IT system to support case handling and a draft policy for complaints handling. A critical path for the introduction of the new system has been provided to my office. This includes...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (27 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I have been advised by the Irish Prison Service that there is currently one Governor vacancy across the prison service as of 20 July 2021. That vacancy currently exists at the grade of Governor 3, in the Midlands prison. I understand that the reference to Deputy Governor is to the position of Assistant Governor grade in the IPS. There is one post at the grade of Assistant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (27 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1365 and 1367 together. The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, which is the primary legislation covering the operation of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, provides that free legal aid may be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of a person who has insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under the Scheme, the courts, through the judiciary,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (27 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, which is the primary legislation covering the operation of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, provides that free legal aid may be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of people who have insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under the Act, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (27 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Protecting and supporting victims of sexual violence is a key priority for me and my Department. I am keenly aware of the devastating physical and emotional consequences such crimes have on victims. The O’Malley Review of Protections for Vulnerable Witnesses in the Investigation and Prosecution of Sexual Offences arose out of concern about low reporting levels for rape and other...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Coroners Service (27 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy will be aware, Coroners are independent in the conduct of their functions and neither I nor my Department have any role in the scheduling of inquests by a coroner, or for any subsequent action or decision.  Most coroners hold inquests in local court houses, and as a result of Covid-19, given public health considerations, inquests have unfortunately been severely...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (27 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy is aware, to better inform further discussion, my Department has arranged for research on parental alienation to be carried out this year.  I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, following a tender process, this research is currently underway. The research is examining the international approaches to parental alienation and will help to inform our...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (27 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy is likely aware, the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act, referred to as 'Coco's Law', entered into force on 10 February 2021. It creates two new offences of sending, or threatening to send, intimate images without the consent of the person whose image it is. Following the Deputy’s request, I sought information from both the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Prison Service has put in place an extensive range of measures to prevent Covid-19 transmission within prisons, to detect early any possible infection in a prisoner or staff member and prevent the spread of infection should there be a confirmed case. I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that as of 25 July, 2021 there have been 164...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Taisce (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: An Taisce is a non-governmental organisation active in the areas of the environment and built heritage in Ireland. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has no statutory function in respect of this organisation. The Department provides An Taisce with funding for a variety of initiatives, including the national spring clean, Irish Business Against Litter, the national...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The pandemic has been a particularly difficult time for all residents, relatives and staff of our nursing homes. As the House will be aware, the Covid-19 nursing home expert panel established last year provided a comprehensive report and package of recommendations in respect of the ongoing response to Covid-19 and longer-term strategic reform of the care of older persons. Many of the short...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Taisce (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has no legal function in respect of An Taisce. The Department provides An Taisce with funding for a variety of initiatives, including the National Spring Clean, Irish Business Against Litter, national anti-litter league and green schools programme. All payments made to An Taisce are...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, was due to take this question today but due to the change of time for Topical Issues, she cannot do so as she is bringing legislation through the Seanad. She sends her apologies for not being in the Chamber for this debate. The Covid-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented challenge across our health services and none more so than in our nursing...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Employment Schemes (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: This strategy aims to get people back to work as the economy and the labour market recover from Covid-19. Pathways to Work 2021-2025 is a strategy that sets out 83 whole-of-government commitments aimed at reducing unemployment to or below pre-pandemic 2019 levels. A key commitment under the strategy is the new work placement experience programme. This active labour market programme...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Employment Schemes (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The new work placement experience programme is a key measure in our economic recovery plan and in the Government’s new employment services strategy, Pathways to Work. Launched on Monday, the programme provides tangible evidence of the Government's strong commitment to providing quality work experience and training opportunities for jobseekers, in particular, those whose jobs were...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. As he is aware, the programme for Government sets out several commitments in respect of the important policy area of building defects and provides for an examination of defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations in the Joint Committee on Housing's Safe as Houses? report. In that context, a working group to examine defects in housing...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The programme for Government sets out several commitments in respect of the important policy area of building defects and provides for an examination of defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations in the joint committee's Safe as Houses? report. The plenary working group has been meeting monthly since March 2021. In addition, there have been subgroup meetings. With regard...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together. Arrangements for the production and issue of the EU Digital Covid Certificates are being progressed by the Department of Health, the HSE and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. Questions on these matters should be addressed to the relevant Minister.